4.0. SR 04-10-2000'~ity of
River
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City AdUlator
April 10, 2000
SUBJECT: Joint Meeting
Other than this memo and the attached notes from Building and Zoning
Administrator Steve Rohlf, there is no other background material being
provided for the upcoming joint meeting between the City Council and County
Board. The meeting is intended to function as an update to both the city and
the county on issues of mutual concern and as an opportunity for both groups
to explain and review their position on various issues. Steve Rohlf and I will be
in attendance to participate in the discussion and to answer questions.
Comments on some of the agenda topics are as follows:
Northstar Corridor - Assuming state funds are approved by the legislature
and the project continues to move forward, then the big concern in Elk River is
the depot station issues. These issues include who is going to fund the site
acquisition, improvements, and maintenance expenses; adjacent land uses and
development patterns; developing commercial activities within the station
complex; etc. On the other hand, it appears from the March 29 Elk River Star
News front page article that one of the big issues for the county is funding its
share of the capital costs of the project.
If the legislature does not provide funding for this project or for the connecting
light rail project, then the timetable for the proposal may need to be adjusted,
but hopefully the project will continue even if there is no 2000 legislative
support.
Streets
All indications are that the County Road 12 project is moving forward for
construction and completion in 2000... Likewise, it is proposed that the
Business Center Drive extension will be initiated and completed in 2000
along with the proposed realignment of Waco Street. The big issues with this
project include the closing of the county access to Highway 10 (stacking is one
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
of the concerns) and the timing for the signal at Waco...As far as we know, the
county signals at County Roads 1/77 and County Road 1/School Street are still
on schedule to be installed and in operation before Labor Day. The County
Road 33 and Highway 169 signal project is on hold until 2001...As noted in
Steve's memo, the County Roads 77/33 project is on hold until the gravel
company completes its work.
Legislation and Court Issues - Topics to discuss include the recent court
decision on the valuation of non-profit co-ops, the continued efforts by the
power industry to have a reduction in the personal property tax, and a
proposed new law that requires county review of municipal plats.
Tax Abatement - Presentations have been made before both the City Council
and the County Board on the tax abatement law. The city is in the process of
approving its tax abatement policy and I believe the county is considering a
similar policy. As previously discussed, tax abatement is planned to be used for
smaller projects that do not merit tax increment financing.
Ditch #28 - Steve Rohlf has been working with the county on repairs to Ditch
#28 in the former Dick Hinkle farm area. Steve will be able to discuss this
repair work with the City Council/County Board on Monday.
Solid Waste/Environmental Issues - Steve's memo includes three topics under
this agenda heading and the new topic for the council may be the gravel
mining audit discussion.
Sherburne County Board/Elk River City Council
Joint Meeting - April 10, 2000
Stephen Rohlf
Gravel Mining - County Board Members and City Council Members have both
approached their staffs regarding an audit of gravel operations. Staff would like to
discuss options l~br auditing these operations, the associated costs and payment of these
costs.
Elk River Landfill - The City of Elk River has approved the latest revisions to the Elk
River Landfill's permits. The County Board will be considering these revisions on April
18, 2000. The language in the County's proposed permits is consistent with the city's
permits. Both county and city staff wilt be prepared to discuss landfill issues at the
meeting. The big issues this year are leachate recirculation and 3 to 1 side slopes. The
next big issue will be the future expansion of the landfill.
Ci .ty/County Contract to Deliver Waste to the Elk River Resource Recovery Facility
The county granted $20/household in 2000 to townships or cities that have organized
waste collection. This money allowed the City of Elk River to have its waste delivered to
the RDF Plant and still keep disposal cost for its residents competitive. Staff would like
to discuss continuing this option next year with the County Board and City Council.
County Roads 77 and 33 Realignment - The issue of realigning these two county roads
is temporarily on hold. The next step in the process is fbr Tiller Corporation to provide
existing and proposed finished contours of the area (after mining). Tiller's timing is not
apparently as critical as previously thought, but staff still expects this issue to come back
in the near future. The opportunity to have Tiller participate in the construction should
not be lost.
ROADS #33 & #77,
N
FOI~
DISCUSSION ONLY___
REMOVED AS PART
FUTURE PROJECT
INERS IN THE FUTURE
FUTUFIE CUL-DE-SAC
\,
FUTURE NEW ROAD ...
RADIO TOWERS-