REGULAR MEETING
SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL
SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N.
Monday, July 14, 2014
MINUTES
6:00 PM.
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Gunderson called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. Members present: Paul Weber, Nick Sauer, Steve Heinen, and Kurt Hunstiger. Others present: Ross Olson, City Administrator, Adam Ripple, City Attorney, Perry Beise, Police Chief, Terry Wotzka, City Engineer, Pete Eckhoff, Public Works Director, Jack Kahlhamer, Finance Director, and Dana Furman, Administrative Services Coordinator.
2. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
Ross Olson noted that due to time constraints, he would like to request to move the Whitney Senior Center presentation under Mayor’s Communications. Olson requested to also add a Summit Avenue Update as agenda item 11-A.
3. Approve the Agenda
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Hunstiger and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Approve Minutes
A. 6-23-14 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Weber and seconded by Councilperson Heinen to approve the amended 6-23-14 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
B. 6-23-14 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Heinen to approve the 6-23-14 Special City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
C. 04-08-14 Special Board of Appeal Meeting Minutes
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Heinen and seconded by Councilperson Hunstiger to approve the 4-8-14 Special Board of Appeal Meeting Minutes. Motion carred unanimously.
5. Receive and File
NONE
6. Mayor’s Communications
· Whitney Senior Center Presentation—Laura Hood, Aging Services Director at the Whitney Senior Center (WSC), introduced herself to the City Council. Hood supervises RSVP as well as the WSC. WSC was established in 1977. Hood provided the history of the WSC. She noted the various services, classes, and opportunities provided at the WSC. Approximately 135,000 people go in and out of WSC each year. WSC has 14,449 annual users of which 61% are female and 39% are male. Hood noted that community members ages 70-79 make up the largest group of people who utilize the WSC. Sauk Rapids residents make up 11.6% of the WSC population. Hood discussed the community priorities, which include supporting aging in place through health and wellness. She said that that the WSC will be hosting the 2015 and 2016 Senior Olympics. Hood concluded by talking about the funding that WSC receives and the collaborative connections that WSC has with the area cities, non-profits, and the area universities and schools. Hood thanked the City Council and the Sauk Rapids residents for their supporting WSC now and in the future.
Councilperson Hunstiger asked Hood to repeat the total number of WSC’s annual users. Hood said that 14,499 community members use the WSC on an annual basis. 11.6% of this total numbe are residents of Sauk Rapids.
Hood noted that the majority of what happens at WSC is offered free of charge. She said that there are additional charges for use of the fitness center, wood shop, and fitness classes.
Councilperson Hunstiger talked about the Advisory Council for Whitney, which he serves on.
7. Audience Items/Visitors Total Time Limit 2 Minutes for Items NOT on the Agenda
Art Daniels, 1137 4 ½ Ave N, discussed his concerns about the City talking about possibly charging to use the Community Room for firearm safety classes. Daniels reviewed the history of how the firearm classes came to be and how it was determined that the Community Room could be used at no charge at the former City Hall. He noted that the Fire Arms Safety group donated equipment to the Community Room. Daniels said that when it was decided that the Community Room could be used for Fire Arms Safety courses at the old City Hall an agreement was in place that the Council would never charge for this group to utilize the room. He talked about the DNR placing restrictions on how much can be charged to attend the Fire Arms courses.
8. Public Hearings
A. Applicant Purpose
City of Sauk Rapids To Review the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) For 2013
1.
1. Open Public Hearing
Pete Eckhoff advised the Council that in 1972 the Clean Water Act was created. He provided the history of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. The goal behind the program is to reduce the presence of pollutants. Eckhoff discussed the six minimal control measures. He noted that the City of Sauk Rapids is a member of Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance (CMWEA), which is a local group that helps to promote water quality. He discussed the outreach and public education measures that he does to educate residents on reducing the presence of pollutants in their water.
Henry Oerhlein, 3425 Golden Spike Road, stated that he was wondering what role Benton county has with the MS-4 grant. Oerhlein also questioned what the annexation area’s role is. Eckhoff explained the local efforts and how MnDOT has joined the efforts to reduce pollutants in the water. He said that most of the water shed in the City of Sauk Rapids goes into the Mississippi River.
2. Close Public Hearing
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Hunstiger to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Consider Action
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Weber and seconded by Councilperson Heinen to approve the 2013 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Report. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Consent Agenda
A. Approve Purchase of New Handguns for the Police Department
B. Approve 2014 Primary Election Judge Schedule and Authorize Staff The Ability To Assign Additional Judges
C. Approve Purchase Agreement For 1420 River Ave N.
D. Approve Extension To Testing Requirement For Utility Employee
E. Approve Moeller Encroachment Agreement
F. Approve 2014 Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor Licenses
G. Approve 2nd Quarter 2014 Building, Mechanical, and Plumbing Permits
H. Approve Resolution Authorizing Mayor and City Administrator To Execute Agency Agreement With MnDOT for Safe Routes to School Project
I. Approve Change Order No. 2 To The Sauk Rapids Industrial Park East Plat 3 Improvement Project
J. Award 2014 Safe Routes to School Improvement Project to C&L Excavating
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Hunstiger and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to approve agenda items 9A-9J. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Regular Agenda
A. Area Cities Sales and Use Tax Joint Powers Agreement
Ross Olson noted that this agenda item was considered at the last City Council meeting where it was tabled to allow information to be presented by the folks from the local fitness centers to the other area communities participating in the Sales Tax option. Olson said that the cities of St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Waite Park, and St. Joe have all approved the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). The City of Sartell is considering the JPA at their meeting tonight as well. Olson said that he has requested that the City’s donations be shifted toward more of the non-competitve aquatic center features of the facility.
Olson stated that he has also scheduled two public information sessions that will take place prior to the Council approving the ballot questions. These meetings have been set for Monday, July 21st from 1:00-3:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm. Another session will take place on July 31st from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The information sessions will be held in the Community Room at the Sauk Rapids Government Center. All sessions have been advertised as a Public Meeting of the Council in case more than three members attend. Olson noted that Dana Furman placed information regarding these meetings on the City’s website, cable access channel, and in the Sauk Rapids Herald.
Olson discussed that the Sports Arena East group has mentioned that they are requesting to have an item on the ballot as well as the Sauk Rapids Field House idea continues to be tossed around.
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Hunstiger to approve the Area Cities Sales and Use Tax Joint Powers Agreement.
Discussion:
Councilperson Weber thanked Olson for doing what he could to discuss the competitive business piece with the City of St. Cloud.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. Other Staff Items
A. Summit Avenue Update
Terry Wotzka provided an update on the progress being made with the Summit Avenue extension. He said that the underground pipe work was completed last week. Wotzka noted that three culvert crossings were installed last week as well. This week the dirt contractor will mobilize and start to build the actual road bed. Wotkza discussed the efforts that are being made to minimize the environmental footprint with this project.The intent is to have the new road open by the end of August, but that timeline may change due to weather. .
Mayor Gunderson asked that Wotzka thank his staff for the tour he was provided when he went to the job site to view the progress.
Olson discussed that the City Council and Police Department had received a complaint about this project working into the late evening and early morning hours. He said that it has been confirmed by the project supervisor as well as the neighbors directly impacted by the project that there has been no construction taking place after 9:30pm.
12. Other Council Items and Communications
NONE
13. Approve List of Bills and Claims
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Heinen and seconded by Councilperson Hunstiger to approve the List of Bills and Claims. Motion carried unanimously.
14. Adjournment
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Hunstiger and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Gunderson adjourned the meeting at 6:59p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dana Furman, Administrative Services Coordinator
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