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