CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

JUNE 12, 2006, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Brad Foss called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, June 12, 2006 at 7:08 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Jon Cermin, and Lori Erickson were present. Debra Points was absent. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney Scott Cox, Police Chief Paul Lindholm, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Assistant Public Works Director Scott Brust, 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 May 22, 2006 Regular Council Meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Minutes of the Closed May 22, 2006 Regular Council Meeting, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Blair Klein, John Edling, and Joyce Nelson spoke in support of the Right of Refusal/Purchase Option for the old Holiday Foods Building on Washington St, it is an opportunity for the Library and Senior Center for a larger facility in the downtown.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

Police Chief Paul Lindholm presented the May 2006 Police Report.

Fire Chief Dale Anderson presented the May 2006 Fire Dept Report.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General $67,153.78, Library $1,888.42, Water $7,949.51, Sewer $14,156.04, Park & Rec $2,070.81

Jon Cermin moved to approve claims, second by Darrel Anderson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

Mayor Foss requested that an update on the Water System be placed on the next Meeting Agenda.

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing: Municipal Code Update

Jon Cermin moved to open the Public Hearing, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Debra Kravig: reviewed draft of Code update, got bogged down with language, some definitions are in front of Code Chapter, some in middle, some that are referred to in body of Code are not defined at all, others are found in one Chapter but not another; such as blvd, bond, cu-de-sac, flood plain, bluff line, and Planned Unit Development. Didn’t find Overlay District for river frontage either. Zoning Code looks like a conventional code, doesn’t incorporate Character Code or Open Space Zoning. We should get a citizens group together to review codes also.

Mayor Foss questioned how we as a community establish a dialog to go through the Code page by page.

Jon Cermin: may need to pick a day to meet to review Code update one paragraph at a time.

Ed Emerson: may need to revisit Resolution for Moratorium to allow CUPs and minor sub-divisions, but restricting new development. We have to set a time frame for submittal of comments and end the moratorium to avoid lawsuit from Builders’ Association. The next Plan Commission Agenda is light, could plan on going through code, there is a Committee working on NR118.

Darrell Anderson moved to close the Public Hearing, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider the Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities Plan

Ed Emerson: based on discussions with Engineers and Army Corp of Engineers may be best interest to include a Project Coordination Team to discuss placement and design of tanks and sensitivity to site. Recommend Team be appointed at next Council Meeting.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Waste Water Treatment Facility Plan with inclusion of a Project Coordination Team, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Endorsing an Internship Partnership with Partners & Sirny for the Development of a Master Plan for the City Owned Rousselow Property

Shannon Sommer is a St Croix Falls’ resident and a third year architecture student looking for an Internship. An Internship with Partners & Sirny, to be done and paid for by Partners & Sirny, to develop of a Master Plan incorporating sustainable design and ecology for the City owned Rousselow Property has been suggested. Upon completion the plan would be presented to the City for approval and Partners & Sirny would have the option to develop the property.

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #06-16, Endorsing an Internship Partnership with Partners & Sirney for the Development of a Master Plan for City Owned Rousselow Property, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Right of First Refusal/Purchase Offer with Holiday Companies to Secure the Old Holiday Store, N Washington St, Library Status Report

Sarah Adams, Head Librarian: the Library Board has hired SEH to do a site analysis of the old Holiday foods store and movie theater buildings. The St Croix Valley Senior Center has expressed an interest in partnering with the Library in development and use of a larger facility. The Library is working with Church Street Associates, a professional fundraising organization, to maximize efforts to raise funds.

Ed Emerson: Right of First Refusal gives the City 5 months to decide if want to purchase the building.

Attorney Scott Cox: it is essentially an agreement to purchase with burden on City to conduct review of building. Agreement grants Owner right of approval over what firm would conduct study. Should work on language that gives City option to choose who will evaluate condition of building. Will review proposal and request change in language.

Jon Cermin moved to table Consideration of Right of First Refusal/Purchase Offer with Holiday Companies, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Bids for City Assessor Contract

The City received 3 bids for Assessor Services, Eric Kleven at $14,900 per year for 3 years, Up North Real Estate at $14,800 per year for 3 years, and Post Appraisals Inc at $11,200 per year for 3 years.

Darrell Anderson moved to accept the bid of Post Appraisals Inc upon verification of references and drawing up of a contract, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Jon Cermin moved to take a break, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Jon Cermin moved to reconvene, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Presentation on Wireless Internet Options; Matt Sonetag

Matt Sonetag presented information on Municipal Wireless Internet, listing the various components needed, types of services that can be offered, operation, and benefit to the City. A rough estimate of the investment needed to implement a wireless internet service was between $500,000 and $1,000,000.

Consider an Agreement with Art Lippert and Alabama St Neighborhood

Neighbors have met with Art Lippert to address issues with home at 128 Alabama St and have come to a three part agreement where Mr. Lippert would remove the home, cap the basement, and be reimbursed $5,000 for moving expenses; neighbors have pledged $3,600. The Neighborhood, represented by Pastor Bruce Brooks, requests that the City contribute $1,400 to reach the $5,000 agreed upon. Art Lippert estimated that costs for brining in the home and now removing it will be around $9,000, only asking for $5,000, and requested that the building permit and sewer hook up fees that were paid be refunded and that he be permitted to stay in his RV on the property for a time.

Ed Emerson: it is typical to refund fees for services not used.

Pastor Bruce Brooks: City Codes should have included a requirement for 20 sq ft core living area but didn’t, mobile home lowers values of surrounding properties, resulting in lower tax base for City.

Jon Cermin questioned if City would be setting precedence, that while it is the right thing to do, the City is not responsible for fixing the situation, need justification in paying $1,400.

Darrell Anderson noted that putting in water and sewer service to the site would cost more.

Attorney Scott Cox: City Code not clear on RV living although does not seem to be intent of Code, would be alright to permit Mr Lippert to live in RV on site for a couple of months.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve Resolution #06-17, Supporting the Resolution of Issues Related to the Alabama St Neighborhood and Art Lippert’s Home and payment of $1,400, with provision for living in RV for 60 days, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Park & Recreation Projects for City Enhancements

Darrell Anderson moved to table Consideration of Projects for City Enhancements, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Bids for Blanding Woods Rd Resurfacing

The City received one bid for resurfacing Blanding Woods Rd from Monarch Paving to grade, pulverize, and lay asphalt for $47,850.00. It was noted that the City Crew would be replacing the existing culvert and that a speed bump could be added by the Crew rather than paying Monarch do so. It was noted that if the project wasn’t completed by the Polk Co Fair that the street could be watered to keep dust down.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve Monarch Paving’s bid of $47,850 for repaving of Blanding Woods Rd, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Increase in Wages for Scott Brust, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #06-18, Amending the Budget to Increase Wages and Accounting for Change in Job Responsibilities of Scott Brust, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Presentation of Lions Club Park Improvements

A new dock and fire pits have been installed at the Lions Park utilizing Park & Rec Funds and the efforts of the Lions Club.

Consider Schedule for Louisiana St Improvements

Chris Strom of Cedar Corp updated the City on the revised schedule and design issues for Louisiana St; the City has received a MSIP-D Grant that will require an agreement with the DOT, working with Xcel on defining cost-sharing and timeline, approval of final plans and specifications and advertising for bids in October, with opening and award of bid by deer hunting season, and start construction in spring of 2007. It was noted that a Public Information Meeting on the project on August 14^th should be held on Louisiana Street.

Consider Approval of CMAR Report

Darrell Anderson moved to approve Resolution #06-19, Approving the 2005 Compliance Maintenance Report, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Cedar Corp Task Order for Plans and Specs for Chemical Storage Building, Pine Street Booster Station

Chris Strom, Cedar Corp: chlorine stored at booster station is causing equipment to corrode, adding a separate storage area requires a basic plan and DNR approval. Due to reduced requirement for a basic plan and aid of City Crew with project, cost is reduced to half of quote, resulting in a cost of $2,500.

Jon Cermin moved to authorize Cedar Corp Task Order for Plans and Specs for a Chemical Storage Building for the Pine Street Booster Station for a cost not to exceed $2,500, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Abandonment of Purchase Agreement for Water Well at Pederson Site in Town of St Croix Falls

The Town of St Croix Falls’ Codes require a minimum lot size of 3 acres, the property the City was interested in purchasing for a possible well site does not meet that size requirement.

Jon Cermin moved to abandon the Purchase Agreement for the Pederson property, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

COMUNICATIONS

There will be a Finance Committee Meeting at 6 pm on June 26, 2006, to hear a report by the City Auditor on the 2005 audit.

ADJOURNMENT

Darrell Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk