CITY OF ST. CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

FEBRUARY 13, 2006, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

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CALL TO ORDER                                       

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, February 13, 2006 at 7 p.m.  Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Jon Cermin and Debra Points present.  Bill Kersch was absent.  Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Treasurer Jamie Carlson, Attorney John Schneider, Police Chief Paul Lindholm, Public Works Director Dennis Neva, Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Minutes of the January 30, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed. 

Debra Points moved to approve the Minutes of the January 30, 2005 Special Closed Council Meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed. 

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

The January 2006 Police Report was presented for Council’s information.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

The Minutes of the February 8, 2006 Library Board Meeting were presented for Council’s information.

 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General $949,685.18, Park & Rec. $110.78, Library $1,480.74, Water $3,274.97, Sewer $6,313.34

Darrell Anderson moved to approve claims, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Waste Water Treatment Plant Options: US Army Corps

Tom Pulse, Ahrs & Assoc. Mike Gerbitz, Donohue & Assoc., Roland Hamborg, Army Corps.

Tom Pulse: the four options are:

            Option 1, Plan A is the Fish Hatchery Site, avoids raceways, removes or relocates Hatchery residence, utilizes exiting structures for lab and office, site can hold up to four SBR tanks to serve a population of 7,000 people, is the most constricted site, no room for further expansion.  If it turns out to be within the scope of “Lawcon” there are more issues with use of that property, est. project cost $7.6 mil.

            Option 2, Plan B is on River St, doesn’t effect Park land, does impact private properties.  Site could hold up to 6 tanks to serve a population of 10,500 people.  Has additional costs with land acquisition, est. project cost $9.5 mil.  Some costs could be saved by utilizing existing facility for office and lab.

            Option 3, Plan C is on Fairgrounds Rd, outside City limits, undeveloped private property.  Challenge is in getting flow up hill to plant, could need two lift station and piping up to plant and then back to river, if piping is to be placed in Louisiana St would have implications on plans to re-construct Louisiana St this year, could result in delay of that project.  This site allows for additional expansion and could possibly include seepage tanks as opposed to discharging into river.  Est. project cost $10.7 mil.

            Option 4, Plan D is on the north side of the City off Hwy 87 across from the Lion’s Park, undeveloped private property.  Would need one pipe line and new discharge permit.  Area has delineated wetland surrounding site, room for up to 6 tanks to serve a population of 10,500 people.  Soil conditions unknown, tanks need to be set 10 to 15 ft deep, could have issues with rock or ground water. Est. project cost $11.5 mil.  Cost estimate based upon worst case scenarios, expect could find a lot of rock.

Mayor Uhrhammer: Lawcon makes Site A almost unusable, Site B affects multiple private properties and esthetics of river, Site C has room for future expansion but at a high cost for pumping raw sewage up hill and discharge back to river.

Council questioned what of membrane systems, time frame whereby a population of 3500 people could be reached, the impact of NR118, and what happens if we ultimately don’t get Federal Funding.

While membrane systems utilize a smaller footprint the technology is new with few venders at this time, costs to implement at this time are about 20% higher than SBR system that we are looking at.  A facility constructed to handle a population of 3500 is expected to meet our needs for next 20 years.  As for NR118, the DNR recognizes that waste water treatment facilities are necessary and that they are sometimes best placed within the confines of NR118.  Federal Funds have been authorized for the project but have not yet been granted, 219 Funding granted to date is for planning and design, when we have completed that the City will need to go back to Congressman Obey and approach Congress for project funding. 

Tom Pulse: Once Planning has been narrowed down to one site refined plans and more exact costs can be determined and brought back to the City for review, acceptance, rejection, or re-direction.  Facility Plan will be brought back to Council for review and then be sent in for DNR review, a Public Hearing will be held 60 days after the DNR review is completed.

Land acquisition can be initiated during design process and be credited to the City’s cost share of project.

Debra Points moved to authorize going forward with planning for Site B, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

Consider Approval of Park & Recreation 2006 Project Report

Amy Klein: the Park & Rec Committee has the following goals for 2006:

A. An outdoor Skateboard Park, best option for a location so far is area by football field, est. cost $75,000. 

B. Develop City land adjacent to NPS Headquarters, est. cost $50,000.

C. New dock and other improvements for Lion’s Park, est. cost $10,000.

D. Playground equipment for White Pine Park and pea gravel for Tower Park, est. cost $12,000.

Projects would move forward as funds are available.  Reasoning behind locating Skateboard Park at the football field is visibility, would be well policed.  Plan will be presented to School Board also. 

Darrell Anderson questioned the high cost of a skateboard park that would be utilized by few and noted that parking at the Football Field is at a premium during games and that there’s no room for anything else.

Warren White: 100 x 100 ft slab for skateboard park could possibly hold 30 cars if ramps were moved to one end for football games.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the 2006 Park & Recreation Project Report, with projects proceeding as funds come in, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 2 ayes, 1 absent, Darrell Anderson voted nay, motion passed.

 

Consider Presentation for Pilot Program Community Center

Sally Peterson and Vicki Gilbert presented plans for a Community Center; they have incorporated as the Greater St Croix Entertainment Center Inc. and are in the process of getting tax exempt status.  Plan is for a facility about 100,000 sq ft in size on a 7 to 9 acre site in the St Croix Falls area that would provide programs for youth and families.  Estimated cost of construction is $2.5 mil.  Operating budget is based upon 650 family memberships at $150 each.  We are asking for the City’s support and endorsement at this time.

Jon Cermin: Community Center is a huge deal and is needed here. Concern is implication that you have non-profit status and a location in place.  What is your history to show that you can do this, manage a facility and provide food service?  Presentation indicates that you have YMCA support, but the YMCA had difficulties trying to raise $10,000 to fund a study; they weren’t able to make a facility work here even just renting space.  You need to get your non-profit status and documentation in place before the City endorses the project.

Debra Points: vision is great, but at a preliminary stage.

Darrell Anderson: a lot of organizations are talking about programs for youth, such as the Library and Skate Park, why not let kids just have fun.  Doubt that this plan will work.     

 

Consider Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of St Croix Falls – Taking Jurisdiction of a Portion of 208th Street

The Town of St Croix Falls has suggested that the City take over 208th St out to 120th Ave, City limits go out to 125th Ave, the City has no property along 208th St between 125th and 120th Ave.

Al Clark, Town of St Croix Falls: thought on going to 120th Ave was that highest use of that road would be due to growth within the City, the Town doesn’t have the investment of new growth to support maintenance of that section of road.  If City wishes to amend Memorandum of Understanding to 125th Ave, the Town will consider that amendment at next meeting.

Debra Points: should look at going to 125th Ave for now, if/as City grows that direction can renegotiate to go further.

Jon Cermin moved to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of St Croix Falls for taking over Jurisdiction of a Portion of 208th Street with amendments of 120th Ave being changed to 125th Ave and the removal of Southern end language, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

Consider Request of Polk County Information Center for Financial Support in Promoting St Croix Falls at Upcoming Biking – Travel & Fitness Expo, MN Convention Center

The Polk County Information Center will be at the Travel & Fitness Expo at the MN Convention Center on March 4th and 5th.  They are requesting $150 to support their presence at the convention.  They will be handing out City Trail Brochures at the convention.  It was discussed if the request should go to the Room Tax Commission.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Polk Co Information Center’s request for $150 contingent upon if the Room Tax Commission would not, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

Consider Resolution Authorizing $2,000 for Clerk of Court Travel Expenses to Attend Five Day Legal Conference Training

Clerk of Courts Candace Murphy has request $2,000 over what is budgeted for training to attend Equal Opportunity Training for New Investigators in Washington DC.  Council questioned what benefit would result from this training. 

Debra Points moved to table request to get more information, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Warren White: the application to get the Festival Theatre on the Historic Register has been returned, photos were identified on back in ink, in required to be in pencil, photos are being re-printed and the application will be re-submitted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

It was noted that the Winter Business Expo is on February 18, 2006 and that the Cemetery Board would be meeting on February 14, 2006.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Debra Points moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.  Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.

 

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor                                                                                    Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk