CITY OF ST
MARY’S POINT
ST MARY’S POINT MINNESOTA
Washington County, Minnesota
March 3, 2015 Council Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 7:00 p.m. by acting Mayor
G Williams
Roll Call: Mayor Roettger absent, G. Williams,
T. Williams, N. Anderson, J. Freesmeier
Staff Present Cindie J. Reiter, T. Niedzwicki, J.
Parotti, Attorney McCain
Others Present
Pledge of Allegiance
CONSENT AGENDA To approve Agenda and
Minutes of Feb 3, 2015, and add 10A 2014 Financial
Statement.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER T. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADD
10A 2014 FINANCIAL STATEMENT ROLL CALL: 4
AYES
Public Comments: None
Washington County Sheriffs report: Deputy Nick
Sullivan reported 7 ICR’s and 1 dog bite. There will be a
hearing on the dog bite with Deputy Bell. Note that
Councilmember Anderson is our local contact for lost/found dog
report.
Animal Humane Society. Annual Renewal Agreement
with no change in fees. Question if City has insurance
coverage regarding animal control problems.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE RENEWAL. ROLL CALL:
4 AYES
Holmer ROW Application This is tabled until April 2015
meeting. Inquiry to the City Treasurer if the application
has been paid for this and if the buildings have been removed; The
Treasurer has not received any money for this. Councilmember
Freesmeier asks for clarification regarding place of ROW vacation
application. Engineer Parotti confirmed the 20 feet ROW
application is on the side of Itasca of Holmer’s property.
Councilmember Freesmeier inquired where Itasca ends if there is 20
feet to relinquish and Mr. Parotti noted until the survery is done
it may determine 20 feet includes part of the roadway.
Councilmember Freesmeier doesn’t support this as he feels
potential public benefit would be given up. Councilmember G.
Williams spoke to potential loss of rare trees. City
Attorney M. McCain confirmed the Holmer request has time to be
addressed at the April 7th meeting.
Engineer Report Mr. Parotti reported street sweeping
and drainage and structure cleaning by McPhillips for Spring $1575
and Fall $1200. For Miller Excavating; drain structure
cleaning of 2 structures is $175.00. Engineer
Parotti proposes the Attorney provide a contract for each
contractor.
Councilmember G. Williams notes that one structure be inspected;
however it does need to be cleaned before inspection.
Engineer Parotti noted the communication last year was tough
without lack of conversation. Miller Excavating commits to
better communication.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY G.
WILLIAMS TO APPROVE STREET SWEEPING AND DRAIN STURCTURE CLEANING
WITH AN ATTORNEY CONTRACT.
ROLL CALL/ 4 AYES
WA Co. Temporary Traffic Control/Work Safety Zone County Road
Permit
This is to advise Cities that in 2015 the County will require a
permit for cities doing work along a County Road for a City
Project to shift from the County to the City and this notice was
just for purpose of information for the City.
AFTON SEPTIC UPDATES City
Attorney McCain provided update from Attorney Sandstrom on
MPCA response to comments made previously are not being
considered. However because the project has changed, new
comments need to be submitted for the updated project.
Comment period to begin March 2, 2015. If Council chose to
hire an Environmental Engineer they should do so now as the
comment period is limited. Attorney McCain noted a review of
the new EAW provided by Afton needs to be reviewed and comments
re-submitted. Councilmember Freesmeier offers that same
objections be re-submitted and also any other objections after
reviewing the EAW. Clerk Reiter noted that LSCB was
intending to hold a public work session to review the EAW and
offer further comment. Councilmember Freesmeier also would
like to see if they have an alternative site for backup.
Councilmember T. Williams inquired of Engineer Parotti what cost
of Environment Engineer is. He proposed $160-$200 per
engineer per hour based on expertise needed. He also noted
the window is short to respond and finding an Engineer with little
time is a concern. Councilmember Freesmeier noted that it
appears to need an expert to understand what changes have been
made, but there is a concern for the time period. Engineer
Parotti notes what he has heard is that the location was shifted
West due to well locations identified. He did not know if
the technology has changed as he has not seen the plan nor has
been engaged to review the EAW and plan changes. Attorney
McCain offers best course of action may be for Attorney Sandstrom
to review the EAW received and he may be able to offer suggestions
as to changes he sees.
MSC WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION PLAN COMMENT PERIOD.
Councilmember Anderson will review the plan and present it at the
next meeting.
TREASURERS REPORT T. Niedzwiecki provided
financial recap of 2014. He notes he omitted the $8,000
surplus transferred to Park and Rec. fund for the Bike Path.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY T.
WILLIAMS TO ACCEPT THE 2014 FINANCIAL REPORT WITH THE $8,000
TRANSFER.
ROLL CALL: 4 AYES
Treasurer Niedzwiecki noted the Cable Funds were allocated to the
cities however the cable funds for the Fire Department sign was
not addressed. Review of the funds to be collected: one of
which was Fernandez CUP variance fees. Councilmember G.
Williams noted the house is for sale and dollars should be
collected. Mr. Holmer’s new application has not been paid
for of $859. The prior application $6,285.79 fees have not
been paid however Mr. Holmer has questioned the fees. Mr.
Morris $520 fees for remodel have questions to planner. On
2711 Itasca although no application presented, appears to be a
pre-application meeting expense. Engineer Parotti stated
this would be Mr. Morris remodel.
Claims to be approved: 2 added
#5310 for $ 954.00
#5311 for $ 116.26 for total of
$12,607.66
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER T. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE CLAIMS AS PRESENTED FOR
$12,607.66. ROLL CALL: 4 AYES
ENGINEERING REPORT: Engineer Parotti present that per
Mayor Roettger a grant fund mitigation letter was received via
Government Declaration. Grant funding potential for raising
Itasca, culvert under St. Mary’s Dr. and raising St. Mary’s
Drive. Notice of intent is due by March 6th and the city
engineer has provided a copy of the completed Notice of
Intent. There is a 75% Grant and 25% is matched for total
cost of $366,025 which is best guestimate looking back at prior
work and quick calculations. Councilmember Freesmeier
inquires about another location in the City if emergency vehicles
can access and Ramada and St. Mary’s Drive is what Council
believes that would be an alternate access. Engineer Parotti
asks for Council’s direction to submit as presented. Council
directed him to submit notice of intent. There is a low
flood prediction for the spring flooding season.
BUILDING INSPECTIOR REPORT 6 PERMITS ACTIVE
ATTORNEY; Vegetation or landscaping planted in
ROW. No ordinance prohibits planting in ROW. Therefore
the City can trim as needed for safety, thus plant at your own
risk. Councilmember G. Williams proposes ordinance to
prevent what type of vegetation is planted in ROW.
Councilmember Freesmeier does not agree that the City prevent what
is planted. City Attorney advises against prohibiting or
preventing certain plants or trees and it would become a chore to
enforce. Engineer Parotti noted an ordinance does speak to vision
triangle for safe line of sight items.
Holmer Application City Attorney spoke to the Scott Holmer
application; the resolution drafted by the Planner notes that
4-5’s majority is needed. Two councilmembers are affected
property owners and therefore cannot vote; (Roettger and Anderson
affected) and Councilmember Freesmeier is absent at the next
meeting. Councilmember Freesmeier notes that tonight they
could vote in favor of or denial of Resolution so if not voted on
then time frame would be exceeded and resolution would pass.
Councilmember J. Freesmeier vote for resolution in favor of
against or vote on application.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO DENY REQUEST VACATION OF 20FT. ON 2929
ITASCA PER RESOLUTION 2015-03-01 AND THE APPLICATION CAN MOVE
FORWARD.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Freesmeier proposed that one
piece of ROW would affect use of public benefit over a corridor
wide solution.
ROLL
CALL: 4 AYES
Councilmember Freesmeier inquires if application is being
considered and it appears not at this time.
STAFF REPORTS
City Clerk report; ISD 834 Election
in May
Fire District report . Councilmember G. Williams
stated a purchase of a 1 ton truck and also replaced a 1993 rig
with a ladder for cost estimate of up to $650,000 (as provided by
Woodbury).
Alliance: none
Cable Commission: Franchise Agreement has been
approved. $2500 Cable funds are returned to the City.
Planning Committee: None
WMO Plan review and comment period begins
Council Report
Councilmember Freesmeier: City Clean-up will be May 9 or May
16th possible per Maroney. Propose City’s own Clean Up
day. Maroney’s will issue a quote in time for next meeting,
either May 9 or May 16 to be confirmed and possible Mosquito
Control for tire pick up.
Councilmember T. Williams Nothing
Councilmember G. Williams River level is
675.27. Street signs should be changed out in June so please
provide a list of signs to be removed it not needed. Jersey
barriers should be removed. JPA for Bike Path and Lakeland
should be in control of the JPA. Summer help would be 9
weeks Work for Youth Federal program available with cost
approximately $2000. The Monarch butterfly garden would be
possible at Park for water removal off road and would provide a
habitat for Monarchs and the St. Croix Snake Tail Dragonfly native
to this area as well and we may be losing them.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:49
_____________________________
Jay Roettger, Mayor
ATTESTED by:
______________________________________
Cindie J Reiter, City Clerk