02-13-2012 CCMMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
• HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Counalxnembers Gumphrey, Motin, Westgaard, and
Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner, Finance Director Tim Simon, Parks and
Recreation Director Michael Hecker, Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart,
IT Manager Bob Pearson, and Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk
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 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Council Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA:
3.1 FEBRUARY 6, 2012, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES.
3.2 MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE RENEWAL FOR TARA LAFEBVRE,
COLLYARD CHIROPRACTIC, PA, VALID UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2012.
3.3 AUTHORIZATION OF IPAD PURCHASE AND IMPLEMENTATION
FOR COUNCIL AND STAFF AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT.
3.4 CREDIT/DEBIT CARD ACCEPTANCE POLICY.
3.5 MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE -AMANDA DAHMEN, THE
LITTLE REJUNVINATION STATION, VALID UNTIL DECEMBER 31,
2012.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. Omen Forum
• No one appeared for open forum.
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2012
Page 2
6. Work Session •
6.1 Board and Commission Interviews
The City Council interviewed the board and commission applicants in attendance. The
Council completed all of the interviews prior to making appointments.
Energy City Commission
The Council interviewed Energy City Commission applicant Dennis Chuba.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING
APPOINTMENTS /REAPPOINTMENTS TOTHE ENERGY CITY
COMMISSION FOR THREE-YEAR TERMS TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2015:
Dennis Chuba Ener -related business re resentative
Scott Ha en Ener -related business re resentative
Ste hen Rohlf Chamber re resentative
Matt Wes aard Ci Council re resentative
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Heritage Preservation Commission
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO REAPPOINT STEPHEN ROHLF TO
THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION FOR ATHREE-YEAR •
Ice Arena Commission
The Council interviewed Ice Arena Commission applicant Ronald Johnson.
TERM TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2015. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO REAPPOINT RONALD JOHNSON TO
THE ICE ARENA COMMISSION (AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE) FOR A
THREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2015. MOTION CARRIED
5-0.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Council interviewed Parks and Recreation Commission applicant David Anderson.
Councilmember Motin explained he is opposed to reappointing Mr. Anderson to the Parks
and Recreation Commission because he believes that the Commission does not have open
dialog when Mr. Anderson is present, Mr. Anderson goes directly to staff with requests and
that staff is reluctant to resist due to his tenure on the Commission, and that Mr. Anderson
has been on the commission too long.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO REAPPOINT DAVID ANDERSON TO
THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR ATHREE-YEAR TERM
TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2015. MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember •
Motin opposed.
City Council Minutes Page 3
February 13, 2012
• Planning Corrunission
The Council interviewed new Planning Coirunission applicant Mark Konietzko.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO APPOINT MARK KONIETZKO TO
THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE
FEBRUARY 28, 2015. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Utilities Commission
The Council interviewed Utilities Commission applicant Daryl Thompson.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO REAPPOINT DARYL THOMPSON TO THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION FOR ATHREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE
FEBRUARY 28, 2015. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6.2 Concept Plan Review for Elk River Station Phase II
Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report.
Councilmember Motin indicated that he is not in favor of changing the land use because he
believes the residents are waiting for commercial in this area as originally planned. He noted
that he is also challenged with changing the land use due to the economy.
Mr. Barnhart stated that he believes residential is an appropriate use and will be supported in
. this development. Councilmember Gumphrey concurred with Mr. Barnhart.
Councilmember Zerwas stated that what has been identified as realistic around the train area
is not necessarily what was originally planned and that it makes sense to listen to staff's
recommendations.
Councilmember Westgaard indicated that he also agrees with the land use change. He stated
that the parcel is not a corner conducive to a service station or office/retail. He concurred
that a lot was learned from the Focused Area Study and that residential was deemed
appropriate in the area, in addition to commercial. He stated that this may be an opportunity
to provide housing along with first floor retail.
Councilxnember Motin would like to focus on transportation in the area. Mr. Barnhart stated
that transportation will be reviewed as this project moves forward.
Consensus of the Council was that residential was appropriate and for staff to work with the
applicant to move forward with the project.
6.3 Council Visioning
Mr. Portner indicated that staff will provide the Council with an update on the visioning
goals and tasks in order to find out if the Council would like to add any goals to the current
list, and whether or not the Council would like to take a more aggressive approach to
legislative issues or move forward with any legislative action.
•
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2012
Page 4
Mr. Barnhart reviewed the goals and action steps as outlined in the staff report. He
questioned if there are any goals that the Council would like staff to focus on. •
Mayor Dietz stated that the list is aggressive and staff is doing a good job on the current list.
He noted that the current list covers a wide variety of goals and he would be in favor of
staying the course with the current list. The Council concurred. It was noted that staff
should approach the Council if they see anything that should be added as they work through
the list.
Mr. Barnhart clarified that the list presented is for goals due July 2012 and that he is looking
for direction on goals for the 2013 budget cycle.
Mayor Dietz indicated that he wants to make sure the Volunteer Handbook is completed
before spring. Mr. Fortner stated that the handbook will be brought back within a couple
months. Mayor Dietz requested that Mr. Fortner ask department heads if their volunteer
needs have changed since requests were submitted.
Mr. Barnhart stated that staff will come back in the next few months to discuss goals for the
2013 budget rycle.
6.4 Council Open Forum
Councilmember Zerwas indicated that he would like to discuss the current level of service
the city is receiving with Gray, Plant, and Mooty and whether or not to request proposals.
He stated that on numerous occasions he has been informed that the city attorney is not
meeting deadlines and is not assisting staff so they can move forward with their projects. He •
stated that he realizes this was scheduled for discussion in the future but he would like to
discuss it at this time and not wait.
Mr. Fortner explained the last time the city went out for RFP on city attorney services was
2006. He stated the RFP process allows the city to evaluate its needs. He added that it
wouldn't be a bad idea to get proposals for financial services, engineering firms, and other
city consultants.
Council consensus was for staff to move forward with the RFP process for city attorney
services.
Mr. Fortner was directed to discuss the process with Mr. Beck prior to moving forward. It
was noted that if Mr. Beck's film submits a RFP, a discussion would need to take place on
what would change with the level of service to address our needs.
Councilmember Gumphrey added that Mr. Beck has done an excellent job with past
litigation and the delays may be due to a staffing issue at his firm.
7. Announcements
Mr. Fortner stated that staff is meeting with ERX regarding their upcoming event.
He stated that the Bailey Point project is continuing to move forward.
Mayor Dietz indicated that he received an email regarding the trail by Twin Lakes •
Elementary. Mr. Fortner stated that parks staff are working on the issue.
•
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2012
Adjournment
Page 5
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City
Council at 7:31 p.m.
•
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
•