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8.0. SR 04-06-1998ity of iver TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM Item #8. Mayor & City Council Pat Klaers, Cit~istrator April 6, 1998~ Joint Meeting The joint meeting with the School Board is scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 6, 1998. Since we last met there are two new School Board members; Zach Fox and Jack Hines. Attached for your review are the minutes from the last two joint meetings with the School Board which were held on 2/10/97 and 9/9/97. Residential Development Plans The city engineer will be in attendance at this meeting to present information on the growth projections for east Elk River (see attached maps). Dr. Flannery will share with us the School District's comprehensive plan for additional facilities to deal with residential growth and increased population. School Street The city engineer will be available to present general information on a School Street project. This material will include some cost estimates, information on the scope of the project, the improvement alignment (to the north) and the alignment at Proctor Avenue. Unless the school waives it right to appeal assessments and the project moves forward immediately, it appears that this four lane street project will not be able to be accomplished during the summer of 1998. The past position of the city has been that this project will be split 50/50 between the city and the School District and that the project will not proceed until the School District petitions for this improvement. At this time the project has expanded slightly to include School Street on the west side of Proctor so that provisions can be made for the additional traffic that is anticipated due to the ALC project. Police Liaison Program This topic was the subject of the 9/9/97 joint meeting. We have every indication that the program is going well. The program (excluding the 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 D.A.R.E. elementary officer) calls for two liaison officers for the senior high and two junior highs. No Elk River police officers leave the city limits for School District work. Although it is early, it appears that the projection of 75 percent is accurate for the total amount of time which officers spend in the schools (this includes some assumptions for the summer schedule). I have heard some concerns regarding the School District 1998-99 budget which is currently under review and which must deal with opening of two new junior highs. However, at this time I have not received any counter proposal from the School District regarding our proposed payment schedule for the police liaison services. If the School District wants to hold the line on its costs, then we may have to have a corresponding decrease in hours provided in order to stay on track with the plan for having the School District pay the actual costs for the services it receives. ALC/Oah Knoll Fields This project is nearing completion and everything seems to be going forward as proposed. This project involved the construction of the ALC building, the purchase of land by the city from the School District to preserve the fields, a Joint Powers Agreement and understanding for improvements at the varsity field, and finally, soccer field improvements at Meadowvale School. MEETING OF TI-IE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL - TRAINING ROOM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1997 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Also Present: o Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Holmgren, Farber, and Thompson None Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Steve Rohlf, Building & Zoning Administrator; Tom Zerwas, Police Chief, Bryan Vita, Police Investigator; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary Dr. David Flannery, Superintendent of Schools, School Board Members Jeff Gongoll, Kathleen Poate, Mark Strater, Pattie Scharber, Therese VanBlarcom, Mary McDevitt-Kraljic and Mary Jo Swanson; Dana Anderson, Park & Recreation Chair, Tom Wingard, President of Three Rivers Soccer Association 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 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. Consider Aqenda COUNC:ILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 10, 1997, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCIl. MEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Consent Aqenda COUNCiLMEMBER DIE'I'Z MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. 1/27/77 EXECUTIVE SESSION CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED 3.2. 1/27/97 CiTY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED 3.3. 2/3/97 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Joint Meefinq with District 728 School Board 1. Introductions Members of the City Council, School Board and staff were introduced. 2. Youth Issues in the Schools and Youth Activities/Pro.qrams Dr. David Flannery expressed concern for the increase in drug usage by students, particularly marijuana. He felt that if allowed to continue, the level of usage City Council Minutes February 10, 1997 Page 2 could escalate to what it was in the '70's. Dr. Flannery indicated that the schools are doing what they can to reduce drug usage through prevention programs, enforcement of rules and providing options for activities for students. He explained their greatest struggle is providing activities for the junior high population. He noted the 3 - 5 p.m. activity programs held at the schools have not been successful. He is looking to the community and to the churches to offer programs "'off site", since students have indicated they want to leave the schools at the end of the day. Mayor Duitsman indicated Mark and Annette Watz are looking for a 6,000 square foot building to provide a facility for young people. The concept is to provide a cafe/club to serve the social and entertainment needs of the young. The Mayor also noted that the Youth Initiatives budget, which is under the management of Community Recreation Director ,Jeff Asfahl, increased to $17,000 for 1997. Police Chief Tom Zerwas indicated that the 3 to 5 p.m. after school time is the prime time for problems with youth, such as shoplifting. Investigator Bryan Vita noted there was a great reduction in complaints about skateboarders after the temporary skate boarding site was opened up. Chief Zerwas added that the number of complaint calls went from 10 -15 a week to zero. Investigator Vita stated the young people have expressed a strong desire for a place to play billiards. Chief Zerwas explained that the problems with the former billiards site were related to management. He felt if a site could be found, kids had input in setting it up, and was properly supervised, a billiards site could be successful. Chief Zerwas also mentioned there will be a speaker at the upcoming Youth Initiative Task Force meeting to discuss starting a mentoring program. The need for a community center/recreation site was discussed. City Administrator Pat Klaers noted there will be questions on the upcoming Park & Recreation Commission Community survey regarding interest to support a community center. Discussion followed regarding youth activities. Councilmember Farber expressed concern that some kids lose interest in sports such as basketball if they don't make traveling teams. School Board member Patti Scharber felt if some enthusiasm could be generated to promote intramural sports, participation would increase. School Board member Swanson felt there is a significant interest in community theater by the area's youth which should be supported and encouraged. Dr. Flannery agreed that the arts are an area for youth involvement with the greatest payback to the community. Funding for the D.A.R.E. program was discussed. Chief Zerwas encouraged all those present to contact state legislators to support a bill which would increase the level of participation for schools from $1 to $3 per household. 3. Morrell Transfer Operation Dr. Flannery described complaints by staff and students of exhaust from Morrell's trucks coming into the schools through the air ventilation system. Chief complaints are headaches, nausea and eye irritations. Dr. Flannery explained the air quality problem is disturbing to the classes and interferes with the learning process. Mayor Duitsman explained the city has made every attempt to aid City Council Minutes February 10, 1997 Page 3 Morrell Transfer in relocating their operation and will continue to do so. Steve Rohlf explained that he has received only 3 complaints in the past 2 years from the schools regarding exhaust from Morrell. Steve indicated that one of the exhaust complaints by the senior high turned out to be discharge from a smoke stack on Morrell's building. Steve encouraged teachers and staff to call him immediately when there is a problem, so that he may investigate it before it is too late and the problem has passed. He stated he has asked Morrell to try to reduce the idling time of the trucks. The Councilmembers were in agreement that Paul Steinman, Executive Director of the EDA, should contact Larry Morrell regarding assistance the city may provide in relocation of his trucking operation. 4. Highway 169 Safety Issues City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated he has met with MnDOT regarding the following issues: signals, timing of lights, loop detectors, speed study, 4 warning flashers, pedestrian crossing, and fencing/lighting. He explained the pedestrian bridge and the fencing are two separate grant applications. Terry noted options for funding include ISTEA grant funds or locally initiated funding with the city funding the entire cost at this time and the hope of padial reimbursement in fiscal year 2000 from the state. Two local meetings regarding Highway 169 will be held the week of February 10th and two the following week. The issues will then be brought back to the City Council for their decision whether or not to proceed with a project. Terry indicated the Chamber of Commerce has expressed their willingness to participate in a fund-raising effort to finance the proposed fence, similar to the 101 project, issuing cedificates for donations to "purchase inches" of the fence. 5. Street Improvements Lowell Avenue Terry Maurer explained the city's plans to upgrade Lowell Avenue between Highway 10 and Main Street. The street will be reconstructed to the same width and the project will include sidewalk and storm sewer. A public hearing and assessment hearing will be held on the project. Kin.q Avenue Terry indicated discussions were held regarding possible reconfiguration of King Avenue between Highway 10 and Main Street to increase parking. The concept will be put on hold until redevelopment of the HRA King and Main Street site occurs, or if the school district experiences a need for additional parking after they move into the former county administration building. County Road 1 The City Council met with the County Board approximately 2 weeks ago and discussions regarding a detached pedestrian trail along the east/north side of County Road No. 1 met with a favorable response from the County. Terry has met with Dave Schwarting, County Highway Engineer, and Dave indicated the trail could be accomplished in conjunction with the County Road 1 upgrade project, which will widen the road to 4 lanes from the "Y" intersection at County Road No. 77 and County Road 1 up to County Road 32 near the golf course. Dave felt the trail design and construction could be done using their own manpower and the city's role would only be of a "monitoring" nature. Terry City Council Minutes February 10, 1997 Page 4 added there will also be some improvements to the Proctor and Highway 10 intersection to add turning lanes. Councilmember Holmgren expressed his concern regarding the traffic congestion in and out of the schools between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. He suggested the school board consider adjusting or staggering school stading and ending times. His greatest concern is bus drivers dropping off students and rushing to get back out onto School Street. Councilmember Holmgren expressed his support for locating an elementary school on the east side of Highway t 69 since there are, and will be, so many young families in that area. Councilmember Holmgren questioned whether or not the board has given consideration to an internal road within school property to route buses, as discussed at a prior joint meeting. School Board member Jeff Gongoll noted the school board has considered the timing issue and will continue to evaluate it. Dr. Flannery explained the buses need to drop off students as quickly as possible in order to start their elementary school routes. Dr. Flannery stated they have discussed an internal road but have taken no action at this time. Parking problems at the senior high school were discussed. Dr. Flannery indicated there may be a need in the future to limit students driving to school to those in 11th and 12th grade only, if parking demands continue to increase. 6. Municipal Utilities - Water Department Issues Discussion followed regarding a proposal to place a sidewalk on the north side of Highland Road, in conjunction with a watermain project. Dr. Flannery stated he would favor a sidewalk on the south side, since Salk Jr. High is located south of Highland. Terry Maurer explained the sidewalk was proposed for the north side since the watermain will be placed on the north side and part of the area would be torn up anyway by the construction. It was the consensus the sidewalk would be reviewed when the issue gets to a City Council meeting in March. Dr. Flannery noted the board is considering a request by the Elk River Municipal Utilities to purchase a 1 + acre site near the Meadowvale School for location of a well. Dr. Flannery expressed concern for the upcoming water rate increase, noting it would place a substantial hardship on large users such as the school district. He explained the cost of irrigating fields places the largest demand on their water usage. 7. Ice Arena Update Jeff Gongoll indicated the new ice arena is nearing completion, with landscaping, final blacktopping and signage to be done in the spring. Jeff noted the project was done on a "bare bones" level and will be finished according to original plans as funds become available. Sixty parking stalls were added as part of the project which the school will be able to use in exchange for maintenance of the parking lot. A public address system is being rented at this time, and there is a possibility a system my be purchased with some of the funds coming from the superintendent's contingency. City Council Minutes February 10, 1997 Page 5 8. Area Learninq Center Dr. Flannery explained a proposal fo build a new area learning center (ALC) facility since they have outgrown their present leased site. Dr. Flannery felt the best site is adjacent to the community education center on the existing Oak Knoll Park soccer fields property. Dr. Flannery explained they would tike to relocate the community education center at Handke School, but that would not be possible until a new elementary school is built. They have also considered taking down the existing community education structure and rebuilding but the building is structurally sound and it would not make sense to destroy a functional facility. Dr. Flannery felt it would be necessary to take only one of the fields at Oak Knoll for fhe ALC building. Discussion followed regarding other possible sites for a new area learning center. Councilmember Holmgren suggested a building could be placed between Parker and Lincoln Schools where there currently is an unused afhletic field. Board member Mary McDevitt-Kraljic felt the center needs to be located away from the existing schools and indicated they have experienced increased attendance and completion since moving the area learning center out of the traditional school setting. Further discussion followed regarding the school's industrial park site and the Morrell Transfer property, if it were to become available in the future. Dr. Flannery indicated approximately 65% of the area learning center students are residents of the Elk River Area School District and 35% are from surrounding areas. Studenfs range in age from 14 to 40, with the majority of students between the ages of 16 and 19. Dr. Flannery felt the soccer field site makes the most sense since the school district already owns the property. Tom Wingard, President of Three Rivers Soccer Associafion, expressed his opposition to the elimination of ~'he soccer field. He explained there are 1,100 to 1,200 young people in the soccer programs and the loss of the field would have a dramatic effect. He holed fhere are approximafely 180 children each night using the fields in the spring and summer and felt it is one of the best facilities in the Twin Cities and surrounding metro area. A brief recess was taken at 9:00 p.m. Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Holmgren, Farber, and Thompson left at this time. Fire Department and Ambulance Service 1996 Annual Repod Fire Chief Bruce Anderson and Ambulance Coordinator Steve Dittbenner answered questions for Councilmember Dietz regarding their 1996 annual report. SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 728 SCHOOL BOARD HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, Farber, and Holmgren None Tom Tyler, Police Sergeant; Bryan Vita, Juvenile Liaison Officer; Bob Kluntz, Juvenile Liaison Officer; Steve Miller, Juvenile Liaison Officer~ Tom Zerwas, Chief of Police; and Pat Klaers, City Administrator Call Meetinq To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special joint meeting of the Elk River City Council and lSD 728 School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. Joint Meetinq School Board Chair Jeff Gongoll introduced the topic of the meeting which was a discussion on the school D.A.R.E. program and the school junior/senior high liaison program. The City Administrator provided some background information on the current operation of the school D.A.R.E. and junior/senior high liaison program. It was noted that the three officers are all trained in D.A.R.E. and that they rotate in their positions; one position is strictly a junior/senior high liaison officer, one position is strictly an elementary D.A.R.E. position, and one position is mainly a junior/senior high liaison officer who also teaches secondary D.A.R.E. The positive benefits of having the Elk River officers interact with the students at various grade levels were discussed. The City Administrator stated that the City Council discussed this issue at its meeting on 9/8/97. At this meeting, the Council agreed to offer the elementary D.A.R.E. program to the school district at no charge provided that the payment for the school liaison program move closer toward the actual cost of the service. Currently the school reimburses the city at a rate of 42 percent of the officers salary and benefits while the city pays 58 percent of these expenses plus all of the other officer related expenses. Since the officer is in the school 75 percent of the year, it is the goal of the city to move toward this 75 percent repayment level over the next few years. For the 1997-98 school it is suggested that this repayment percentage move to approximately 47.5 or a total of $60,000 for two officers. Further adjustments need to be made in future years in order to slowly move toward the appropriate repayment level for the city services provided. Elk l~iver City Council Special Meeting September 9, 1997 Page 2 Discussion took place regarding the existing D.A.R.E. program and the future needs of the liaison program. The School Board indicated that it would discuss this issue later in the evening during its regular School Board meeting. The School Board thanked the City Council for its input on this issue and for the opportunity to meet with them to discuss this important topic. 3. Adjournment There being no fudher business, it was the consensus of the City Council to adjourn the special joint meeting with the lSD 728 School Board. The special meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m. ,./~_tfully sub m itted, Patdck D. Klaers City Administrator I [ ZIMMERMAN L.IVONIA TWP. _rr- I CO. RD. BIG LAKE I TWP. I ,~v~.. RD. CO. WRIGHT CO. SHERBURNE CO, ELK RIVER 39 CO. 1815T BURNS TWR Tlr/N BLVO. CO. RD. 22 ANOKA CO. I 1915T I I '1 I I ZIgTH I_~K£ RAMSEY TWP. ALBERTVILLE 60TH FRANKFORT TWP. CO HASSAN TWP. LAK£ .- · -._-.,-HENNEPIN .CO. ROGERS 65TH ~T. 141ST ST. CITY OF DAYTON SCHOOL NAMES I . ZIMMERMAN ELEM. 2.SALK JR. HIGH 3.NORTH JR, HIGH 4.ELK RIVER SR. HIGH 5,LINCOLN ELEM, 6, PARKER ELEM. 7,HANDKE ELEM. 8. ROGERS ELEM. ELK RIVER INDEPEND SCHOOL DISTRICT 72 KEY: __._. ..-----,.,-.COUNTY BOUNDA' ..... TOWNSHIP BOUND ._.._..~_.,.: ..... CITX--BOUNDARIE'~ URBAN SERVICE AREA (EASTERN AREA) ER220-USA2 2895 RKM DRAWN: MARCH1998 DATE: 800110J JOB NO. TOTAL ESTIMATED HOUSING UNITS EAST ELK RIVER PROJECTED HOUSING UNITS