February
11, 2008 page
CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH
Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Brian Blesi, Lori Erickson and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Fire Chief Wade Sommer, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Charlie Jones and Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Lori Erickson moved to approve the Minutes of the January 14, 2008 Regular Council Meeting, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.
Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the January 2008 Police Dept Report.
Fire Chief Wade Sommer presented the January 2008 Fire Dept Report.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Lori Erickson: Cemetery Expenses came in under budget in 2007.
Arnie Carlson: Joint Planning Committee will meet on 2/14/08 to continue discussing Hwy access and frontage and backage roads.
Brian Blesi: there will be a planning meeting for Skate Park on 2/13/07. Park & Rec is planning a river clean up event for June 8, 2008.
General Fund $110,751.58, Library Fund $7,441.16, Debt Service $40,231.46, Water Fund $26,461.41, Sewer Fund $52,152.14
Lori Erickson moved to approve claims, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Certified Survey Map: NEI
NEI has submitted a CSM to sub-divide their property into four lots, the Plan Commission had recommended approval subject to Lots 2 and 4 sharing a street access, that recommendation has been followed and is indicated on the CSM that is being submitted for approval.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve the CSM for NEI, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, passed.
Consider 1st Draft of Design Plans for Library Parking Lot & Public Plaza
Brent Norsman, Norsman Architects, presented proposed design plans for the public plaza and parking lot for the Library planned for the old Holiday Foods blding. Public improvements include multi-colored sections of concrete in the interior pathway, raised areas for natural plantings, benches, reading areas, and crosswalks across Washington St to connect to State Park, also looking at geo-heating for Library. Councilman Brian Blesi suggested that a visual buffer between the plaza and Holiday Station be included and noted that enhancements such as Aspen trees and parking are needed for trail head.
Consider Cedar Task Order: Coordination with Xcel Energy
Xcel has received go-ahead for transmission line from Minnesota, they plan to install powerline, bury line coming from their plant, construct sub-station by fall, and extend line in conduit up Louisiana St in 2009. Task Order authorizes Cedar Corp to work with Xcel on coordinating with delineation of route from Louisiana St to Sub-Station.
Arnie Carlson moved to authorize Task Order for a cost not to exceed $4,500, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Initial Resolution Relating to the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds in the Amount of $845,000 for Community Development & Retirement of Some City Debt
Proposed Bond is for $845,000 in new borrowing for financing public improvements plus refinancing two earlier Bonds for lower interest rates, resulting in a total of $2,060,000.
Arnie Carlson moved to consider Resolution #08-03, Initial Resolution Relating to the Issuance of GO Bonds, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Waiver of Special Assessments: St Croix Regional Medical Center, State St Project
A Waiver of Special Assessment has beer drawn up for St Croix Regional Medical Center relating to proposed State Street improvements, if the Medical Center signs the waiver we won’t have to hold a Public Hearing on the special assessments which are estimated at $237,000.
Lori Erickson moved to approve the Waiver of Special Assessments, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Condominium Declaration, Condominium Plat, Association Articles of Incorporation, and Condominium Association By-Laws for the Former Holiday Foods Building; Consider Formal Transfer and Sale of Two Condominium Units as Described in Plat to Dr. Udin; Consider Amendment to Developers Agreement with Dr. Udin
Darrell Anderson moved to remove Agenda Items 7f, 7g, and 7h, relating to the Condominium from the Agenda, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Room Tax Committee Annual Report
The State has changed rules relating to Room Tax, new regulations require annual reports, and establish rules for use of tax and appointment of Room Tax Committee. The 2007 Room Tax Report was presented to the Council. Appointments will be addressed at a future meeting.
Consider Operators Permits
Arnie Carlson moved to approve Operators Permits for Trent Schug and Teresa Rogney, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Conditional Use Permit Extensions for the Butterfly House and Wild River Marina as Recommended by Plan Commission and Previously Sanctioned by City Council
The Plan Commission recommended that the CUPs for the Butterfly House and Wild River Marina be extended. Brian Hobs of Polk County Human Health Services informed the City that RV Parks within the area of the St Croix River require State Approval.
Darrell Anderson moved to extend CUP for Butterfly House, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.
Brian Blesi moved to table extension of CUP for RV Park at Wild River Marina, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Resolution Opposing Assembly Bill 649: Utility Billing
Assembly Bill 649 would prohibit the placement of delinquent water and sewer bills on a landlords tax bill if the landlord has provided written notification of the name and address of the tenant who is responsible for paying for the service. If passed the City would be forced to take other measures to ensure payment and uncollectible utility charges could result in increased charges for all customers.
Lori Erickson moved to approve Resolution #08-04 Opposing Assembly Bill 649, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Max Fehrenbacher inquired when is the final year for the TIF District with changing TIF law, concerned that if TIF District were to fail would be a big negative impact on residents and tax payers, also impacts school as they don’t get taxes on incremental value.
Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk