12-16-2013 CCM City tof
Efll) Meeting of the Elk River City Council
® Ter Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 16, 2013
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councihnembers Wilson, Burandt,Westgaard, and
Motin
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Community Operations and
Development Deputy Director Manager Jeremy Barnhart, Finance
Director Tun Simon, Police Captain Robert Kluntz, Fire Chief John
Cunningham,Planning Intern Zachary Carlton, City Attorney Peter
Beck, Human Resources Representative Lauren Wipper,
Communications Coordinator RaeAnn Gardner, City Engineer Justin
Femrite, and Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller
Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Ell-,River City Council
was called to order at 6:06 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider 1 /16/2013 Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Motin and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the December 16, 2013, agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Motin and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 Minutes
• December 2, 2013, Regular
• December 12, 2013, Closed
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Adoption of WCA Notice of Decision, Plaisted Companies, Case No.
CU 13-12.
4.4 Annual License Renewals valid January 1,2014,through December 31,
2014
• Tobacco—E-Cig Palace, 13493 Business Center Drive
• Massage Establishment—Bela Salon, 19320 Highway 169 NW
• Massage Therapist—Sonia Tallakson, Bela Salon
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December 16,2013
® Massage Establishment and Therapist—Karri Lane,Northern
Tranquility Massage, 200—5'h Street NW.
4.5 2014 City Council meeting schedule.
4.6 Resolution 13-74 approving the 2014 Maintenance Agreement with
Wright County for the Parrish Avenue Bridge.
4.7 Resolution 13-75 Appointing Troy Adams, ERMU general manager, as
the Transmission Project Coordinating Committee representative and
authorizing the appointed representative to vote in favor of an
allocation change.
4.8 Hire Zachary Carlton as planner I effective December 17,2013, at step
A of pay grade 7.
4.9 Amend and restate the city's benefit plan as outlined in the staff report.
® Resolution 13-76 amending and restating the city's Flexible
Benefits Plan effective January 1, 2013.
® Resolution 13-77 amending and restating the city's Flexible
Benefits Plan effective January 1, 2014.
Motion carried 5-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forurn.
.1 City of Ilc River Volunteer of the Month — Mayor Dietz
Mayor Dietz introduced, read, and presented a plaque to Shelley Sherper,Volunteer
of the Month for December. He noted the following volunteer accomplishments:
• Active tnetnber in her church as Sunday school teacher,youth group leader, and
choir member.
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Prograin, especially Bookends, a group that goes
into local elementary schools to share interpretive readings of children's books.
6.2 Apartment Fire — Mayor Dietz
Mayor Dietz coininended the Police, Fire, and Street Departments for their
outstanding effort during the Evans Meadows apartment fire last week. He also
thanked the community for stepping up to assist in this tithe of need.
.3 Presentation by ElIc River Ambulance Service
Elk River Ambulance Service Coordinator Steve Dittbenner provided an update on
the future plans of the Ell-,River Ambulance Service.
7.1 Heritage Maples, Marilyn Van Patten
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
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December 16,2013
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilrnember Burandt and seconded by Councilrnember
Westgaard to approve the Preliminary Plat with the following conditions:
1. Access restriction shall be placed along Highway 10.
2. Development agreement shall be signed outlining costs and
responsibilities to the satisfaction of the city attorney.
Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilrnember Motin and seconded by Councilrnember
Westgaard to adopt Resolution 13-78 granting Final Plat approval for Heritage
Maples, Case No. P 13-03,with the following conditions:
1. Access restriction shall be placed along Highway 10.
2. Development agreement shall be signed, outlining costs and
responsibilities to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
3. A letter of credit or other security acceptable to the city be provided in the
amount of 100% of the cost of public improvements.
4. Upon completing all of the improvements and having them accepted by
the city, a warranty bond in the amount of 25% of the improvement costs
shall be submitted to the city for a one year period.
5. Surface water management fee in the amount required by the city at the
time of final plat be paid prior to releasing the plat for recording. ($208 per
lot, 2013 rate)
6. Sealcoat fee in the amount to be determined by the city engineer be paid
to the city prior to releasing the plat for recording.
7. Park dedication shall be paid for the one buildable lot at the rate
applicable at the time the plat is released for recording.
8. All required wetland and grading permits must be obtained prior to
commencing work on the site.
9. Grading and erosion control plan and development plan be submitted and
approved by the city engineer prior to the issuance of grading permits.
10. All grading will need to be certified prior to the issuance of building
permits.
11. Street lights shall be installed as recommended by Elk River municipal
utilities.
12. Water availability charge be paid prior to releasing the plat for recording.
13. Any item or condition found that indicates the site is likely to yield
information important to pre-history or history shall be reported to the city
immediately. Further, the city reserves the right to stop work authorized
in its approval until the site is appropriately investigated and work is
authorized.
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December 16,2013
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�' Motion carried 5-0.
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Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to approve the Conditional Use Permit with the following conditions:
1. Submit and receive approval from staff, both landscape and architectural
plans addressing staff comments below, regarding placement of the patio,
fence, and trees.
2. Submit and receive approval from staff, a unified landscape plan for the
entire 10.4 acre parcel.
3. Submit a site plan showing the retaining wall near Yankton Street moved
out of the right-of-way, addressing staffs comments from letter dated
September 17, 2013.
4. A PUD agreement shall be developed and signed by both parties prior to
issuance of a building permit.
Motion carried 5-0.
7.2 Conditional Use Permit for Mineral Excavation, Plaisted Companies,
Case Boo. CU 13-12
Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. -
Moved by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Motin to
approve the mining operation and wetland mitigation plan as illustrated in
the staff report with the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall execute a Conditional Use Permit Agreement
outlining the terms and conditions of approval of the mining operations.
2. A mineral extraction license shall be obtained annually.
3. The haul route to reach Highway 169 at either 215th or via the property to
the north at 225`h shall be at a location acceptable to the property owners
and the city and shall be improved to a compacted gravel surface
acceptable to the city engineer.
4. Safety improvements as required by MnD®T shall be completed at 215``'
prior to hauling. No hauling via 217``' or 219`" is permitted.
5. A letter of credit in the amount of$155,318 shall be provided to ensure
wetland mitigation is completed for the 155,318 sq. ft. of impacted
wetlands.
6. Approval of this Conditional Use Permit shall expire if activity has not
commenced within 2 years of the date of approval, or if the uses ceases for
a period of 6 months or longer. Failure to obtain an annual license will be
evidence of cessation of use.
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December 16,2013
7. Setbacks of 25 feet from north and south property lines, and 50 feet from
east and west property line shall be maintained. No mining activity shall
be permitted within the setback area without staff approval.
8. The need of buffering and or screening in light of surrounding land uses
shall be evaluated at the time of annual license renewal and shall be
installed when directed by the city to protect surrounding land uses.
9. Wash operations shall not be permitted unless a plan for protecting
ground water and surrounding environment is approved by the city's
environmental consultant.
Motion carried 5-0
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7.3 Conditional Use Permit to Amend Hillside Crossing II Planned Unit
Development to Allow Freestanding Signs up to 25' Tall, Phoenix
Enterprises, Case No. CU 13-1
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Burandt to approve the amendment to the Hillside Crossing II Planned Unit
Development to allow freestanding signs up to 25 feet tall with the following
conditions:
1. As a Conditional Use Permit is not a building permit the applicant must
apply for a sign permit before construction can begin.
2. Replace the plant materials described in the staff report to the Planning
Commission dated December 10, 2013, to comply with the landscape plan
by July 31,2014.
3. Repair parking lot, to include filling potholes and restriping the parking
stalls as needed by July 31, 2014.
4. Secure an escrow equal to $2,000 to cover the costs associated with
conditions 1 & 2.
Motion carried 5-0.
7.4 Aggregate Commercial 2nd Addition, BWB Molding, LLC
A. Variance to Reduce Minimum Lot Size, Case No. V 13-10
B. Preliminary Plat, Case No. P 13-04
C. Resolution for Final Plat, Case No. P 13-04
Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearings. There being no one to speak these issues,
Mayor Dietz continued the public hearings to January 21, 2014.
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December 16,2013
8.1 2013 Budeet Amendments
Mr. Sirnon presented his staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to approve the 2013 budget amendments as proposed. Motion carried
5-0.
8.2 2014 — 2018 Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Simon presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Motin to
adopt the 2014—2018 Capital Improvement Plan as presented. Motion carried
5-0.
0.3 HRA and Library Board Appointments
Mayor Dietz presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to approve the following appointments:
• Larry Toth—Housing and Redevelopment Authority—term expiration
December 31, 2018
• Jayne Dietz—Library Board—term expiration December 31, 2016
• Kathleen Tracy—Library Board—term expiration December 31, 2016.
Motion carried 5-0.
8.4 Administrative Tearing Board Appointments
Ms. Miller presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to appoint Councilmembers Burandt and Motin to the
Administrative Hearing Board with terms expiring December 31, 2014.
Motion carried 5-0.
0.5 2014 Compensation Plan for Non-Organized Employees
Ms. Wipper presented the staff report.
Councilmember Westgaard questioned if the 2013 budget would need to be adjusted
to accommodate the early pay increase. Mr. Simon stated that based on calculations,
the budget impact should be ininimal and would not require an amendment.
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December 16,2013
Consensus of the Council was for the plan to reflect pay increases effective the first
day after the last full pay period of the year each year.
Council consensus was also to implement a wage incentive program for police
captains as outlined.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Motin to adopt Resolution 13-79 approving the 2014 Compensation Plan for
non-organized employees. Motion carried 5-0.
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0.6 Sign Ordinance, City of Elk River
A. Ordinance Amendment: Signs, Case No. 13-0
B. Resolution for Summary Publication of Ordinance
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Billboards in tl�e I-2 District
Discussion took place on whether or not the lot size requirement could be changed
to one-half acre only for billboards. Mr. Beck explained that he is not sure whether
lot size requirements can be adjusted depending on the use. He noted that creating a
lot with a different minimum size for a billboard could cause issues in the future if
the billboard goes away.
Mayor Dietz stated he is not interested in changing the lot size requirements for all
properties in the I-2 District.
Council consensus was for the city attorney to research this matter and report back.
Downtown Advertising Signs
Discussion took place on whether or not businesses should be allowed to display
signage for off-site businesses. Council consensus was to not support off-site
advertising in the Downtown District.
Moved by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to adopt Ordinance 13-19 Amending Section 30-1, entitled
"Definitions" and Chapter 30,Article VI, Division II, entitled "Signs. Motion
carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to adopt Resolution 13-80 Approving Notice of Summary Publication
of Ordinance 13-19. Motion carried 5-0.
The City Council recessed at 7:22 p.m. in order to go into work session.
The City Council reconvened at 7:25 p.m.
INATURE
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December 16,2013
9.1 Confirm the Mission of the Energy City Commission
Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report.
Counciltnember Westgaard explained that he requested this item be discussed to get
Council direction and verify the Energy City Cointnission is focusing in the proper
direction. He stated there have been discussions at the Commission level regarding
their role.
Mayor Dietz indicated that Energy City is nice to have but not essential for running a
city. He questioned if staff is continuing support of the Energy City Commission.
Mr. Portner explained that a greater share of the Energy City Cotnrnission
responsibilities have been moved to Ella River Municipal Utilities but city staff
continues their support. He added that froin a staff perspective, a lot of tithe and
energy has been put into Energy City and it has a lot of value froin a marketing and
economic developinent standpoint and is a vital piece of who Ella River is. He stated
that staff is looking for what elements the Council would like included in the Energy
City Coininission's inission and will move forward froin there.
Consensus of the Council was for the Energy City Commission to focus on the
purpose of the Cointnission as outlined in Elk River City Code, section 2-353.
.2 Wayfinding Signage Plan
Ms. Gardner presented the staff report. She reviewed a PowerPoint outlining
examples of current signage in the city as well as examples of wayfinding signage in
other cities.
Mayor Dietz questioned if the new signs could be made with out new sign machine.
Ms. Gardner stated there is an opportunity for that. She added that she anticipates
signage being replaced in phases.
Councihnember Westgaard questioned if the price includes implementation of the
plan. Ms. Gardner stated implementation of the plan is included;however,
fabrication and placement of signs is not.
Councihnember Motin indicated he feels this plan fits within the city's beautification
goal adding current signage is not the best. He questioned the status of the
wayfinding project parks was working on a couple years ago. Ms. Gardner stated the
wayf-iding project mentioned was through a grant for the Northstar Station and has
been completed.
Mayor Dietz questioned if funding is available. Mr. Sunon indicated funding is
available in the city's Development Fund.
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December 16,2013
Councilmember Westgaard agreed this fits within the city's beautification goals and
he would be in favor of moving forward. Councihnember Wilson agreed adding that
the signage will help Elk River remain competitive.
Consensus of the Council was for the consultant staff is recommending to provide a
presentation on their proposal to the Council.
9.3 Nature's Edge Business Center Phase II
Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report.
Mr. Fen)-rite reviewed the cost estimate. He explained that if the Council is interested
in moving forward, the next step would be to prepare a Request for Proposal and
begin the engineering design of the improvements. This design would then be
brought back in the spring at which time the Council could decide whether or not to
move forward. He added that in order to facilitate construction in 2014, the process
would need to begin soon.
Councilmembers Westgaard and Burandt expressed an interest in increasing the
width of Twin Lakes Road with this phase. Mr. Barnhart stated that staff will
research costs.
Consensus of the Council was to include Phase 2 of the Nature's Edge Business
Center in the 2014 Capital Improvement Plan.
9.4 Economic Development Update
Mr. Barnhart provided an update on the Economic Development Authority meeting.
He stated that the Council should anticipate reviewing the Bank of Elk River tax
abatement amendment and a Sportech Forgivable Loan application in January.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business,Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 8:13 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
ohn . Dietz, ayor
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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