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11-01-2010 CCMMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM MONDAY, NOVEMBER I, 2010 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Zerwas, Westgaard and Motin Members Absent: Councilmember Gumphrey Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Finance Director Tim Simon, Environmental Technician Nicki Blake-Bradley, Parks and Recreation Manager Steve Benoit, Planner/Park Planner Chris Leeseberg, and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. ' 2. Consider 11 /01 / 10 Agenda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4- 0. • 3. Consider Consent Agenda . MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA: 3.1. OCTOBER 18, 2010 COUNCIL MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. CALL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CANVASSING BOARD FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2010 3.4. SOLICITOR LICENSES -CHAD AND BRET REUTER MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for Open Mike. 5.1. Proclaim November 16. 2010 as Guardian Angels Day Ms. Johnson indicated that the Elk River Chamber of Commerce has named Guardian Angels as the recipient of the 2010 Business of the Year award. She noted that the Business of the Year luncheon honoring Guardian Angels will be held on Tuesday, November 16~. Mayor Klinzing read a • proclamation recognizing Guardian Angels. Mayor Klinzing stated that city is fortunate to have Guardian Angels in the community. City Council Minutes November 1, 2010 Page 2 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY • COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO PROCLAIM TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2010 AS GUARDIAN ANGELS DAY. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5.2. Ordinance Amendment for Park Hours The staff report was presented by Chris Leeseberg. Mr. Leeseberg reviewed park activities that are occurring after park hours, including mountain biking at Hillside Park, hikers/skiers at Woodland Trails Park; evening disk golf at Lions Park; and Parks and Recreation events such as Fright Night. He discussed the proposed ordinance and the permitting process. Staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval of the ordinance as presented. Mayor Klinzing asked if neighboring residents to these parks were notified of the potential change. Mr. Benoit stated that city staff did not make contact with the residents. He explained that for city- sponsored events such as Fright Night, staff tries to clean up and get out of the park as quickly as possible. He stated that there are after-hours uses that would be acceptable that are not city - sponsored. He explained that a bonfire in the parking lot of Hillside Park at night would not be a reasonable use, but regular biking would be considered a reasonable use. Mayor Klinzing stated she felt people living around the parks should be made aware of after-hours activities. Councilmember Motin asked for clarification on permits for multiple participants arriving in one vehicle. Mr. Leeseberg stated that each participant would be given a permit, as well as a permit for the vehicle. Councilmember Motin asked how spectators would be allowed in the park, if everyone needed a permit. Ms. Johnson stated that there is a difference between people using the park after • hours and city-sponsored events. By sponsoring an event, the city has essentially given their permission for after-hours use of the park. This ordinance is to address other types of uses that they feel are legitimate activities. She noted that the ordinance has been revised to include Councilmember Motin's comments. Councilmember Zerwas asked if there was much of a clamor to use the park during the evening hours. Mr. Leeseberg stated yes, noting that BLAST biking group would like Hillside Park to be available twenty four hours a day, seven daps a week, if it were possible. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 10-22, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 54-31 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO PARK CLOSING HOURS. MOTION CARRIED 4- 0. 5.3. Bright Ideas Designation.- Project Conserve Environmental Technician Nicola Blake-Bradley provided an update on the city's nomination of Project Conserve for the Innovations in Government Award. She noted that although they did not receive the award, Project Conserve was designated as one of 173 Bright Ideas. She explained that the inaugural group of Bright Ideas will be part of an online community where innovative ideas are shared. Ms. Bradley noted that Bright Idea designation could lead to winning a future award with a monetary value of up to $100,000 to create procedure books on how to do exactly what they did. She noted that the process is a very in-depth, three-step process and involves a site visit. • City Council Minutes November 1, 2010 Page 3 • Mayor Klinzing noted that the Bright Ideas designation was for Project Conserve with 35 families. She noted that the project will be expanded to 300-plus families, and she anticipates that the project will be re-entered next year and gain even more attention. 5.4. Source-Separated Composting Resolution to Apply for FY 2011 Environmental Assistance Grant Program Ms. Johnson explained that the city has applied for a grant from the Environmental Assistance Grant Program for Source-Separated Composting (organics). The Council is asked to approve a resolution allowing the city to apply for the grant to help expand the program. Ms. Bradley stated that a 25% match would be required by the city. The funds would supplement the cost of purchasing organics carts and kitchen containers to separate organics. Also, a portion of the funding would be to supplement the cost to incentivize residents. Ms. Bradley noted that the goal is to increase the number of participants from 450 to 1,000. Mayor Klinzing asked if the $30,000 amount was an "up to" amount. Ms. Bradley stated the maximum amount they could apply fox is $40,000 (75% of the cost of the program). Lori noted that the funding part of landfill program that is already ongoing and the $30,000 is not all related to the s grant. Ms. Bradley noted that this is the amount they are leveraging for the grant. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 10-54, AUTHORIZING CITY OF ELK RIVER STAFF TO APPLY FOR THE FY 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL • ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM TO CONTINUE PROVIDING SUBSIDIES FOR RESIDENTS TO APRTICIPATE IN THE CITY'S SOURCE-SEPARATED COMPOSTING PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5.5. Property/Worker's Compensation Insurance Tim Simon introduced Mary Eberly of Liberty Insurance Agency, to review the city's League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) renewal. Ms. Eberly discussed details of the renewal as outlined in her letter to the City Council dated October 27, 2010. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF THE CITY'S INSURANCE PLICIES WITH THE LEAGU OF MINNESOTA CITIES INSURANCE TRUST AS PRESENTED IN THE STAFF REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2010. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5.6. Parks and Recreation. Director Position Update Ms. Johnson explained that Michelle Olson has declined accepting the Parks and Recreation Director position. She stated that she would like comment and direction from the Council as to how to proceed with this position, due to an unexpected personal situation. Ms. Johnson indicated that the division managers have been doing very well in the absence of a director these past few months. She noted that Councilmember Gumphrey suggested that position should be re-opened sooner rather than later, but he was also comfortable waiting while. • City Council Minutes November 1, 2010 Page 4 Councilmember Motin concurred with Councilmember Gumphrey's position, but suggested waiting • until after the first of the new year to re-open the position, after the holidays. Councilmember ~~Jestgaard stated he was fine with waiting, but would like to discuss the process and who is involved in the process. Ms. Johnson stated that she will wait until after the first of the year to advertise the position and the issue will be brought back to the Council for discussion. This item will be placed on the January worksession for discussion of the process. 5.7. Discuss Council Worksession A endas Ms. Johnson reviewed the November worksession agenda topics with the Council. She noted that Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart would like to schedule a joint meeting of the City Council and EDA to discuss the Focus Area Study on December 13th. Council Updates Councilmember Motin stated that the HRA was surprised at the Council's decision to approve the amendment allowing educational uses in the Business Parking zoning district. He stated the HRA felt the proposed school (Spectrum) should not be allowed, just because of the current economic situation. Ms. Johnson noted that the HRA was generally concerned that the Council enforce the zoning ordinances in place. 8. Staff Updates Ms. Johnson indicated that staff was not able to call a worksession for the SRF transportation studies • early, due to advertising of the Planning Items public hearings for 6:30 p.m. Ms. Johnson stated that Chief Beahen has announced his retirement on November 28, 2010. She noted that he will be going to work for the State of Minnesota following his retirement from the City of Elk River. Ms. Johnson stated that discussion of filling the position will be placed on the next worksession agenda. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 7:43 p.m. Minutes pared y e ie Huebner Tina Allard, City Clerk Steph ~e Klinzing, Mayor