03-22-2004 CC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER HIGH SCHOOL LITTLE THE.~TER
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2004
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor [(dinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Tveite, and Motin
None
City Administrator Pat I~aers, Director of Planning Michele McPherson,
Poi~ce Chie~'Jeff Beahen, Police Captain Brad Rol£e, S~reet/Park
Superintendent Phil Hals, Recording Secretary Jessica Miller
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice d~ereof, the meeting of the Elk River City, Council was called
to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor I'-2inzing.
Consider 3/22/2004 Agenda
Tl~e following items were added to the agenda:
Item 5.1.B. Police Department Grant Update
item 5.11. Consider Street Department items
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
MOTION CARRIED $-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
Councilmember Dietz asked that Item 3.3. Pay Estimates be removed from the Consent
Agenda for discussion. It was added after Open Mike.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILEMBER K-ULSTER TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA AS AMENDED:
3.1.
3.2.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.
3/15/04 COUNCIL MINUTES (Withdrawn)
CHECK REGISTER
CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND CITY
HALL/UTILITIES CHANGE ORDERS
CONSIDER TEMPORARY ON SALE BEER LICENSE FOR ELK RIVER
AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PENDING RECEIPT OF A
CERTIFICATE OF INSUtL~_NCE
PARRISH AVENUE BRIDGE NLAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
SAFETY COMMITTEE FOOTWEAR POLICY CHANGES
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
City, Council ?vLmutes
March 22, 2004
4. Open Mike
Page 2
No one appeared for Open 5Like.
3.3. Pay Estimates
Councihnember Dietz stated that he ~vas concerned about the $13,576.13 that is Listed in the
pay estWnate for dumpsters. He stated that Finance Director Lon Johnson asked for an
explanation from Kraus-Anderson and that he ~vas not pleased with the response given by
Kzaus-Anderson.
City Administrator Pat I<72aers stated that the city is only paying for the dumpsters that are
being used and he believes that I~:aus-Anderson is getdng the best price for the city.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO APPROVE THE PAY ESTIMATES AS
PRESENTED WITHHOLDING THE $13,576.13 LISTED AS PAYMENT TO
KtLa, US-ANDERSON FOR DUMPSTER USE AT CITY HALL PENDING A
FURTHER EXPLANATION FROM KRAUS-ANDERSON. MOTION CARRIED
5-0.
Staff ~vill ask ?-2taus-Anderson to be present at the April 12, 2004, City Council meeting to
present an explanation on the dumpster charges.
5.1. Presentation of Lidar Radar Equipment to Police Department for Safe and Sober Efforts
Bob O'Brien from the statewide Safe and Sober program presented Sergeant David
Dummer on behalf of the Elk River Police Department with Lidar radar equipment valued
at over $4,000 in appreciation for their ~vork with the Safe and Sober program.
CNief Beahen stated that Sergeant Jeff Mordal ~vas unable to attend the meeting but Chief
Beahen thanked Sergeant Mordal for his excellent work in coordinating and executing the
Safe and Sober program.
5.1.B. Police Department Update
Police Chief Beahen stated that he received a letter today from the U.S. Department of
Jusdce stating that Elk River had been selected to receive a grant covering the expenses
associated with the hiring of t~vo ~-ull-dzne patrol officers. The grant reimburses for hiring
expenses as well as part of the salaries and benefits for a d~ree-year period. Chief Beahen
noted that the city must match the grant with 25% of the costs associated with hiring these
t~vo ofricers. The total grant for both officers is $150,000. The PoLice department was
planning on requesting two more officers in 2005 but it may be in the city's best interest to
hire them in 2004 to utiLize the grant money. Chief Beahen indicated that he should be
receiving the en~e packet of grant information this week and that t~e ~vilI provide the
Council with more information in the near future.
5.2. Consideration of Heritage Preservation Comrmssion Appointment
Citw Administrator Pat I~aers stated ~har staff received one appLication for the Heritage
Preservauon Commission vacancy from >~s. Linde Pouu. Ms. Pou~i was unable to attend
meeting due to a scheduling conflict. [t was the consensus of the Council that they ~vould
Ciw Council MSnutes Page 3
March 22, 2004
like to interview Ms. Pouti. The Council also indicated that they would like staff to condnue
to advertise for the posidon and accept applications until an appointment is made. Staff wili
ask Ms. Pouti to attend a future Council meedng to be interviesved by the Council.
5.3. Consider A~vard of Skate Park Equipment Bids
Director of Planning MSchete McPherson stated that the 2004 Park Capital Improvement
Budget included $50,000 for the purchase of skatepark equipment. Along ~vith the $12,775
r,xised by local youth and a $1,500 donadon received by the Lions Club, $64,275 is available
for the skatepark equipment. Three bids were received and the lo~v bidder was American
Ramp Company (ARC) ~vith a bid of $52,317.75 wida a scheduled completion date of
May 14, 2004.
Staff contacted the ARC references and received positive feedback and comments. Ms.
McPherson stated that staff is recommending that the Ci~ Council a~vard the skatepark
contract to American Ramp Company for $52,317.75, as they are the lowest responsible
bidder.
Councilmember Tveite stated that he would like to see the money the youth raised and the
monev donated by the Lions Club used f~rst and for the balance of the ci~ money to be
reserved for future skatepark equipment as appropriate. Councilmember Motin concurred.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ TO AWARD THE SKATEPARK CONTRACT TO
AMERICAN RAMP COMPANY FOR $52,317.75 AND PRESERVE THE
BALANCE OF THE BUDGETED FUNDS IN THE PARK CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT BUDGET TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SKATEPARK
EQUIPMENT AS APPROPRIATE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.4. Bt/meyer Work Plan Proposal
City Administrator Pat ICdaers presented the Brimeyer work plan proposal as directed by the
Civ Council. The proposed plan consists of three sessions each lasting approXWnately three
to four hours with the City. Council, Ci~ Administrator, and staff. The planned May 15 (Sat)
meeting is not going to be held. bgr. 143aers noted that the fee for the preparation, sessions,
and summary, is $3,500.00 plus any additional expenses. Any additional services xvould be
negotiable.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE WORK PLAN AS
PRESENTED BY MR. BRIMEYER AND ALLOCATE $3,500.00 PLUS
EXPENSES OUT OF THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND FOR THE
PLAN. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.5. Consider Changing Building Cleaning Program
City Adrmnistrator Pat l~aers indicated that for about the past year the ci~ has contracted
out ~vith Tony Karpe for cleaning services and that city staff has been evaluating [ts building
cleaning program for d~e last few montlxs. Mr. Klaers stared float staff is recommending that
the city. end tt:e contract ~vith Tony [~arpe and hire par~-ume emplo?ees to provide cleaning
services. The part-ume employees would be managed by the bmlchng maintenance
City Cotmcil N~mtes Page 4
Mazch 2£, 2004
supervisor and the assistant building maintenance supervisor. The library would continue to
be cleaned by the contract cleaners.
}viz. I~daers sta~e~i that between the police, fire, recreation, and City Hall budgets, there is
$59,000 for cleaning services for 2004 and sufficient funds are available to end the cleaning
contract and hire four part-time employees.
Councilmember Dietz questioned if the ciw would be able to i-md quality, part-time
employees. Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that he believes the ci~ will get a
good applicant pool to choose from.
Councilmember Dietz questioned if additional equipment and supplies would be needed if
the part-time cleaners cleaned both buildings at the same time. bk. Hals stated that the ci~
has ample equipment and supplies for both buildings to be cleaned at the same time.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO AUTHORIZE THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR
PART-TIME CUSTODIAL EMPLOYEES TO PROVIDE CLEANING AND
LIGHT BUILDING MAINTENANCE SERVICES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.6. Consider Building Supervisor Wage Adjustment
City Administrator Pat I<Llaers stated that GaO' Lore has been assigned to building
maintenance for approXWnately eight or nine months, l'v[r. Klaers indicated that biz. Lore is
meedng the expectations o£ the posidon very ~vell and he believes I~'[r. Lore should receive a
v-age adjustment to step D of pay grade 9 and, assuming Gary's ~vork continues to be
satisfactory, that he goes to thee top o£pay grade 9 on July 1, 2004. b~[r. I,ilaers noted that the
building m,qintenance job was originally an assignment for blt. Lore that the city, recently
made it his official job position.
Councilmember Motin questioned if N[r. Lore is currendy supervising anyone. Street/Park
Superintendent PlY Hals stated that Mr. Lore is not currendy supervising anyone but that is
scheduled to change in the next month.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO PLACE BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
SUPERVISOR GARY LORE AT STEP D OF PAY GRADE 9 EFFECTIVE
SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2004 AND ASSUMING THAT MR. LORE'S WORK
CONTINUES TO BE SATISFACTORY~ HE BE MOVED TO THE TOP OF PAY
GRADE 9 ON JULY 1, 2004. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.7. City, Hall Remodeling Proiect and Office Relocation Update
City, Administrator Pat I~aers stated that the relocation of ciw offices is on schedule and the
final building inspection tests at the remodeled facility are going well. NLr. KJaers noted that
the City. Council Chambers and Wellness Room will not be completed for a couple of
weeks, l,iraus-Anderson will be in attendance at the April 12, 2004 meeting to provide the
Council with an update on the project.
Nk. Klaers took the opportunity, to thank aL! of the ciw office employees for their padence
during the past nine months and ~o esDeciallv thank Finance Director Lot{ Johnson (or all of
her work in coordinating this remodeling project.
Ciw Counc;J N[h~utes
March 22, 2004
Page 5
The Mayor ~vished to also thank Elk l~ver Municipal Utilities ['or their cooperation and for
the use of their space during the City. Hall remodeling.
Consider Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications and Ordering the
Advertisement for Bids in the Matter o( the Park Improvement of 2{)04
Director of Planning Nhchele McPherson stated that three small projects xvere included
within the Park Capital Improvement Budget for 2004. The projects include an expansion to
the Lion's Park parking lot, overlaying the birurmnous trails within Lion's Park, and the
consn:ucdon of a basketball court at Highlands West neighborhood park. Ms. McPherson
stated that the three projects have been combined into one set of plans and specificauons
for bidding purposes. The anticipated bid date is April 14, 2004 with the bids coming before
the Council at the April 19, 2004 meeting.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 04-19
APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING THE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS IN THE ~[ATTER OF THE LION'S PARK
TRAIL OVERLAY AND PARKING LOT EXPANSION IMPROVEMENT OF
2004. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.9. Consider Lions Park Building Changes
City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that he visited with the Mayor regarding the officing of
the parks and recreation director and it xvas agreed that additional information needed to be
presented and discussed with the Ci~ Council before a final decision is made. Nh:. Klaers
discussed tine benefits to having the director located at Lions Park Center (LPC) as outlmed
~n his staff report.
Mayor I42mzLug expressed the desire to make a decision on where the parks and recreation
director will be officed prior to deciding on any LPC improvements. Mayor KSnzing
indicated that she believes the director should be located at LPC to be near the staf£he/she
will be supervising.
Councilrnember Motto stated that he believes if the parks and recreation director is located
at LPC that he/she will end up functioning as a recreation manager rather than functioning
as a director. Councilmember Motto questioned how the director will work xvith other
department heads officed at City Hall if his/her office is located offsire.
Mir. ICdaers indicated that it xvould be no different than how the current offsite department
heads interact with City Hall staff and that workspace at Ciw Hall will be available. He also
noted that the director would be expected to be at City Hall a portion of the time for various
meetings.
Counc~nember Dietz stated he believes the director should be located at LPC since
recreation is such a large parr of the director's job. He stated that the director should have a
lo~ o[' recreation experience and xvill be able to assist the recreation manager when needed.
Counciknember Dietz was concerned with spending $50,000 smctlv to accommodate the
parks and recreation director. He suggested scaling :he remodehng down.
City Councd *Enutes Page 6
March 22, 2004
Councilrnember Tveice also expressed concern about spending $50,000 at this tm~e. He
suggested possibly expanding LPC at a later date once the needs o( the Recreation
Department are better known. Councklmember Tve~te noted that he believes if the director
had to choose ~vhere to be officed, that he/she would choose LPC.
Councilmember Kuester indicated that she believes the director should be at LPC because
this would allow the Parks and Recreation Department to feel more like an entire
department and ~vork better together. She also indicated that she believes having the director
located at LPC xxdll allow for proactive leadership, which she believes is effective in
recreation.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ TO HAVE THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DIRECTOR OFFICE AT LIONS PARK CENTER. MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
Councilmember Motin opposed.
Director o£ Planning Michele McPherson presented the proposed Lions Park Center
improvements.
Councilmember Dietz questioned why the money is being spent for a large break room
when there is so few employees at LPC. He questioned if they could use the large meedng
room to eat lunch and take breaks. He also questioned how much the large room is
scheduled over lunch and if a portion could be sectioned off for a break area. Ms.
McPherson stated that staffwal bring back schedule info.
Mr. I~aers noted that over half of the cost for the improvements at LPC is for repairs and
for furniture, supplies, etc. Mr. I~aers questioned ~vhat the cost of taking out the oid
restrooms and making a break room would be. Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated
that he did not have exact figures but that portion of the project would of minimal cost. Mr.
Hals also noted that money could be saved by purchasing used office furniture for the
remodel.
Councilmember Motin questioned what other sources of funding are available rather than
using park dedicauon monies. NE:. IGIaers indicated that alternative sources of funding for
the project could be the liquor store enterprise fund or the NSP reserves.
Councilmember Tveite noted that he doesn't want to end up spending more money later by
being conservative now.
Ms. McPherson stated that staff ~vill obtain quotes on the individual components o£ the
project and bring back the details so the Council has the opdon to decide which
components of the project they would like to keep.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO ADD THE DISCUSSION ON THE LIONS
PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO THE APRIL 5, 2004 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.10. Revie~v CouncLI Meedn§ ScheduIe
City Adrmnistrator Pat KIaers provided the Council with an updated meedng schedule.
[~aers noted ~hat the Council meetings wR1 be held at Citv Hall beginning with the
City Councd M&~utes Page 7
March 22, 2004
May 3, 20{)4 meeting. He noted that the Council xvill need to pass an ordinance changing
the meedng dates.
The Council requested a tour of the remodeled Ciw HaH. Mx. I~aers stated that a tour can
be scheduled for Monday, May 3, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.
5.11. Consider Sn:eet/Park Department Items
Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that he has been xvorking with Finance Director
Lon Johnson on purchasing some smaller equipment for the Street/Park equipment.
Nk. Hals stated that staff purchased a used crack melter ketde for $2,875.50 at an auction.
Mr. Hals asked the Council to approve the purchase and add it to the check register as a
payment.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A USED
CRACK MELTER KETTLE AND ADD A CHECK TO I-RAY AUCTIONS FOR
$2,875.50 TO THE CHECK REGISTER. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Mr. Hais stated that staff located a used stdd loader/mower trailer for $3,400.00. He stated
that the mdler has been used only a couple of dines and is like nexv. biz. Hals asked the
Council to authorize the purchase of this trailer.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A USED
2000 MACLANDER 25' SKID LOADER/MINI TRAILER FOR $3,400.00.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Mr. Hals indicated that the Street/Park Department has an equipment certificate to
purchase a backhoe because under a new state law they must maintain and repair outflows
for the new NPDES program. Nh:. Hals stared that staff located a mini tracked dump that
they believe xvould cause much less damage than a backhoe while completing this work to
comply with the new NPDES regulations. NIZ. Hals would like Council to authorize staff to
bid a maXZmum of $7,500 on the mini dump at auction.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO AUTHORIZE STREET/PARK
DEPARTMENT STAFF TO BID A MAXIMUM OF $7,500.00 FOR A USED MINI
TtLkCKED DUMP AT AUCTION: MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6. Other Business
There was no Other Business.
7. Staft Updates
There were no Staff Updates.
C~ Council N2nutes
March 22, 2004
8. Adjournment
Page 8
There being no further business, Mayor I<lmzing adjourned the meeting of tee Elk River
CiU, Council at 8:45 p.m.
N[inutes prepared by Jessica MSller.
Joan Schmidt
City Clerk