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2001-03-28 CC Minutes Joint52. • JOINT MEETING ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL — SAINT MICHAEL CITY COUNCIL March 28, 2001 Albertville Council Chambers 6._0 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL: Pursuant to due call and notice, a joint meeting of the Albertville and Saint Michael City Councils was held on Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at the Albertville City Hall. Present: Albertville Mayor John Olson; Council Members Leroy Berning, Keith Franklin, John Vetsch and Scott Wallace; City Administrator Linda Goeb; Saint Michael Mayor Wayne Kessler; Council Members Dean Eggert, Joe Hagerty and Drew Scherber; City Administrator Bob Derus. Saint Michael Council Member Tom Hagerty was out of town. Albertville Mayor John Olson opened the meeting shortly after 6:30 p.m. Suggested agenda items were included from both communities. It was agreed to discuss items as listed. Joint Trails and Sidewalks. City Administrator Goeb pointed out several areas where trails could connect, including from Albert Villas Fourth Addition into Saint Michael's Maple Ridge Estates. Trails or sidewalks along County Road 19 from 501h Street to the Mall area on the west side of the road, and then from 501h down to connect with Saint Michael's planned sidewalk —probably on the east side of 19. Administrator Derus showed Saint Michael's trail plan and pointed out some areas that could be considered for connecting. There was brief discussion of a possible snowmobile trail under the power line easement. He pointed out an area on the south side of Swamp Lake where the City is negotiating for some land that could provide a connection into Albertville. From the Middle School to the High School there is increased • traffic, and some kind of a sidewalk or trail connection on 50th Street would be desirable, as well as MacIver being a logical place for a trail through to Albertville's industrial area. It was agreed that other possible future connections should be kept in mind as well as finding a fair and equitable way to make logical connections. Checking on T-21 grants with possible participation by both communities, as well as the school district was discussed for a 50th Street sidewalk or trail. It was agreed staff will get additional information on any possible grant applications and bring back to the respective councils. • Freewav Ramps — Naber & County Road 19. Goeb reported that Leroy Beming is representing the City of Albertville on the MnDOT I-94 Corridor Committee, and Wayne Kessler will be representing the City of Saint Michael. Goeb spoke of critical need for the CR 19 ramp for Albertville, and Saint Michael's need for a Naber Avenue ramp. She said that it is felt there would be a better chance for both if the two cities were to work together, and to involve Otsego as well. There was discussion among the Councils as to what each community feels is needed, as well as the need to support the existing ramps. Considering various configurations was discussed, as well as how joint and united efforts can be more effective. It was suggested a subcommittee of Berning and Kessler, along with another representative from each City be formed to look at various possibilities and to use what they learn from the Committee to work together to present a unified voice to MnDOT. Whether Otsego has a representative on the Corridor Committee, and who that is, will be checked to see if they want to be part of such a subcommittee as well. The idea of a Kadler ramp was briefly discussed, and how the Naber ramp might be more beneficial to Otsego. Mayor Olson pointed out the importance of getting something on MnDOT's plan for the future, even if it is a way off, rather than for them to say "Where were you when we were doing our planning?" There was also brief discussion on Work Force Housing, and how this can fit into the mix as well. Joint planning should produce solutions that work. A lot of good ideas to start working with were discussed. It was again suggested that the joint committee get together and start making some plans starting with a good drawing. How the railroad track could be of benefit to the communities was also briefly discussed. • 53 Joint Council Meeting — 03-28-2001 - 2 Possible Joint Service Areas (Falbo for Example). Administrator Goeb pointed out a property in Albertville which would be very difficult for Albertville to service due to a large wetland area, but which could be serviced quite easily from Saint Michael as soon as the property to the south can be developed. Goeb pointed out that the golf course maintenance shed and caretaker house are actually within the City of Saint Michael, but are serviced from Albertville. A joint powers agreement, or some sort of agreement, would need to be worked out between the cities. There could be other areas in one or the other of the cities which could more easily be serviced by the other city. There is a property on CR 19 just north of St Michael which is for sale, but which Albertville cannot get service to at the present time. This might be another area to consider. Whether it was appropriate to work out a general agreement for areas where service might be available from the other community was discussed. There was general agreement that as cases arise, the cities should look at what is most economical and work together. Ditch Maintenance (from last joint City meeting). Saint Michael's Administrator Derus spoke of the special legislation passed to turn the county ditches over to the cities. Each city was required to pass and sign a resolution, but the second part was to agree to jointly manage the common ditch. Derus had examples of several joint powers agreements from other cities. It was agreed that staff would work together to come up with something to bring back to the respective councils. Water Tower Paint (from last joint meeting). There was additional discussion on the possibility of painting something like Saint Michael -Albertville, STMA, or Knights on the water tower. John Vetsch thought that if the tower were painted, it should include Hanover. Several felt having Hanover on the tower that is close to Albertville and Saint Michael, but approximately four miles from Hanover, would confuse people. Hanover had not expressed any interest in participating in having their name on the tower. At some time in the future there will be a tower in Hanover, which could be painted with Hanover's identity. It was agreed the individual councils will discuss and make a recommendation. If it was desired to go forward, it would be necessary to take the matter to the Joint Water Board. Planning Future Facilities such as Librarv, Communitv Center, etc. Administrator Derus said the City of Saint Michael has just signed a new three-year lease for the library in the Colonial Mall. The cost has more than doubled, and is at approximately $33,000. The City would like to consider a plan for the future for a library in a high traffic commercial area, or perhaps as part of a community center. Several examples of community centers such as the one in Plymouth, which is a public/private joint partnership with Lifetime Fitness, were discussed. If the cities were to work on a joint project, there would have to be good access from both communities. Derus shared that Saint Michael has 16 acres of land behind Jubilee. They might try for a trade with a future developer of Haller property for a better site for a City Hall and Community center, overlooking a sports complex where the sod field is located. A post office might also be part of the mix. This was something Albertville might want to consider participating in if it could be a benefit to both cities as a joint community effort. The Monticello Community Center was cited as an example of a well -used community center. Derus also shared that Decision Resources will be doing a survey for the City of Saint Michael, that will include trying to determine what kind of services residents expect or want, and what people are thinking when they move to the Saint Michael -Albertville area. Derus said the information will be shared with Albertville when it is available. Councilman Berning expressed his opinion that cities need to work with the school districts more to share facilities, including ballfields, so 0 that they get the greatest use. It was agreed these are items it would be worthwhile to look at, including the private/public management idea, so they are not pulling against one another. Derus suggested before we think of ways things can't work, it would be worthwhile to think about what might work with communities working together. The need to have a vision before a plan can be made was briefly discussed. 54 Joint Council Meeting — 03-28-2001 - 3 Joint Nleetin6 with STNIA School Board. Administrator Derus briefly discussed growth and how growth affects schools. This led to a discussion on the need to jointly plan with the school for long-term growth, with the idea that the people responsible for growth (cities) need to interact with the people who get the impact (schools). Both cities will be asked in the future to communicate on that level. Healthv Communitv Partners Grant. Derus discussed a number of growth ideas, including strategic planning. Some things cities could do to let the schools catch up were discussed as well. Mayor Kessler briefly discussed a sensible land use meeting he just attended. Some past examples such as Brooklyn Park were discussed. Derus shared a Healthy Community Partners grant he wrote a couple months ago. The Central Minnesota Initiative felt it had merit, but decided to fund several comprehensive plan preparation projects instead at this time. It was suggested the grant be submitted in September; however, Derus said he is not feeling as strongly about the grant at this time due to the number of other commitments the cities have. The information will be sent and shared later. Discussion. Mayor Kessler said one thing he feels strongly about is connecting Albertville's Main Avenue to Saint Michael. Goeb pointed out that the City has received several letters opposing such an action, primarily from residents who are concerned with the expected increase in traffic. The City has been told to expect a petition on the subject. Mayor Kessler suggested that nothing would be done at this time, but asked that Albertville not close the door on the possibility for the future. He asked that it be left in the plan, even if nothing was to be done for many years. It was suggested the entire grid system be considered for future planning. It was agreed the respective councils would take the matters discussed back to discuss among themselves, • with staff to report back as well, and with future meetings scheduled as needed. Each Council will appoint another member (to serve with Berning and Kessler) to the local subcommittee regarding the I-94 corridor and ramps, with that committee to report back to the councils as they have information to share. Mayor John Olson adjourned the joint meeting at 8:40 p.m. Jon. Albertvi 1 ayor � ayne- essler, Saint Michael Mayor Attest: J J Linda Goeb, City Ad inistrator Attest: Robert Derus, City Administrator