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03-23-1998 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1998 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, Farber, and Holmgren Members Absent: None Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Lori Johnson, Assistant City Administrator; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development; Tom Zerwas, Police Chief; Jeff Beahen, Assistant Police Chief; Tom Tyler, Sergeant; Bruce West, Fire Chief; Steve Dittbenner, Ambulance Coordinator; Bryan Adams, Utilities General Manager 1. Call Meetinq To Order Pursuant fo due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. 2. Consider Agenda COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/23/98 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent A.qenda COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1, 3.2a. 3.2b. MARCH 16, 1998, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALLED FOR MARCH 21, 1998, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING JOINTLY WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT - APPROVED SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALLED FOR APRIL 23, 1998, FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING A VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.1. Consider Development Account Guidelines Director of Economic Development Paul Steinman presented the Development Account Guidelines for Council review. He indicated that the purpose of the Guidelines is to set fodh requirements regarding the funding of the Development Account and its use as an economic development tool. Elk River City Council Minutes March 23, 1998 Page 2 COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT GUIDELINES AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.2a. Fire and Ambulance 1997 Annual Report Fire Chief Bruce West presented the Fire Department 1997 Annual Report. 4.3. Police Department Annual Report Police Chief Tom Zerwas, Assistant Police Chief Jeff Beahen, and Sergeant Tom Tyler presented the 1997 Police Department Annual Report. 5. Other Business John Kuester, park and recreation commission representative, updated the Council on the status of the proposed park and recreation referendum. He distributed a timeline of the procedures for the referendum and reviewed this with the City Council. 6. Staff Updates There were no staff updates presented. The City Council recessed at 7:35 p.m. to move its meeting to the Training Room. The City Council reconvened at 7:37 p.m. 7. Capital Improvement Worksession 221sT Avenue Turn Lanes City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated that MnDOT is requesting the City of Elk River to enter into a cooperative agreement regarding the turn lanes for 221,t Avenue. Terry Maurer suggested that the City Council approve the resolution authorizing the cooperative agreement contingent upon Barton committing to fund the project. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-29 ENTERING INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MNDOT AND THE CITY OF ELK RIVER FOR 221sT AVENUE TURN LANE IMPROVEMENTS CONTINGENT UPON BARTON SAND AND GRAVEL ENTERING INTO THE AGREEMENT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Recreation Center The City Council reviewed the city's request for a conditional use permit to operate a recreation center at the former Elk Hills Restaurant. This issue was tabled at the March 16 meeting to allow the Council the time to discuss the proposal. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he would like to be more clear as to what costs, other than operating costs, would be involved in the project. He further indicated that he is not sure that this location is the proper place to stad Elk River City Council Minutes Page 3 March 23, 1998 a project of this type. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that the location will not be permanent, but could be considered an incubator to other projects of this type. Councilmember Thompson indicated his concern whether this proposal would be in conflict with the Watzes proposal. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO ENTER INTO A LEASE TO USE THE FORMER ELK HILLS RESTAURANT FOR A RECREATION CENTER. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he would like to see the Boys and Girls Club, Jeff Asfahl, and the Watzes get together to discuss issues regarding these three separate projects. County Government Center The City Administrator informed the City Council that the County Government Center would be expanding its jail facilities by another 120 beds. City/County Meetin,q on March 30, 1998 City Engineer Terry Maurer discussed Sherburne County's new cost sharing policy and the effects that it would have on the City of Elk River, particularly in the case of County Roads 12, 33, and 77. The City Council discussed issues of interest that could be added to the agenda for the joint city/county meeting on March 30. City/School Meetinq The City Council reviewed items of concern that could be discussed at the joint city/school meeting on April 6. Some concerns of the Council include the need for additional schools due to the increased population and the expansion of School Street. 4.2b. 1997 Ambulance Report Ambulance Coordinator Steve Dittbenner presented the 1997 Ambulance Annual Report. Steve Dittbenner informed the Council that as of June 1, 1998, the Elk River Ambulance Service would be upgrading its present Basic Life Support (BLS) service to an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service. This would be accomplished through a joint effort with HealthSpan. Steve Dittbenner requested a letter of support from the City Council regarding the upgrade to ALS. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DRAFT A LETTER SUPPORTING THE UPGRADE TO ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT AMBULANCE SERVICE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Elk River City Council Minutes March 23, 1998 Page 4 East Elk River Public Improvement Project City Engineer Terry Maurer distributed a map revealing the proposed transportation and utility corridor in relation to the east Elk River public improvement project. Mayor Duitsman suggested that the city add the other side (west side) of Highway 10 to the large project, Area C. He indicated that there were some businesses in this area that were in favor of city services being provided. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO ADD THE WEST SIDE (RIVER SIDE) OF HIGHWAY 10, LOCATED WITHIN AREA C, TO THE EAST ELK RIVER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Maurer indicated that federal funding may be available for the improvements to County Road 13 (Tyler Street alignment) and also for the pedestrian bridge. He requested authorization from the Council to begin the necessary work to secure the funding. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEER TO BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AND FOR THE COUNTY ROAD 13 PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. City Engineer Terry Maurer reviewed possible timelines for Area C of the proposed east Elk River public improvement project. Library The City Administrator updated the Council on the proposed plans to add additional parking spaces to the Library. It was the consensus of the Council that as many parking stalls as possible be made available for the Library. Lake Orono Project The City Administrator reviewed funding options and the total cost to the city associated with the Lake Orono sedimentation removal project. Councilmember Farber left the meeting at this time (9:35 p.m.) Ice Arena It was the consensus of the Council not to discuss the ice arena project at this meeting. Oak Knoll Soccer Fields The City Administrator reviewed the issue of the city's acquisition of Oak Knoll soccer fields from the School District. Elk River City Council Minutes March 23. 1998 Page 5 COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE APPROXIMATELY 4 ACRES FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AT A NET COST OF $50,000 CONTINGENT UPON CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW. COIJNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Hi.qhway 169 Pedestrian Bridqe The City Administrator updated the Council on the Highway 169 pedestrian bridge project. He indicated that design work will begin in 1998 and construction may begin in 1999. Miscellaneous Projects The City Administrator updated the Council on street projects, the park and recreation bond referendum, and the proposed Community Center Task Force. Finances for Capital Projects The City Administrator reviewed sources of financing for the capital projects. The City Administrator also reviewed Minnesota State Aid money and possible ways in which the funding could be used. The City Administrator reviewed street projects projected for the future and indicated that there are more projects than money available. He gave the Council a general overview of existing and proposed projects and methods of funding these projects. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Duitsman adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk