01-12-2004 CC MIN FLEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER HIGH SCHOOL LITTLE THEATRE
PIONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2004
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor I<Llinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Motin, and Tveite
None
City Adrmnistrator Pat Iadaers, Director of Econo~2c Development
Catherine Mehelich, Potice Chief Jeff Beahen, Building and Environmental
Administrator Steve Rohlf, and City Clerk Joa~5 Schrmdt
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 Klinzing.
Consider 1/12/2004 Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH THE
ADDITION OF AN ITEM REGARDING NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR, UNDER
OTHER BUSINESS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA IT.15;MS:
3.1. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
12/15/2003 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
12/22/2003 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
3.2 CHECK REGISTER
3.3 RESOLUTION 04-01 DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES OF CITY FUNDS
3.3 DESIGNATION OF ELK RIVER STAR NEWS AS OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER FOR 2004
3.4 RESOLUTION 04-02 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF A SAFETY DEPOSIT
BOX AT FIRST NATIONAL BANK
3.5 CONSIDERATION OF TRANSIENT MERCHANT LICENSE FOR
JEREMY KLEIN
3.6 RESOLUTION 04-03 FOR PREMISES PERMIT RENEWAL FOR
COMMUNITY CHARITIES.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Open Mike
There was no one present for open nUke.
Ci~ Council Minutes
Januar7 12, 2004
Page 2
5.1 Accept Donation from Wal-mart
Mayor I<linzing and the Council acknoxvledged a $500 check of donadon from Wal-Mart.
Mayor Klmzing expressed the Council's gratitude for this donadon to be used in the police
department as part of Wal-Mart's ongoing community camp~gn.
5.2 Appointment of Acting Mayor
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO APPOINT COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AS
ACTING MAYOR FOR 2004. MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. (MOTIN
ABSTAINED)
5.3 HRA Update-Councilmember Motin
Councilmember Motin updated the Council on the January 5, 2004 H/L?\ meeting.
Discussion took place regarding parking lot improvements around the I~ng Avenue, the
Utilities building, and Highway 10 area; and regarding the linking of the Jackson Square and
Bluff Block buildings so that everything possible can be put in place in the development
agreement to ensure that both buildings are constructed and not just the first one on
Jackson Square.
5.4 Discuss Update on Economic Development Strategic Plan
Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich explained to the Council that it has
been four years since the Strategic Plan has been updated and that staff has included funds
in the 2004 budget to update the plan. Ms. Mehehch noted that prelimina~ plans include
conducting two 4-5 hour xvork sessions; one in February or March, and a second in April or
May. At the first session, a designated committee will reviexv the previous plan; participate
in a SWOT analysis, and evaluate the City's progress on the existing plan. The second
session mill include reviewing the current priorities, setting new or modifying existing
priorities, creating an implementation plan, and determining the next steps to implement the
plan. The taskforce would consist of the Council, EDA, HRA, and the three-adhoc
committees consisting of the EDA Finance Committee, EDA Marketing Committee, and
the Business Incubator Advisory Committee as well as staff members with a total of 28
people invited to be involved.
She informed the Council that the EDA had approved the proposal from The Brimeyer
Group, Inc. and their consensus was to meet at noon on a Wednesday for the first session
and to conduct the second session in May.
5.5 Discussion of Brimever Work Program
City Administrator Pat I~aers stated that the City Council authorized the hiring of jim
Brimeyer to complete an assessment of city organizational issues. M_r. Brimeyer presented
this compiled information to the Council in November 2003 and to the department heads in
December. The Council needs to discuss how they wish to proceed.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO SET A SPECIAL MEETING FOR
City Council Minutes
Januau~ 12, 2004
JANUARY 20, 2004 AT 5 P.M. AT CITY HALL TO DISCUSS THE WORK
PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Page 3
5.6 Public Safew-Ciw Hall Project Update
City Administrator Pat Kdaers stated that on January, 6, 2004 the monthly meeting with the
construction manager, the architects, and city staff was held. Most of the ~vork associated
~vith the Public Safety Facility has been completed with some punch list items remaining and
a few of these to be completed in spring. The EOC is essentially completed and the gun
range is on schedule.
One ongoing issue both for the Utilities building and the Public Safety< facility has to do with
fl~e lights burning out much too quickly. Nelson-Rudie & Associates, Inc. is evaluating the
situation with the responsibility for fixing the problem to be with the electrical contractors.
Another issue with the Utilities building has to do with the heating and the contractor is also
the responsible party for resolving this problem.
The remodeling of City Hall continues to move forward on schedule. He noted tentative
moving dates of February 13 to 16 and w/il come back to Council for their consideration of
closing city offices for normal business activities on the Friday of the move.
On a slightly different topic, the Council needs to consider canceking the Tuesday, February
17, 2004 City Council meeting as no space is available to hold this meeting.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO CANCEL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED
COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2004 DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF
A FACILITY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.7
Consider Ordinance Amendment, Chapter 30, Article II, Division 3. Gas Fitters and Gas or
Fuel Installations and Consider Changes to Master Fee Schedule
Building and Environmental Administrator Stephen Rohlf explained that there is no longer
a need for the City of Elk River to require contractors engaging in gas piping within the city
limits to have a City of Elk River Gas Fitter's 15cense. The State of N[N requires a state
bond and with this requirement the city' may no longer require a bond.
He also is recommending the elimination of gas permit fees. Currently the city requires both
a mechanical permit and a separate gas permit for gas-fueled apphances. He is proposing
that gas piping will be covered under and tracked on mechanical permits.
He noted that these changes would result in a reduction of revenue for the city. In 2003 the
city received approximately $37,000 in fees for gas permits.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 04-01, AN
ORDINANCE ABOLISHING ARTICLE II, DIVISION 3, OF CHAPTER 30,
"LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS" OF THE CITY CODE OF
ORDINANCES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 04-02, AN
City Council Nhnutes Page 4
Janua~7 12, 2004
ORDINANCE AMENDING 2004 MASTER FEE SCHEDULE EXHIBITS "A"
AND "C" AND ABOLISHING EXHIBIT "B" OF THE CITY CODE OF
ORDINANCES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6. Other Business
Councllmember Motin reviewed with the Council a resolution of continuing support for the
Northstar Corridor. He noted that a rally of public support is scheduled for February 5 at
6:30 p.m. at the Elk River High School-Zabee Theatre and another on February 26 in St.
Paul.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 04-04, A
RESOLUTION OF CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THE NORTHSTAR
CORRIDOR, WITH A CHANGE IN THE RESOLUTION OF ADDING
SENDING THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND
LOCAL LEGISLATORS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
7. Staff Updates
The City Administrator provided updates on the folloxving:
7.1 Chamber of Commerce Lunch Meeting xvith State Legislators scheduled for
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
7.2 LMNC Leadership Conference for Experienced Officials scheduled for February
20-21, 2004.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor IG/nzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 7:45 p.m.
Joan Schmidt
City. Clerk