ST MARY’S
POINT CITY COUNCIL
ST. MARY’S POINT, MINNESOTA
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
OCTOBER 6, 2015
Call to Order: Roll call for attendance – All
Ayes
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Consent agenda
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
MINUTES AS PRESENTED. ROLL CALL/ ALL AYES
Public comments: Paul Brown and Don Jones. Paul
Brown presented a report and itemized the expenses of Art In
Park. The poor weather kept attendance down, but
enthusiastic audience especially the brass band and the city
history presented by Don Jones. The cost of $746.40 with a
balance of $354.17 remains and asks for continuance funding.
Don Jones provided laminated plat map circa 1928 for the city to
use. He also provided a book about the St. Croix. He
gave information on our local history articles and referenced the
sandpiper and thanked Paul Brown for his great efforts.
Sheriff’s report: There were 7 incidents
Charlie Farnam Resident 2564 Itasca, spoke to
condition of City trees and addressed oak wilt, noting 6-7 places
that need review and believes there is 26-30 dead diseased dying
Oak trees, both Red and White likely a spore matt allowing
transmission. He had testing done on his trees by University
of Minnesota and will share the information. He stated this
is a big deal as all local folks will lose their trees. He
removes dead and treats diseased trees. Also urges the City
Council to act upon the need for the epicenter to have the trees
removed. These trees also are spreading the disease.
He will leave the U of M information by sending to the clerk via
email.
Driveway License Amendment-Wang City Attorney
Sandstrom presented issue of driveway at 16634 22nd Street
So. Prior approval was granted for driveway to exist in ROW
in vacated street area with language to City to resume right to
access. The house has now sold and Mortgage Company is not
satisfied with the City’s agreement. Attorney
Sandstrom has been working with the Wang Attorney to grant a
Driveway License so that the mortgage company can be satisfied for
the sale. The right of the driveway use will transfer with
the property not necessary with the property owners. There
happened to be a survey done by the Wang’s that bore out a problem
in that the driveway turnaround area was placed too far
north. This does not change the need and purpose of the
driveway license for what exists.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER T. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE DRIVEWAY LICENSE AS
PRESENTED IN KEEPING WITH RESOLUTION GRANTED IN 2007.
Discussion: Councilmember Freesmeier questioned how 2007
resolution variance granted the added area of turnaround.
Attorney Sandstrom read that part of the resolution which
addressed this.
MOTION PASSED/ALL AYES
Attorney Sandstrom noted that 2 copies of the License approved to
be signed this evening as property is both Torrance and Abstract.
Animal Humane Society Contract (no changes)
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS, SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF OUR AGREEMENT
WITH ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY.
ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
Snow Plow Bid – Tri-County Issues need to go back to
contractor for correct bid documents. Information presented
lacked clarity. City council directed the City Attorney to
provide a contract for review at the next council meeting.
Afton Septic presented by LSCB resident Jim Golden in
lieu of Jim Unker. Mr. Golden presented documents regarding
Section 106 review by Afton and Historical Preservation Act.
City Attorney Sandstrom provided information in regards to 106
review process which includes option to allow for consulting
party. Councilmember Unker has been appointed as liaison to
represent LSCB as the consulting party. City Attorney
Sandstorm stated he sent a letter requesting Unker be appointed
for consulting party status. Attorney Sandstrom also stated
he provided comment that appointed Afton to oversee the 106
process was not in the best interest of the process. Jim
Golden stated that SMP could also become a consulting party as
well. Attorney Sandstorm presented that the costs to date
are similar to each City and thus likely Mr. Unker did not attend
the meeting tonight. LSCB recognizes the likelihood that the
project to go forward and does not want to spend further Attorney
fees other than to write a letter requesting LSCB be allowed to be
a consulting party. Councilmember Freesmeier asked about the
Section 106 time frame. Attorney Sandstrom noted it should
be begun but a consulting party request can be submitted.
Mr. Golden provided that Indian mounds site that were never
mentioned in Afton’s study, at one time it was a tourist
attraction and it is in Afton’s history. Many Indian Artifacts
have been found in area. The question was why didn’t they do
their search process before beginning this?
No action was taken.
Fire Station Illuminated sign Councilmember T.
Williams explained he provided earlier agreement to give to cable
funds to purchase sign. However, Council sent back a no
contribution vote. He said he brought back this and was
poo-pooed. He also stated after 4.99 % increases at the Fire
Department he is not in favor of this. Councilmember
Freesmeier noted he does not feel the direction to distribute is
not appropriate, nor up to the cable commission to direct payment
to the Fire Department. Councilmember G. Williams explained
further the Fire Board wants the message board however the cost
has dropped to $12,500 with fewer options. He also noted the
closest Fire Department that has an LED sign is Hopkins.
Councilmember Anderson noted that the reader board is not
necessary in this area.
No action other than NO that Councilmember T. Williams should
carry that message back to the Cable Commission.
Comprehensive Plan A heads up from Clerk Reiter that
Met. Council has started to send updates to the Cities on a
Comprehensive Plan on Transportation and that the information was
provided to the city planner.
Treasurer Report Treasurer Niedzwiecki was
absent.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS, SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE BILLS No. 5381 thru 5395 (except
#5394 to the Fire Dept.) and EFT 1-14 FOR TOTAL OF
$20,914.12 ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
City Engineer John Parotti provided a map of the current and
future re-construction noting shared streets with LSCB.
However LSCB has largest segment of street and each City put off
doing those streets possible in 2016 or 2017 when other streets
are scheduled. He asks for direction or questions if Council
as surveys may be done before snow this year. He proposes
that the Council could direct the surveys be done if LSCB does
theirs. Councilmember G. Williams is concerned over drainage
be directed onto Itasca. Engineer Parotti notes no plan to
direct drainage onto Itasca and actually the low area is west of
Itasca. Mayor Roettger, Councilmembers Freesmeier and
Anderson feel the same. He presented that at Baillon &
Itasca A pavement drop off remedy with a temporary fix by 1)
gravel at $100; 2) asphalt millings at $200; 3) cut dirt, sod and
asphalt and replace w/asphalt patch $1,000; 4) concrete curb at
$1500-$1800 estimate. If drivers habit is to cut inside
corner it will continue and only A curb stops this but may cause
water ponding. This corner also has line of sight issues and
Engineer Parotti to check on it. Placing asphalt millings by
Councilmembers G Williams and T Williams was offered by
Councilmember G Williams. Engineer Parotti suggest dig out
some gravel first then put down the millings. Councilmember
Freesmeier speaks against a councilmember doing it.
Councilmember G. Williams agrees but believes it is a small
project he and Councilmember T. Williams are willing to do as such
a small job. Councilmember T. Williams will check with Tower
Asphalt. Councilmember Freesmemeer will talk to property
owners about the tall Cedar tree in ROW causing line of sight
issues. Councilmember G. Williams and Engineer Parotti
reviewed 25th St. for possible turn around. Some trees
removal would be needed and survey of area of work.
Councilmember G. Williams has spoken to the property owners and
they would like a turnaround in lieu of backing up by waste
haulers into their driveways. The scrub trees could be
removed now. It was noted tree trimming company to be in
town soon and can be done then. Engineer Parotti
suggested a quote be gotten for City Council on the cost of survey
on 25th Street.
Drain Structure Cleaning spoke to the Contractor
again and they noted would try to do it this week. Engineer
Parotti suggested next spring the City should reach out farther
for a bid for drain structure cleaning.
Building Inspector 5 outstanding Permits
City Attorney Attorney Sandstrom stated the
Malmgren complaint has no improvement or effort by them. The
next step is a citation by Sheriff or to bring a lawsuit.
Councilmember G. Williams noted one car is gone, and the property
owner said he will get rid of it but he is busy. Council
directed Attorney Sandstrom to write another letter noting
citation is the next step.
Closed Council Meeting at September meeting on Holmer was just to
provide an update and no action was taken. He sees no reason
for another closed meeting. Mr. Holmer is working on
building permit with the inspector and planner. The
outstanding balance due from Holmer before the building permit can
be issued it needs to be paid as a condition placed at CUP
permit. As far as a lawsuit, we will wait for another month
before requesting our Attorney to get a Court date. Attorney
Sandstrom will contact Planner Ben Gozola and Treasurer T.
Niedzwiecki regarding balance due.
City Clerk Provided reasons for recycling as
provided by WA County and noted Shred It Day Friday October 9th in
Woodbury at WA County Environmental Center.
Fire Department Councilmember G. Williams reported
that the Fire Department has ordered a new truck at $592,000 at
low interest of 2.16%. They are continuing to advertising for new
fire fighters. Councilmember Freesmeier noted good budget
process.
Cable Councilmember Tim Williams – Nothing to report
as no meetings.
WMO Councilmember Anderson was not able to attend.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember T. Williams none
Councilmember Anderson none
Councilmember G. Williams Restored SMP sign at
entrance to the City with weather protection on both sides.
Sign placed in 1976 and needs to be preserved. We have new
City hall chairs that were State and MN surplus purchase.
The River is 675.5 and no rise. Councilmember G. Williams
asks for late purchase of a “VOTE HERE” sign with an approximate
cost of $139.
A Map of tree trimming presented: Near the park along 24th
St., 25th scrub trees, on Itasca the Oak is diseased and overhang
city streets.
NOTE: Clerk to send tree letter to Councilmember Anderson
for website.
Meeting adjourned at 8:42.