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01-06-1997 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1997 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: ,ao Mayor Duitsman; Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, Farber, and Holmgren Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Bryan Adams, Utilities Superintendent; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk Call Meetinq To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. Issue Oaths of Office The Oath of Office for Larry Farber, Councilmember Ward 3, was administered by the City Clerk. The Oath of Office for Daryl Thompson, Councilmember Ward 2, was administered by the City Clerk. (Larry Farber was sworn in for a second term as Councilmember. Daryl Thompson was sworn in for his first term as Councilmember) Consider Council Aqenda Mayor Duitsman requested that Item 3a., Resolution Concerning Councilmember Scheel, be added to the agenda. Item 8.3., Administrative Personnel, was added to the agenda. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Re.~olution Reco,qnizinq Councilmember Scheel COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 97-3, A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL FOR YEARS OF SERVICE AS COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Consent Aqenda COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: Elk River City Council Meeting January 6, 1997 Page 2 8.2. 8.3. 4.1, 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4,5. 4.6, CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED 12/16/96 COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED RESOLUTION 97-1 DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES OF CITY FUNDS - APPROVED DESIGNATION OF STAR NEWS AS OFFICIAL CITY NEWSPAPER FOR 1997 - APPROVED APPOINTMENT OF PHIL HALS AS ASSISTANT CITY WEED INSPECTOR - APPROVED RESOLUTION 97-2 ADOPTING FEES FOR SERVICES FOR 1997 - APPROVED RENEWAL OF KENNEL LICENSES, CIGARETTE LICENSES, MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE LICENSES, BOWLING ALLEY LICENSES, THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND ESTABLISHMENT LICENSES - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Call Special Council Meetinq COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR MARCH 18, 1997, TO COINCIDE WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Administrative Personnel City Administrator Pat Klaers requested authorization to hire Sara Onarheim as a part time Office Service Worker between the hours of 8:00 and 12:30 beginning Tuesday, January 21, 1997. He indicated that the employee would~orovide clerical service for the Building and Zoning Department, the Street/Park Department, and Administration Department. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO HIRE SARA ONARHEIM AS A PART TIME OFFICE SERVICE WORKER BEGINNING JANUARY 21, 1997, HOURS TO BE FROM 8:00 TO 12:30 BEGINNING AT $8.23 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Board and Commission Interviews The Council interviewed the following applicants for board and commission appointments: Linda Ritchie - Library Board Murrary McNair- Library Board Mary Sorenson - Library Board Judy Thompson - Planning Commission Doran Cote- Planning Commission Robert Oalitz - Planning Commission Thomas Kupka - Ice Arena Commission Ronald Johnson - Ice Arena Commission Colleen Enerson - Ice Arena Commission Patrick Mitzuk - Ice Arena Commission Larry Toth - Ice Arena Commission Elk River City Council Meeting January 6, 1997 Page 3 7.2. 7.1o. 7.1b. 7.1c. 7.1g. 7.1f. 7.1e. 7.6, Consider Appointment of Vice Mayor COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPOINT JOHN DIETZ AS VICE MAYOR FOR 1997. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. Councilmember Dietz abstained. Consider Library Board Appointments COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO REAPPOINT LINDA RITCHIE AND MURRAY MCNAIR TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A THREE YEAR TERM WITH TERMS EXPIRING ON DECEMBER 31, 1999. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRRIED 5-0. Consider Planninq Commission Appointments COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO REAPPOINT JUDY THOMPSON TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A THREE YEAR TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 1999, AND TO APPOINT DORAN COTE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A THREE YEAR TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 1999. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Park and Recreation Commission Appointments COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO REAPPOINT DAVE ANDERSON, CLAIR OLSON, AND KENT MADSEN TO THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THREE YEAR TERMS EACH EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 1999. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Mayoral Appointment to the EDA MAYOR DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPOINT DARYL THOMPSON TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2000. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Mayoral Appointment to the HRA MAYOR DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPOINT DUANE KROPUENSKE TO THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A FIVE YEAR TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2001. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Utilities Commission Appointment COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO REAPPOINT GEORGE ZABEE TO THE UTILITIES COMMISSION FOR A THREE YEAR TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 1999. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Hirin.cl of Part Time Fire Inspection Employees City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that the Fire Chief is recommending that the Council hire Mike Crepeau, Terry Elliott, and Rob Dreissig as part time fire inspectors for the City of Elk River. It is anticipated that the part time inspectors Elk River City Council Meeting January 6, 1997 Page 4 will set up appointments, conduct inspections, and submit required reports in reference to the inspections. The inspectors will be doing inspections in commercial and industrial businesses throughout the city. It is anticipated that each inspector will complete between 350-400 hours of inspections during 1997. The City Administrator indicated that it is recommended that the part time fire inspectors be hired at $10.00 per hour. Councilmember Dietz indicated his concern that it is still the responsibility of the Fire Chief to be involved in commercial inspections. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE FIRE CHIEF TO HIRE MIKE CREPEAU, TERRY ELLIO11', AND ROB DREISSIG AS PART TIME FIRE INSPECTORS FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AT 510.00 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 7.3° Municipal Utilities Annual Report - Bryan Adams Elk River Municipal Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams presented the Municipal Utilities 1996 Annual Report to the City Council. Bryan Adams reviewed the demand trends for electricity and water. He indicated the tremendous growth in Elk River and electric deregulation is driving Elk River Municipal Utilities at this time. The Utilities Manager gave a brief review of the priorities which the Municipal Utilities has set for 1997. The City Council thanked Bryan Adams for his report. 7.4. Ice Arena Update City Administrator Pat Klaers updated the Council on the construction progress of the Ice Arena. He indicated that there has been a number of work stoppage threats by the Union Business Agent, but the project is still on schedule for skating to begin some time during the week of January 13, 1997. The City Administrator commented on the high level of quality services that the city has received from its three consultants. The City Administrator reviewed some of the change orders for the project. He indicated that the project is still on budget, however, ~he heating above the bleachers has been ordered which will put the project over its contingency budget. He indicated that if necessary the heating of the bleachers could be funded from the undesignated equipment reserves and the capital projects fund. The City Administrator indicated that the city has officially taken over ownership of the arena and requested the Council to authorize the hiring of the Ice Arena employees. The City Administrator indicated that Youth Hockey is moving forward with Phase II of the project which is work on the locker rooms and completion of the concession stands. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE FUNDING OF THE HEATING OF THE BLEACHERS WITH HALF OF THE FUNDS TO COME FROM EQUIPMENT RESERVES AND THE OTHER HALF FROM CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND IF NEEDED. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Elk River City Council Meeting January 6, 1997 Page 5 COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO HIRE THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1997. Case Hayward $8.00/hr Ice Crew 30/40 hours per week Jeff Peterson $6.50/hr Ice Crew 15/20 hours per week Dave Hauan $6.50/hr Ice Crew 15/20 hours per week Steve Lundberg $6.50/hr Ice Crew 15/20 hours per week Max Sydow $5.50/hr Maintenance 6/12 hours per week Jim Jordan $6.00/hr Ice Crew 10/15 hours per week Deb Ulmer $6.50/hr Ticket Taker 5/10 hours per week Jared Lee $5.50/hr Ice Crew 10/15 hours per week Rick Czech $15.75/hr Manager Full Time (exempt) COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Councilmember Farber indicated that the Ice Arena is in need of a public address system. He indicated that to provide an ice arena without a P.A. system will not ensure the full operation of the facility. He requested the Council to consider funding the P.A. system immediately and to seek reimbursement of the funds from the School District based on their requested parking lot improvements. Councilmember Farber indicated that it was important to have the ice arena fully functional at the time of opening. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he could support going to the School District for the funds for the P.A. system, however, he would not be in favor of the city paying for the P.A system prior to receiving funds from the School District. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MONEY TO PURCHASE A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM AND TO GO TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO RECAPTURE THE MONEY. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that the city should try every means possible to recapture the money from either the School District or in other ways from the community. Councilmember Dietz indicated that the city has already put in $50,000 of the taxpayer's money toward the arena and that he cannot justify spending more money for a P.A. system. Councilmember Farber suggested using money from the contingency fund or excess revenues to pay for the P.A. system. THE MOTION FAILED 2-3. Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson and Mayor Duitsman opposed. It was suggested that the city check into possibly renting a P.A. system. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO RENT A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Elk River City Council Meeting January 6, 1997 Page 6 7.7. 7.8. 8.1. 7.1d. 7.5, Consider Hirinq of Environmental Code Enforcement Employee Building and Zoning Administrator Steve Rohlf requested the Council to consider hiring Greg Berg for the position of Environmental and Code Enforcement Officer. He indicated that this position is a replacement for the vacancy created by Kendra Lindahl who recently resigned from her job as Zoning Assistant. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO HIRE GREG BERG AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER BEGINNING AT PAY GRADE 8, STEP D, $11.05 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Nodhbound Liquor Store Proiect Update City Administrator Pat Klaers informed the Council that the city is moving forward in the planning work for the Northbound Liquor Store construction project. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he would like to take $25,000 out of the liquor store fund and put the money into the economic industrial development fund. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that he supports this request. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he will make this request in a formal manner at a future Council meeting. Review December Snow Removal Activities Phil Hals indicated that the heavy snowfall this year has brought forth the issue of having units available to plow priority routes for ambulance, fire, or police emergencies. He indicated that another issue that the Street/Park department is dealing with is the 10-12 hour delay some people face because they are on the end of plow routes. Phil Hals reviewed several options which he is considering to deal with these two situations. Ice Arena Commission Appointments COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPOINT THOMAS KUPKA AND RONALD JOHNSON TO THE ICE ARENA COMMISSION. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Appreciation Dinner Update City Clerk Sandra Thackeray updated the Council on the planning of the second annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Staff Updates Park and Recreation Commission Special Meetin.cl - The City Administrator updated the Council on the Park and Recreation Commission special meeting which was held on Thursday, January 2, 1997. He indicated that the meeting was held to discuss the possibility of a park referendum. Mayor Duitsman felt that it is time to revisit the issue of a community center. The Mayor suggested appointing another Task Force to look at what other Elk River City Council Meeting January 6, 1997 Page 7 communities have done and to look into the needs and wants of the citizens of Elk River in regard to parks and community center. 10. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN TIlE MEETING. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, S'andra Thackeray i// City Clerk