08-28-2000 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2000
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Die~ Farber, Motin,
and Thompson
None
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk; Lori
Johnson, Finance Director; Peter Beck, City A~orney; Terry
Maurer, City Engineer; Michele McPherson, Director of
Planning; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator;
Tom Zerwas, Police Chief; Mark Nevinski, Assistant Director
of Economic Development; and Cathy Mehelich, Director
of Economic Development
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 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
Consider 8/28/2000 A.qenda
COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 8/28/00 AGENDA.
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Consent A.qenda
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.a.
3.3.b.
3.4.
8/21/2000 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED
CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED
PAY ESTIMATE #5, EASTERN AREA TYLER STREET IMPROVEMENTS TO LATOUR
CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,345.06 - APPROVED
PAY ESTIMATE # 15, EASTERN AREA WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS TO
S.R. WEIDEMA IN THE AMOUNT OF $170,168.12 - APPROVED
RESOLUTION 00-73 AMENDING RESOLUTION 00-62 AND RESOLUTION 00-63
APPROVING SUBSIDY ASSISTANCE FOR RIPPLINGER AND EQUITY
MANAGEMENT - APPROVED
COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
City Council Minutes
August 28, 2000
Page 2
4.1.
Presentation of Lidar Radar to Police Department from Representatives of Safe
and Sober Pro.qram
Representatives of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety presented the Elk
River Police Department with a Lidar Radar Device. The presentation was made
to Officer Tony Musatov and Sergeant Jeff Mordal.
4.2.
Environmental Quality Board Response to Petition Re.qardin.q the City of Elk River
Status as the Responsible Governmental Unit for the Requested Environmental
Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
Building and Zoning Administrator Steve Rohlf explained that an Environmental
Assessment Worksheet was previously done for the Country Crossing Project in
1994. He indicated that the proposed OPUS facility is located within the area
where the EAW was completed and that the proposed facility is consistent with
the EAW. Steve further noted that the Environmental Quality Board has
determined that the city is the appropriate governmental unit to decide the
need for an EAW.
4,3.
Consider Petition for EAW for the Opus Northwest (ANC/Softpac Industries Inc.)
Proposal
Director of Planning Michele McPherson responded to the petition submitted to
the Council on August 21, 2000 opposing the conditional use permit and
requesting an EAW regarding the proposed manufacturing facility located on Lot
1, Block 1, Country Crossing Business Center Third Addition. Following her response
to each of the statements in the petition, she concluded that the project does
not have any potential for creating significant environmental effects. Michele
stated that staff's recommendation is to deny the request for a discretionary EAW
and to approve the conditional use permit with the conditions outlined in the staff
report.
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-74 REGARDING THE
PETITION REQUESTING THE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
WORKSHEET FOR THE OPUS NORTHWEST AND ANC SOFTPAC FACILITY.
COUNClLMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION BY DELETING ITEM G
"THE FACILITY WILL NOT CAUSE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT" FROM THE RESOLUTION.
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE AMENDMENT CARRIED 5-0.
THE MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED 5-0.
4.4.
Request by Opus Northwest (ANC/Softpac Industries, Inc.) for a Conditional Use
Permit
Mayor Klinzing indicated that the applicant is requesting approval of a
conditional use permit to allow construction of five 12' x 37' aboveground
storage tanks to be constructed in conjunction with a manufacturing facility.
City Council Minutes Page 3
August 28, 2000
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
REQUESTED BY OPUS NORTHWEST TO ALLOW ABOVE-GROUND STORAGE TANKS
WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. THE LANDSCAPE PLAN BE REVISED TO INCREASE SCREENING ALONG 183RD
AVENUE.
2. THE WESTERLY DRIVEWAY BE LOCATED CLOSER TO THE PROPERTY LINE TO
ALLOW FOR FUTURE SHARED DRIVEWAY OPPORTUNITIES.
3. THE APPLICANT SHALL WORK WITH CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP A GRADING AND
DRAINAGE PLAN TO ALLOW JOINT PONDING ON THE SITE.
4. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER BE ADDRESSED.
5. THE NOISE LEVELS FROM THE PLANT SHALL BE MONITORED FOR SIX MONTHS
AFTER START UP TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH MPCA NOISE STANDARDS.
THE APPLICANT SHALL REMEDY ANY VIOLATIONS OF THE NOISE STANDARDS
WITHIN 10 DAYS OF NOTIFICATION BY THE CITY.
6. THE APPLICANT SHALL REMEDY VIOLATIONS OF THE STATE ODOR
STANDARDS WITHIN 10 DAYS OF NOTIFICATION BY THE CITY.
7. FOR TRUCK TRAFFIC OCCURRING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 PM AND 7 AM,
ALTERNATE WARNING DEVICES SUCH AS STROBES, MICROWAVES, OR
CAMERAS SHALL BE USED.
8. THE DRIVEWAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING SHALL BE FOR
EMERGENCY VEHICLES ONLY.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
Mayor Klinzing noted that she would accept questions from the audience. She
further noted that the public hearing for the conditional use permit has been
closed.
Steve Stewart - 18290 Ogden - Questioned the use of TIF and whether the city
would lose tax money with this project.
Al Cannon - 13363 182nd Avenue - Questioned the notice requirements and had
a question about the pond runoff,
Steve Flory - 1333§ Riverview Drive - Questioned the road limits and standards
and how they would affect the trucks from the proposed business.
Rick Gould - 18249 Naples - Questioned whether the building would resemble the
surrounding residential area,
Jill Burns - 13340 182nd St. NW - Questioned whether the second phase of the
project would be considered light manufacturing.
City Council Minutes Page 4
August 28, 2000
Mary Tebenkamp - 18235 Kent Street - Questioned if there would be additional
loading trucks with the second phase.
Heather Altman - 13535 182nd Ave. - Requested to hear an explanation of the
difference between light manufacturing and industrial.
Shawn Unen - Riverplace West Homeowners Association - Suggested that the
new requirements for business parks that are currently being developed by the
Planning Commission, be applied to this project. He further suggested
underground storage tanks and an upgraded building front.
Ben Anderson - 13710 182.d Avenue - Questioned if there could be an open-
ended condition to notify the city of problems such as light glare and noise.
There being no further comments, Mayor Klinzing called for the vote.
COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION BY CHANGING
CONDITION #5 TO ADD THAT MONITORING MAY ALSO BE REQURIED IN THE FUTURE
DEPENDING ON COUNCIL OR STAFF'S DISCRETION. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE AMENDMENT CARRIED 5-0.
THE MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED 5-0.
The Council recessed at 7:15 p.m. and reconvened at 7:25 p.m.
4.5. Consider TIF District No. 21 - Opus Northwest/(ANC/Soflpac Industries, Inc.)
Assistant Director of Economic Development Marc Nevinski requested the
Council to consider a resolution approving TIF District # 21. Marc explained that TIF
District No. 21 will assist in financing the development of the Emmerich site in the
West Business Park. The project will include the purchase of land and the
construction of a 73,000 square foot manufacturing facility by Opus Northwest,
LLC0 The facility will be leased to SoflPac, Inc. who will produce, package, and
distribute various juice drinks in pouches or boxes. Marc reviewed the staff report
on this issue.
COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-75 APPROVING
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT PLANS.
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4.6. Consider Opus Northwest/(ANC/Softpac Industries, Inc.) Developer A.qreement
Marc Nevinski reviewed the details of the development agreement for TIF District
No. 21, which outlines the terms and conditions for the collection and
disbursement of tax increment dollars for the SoftPac/Opus project.
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-76 APPROVING AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT FOR
THE SOFTPAC PROJECT. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
City Council Minutes
August 28, 2000
Page 5
4.6A. Consider Business Center Restripin.q
City Engineer Terry Maurer recommended that Business Center Drive be restriped
to a 3-lane configuration from Joplin Street to Waco Street. He stated that a 3-
lane configuration would result in a safer environment for vehicle traffic on
Business Center Drive as this would allow semi trucks to make left turns from a left
turn lane.
COUNClLMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE RESTRIPING OF BUSINESS
CENTER DRIVE TO A 3-LANE CONFIGURATION. COUNClLMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4.7. Consider Card Key Access Proposal for City Hall
Police Chief Tom Zerwas reviewed the proposal for a new card key access system
for city hall. He indicated that the city has experienced numerous problems with
the existing system. He indicated that the cost of the new system is $10,401.70.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE A NEW ACCESS
KEY SYSTEM FOR CITY HALL AT A COST OF $10,401.70. COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. Open Mike
No one appeared for open mike.
6. Other Business
COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO CALL AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION RELATING TO THE CARGILL CASE AND
THE SMITH CASE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
The Council recessed at 7:45 p.m. Following the executive session the Council
reconvened at 8:38 p.m.
4.8. Consider Action on Car.qill
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE NEGOTIATED SEI'rLEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH CARGILL. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4.9. Consider Action on Smith Liti.qation
The City Attorney recommended that no action be taken at this time and
indicated that he would attempt to provide agreed upon documentation to the
City Council at a later date.
City Council Minutes
August 28, 2000
Page 6
4.10. Consider Response to Northstar Corridor Letter on Maintenance Facility and
Depot Location/Design
The City Administrator distributed a draft letter to Tim Yantos, Executive Director of
the Anoka Regional Railroad Authority. The letter explained the city's concerns
regarding the maintenance facility proposed for 171st Avenue. The Council
reviewed the letter and requested that some revisions be made to the letter.
It was the consensus of the Council to send the letter to Tim Yantos expressing the
city's concerns with the recommended revisions,
7. Budget Worksession
Due to the lateness of the evening, the budget worksession was postponed.
8.1. Consider Special Budget Meetin.q for the Week of September 5, 2000
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, AT 6 PM. FOR THE PURPOSE OF WORKING
ON THE 2000 BUDGET. COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
8.2. Consider Resi.qnation from Duane Kropuenske
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO REGRETFULLY ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF
DUANE KROPUENSKE FROM THE HRA. COUNClLMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPOINT PAUL MOTIN TO THE HRA TO REPLACE
DUANE KROPUENSKE'S TERM EXPIRING 12/31/01. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN
ABSTAINED.
9. Staff Updates
There were no staff updates
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 9:00 p.m.
City Clerk
EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2000
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Farber, Motin,
and Thompson
None
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk;
Terry Maurer, City Engineer; and Peter Beck, City Attorney
Call Meetin.q To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the executive session of the City Council was
called to order at 7:50 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
Mayor Klinzing noted that the purpose of the executive session was to discuss pending
litigation relating to the Cargill and Smith cases.
City Attorney Peter Beck reviewed the proposed final agreement relating to the
Cargill/City of Elk River (East Elk River public improvement project) litigation.
City Attorney Peter Beck reviewed the pending litigation case of Tim Smith relating to the
violation of the Conditional Use Permit.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the executive session of the Elk
River City Council at 8:27 p.m.
Sandra Peine
City Clerk