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02-24-1997 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1997 Members Present: Vice-Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Thompson, Farber, and Holmgren Members Absent: Mayor Duitsman Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Steve Ach, City Planner; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary Planning Commissioners Present: Chair Jon Anderson, Com~.-nissioners Kuester, Sullivan, Mes~ch, Minton, Thompson Planning Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Cote Jo 4.1. 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 Vice-Mayor Dietz. Consider 2/24/97 Council A.qenda COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. ADD ITEM 4.4. - STREET DEPARTMENT MECHANIC COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Consider February 10, 1997 City Council Minutes COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 10, 1997 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Ener.qy House Staff report by Steve Rohlf. The Suburban Northwest Builders Association is proposing to build an energy-efficient house as a demonstration site for the Energy City project. The house will be built in the Pheasant Run subdivision and will also be a healthy house/green house. The house will also be used as the Builder's Association office and will office one full-time employee. Steve indicated it is staff's interpretation the use fits within the restrictions for a model home. Many of the components will be donated and the builders involved in the construction will be donating and/or deferring their wages until the house is sold. Staff recommends the city defer the building permit and plan check fees associated with the Energy House until it is sold, but cannot defer the State Joint Meeting of City Council and Planning Commission February 24, 1997 Page 2 Surcharge. Steve indicated the mortgage company will be tracking costs and reimbursement when the house is sold. Steve stated he expects a new Energy House wilt be built every three years, since technology is constantly changing. Steve added that the signage limit will be the same as for a model home, which is 32 square feet. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DEFER BUILDING PERMIT AND PLAN CHECK FEES FOR THE ENERGY HOUSE PROJECT UNTIL THE HOUSE SOLD. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4.2. Environmental Updates Landfill ~ Steve referred the Council to the letter from the City of Elk River and Sherburne County to the MPCA regarding the Elk River Landfill's solid waste permit. Steve noted that the city and county are working together with the MPCA in an attempt to avoid conflicting regulations. Steve noted the landfill's existing plan at capacity would increase the height elevation of the site an additional 70 feet, which would place the top elevation of the landfill approximately 150 feet above Highway 169. The MPCA has denied the landfill's request for 3:1 slopes and favored a maximum of 5:1. The MPCA has indicated they may support a horizontal expansion of the landfill. The original permit was approved in 1972 for a capacity of 18 million cu. yds. Without an expansion, the current design would allow 13.9 million cu. yds. of capacity. The landfill has filled 3.4 million cu. yds. since the 1972 permit was issued. Lake Orono - Steve indicated an article in the Star & Tribune newspaper reported a change in the water quality rating for Lake Orono from 66 - "swimming impaired" to a 72 - "swimming prohibited". The reason for the deterioration in rating is due to an increase in the amount and earlier onset of algae bloom (referred to as "dog days"). Although a high algae bloom can cause upper respiratory problems, Steve did not feel that swimming needs to be prohibited in 1997. A high algae bloom will make the lake undesirable to swim in by common sense. A toxic algae bloom could possibly cause death but a large quantify of water would have to be ingested. Steve explained the greatest concern regarding Lake Orono's water quality is the high level of phosphorous. Phosphorous comes from lawn fertilizer run-off, leaves raked into the lake and rotting, and animal waste being disposed of in the lake. Steve explained that water in Lake Orono has a residency of 3 to 4 days, compared to Mitchell Lake in Sherburne County which has a residency of 24 years (the time it takes for the water to completely recycle itself). Steve explained the problem they face in trying to clean up Lake Orono is the fact that there is a large watershed district that funnels into Lake Orono and contains contaminants from uses such as feedlots. Steve felt the only way to address the Lake Orono issue is to work cooperatively with all the agencies within the watershed. Steve explained there are numerous factors affection water quality and suggested that a notice could be placed in the Star News to warn residents about swimming when the algae level becomes high. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize staff time on water quality issues affecting Lake Orono. Enerqy City - Steve noted the following activity has occurred related to "Energy City" progress: Joint Meeting of City Council and Planning Commission February 24, 1997 Page 3 Energy House - See Item 4.1. Elk River Landfill - investigating uses for methane gas generated at the Landfill, such as cleaning it to produce natural gas, converting to electricity, or using it to thermally treat leachate. Wind generator - When constructed, it will be largest one in North America. Minnesota Department of Public Service - Grant has been received to construct a solar heat collection wall (possibly for a body shop with a paint booth). Renew America Conference - The Mayor and Paul Steinman spoke at this conference for Minnesota Environmental Initiative. Wisconsin Environmental Initiative Conference - Steve Rohlf and Bill Poppert (Engineer for MEI), spoke on the Energy City Project. Wild and Scenic River Ordinance - Steve reviewed a letter which was sent to the DNR Division of Waters requesting a meeting with the City of Elk River and DNR to discuss problems the city faces regarding the Wild and Scenic River Ordinance. Former City Dump Site IHillside Park) - The Council authorized continuation of well testing of the city wells and private wells in the area of the former city dump. 4,3. Consider City/MnDot Aqreement for Hiqhway Li.qhtinq System at Park and Ride on T.H. Hi.qhway 169 south of Main Street COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 97-15 1/2 A RESOLUTION ENTERING INTO HIGHWAY LIGHTING AGREEMENT #74812M BETWEEN MNDOT AND THE CITY OF ELK RIVER FOR MAINTENANCE AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY FOR THE HIGHWAY LIGHTING SYSTEM AT THE PARK AND RIDE LOT ON TRUNK HIGHWAY NO. 169 SOUTH OF MAIN STREET IN ELK RIVER, SHERBURNE COUNTY, MINNESOTA. COUNC:ILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4.4. Consider Hirinq Street Department Mechanic COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO HIRE ROBERT MAHUTGA FOR THE STREET/PARK DEPARTMENT MECHANIC POSITION AT A STARTING PAY OF $15.50 PER HOUR FOR THE SIX MONTH ORIENTATION PERIOD. UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE ORIENTATION PERIOD, THE WAGE WILL BE INCREASED TO STEP OF J OF PAY GRADE 10 ($15.95) PER HOUR, WITH AN ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR A STEP INCREASE ON JULY 1, 1998. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION 4-0. 5. Joint Meetinq with Planninq Commission Downtown Master Plan Steve Ach provided an update on the Strategic Planning Task Force's progress to date. Discussion of the downtown riverwalk project followed. Pat Klaers noted the HRA is considering adding questions to the Park & Recreation's survey regarding residents' interest in the downtown (i.e., shopping, recreation, etc.) Commissioner Sullivan indicated the Chamber office receives a significant number of inquiries for available space in the downtown. Vice-Mayor Dietz felt that even if the riverwalk project is not completed, the businesses on the river Joint Meeting of City Council an~ Planning Commission Februa,~' 24, 1997 Page 4 should still consider remodeling to provide a river front access to their site. Pat indicated that when approved by the Council, the final strategic planning document will provide a section for the downtown which will be implemented by the HRA. The Planning Commission and staff will work with the HRA in this implementation process. Discussion followed regarding HRA's role in developing a Master Plan and in downtown redevelopment. Further discussion followed regarding problems associated with the Pascal Street bridge and the Highway lO/Main Street intersection. Members of the Council indicated that a study on this issue revealed the cost was too high consider it at this time. Transportation Plan Planning Commission Chair Jon Anaerson asked the Council wher, they anticipate adopting the draft transportation plan. Vice Mayor Dietz indicated adoption of the plan was deferred until Sherburne County held their public hearings and adopted a plan in May or June, 1997. Discussion followed regarding whether or not a committee to review the plan should have more citizen representation. Members of the Planning Commission favored adopting the plan as proposed. Councilmember Farber felt the plan should be reviewed further, in response to the large numbers of residents obiecting to the plan. Trails Councilmember Holmgren stated he was not in favor of long trail systems running through residential neighborhoods that would allow snowmobiles. Commissioners Minton and Kuester expressed their support for non-motorized trail systems. Planning Commission Chair Anderson indicated his support for an area that could have separate horse trails. Hi.qhway 169 Pedestrian Bridqe The City Council and Planning Commission discussed the proposed Highway 169 pedestrian bridge. Members of the group were in agreement that the bridge would not be used unless it were made easy to gain access to the bridge. Installing a fence along the Highway may encourage use of a pedestrian bridge. Cable Members of the Planning Commission expressed that they have noticed a problem with the volume of the Planning Commission meeting cable broadcasts, and also, that speakers (i.e., Planning Commissioners) are not identified. Staff will investigate. Ordinance for Sale of Firearms The City Council and Planning Commission discussed Whether or not there was a need to modify the city's ordinance regarding the sale of firearms in commercial areas. Councilmember Holmgren noted he was aware of an industrial site in a neighboring community where a large inventory of firearms were stored in connection with a mail-order business. Members of the group expressed concern that this type of use should be addressed in the city's ordinance. Staff suggested listing "sale of Firearms" as a use in appropriate zoning districts. The Council directed staff to work on an ordinance. Joint Meeting of City Council and Planning Commission February 24, 1997 Page 5 Inventory of Naturally Siqnificani Features in Elk River Commissioner Minton expressed his support for committee to inventory the naturally significant areas and historical buildings in the community. Commissioner Kuester stated that if there are areas the city would like to preserve, these areas could be identified and taken into consideration if a development is proposed in that area. The Council agreed with the concept of designating some type of commission, but felt the issue needs to be further discussed, since additional staff time would be required. Board of Adjustments It was the consensus of the City Council and Planning Commission that Planning Commission could act as the Board of Adjustments as long as all variance that are denied be automatically appealed to the City Council. Staff indicated this ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission tomorrow night and to the City Council next month. 6. Planninq Department Annual Report Steve Ach presented the 1996 Planning Department Annual Report. Steve noted he hopes to have a planning intern by late spring or early summer. 8. Staff Updates Pat Klaers advised the Councilmembers a publicity photo session has been scheduled by the Minnesota Sports Federation on March 6th at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Kleckner Recording Secretary