Saint Michael City Council

SAINT MICHAEL CITY COUNCIL February 10, 1998

Saint Michael Council Chambers 7:00 P.M.

Present: Mayor Roxanne Packa, Council Members Michael Bruner, Wayne Kessler, Kenneth Duerr (7:08), Thomas Hagerty (7:15), Engineer Jeffrey Roos, Attorney David Lenhardt (7:05), City Administrator Robert Derus, and Deputy Clerk Carol Beall. Present in the audience were Robert Schmidt, Wright County Deputy Mark Tuttle and Deputy Johnson.

Mayor Packa called the meeting to order, declaring a quorum present. There was no one present under citizen input.

Consent Agenda. Council Members Kessler/Bruner moved approval of the consent agenda, including minutes of January 27 and 28, 1998; Receipt of Municipal Building Committee Meeting Minutes of 1/28/98; setting Local Board of Review for Monday, May 4, 1998 @ 3:00 p.m.; approval of Resolution 02-10-98/1, approving one day (3/15/98) Bingo License for the Saint Michael Council Catholic Aid; Approval of Renewal for Consumption and Display Permit (set-up license) for Frank D’Aigle’s Crow River Country Club; Approval of building permits for January, 1998, and correspondence. All voted aye.

Planning Commission Report. Minutes from the Planning and Zoning meeting of February 4, 1998, as well as a summary of recommendations, were provided. Engineer Roos reported concerning the request of Robert Schmidt for an Interim Use Permit to operate a commercial outdoor recreation area during 1998. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. Robert Schmidt was present. (Duerr arrived) Council Members Bruner/Kessler moved approval of Resolution 02-10-98/2, approving Interim Use Permit 02-98-1 for Robert Schmidt to operate a commercial outdoor recreation area on March 14, May 2-3, June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 22-23, 1998, with the following conditions: (1) The commercial outdoor recreational area would be operated only on the dates specified above; (2) The grounds would be open no earlier than 10 a.m., the events begin no earlier than noon, and the events end no later than dusk; (3) the permit would be subject to review at any time during the period of the permit; (4) the applicant would assume responsibility for any mud on the road and removal of same; (5) steps would be taken for control of traffic after 10 p.m.; and (6) issuance of the permit would not authorize construction of any permanent structures. All voted aye. The second item concerning adopting a new Planning Application Fee Schedule. The proposed fees, including a Special Planning Commission Meeting fee of $750, were provided. (Hagerty arrived) Council Members Kessler/Bruner moved approval of the Planning Application Fees as presented, with all voting aye. The last item concerned the recommendation to adopt Wright County’s Livestock and Animals ordinance as an interim measure until the Planning Commission can consider a more detailed or specific ordinance for the City of Saint Michael. Attorney Lenhardt had prepared a temporary ordinance for the city, based on the Wright County Ordinance. After brief discussion, Council Members Hagerty/Kessler moved approval of Ordinance Number 112 governing the keeping of livestock and large animals. All voted aye.

Response to Request by Crow River Highlands for Payment of Street Light Expense. A petition was received from residents in Crow River Highlands some time ago. Additional information had been requested concerning street lighting policies overall; however, a response was never made directly to the Crow River Highlands request. There was still some question as to how 02-10-98 - 2 the request would specifically be handled. Attorney Lenhardt will get additional information from Frank D’Aigle concerning any possible Homeowners Association Agreement, and the matter will be considered at a subsequent meeting. City Engineer’s Report. Engineer Roos reported that he and Council Member Kessler visited Jim Steffens this afternoon concerning getting the last easement for the Southwest sewer project in place. He will report again concerning the outcome. Engineer Roos also reported concerning a developer’s request that the city give the option of paying for public improvements for a development over a five- year period. Roos indicated it has been the policy that public improvements are paid for up front. There was brief discussion, and the consensus of the council was that the policy should not change.

Attorney Report. Attorney Lenhardt requested the matter with regard to Omanns be discussed in closed session to take place immediately after this meeting.

Administrator’s Report Gibraltar Securities as an Official Depository. Administrator Derus reported briefly concerning Gibraltar Securities, indicating they would provide greater investment opportunities. He said he did background checks with three Minnesota users of their services and received positive reports. If they were designated as an official depository they would have to sign a broker’s agreement with the city. Council Members Hagerty/Duerr moved approval of Gibraltar Securities as an additional Official Depository for the City of Saint Michael. All voted aye.

Year-end Investment Report. Administrator Derus provided year-end investment reports summarizing the year end portfolio and interest for the year. It was noted that the amount of actual interest exceeded the budgeted total by approximately $100,000.

Financing Hockey Arena. Administrator Derus said he spoke to Kurt Hartner from the STMA School Board who indicated they were just bringing on somebody with the school district, and he asked that the City hold off for a couple weeks. Derus will report back as soon as additional information is available.

Continued Discussion on Sewer O&M Fees. Administrator Derus gave the council information as to who was affected in specific rate groups and how phasing in proposed rates over a two-year period would affect them as well as how it would affect the O&M budget as a whole. Council Member Hagerty said he would prefer to hold a public hearing before adopting new fees. Several options were discussed. Engineer Roos suggested that if a public hearing were held, it be made clear that rates could be adjusted in future years without a public hearing, but if there were to be a one- time big change, the council would consider holding a public hearing. Council Members Hagerty/Bruner moved sending a letter to all sewer users, as well as scheduling a public hearing. All voted aye. After brief discussion Councilors Duerr/Hagerty moved setting a public hearing on proposed new sewer O&M Fees for March 24, 1998, at the regular council meeting. All voted aye.

Consideration of Purchase of Tandem Axle Dump Truck. Administrator Derus reported that the deadline for ordering trucks off the 1999 State contract is about to pass. The City’s Road Department staff recommended purchase of an additional truck, there being three drivers and only two trucks. The estimated cost with plows, sander and dump box is approximately $119,000. There is $104,00 in the maintenance equipment replacement fund and $50,000 in the 1998 budget for equipment purchases.

Council Members Hagerty/Duerr moved approval of starting the process to get on the list for purchasing off the State Contract, with the understanding this was not to approve an actual 2 02-10-98 - 3 purchase. There was some additional discussion as to the pros and cons and difference in costs of manual transmission or automatic transmission and other considerations. All voted aye on the motion on the floor.

Approval of List of Claims. Council Members Duerr/Bruner moved approval of Claims 1336- 1389 in the amount of $205,427.82, with all voting aye.

Wright County Deputies. Visiting in the audience were Wright County Deputy Field Training Officer Mark Tuttle, as well as Deputy Johnson, who is being trained by Officer Tuttle. Johnson indicated he is learning as much as possible during this period of training. The deputies answered questions with regard to hours, how mutual aid calls work and the frequency, as well as other questions. Mayor Packa thanked the deputies for visiting the council meeting.

Mayor Packa announced that the council would now go into closed session with the attorney on a matter of litigation, and there was a brief break at 8:20 p.m. The council reconvened in closed session to discuss the Omann Lawsuit. The closed session ended at 8:38 p.m. Mayor Packa again declared the meeting open.

Bylaws for Hockey Joint Powers Board. Wayne Kessler briefly explained the bylaws for the STMA Hockey Arena Joint Powers Board. Council Members Kessler/Bruner moved approval of the STMA Hockey Arena Joint Powers Board Bylaws as written. All voted aye. Wayne Kessler also updated the council on the progress of the Joint Powers Board. He explained that it looks like everything will be moving forward.

Adjourn. Council Members Kessler/Bruner moved adjournment at 8:42 p.m., with all voting aye.

Attest:

______Deputy Clerk Mayor