City of St. Mary’s Point
City Council Meeting – September 4, 2007
St. Mary’s Point Web address:  http://stmaryspoint.org
UNAPPROVED

PRESENT:  Councilmembers Farnham, Jacobson, Williams, and Theede
ABSENT:  Mayor Jones

CALL TO ORDER.
Deputy Mayor Williams 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 Farnham to approve the Consent agenda.  Motion passed 4-0.

PUBLIC CONCERNS.
Louise Russell reported that there are people living in the trailer again on the lot by City Hall.  There are people being very loud at all hours.  The City Attorney reported that he will contact the two brothers who own the property and inform them that the City will be contacting the Sheriff to handle the problem if it continues.

SHERIFF’S REPORT.
There was not a Deputy at the meeting to give a report.  

PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING.
Comp Plan Update
Councilmember Farnham reported the Planning Commission received an update on how the changes to the Comp Plan are coming along.  He also reported that they received examples of Comp Plans from two similar sized cities.

Individual Projects
Feehan/Nelson
Councilmember Farnham reported that the conditional use permit was not needed because it was determined that the house level is not in the floodplain.  The DNR came out and looked at the property and concluded they made a mistake in saying the house was in the floodplain.  The file should be closed and it was recommended their deposits be refunded.  They will need a normal building permit.

Wang
Councilmember Farnham reported that the Wang’s wanted to pave their driveway along the City right-of-way.  Louise Russell, chair of the Planning Commission, reported that they voted to approve application with 6 different conditions.

Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Farnham to approve Resolution 2007-9-2, a Resolution with supporting Findings of Fact, approving an amendment to an existing variance.  The amendment allows property owners Larry and Bonnie Wang to pave an existing gravel driveway within the City’s right-of-way servicing the property located at 16634 22nd Street in the City of St. Mary’s Point.  Motion passed 4-0.

McDonough
Louise Russell reported that the Planning Commission recommended the variance for a new front porch be approved.

Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Theede to approve Resolution 2007-9-3, a Resolution with supporting Findings of Fact, approving a variance to allow a front porch to be constructed in a manner that encroaches within the front yard setback on the property located at 16340 25th Street in the City of St. Mary’s Point.  Motion passed 4-0.

Haslund
There is not an update at this time.  The case is still being considered by the Administrative Law Judge.

2008 BUDGET DISCUSSION.
Councilmember Williams reported that the Council did have a budget workshop prior to the meeting tonight.  The Council went over 4 different scenarios that addressed the 2008 budget.  After discussion the Council came up with a 5th scenario that they could agree to.  The levy increase would be 7.5%.  

Councilmember Farnham added that at the budget workshop it was agreed that part of the compromise for the 7.5% increase was that the Council will get new tables for the chambers, and they will get City Hall painted this year.  

Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by Councilmember Theede to approve Resolution 2007-9-1, adopting the proposed budget and proposed property tax levy for year 2008.  The total proposed budget is $176,063, and the total proposed certified levy is $161,693.  Motion passed 4-0.

CITY STAFF REPORTS.
Building Inspector
Duane Stensland was not present at the meeting, but provided the Council with a written report.  

City Engineer
Dave Simons reported that the pavement repairs project is still ongoing.  They are working to get a schedule from the contractor to get the work completed this fall.  

City Attorney
Cameron Kelly has an amended variance application for the Wang project that he will send to the City Clerk for signature by the parties.
City Treasurer
Tom Niedzwiecki gave his financial report for the month of August, 2007.

Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Theede to pay the bills with checks numbered 2929 through 2946, and the 5 electronic payments for a total of $21,556.39.  Motion passed 4-0.

E.)    City Clerk
The City Clerk reported that Peggy Skogen and Louise Russell will be working as Election Judges for the School Board Election this year.  

COUNCIL REPORTS.
Councilmembers
Councilmember Farnham
He had nothing additional to report.

2.    Councilmember Jacobson
She reported she attended a couple Watershed meetings.  One was for the local watershed, and they went on a fieldtrip to look at drainage issues in Bayport.

Councilmember Williams
He reported that on October 20th Sentence-to-Serve will be coming down to the City Park to help remove brush.

Councilmember Theede
He had nothing additional to report.

Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Councilmember Theede to authorize Mayor Jones to issue a contract with painters to paint City Hall, and the shed, for an amount not to exceed $3,000.  Motion passed 4-0.

ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Farnham, seconded by Jacobson to adjourn the Council meeting at 8:05 p.m.  Motion passed.



Respectfully submitted,


                                
    Gary Williams, Acting Mayor            Holly A. Morley, City Clerk



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