12-02-2013 CCM P of.
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
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® !./ ! el at the Elk River City all
V Monday, December 2, 2013
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Wilson,Burandt,Westgaard, and
Motin
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Finance Director Tim Simon, Fire
Chief John Cunningham,and Senior Administrative Assistant/
Recording Secretary Jennifer Johnson
I Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6:48 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider 1210212013 genda
Moved by Councilmember Motin and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to
approve the December 2, 2013, agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 November 19, 2013, Regular meeting minutes.
November 19, 2013, Closed meeting minutes.
4.2 Check Register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 .Annual License Renewals valid January 1, 2014,to December 31, 2014,
as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Hire Tim Dalton as Recreation Coordinator as outlined in the staff
report.
Motion carried 5-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
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December 2,2013
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E 6. Awards, Recognitions, and Presentations
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There were none.
7.1 Agreement and Donation to Install Athletic Field Lighting at Oak
Knoll Athletic Field Complex
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. He introduced Todd Raymakers, representing
the Elk River Youth Football Association, and John Haaf,representing the Elk River
Youth Lacrosse Association,who were available to answer any questions.
Moved by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to:
a) adopt an agreement between the City of Elk River and the Elk River
Youth Football Association and the Elk River Youth Lacrosse
Association to donate$73,000 to install athletic field lighting at the
Oak Knoll Athletic Complex; and
b) adopt Resolution 13-72 acknowledging a$73,000 contribution from the
Elk River Youth Football Association and the Elk River Youth
Lacrosse Association;and
c) adopt a budget amendment to reallocate a 2013 budget transfer from
the Municipal Liquor Store fund to the Ice Arena and to amend to the
Park Improvement fund in the amount of$92,000 as outlined in the
staff report.
Motion carried 5-0.
7.2 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report. He added to the January work session a
discussion with Springsted regarding new S&P bond rating criteria.
9. Council Liaison Updates
The Council provided updates of the work of the various boards/commissions.
0.1. 2014 Budget Hearing and Tax Levy Public Hearing
Mr. Simon presented the staff report and outlined the 2014 proposed budget with a
PowerPoint presentation. He explained that the purpose of this evening's public
hearing was to discuss the 2014 city budget and general tax information and that it is
not a time to discuss individual property values. He stated that if individuals have
questions or concerns regarding their property values, they should attend the Board
of Review meeting in the spring or contact the Sherburne County Assessor's Office.
Mr. Simon briefly outlined the process of this evening's budget presentation and
comment period. He stated the Council approved the maximum tax levy of
P 0 N I R f 0 O T NAYUREI
City Council Minutes Page 3
December 2,2013
$9,929,235 in September,which is the maximum tax levy the City can adopt. The
Council has directed staff to draft a final tax levy resolution in the amount of
$9,853,835. Mr. Simon reviewed the tax levy by use and compared the levy with
previous years. He also reviewed property tax changes and explained that a number
of factors play a role in determining the property tax amount including the new sales
tax exemption effective December 31,2013.
Mr. Simon reviewed general fund revenues and expenditures.
Mr. Simon reviewed the special revenue funds and enterprise funds. He stated the
enterprise funds are self-supportive and not supported by tax dollars. Mr. Simon
provided the public with a link to the Minnesota Department of Revenue website for
residents to determine if they qualify for a property tax refund. He concluded that
the council may adopt the 2014 tax levy and budget following public input and
comments.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Westgaard thanked Mr. Simon for the budget presentation and
highlighted areas which played a role in an overall tax rate and levy decrease, such as
implementation of the franchise fee to assist in the long-term funding of the
pavement management program. Councilmember Westgaard felt the Council along
with staff had extensive discussions regarding position needs and necessary program
implementation,which challenged staff to hold the line and be prepared to justify
increases in the budget. He felt the city was in a good position overall in comparison
to peer cities. He felt the budget represents the efforts to maintain services that
residents and constituents would want.
Mayor Dietz felt there still would have been a decrease in the tax levy even without
the implementation of the franchise fee. He stated virtually every commercial
business would see a reduction in their property tax along with the slight reduction in
property values. He had strong differences in the staff adjustments proposed; he
wanted a police detective assigned to the county drug task force rather than the
approval of hiring a deputy fire chief. He stated he didn't feel a full time park
maintenance person was necessary, and for those reasons,would be voting against
the budget even though he was in favor of 99% of the budget.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to adopt Resolution 13-73 approving the proposed Property Tax Levy
for collection in 2014 as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 4-1 with
Mayor Dietz dissenting.
Moved by Councilmember Motin and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the 2014 General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise
Fund budgets as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 4-1 with Mayor
Dietz dissenting.
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December 2,2013
Mr. Portner received a request from Sherburne County asking for volunteers to serve
on a Sherburne County Fair Task Force. Mayor Dietz and Councilmember Burandt
stated they would volunteer.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business,Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:38 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Johnson.
J hn . ietz, Mayor,/��
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Tina Allard, i lerk
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