08-04-2014 CCM City of
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Pliver Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 4, 2014
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councili-nembers Wilson,Westgaard, and Motin
Members Absent: Councilrnember Burandt
Staff Present: City Adn-dnistrator Calvin Portner, Community Operations and
Development Deputy Director Jeremy Barnhart, Finance Director
Tim Simon, City Attorney Peter Beck., and City Clerk Tina Allard
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 7:43 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Suivflw r ofAugast 4, 2014 Closed Alert n Lor Pedonwanx Etalualion
Mayor Dietz stated prior to this meeting Council held a closed meeting to discuss the
performance e-%7aluation for Public Works Department Laborer Matthew Miske. He
stated the closed meeting was continued to August 18 2014.
3. Consider 0810412014 Agenda
Moved by Councihncmber Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Motin to approve the August 4, 2014, agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Motin and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaatd to approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.2 Massage therapist license to Angella Hoglund to work at Life's Retreat
Massage and Spa,valid through December 31, 2014.
4.3 Resolution 14-40 acknowledging contributions to the Elk River Fire
Department.
4.4 A. Special event permit to Elk River Youth Volleyball for a 5K
scheduled Saturday, September 6, 2014, subject to the following
conditions:
1. The event planner is required to notify surrounding
businesses, residents, and organizations. The city wifl
provide a template of the notice that must be distributed.
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August 4, 2014
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The city will also provide a list of the properties to be
notified. The event planner must submit an affidavit that
the notice was distributed.
2. Applicant shall be responsible for garbage clean up
immediately following the event.
3. No paint allowed anywhere on trails. Chalk or cones may be
used.
4. Applicant must contact Police Captain Ron Nierenhausen
(763.635.1202) at least three weeks prior to arrange for police
services.
5. All dogs must be leashed according to city code.
B. Special event permit and temporary on-sale liquor license to the
Church of Saint Andrew for Sunday, September 21, 2014, subject
to the following conditions:
1. The event planner is required to notify surrounding
businesses, residents, and organizations. The city will
provide a template of the notice that must be distributed.
The city will also provide a list of the properties to be
notified. The event planner must submit an affidavit that
the notice was distributed.
2. Inspection of the outside area shall take place prior to the
event when there is a tent. Applicant must contact the fire
marshal at 763.635.1110 for an inspection after the tent area
has been set up.
3. Event parking may not obstruct public roadways or render
them unsafe for vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
4. If traffic becomes a problem around the temporary site, the
area shall be delineated with a barrier to restrict traffic.
5. No electrical services shall be across any drive or walking
surface.
6. All temporary signs shall receive a permit prior to display.
7. Alcohol must be limited to an area enclosed with a fence
with secure, controlled access.
4.5 A letter indicating City of Elk River intent to acquire the Houlton
Farm property for the purpose of a natural habitat and hunting area.
Motion carried 4-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum..
6 Presentations, Awards, and Recognition
No items for this meeting.
INATUREJ
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August 4,2014
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7.1 Public Hearings
No items for this meeting,
8.1 Library Facility Grounds Improvements
Mr. Sin-ion presented the staff report.
Councilmember Morin questioned the work needed for the book drop lane.
Library Board Memberjayne Dietz stated the lane had been widened but needs, to be
wider because vehicles are driving over the plantings in the area.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to approve quote from Great Northern Landscapes, Inc. for Library
facility grounds improvements. Motion carried 4-0.
8.2 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz stated he told Sherburne County Con-inussioner Bruce Anderson the
Council would discuss ditches by the end of September. He further questioned when
garage sale signs would be discussed.
Mr. Portner noted signs could be discussed in September,
9. Council Liaison Updates
The Council provided updates of the work of the various boards/con-unissions,
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-,Jnne,�valion
Mayor Diets stated he received calls from concerned citizens regarding comments
Councilmember Motin made at a candidate forum about annexation'
Councilrnembcr Morin stated a few years ago he was directed by the City Council to
visit Livonia`Township and discuss annexation. He further stated the Citizen
Advisory Plan Committee discussed potential annexation of Big 1-akeTownship
because there were requests by those residents a few years back. He commented that
the state is trying to reduce the number of municipalities in Minnesota whereby
townships would become part of cities in some way. He noted there is language in
the Comprehensive Plan regarding annexation and for the Council to have a
discussion of whether it would make sense and 14. He stated the City of Big Lake
has been annexing Big lake Township and questioned if there should be discussion
for the Elk River boundary to border along County Roads 14 or 15. He stated
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August 4,2014
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annexation was mentioned as a subject for initial discussion only and not considered
to be forced upon Big Lake Township. He further noted it is in the Comprehensive
Plan.
Council recessed at 8:00 p.m. in order to go into a worksession meeting. The meeting
reconvened at 8:05 p.m.
10.1 Arena Commission Interview
Council interviewed Mr. Balabon.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Motin to appoint Brian Balabon to the Arena Commission with a term to
expire February 28, 2017. Motion carried 4-0.
10.2 Chamber of Commerce Lease Renewal
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Council consensus was to move forward with staff s recommendation 111 the staff
report.
10.3 Houlton Farm Deferred Assessments
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Council expressed concerns with the following
• Insurance indemnity
• Not including a sunset date in the letter
Council made no changes to the letters. It was noted the city could terminate the
agricultural lease at any time.
10.4 20 15 Budget
Mr. Portner gave a PowerPoint presentation. He stated staff already worked on
removing approximately $320,000 from the 2015 proposed budget. He discussed
budget history, its steady trend upwards, the loss of Local Government Aid, Cost of
Living Index, and tax levy history. He noted on average a homeowner pays about
$90 per month for city services and half of that was for police and fire services. He
stated the levy charged to citizens fluctuates over time due to various factors and is
out of the control of the city. He stated the city will have to reduce the levy by
several percentages if the goal of Council is to reduce the amount of taxes on
property owners as value goes up and down every year. Every year values change due
to market and improvements and residential change may not match commercial
industrial changes. He furtber stated the Comparable Worth Plan needs an update
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August 4,2014
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and noted sonic positions are difficult to hire so the city needs a market study to
validate pay ranges are appropriate.
Portner stated he is presenting his budget and would like Council buy in. He stated
staff and Council need to work together to coarse up with a budget that works if
there is not agreement on budget numbers.
Mr. Port-ner stated he is looking for direction from the Council for the following.
• Funding of storm water mandates
• Programs and services to cut if the budget is to be reduced further
Departments presented their. 2015 budget proposals.
11. Adjournment
'there being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
Miter City? Counci] at 9:37 p.m.
Yn Die 2YO17
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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