Loading...
07-28-2003 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER MONDAY, JULY 28, 2003 Members Present: Mayor Kdinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Motin, and Tveite Members Absent: None Staff Present: City, Administrator Pat Klaers, Director of Planning Michele McPherson, and Recording Secretary Jessica Miller 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 7:45 p.m. by Mayor IWdinzing. 2. Consider 7/28/2003 Agenda COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED: Item # 5.1. has been removed from the agenda. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3ol. 3,2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 7/21/03 COUNCIL MINUTES - WITH TWO MINOR ADJUSTMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN CHECK REGISTER PAY ESTIMATES CONSIDER CHANGE ORDERS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND CITY HALL PROJECT REQUEST BY JOHN & SCOTT TALBOT FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR OUTDOOR STORAGE (LUMBER YARD), PUBLIC HEARING - CASE NO. CU 03-15 (POSTPONED UNTIL 8/11/03) Director of Planning Michele McPherson distributed a letter from Scott Talbot stating that he w/il no longer attempt to work with the Cleveland Street location. Councilmember Dietz questioned if the Council is required to take any acdon on this item. Ms. McPherson stated that she will contact Nix. Talbot and verify his intentions. At dais nme the Council should take action as requested above. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Ci~ Counc~ Minutes Ju~ 28,2003 4. Open Nfike Page 2 No one appeared for Open Mike. 5.2.A. 5.2.B. HtL~ Update Comments from Business Owners on Downtown Project Overview of Process Project. and Next Steps An update was not necessary because all members of the City, Council were present for the HtG5 meeting prior to the City, Council meedng. Mayor IClinzing noted that the Council heard many good comments from the business and property owners. Rob VanValkenburg, owner of the Sunshine Depot building, presented the Council with a survey that was handed out to business and property owners as'king them if the proposal to develop the Jackson Square parking lot will impact them positively or negatively. Mr. VanValkenburg also presented the Council with a petition of those against development of the Jackson Square parking lot. Mr. VanValkenburg stated that downtown is doing well the way it is and there are many downtown business and property owners that do not want to see the Jackson Square property used for development. Mr. VanValkenburg asked the Council to reconsider the motion approving the letter of intent for transfer of city-owned Jackson Block property. Mayor Klinzing stated that she is not interested in reconsidering the Council's motion approving the letter of intent to MetroPlams. She stated that parking has always been an issue with downtown and that the City Council, HRA, MetroPlains, and staff have all been working on resolving the parking issues. Mayor Iclmzing indicated that this project is intended to impact the downtown businesses in a positive manner. She stated that a major factor in Elk River taking on the downtown revitalization project is due to the fact that many of the communities surrounding Elk River are upgrading and expanding their downtowns and businesses. Mayor IClinzing stated that the project needs to continue and that if everyone works together Elk River will have a downtown that people ~vant to come to. Councilmember Tveite stated that the Council has asked the HRA to take the lead in this project and that it is premature to pull the project out from under them. He also stated that not enough staff research has been done to see if the project issues can be solved. Marcy VanValkenburg, owner Elk River Travel, questioned if the Bluff Block project could continue without the Jackson Block. Vern Hanson, MetroPlains, stated that the project proposal was with the Jackson and Bluff blocks together. NLr. Hanson also stated financial and market feasibility reviews indicate that Jackson Block could occur on its own but the Bluff Block project is not feasible on its own and the two need to occur together. Councilmember Kuester indicated that she would like to see a plan for how the green space betweer~ the Sunshine Depot and Cinema building may be used for temporary parking during construction. Mayor Kknzing indicated that staff should explore a way to safely cross Highway 10. She suggested possibly a ramp or a tunnel. City Council Minutes July 28, 2003 Page 3 Councilmember Kuester stated that she spoke to Police Chief geahen and there have been five accidents at the Highway 10 and Jackson Avenue intersection this year. She stated that the number of accidents are not any higher than at other intersections but there may be a larger issue of vehicles running red lights at this intersection. Councilmember Motin stated that it is hard to plan a way to cross Highway 10 because the city, does not know what MnDot is going to do. He stated that this may be a good time to quesdon NhaDot about their intentions for that area. Councilmember Motin questioned if the parking under the residential units on Jackson could be utilized for business parking. Vern Hanson of MetroPlains stated that the parking will be secured and so that is not feasible. Mr. Hanson indicated that a model of the proposed revitalization project will be displayed in local downtown businesses .beginning at the end of this week at First National Financial Services of Elk River. He stated that each interested business can display the model for two to four weeks before it is relocated to another business. 6. Other Business There was no Other Business. 7. Staff Updates City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that he received a call from the school district and they would like to have temporary classrooms in place at the high school for the 2003-04 school year. Mr. I~aers stated that due to the late riming of the request and a schedule change ~vith the Planning Commission meeting, the issue will be heard by both the Planning Commission and City Council in August. Councilmember Kuester questioned why the high school needs temporary classrooms. Michele McPherson stated that per her conversations with Dr. Bratlie and Iv[r. Voight, the decision has been made to move the 9th graders into the high school this year. Pat Iadaers noted that the Tollefson Development lawsuit decision has been decided in favor of the city. Councilmember Motto noted that Tollefson Development has 30 days to f'fle intent to appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court. Mayor I~linzing indicated that she would Like to have City Attorney Peter Beck explain to the Council and city staff the legal ramifications of this decision so future development proposals for the Becket site from Tollefson Development can be dealt with appropriately. City Administrator Pat I~aers stated that the assessment appeal hearing for Tina Roach is scheduled for August 15 and an Executive Session may need to be held August 11 to review the case. 7.1. Ciw Clerk Position City Administrator Pat I(daers stated that he is on the City Clerk interview committee along with Councilmembers Kuester and Motin, and Finance Director Lori Johnson. Mr. I~aers stated that five interviews were held and that two finalists have been chosen for second City Council Minutes Page 4 July 28, 2003 interviews. Nh:. KAaers stated that he hopes to come before the Council for approval either August 11 or 18. 7.2. City. Hall and Public Safety. Building City Administrator Pat IGaers stated that the City Hall remodel tvork has begun. Nh:. I~aers stated that the curved wall at the Public Safety Facility has been reworked and that flashing has been installed to divert water. He also noted that the sheetrock and cabinets have been removed from the EOC and will be replaced due to water damage received in July. Nh:. I43aers stated that Fire Chief Bruce West has moved into his office at the Public Safety Facility but that f'~re trucks will not be moved until around Labor Day. 7.3. Budget City Administrator Pat Kdaers stated that the 2004 budget got a late start because of the special legislative session and the issues regarding the LGA cuts plus the added staff time requirements with the building construction project. Nh:. Klaers stated that the first budget work session is scheduled for August 25 but that a special meeting may need to be held Tuesday, September 2 in order to meet the deadline for the city to certify its proposed maxLrnum levy to the county by September 15. Nh:. Fdaers discussed his concerns regarding available additional revenues in 2004. Mr. I~aers indicated that there will be additional operating expenditures in 2004, mainly due to the new buildings. He stated that he has received feedback from some department heads that building maintenance is a big issue and this is something that the city cannot afford to let go. He stated that Gary Lore was assigned from Street/Park Maintenance I to Building Maintenance and that he has been doing a great job but it is more than a one person job. Nh:. K2aers also noted that the Street/Parks Department is one man short due to Gary's reassignment. He indicated that if additional employees are hired in 2004, he believes they may need to be first placed in Building Maintenance and Streets/Parks. Mr. Kdaers noted that the new city buildings are a huge investment and must be maintained properly. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:38 p.m. Jessica Miller Recording Secretary