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4.3. SR 09-25-2000City of River TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Item//4.3. M£MORANDUM Council Mayor & City Pat Klaers, City Administrat September 25, 2000 Joint Meeting with Elk River Utilities Commission The joint meeting between the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission and the Elk River City Council has been scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2000. There is nothing urgent or any major conflict that we are dealing with at this time, but there are lots of activities going on that impact both the Utilities Commission and City Council, so it seems like an appropriate time to get together for a discussion. On September 7, 1999, the City Council and Utilities Commission met in a joint session to discuss the possible sewer and water superintendent position. Prior to that date, the last joint council/commission meeting was on May 11, 1998. The May 1998 meeting covered a variety of topics including the eastern Elk River public improvement project. Topics to be discussed at this 9/25/00 joint meeting of the Utilities Commission and City Council include the following: · Water department - water tower, well, and treatment facility sites in east Elk River · Energy City Program o Landfill gas project and wind generator project · Electric line relocation and Central Business District sidewalk project from Parrish Avenue bridge to Lowell Avenue · Utilities office building o Future relocation and future uses of the building/site · Duckor and Associates, Inc. - Communication Strategy and Brand Plan for Utilities · Other Business/Updates o Update on expansion of electric territory o Update on deregulation issues o Status of gas turbine proposals o Update on rates 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420 · Fax (763) 441-7425 Water Tower Site...Discussion is taking place regarding the placement of a water tower in the northeast corner of Hillside Park near County Road 12. This is the area where the easement is being granted to the county for the relocation of a driveway. It is expected that this tower will be constructed next year. Well and Treatment Facility...This project is not needed for a few years. A site being evaluated is the remnant of the Deschenes property on the east side of the new road. Staff has also had inquiries from the Trott Brook Farm developers regarding an interest in this property. Hopefully we can accommodate both Utilities and the developers and, by working with the developers, either obtain additional parkland in the residential development project or obtain some payment in order to offset our acquisition costs for this property. Energy City Program... General Manager Bryan Adams will update everyone on the status of the landfill gas and wind generator projects. Central Business District (CBD) Project...For years it has been discussed that the electric lines along the riverbank and in the alley are going to be relocated to either underneath the street near the curb or underneath the sidewalk along Main Street. The project area is from the Parrish Avenue Bridge to at least Lowell Avenue. This electric line issue is discussed every time a riverwalk or trail concept is discussed and every time a sidewalk replacement project is discussed. It now appears that Utilities is ready to move forward with their electric line relocation in either 2001 or 2002. Accordingly, the city (and/or I-IRA) needs to be organized and have its plans in place to coordinate at least a sidewalk replacement project with the Utilities project. A sidewalk replacement project is only at the "discussion stage" and nothing firm has been decided. Additionally, most everyone knows that the King and Main project is moving forward and, as part of this project, the developers have advised us that they are planning to replace the existing sidewalk with red octagon paver bricks. With the electric lines being moved and the sidewalk possibly being replaced, there needs to be some discussion about whether there will be any electric re- wiring expenses for the business owners and whether or not there will be any assessments for the replacement of the sidewalk. The I-IRA has anticipated some financial participation in this sidewalk project, but its level cannot be determined until a cost estimate is established. A sidewalk replacement project most likely will be one part of a larger, long term downtown program that should include some improvements at the city park site and some improvements along the river from the park site to at least King Avenue and hopefully also in the other direction to the Parrish Avenue bridge. Any improvements along the river should be jointly financed by the city and benefited property owners, but today we are a long way away from anything happening along the river. At this time it would probably be best and most productive to keep the discussion focused on the electric line relocation and the sidewalk replacement project. Utilities Office Building...This is an issue that could become a "hot topic" anytime within the next few years. I think that everyone sees the benefit in keeping Utilities in the downtown area, especially the downtown area as defined by the railroad on the north and the river on the south. Ideally, the Utilities office would be at the King and Main location, but if this does not work, then maybe we can work together on another redevelopment project...either an existing commercial structure or maybe even something as far west as the intersection of Lowell and Main. If the Utilities relocates, then re-use of the building becomes an issue. It is conceivable that it is in our best interest for the building to be demolished and the parking lot expanded in conjunction with the closing of the Highway 10 intersection. How this works with the school administration one-way entrance into King Avenue is uncertain and is just another item that needs to be discussed if this parking lot expansion concept moves forward. There seems to be two issues that need to be considered. One issue is where Utilities will locate in the future, whether it is north of the railroad tracks, in the old core downtown area, or even out at City Hall with our expansion in the next few years. The other issue is what to do with the Utilities building and site. In the above paragraph I mentioned expansion of the parking lot, but it may be determined that it is in the best interest of the downtown to have another commercial establishment in that building (assuming the building is in "good health.") Duckor and Associates...Utilities has hired Duckor and Associates to do their communication and customer relations project. One goal of the project is to develop a consistency for Utilities information through establishing a common design for its key messages, and communication standards in how this design is managed. The city has discussed a new logo and design (our "brand") for over a year and it has become apparent that beyond a new look, we need a clear and firm communication strategy with one person in charge of authorizing the use of our logo and design on everything from vehicles, to the web page, to the newsletter, to clothing, to cups, pins, portfolios, etc. Accordingly, the city logo/design project is more than just hiring a design consultant; it is also the establishment of a communication strategy. We need Utilities, Fire, Police, Economic Development, and City Hall all looking the same and presenting the same professional messages to the public and development clients. The city's project is similar to the Utilities project and what the city needs is also consistent with the Industrial Marketing Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan has a section on "communication, promotion, and an advertising strategy." In this regard, we need to present a consistent image that is of high quality so that it reflects the professionalism of the city. Anita Duckor is working with Tami Miller Design of Big Lake on the Utilities project. I would recommend that the City Council and EDA consider expanding the Utilities contract to include the city project so that everything can be coordinated and united and "one look" established. This request will be discussed in more detail in October with the EDA and City Council. Other Business/Updates...The agenda (in this memo) lists some topics on which I have received questions from the City Council over the past few months and at this meeting it is appropriate to hear from Bryan Adams about the issues/topics. 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