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12-01-1997 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1997 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, Holmgren, and Farber Members Absent: None Staff Present: 4.1, Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lod Johnson, Assistant City Administrator, Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Scott Harlicker, Zoning Assistant; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Bryan Adams, Utilities General Manager Call Meetin.q To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Duifsman. Consider Aqenda COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 12/1/97 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Consent Aqenda COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED 11/24/97 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED COUNCIl. MEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED O. Jerry Smith Request for Zone Chan,qe from C2 to C1, Case No. ZC 97-7 Planning Assistant Scott Harlicker indicated that the City Council tabled this rezoning issue on November 24, 1997, to review issues of fencing, parking, and traffic. He stated that these issues have been reviewed and staff is recommending that an opaque wall or fence be placed along the edge of the parking lot to screen vehicle headlights from the commercial property. COUNCIl. MEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 97-25 AMENDING THE CITY OF ELK RIVER ZONING MAP TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM C2/OFFICE DISTRICT TO C1/CENTRAL COMMERCIAL, CASE NO. ZC 97-7, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: Elk River City Council Minutes December 1, 1997 Page 2 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. THAT THERE BE NO PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF LOWELL AVENUE FROM THE DRIVEWAY TO MAIN STREET. AN OPAQUE WALL, FENCE, OR STRUCTURE BE PLACED ALONG THE EDGE OF THE PARKING LOT TO SCREEN HEADLIGHTS FROM THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. A PLAN REPRESENTING THE TYPE OF STRUCTURE SHALL BE SUBMIT[ED TO THE CITY FOR APPROVAL. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTON. THE MOTION CARRIED 4- 0-1. Councilmember Farber opposed. Public Headn,q on Modification of Tax Increment District No. 5 Director of Economic Development Paul Steinman indicated that the purpose of this item was to hold a public hearing as required by state law to modify the Tax Increment Financing Plan for Tax Increment Financing District No. 5 (AIItool). He stated the purpose of the modification was to allow for the expenditure of approximately $1¢]5,000 to $225,000 in excess TI F funds from this TI F District. The funds are proposed to be used for land acquisition and/or other public improvements. Mayor Duitsman opened the public hearing. There being no one for or against the matter, Mayor Duitsman closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 97-123 MODIFYING TH E TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR TAX INCRMEMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 5 IN THE CITY OF ELK RIVER. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED S-0. Consider Hirin.q Street Laborer Position Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that he had received 1,5 applications for the position of Maintenance I. He indicated that he interviewed five of the applicants. Phil recommended that the Council authorize the hiring of Philip Barsody to fill the Maintenance I position beginning Tuesday, December 2, 1~]~)7, at a starting pay of $¢].16 per hour (Step 7, Level COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF PHILIP BARSODY FOR THE MAINTENANCE I POSITION VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF AMY BORST, WITH A STARTING WAGE OF $9.16 PER HOUR (STEP 7, LEVEL A), BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 2, 1997. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED $-0. Consider Purchase of Administrative Van Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals indicated that staff was authorized by the Council to obtain quotes for a van for city use. He stated that a three person committee looked at six vans from local distributors. Phil distributed a handout with the vehicles and prices listed in order of the committee's preference. He stated that the money for this purchase is programmed into the 1~]~]7 equipment reserve budget. Elk River City Council Minutes December 1, 1997 Page 3 COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A 1995 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE FROM JERRY'S OF ELK RIVER IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,400. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED S-O. Reimbursement for Landfill Gas Extraction Building and Zoning Administrator Steve Rohlf stated that Sherburne County is aggressively enforcing their requirements to cap completed cells at the Elk River Landfill. He stated that capping the cells would basically seal them so that water cannot penetrate and create contaminated leachate when coming in contact with the enclosed garbage. Steve indicated that an issue of concern with a capped cell is the migration of landfill gas. Due to the capping of the cells, the gas can no longer vent from the top of the cell. This capping may lead to the potential for gas to migrate off-site underground and cause an explosion. Steve stated that proper venting of the landfill gas is extremely important for safety and, therefore, staff is recommending that the Council authorize the city to financially participate in the installation of a gas extraction system to ensure its timely installation. He stated that staff has negotiated with representatives of the landfill and have agreed that a proper dollar amount for the city's participation would be $71,700. The money for this padicipation would come from the landfill abatement/mitigating local risk fund. Utilities General Manger Bryan Adams indicated that part of this project will be used to generate gas into electricity. He encouraged the City Council to allow the funds to be used for the project. Councilmember Dietz questioned the percentage the city would be paying toward the project. Steve Rohlf indicated that the city's portion of this project will be approximately one-third of the cost. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,700 FOR THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE GAS EXTRACTION SYSTEM AT THE ELK RIVER LANDFILL. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Open Mike There was no one present for this item. Truth in Taxation - Budqet and Tax Levy Public Heating City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that the state law requires the city to hold a public hearing on the proposed city budget and tax levy. He stated that the public hearing for the 1998 city budget and tax levy for the City of Elk River is being held this evening. The Mayor opened the Budget and Tax Levy public hearing. City Administrator Pat Klaers and Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson gave a presentation on the city's proposed 1998 city budget and tax levy. The general Elk River City Council Minutes December 1, 1997 Page 4 fund expenditures and source of funds were discussed along with supplemental budgets. The City Administrator reviewed information on the proposed fax levy and indicated that the maximum levy is $3,300,759. He stated that of this total, approximately 84 percent or $2,782,250 is for general fund activities. There was general discussion among the Councilmembers regarding tax levels and the desire to create a reserve for special projects. There being no further comments, Mayor Duitsman closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO SET THE MEETING DATE FOR ADOPTION OF THE 1998 BUDGET AND TAX LEVY FOR DECEMBER 15, 1997, AT 6:00 P.M. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Other Business MAYOR DUITSMAN MOVED TO REAPPOINT PAT DWYER TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A SIX YEAR TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2003. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MAYOR DUITSMAN MOVED THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS: LARRY TOTH TO THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO COMPLETE THE TERM OF GENE SCHULDT, EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 1998. DICK HINKLE TO BE REAPPOINTED FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEAR TERM ON THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2002. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Councilmember Holmgren questioned whether staff would be presenting information to the Council regarding performance evaluations. Lori Johnson indicated that the Council has received information regarding the spring/summer 1997 performance evaluations. However, another presentation could be prepared for the City Council. It was the consensus of the Council that staff make a presentation regarding this issue. 8. Staff Updates There were no staff updates. Elk River City Council Minutes December 1, 1997 Page 5 9. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNClLMEMBEIJ HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOUIJN THE MEETING. COUNClLMEMBEIJ FAP, BEIJ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CAiJlJlED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk