CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE    
    CITY OF ST. MARY’S POINT
ST. MARY’S POINT DRIVE
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
May 5, 2015

CALL TO ORDER:     By Mayor Roettger at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:         Mayor Roettger, G. Williams, T. Williams, N. Anderson, and J. Freesmeier
STAFF PRESENT:    Cindie J. Reiter, T. Niedzwiecki , J. Parotti, Attorney Andy Pratt
OTHERS PRESENT:    Jon Place, Jim Unker, Jim Golden
CONSENT AGENDA:    MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILIAMS AND SECONDED BY        COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.                ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
Public Comments:    
Jon Place, Lakeland resident and LSCB property owner spoke to promote the fight against the Afton Septic System.  He noted he spoke to the County Board this morning citing Indian Mounds, and rattle snake mounds along with pointer trees as denoted in Ken Barnes book along with other geographical information from Perilous St. Croix Valley Frontier and Sacred Sites of Minnesota and books and Indian Mounds of Wisconsin.  He also spoke to Pioneer Press and Star Tribune as well as mail outs to other news outlets.  He also noted the Public Comments of MPCA having changed dates from May 19 to June 23rd.  The group is also submitting many data practice requests to the City of Afton.  
    Jim Golden, LSCB resident, presented he has been actively involved from the beginning, concerned for wells and creek and location.  He was at the first public hearing in Afton and is now involved in Citizens of Valley Creek.  He spoke to Valley Branch watershed preservation plan and to attend the upcoming review and also spoke to preservation of Valley Creek and its brown trout.  He noted that dilution is solution to pollution according to Valley Branch philosophy and noted that Valley Creek is too small to dilute.  He notes that a group on the Citizens Review Board will make the determination of doing an Environmental Impact Study (EIS).  He noted if the group does an EIS, they will align with the determination.
    Jim Unker, LSBC Councilmember presented a Thank you for the $3,000 contribution from the city of SMP and spelled out the use of it…applying toward Emmons Olivier Resource’s engineering  fee.  He also noted a fundraiser would be held to defray the cost of EOR exceeding $10,000 approved limit.  He noted the fund raiser to be on Saturday May 16 from 10 to noon.  He noted the Environmental Assessment Worksheet was done twice and the Citizens Review Board meeting date has been changed.  He also presented “hat in hand” asking for another $7,000 to match LSCB’s $10,000.  He spoke to the amount of hours spent and contacts made to oppose the Afton Septic project.  
    Jon Place asked to speak again, and presented Afton’s response to why this is needed.  He alleged the 201 system from River Road is leaking and Afton (City) presents the levy needs to be replaced and septic’s removed. He spoke to plume of pollution coming from the 201 Septic Systems per maps he has viewed.
Sheriff Report        6 calls in the city as presented by Mayor Roettger.


Flattum Property
Councilmember T. Williams noted some progress and yard appears more picked up.  Councilmember Anderson noted a smell of mold.  Councilmember T Williams noted that another letter needs to be sent.  Council directed Clerk to send letter.
Mooring Permits
A list of was presented by the City Clerk of those that have a mooring permit and those on the Waiting List.  It was also noted that the 4th Mooring permit was offered to Tom Dupre in 2014, however he submitted no application nor fee, although he verbally committed to the mooring permit, although in 2014 there was high water until July.    
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE LIST OF MOORING PERMITS; CONTINGENT UPON DUPRE SENDING IN APPLICATION BY END OF MONTH.        ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
Mowing Contract
Councilmember G. Williams presented a quote from the City of Lakeland Public Works Department.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER T. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE CONTRACT WITH LAKELAND FOR MOWING SERVICES.    ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
City Clean up Day.
Councilmember Freesmeier presented information for clean up on May 16 from 8-12.  Mayor Roettger will check with Mike at the Ice Arena for use of clean-up activities and Councilmember Anderson will post info on our website.  The First load to be NO Charge; charge for subsequent loads as $10 per car, $15; pick up, $25 per trailer with Councilmembers Anderson, Freesmeier, and Mayor Roettger to be in attendance.  Councilmember Freesmeier will finalize with Mike Maroney.
Afton Septic
Attorney Andy Pratt presented dates of potential meetings in response to meetings for the Septic plan.  It was noted that the website of Afton and MPCA can provide meeting dates.  Councilmember G. Williams noted that before any more funds are provided he would prefer to see what comes of the meetings.  Councilmembers Freesmeier and Anderson noted the City should see how it progresses. Attorney Pratt noted the allegation of not sharing info should have consideration of taking time to gather information.  Engineer Parotti did note he was aware of 201 System and also that is was to be part of proposed system.
Engineer report
John Parotti spoke on River level of 675.46; street sweeping is done and street patching contractor to be contacted by him and can get quotes or council to provide a limit not to exceed.  Treasurer provided cost last year was $3,125.  Engineer Parotti noted LSCB has been done.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE UP TO $3,125 TOWARDS PATCHING AS DIRECTED BY ENGINEER PAROTTI.
Discussion on filling eroded, corners with emulsion of Baillon and Itasca and along 25th.  However Councilmember G. Williams noted a recycled base (old ground up asphalt) should be used to fill in these areas which would be cheaper than emulsion solutions.  Engineer Parotti notes this recycle base will set up well if in before the hot summer days.  This can be purchased from Tower Asphalt and spread immediately.  Councilmember G. Williams and T. Williams offered to do this.                 ROLL CALL/ALL AYES.    
Councilmember G. Williams asked for an update on the bike trail, however nothing new to report.
Treasurer report
Treassurer Niedzwiecki provided financial snapshot to date, noted $3,000 to LSCB for EOR-Afton plus $2,054 legal bills for Afton Septic.  He requested determination on Erickson charges, as it was noted that no application was ever submitted.  He also noted Mike Farham costs of $609.50, however no application was submitted.  Fernandez invoice was sent in early and April had no response.  City Building Inspector and Mayor spoke to property owner and he noted the project to be finished for flood proofing with plan drafted by an engineer.  Morris at 2711 Itasca Ave. fees for Engineer and Planner charged to City.  Building Permit issued for roof but no other applications.  Treasurer asks how to pay for the fees if no application.  Engineer Parotti noted that the fees are a result of pre-application meeting at property owner’s architects’ office.  NOTE:  Tom Niedzwiecki to let it sit on account.  Councilmember J. Freesmeier inquires of any Holmer fees update.  Discussion ensured as to what is a fee that can be billed to a property owner.  Such as pre- application fees incurred.   Claims to be approved:  Checks #5326-5334, electronic payments 1-9 for total of $12,803.38

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS PRESENTED IN TOTAL OF $12,803.38.                ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
Building Permits      Mayor Roettger presented there are 7 active permits

City Attorney Report:
Attorney A. Pratt presented the Holmer transaction regarding Mr. Holmers recent letter denying fees of $9,541.69.  He presented that Holmer has 60 days to appeal to court starting April 14 or pay escrow amount due, schedule with court and continue on with building project then find out if fees are due and just.  In regards to variance conditions set out in 1991 the variance application was recently denied for available Right-Of-Way land.  In regards to accessory buildings requested to be removed, Mr. Holmer contends he will remove them when the principal is build, however the City could pursue legally to force the removal.  Councilmember Freesmeier inquired of a closed meeting for possible litigation and Attorney Pratt noted they could schedule closed meeting at next meeting or at special meeting.  It could be a next City Council meeting and it would be before time limit exceeded if he appeals.  

Report Clerk:      
Ragnar Run will go along bike trail in August, The  ISD Election – Bond passed and A Recycle Coordinator is needed for each community in WA County, as the city does not have full time  staff and meeting are held in day hours it could be that a resident take the role.  The Clerk offered that LSCB Recycle Committee does have a St. Mary’s Point resident attending their meetings and perhaps the council would appoint that person and allow for a stipend to be paid for attendance.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPOINT JENNIFER SOBIECH PARENTEAU AS RECYCLE COORDINATOR WITH STIPENDS OF $20 PER MEETING AND MILEAGE AT IRS RATES.   ROLL CALL/ALL AYES
ALLIANCE:    NO MEETING

CABLE:  No meeting but noted Comcast has pulled out of merger with Time Warner.

FIRE DISTRICT MEETING:
Councilmember G. Williams reported the Fire Dept. is moving to Paid On Call from Paid on Run.   So now they will get run pay plus hourly rate.  Councilmember Williams noted he was questioning impact to budgetary constraints.  Thought to have a preliminary 7% increase however feels they can hold it to 5% so as to not need City approval.  Councilmember G. Williams has done research and questions (based on population and area) the size of the Fire Department now having 32 people compared to Woodbury having 74.  The budget is being worked on and should have it to the City by July.  The budget hurdle is purchase of new truck and how the Cities will pay for excess of budget dollars.

Planning Commission:     no meeting

WMO:    no meeting
Standing Committee reports
Anderson Report:  Compliments from citizens on beach and removal of Jersey Barriers and fence.  Also suggested doggie bag dispenser and barrels to drop cleanup trash into.
 Councilmember G. Williams:  Proposed a sign display for the City’s various events such as voting, clean up, no parking etc.  He explained the design and cost proposing to put in budget at the end of the year.  He presented a list of signs needed this year and also spoke to some signs being removed such as speed limit signs.  13 signs plus 6 posts would be $2,000 in the budget.  Engineer Parotti spoke to legislator on the replacement of signs being extended however plan approved as required.  Councilmember G. Williams seeks approval of signs as presented and proposes a permanent marking of the sign, such as a vinyl stickers that can be written on to indicate city ownership
Motion to adjourn at 8:35


                        _________________________________________
                        Jay Roettger, Mayor

Attested to by:

__________________________________
Cindie J Reiter, City Clerk