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4.1. DRAFT MINUTES (3 SETS) 02-17-2015 Special Meeting of the Elk River City Council Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, February 2, 2015 Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Olsen, Burandt, and Wagner Members Absent: Councilmember Westgaard Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Police Captain Ron Nierenhausen, and Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was reconvened at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Dietz. 2. Interview Police Chief Candidate The Council interviewed Captain Ron Nierenhausen. Councilmember Burandt left to attend the Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting at 5:35 p.m. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 5:38 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller. ___________________ John J. Dietz, Mayor ___________________ Tina Allard, City Clerk Meeting of the Elk River City Council Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, February 2, 2015 Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Olsen, Burandt, and Wagner Members Absent: Councilmember Westgaard Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Community Operations and Development Deputy Director Jeremy Barnhart, Communications Coordinator RaeAnn Gardner, City Clerk Tina Allard, Finance Director Tim Simon, Fire Chief T. John Cunningham, City Attorney Peter Beck, and Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller 1.Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Dietz. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider 02/02/2015 Agenda Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Burandt to approve the February 2, 2015, agenda. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Consider Consent Agenda Moved by Councilmember Olsen and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to approve the following consent agenda: 4.1 January 20, 2015, regular Council minutes. 4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report. 4.3 Peddler licenses for Fasil Agegnehu and Hana Tedeneke, Winta Ice Cream truck valid through December 31, 2015. 4.4 Change approved January 5, 2015, City Council minutes as outlined in the staff report. 4.5 Ordinance 15-04 amending Section 10-82 relating to the licensing of animals. Motion carried 4-0. City Council Minutes Page 2 February 2, 2015 ----------------------------- 5. Open Forum Bonnie Schmitz, 12495 225th Ct NW - expressed concerns about safety and st st parking issues on 221Avenue. She requested a trail connection on 221 Avenue become a priority in the Park Master Plan. st Tayna Holker, 12489 225th Court NW – concurred with Ms. Schmitz that 221 Avenue is dangerous. st Eric Hansen, 12648 224th Court NW – stated 221 Avenue is dangerous because st there are no shoulders or sidewalks. He asked the Council to make 221 a priority before a tragic accident occurs. st Al Lerberg, 12558 224th Court NW – stated 221 is dangerous for pedestrians and he would like it to connect with the trail system. Gregg Stein, Vice President Homeowner’s Association, 12642 223rd Ct NW – expressed concerns with the trail connection from the Ridges of Rice Lake development to the Great Northern Trail as well as issues with people parking on st 221 Avenue to access the trail. Doug Reker, President Homeowner’s Association, 12673 223rd Court NW – stated he echoes the concerns of the other residents. He stated more people are parking on st the sides of 221 Avenue to access the trail. He believes this creates a dangerous situation and is an immediate concern. He would like to see a parking area created off the road or the road posted for no parking. John Underwood, 22376 Tipton Street NW – concurs with all of the previous st comments but is especially concerned for children on bicycles riding along 221 Avenue to connect to the trail. Kaitlyn Zimmerman, 22376 Tipton Street NW – is a runner but feels running st along 221 Avenue to access the trail is to dangerous. 6.2. Fire Department Retirements Chief Cunningham provided background on Firefighters Robert Pearson and Duane Smith’s careers with the Fire Department. He thanked them for their dedication and commitment to the department. The Mayor presented Mr. Pearson and Mr. Smith with certificates acknowledging their service. 6.3 Proclaim Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week Mayor Dietz read the proclamation. City Council Minutes Page 3 February 2, 2015 ----------------------------- Moved by Councilmember Burandt and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to proclaim the week of February 7, 2015, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Motion carried 4-0. Mayor Dietz presented the signed proclamation to Natalie Barker. 6.1 Prosecuting Attorney Presentation Sherburne County Attorney Kathleen Heaney and City Prosecutor Scott Baumgartner were present and reviewed Elk River statistics as outlined in the staff report. Ms. Heaney explained the prescription drop-off program through Sherburne County and urged citizens to get rid of any prescription medications they are no longer using. Mr. Baumgartner stated DUIs are the lowest since 2010. He believes education and collateral consequences are the reason for the reduction. Ms. Heaney and Mr. Baumgartner both commended the great working relationship they have with the Elk River Police Department and with each other. The Mayor questioned the city’s fine revenue breakdown. Mr. Baumgartner explained fines are typically set by a state fee schedule or in some cases by judges so attorneys and police departments have very little control over fines. He agreed to look into the breakdown and get back to the Council. 7.1 Public Hearings There were no public hearings. 8.1 Consider Police Chief Appointment Mr. Portner presented the staff report. Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to appoint Ron Nierenhausen to the position of police chief beginning at pay grade 16, step D and eligible for Step E pending a successful performance evaluation in six months. Motion carried 4-0. 8.2 Discuss Work Session Items Mr. Portner presented the staff report. Ms. Wagner stated she would like discussion on 221st Avenue trail improvements added to a future work session agenda. City Council Minutes Page 4 February 2, 2015 ----------------------------- 9. Council Liaison Updates The Council provided updates of the work of the various boards/commissions. The City Council recessed at 7:09 p.m. in order to go into a work session meeting. The meeting reconvened at 7:15 p.m. 10.1 Interview Board/Commission Applicants The Council interviewed applicants for the various board and commission openings. Mayor Dietz stated Council’s past practice has been to reappoint interested applicants to their commission unless there are issues. Moved by Councilmember Burandt and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to appoint Britt Aamodt to the Library Board for a term beginning immediately and expiring December 31, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Burandt and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to reappoint Dennis Chuba to the Energy City Commission (energy-related business representative) for a three-year term to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Olsen and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to appoint Mike Nicholas to the Heritage Preservation Commission for a three-year term to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to appoint Kent Madsen to the Ice Arena Commission (at-large representative) for a three-year term to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Burandt to reappoint Andrew Crook and Mark Konietzko and appoint Brad Thiel to the Planning Commission for three-year terms to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 3-1. Councilmember Wagner opposed. Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to appoint Garrett Christianson to the Energy City Commission (energy-related business representative) for a three-year term to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to reappoint Daryl Thompson to the Utilities Commission for a three-year term to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. City Council Minutes Page 5 February 2, 2015 ----------------------------- Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to reappoint David Anderson, David Kallemeyn, and Guenther Sagan to the Parks and Recreation Commission for three-year terms to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. The Council asked Mr. Jones if he would be interested in serving on the Heritage Preservation Commission. Mr. Jones indicated he would. Moved by Councilmember Burandt and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to appoint Robert Jones to the Heritage Preservation Commission for a three- year term to expire February 28, 2018. Motion carried 4-0. 10.2 Wayfinding Program Ms. Gardner presented the staff report. She reviewed option 1A and 1B using touches of the city logo and options 2A and 2B incorporating parts of the city logo. Mayor Dietz stated he prefers option 2B with the logo and the river rock. He questioned if something could be put behind the logo and the Powered by Nature so they are more visible. Councilmember Wagner explained that from a sheer branding and aesthetic stance, she prefers the limestone because it looks nice, blends well, and coordinates with the River’s Edge Commons Park. She further explained she also appreciates sticking with the river rock to keep with Elk River heritage. She agreed the logo and Powered by Nature are difficult to see on the river rock. Councilmember Burandt concurred with Councilmember Wagner that she is torn between options 2A and 2B. She indicated if option 2B is chosen, she would like to see something put behind the elk and the Powered by Nature so they are more noticeable. Councilmember Olsen concurred he would like to see the logo and the Powered by Nature changed to stick out more. Mayor Dietz indicated he believes it is important to maintain the logo because it has become a symbol for Elk River and he expects it to be a symbol for many years. He stated he prefers the river rock that is native to Elk River but agreed that something should be done to make the elk logo and the Powered by Nature stick out more. He explained Elk River is doing a poor job marketing itself because there are four main entrances and currently only one monument sign. He added he would like the four main entrance signs to be a priority. Ms. Gardner stated the four locations for placement of the signs were mapped out during the wayfinding process. She added that negotiations may be required to acquire some of the property. City Council Minutes Page 6 February 2, 2015 ----------------------------- Mr. Portner indicated it may be possible to do something similar to the monument sign on Orono where the elk logo is brushed concrete with rock next to it. Mr. Lang stated he was thinking something similar as well. He indicated representatives from his company will prepare new drawings based on the comments tonight. Consensus of the Council was to move forward with option 2B altering the design so the elk logo and the Powered by Nature are more visible. 10.3 Visioning/Goals Update Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report. He stated he would like to begin a conversation about the Council’s goals for the next three years. Mr. Barnhart asked the Council several questions as follows relating to goal setting. What makes you most proud about Elk River?  Amenities (cheap housing with room to grow)  Quality of life  Parks and recreational opportunities – offering activities for residents to continue to maintain health and wellness. One key issue is having trails kids can safely use  Expanding jobs What makes Elk River close knit?  Community-minded residents  Quality of life  Strong churches  Elk River’s size and population (residents feel connected)  Great children’s recreation system (affordable) Please clarify what you mean by quality of life.  Strong public safety  Residents appreciate the services they receive  Parks and recreation  Trail connectivity  Retail available in town  Small businesses Councilmember Burandt indicated she is concerned Elk River doesn’t have enough variety of housing for young and old and would like to look into for the future. Mr. Barnhart asked the Council to identify three things they would like to happen by 2017. He asked them to think about it and email or call him with the responses soon. The Mayor commended staff for making continual progress on the goals. City Council Minutes Page 7 February 2, 2015 ----------------------------- 11. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the regular meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:36 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller. ___________________ John J. Dietz, Mayor _____________________ Tina Allard, City Clerk Closed Meeting of the Elk River City Council Held at Elk River City Hall Monday, February 2, 2015 Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Olsen, Burandt, and Wagner Members Absent: Councilmember Westgaard Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Community Operations Development Deputy Director Jeremy Barnhart, City Attorney Peter Beck, and Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller 1.Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 8:39 p.m. by Mayor Dietz. 2. Closed Meeting The purpose of the closed meeting was to discuss the purchase of real property, Lot 4, Block 1 of Mississippi Ridge Second Addition, per Minnesota Statute Section 13D, Subdivision 3c. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the closed meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:54 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller. John J. Dietz, Mayor Tina Allard, City Clerk