12-12-2011 CCMMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
• HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 201 I
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Gumphrey, Motin, Westgaard, and
Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner, Finance Director Tim Simon, Planning
Manager Jeremy Barnhart, City Engineer Justin Femrite, Assistant Street
Superintendent Mark Thompson, Parks and Recreation Director Michael
Hecker, Code Enforcement Officer Dave Hetrick, Human Resource
Representative Lauren Wipper, Fire Chief T. John Cunningham,
Accountant Lori Stich, 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. Pledge of Allegiance
. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Council Agenda
Mayor Dietz moved the sidewalk snow plow policy item to after open mike.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS
AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA:
4.1 ADOPT RESOLUTION 11-78 APPROVING CONSENT TO MERGER OF
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF
METROPOLITAN MINNEAPOLIS AND YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION OF GREATER TWIN CITIES.
4.2 ADOPT RESOLUTION 11-79 APPROVING THE 2012 COMPENSATION
PLAN FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES.
4.3 ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWALS AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF
REPORT.
4.4 RESOLUTION 11-80 ACKNOWLEDGING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
• THE ELK RIVER LIONS CLUB.
City Council Minutes Page 2
December 12, 2011
4.5 AUTHORIZATION TO COMPLETE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS •
RELATED TO DESIGN REQUIREMENTS IN THE C-3 ZONING
DISTRICT.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Open Mike
No one appeared for open mike.
6. Work Session
6.4 Sidewalk Snow Plow Policy
Mr. Barnhart reviewed maps outlining current sidewalk snow plow routes.
Mayor Dietz stated he is not in favor of changing the policy for just a few residents.
Councilmember Gumphrey indicated that he would like to see the city plow all areas where
the sidewalk is adjacent to the curb. He added that it makes sense to also do the entire
Highland Road because of the configuration.
Sue Farber, 19404 Norfolk Street NW, clarified which properties on Highland Road have
sidewalks adjacent to the curb.
Deadlines for removing snow from streets and sidewalks was discussed. Councilmember
Westgaard stated he would like the policy changed so residents axe not required to have the
snow removed within 24 hours.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS FOR THE CITY TO ADD THE
APPROXIMATELY THREE MILES OF SIDEWALKS THAT ARE ADJACENT
TO THE CURB TO THE PLOW ROUTE AND TO PLOW THE ENTIRE
SIDEWALK ON HIGHLAND ROAD FROM JACKSON TO PROCTOR.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Mayor Dietz opposed.
6.1 Bailey Point
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. He indicated that a question was raised regarding
whether the city would be able to restrict fishing from Bailey Point. He stated that he
verified with the Department of Natural Resources that fishing from that property could be
restricted. Possible funding sources were discussed.
Consensus of the Council- was to move forward with the acquisition of Bailey Point and for
staff to prepare and bring back cost estimates on developing and maintaining the property.
6.2 171St Avenue Area Phase IImprovements - Preliininar~Engineenng
Mr. Femrite reviewed proposed improvements for Phase I of the 171St Avenue Area as
outlined in his staff report.
Council consensus was to move forward with the project. O
City Council Minutes
December 12, 2011
Page 3
• 6.3 Commercial Reserve Transitional Zoning District
Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report. He added that the commercial reserve transitional
zoning district was a result of the 2004 Comprehensive Plan designating the area for future
development.
Mayor Dietz explained that he has received comments from property owners in the
commercial reserve transitional zoning district that feel like they are paying property taxes
but are unable to do any-thuig urith their property. Mr. Barnhart stated that the rezoning did
not remove any uses from the area; it simply changed the permitted timeframe. He clarified
that taxes are assessed based on the use of the property, not the zoning, so property owners
in the commercial reserve district would only be taxed commercial if the property use is
commercial.
6.5 Credit Card Update
Mr. Simon presented his staff report. He reviewed examples of Rev Trak on the City of
Ramsey's website.
Council Consensus was for staff to move forward with Rev Trak to accept credit cards.
6.6 Organizational Chart
Mr. Fortner presented his staff report.
• Councilmember Zerwas indicated that the organizational charts will be helpful to have when
reviewing the budget next year.
Councilmember Gumphrey would like to see Mr. Fortner review the organizational charts
and bring back any comments or suggestions.
6.7 Downtown Task Force Update
Mr. Barnhart provided an update on the Downtown Task Force. Council consensus was for
staff to contact Ron Touchette, Alan Sakry, and Jim Hudson about becoming members of
the Task Force.
6.8 Council Open Forum
There were no items for discussion under open forum.
Other Business
Councilmember Zerwas questioned the status of the taproom ordinance amendment. Mr.
Fortner stated that the ordinance is currently out for attorney review.
8. Council Updates
There were no Council updates.
. 9. Staff Updates
City Council Minutes
December 12, 2011
There were no staff updates.
10. Adjournment
Page 4
There being no further business, Mai or Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River CitS~
Council at 8:12 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
-,
~ ~r. ~ ,
Tina Allard, CitST Clerk
Jo j. i tz, M -or
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