ST
MARY’S POINT CITY COUNCIL
ST. MARY’S POINT, MINNESOTA
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
April 5, 2016
Call to Order
G. Williams, T. Williams, J. Freesmeier and Mayor
Roettger, (Councilmember Anderson absent)
Pledge of Allegiance was said
Others Present: Paul Brown, Mike Isensee - MSCWMO
City Attorney Sandstrom recapped the closed session of March 8,
2015 for discussion and no action on the Holmer litigation was
taken
Consent agenda
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ROETTGER TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH CHANGES TO MOVE
LMCIT WAIVER to 3A CONSENT AGENDA ROLL CALL/ 4
AYES 1ABSENT
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ROETTGER TO APPROVE WAIVER OF LIABILITY.
ROLL CALL/4 AYES, 1
ABSENT
Sheriff’s Report: No report
Public Comments;
ART IN PARK: Paul Brown, Art in Park reported approximately
$300 in Arts fund and asks for Council support in contingency on
Arts in Park. He hopes for no high water and to hold it in
July. It was noted that VACTV that provides $300 for staff
and equipment in taping for televising the event.
Further, it may be that without local support of cable fees
then VACTV may not be able to supply support to local events, such
as SMP Art In the Park. He continues to put out
entertainment feelers and will work with council. Councilmember G.
Williams noted $500 plus in budget for Arts in the Park and also
that the Cable fees in question should be resolved by June.
Mr. Brown spoke to current cable coverage being very broad in
lower valley and hopefully will be worked through favorable.
He also gave Kudos to added recycle center hours.
MIDS (Minimal Impact Design Standards) Mike Isensee gave a recap
of the local ordinance updates for MIDS for storm water practices
and erosion control practices in Middle St. Croix area. The
goal was to have similar ordinances among the 10 member
communities. He noted Lakeland and Lakeland Shores have
adopted into code MIDS. He provided information and flyers
about both erosion controls. (Keeping your soil on your
property) and storm water practices (Keep storm water on property
without run off to local water bodies.)
City Attorney Sandstrom asked about other City changes; if changes
follow through to other cities. It was in some cities
however SMP adopted it into current city ordinances where other
cities just added to model code. Councilmember G. Williams
asked about who would do the inspection, and Mike noted it is WMO
as allowed by a joint powers agreement.
A project that triggers review with WMO then WMO will be notified
by City of project and WMO will be inspecting and working with
builder of property owners directly. The builder and/or
property owner is in control of policing the project. Mike
noted there are tools in the City ordinance that can be used but
doesn’t have to use. Councilmember Freesmeier asks about
penalties being harsh for storm water issues. The City
Attorney noted that generally all violations of City Code is a
gross misdemeanor and the City has the authority to trigger
penalties in code enforcement. But all enforcement level for
penalty of criminal prosecution is dictated by the City via
direction of City Council. Criminal prosecutions are viable
for all city code violations.
Councilmember G. Williams feels the ordinances should be broke
apart by various sections for approval. He believes in
concept of MIDS but uncomfortable with fees and inspections.
Mayor Roettger feels this should be addressed when Councilmember
Anderson is present. Perhaps section 505 be addressed
separately as 2 different ordinances. The City Attorney
noted it could be done but the parts need to relate to each
section of the ordinance. Mike Isensee noted he would need
pretty clear direction to change the ordinance. He also
notes that it is not mandatory to do certain levels of
enforcement, as it only provides the provision for city to use it
(enforcement). Councilmember G. William notes that this
ordinance only applies to penalties incurred each day and doesn’t
feel it should. City Attorney to clarify the daily fee in in
the city’s code. Mike Isensee. asks that each councilmember
let him know their concerns.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER TO TABLE THIS UNTIL THE MAY
MEETING.
ROLL CALL/4 AYES-1 ABSENT
Portable storage containers: The planning committee felt
that many concerns and issues were not addressed in the ordinance
as presented and will address this at a future meeting.
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL GOVERNANCE: No one showed up for this
presentation.
CITY ENGINEER, JOHN PAROTTI: Itasca Street
turn-around: (Councilmember Freesmeier and Engineer Parotti
met to review of Itasca Ave cul-de-sac) engineer Parotti presented
the issues in this location that it is tight for utility vehicles
and emergency vehicles. A diagram of the possible turn
around was presented and a memo speaks to potential cost which is
a very rough estimate of $23-33,000. Engineer Parotti asks
for further Council input. Also, another sketch was
presented by Councilmember G. Williams. Councilmember
Freesmeier does not believe it is a pressing issue but one to be
looked at when future street construction is done. He
explained further difficulties to property owners in that
area. He also spoke to the sketch Councilmember Williams
presented that it be a possible solution. The topic is to be
put away for consideration in the future.
Engineer Parotti spoke to upcoming street projects and wanted the
City to be aware of soil borings going on. He also spoke to
possible grant funding for street projects from MET Council.
He offers that Grant be researched to see if that Council would
approve however it would push project to 2017. It is a 75%
Grant with machining $25%. However it needs to be reviewed
more for qualifying criteria. He asks if Council wants him
to review further. Also addressed were drainage issues for
potential Grant funds. Councilmember Freesmeier asked if
safety concerns would be possible criteria which would address the
turn around on 25th and perhaps Itasca as well.
Councilmember G. Williams noted problem that there may be sticker
shock by combining all projects. He also spoke to water
service loop. Engineer Parotti noted the projects are not
scheduled for that area of Itasca. He would be expanding
projects not up for work at this time.
RMC CITY WIDE STREET PATCHING QUOTE (Potholes); Potholes
patch is temporary sometimes gone by seasons end. Spray
patching has been holding up longer and up to 6 years on some
areas surveyed. Cut and Patch process is very
expensive. RCM quote city wide is $3,125.00.
Councilmember G. Williams inquired about patching done along
Itasca and City Engineer Parotti noted it was done by neighbor
city contractor to some areas of streets not contracted to do so.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE AND ACCEPT BILLFOR $3,125 FOR
SPRAY INJECTION BY RCM FOR CITY WIDE PATCHING.
Discussion: Councilmember G. Williams inquired about the
patches done that were not requested to do so. Engineer
Parotti noted RCM could just go over the patched area.
Contract to be done with RCM.
ROLL CALL/4 AYES 1 ABSENT
ST. CROIX RIVER LEVEL. The current level is 674.94 at 10:30
this am with more prediction to drop 8 inches in the next
week. Elevation predicted to not be over 680.
SEASON ROAD LIMITS RESTRICTIONS: This is still in play
and expect to see them lifted in the next few weeks.
Councilmember G. Williams notes about the low area along Iroquois
to St. Mary’s Point has been filled in along the south side of
road and perhaps should be cleaned or dug out to facilitate
drainage. Engineer Parotti suggested calling Gopher One and
have some light soil removed.
VBWD Boundary Changes information and documents are provided for
awareness to upcoming changes.
CITY TREASURER: Treasurer Niedzwicki provided an update on
MIDS expenses from the City Planner. He spoke to grant
dollars available for MIDS from WMO however the Planner expense is
up to $4,200 however the grant is only for approximately
$1,000. Details of claims are in the packets for approval.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY T
WILLIAMS TO APPROVE CLAIMS AS PRESENTED AT $21,757.78. With
checks #5451 thru 5466 and EFT 001 – 010. ROLL
CALL/4 AYES, 1 ABSENT
Treasurer Niedzwiecki continues to work on the City Insurance
renewal. Council members are automatic covered for Workers
Compensation.
City Engineer: no report
Building permits: 3 outstanding projects
City Attorney; have nothing until closed session
City Clerk: Seeks $50 budget for used office cabinets and a
white board to replace a broken file cabinet. Treasurer
Niedzwiecki explained he has key for the file cabinet and will get
one for Clerk but file cabinet is full. Carnival at A-L
School upcoming with Recycle booth there.
Cable: Nothing until 4/6 and Councilmember G. Williams and
T. Williams will go.
Fire Board District: Councilmember G. Williams stated there
is a surplus and is to be allocated between 2016 and 2017 for
personnel budgets.
Councilmember Reports
Councilmember Gary Williams: Noted the county involvement
with the bike trail for overlay 2017.A quote for ADA opening from
Stanley Accent Technology for $1,400 and noted HRA has grant
dollars available for funding and possibly available by
November. The ADA door will be installed by May.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER TO APPROVE THE STANLEY DOOR OPENER
INSTALLATION WITH A SIGNED AGREEMENT BY THE MAYOR. ROLL CALL/4
AYES, 1 ABSENT
CITY CLEAN UP: Councilmember Freesmeier to research for
cleanup dates and come back with information at the next meeting.
MAYOR Roettger : nothing to report
CLOSED SESSION AT 8:31. Nothing to be decided only updates
and discussed with summary of next meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:33.
______________________________
Jay Roettger, Mayor
Attested to by:
__________________________
Cindie J Reiter, City Clerk