07-12-2004 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, JULY 12, 2004
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Iadinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Tveite, and Motin
None
City Administrator Pat Kdaers, Director of Planning Michele McPherson,
Senior Planner Scott Harlicker, Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals,
Environmental Assistant Rebecca Haug, and Recording Secretary Jessica Miller
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to
order at 6:46 p.m. by Mayor Kdinzing.
Consider 7/12/04 Agenda
City Administrator Pat Iadaers stated that Environmental Assistant Rebecca Haug will provide
the Council with an update on the archaeological work and the landfill informational meeting
after item 5.2.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED $-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILEMBER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA:
3.1o
REQUEST BY CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW FOR TEMPORARY ON-SALE
LIQUOR LICENSE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Open Mike
Lynda Schmeling, 18753 Cleveland Street - stated that her property is on the east side of
County Road 40 and she is interested in selling it but she is waiting to see what is decided in the
Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Schmeling stated that she is in favor of the Urban Service District
extending to the east side of CR40. She stated that she and her neighbors would like to speak to
the Council on the issue.
Mayor I~dinzing stated that the Council is scheduled to vote on the Comprehensive Plan on
Monday, July 19, 2004, and that tonight's discussion is informal and meant to discuss issues of
disagreement ~vith the plan amongst the Council.
City Council Nfinutes
July 12, 2004
Page 2
Councilmember Dietz questioned why Ms. Schmeling did not speak at the Comprehensive Plan
public hearings when concerns and opinions of citizens were being heard.
Ed Dulak~ Dellwood MN - stated that he has heard rumors that the city has offered to trade
density with a developer to relocate the school on another site. Mr. Dulak also stated that he is
concerned that the proposed new elementary school will be built in Otsego rather than Elk River
if the City Council does not extend the Urban Service District. Mayor Klinzing stated that there
is no formal agreement with the city to trade density with any developer and that it may be the
school district talking with a developer.
There being no one else to speak, Mayor K]inzing closed Open Mike.
5.1. City Council Open Forum
Councilmember Kuester questioned if anyone has heard anything on Ditch 31. Director of
Planning Michele McPherson stated that there have been conversations between Parks and
Recreation Commissioners and Building and Environmental Administrator Steven Rohlf and
that the hope is to recharge and maintain the water in the wetland. She noted that it may take a
while to figure out the best and most cost effective way to achieve this.
Mayor Klinzing questioned how much the ditch law is suspended in Elk River because the city
took over financing ditch improvements on behalf of residents. Staff noted that it had not
resulted in any changes. She asked if changes in the channel or blockages would need to go back
to the County Board for approval. Staff noted that it does.
Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals indicated that he has had conversations with three
property owners located up stream between the park and County Road 33 and they are very
pleased with the ditch cleaning.
Councilmember Kuester questioned if staff had continued contact with the County about ditch
issues. Ms. McPherson stated that staff has been working with County Ditch Inspector John
Norgren and that the DNR is also involved as the wetland is under their jurisdiction.
5.2. Erosion Control and NPDES
Jay Michels from the Minnesota Erosion Control Association presented the Council with a brief
presentation on Project NEMO (Nonpoint source pollution Education for Municipal Officials).
Mr. Michels stated that Project NEMO is a nationally recognized educational program for land
use decision makers that addresses the relationship between land use and natural resource
protection. The presentation that Mr. Michels provided was D'nking Land Use to lg/ater~Qua/i(y
and it explained the links between land use, water quality, and community character. Mr.
Michels stated that the number one problem is coping with polluted runoff and that the three
strategies for coping with it are 1) natural resource based planning, 2) site design, and 3) land
stewardship. Mr. Michels also described how to obtain help through resources and agencies and
also explained some follow-up programs.
Mayor IClinzing thanked Mr. Michels for the excellent presentation.
Environmental Assistant Rebecca Haug noted that staff is working on changing the current
NPDES ordinances and information.
City Council Minutes
July 12, 2004
Page 3
5.2.A.
Archaeological Work and Landfill Informational Meeting Updates
Ms. Haug stated that Dr. Richard Rothaus will have a team of archaeologist students conducting
more extensive test digging the week of July 19 - 24 in the areas that showed a high probability
of containing archaeological sites in the model. She stated that public tours have been advertised
in the Star News for Saturday, July 24 at 10 and 2 but that if the Council would like a tour at a
more convenient time they can contact her or Steve Rohlf.
5.3.
Ms. Haug stated that the City of Elk River will be facilitating an informational meeting regarding
the proposed landfill expansion on Thursday, July 29, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. at Elk River City Hall.
She stated that this meeting will be used to provide more detailed responses to concerns raised
than a public hearing would provide.
Boys & Girls Club Funding Options - Programs
City Administrator Pat I~daers stated that this item is back before the Council at the request of
Councilmember Kuester at the June 7, 2004, Council meeting. Mr. Klaers handed out revised
position descriptions received from the Boys & Girls Club.
Mayor Iadinzing stated that she thought the Council was discussing funding programming but
the information received from the Boys & Girls Club focuses more on funding positions. She
stated that she would like to see the cost breakdowns of specific programs rather than individual
positions.
Councilmember Dietz stated that the Council did not give the Boys & Girls Club specific
direction at the June 7 meeting. He stated that he met with club representatives Duane Howard
and Don Heinzman after the June 7 meeting to get additional position specifics and he is in
favor of possibly working out an agreement like the city has with the library. He stated that if the
city can justify funding the positions or programs, he would like the program to offer something
not currently offered by City Recreation.
Council_member Motin stated that at the June 7 meeting, he was looking at funding
programming that would benefit the city but that would not be redundant to the programs that
City Recreation offers.
Councilmember Tveite agreed that the Boys & Girls Club hasn't been given specific direction
and that he believes the Council should follow up with the Boys & Girls Club for more detailed
information. He stated that he would like to see them provide a list of programs that will be
provided by these positions and timeframes of information if available.
City Administrator Pat KJaers noted that the program the city funds would not need to be a new
program, but that it could be an existing program the club already offers that will be
discontinued ~vithout city support. Mr. Iadaers also noted that a portion of a program or position
could be funded with landfill abatement monies if the legal requirements are met.
Councilmember Kuester stated that she likes the "drop in" programs that the Boys & Girls Club
offers because these are different in nature from programs that City Recreation offers.
City Council Minutes Page 4
July 12, 2004
Councilmember Tveite suggested that Recreation Manager Michele Bergh and Environmental
Assistant Rebecca Haug meet with the Boys & Girls Club to discuss current programs and
possible funding options.
It was the consensus of the Council to have the Boys & Girls Club provide specific information
on programs that will benefit the city, that are not redundant to the ones currently offered by
City Recreation, and set costs for the projects/programs.
5.4. Affordable Housing
Senior Planner Scott Harlicker provided the Council with information on affordable housing as
presented in his staff report. Mr. Harlicker presented the number and type of building permits
issued, an updated lot inventory, and information on future residential projects.
Mayor I~dinzing noted that the number of lots that are listed as available does not necessarily
mean that they are available for sale on the open market but that there has been no building
permit issued to date. She stated that normally the lots are builder or developer owned.
Councilmember Motin indicated that he requested this item be added to the Council agenda in
order to clarify whether or not affordable housing is an issue in Elk River. He stated the
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HR_A) has reviewed a lot of information and studies
regarding affordable housing in Elk River. Councilmember Motin stated the HRA consensus is
that there does not appear to be a problem with affordable housing in Elk River but that
discussion on this issue needs to take place at the City Council level.
Mayor Fdinzing stated that she is not opposed to affordable housing but that she does not
believe that affordable housing should be government run; it should come from private or non-
profit organizations.
Councilmember Dietz stated that he agrees with Councilmember Motin that affordable housing
is not a current problem in Elk River and that so much time does not need to be spent
monitoring the affordable housing market. He requested that something be put in writing to let
the commissions know the Council's feelings on the affordable housing issue.
The Council concurred that something should be put in writing to be given to the Planning
Commission that makes the Council's views on affordable housing known so that they are aware
when reviewing sketch plans of proposed developments.
Councilmember Motin stated that he will put the Council views on affordable housing in writing
to be distributed to the Planning Commission. Director of Planning Michele McPherson stated
that staff will provide the Planning Commission with the same information the Council received
tonight and she will verbally pass on the Council views and notify them that something in
writing will follow.
5.5. Comprehensive Plan
Director of Planning Michele McPherson provided a brief overview of the purpose of the
Comprehensive Plan discussion and reviewed the outstanding issues which may prohibit
adoption of the plan (Urban Service District expansion east of County Road 40, change in lot
size north of County Road 33, need for more commercial land in the future). She noted that the
information provided to the Council included a cover memo as well as a memo from the City
Administrator and meeting minutes of the November and December 2003 Council meetings.
City Council Minutes
July 12, 2004
Page 5
Councilmember Motin stated that he would like to reconfigure the room to provide more of a
roundtable discussion regarding the plan. He felt that there should be more discussion
opportunities amongst the Council regarding the adoption of the Plan.
Mayor Iadinzing stated that she was pleased with the Plan as it addresses full build-out of the
community and this is a Plan that the city can work towards. She agreed with the observation
that more commercial land needs to be designated in the Plan and looked to east Highway 10 in
response to development activities in the City of Ramsey.
Councilmember Tveite stated that this Plan is a framework and that it may need adjustments
from time to time as conditions warrant. He stated that while not everything in the Plan is
exactly what he would desire, it provides a foundation for future planning efforts.
Councilmember Kuester stated that her concern is the lack of adequate land for commercial and
industrial development. She stated her understanding was that the Plan projects a doubling of
the population of the city and therefore she felt that the amount of available commercial and
industrial land should also double. She stated that she felt that there should be more apartments
and mixed use opportunities and felt that the most appropriate opportunity for this would be in
the gravel mining area. Councilmember Kuester also stated that she would like to see additional
commercial land designation on the east side of Highway 169, north of County Road 21.
Councilmember Kuester stated that her concern with converting land north of CR33 to 2 1/2
acres from 10 acres is the need to complete the greenway plan as well as expanding or working
towards transportation corridor improvements relating to future interchanges on Highway 169.
Councilmember Kuester stated that she likes cluster developments and thinks they are
appropriate. Mayor Iadinzing stated that cluster developments equal more transportation because
of the fact that the density is higher.
Councilmember Motin noted that the Building and Environmental Department does not like
cluster septic systems and believes that due to a lack of monitoring and proper maintenance that
they are failures waiting to happen. Councilmember Motin noted however, that he also likes
cluster developments; they require installation of less infrastructure and preserve open space
which leads to the country portion of "Where city and country flow together". Councilmember
Motin reviewed the areas of commercial he ~vould like to see within the revised land use plan.
He indicated that the areas that were removed from the current plan to the proposed plan
should be put back and that the area direcdy adjacent to Highway 10 between 171~'t and 165th
Avenues should be commercial with industrial to the east.
The possibility of placing additional commercial development south of Cargill on both sides of
Highway 10 was also discussed.
The Council then discussed expanding the Urban Service District east of County Road 40. The
consensus of the Council was that they were not interested in expanding the urban service
district for additional residential growth, with the possible exception of mixed use in the long-
term gravel mining plan.
Councilmember Motin stated that he likes the buffer created by the 2 1/2 acre lot minimum
district adjacent to the corporate boundaries of the city and the City of Ramsey and Burns
Township. He stated, however, that if the school was unable to locate on land currently in the
Urban Service District he could support expanding the district if necessary.
City Council Minutes Page 6
July 12, 2004
Councilmember Tveite stated that he also is not in favor of expanding the Urban Service District
to the east. He looked at the issue as not only being sewer capacity but traffic capacity in the area
as it related to the intersection of Highway 169 and Main Street. Councilmember Tveite felt that
the school could be centrally located if it were to be moved to a site within the River Park
Development on property owned by Miske.
Ed Dulak, representing the developer east of County Road 40, stated that the city would be
giving away millions of dollars to place the school on the Miske property. He proposes to do
higher end single-family, which can pay for itself as opposed to a high density townhome type
development. He stated he is providing 30 acres for the school as well as cash and installation of
the infrastructure. Mr. Dulak stated that he can wait 5-10 years for the land to develop but that
the school needs to open in fall of 2006. If the Council does not allow expansion of the Urban
Service District, the school district will just go to Otsego with the new elementary school.
Councilmember Dietz stated that he felt that the change in zoning and minimum lot size north
of County Road 33 should be phased in over three or four phases. The Council reviewed the
previous phasing plan that was discussed in December 2003. It was the consensus of the Council
that a three tiered phasing plan of 2005, 2008, and 2010 would be appropriate.
Ms. McPherson provided a summary of the consensus reached during the meeting: 1) no Urban
Service District expansions, specifically to the east; 2) additional commercial land designation
along east Highway 10; 3) additional commercial land designation east of Highway 169 and north
of County Road 21; and 4) suggestion of a gravel mine focus area study to develop a long-term
phasing plan and a financial analysis of extending utilities to the gravel mining area.
Rusty Fifield, Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. stated that the scope of services originally agreed
to have been completed and that any subsequent changes to the document currently drafted will
require additional funding from the city. The Council directed staff to include this in the memo
to the Council for July 19.
6. Other Business
Director of Planning Michele McPherson handed out a revised plat for Woodland Hills which
meets Condition #24 of the approval. Ms. McPherson asked the Council to review the drawing
and bring back any comments or questions to the July 19, 2004, Council meeting or contact staff
prior to the meeting.
7. Staff Updates
There were no Staff Updates.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Kdinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City
Council at 10:06 p.m.
Minutes prepared byJessica Miller.
City Council Minutes
July 12, 2004
Joan Schmidt
City Clerk
Page 7