CITY OF ST
MARY’S POINT
ST MARY’S POINT MINNESOTA
Washington County, Minnesota
July 7, 2015 Council Meeting
CALL TO ORDER by Mayor Roettger at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: N. Anderson, G. Williams, T. Williams, Mayor Roettger
(J Freesmeier absent)
Staff Present Cindie J. Reiter, T. Niedzwicki, B.
Gonzola, K. Sandstrom
Others Present G. Fernandez, Gary Kriesel,
Corey Slaegel, Deputy Sheriff Nick Sullivan,
Pledge of Allegiance
CONSENT AGENDA To approved agenda with
addition of Holmer lawsuit to be discussed in closed session.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER T. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
AMENDED.
ROLL CALL: 4 AYES/1 ABSENT
PUBLIC COMMENTS
G. Fernandez 16875 St. Mary’s Drive has not been able to do flood
proofing and asks for an extension to begin flood proof
project. Delay is due to a divorce, rental property issues
and now a wedding. City Treasure Niedzwiecki notes there is
outstanding fees of over $1000. He proposes Council
condition approval of extension. Mr. Fernandez notes he has
not gotten the bills but will pay. Councilmember G. Williams
stated he has no problem with extension but the house is for
sale. Mr. Fernandez noted it is likely he will not sell but
need of flood proofing is disclosed. Councilmember G.
Williams proposes that an escrow account be set up to make sure
the flood proofing is done. He noted the approval was given
for flood proofing and it should be done, if and when the new
owners take possession.
City Attorney Sandstrom spelled out how an extension and escrow
account could be set up. He proposes this be brought up at
the next meeting and he will draft a resolution spelling out the
extension and escrow for flood proofing of property.
JOINT MEETING PROPOSAL Gary Kriesel presented a
concern for community relations among SMP, LSCB and Afton in
regards to the Afton Septic System. He proposes a moderated
discussion between the 3 cities by an independent moderator which
is not legal advice or binding arbitration. If interested
the County would work with staff to set up a meeting of
mediation. Councilmember G. Williams presented that Afton
could have considered the 2 cities concern for the location.
Mr. Kriesel noted this is why even if the plan is approved the
communities should improve relationship. Both Mayor Roettger
and G Williams both commented on LSCB and SMP’s first offer of JPA
was flat out and rudely shunned. Mayor Roettger noted the
City is willing to participate in a proposed mediation.
Councilmember G. Williams inquired about the County road through
Afton not being elevated above flood elevation.
Corey Slaegel the Co. Engineer noted after the levy is rebuilt the
road would not flood. Mayor Roettger expressed concern for
ground water flooding. They parted noting they would be in
contact with staff. Council asks that this be an agenda item
for August meeting.
AFTON Septic Treatment System City Attorney K.
Sandstrom spoke to Co. Commissioner Kriesel and Co. Engineer
Slaegel and also addressing it at the LSCB meeting. He
further stated he attended the Citizens Review Board and argued
for an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). Stu Grubb from
Emmons Olivier Resources (EOR) was also in attendance.
Attorney Sandstrom noted the CRB mostly was concerned about Native
American Burial Grounds and, granted the MPCA permit with
condition that if State Archeologist becomes aware of burial
grounds as construction moves along that the project needs to
halt. Also presented at the hearing was concern for the
shallow wells in close proximity to the drain field and concern
about the affluent coming from the system, such as oil from
marina, also lack of monitoring was expressed time and again
without satisfaction and the permit was granted.
The next step to fight the issue would be to go to court.
Attorney Sandstorm notes it would be costly. An 80 page
review and approval document is what the City would be
contesting. He noted perhaps the County offered mediation
that would allow for any opportunity that Afton would offer more
monitoring options. Mayor Roettger noted it is likely that
the proposed mediation is to mend fences. Councilmember G.
Williams’s commented on the Marinas being hooked into the
system. Attorney Sandstrom noted that a condition of the
permit is not to allow Marina boats waste go into the
system. The business itself will hook into the system but
system is not meant to take on boat waste. He also noted the
project was just put out to bid. The City Council had no
interest in having the City Attorney file a suit.
SHERIFF REPORT Nick Sullivan of WSCO noted LSCB had
robbery by knife point occurred for an internet sale. Now
they have more undercover officers in the area. NOTE:
Coffee with a Cop is to be held on 7/23 at 9AM at Sail Away.
HOLMER SUIT Attorney Sandstrom presented a closed
meeting be held but stated a lawsuit was filed by Mr. Holmer for
appeal of fees. Attorney Sandstrom has filed a response and
filed countersuit for the amount of fees now due. The closed
meeting will be at the end of the Council Meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
TREASURERS REPORT T. Niedzwiecki provided that
the County Property Tax payments received July 2nd with only $400
delinquent. Claims to be presented are check # 5341-5361 and
EFT # 1-11 in the amount of $21,303.48. Maroney Clean Up
bill came in at $2360 almost the same as last year. Traffic
Signs at $2099 to E. F. Anderson, Insurance Premium, Council
payroll for 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter Fire District payments.
MOTION AS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY N.
ANDERSON TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF$21,803.48.AS PRESENTED ALONG WITH
PAYMENT OFCITY FUND TO PAUL BROWN TO SECURE TALENT FOR ART IN PARK
OF $500. ROLL CALL/4 AYES/1 ABSENT
PRELIMINARY LEVY BUDGET:-Treasurer Niedzwiecki stated no changes
from last month, however waiting for WCSO budget data. He
noted still in budget is Road budget of $123,000 for possible
Itasca elevation. He proposes if Itasca doesn’t need to be
done soon, perhaps not contribute to this fund which drops
levy/budget increases. Councilmember G. Williams also noted
the Clean Up fund could hold off, but also the $800 annual
contribution is a good contribution for the Community. Mayor
Roettger noted the tree removal costs are likely to be significant
increases. However, could use the Road fund to pay for
removing trees. Discussion on possible snowplow services
changing from Lakeland or possible JPA for four cities.
Treasurer Niedzwiecki noted the Lakeland Mayor has posted info in
their newsletter on the cost of snow plowing. Current SMP
budget for snowplowing is $7600. Recycle $3.06 per household
rates now, and this was discussed as a possible JPA
opportunity. Now at 2% increase so need $3700recudtion
to go to get to 0% increase
.
ENGINEER REPORT: Not in attendance. Conveyed by the
Mayor that street patching is slow due to rain.
CLERK REPORT Inquired about interest expressed
by a property owner regarding annexation of property to one City
(property owned is half in LSCB and half in SMP) Council
stated, no will not annex the property, as won’t be problem for
owner to remain in both cities.
St. Croix River Workshop on 8/6/16.
County has noted SMP does not have an ordinance for recycle and it
is needed for future grant. The county did provide a sample
but it was quite extensive for SMP. The clerk will seek
other LSCV city ordinances for sample.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. . Councilmember G. Williams noted
increase budget 4.9% so SMP share is 6.3%. He vocally
objected to the increase however JPA allows for 5% increase
without coming to the Cities for approval. Afton
representative approached G. Williams after and asked that JPA for
Fire Board to be revisited. He feels he is against this as
is Councilmember Freesmeier., re: opening the JPA for
review. Two people have quit the fire department so they are
down to 30 and there were 42 calls in May.
MSCWMO Not attended however Councilmembers G. Williams and
Anderson to be involved with ordinances update and review for
MIDS.
COUNCIL REPORTS;
Councilmember Anderson Nothing further to
report.
Councilmember G. Williams All new street signs are up and
dated. 677.2 River level up to 678.9 by Saturday. The
raingarden needs further cleaning. He was approached by
former councilmember that municipal water be put in place.
He is in favor of extending the line from LSCB into SMP for
hydrants. But also proposes if Afton septic system fails
there should be an alternative and perhaps a study should be done
to see if a system is feasible or hook up to Lakelands water
system.
Councilmember Freesmeier .Nothing further to report
Councilmember T. Williams. Nothing further to report
Mayor Roettger Sprayed poison Ivy about 100x40
area along SM Drive. Used Pasture Pro and will present bill
for the spray.
Closed meeting at 8:28 Statute 13.D -05
presented by Attorney Sandstrom for Attorney Client privilege.
The Summary of Closed Meeting to be provided at next meeting.
Closed meeting adjourned at 9:09 and regular meeting also
adjourned.