12-14-1998 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1998
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, and Farber,
Councilmember Holmgren
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk; Bruce
West, Fire Chief; Darrell Mack, WWTS; Lori Johnson, Assistant City
Administrator
Call Meetin,q To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6:50 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman.
Consider Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER FARABER MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 14, 1998, CITY
COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1a.
3.1b.
3.2.
3.3.
3,4.
12/3/98 SPECIAL MEETING COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED
12/7/98 SPECIAL MEETING COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED
RESOLUTION 98-134 MODIFYING THE BUDGET IN TAX INCREMENT
FINANCING DISTRICT NO.18 -- APPROVED
RESOLUTION 98-135 CALLING PUBLIC HEARING FOR TAX INCREMENT
FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 21 - APPROVED
1998 BITUMINOUS OVERLAY ASSESSMENT ADJUSTMENT FOR ELDON BEARD -
- APPROVED
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
4-0.
Board and Commission Interviews
The City Clerk read a letter submitted by Council Member Holmgren indicating
that he is withdrawing his application from the Park and Recreation Commission
and resigning from the Area Recreation Commission effective December 14,
1998.
The following board and commissions interviews were held by the Council.
City Council Minutes
December 14, 1998
Page 2
Joe Schuster- Planning Commission
Patti Wahlroos - Planning Commission and HRA
Lana Huberfy - Park and Recreation
Dana Anderson - Park and Recreation
Eleanor Holm - Library
Leslie Anderson - Library
geraldine Graham - Library
5. Open Mike
No one appeared for open mike.
6.1.
Discussion on 12/7/98 Truth in Taxation Presentation - Chad McCoy, ERAHS
Student
City Administrator Pat Klaers introduced Chad McCoy, an Elk River High School
Senior working under the "school to work" program. Chad discussed the truth in
taxation presentation recently given by staff. Chad presented the Council with
some ideas on how to improve the presentation as outlined in his 12/8/98 memo.
6.3. GFOA Finance Award
City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that the City has received the Certificate
of Achievement (COA) for the 9th consecutive year. Lori Johnson recognized
and thanked the rest of the finance staff for their effods in attaining this award.
Mayor Duitsman presented the award to Lori Johnson and thanked her and the
finance department for their efforts.
6.7. Discuss 1999 Bud,clef & Tax Levy
City Administrator Pat Klaers discussed whether the Council had any changes to
the tax resolution or the budget. Mayor Duitsman offered some comments on
possible reductions in the budget.
It was the consensus of the Council that there be no changes in the proposed
fax levy resolution.
6.4. Fire Department By-Law Chan,qes
Fire Chief Bruce West indicated that the Elk River Fire Department and its By-Law
Committee has made some changes fo the Fire Department and Ambulance
By- Laws. The areas of change include sexual harassment, membership, and
ambulance service. Bruce West reviewed the changes with the Council QS
outlined in his 12/14/98 report.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT THE BY-LAW CHANGES PROPOSED BY
FIRE CHIEF. COIJNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
City Council Minutes
December 14, 1998
Page 3
6.5. Consider Authorization to Hire Three New Firefi.qhters
Bruce West indicated there are three openings on the Fire Department. He
requested authorization to advertise for these positions.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE FIRE CHIEF BRUCE WEST TO
ADVERTISE FOR THREE FIREFIGHTERS. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
6.6. Consider Fire Inspector Pay Plan
Fire Chief Bruce West requested the Council to consider a wage structure for the
part time fire inspectors based on accumulated hours. He further requested the
council fo consider allowing retro-acfive accumulation of hours for those fire
inspectors currently working.
January 1, 1999
260-519 hours
520 and above
$10.60 per hour
$11.30 per hour
$12.00 per hour
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE PAY STRUCTURE
RECOMMENDED BY THE FIRE CHIEF WITH RETRO-ACTIVITY TO INCLUDE THE HOURS
ACCUMULATED TO DATE FOR THE PART TIME FIRE INSPECTORS. COUNCILMEMBER
DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
6.8.
6.9.
Consider Initiating Eminent Domain Process for Ri.qht-of-way Acquisition - East Elk
River Project
Pat Klaers indicated that the city is considering using the power of eminent
domain fo acquire rights-of-way and utility easements for the East Elk River
Project. He indicated fhaf he would provide the council with more information
on this issue next week.
Discuss Topics for 1/12/98 Joint Meetin,q between District 728 School Board and
District 728 Area City Councils and Township Boards
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL FOR JANUARY 12, 1999 AT 7 PM AT THE ELK RIVER CITY
HALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING JOINTLY WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY
COUNCILS AND TOWNSHIP BOARDS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
4-0.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO CALL A JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND SCHOOL BOARD FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1999, TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF
COMMON INTEREST. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
City Council Minutes
December 14, 1998
Page 4
6.2.
Board and Commission Appointments
Councilmember Thompson stated that individuals who serve on commission for
the city should be residents of the city. He fudher stated that commissions
charged with recommending an increase in fees or imposing levies or bonds
should have all its members be residents of the city. Councilmember Thompson
stated that there are capable people living in the city to serve on boards and
commissions.
Councilmember Farber stated that the ice arena commission is different than
the other commissions. He explained that Elk River Youth Hockey owned the
original ice arena building and turned it over,to the City of Elk River. He further
stated that Elk River Youth Hockey has invested significant funds into the new
arena. Councilmember Farber indicated that the Hockey Association is an area
wide program and serves all people in the school district. He indicated that the
Council will be sending a wrong message to the biggest user of the facility if
youth hockey non-residents are not allowed to serve on the Ice Arena
Commission. Larry Farber requested that this issue be postponed until the new
council is in session.
Paul Motin stated that he feels commissions are advisory in nature. He
indicated he would not support residency restrictions as the city may be limiting
itself and losing good candidates. Paul Motin stated that the Council can
decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not to appoint an individual.
Stephanie Klinzing indicated that she is interested in seeing only citizens of the
city of Elk River serve on city commissions.
COUNClLMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED THAT ALL COMMISSIONS IN THE CITY OF ELK
RIVER THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO RECOMMEND RAISING FEES AND/OR PROPOSING
LEVIES OR BONDS (PLANNING COMMISSION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, ICE ARENA
COMMISSION, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION, AND THE UTILITY
COMMISSION) BE COMPOSED OF ONLY RESIDENTS FROM THE CITY OF ELK RIVER;
AND THAT ALL EXISTING NONRESIDENT BOARD MEMBERS BE GRAND-FATHERED IN
AND BE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR ONE ADDITIONAL TERM.
The motion died for lack of a second.
MAYOR DUITSMAN MOVED TO RECONSIDER THE MOTION PREVIOUSLY MADE ON
DECEMBER 7 REGARDING RESIDENCY ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-1
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER OPPOSED.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED THAT NO APPOINTMENTS BE MADE TO THE
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION UNTIL JANUARY WHEN THE NEW COUNCIL IS
IN OFFICE, BUT TO MOVE FORWARD ON ALL OTHER BOARDS EXCLUDING THE
PLANNING COMMISSION DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT IN THE CITY ORDINANCE THAT
APPOINTMENTS BE MADE IN JANUARY. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. 4-0.
City Council Minutes
December 14, 1998
Page 5
o
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS TO THE LIBRARY
BOARD:
· ELEANOR HOLM - RE-APPOINTED TO 3 YEAR TERM - EXPIRES 12/31/01
· LESLIE ANDERSON - APPOINTED TO 3 YEAR TERM - EXPIRES 12/31/01
· GERALDINE GRAHAM - COMPLETING LINDA RITCHIE'S TERM - EXPIRES
12/31/99
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. CARRIED 4-0.
MAYOR DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPOINT LARRY TOTH TO THE HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A FIVE YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON 12/31/03.
COIJNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. 4-0.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED APPOINT DALE MARTIN TO THE ICE ARENA
COMMISSION AS THE PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVE FOR A THREE YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE
12/31/01. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
Other Business
Councilmember Dietz discussed the issue of snow removal in the downtown
area.
Staff Updates
Pat Klaers and Darrell Mack discussed the article in the Sunday Star Tribune
relating to the wastewater treatment plant and the violations it has received
from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Darrell Mack indicated that the
article listed the City with 41 violations. Darrell Mack explained the reason for
the violations and reviewed the plant breakdown in 1993 (rotating shaft) and
the upgrade and expansion that took place in 1993-95. Darrell Mack also
updated the Council on the new regulation to lower phosphorus levels. He
indicated that the city has 3 ~,~ years to lower'these levels. He further indicated
that this could be very expensive for the City.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Duitsman adjourned the Council meeting
at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Peine
City Clerk