ERMUSR HANDOUT #2 04-12-2011
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM)
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 201 I
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers, Motin, Wes[gaard, and
Zerwas
Members Absent: Councilmember Gumphrey
Staff Present: City Adntlnistrator Lori Johnson, Street Superintendent Phil Hats, Assistant
Street Superintendent Mark Thompson, Environmental Administrator
Rebecca Haug, ERMU Director of Operations Troy Adams, Human
Resources Representative Lauren Wipper, 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.
Consider Council Agenda
Public works facility was added under other business.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA:
3.1. MEETING MINUTES
• MARCH 7, 2011 REGULAR
• MARCH 7, 2011 CLOSED (LANDFILL)
• MARCH 7, 2011 CLOSED (BAILEY POINT)
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
4. en Mike
No one appeared for open mike.
5.1. 2010 NPDES Permit Update/Annual Meeting
Ms. Haug presented the staff repon providing a update on the 2010 NPDES.
City Council Minutes
March 14, 2011
SWCD Prnel Update
Page 2
Mark Basiletti, Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) -reviewed the
stotmwater retrofit assessment and grant opportunities. He also reviewed the Chamber of
Commerce rain garden proposal.
Mr. Basiletti explained that the SWCD is working to identify other stormwater retrofit
projects in the ary. He stated that manypotential areas have been identified; some of which
are on private property. He discussed a potential garden ac the townhomes near Morton
Avenue. He will research this property further and discuss it wi[h Ms. Haug. The Council
indicated they prefer rain gardens to be on city property but would like signed maintenance
agreements with the property owners if they are to be located on private property.
Ms. Haug indicated that staff is also working to identify a rain garden location at Pinewood
Golf Course.
5.2. Lake Orono Water Qualit~morovement Commiuee Update
Paul Sheets, President Lake Orono Improvement Association - reviewed a PowerPoint on
behalf of the Lake Orono Water Quality Committee (LOWQC).
Lake Ororxr Baadi Pasting C,orxerm'
Mr. Sheets stated that the MN Department of Health has a less constrained
recommendation than the current city policy relating to beach posting for impaired water
quality The LOWQC is asking the city consider following the MN Department of Health
regulations. Consensus of the Council was for staff to research this issue and bring it back
prior to swimming season.
Menrrrardunz ~ Urde~standirg (MOU)
The Council expressed concerns wrth the MOU as written. Consensus of the Council was to
not pursue the MOU.
5.3. Toint Meeting wich Utilities Commission
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Utilities Conunission was called
to order at 7:24 p.m. by Chair Dietz.
Mr. Adams presented the staff report. Mr. Adams and Larry Blaine, Chief Financial Officer
from Central Minnesota Power Agency (CMMPA), outlined the n,ax~n,um risks involved
with the project.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONERTHOMPSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NADEAU TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 11-01 A RESOLUTION
OF THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORIZING
PARTICIPATION IN THE BROOKINGS -TWIN CITIES TRANSMISSION
PROJECT AND THE FINANCING WITH CMMPA. MOTION CARRIED 3.0.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 11.11
AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE BROOKINGS-TWIN CITIES
TRANSMISSION PROJECT AND THE FINANCING WITH CMMPA. MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
City Council Minutes Page 3
March 14, 2011
There being no further business, Chair Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Utilities
Commission at 7:38 p.m.
5.4. Review Compensatory Time
Ms. Johnson presented the staff report.
Discussion took place on compensatory time for non-exempt employees and how various
departmen[s u[ilize i[. Discussion also took place on time off for exempt employees.
Mr. Thompson reviewed a PowerPoint on street department plowing operations this season.
Discussion took place on what cityservices should be provided after hours. Ms. Johnson
indicated the Council should discuss with staff what level of service they wish to provide.
She stated that this item could be discussed during budgets.
Council consensus was for staff to prepare a report outlining 2010 compensatory time by
department and have the department heads explain why the compensatory time was earned
and include recommendations in what areas compensatory time could be reduced.
It was noted that overtime will be discussed during the budget.
Mayor Dietz questioned why holidays are included as hours worked in the policy. Ms.
Johnson stated that state law does not require they be included but the Council chose to
include them when the policy was changed ro exclude vacation hours.
5.5. Council Open Forum
Mayor Dietz discussed the following items:
City FacrL2xJz pates
League recommends each department has a Facebook page. This item will be discussed with
the branding program.
City rx~rrsletter
Mayor Dietz questioned if the city profits from the newsletter. He would like details
presented to the Council.
Cale ~Civlizy
He stated he believes it would be a good idea to post a Code of Civility on the wall in the
Chambers. He would like staff to bring back a sample code.
Cuy Slxtrirg
He stated he spoke with city officials from Nowthen and Otsego regarding sharing city
equipment and services. He would like Council approval to discuss this issue further with
those cities. Council consensus was for Mayor Dietz to move forward with discussions.
It was noted that the City of Ramsey City Council has requested a joint meeting with our
Council.
Gry Council Minutes
March 14, 2011
Page 4
Vct'ur7~r C,rrndinatar
He distributed an article regarding use of volunteer coordinators bycities. I-Ie asked that
department heads create a wish list of things theywould like to pursue with the use of
volunteers and come back to the Council with positions required and hours needed. He also
asked that the Council come back with recommendations of people who could perform the
duty of vohmteer coordinator.
CizyAdnanisrrator Perfmrmrae Reueu~
Mayor Dietz stated he would like to conduct Ms. Johnson's performance review on April 18.
He distributed a letter and perfom~ance review form he would like completed by department
and division heads.
6. Other Business
Ms. Johnson stated the public works facility building kickoff was today and there are a few
items that need to be discussed.
Building Standard
Ms. Johnson questioned if the Council would like to build the facility to LEED standards
and seek certification. Discussion took place and consensus of the Council was to build the
faciliryto B3 standards.
Crnstruction Marea~er/Caatrcr~wn Marn~erA t Risk
Ms. Johnson stated the Council could hire a construction manager or construction manager
at risk for this project. She noted the city has experience with both. Discussion took place
and consensus of the Council was to send out Requests for Proposals for a construction
manager at risk.
C,rnrmissiorung
The Council discussed this item and would like to get a mechanical engineer involved at the
beginning of the project to insure it is designed properly. The Council stated they believed
this cost is included as additional services from the 292 Group. Ms. Johnson stated she
would verifythat and report back.
Council U~ates
There were no Council updates.
8. Staff Updates
Ms. Johnson reminded the Council of the Chamber event on March 22. She asked the
Council to let staff know if they plan to attend.
It was noted Councilmember Zerwas and Mayor Dietz are attending the Lake Orono
Improvement Association dinner next week but no quonun of the Council will be present.
The Council wished to confirm the date of the Board of Appeal meeting as Wednesday,
Apri127. Councihnember Motin indicated he is unable to attend. The remainder of the
Council plans to attend.
Gty Council Minutes
March 14, 2011
9. Adjournment
Page 5
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City
Council at 8:57 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
John J. Dietz, Mayer