05-09-2011 CCM JOINTMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
• HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM)
MONDAY, MAY 9, 201 I
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Gumphrey, Motin, Westgaard, and
Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Police Chief Bradley Rolfe, Fire Chief T.
John Cunningham, City Engineer Justin Femrite, Finance Director Tim
Simon, Marketing and Business Administrator Annie Deckert, and
Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller
Also Present: City of Ramsey Council: Mayor Ramsey, Councilmembers Backous, Elvig,
McGlone, and Wise; City Administrator Kurt Ulrich, Deputy City
Administrator/Community Development Director Heidi Nelson, and
Public Works Director Brian Olson
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 6:37 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
• 2. Joint Meeting with the City of Ramsey
General Development Review
Ms. Nelson presented a PowerPoint outlining a general development review of the City of
Ramsey.
Transportation Issues/Highway 70 Update
Mr. Olson presented a PowerPoint outlining transportation issues and an update on
Highway 10.
Mississippi River Trail Corridor
Ms. Johnson explained that Ramsey and Elk River have successfully worked together to keep
the Mississippi River Trail Corridor on the Elk River/Ramsey side of the river. It was
originally proposed to only go on the other side of the river. The economic and recreational
benefits of having the trail on the Elk River/Ramsey side were discussed.
Other Trail Connections (eg. snowmobile)
Mayor Ramsey indicated that the City of Ramsey recently opened up additional
snowmobiling opportunities and he has received questions from people on how to continue
snowmobiling through Elk River. He would like Ramsey staff and Council to be aware of
routes through Elk River. Mayor Ramsey noted that since Ramsey reopened the
snowmobiling opportunities, the snowmobile groups have taken more responsibility in
helping to enforce rules and maintaining the trails.
Chief Rolfe explained that the ditches along Highways 10 and 169 are designated trails but
• that you cannot continue west on Highway 10 from the 169/10 interchange. He added that
City Council Minutes
May 9, 2011
Page 2
the County roads are also designated trails and that may be the best route. Chief Rolfe will •
provide Ramsey with the Sherburne County snowmobile trail map.
Public Safety -Mutual Aid
The Cities of Ramsey and Elk River belong to a public safety mutual aid agreement which
seems to be working very well.
Mr. Olson indicated that the two cities also have a public works mutual aid agreement and
thanked the City of Elk River for entering into it.
Utility Connections
Mr. Olson explained that Ramsey would like to explore various alternatives for possible
utility interconnections with neighboring communities to solve potential water issues in the
future. It was discussed that Elk River does not have a feasible solution for Ramsey at this
time.
Bail CrossingQuiet Zones
Discussion-took place on quiet zones. It was discussed that in order for Ramsey to be
completely quiet zone, two crossings near 165 and Jarvis in Elk River would need to be
converted to quiet zones. Ramsey indicated they may be willing to contribute funding if Elk
River was interested in converting these two crossings.
Ms. Johnson explained that Elk River's focus for quiet zones has been downtown. She
added that some of the crossings in Elk River are County road crossings and the County has
not committed funding for conversion to quiet zones.
Jarvis Street Maintenance •
Mr. Femrite outlined Elk River's street rating procedure. He stated that the results are not
completely compiled yet but based on preliminary findings, Jarvis was rated pretty low and
he would expect the road to be rebuilt within five years, maybe sooner.
Mayor Dietz questioned how the City of Ramsey handles street improvement projects. Mr.
Olson explained their assessment process.
Ramsey Councilmembers stated they would assist in funding improvements to Jarvis Street.
Composting Site
Ramsey officials questioned if Elk River has any desire to locate the composting site near the
Ramsey/Elk River border. Mayor Dietz indicated that the site is currently in a good, central
location.
Sharing of Equipment/Staff
Mr. Ulrich explained that Anoka County is going through a process to identify services and
equipment within its cities that can be shared. He indicated that there may be opportunities
identified for sharing with Elk River.
Mayor Dietz indicated that Elk River is open to sharing whatever services and equipment
that staff can work out.
Ramsey indicated they have a couple pieces of equipment that may be useful for Elk River to
share, including a trail paving machine, 65" tree spade, and a ladder truck. Discussion took •
place on possibly sharing these pieces of equipment.
City Council Minutes
May 9, 2011
Page 3
• Discussion was held on snow plow routes on the Ramsey/Elk River border. It was discussed
that it may be beneficial to review and discuss the routes so that one city is not traveling a
distance to plow a road when another city is plowing an adjacent street. Mayor Dietz asked
Mr. Femrite and Mr. Olson to discuss this and report back to their respective Councils.
The Councils discussed the potential to share staff positions. Councilmember Westgaard
indicated he would like to review the organizational structure of both cities to see if there are
ways the cities can assist each other.
Mayor Ramsey mentioned that Ramsey belongs to the North Metro Mayor's Association
which includes many benefits. Mr. Ulrich stated he will provide Ms. Johnson with
information on the organization.
Micri.rrippi I~iverlrruer
The following Mississippi River issues were discussed
^ Coon Rapids Dam renovation
• Mississippi River Critical Corridor regulations
^ National River Recreational area
Mayor Ramsey explained that he believes that it helps if the two cities band together and
speak as one voice when presented with issues of mutual interest.
Other Items
Councilmember Wise questioned what Sherburne County's policy on hard channel median
barriers is. Discussion took place.
Mayor Ramsey reiterated that if there is anything Ramsey can help Elk River with (lobbying,
etc) they welcome the opportunity to join forces in representation.
3. Recess
Mayor Dietz recessed the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
J n J. ietz, yor