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02-02-1998 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1998 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, Farber, and Holmgren Members Absent: None Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Jay Carlson, Housing Inspector; Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development; Loft Johnson, Assistant City Administrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent 1. Call Meetinq To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. 2. Consider A.qenda Item 4.6., Ice Arena, was added to the agenda. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COIJNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent A.qenda COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7. 1/20/98 COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED AUTHORIZATION FOR BUILDING OFFICIAL TO ATTEND MARCH CONFERENCE - APPROVED AUTHORIZATION FOR BUILDING INSPECTOR TO ATTEND FEBRUARY CONFERENCE - APPROVED CONSIDER SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING FOR PLANNING ISSUES ON FEBRUARY 9 FOLLOWING EDA MEETING - APPROVED CONSIDER SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING FOR JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION TO DISCUSS CITY GROWTH ISSUES ON MARCH 9 FOLLOWING EDA MEETING - APPROVED REAPPOINTMENT OF JEFF GONGOLL TO THE ICE ARENA COMMISSION FOR A THREE YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON 12/31/00 - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5- 0. Elk River City Council Meeting February 2, 1998 Page 2 4.1. Ordinance Amendment to Housinq Maintenance Code Section 1007.14, Titled 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. Doors, Windows, and Locks; and Update on Housinq Maintenance Inspections Housing Inspector Jay Carlson presented the Council with an amendment to the Housing Maintenance Code. Jay explained that the ordinance may hold the city liable for requiring building owners to add foyers and communication systems to buildings that were constructed prior to the adoption of the housing code. He indicated that this would place an undue burden on to the owners of the property. He explained that by amending the ordinance it would allow an exception to the requirement for buildings that were built before the adoption of the housing ordinance. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 98-3 AMENDING SECTION 1007.14(2) OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED E,-O. Housing Inspector Jay Carlson updated the Council on the housing inspections program. Consider City/School Joint Powers Aqreement for Use and Improvements at the Varsity Baseball Field The City Administrator informed the Council that the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) relating to the varsity field has been completed and reviewed by the City Attorney and School District Attorney. Additionally, it was stated that the School Board adopted this JPA on 1/27/98. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 728 RELATING TO THE VARSITY FIELD. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Authorization to Hire Part Time Cable TV Producer The City Clerk indicated that interviews have taken place for the Government Cable TV Producer. She requested that the Council authorize staff to hire Marissa Lee at $9.00 per hour with a maximum of 15 hours per week beginning February 9. Discussion was held regarding some of the duties of the position. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO HIRE MARISSA LEE AS THE CITY'S GOVERNMENT CABLE TV PRODUCER AT $9.00 PER HOUR WITH A MAXIMUM OF 15 HOURS PER WEEK EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 9, 1998. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Authorization to Hire Tina Allard as Secretary/Receptionist City Clerk Sandra Thackeray indicated that Tina Allard has been working for the city through Temporary Assets for approximately three months. Tina was hired to fill the vacancy created by Michelle Dwyer. The City Clerk indicated that staff is requesting to hire Tina permanently as the city's Secretary/Receptionist. Elk River City Council Meeting February 2, 1998 Page 3 COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO HIRE TINA ALLARD AS THE CITY'S SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST BEGINNING FEBRUARY 3, 1998, AT PAY GRADE 5, STEP B, $8.92 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.5. Transient Merchant License Request The City Clerk indicated that Shirley Madland has requested an application for a transient merchant license to sell flowers on Easter and Mother's Day weekends on property owned by Wesley Hunt along Highway 10. Councilmember Thompson questioned whether Shirley Madland was a resident of the city. The City Clerk indicated that she was a resident of Otsego. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE TRANSIENT MERCHANT LICENSE REQUEST BY SHIRLEY MADLAND TO SELL FLOWERS ALONG HIGHWAY 10 ON PROPERTY OWNED BY WESLEY HUNT ON EASTER AND MOTHER'S DAY WEEKENDS. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4- 1. Councilmember Thompson opposed. 4.6. Ice Arena Heaters for Zamboni and Compressor Rooms The City Administrator indicated that the heating units in the Zamboni and Compressor rooms have failed and will require $4,500 for replacement. He indicated that the city will be submitting this request to the insurance company, however it is unknown whether reimbursement will be made. Councilmember Farber questioned whether the heating units would be under warranty. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize staff to check into the warranty of the units and whether or not the city can recover the funds either through the warranty or other means such as conciliation court. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO SPEND $4,500 TO REPLACE THE HEATING UNITS FOR THE ZAMBONI AND COMPRESSOR ROOMS AT THE ICE ARENA WITH THE STIPULATION THAT THE CITY RESEARCH WAYS TO RECOVER THE FUNDS. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 6. Council Worksession to Discuss Capital Improvement Pro.qram (ClP) Development Account Fund - Director of Economic Development Paul Steinman stated that the city should discuss guidelines for the new Development Account Fund. Paul Steinman reviewed a draft of a Development Account Policy. The Council discussed possible uses of the funds. Councilmember Dietz indicated that he would like to see the money from when the old liquor store is sold go toward retiring the bonds for the new liquor store. Councilmember Thompson concurred with Councilmember Dietz and also stated he would like to see the 193rd land sale funds go toward economic development. Elk River City Council Meeting February 2. 1998 Page 4 Councilmember Holmgren indicated he would like to see some funding toward recreation. Paul Steinman indicated that the Council should think about methods to continue capitalization in the account. Mayor Duitsman stated that it would be up to the City Council each year to decide which funds will go in the account. The City Council discussed possible marketing of the 193rd site. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO DEVELOP A PRICE RANGE AND MARKETING PLAN FOR THE 193rd SITE AND PRESENT IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL IN APRIL. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED S-0. Paul Steinman informed the Council that he would fine tune the Development Account guidelines and bring them back to the City Council for review. Pavement Manaqement Pro.qram - The City Administrator updated the Council on the Pavement Management Program. He indicated that there is more work needed to analyze the expenses, the neighborhoods that need work, and that priorities will have to be established. He further indicated that the city will have to consider combining city tax funds with assessments to complete the projects. He stated that the program is scheduled to be developed in 1998 with the earliest date of any construction project happening in 1999. Lake Orono Sedimentation - The City Administrator updated the Council on the Lake Orono Sedimentation removal project. Discussion was held regarding the number of assessable units and the amount per unit. Councilmember Dietz indicated he did not feel the city should pay more than 50 percent of the project. Mayor Duitsman requested staff to provide an update on the number of assessable units so that the cost to the homeowners and the city could be determined. Use of the $100,000 Tax Levy - Genera! discussion took place regarding possible uses for the $100,000 tax levy that the Council dedicated for capital improvements. No consensus was reached on this issue and the Council indicated that it would discuss this issue at a future meeting. Hi.qhway 169 Pedestrian Brid.qe - City Administrator Pat Klaers updated the Council on this issue. He indicated that ISTEA funding for part of the project has been approved for fiscal year 2000 and that city participation is in the $300,000 to $350,000 range. Work on this project could begin this fall. He indicated that there is also a possibility that Congressman Oberstar could fund the entire project as a demonstration project. Lion's Park Buildinq - The City Administrator updated the Council on the Lion's Park building project and indicated his concern about the unknown source of funding for the project. Councilmember Thompson indicated that the land may be an issue and that the Council may see a request for a transfer of title to the Boys and Girls Club with the stipulation that the title be reverted back to the city when the property is no longer used for this purpose. It was the consensus of the Elk River City Council Meeting February 2. 1998 Page 5 Council that this scenario regarding the land provided by Councilmember Thompson was agreeable. Councilmember Thompson indicated that the Boys and Girls Club would be holding a special community information meeting on February 11, 1998, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. He invited the Councilmembers to attend. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FEBRUARY 11, 1998, AT 7 P.M., TO BE HELD ATTHE CITY HALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HEARING A PRESENTATION ON THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5- 0. Ice Arena Needs - The City Administrator indicated that a financial review of the operation of the ice arena and capital needs is scheduled for May 4 when the Finance Department Annual Report and Audit is presented to the Council. Councilmember Farber suggested that a special Ice Arena meeting be called to discuss spring activities. School Street - The City Administrator updated the Council on the issue of the extension of School Street as a four lane road to and through Proctor Avenue. It was noted that the city desires a petition for this project from the School District. Business Center Drive/Waco Street and Si.qnal - The City Administrator indicated that this could be a requested project for 1999, depending upon whether a commercial user or larger industrial project is interested in the area. Street Department Equipment - Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals indicated that he will be requesting the Council to consider future purchases of new dump trucks and associated equipment. He stated he will be attempting to downsize his fleet and to purchase new equipment rather than used equipment as has been past practice. He indicated that in the next nine years the city will have to replace 11 trucks. He indicated that trucks have 20 year life cycles. Phil Hals indicated that he would present more information on this issue at a later date. Fire Department Issues - The City Administrator informed the Council that the Fire Department is considering land options for a future satellite building, the purchase of a fire truck chassis and an Opticon signal system. East Elk River Youth Area Complex - The City Administrator informed the Council that Phase I of the Elk River Youth Area Complex is underway and that Phase II is not planned to take place in 1998 due to the referendum failing. Park and Recreation Public Referendum - The City Administrator informed the Council that the Park and Recreation Commission will be meeting with Decision Resources in February regarding a November 1998 bond referendum for park and recreation improvements. Elk River City Council Meeting February 2, 1998 Page 6 7. Other Business Councilmember Thompson indicated that he received a request from Cliff Lundberg to revive the Community Center Task Force. The City Council discussed this issue and it was the consensus that if the Task Force is revived, it should consist of a new group of people who would start working possibly in later 1998 to prepare for a referendum to go before the voters in the year 2000. 8. Staff Updates The City Administrator informed the Council that he would be making a presentation to the Legislature regarding the Minnesota Sports Federation project. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Duitsman adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Thackeray City Clerk