ST MARY’S POINT CITY COUNCIL
ST. MARY’S POINT, MINNESOTA
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
  September 2, 2016

Call to Order    Councilmembers: G. Williams, T. Williams, N.Anderson ,  J. Freesmeier , Mayor Roettger
Pledge of Allegiance was said
Others:  Sawyer Lubke, Paul Brown, Mike Isensee, WMO Admninistrator, City Attorney Sandstrom, City Engineer Parotti, City Clerk Reiter, Treasurer Niedzwiecki
Consent agenda    Change on page 2, 4th line “Just one person”….delete it.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE CHANGES SO MENTIONED                ROLL CALL/ ALL AYES-
PUBLIC COMMENTS:   Sheriff Report:  10 calls, several break-ins with keys in cars in driveway.  
LSCV Fire Relief Representative Kevin Wall presented 2015 Annual Audit balance now $1,540,506, had $1,242,910.  Which met the required 121% fund balance.  Current annual $3,250 per year benefit level since 2015.  The fund investments had been adjusted per state statute.  Mr. Wall presented form SC-16 filed with State Auditor which should end at 1.15% funding ratio.  The deficit returned to appropriate level in 2012.  Per this form funding could max at $4,500 annual benefit.  
Thus Relief Association is proposing an increase of $150 per year increase.  Councilmember G. Williams asks what was the increase in values of fund from 2013-2014  - it was noted it to be a 60K increase.  However, in 2015 had a loss due to State Statutes; some bonds turned in at a loss.  He provided Market to be roller coast but economy recovering albeit slow.  He proposes ratification of increase to $3,400 year benefit up from $3,250.  
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROETTGER TO DECLINE INCREASE FOR MONTH OF AUGUST DUE TO MORE INFORMATION ON THE LOSS DUE TO BOND SALE.
Discussion:  Councilmember G. Williams asks for further consideration why they loss and selling bonds, and what other cities are to do.  Councilmember Freesmeier asks for further information.  Treasurer Niedziecki explains bonds purchased at a specific rating and the rating fell at which state stature require the sale, thus loss on sale of bonds.  Per Tony the bonds were brought at a specific rating and the rating fell and statute required the sale per statute.  No Action on Motion
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY MAYOR ROETTGER TO TABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER.  ALL AYES
2016 STREET IMPROVEMENT BID RESULTS   Engineer Parotti reported the bid opening on July 15, 2016 with  only had one bid from Harddrives.  The bid came in considerably higher.  LSCB rejected the bid.  Per the last city council meeting the limit for acceptance bid was $70,000 however the bid was $73,000 so bid was declined on behalf of the City.  LSCB will rebid again in February/March 2017.  Reason the bid was so high is because they are so busy and have a hard time hiring people to work.  Bid was let late in the year so best to rebid early in 2017. SMP can choose to also go along and rebid or council can provide for another direction.  
Mayor Roettger proposes to go along with bid in early 2017.  Councilmember G. Williams believes it should be done now.  Engineer Parotti spoke to bid amounts of drain structure which is listed at $900 but last time it cost $11,000 to repair.  The bid would stand at $900 if accepted, however other contingent costs built in at higher value, so it would offset this low cost for drainage structure.  
Councilmember G. Williams believes the City should use the funds the State provided last year.  Engineer Parotti noted he has spoken to several contractors and they simply do not need the work.  Drainage structures do not work per Councilmember G. Williams and should be addressed.  The hammerhead should or could also be done.  
Councilmember Freesmeier feels the City would pay a lot more if the projects were done this year.  Engineer Parotti noted 2 small projects would not need bid documents, but could be done but it has its costs.  It is however up to the Council.  He provided history of prior municipal bid locally and City eventually saved considerable amount when re-bid.  
Councilmember Freesmeier proposes we get a cost estimate to re-do structure this year.  Engineer Parotti notes there has not been a study in that area but it’s affecting roads not residential structures.  It appears to be more nuisance then destructive in nature.
 Councilmember G. Williams notes the structure is not working which backs up street flooding further down the road.  
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER TO GET A BID FOR THE DRAIN STRUCTURE THIS YEAR.  
ROLL CALL/3 AYES-2 NAYS (Anderson, Roettger)
Engineer Parotti notes the remainder could be re-bid in Feb. 2017.   As to tree clearing, stake grading limits now for tree removal in spring.  
                COUNCIL DIRECTED TO RE-BID IN 2017 WITH LSCB.
TEMPORARY HEALTH CARE DWELLING:  City Attorney presented again the upcoming State Statute regarding temporary placement of mobile home to be placed for care of resident for health reasons. If council wants to opt out of this State Statue it can do so.  He provided a sample ordinance code for Section 750.  
Councilmember Fresmeier inclined to opt out.  Councilmember Anderson does not, feels opting out puts people at a disadvantage to have to go to nursing home.  
City Attorney explained that the City Clerk or Zoning Administrator could just issue permit if City did not opt out.  
Mayor Roettger feels that the well and septic may cause issues here.  
City Attorney noted that the statute did say it has to be able to hook to sewer and water source.  No action is needed unless the City rejects as Statue goes into effect September 2016.  A mobile home structure 300 sq. ft. needs to be hooked to sewer and water.  It is more like a very small modular.  
It is not on a foundation, has a 6 month limit and follows set back and is temporary only.  It was noted the city had added code for guest houses, added living spaces.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER T. WILLIAMS TO OPT OUT OF STATE STATUTE BY ORDINANCE.
DISCUSSION:  Councilmember G. Williams notes not in favor of opting out of State Law.  Councilmember Freesmeier does not feel the same.  
Treasurer Niedzwiecki noted this mobile structure may be covered by medical insurance where home additions are not.  Paul Brown spoke to his prior need and what costs would have been saved.  
                ROLL CALL:  2 AYES-3 NAYS (Anderson, G Williams, Roettger)
CODE VIOLATION AT 16570 22ND SO.  City Attorney Sandstrom spoke to Sawyer Lubke purchaser, owners found they bought property and now in over their head.  But terms of sale doesn’t allow for sale of property for 1 year.  So next spring of 2017 they plan to sell.  They will leave as is until then.
City Attorney noted the City could take action to force the owners to remedy or tear down.  Councilmember Anderson notes the property is so overgrown that it is a deterrent and hides structure.  
Councilmember Freesmeier inquires how City would direct owners to demolish and if no action then the City takes on demolition and then process to assess cost by court action.  City Attorney noted cost would be levied against vacant lot and then if sold cost recaptured.  
Councilmember Anderson proposes the city look at more action in spring when property can be sold.  City Attorney noted it was the Lubke’s that bought the property in poor condition and they planned to rehab but now cannot so it is their issue.  
Councilmember G. Williams notes he does not want to see the City take on the expense but does want it boarded up and secured, then sold in the spring.  
Councilmember Freesmeier speaks to issue of letting it exist in its condition and he prefers not to follow that.  Council gave direction to Attorney to write to the owners and have the doors and windows boarded for security along with cleaning up the brush near the road way.
CENTERPOINT R O W PERMIT    Permit to disconnect service from 16321 24th St. So.
Engineer Parotti copied information to planner and building inspector.  Clerk noted this was on agenda as the direction to Planner comes from Council, which incurs cost.  
Council determined $50.00 ROW fee from CenterPoint is due and property owner needs to only pay $75.00 demolition permit – no planner expense to be incurred by property owner.
MIDS ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION:  Mike Isensee MIDS Ordinance final clarification and proposed changes presented to Council.  Changes as amended are strike through’s.  He noted he worked with Councilmember G. Williams for the final review.  Essentially culverts and penalty language has been removed.  City Attorney notes the final ordinance can be presented next month for approval on consent agenda.  
NOTE: Put on agenda for September and remind Attorney of that ordinance with number.…. (THIS NOTE IS REMOVED IN PACKET MEETING MINUTES).
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE DRAFT AND COMPLETE ORDINANCE ON CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 2016.
DISCUSSION:  Councilmember Freesmeier inquiry for cost to date  -  per treasurer it is $5,462.00.  Grant estimate by Mike Isensee was $1500-$2000 comes back to the city.   Mr. Isensee presented that he will request invoices from the Treasurer and reimburse as much as possible.  
Councilmember T. Williams believes it’s just more red tape and government intervention.
                ROLL CALL/ 3 AYES-2 NAYS (T Williams, Roettger)
Mike Isensee spoke to the 290 Storm Water Practices which include rain gardens.  MN Conservation Corp has maintained raingardens however not enough time to address all rain gardens and propose general maintenance plan by a contractor.  Estimate is $300 cost (SMP), and a letter to follow this fall to all cities.

2017 LEVY AND BUDGET:   Treasurer Niedzwiecki gave 2017 Preliminary Budget & Levy report.  Some costs shifted as WSCO estimates came in less, this cost he shifted to audit and legal item.  
Councilmember Freesmeier request that the Planner service are out of line and would like to see the direction for service held in tighter control.  Councilmember G. Williams speaks to the excess cost of planner as well.  
Mayor Roettger addresses issues of MIDS cost and travel time charged by Planner.  If city holds the planner flat (expense) to last year then it will decrease over all budgets to .7% increase.  
Councilmember G. Williams noted City Clerk should have an increase of 3 % and Treasurer noted in city clerk budget was a decrease (not in wages) when putting it back up to flat then .9% increase.  Treasurer Niedzwiecki proposes that the City cleanup budgeted fund will run out in 2018.  
Councilmember G. Williams proposes leave at 1.1% increase as tax payer would likely see a decrease again due to home values coming on line.  Then if any surplus it is placed in road fund.  Treasurer proposed to adjust between funds and come in at 1.1% increase.  He will bring Resolution to Certify at the September meeting.
STAFF REPORTS:
TREASURER REPORT:  Treasurer Niedzwiecki gave review of financials of claims to be paid, and to add checks 5501 and 5511 for a total of $10,977.00
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE CLAIMS AS PRESENTED CHECKS NUMBERS 5501 THROUGH 5511 AND EFT 1-9 FOR A TOTAL OF $10,977.00.      ROLL CALL /ALL AYES
CITY ENGINEER:  River level is 679.1 and should drop 3 feet in the next week.
Building Inspector:   No report.
City Attorney:  Nothing to report
City Clerk:   
Ragnar Run
Election Filing Dates noted for local council vacancies.
Printer/copier/scanner need presented.  Direction by council to purchase refurbished Ricoh at approximately $1000.
Paul Brown presented a written summary of Art in Park.  The cost at $698.39 and with a balance of $238.74 and encourages the continuation of the event and hopefully that VACTV will be able to televise it.  He also spoke to the beauty of the City when you look at it.
Councilmember G. Williams noted it was so well done and attended and thanked Paul for this work.
STANDING COMMITTEE UPDATES
Fire District  Councilmember G. Williams presented a copy of the Fire Department Audit.  He is concerned about a PERA liability for $20,000 being listed on page 10.  He noted that any full time or part time employee has PERA which the Fire Department has one and a part time employee and now to add another full time next year.
Planning commission (T. Williams) no meeting
LSCV Alliance (J Roettger) No Alliance meetings.
Cable Commission: (T. Williams) no cable.
Middle St. Croix WMO (N.  Anderson)  There will be a display at the WA CO. Fair
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS:
Gary Williams:  Would like a sign for slow no wake for SMP display at City Hall.  Park benches have been repainted and the swing set should be sanded and repainted. Mayor Roettger will look into a sand blaster.
Nancy Anderson   Call regarding impervious surface at the Holmer house. City Engineer Parotti spoke to the Building Inspector who needs to enforce the project as approved.
Mayor Roettger –Requests the City tree service needs to come in to clean out the line of sight. Engineer Parotti noted specified dimensions in code.  Minimally 15 feet but may require more distance depending on the inter section vision triangle.  
ADJOURNMENT at 9:18

                            ____________________________________
Attested to by:                            Jay Roettger, Mayor

_______________________________________________
Cindie J Reiter, City Clerk