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06-29-1998 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1998 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, Farber, and Holmgren Members Absent: None Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Tom Zerwas, Police Chief; Jeff Beahen, Assistant Police Chief, Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Jeff Asfahl, Community Recreation Director Also Present: Michele Bergh, Recreation Program Supervisor~ Dana Anderson, Park and Recreation Commission 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 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. 2. Consider Agenda The following item was added to the agenda: 4.11. Northstar Corridor Update COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE ')9, 1998, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNClLMEMBER 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.a. 3.1 .b. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4, 3,5. JUNE 8, 1998, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED JUNE 15, 1998 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -APPROVED LIBRARY RULES AND REGULATIONS - APPROVED CHANGE ORDER #1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,995.60 FOR BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED REQUEST TO PROCESS AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING SAC/WAC CALCULATION METHOD FOR HOTELS AND MOTELS - APPROVED EXCLUDED BINGO BY VFW AUXILIARY - APPROVED RESOLUTION 98-71 AUTHORIZING A PETITION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ESTABLISHING A NEW RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING OF THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN AND SANTA FE RAILROAD AT 171sT AVE (MSA ROUTE 132) - APPROVED City Council Minutes June 29, 1998 Page 2 3.7. RESOLUTION 98-64 DESIGNATING JULY AS PARK AND RECREATION MONTH IN THE CITY OF ELK RIVER - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.1. Swearin.q in Of New Police Officer Police Officer Brian Boos was sworn in by Mayor Duitsman 4.2. Safety Camp Update and Video Michele Bergh - Recreation Program Supervisor updated the Council on the success of the first City of Elk River Safety Camp. 4.3. Lake Orono Sediment Removal Project City Engineer Terry Maurer gave a presentation of the Lake Orono Sediment Removal Project. Terry Maurer briefly summarized the project, the project cost, the project schedule, and reviewed the proposed assessments for the project. He indicated that the assessment roll contains 188 units of which there is an assessment of $2,200 per unit. He further stated that the City will be assessed for 26 units at a total of $57,200 in addition to its project participation of over $3OO,OOO. Terry Maurer recommended the following adjustments the assessment roll. Joseph and Delores Bickman - 75-131-1435 · Reduce from two units to one unit. Steven and Lisa Freitaq - 75-132-1110 · Reduce from two units to one unit Thomas and Sara Hartman - 75-131-t425 · Reduce from two units to one unit Dale and Ann Beaudry- 75-402-0190 · Remove from the assessment rolJ David and Klm Lonq - 75-132-1111 · Add to the assessment roll (Supplemental Hearing) Patric and Paula Donnelly- 75-402-0191 · Add to the assessment roll (Supplemental Hearing) Mayor Duitsman opened the public hearing. No one spoke for or against the assessment. Mayor Duitsman closed the public hearing. The City Clerk received a written appeal to the assessment for parcels 0001754 and 0001753 from Mr. Richard Bickman for Joe Bickman. This appeal was officially entered into the record. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-72 ADOPTING FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL IN THE MA'rrER OF THE LAKE ORONO SEDIMENT REMOVAL City Council Minutes June 29, 1998 Page 3 IMPROVEMENT OF 1998. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO DENY THE APPEAL BY JOE BICKMAN FOR PARCELS 0001753 AND 0001754 BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE IMPROVEMENT IS BENEFITING THE PROPERTY BY MORE THAN THE ASSESSMENT AMOUNT. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4,4, The Council agreed to hold a supplemental assessment hearing for two properties (75-402-0191 and 75-132-111) as requested by the City Engineer. Consider Resolution Requestinq MASC Miqhty Kids Grand Fundinq for Concession/Shelter at Youth Athletic Complex Jeff Asfahl indicated that he has once again wants to apply for a grant from the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission to enhance recreational opportunities and facilities for youth. If received, the money will be used for concession and shelter buildings at the new Youth Athletic Sports Complex. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-74 REQUESTING M.A.S.C. MIGHTY KIDS GRANT FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONCESSION/SHELTER AT THE YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.5. Update on Youthbound Project Jeff Asfahl and Michele Bergh updated the Council on Youthbound activities. It was noted that Youthbound had its opening weekend and was very successful. 4.6. Request for Stop Si,qns and Speed Bumps Police Chief Zerwas indicated he received complaints regarding parking on both sides of Joplin Avenue, south of County Road 30. The Chief suggested that no parking be implemented on the west side of the street. The Council suggested researching an ordinance amendment to prohibit parking of vehicles on city streets for extended periods of time. Jeff Behean, Assistant Chief, spoke to the Council regarding speed complaints and stop sign requests in the new Hillside Estates Additions off of 193rd Avenue. He indicated that the area was void of stop signs. He recommended that stop signs be placed at the following locations: Auburn at 196th Street · 196th Street at Wilson · Wilson at 196th Avenue · 196th Avenue and Auburn · Baldwin Circle and 196th Street · Auburn Circle and Auburn The Assistant Chief also recommended that speed bumps installed on Auburn on the north and south sides of the hill area between 196m and 193rd and on Dodge south of 193rd Avenue. He explained that the speed bumps are necessary due to the long length of the road with no through streets, therefore, leaving no City Council Minutes June 29, 1998 Page 4 opportunity to place stop signs along the road. Phil Hals, Street Superintendent indicated that speed bumps are a problem with plowing and felt that the installation of speed bumps could be the impetus for other neighborhoods requesting the same treatment. Following Council discussion regarding the use of speed bumps, it was suggested to try speed bumps on these two locations and to not approve any additional speed bumps for a two year period. Phil Hals requested the Police Department to supply templates and exact locations for the speed bumps. The area of Lowell and Highland was discussed regarding speed complaints. Assistant Chief Beahen suggested a tour-way stop sign for this area. Another area discussed was 3rd and Gates regarding speed. Assistant Chief Beahen suggested another study in this area to see if a four-way stop is warranted. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE FOLLOWING: STOP SIGNS · AUBURN AT 196TM STREET · 196TM STREET AT WILSON · WILSON AT 196TM AVENUE · 196TM AVENUE AND AUBURN · BALDWIN CIRCLE AND 196TM STREET · AUBURN CIRCLE AND AUBURN SPEED BUMPS · AUBURN ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF THE HILL AREA BETWEEN 196TM AND 193RD · DODGE AVENUE SOUTH OF 193RD FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN · LOWELL AND HIGHLAND INVESTIGATION AS TO WHETHER FOUR-WAY STOP IS WARRANTED · 3RD AND GATES NO PARKING · WEST SIDE OF JOPLIN AVENUE COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0- 1. MAYOR DUITSMAN ABSTAINED DUE TO HIS CONCERN WITH SPEED BUMPS. 4.10. Update on Park and Recreation Bond Referendum Dana Anderson updated the Council on the potential of moving forward with a park` bond referendum. Discussion pursued regarding the components of the question. The two components discussed included an outdoor pool and last years' proposal for outdoor recreation facilities. Dana Anderson indicated that Decision Resources is suggesting that the total dollar amount should be in the range of 2.25 million dollars with the thought of splitting this amount between the two components. Mr. Anderson indicated that the Park. and Recreation Commission was not certain that a quality pool could be built for 1.1 million City Council Minutes June 29, 1998 Page 5 dollars. Dana Anderson felt that a pool would cost at least 1.5 million dollars and more likely at the 1.8 million dollar level. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he would like to consider two separate questions; one on the outdoor recreation facilities and the other on the pool. He felt that this would give the people an option to vote for one or the other or both. City Administrator Pat Klaers questioned if the city could add money to the project which may make the issue easier to sell. It was the consensus of the Council that a recommendation would have to be made as to where these funds would come from. Councilmember Holmgren suggested two questions and splitting the components as follows: Park and Trail Improvements Park and Trail Improvements and an outdoor swimming pool. Councilmember Dietz was in favor of not splitting the question. He felt that if the question were split the outdoor recreation facilities would not pass. Councilmember Dietz indicated he would rather see improvements to the trails and parks because they receive more use than a pool. Councilmember Thompson and Councilmember Farber indicated that they were in favor of not splitting the question and could support a larger proposal due to the cost of a quality pool. Councilmember Thompson further indicated that he would like to make sure the public is informed of the' annual pool membership cost. 4.8. Consider Applicant for Buildinq Secretary/Receptionist Position Steve Rohlf indicated that aPproximately 50 applications were received for the position of secretary/receptionist for the Building and Zoning Department. He stated that four of the applicants were interviewed and recommended hiring Deborah Long at pay grade 5 with a starting wage of $12.50 per hour. Steve indicated that he felt hiring Deborah Long at $12.50 per hour is within the pay range and is in line with her experience. He indicated that .$12.50 is a higher hourly wage than what several other clerical employees at the City currently receive. Steve indicated that the main issue with the current clerical employee wages is the number of steps in the pay scale and suggested that the personnel committee consider condensing the number of steps in the city's pay scale. Council discussion took place regarding the variables relating to this issue including wanting to hire someone with many years of experience and having to pay more for that experience than what some existing clerical staff are receiving who have the same number, or more, years of experience. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he is not in favor of reviewing the pay scale at this time. Councilmember Dietz indicated that although there are several steps, employees still receive a cost of living increase plus a step increase during the year. City Council Minutes June 29, 1998 Page 6 COUNClLMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO DIRECT THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE CITY'S PAY SCALE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF STEPS IN THE PAY SCALE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. MAYOR DUITSMAN OPPOSED. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO HIRE DEBORAH LONG A~ BUILDING AND ZONING SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST AT $12.50 PER HOUR BASED ON STAFF RECOMMENDATION. MOTION FAILED 3-2. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. COUNCILMEMBERS DIETZ, HOLMGREN AND MAYOR DUITSMAN OPPOSED. 4.7. Buildin.q Maintenance Worker Phil Hals indicated that the city received 43 applications for building maintenance worker. He indicated that six of the 43 applicants were interviewed. Phil Hals recommended hiring Susan Herrboldt for the position of Building Maintenance Worker at Pay Grade 7, Step G, at a starting wage of $12.34 per hour. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO HIRE SUSAN HERRBOLDT FOR THE POSITION OF BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORKER AT PAY GRADE 7, STEP G, AT A STARTING WAGE OF $12.34 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER DIE'rZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.9. Consider Street/Park Personnel Additions/Chan.qes COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO PROMOTE MILT KINNUNEN TO MAINTENANCE I AT A PAY OF $9.88 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.11. Northstar Rail Corridor Update Mayor Duitsman updated the council on a meeting he attended regarding the North Star Rail Corridor. Discussion pursued regarding a rail station being located in the City. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 6. Other Business There was no other business. 7. Staff Updates There were no staff updates. City Council Minutes June 29, 1998 Page 7 8. Adjournment There being no further business, MAYOR DUITSMAN ADJOURNED THE COUNCIL MEETING. The meeting of the City Council adjourned at 8:10 P.M.  ly submitted, City Clerk