01-10-2011 CCM• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM)
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 201 I
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Gumphrey, Motin, Westgaard, and
Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Police Captain Brad Rolfe, Planning
Manager Jeremy Barnhart, City Clerk Tina Allard, Finance Director Tim
Simon, City Engineer Justin Femrite, Street Superintendent Plvl Hals,
Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug, Director of Economic
Development Catherine Mehelich, Marketing and Business Development
Administrator Annie Deckert, and Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk
Jessica Miller
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Consider Council Agenda
• MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA:
3.1. JANUARY 3, 2011 MINUTES
3.2. PROMOTION OF RON NIERENHAUSEN TO PATROL CAPTAIN
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 11, 2011, AT PAY GRADE 13, STEP E.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. ,O~en Mike
No one appeared for open mike.
5.1. Review Action Steps for Visioning Program
Ms. Johnson distributed and reviewed a PowerPoint handout. She reviewed a summary of
the action steps and background on how each step fits with the vision and goals and asked
• the Council to comment on the actions presented. The Council offered the following
comments:
City Council D~inutes Page 2
January 10, 2011
Innovation
^ #6 -Remove "Arts Center" from this action step.
Community Devela~ment
^ #1 -amend to read "continue to provide strong partnerships with state, county,
school, and community organizations."
^ #6 -amend to read "Create Elk River brand. Ex lore branding project."
Beauti zcation
^ No changes at this time.
O~~ortunitier
^ No changes at this time.
The Council questioned why "enhance communication" appears under the Innovation and
the Community Development goals. Staff stated that some action steps are important to
more than one goal.
Discussion took place on the budget implications of the proposed action steps. It was noted
that there is a public perception that the city is spending additional money on this process.
Ms. Johnson explained that for 2011 staffls focus is on completing action steps that can be
accomplished utilizing already budgeted funds. She stated that the Council will prioritize the
action steps and that Council approval would be required for any funding outside of the •
approved budget.
The Council requested that staff prioritize their action steps prior to the Council doing the
same. Council consensus was that the process is moving in the right direction.
5.2. Engineering Update
Mr. Femrite presented his staff report. The following were items of discussion:
GIS Mapping
Mr. Femrite presented a sample of the city's new GIS software.
2019 Street and Utilitv Imt~rovementr
Discussion took place on finding ways to ease the financial burden on the affected property
owners. Ms. Johnson stated staff will proceed with the next steps and come back to the
Council.
County Road 77 Turnback Discussion
Council directed staff to work with the County to draft an agreement and bring it back for
future consideration.
I~IF' Pumb.r and Controlr
Mr. Femrite indicated that he will not be asking for the Council to select a contractor at this
time because he has not had a chance to review both bids. He stated this item will be
brought back for Council consideration on January 18. •
Ciry Council Minutes
January 10, 2011
Page 3
• BiverLane Sanitary Sewer Abandonment
The Council requested additional information such as maps, cost estimates, and funding
sources be brought back for consideration at an upcoming meeting. The Council asked that
all comparable sewer lines also be addressed at this time.
5.3. Parks and Recreation Director Discussion
Councilmember Moon indicated he would like to see this position move forward. He stated
he would like to see the position advertised both nationally and locally.
Dave Anderson, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair -stated that the Parks and
Recreation Commission would like an opportunity to review and comment on the director
job description prior to advertisement of the position.
Consensus of the Council was for the Parks and Recreation Commission to review the
director job description and make recommendations for changes to the Council.
Mayor Dietz indicated he would like to see the hiring committee for department heads
standardized. Discussion on representation took place and the Council agreed with the
following committee members:
^ City Administrator
^ Councilmember
^ Board/Commission Member (from applicable board/commission)
^ 1-2 people in similar positions from other city/county
• Additional department head
5.4. Council Open Forum
Mayor Dietz discussed acity-wide Volunteer of the Month program. Discussion took place
and the Council liked the concept but expressed the desire to hold off as this may fit as an
action step in the vision and goals process. Mayor Dietz asked staff to make this one of his
action step priorities.
6. Other Business
There was no other business.
Council Updates
There were no Council updates.
8. Staff Updates
There were no staff updates.
Mayor Dietz announced that the City Council will be holding a closed meeting per MN Statute 13D.03 to
discuss labor negotiation strategy related to negotiations with LEL Loca1231.
City Council Minutes
January 10, 2011
Page 4
Adjournment •
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City
Council at 9:01 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Tina Allard, Ciry Clerk
John J ietz ayo
•