12-03-2001 HR MIN (2) • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2001
Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz,Kuester,Motin, and Tveite
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Pat Klaers, Catherine Mehelich,Director of Economic
Development, Senior Planner Scott Harlicker,Planner Chris Leesberg, City
Engineer Terry Maurer,Street Superintendent Phil Hals, and City Clerk
Sandra Peine
Also Present: All members of the HRA and from the Planning Commission:Tom
Mesich,Michael Baker, Howard Ropp,and Doug Franz
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 6:40 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Consider 12/03/2001 Agenda
• The following items were added to the agenda:
6.4. Request to advertise for secretary/receptionist
6.5. Discussion of small theater
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS
AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT
AGENDA AS FOLLOWS:
3.1. CHECK REGISTER-APPROVED
3.2. PAY ESTIMATES
• PAY ESTIMATE #1 TO BAUERLY BROTHERS, INC. IN THE
AMOUNT OF $315,288.59 FOR WORK ON THE 2001 OVERLAY
PROJECT—APPROVED
• FINAL PAY ESTIMATE TO S.R.WEIDEMA, INC. IN THE
AMOUNT OF $249,133.29 FOR WORK ON THE EASTERN
• AREA WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS—APPROVED
City Council Minutes Page 2
December 3,2001
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
4. Worksession—Discussion of Housing Study—Presented by Central MN Housing
Partnership
Lisa Graphenteen and Shari Harris of the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership reviewed
the findings of the housing study.The findings of the study are presented in the 2001-2005
City of Elk River Housing Plan. Ms. Graphenteen indicated that one finding was that there
is a lack of available rental housing units in the city. She also indicated that according to the
study, the cost of homes in Elk River is generally higher than people living in the city can
afford. Shari Harris discussed programs available to the city to deal with the existing
affordable housing situations.
Mayor Klinzing indicated that the city could deal with the issue on a community level.
Councilmember Dietz indicated that the city has made a conscious effort to be careful with
rezonings for new apartments. He noted that if the City is now considering increasing the
number of apartments, some changes must be made. Discussion took place about local
housing values and how the market has changed in Elk River over the last ten years. Mayor
Klinzing suggested that the HRA consider ways to address the affordable housing situation.
HRA Chair Toth stated that the HRA needs to have some idea of the Council's thoughts
prior to addressing the issue.
Councilmember Tveite suggested that affordable housing be considered during the review
of the comprehensive plan as the issue relates to land use, density, and urban services. He
further stated that the City Council should set the direction for the HRA. Councilmember
Motin concurred.
Councilmember Kuester indicated that there currently is no provision of affordable housing
for the ages and stages (elderly and youth).
The City Administrator indicated that staff would work with housing organizations to see
what types of options and programs are available to the City and present this information to
the HRA.
The Council recessed at 7:50 and reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
5. Open Mike
No one appeared for open mike.
6. Other Business
Catherine Mehelich recommended that the Council hire Heidi Hall as Economic
Development Assistant.
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO HIRE HEIDI HALL AS THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT AT A STARTING WAGE OF
$30,000 WITH A 10%INCREASE UPON COMPLETION OF THE NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
• PROGRAM. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
City Council Minutes Page 3
December 3,2001
8. Council Worksession on Transportation Issues
8.1. MnDOT Highway 10 Interregional Corridor Study
Terry Maurer indicated that MnDOT is conducting planning studies on seven interregional
corridors throughout Minnesota. He noted that two of the studies affect the City of Elk
River; a corridor study on TH 10 from 35W in Mounds View to Clear Lake, and the TH
101/TH 169 Study from Rogers to Garrison.
Terry Maurer introduced Howard Preston. Terry disclosed that Mr. Preston works for
Howard R. Green. He noted that Mr. Preston is the engineer who has been hired by
MnDOT to work on the Highway 10 Interregional Corridor study.
Mr. Preston reviewed the TH 10 Interregional Corridor Study. It was noted that east of
Highway 169, the Highway 10 project was proposed to be three lanes in each direction,
rebuilt to freeway standards, and be located further north closer to the railroad track. It was
further noted that east of Highway 169, that Highway 10 was proposed to be three lanes in
each direction, a rural expressway,and that through the downtown area it was proposed that
Highway 10 be raised up above its current location with one signalized intersection that will
replace the current two signals (Main Street and Jackson Avenue). Discussion was held
regarding the impact the proposal would have on the downtown area. It was discussed that
these improvements would not likely happen for at least 15 years or more. Mayor Kl.inzing
suggested that MnDOT look at alternative routes for the corridor other than going through
downtown Elk River,such as going north of the railroad tracks or even rerouting Highway
• 10 outside of Elk River.
8.2. MnDOT Highway 169 Interregional Corridor Study
Terry Maurer provided the Council with an update on the Highway 101/169 study. Items
discussed included an improved Highway 10/169/101 interchange, a full interchange at
Main Street,no exit/entrance at School Street with an overpass for local traffic,and a split
diamond at the 193rd/197th intersection (going northbound, exit at 193rd and entrance at
197th ... going southbound, exit at 197th and entrance at 193(d).The Council discussed its
concern about the impact of these changes on the Highway 169 businesses, especially
around the School Street intersection.
6.4. Request to Advertise for a Full-Time Liquor Store Employee and Part Time City Hall
Receptionist
The City Administrator indicated that one of the full-time liquor store employee has
requested to work part time rather than full time. He indicated that the Liquor Store
Manager is requesting authorization to advertise for a full time position.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO
ADVERTISE FOR A FULL TIME LIQUOR STORE EMPLOYEE.
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
• The City Clerk indicated that Katie Kill,part time receptionist,has submitted her
resignation.The Clerk requested authorized to advertise for replacement.
City Council Minutes Page 4
December 3,2001
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO
ADVERTISE FOR A RECEPTIONIST. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ
SECONDED THE MOTION.THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6.5. Small Theater
Councilmember Kuester distributed"small theater" t-shirts from John Barth to Council
Members to thank them for their support in saving the small theater.
6.2. Consider Funding Source for 2001 Small Theater Payment
The City Administrator recommended that the city make its 2001 theater payment to the
school district from the operating budget based on revenues exceeding projections.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO MAKE THE 2001 SMALL THEATER
PAYMENT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE AMOUNT OF $112,600
FROM THE OPERATING BUDGET. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE
SECONDED THE MOTION.THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
7. Staff Updates
The City Administrator distributed a letter to the Mayor in regard to the light rail corridor.
8. Adjournment
• There being no further business,Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 9:55 p.m.
Sandra Peine
City Clerk
•