ST MARY’S POINT CITY COUNCIL
ST. MARY’S POINT, MINNESOTA
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
January 5, 2016
Call to Order 4 present, 1 absent (T.
Williams)
Pledge of Allegiance was said
Consent Agenda:
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVED THE AGENDA.
ROLL CALL/ 4 AYES-1ABSENT
Others Present: Steve Bell, Carl Rice, Brett Laughlin
Sheriff’s report: There were 113 ICR’s (26
over 2015), 3600 for contract area of Valley, approximate 3% are
SMP reported by Sheriff Bell. Trend in calls follow trend in
media. Asked if any action on false alarms and he stated
that they leave a notice of a false alarm and as of now there is
no fine issued.
Public comments Brett Laughlin of 16634 22nd St. So
requests possible opportunity to place a pole shed/accessory
structure on the property. This is the former Wang property.
He was referred to the Building Inspector.
2016 Appointments.
Fire District Audit Commission may change as the Fire Department
is now audited annually by an outside CPA
Valley Branch …Nancy Anderson if needed
Neighborhood Watch is removed and now it is City Clean-up.
City Clean Up - Joe FreeSmeier
Parks – Gary and Joe, Joe and Gary
Eckberg Lammers Professional Corporation - the city
attorney’s new name.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE 2016 APPOINTMENTS.
ROLL CALL/4 AYES-1 ABSENT
CITY MEETING DATES:
CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE DATES AS PRESENTED.
CITY FEES 2016 Councilmember G. Williams noted city
past trouble in collecting outstanding fees. Attorney
Sandstrom speaks to language change in City application regarding
fees incurred maybe a possibility of including a
variance in the river way category. Treasurer Niedzwiecki
suggests that a preliminary review fee be instituted. Both
City Clerk and City Attorney Sandstrom spoke to right of tax payer
to ask questions or request info without a fee incurred.
Councilmember Anderson proposes variance deposit increase to $1500
or $2500. Treasurer Niedzwiecki presented examples of past
variance costs incurred. Most expenses are exceeding the
deposit of $1,000. Also noted was a possible change in fee
language if the zoning application is accepted.
ZONING APPLICATION Discussions on preference of Option
#1 all-inclusive application VS Option #2 where separate
applications are provided for Land Use/Subdivision/General Removal
of Lot Line Adjustment. Legal description of property
owner for adjoining properties that needs cleaning up for
discrepancy. The City ultimately needs to sign off.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER TO APPPROVE FEE SCHEDULE ALSO, MOVING THE
LOT LINE CHANGES TO A NO
FEE. ROLL CALL/4 AYES-1
ABSENT
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY MAYOR
ROETTGER TO APPROVE OPTION #1 WITH CHANGES TO PAGE 1 AND ADDED
NUMBERED PAGES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF NEEDED.
ROLL CALL/3 AYES, 1 NAY, 1 ABSENT
TREE INSPECTOR Contract Agreement.
Attorney Sandstrom spoke to the changes requested and the Mayor
will have Mr. Helke contact our City Attorney Sandstrom
MSCWMO. The city received a letter from
Chair Zeller which requests consideration of an all-purpose
variance application to be used by all cities of the WMO.
Council initial response was not interested but then decision to
wait to see what is the next correspondence.
CITY WEBSITE Councilmember Anderson reported that the
website is back up and changed host. Councilmember
Freesmeier provided a quote of $2,000 for an upgrade
website. Council provided no interest.
Treasurer Report Claims and Disbursements.
Treasurer Niedzwicki provided review of year end financials.
Note that the Building Inspector’s fees are up $12,000, however
property tax collections at 99% Revenue is up, reviewed revenues
and expenses although not all December expenses are in as of this
meeting date.
Councilmember G. William notes that a transfer of excess funds
should be made to the Arts Fund as 2016 did not budget for it. He
requests the treasurer to transfer to the ARTS fund $500 when
presenting the 2015 yearend financials at February
meeting. Treasurer Niedzwiecki clarified
Conservation of Natural Resources is actually MSCWMO regarding
Councilmember Freesmeiers inquiry. Review of claims to be
approved.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO PAY CLAIMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,632.53
AND EFT 01 TO 10 AND CHECKS 5422 TO 5431.
ROLL CALL/4 AYES, 1 ABSENT
CITY ENGINEER A Turnaround survey for 25th St.
is on hold until other City Street projects are presented for
work. SMP has a shared street project with LSCB.
Councilmember G. Williams expressed concern for taxing for the
Road Budget without doing road projects. Other discussions
on Fire Dept refinance of Building Bond. HRA is to handle
with a 1.5% rate. He proposed Council should check on the
purchase of the property next to City Hall and our City Park looks
bad.
CITY ATTORNEY Attorney Sandstrom reported the Holmer
Litigation is still on going as waiting for Holmer’s Attorney
response.
DATA PRACTICE REQUESTS. Several request received by Attorney
Sandstrom with some in depth. Also the requestor insists
that Council made the Attorney responsible authority.
However he noted that was not intent of Council. (City Clerk
still is but requests can be directed to City Attorney if clerk
needs for medical reason). He noted 2016 Appointments show
clerk to be Response Authority. He also received intensive
data request for legal services information he noted he would go
ahead and provide the information to the requester.
CITY CLERK: With no obligation clerk will get info and quote
on CO and Fire Alarm.
Fire Department Building debt service reduction of
$10,000 which is about $800 a year for SMP, the refinance rate of
1.478%. In June the City will know how to adjust for Debt
Service Budget.
Alliance nothing
Planning nothing
Cable nothing,
WMO Meeting time changed to 6:00, beginning
January 2016
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember G. Williams. River level is 676.26, door
opener for City Hall ADA button request consideration to go ahead
with approximated cost of $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.
Concern that new houses built on a slab foundation should have a
safe room. Therefore concern for time of disaster without a
place to go notes a need future consideration of this.
Meeting adjourned at 8:48
_______________________________________
Jay
Roettger, Mayor
Attested to by:
_________________________________________
Cindie J Reiter, City Clerk