City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – May 6, 2008
St. Mary’s Point Web address:  http://stmaryspoint.org

PRESENT:  Mayor Jones, Councilmembers Farnham, Jacobson, Williams, and Theede
ABSENT:  None

CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  The City Clerk took roll call.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
The Pledge was recited by everyone in attendance.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA.
Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve the Consent agenda.  Motion passed 5-0.

CLERK RESIGNATION
Mayor Jones reported that the City Clerk, Holly Morley, has resigned.  The City Clerk position will be listed in the local papers.  Councilmember Jacobson and Mayor Jones will conduct interviews for the position.  

PUBLIC CONCERNS.
There were no public concerns at this time.

SHERIFF’S REPORT.
There was not a Deputy at the meeting to give a report.  Mayor Jones reported that he spoke with Deputy Garvey about the City providing a list to the Sheriff’s Department of vacant homes in the area.  The local deputies will be sure to check on those properties as they make their rounds.  Councilmember Jacobson will work on preparing a list.

Mayor Jones also reported that a letter was received from Steve Pott of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office about the planning for an emergency communications tower in Afton.  

PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING.
 Distribution of Comp Plan & Water Plan drafts
Councilmember Farnham reported that the plans were distributed to the local government agencies, as required.  

 Cell tower application
Councilmember Farnham reported that he hasn’t heard anything more about this project.  He will have the City Planner, John Glomski, verify with the applicants whether or not they are moving forward with this.

 Other business
None.


FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS (FIRMS).
Councilmember Fanrham reported that he and the City Engineer, John Parotti have worked together setting up the Open House.  The objective is to give residents an opportunity to see what impact, if any, the new floodplain maps have on their property.  The open house will be May 27 from 5:30 – 7:30.  It is an open house, not a public hearing.  The City Clerk will post and publish a notice of the open house.  Notices will be mailed to everyone in the City by Councilmember Jacobson.

MPCA REPORT ON XCEL ENERGY FLY ASH SITE.
Mayor Jones reported that the final EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) was received regarding the proposed Xcel Energy Fly Ash site.  The report seems to indicate that the MPCA does not see significant environmental issues with this site.  There will be a hearing on May 20th.

LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL & EQUALIZATION REPORT.
Councilmember Jacobson reported on the April 22nd meeting.  All the Councilmembers were in attendance at the Local Board.
 
STANDING COMMITTEES – UPDATES.
Fire District – Councilmember Williams did not attend the last meeting.

Cable Commission – Mayor Jones reported that he attended the last meeting and will attend the meeting tomorrow night.  The City will need new equipment to handle the DVD recording of the meetings, but we can apply for funding from the Cable Commission for the equipment.  He will work with Councilmember Jacobson on this.

Middle St. Croix WMO – Councilmember Jacobson reported that she attended the last meeting.  She also attended a workshop at River Falls on protecting the St. Croix River.  

LSCV Alliance – Mayor Jones reported that the Joint Powers agreement for the Fire Department still needs to be approved by the Cities.

CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland reported on the status of the current projects in the City.  

City Engineer
Councilmember Farnham reported on the 2008 road improvements. A complete sealcoating project would cost around $80,000. He recommends the City do sealcoating next year; and this year we do the normal crack filling and pothole repair. John Parotti will also coordinate the street striping with other cities to control the costs, which are estimated at around $1100.  The Council agreed with the overall recommended approach.

Councilmember Farnham also reported that tree and brush work should be done, but the City will wait till it is closer to the fall.  

Regarding the speed limits in the City, Councilmember Farnham informed the Council that there is the ability to reduce speed limits except for half of Itasca Avenue.  The City only has jurisdiction on residential streets for a maximum of only ½ mile in length. The law is pretty clear you have to put a sign at the beginning and end of every street.  It would be very expensive to put up signs all over the City.

Councilmember Farnham asked Mr. Parotti to look into No Parking signs for City Hall and the west side of Itasca.  Mr. Parotti reported that 11 signs would be needed for an estimated cost of $2,200.  

Cameron Kelly, the City Attorney reported that it would need to modify the City Code to make the signs enforceable where the Sheriff would be able to ticket people in violation. The Council agreed that there should be permanent signs at the City Hall parking lot.  Mr. Kelly will prepare an ordinance for the Council to review at the next meeting.  Mr. Parotti will get a separate quote for the parking lot signs.

City Attorney
Cameron Kelly, provided the Council with an update on the Haslund variance application.  They have appealed their case with the DNR, and he will continue to monitor the case as it moves forward.

City Treasurer
Tom Niedzwiecki reported that he completed the annual renewal application with the Murphy Insurance Agency for the City’s LMCIT liability insurance.

Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to approve Resolution 2008-5-1, approving Workers Compensation coverage for the City’s elected officials.  Motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Jacobson to approve Resolution 2008-5-2, that the City does not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statutes 466.04.  Motion passed 5-0.

Mr. Niedzwiecki gave his financial report for the month of April, 2008.

Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Theede to pay the bills with checks numbered 3075 through 3093, and the 6 electronic payments for a total of $13,994.96.  Motion passed 5-0.

Mr. Niedzwiecki provided the Council with a handout on Delinquent taxes and foreclosures.  The subject will be added to the June agenda.



E.)    City Clerk
The City Clerk reported that mooring permit renewals were sent out.  Two of the four have been renewed so far.

The Clerk also reported that Councilmember Jacobson has offered to cover office hours on Mondays until a new Clerk is hired.  The Clerk will post a notice reflecting the temporary office hours.

COUNCIL REPORTS.
Mayor
He received a letter from Washington County stating that we will have new aerial maps of the local Cities available in November 2009.
The Met Council is holding workshops for local officials on population estimates.  He will try to attend one of the workshops.
The City got a thank you note from the Youth Service Bureau thanking us for our $150 donation.

Councilmembers
Councilmember Farnham
He had nothing additional to report.

2.    Councilmember Jacobson
She reported she worked at the Lake St. Croix Beach spring cleanup with the electronics recycling program.
She had contacted Mantylla Well, and they came out and fixed the holding tank at City Hall.

Councilmember Williams
He reported that Sentence-to-Serve was down on April 5th and cleared out the brush at the City Park.
He reported that he got the FIRM maps up on the wall of City Hall for the Open House.

Councilmember Theede
He had nothing additional to report.  

ADJOURNMENT.
Motion to adjourn the Council meeting at 8:39 p.m.  Motion passed.



Respectfully submitted,


                                
    Donald R. Jones, Mayor                Holly A. Morley, City Clerk




St. Mary’s Point web address:  http://stmaryspoint.org