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12-10-2001 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, DECEMBER I 0, 2001 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor IClinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Motin, and Tveite None City Administrator Pat I~daers, City Engineer Terry Maurer, Finance Director Lori Johnson, Chief of Police Tom Zerwas, Assistant Police Chief Jeff Beahen, Street Superintendent Phil Hals and City Clerk Sandra Peine Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:42 p.m. by Mayor Kflinzing. Consider 12/10/2001 Agenda COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER TYEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Consent Agenda COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 11/19/2001 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED TOBACCO LICENSE FOR WASH N FILL EXPRESS - APPROVED RESOLUTION 01-78 AUTHORIZING AND PLEDGING SUPPORT FOR VOTING EQUIPMENT GRANT APPLICATION - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Open Mike Dennis Chuba - 10451 175th Avenue NW, Elk River, representing Heritage Landing Development located at the triangle west of Waco Street and south of Highway 10 - Mr. Chuba indicated that as development ideas are being discussed, it has become obvious that a service road along Highway 10 with a connection to Waco Street is something that should be considered. He indicated that he has been in contact with MnDOT and Big Lake Township regarding this issue. He indicated that he wanted to bring it before the Council for its consideration. The Council suggested that Mr. Chuba discuss this issue at the Transportation Worksession to be held at the end of this meeting. City Council Minutes December 10, 2001 5.1. Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Page 2 The City Administrator informed the Council that the City has again received (for the 12t~' consecutive year) the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2000 fiscal year. The Mayor and Council expressed their appreciation for the professional work of the Finance Director and finance department. 5.2. Consider 2002 Budget 5.3. Consider 2002 Tax Levy. Resolution The City Administrator presented the 2002 general fund budget in the amount of $7,215,500. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 01-80 AUTHORIZING THE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR COLLECTION IN 2002. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2002 GENERAL FUND BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,215,500. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.4. Authorization to Hire Legal Secretary. Chief Zerwas stated that the interview committee is recommending that the Council hire Jennifer Snyder as legal secretary. Chief Zerwas recommended that Jennifer be hired at Pay Grade 8, Step D ($16.38 per hour), and that she have six days of sick leave on the books when she starts, but that she not earn any more sick days until July 1, 2002. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO HIRE JENNIFER SNYDER AS LEGAL SECRETARY BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 26, 2001, AT PAY GRADE 8, STEP D, ($16.38 PER HOUR), MOVING TO $16.87 PER HOUR ON JANUARY 12 2002 AND NO OTHER INCREASE IN PAY UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2003, AND THAT SHE BEGIN WITH SIX DAYS OF SICK LEAVE AND NO FURTHER SICK LEAVE BE EARNED UNTIL JULY 1, 2002, ALL CONTINGENT ON A SUCCESSFUL BACKGROUND CHECK. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.5. Review Proposed 2002 Fee Schedule The City Clerk presented the proposed 2002 fee schedule for Council review. Councilmember Dietz indicated that he would like staff to review tobacco and liquor licenses to ensure that the current fees cover the services provided by the city. The City Clerk indicated that she would review these fees and provide the Council with the information at a later date. She indicated that the fee schedule would be presented to the Council on December 17 for final review. 5.6. Review Board and Commission Expirations The City Clerk reviewed a status report of board and commission expirations indicating which members are requesting reappointment. City Council Minutes December 10, 2001 Page 3 Mayor Kflinzing recommended that Councilmember Motin be reappointed to the HRA. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO REAPPOINT COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO THE HRA FOR A FIVE YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON 12/31/06. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN ABSTAINED. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO REAPPOINT JIM TRALLE TO THE UTILITIES COMMISSION FOR A THREE YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON 2/28/05. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Business There was no other business. 7. Staff Updates The City Administrator updated the Council on the status of city owned property located at Joplin Street. He indicated that based on the Council decision to locate the f~re hall at the location of the existing city hall, the City is marketing the Business Park property located at Joplin Avenue and that a lot split proposal is likely. The City Administrator informed the Council that staff is planning on relocating some office space at city hall due to additional employees being added. He indicated that the relocation would require staff to use the Council office, but that the Council office would be relocated. The Council indicated that it did not need the office space until after the remodeling project is completed in a few years. The City Council recessed at 7:20 p.m. and reconvened in the training room for a worksession on transportation. 8. Transportation Issues Service Drive West of Waco Street City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated that MnDOT has appropriated 10 million dollars for work on Highway 10 from Big Lake to Elk River. He indicated that money is included for frontage roads. The Council requested that this project be brought to MnDOT. A. Pavement Rehabilitation Report Terry Maurer explained that the pavement rehabilitation program addresses how to rehabilitate paved streets in the City that have deteriorated with age. Terry Maurer reviewed the draft report. The type of improvements, the construction schedule, and funding for the improvements were discussed. It was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the pavement rehabilitation program with the anticipation of beginning construction in 2003. City Council Minutes December 10, 2001 B. Comprehensive Transportation Plan Page 4 The City Engineer indicated that the city completed a transportation plan in November 1995. He indicated that the plan focused on right-of-way corridors to move traffic around the core city. The City Administrator asked about what other issues should be addressed if the Council felt the plan should be updated. Councilmember Kuester indicated her concerns over pedestrian movements and the large trucks on local streets and suggested that the plan be updated in conjunction with the Comprehensive Plan update. Councilmember Tveite stated that the plan should be updated in a broader sense by considering areas that are not necessarily in Elk River but that affect Elk River. Mayor K4inzing indicated that the update should include looking at County roads and should be more detailed such as considering how to move pedestrians through the City. The City Administrator indicated that the update of the transportation plan would be included with the Comprehensive Plan discussion that is scheduled for the Planning Commission. C. 1'75th Avenue Improvement Project The City Engineer provided an update on the status of the 175th Avenue Project. He discussed the issue of land acquisition. He also discussed the issue of whether or not to include sanitary sewer and watermain with the project. The Council suggested that the Engineer proceed with the land acquisition. D. Zane Avenue Improvements COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 01-79 ORDERING A PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY REPORT IN THE MATTER OF THE ZANE AVENUE STREET AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENT OF 2001. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED $-0. E. Waco Street/TH 10 Signalization The City Engineer updated the Council on the signalization of the Waco Street/TH 10 intersection. Discussion was held regarding how to pay for the signal. The Council discussed methods of payment including assessing affecting property oxvners, charging the developer, or the city paying the bill. It was the consensus of the Council to not move ahead at this time. F. TEA-21 Project Solicitation Terry Maurer indicated that MnDOT is initiating solicitation for TEA 21 grants for projects in the year 2004. Terry suggested submitting a project for the intersection improvements at TH 10 and Main Street. It was the consensus of the Council to pursue a TEA 21 grant for improvements at Main Street and TH 10. G. MnDOT Annual Tour It was the consensus of Council to hold the MnDOT tour on February 6, 2002. City Council Minutes Page 5 December 10, 2001 H. Main Street/Old CSAH 13 Left Turn Lane Terry Maurer discussed proposed improvements for the turn lane at the intersection of Main Street and old CSAH 13. He indicated that the project would cost approximately $25,000. The Council authorized Terry Maurer to proceed with the improvements. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Iadinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 9 p.m. Sandra Peine City Clerk