10-26-1998 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1998
Members Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, Farber, and
Holmgren
Members Absent: None
Staff Present:
Lori Johnson, Assistant City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk;
Tom Zerwas, Police Chief; Jeff Beahen, Assistant Police Chief;
Bruce West, Fire Chief
1. Call Meetinq To Order
4.1.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman.
Consider Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/26/98 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1.
OCTOBER 19, 1998, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED
CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Request to Purchase Tanker Chassis for Fire Department
Fire Chief Bruce West requested Council approval for the purchase of a new
tanker chassis for the fire department to replace the existing 1971 Ford L-900
chassis.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A HEAVY DUTY
TANDEM AXLE 1999 STERLING DIESEL TRUCK WITH FREIGHT AND ALL OPTIONS FROM
BUYER FORD THROUGH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA BID PROGRAM AT $62,665, AND
TO APPROVE THE REMOVING AND REMOUNTING OF THE EXISTING 3,000 GALLON
TANK AT A TOTAL COST, INCLUDING THE TRUCK, OF $72,115 WITH FUNDING TO
COME FROM THE 1999 CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Elk River City Council Minutes
October 26 1998
Page 2
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
4.5.
4.6.
Authorization fo Hire Record Entry Clerk for the Police Depprtmenl
Police Chief Tom Zerwas recommended that the Council hire Denise Lanthier as
the records clerk for the police department on a part time basis.
COUNCIl. MEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF DENISE LANTHIER
AS RECORDS CLERK FOR THE POI,ICE DEPARTMENT ON A PART TIME BASIS
CONTINGENT ON A SUCCESSFUL BACKGROUND CHECK AND AT A STARTING PAY OF
GRADE LEVEL 6, STEP I, $12.80 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Request to fill Secretary/Receptionist Position in the Police Departmenl
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF MARJORIE
HAGGERTY TO FILL THE POSITION OF SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST FOR THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT CONTINGENT UPON A SUCCESSFUL BACKGROUND CHECK AT A
STARTING PAY OF GRADE 5, STEP D, $9.76 PER HOUR. COUNCIl.MEMBER HOLMGREN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Ordinance Amendment Pertainin to Criminal Histo Checks for A licants for
Emp oyment
Chief Zerwas indicated that adoption of this ordinance would give the police
department the ability to do criminal history checks on candidates for
employment for the City of Elk River.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 98-21 AMENDING
SECTION 218 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO CRIMINAl.
HISTORY CHECKS FOR APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Adoption of Ordinance Pedainin.q to Explosives and Blastin.q A.qents
Police Chief Tom Zerwas indicated that the purpose of this ordinance is to require
persons possessing or using explosives or blasting agents within the city to make
application to the Chief of Police for a permit to do so. He indicated that by
issuing permits the fire and police departments will be aware of explosives and
blasting agents that are within the City of Elk River.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 98-22 ESTABLISHING
SECTION 412 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO EXPLOSIVES AND
BLASTING AGENTS. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0. '
Consider Adoption of Ordinance Pertainin,q to Block Parfie,,
Police Chief Tom Zerwas indicated that the block party ordinance would require
persons wishing to hold a block party to make application for a permit. He
indicated that through the application process, the city would provide
barricades to the neighborhood to close off the streets, the police department
Elk River City Council Minutes
October 26. 1998
Page 3
4.7.
4.8.
4.9.
would be aware that the block party is being held, and the city would cover itself
from any liability regarding the street closure.
Mayor Duitsman indicated that he is not in favor of adopting an ordinance for
block parties. He stated that he felt the city was being too restrictive.
After further discussion it was the consensus of the Council to postpone this issue
for 30 days, at which time the city attorney and city administrator should be
present to discuss this issue.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO POSTPONE III-IlS ISSUE INDEFINITELY AND
TO BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL AT A LATER DATE WHEN THE CITY ATTORNEY
AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR ARE PRESENT. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Request by Police Chief to Purchase OptiCon System
Assistant Police Chief Jeff Beahen requested the Council to consider authorizing
the police department to purchase the OptiCon Priority System for 12 squad cars.
He indicated that the system costs $750 per car with an additional $200 for
installation. Discussion was held regarding the source of funding for this purchase.
Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson indicated that the funds could come from
equipment reserves. Councilmember Farber suggested that the funding come
from the self insurance fund. Following discussion it was the consensus of the
Council to authorize the purchase and to request the city administrator and
assistant city administrator to come back to the City Council with a
recommendation for funding.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF 12 OPIIICON
PRIORITY SYSTEMS MODEL 492H AND THE INSTALLATION OF THESE SYSTEMS INTO 12
SQUAD CARS AT A COST OF $11,400. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Resolution Adoptin.q and Levyin.q Assessments for Unpaid Garbagn
Collection Services
Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson explained that adoption of this resolution
would authorize the city to assess property owners who have delinquent garbage
bills as of September 1, 1998.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-116 ADOPTING AND
LEVYING ASSESSMENTS FOR UNPAID GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICES AS OF
SEPTEMBER 1, 1998. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Resolutions Approvin.q Deferred Special Assessments for the 1998 Lake
Crone Sediment Removal Project
Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson explained that two property owners who
were assessed for the Lake Crone Sediment Removal Project have requested
deferral of their special assessments under Section 1404 of the city's ordinance.
Elk River City Council Minutes
October 26. 1998
Page 4
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-117 APPROVING
DEFERRED SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE 1998 LAKE ORONO SEDIMENT REMOVAL
PROJECT FOR JAMES H. STEVENSON. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-118 APPROVING
DEFERRED SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE 1998 LAKE ORONO SEDIMENT REMOVAL
PROJECT FOR LUCILLE G. LLOYD. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED S-0.
4.10. Consider Resolution Desi.qnatin.q the Maximum Household Income Level fol'
Qualification for Deferral of Special Assessments Based on Hardship
Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson explained that Section 1404 of the city's
ordinance states that the city must annually adopt a resolution setting the
maximum income allowed in order to quality for deferral. She indicated that the
resolution before the Council uses the energy assistance income requirements for
Sherburne County.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-119 DESIGNATING THE
MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME LEVEl. FOR QUALIFICATION FOR DEFERRAL OF
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS BASED ON HARDSHIP. COUNCIl. MEMBER HOLMGREN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4.12. Personnel Committee Recommendations
Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson informed the Council that the Personnel
Committee has met several times throughout the summer and fall to address
point ranking changes on several positions. She informed the Council that there
are still a few positions under review which will be presented to the Council later
this year. Lori Johnson presented the Personnel Committee recommendations on
the community service officer, maintenance supervisor, planner, director of
economic development, and part time ice arena employees. Lori Johnson
distributed a memo from Planner Steve Wensman. She stated that the Personnel
Committee is recommending that his point value be 84, pay grade 15, with an
increase of pay to $14.90 per hour. Lori Johnson indicated that Steve Wensman is
requesting $15.50 per hour, as indicated in his memo.
Mayor Duitsman stated that he would be in favor of all the recommendations
except for the request from Steve Wensman. He indicated he would like this
request to go through the city administrator. The Council discussed the
recommendation of the Personnel Committee to change Marl< Thompson's title
from maintenance supervisor to assistant street supervisor. After further discussion
it was the consensus of the Council to change the title to assistant street/park
supervisor.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS
PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE IN A MEMO
DATED OCTOBER 26, 1998, TITLED ITEM #4.12. WITH THE CHANGE OF THE TITLE OF
ASSISTANT STREET SUPERVISOR TO ASSISTANT STREET/PARK SUPERVISOR.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Elk River City Council Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 5
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED THAT THE PERSONNEL ISSUES REGARDNG THE
PLANNER'S REQUEST TO INCREASE THE SALARY TO $15.50 PER HOUR AND THE ISSUE
OF THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT'S SALARY BE REVIEWED BY THE CITY
ADMINISTRATOR AND PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL WITH A RECOMMENDATION
FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MAYOR DUITSMAN MOVED THAT ALL PERSONNEL ISSUES PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL
COME THROUGH THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4.13. Tobacco License
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ISSUE A TOBACCO LICENSE TO ANTAR
WAZWAZ TO SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS AT THE SMOKE SHOP, LOCATED AT 19112
FREEPORT AVENUE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. Open Mike
No one appeared for this item.
6. Other Business
Councilmember Farber questioned whether the City Council would be interested
in increasing the salary for Mayor and Councilmembers. He indicated that an
increase was proposed to take place two years ago, did not happen due to the
request not meeting certain technicalities of the law. After discussion regarding
the issue it was the consensus that there was not enough interest from the City
Council to increase the salary at this time.
7. Staff Updates
There were no staff updates.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Duitsman adjourned the meeting at 7:01
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
City Clerk