CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ST. MARY’S POINT
ST. MARY’S POINT DRIVE
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
May 5, 2015
CALL TO ORDER: By Mayor Roettger at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Roettger,
G. Williams, T. Williams, N. Anderson, and J. Freesmeier
STAFF PRESENT: Cindie J. Reiter, T. Niedzwiecki
, J. Parotti, Attorney Andy Pratt
OTHERS PRESENT: Jon Place, Jim Unker, Jim Golden
CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER
G. WILIAMS AND SECONDED
BY COUNCILMEMBER
ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
Public Comments:
Jon Place, Lakeland resident and LSCB property owner spoke to
promote the fight against the Afton Septic System. He noted
he spoke to the County Board this morning citing Indian Mounds,
and rattle snake mounds along with pointer trees as denoted in Ken
Barnes book along with other geographical information from
Perilous St. Croix Valley Frontier and Sacred Sites of Minnesota
and books and Indian Mounds of Wisconsin. He also spoke to
Pioneer Press and Star Tribune as well as mail outs to other news
outlets. He also noted the Public Comments of MPCA having
changed dates from May 19 to June 23rd. The group is also
submitting many data practice requests to the City of Afton.
Jim Golden, LSCB resident, presented he has
been actively involved from the beginning, concerned for wells and
creek and location. He was at the first public hearing in
Afton and is now involved in Citizens of Valley Creek. He
spoke to Valley Branch watershed preservation plan and to attend
the upcoming review and also spoke to preservation of Valley Creek
and its brown trout. He noted that dilution is solution to
pollution according to Valley Branch philosophy and noted that
Valley Creek is too small to dilute. He notes that a group
on the Citizens Review Board will make the determination of doing
an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). He noted if the group
does an EIS, they will align with the determination.
Jim Unker, LSBC Councilmember presented a Thank
you for the $3,000 contribution from the city of SMP and spelled
out the use of it…applying toward Emmons Olivier Resource’s
engineering fee. He also noted a fundraiser would be
held to defray the cost of EOR exceeding $10,000 approved
limit. He noted the fund raiser to be on Saturday May 16
from 10 to noon. He noted the Environmental Assessment
Worksheet was done twice and the Citizens Review Board meeting
date has been changed. He also presented “hat in hand”
asking for another $7,000 to match LSCB’s $10,000. He spoke
to the amount of hours spent and contacts made to oppose the Afton
Septic project.
Jon Place asked to speak again, and presented
Afton’s response to why this is needed. He alleged the 201
system from River Road is leaking and Afton (City) presents the
levy needs to be replaced and septic’s removed. He spoke to plume
of pollution coming from the 201 Septic Systems per maps he has
viewed.
Sheriff Report 6 calls in the
city as presented by Mayor Roettger.
Flattum Property
Councilmember T. Williams noted some progress and yard appears
more picked up. Councilmember Anderson noted a smell of
mold. Councilmember T Williams noted that another letter
needs to be sent. Council directed Clerk to send letter.
Mooring Permits
A list of was presented by the City Clerk of those that have a
mooring permit and those on the Waiting List. It was also
noted that the 4th Mooring permit was offered to Tom Dupre in
2014, however he submitted no application nor fee, although he
verbally committed to the mooring permit, although in 2014 there
was high water until July.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE LIST OF MOORING PERMITS;
CONTINGENT UPON DUPRE SENDING IN APPLICATION BY END OF
MONTH. ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
Mowing Contract
Councilmember G. Williams presented a quote from the City of
Lakeland Public Works Department.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER T. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE CONTRACT WITH LAKELAND FOR
MOWING SERVICES. ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
City Clean up Day.
Councilmember Freesmeier presented information for clean up on May
16 from 8-12. Mayor Roettger will check with Mike at the Ice
Arena for use of clean-up activities and Councilmember Anderson
will post info on our website. The First load to be NO
Charge; charge for subsequent loads as $10 per car, $15; pick up,
$25 per trailer with Councilmembers Anderson, Freesmeier, and
Mayor Roettger to be in attendance. Councilmember Freesmeier
will finalize with Mike Maroney.
Afton Septic
Attorney Andy Pratt presented dates of potential meetings in
response to meetings for the Septic plan. It was noted that
the website of Afton and MPCA can provide meeting dates.
Councilmember G. Williams noted that before any more funds are
provided he would prefer to see what comes of the meetings.
Councilmembers Freesmeier and Anderson noted the City should see
how it progresses. Attorney Pratt noted the allegation of not
sharing info should have consideration of taking time to gather
information. Engineer Parotti did note he was aware of 201
System and also that is was to be part of proposed system.
Engineer report
John Parotti spoke on River level of 675.46; street sweeping is
done and street patching contractor to be contacted by him and can
get quotes or council to provide a limit not to exceed.
Treasurer provided cost last year was $3,125. Engineer
Parotti noted LSCB has been done.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE UP TO $3,125 TOWARDS PATCHING AS
DIRECTED BY ENGINEER PAROTTI.
Discussion on filling eroded, corners with emulsion of Baillon and
Itasca and along 25th. However Councilmember G. Williams
noted a recycled base (old ground up asphalt) should be used to
fill in these areas which would be cheaper than emulsion
solutions. Engineer Parotti notes this recycle base will set
up well if in before the hot summer days. This can be
purchased from Tower Asphalt and spread immediately.
Councilmember G. Williams and T. Williams offered to do
this.
ROLL CALL/ALL AYES.
Councilmember G. Williams asked for an update on the bike trail,
however nothing new to report.
Treasurer report
Treassurer Niedzwiecki provided financial snapshot to date, noted
$3,000 to LSCB for EOR-Afton plus $2,054 legal bills for Afton
Septic. He requested determination on Erickson charges, as
it was noted that no application was ever submitted. He also
noted Mike Farham costs of $609.50, however no application was
submitted. Fernandez invoice was sent in early and April had
no response. City Building Inspector and Mayor spoke to
property owner and he noted the project to be finished for flood
proofing with plan drafted by an engineer. Morris at 2711
Itasca Ave. fees for Engineer and Planner charged to City.
Building Permit issued for roof but no other applications.
Treasurer asks how to pay for the fees if no application.
Engineer Parotti noted that the fees are a result of
pre-application meeting at property owner’s architects’
office. NOTE: Tom Niedzwiecki to let it sit on
account. Councilmember J. Freesmeier inquires of any Holmer
fees update. Discussion ensured as to what is a fee that can
be billed to a property owner. Such as pre- application fees
incurred. Claims to be approved: Checks
#5326-5334, electronic payments 1-9 for total of $12,803.38
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS PRESENTED
IN TOTAL OF $12,803.38.
ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
Building Permits Mayor Roettger presented
there are 7 active permits
City Attorney Report:
Attorney A. Pratt presented the Holmer transaction regarding Mr.
Holmers recent letter denying fees of $9,541.69. He
presented that Holmer has 60 days to appeal to court starting
April 14 or pay escrow amount due, schedule with court and
continue on with building project then find out if fees are due
and just. In regards to variance conditions set out in 1991
the variance application was recently denied for available
Right-Of-Way land. In regards to accessory buildings
requested to be removed, Mr. Holmer contends he will remove them
when the principal is build, however the City could pursue legally
to force the removal. Councilmember Freesmeier inquired of a
closed meeting for possible litigation and Attorney Pratt noted
they could schedule closed meeting at next meeting or at special
meeting. It could be a next City Council meeting and it
would be before time limit exceeded if he appeals.
Report Clerk:
Ragnar Run will go along bike trail in August, The ISD
Election – Bond passed and A Recycle Coordinator is needed for
each community in WA County, as the city does not have full
time staff and meeting are held in day hours it could be
that a resident take the role. The Clerk offered that LSCB
Recycle Committee does have a St. Mary’s Point resident attending
their meetings and perhaps the council would appoint that person
and allow for a stipend to be paid for attendance.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPOINT JENNIFER SOBIECH PARENTEAU AS
RECYCLE COORDINATOR WITH STIPENDS OF $20 PER MEETING AND MILEAGE
AT IRS RATES. ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
ALLIANCE: NO MEETING
CABLE: No meeting but noted Comcast has pulled out of merger
with Time Warner.
FIRE DISTRICT MEETING:
Councilmember G. Williams reported the Fire Dept. is moving to
Paid On Call from Paid on Run. So now they will get
run pay plus hourly rate. Councilmember Williams noted he
was questioning impact to budgetary constraints. Thought to
have a preliminary 7% increase however feels they can hold it to
5% so as to not need City approval. Councilmember G.
Williams has done research and questions (based on population and
area) the size of the Fire Department now having 32 people
compared to Woodbury having 74. The budget is being worked
on and should have it to the City by July. The budget hurdle
is purchase of new truck and how the Cities will pay for excess of
budget dollars.
Planning Commission: no meeting
WMO: no meeting
Standing Committee reports
Anderson Report: Compliments from citizens on beach and
removal of Jersey Barriers and fence. Also suggested doggie
bag dispenser and barrels to drop cleanup trash into.
Councilmember G. Williams: Proposed a sign display for
the City’s various events such as voting, clean up, no parking
etc. He explained the design and cost proposing to put in
budget at the end of the year. He presented a list of signs
needed this year and also spoke to some signs being removed such
as speed limit signs. 13 signs plus 6 posts would be $2,000
in the budget. Engineer Parotti spoke to legislator on the
replacement of signs being extended however plan approved as
required. Councilmember G. Williams seeks approval of signs
as presented and proposes a permanent marking of the sign, such as
a vinyl stickers that can be written on to indicate city ownership
Motion to adjourn at 8:35
_________________________________________
Jay
Roettger, Mayor
Attested to by:
__________________________________
Cindie J Reiter, City Clerk