08-25-2004 CC MIN - SP-JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL-UTILITIES CONFERENCE ROOM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2004
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Utilities Commission
Members Present:
Staff Present:
Mayor KImzing (6:33 p.m.), Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Tveite,
and Motto
None
President Jerry Takle and Commissioners Tralle (6:25 p.m.), and Dietz
City Administrator Pat I~daers, Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams,
Line Superintendent Glen Sundeen (6:15 p.m.), Purchasing Clerk Judy
McSpadden, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich,
Street Superintendent Phil Hals, and City Engineer Terry Maurer
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Mayor Motin.
Worksession-Joint Meeting with the Ci.ty Council and the Utilities Commission
Highway 10 Street Lights
City Administrator Pat I~aers provided an overview on this issue. The concern is mainly the
replacement cost for the Highway 10 street lights and also the timing as to when these lights
will need to be replaced.
Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams noted that what gets decided with this issue will
likely carry over to when other highway street lights need to be replaced. The Mn/DOT
agreement on the street lights was reviewed. The "survey of other communities" in the
memo from the general manager was also reviewed.
The style of lights, the lifespan of the lights, the cost for replacement of the lights, the pole
material for the lights, and the possibility of changing the location of the lights were all
discussed.
Commissioner Tralle arrived.
Commissioner/Councilmember Dietz indicated that he thought the local street lights were
more of a Utilities issue and that this decision should deal with highway street lights. He
stated that if any precedent was being set it should only be for the highway street lights. Vice
Mayor Motin stated he thought the highway street lights should be a city responsibility.
Councilmember Tveite concurred.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY VICE
MAYOR MOTIN THAT THE CITY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
City Council Nfinutes Page 2
August 25, 2004
REPLACEMENT OF THE HIGHWAY 10 AND HIGHWAY 169 STREET
LIGHTS WHEN NECESSARY. MOTION CARRIED 3-0-1. Councilmember Dietz
abstained.
2.2. Utility. Hookup Requirements
Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams introduced this topic and indicated his concerns
regarding obtaining compliance to city and utility requirements for the hookup to utilities
when they are available.
Mayor ICdnzing arrived.
Commissioner/Councilmember Dietz stated his support for billing homeowners for WAC
fees and for a minimum monthly service charge as a means of obtaining funds and
encouraging connections.
It was noted that this is a more significant issue to the water department than the sewer
department for a number of reasons, including the fact that private wells are a major source
of water contamination and that sewer hookups are often times required when homes are
sold/purchased. Discussion continued regarding how to address the water connection issue
for homeowners that had the utility available prior to the ordinance being adopted in 2001.
Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams indicated that he would check with the city attorney
regarding this issue.
The City Council stated its support for changing the city ordinance that would allow for the
charging of SAC fees and a minimum monthly sewer bill to homeowners that have not
connected to the utility when it was available per the two year requirement.
2.3. Central Business District Project
Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich reviewed the downtown project
and the £mancial concerns regarding SAC and WAC payments. The payback plan was
reviewed. The payback of SAC and WAC would take place before the payback for the
Jackson Square land. It was noted that this is not a forgiving of SAC and WAC but a delayed
payment plan. The City Council and Utilities Commission were made aware of the fact that
the amount of assistance to the developers will be based on the analysis of need as a "but
for" test. The final development agreement will reflect this analysis.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TRALLE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER DIETZ TO DEFER PAYMENT OF THE WAC WITH
INTEREST CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL DOES WITH
SAC FOR THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. MOTION
CARRIED 3-0.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO DEFER PAYMENT OF THE SAC WITH
FIVE PERCENT INTEREST FOR THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
PROJECT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
The City Council indicated that it would address the price and value of the Jackson Square
· property at a later date.
City Council Minutes Page 3
August 25, 2004
The city administrator and city engineer provided an update on the timing of the utilities
building removal and the expansion of the downtown parking lot.
Council_member Motin left at 7:08 p.m.
2.4. Mechanic Program
Street Superintendent Phil Hals provided an update on the status of the mechanic program
and the work which the city does for the utilities. Overall both Bryan and Phil believe that
the program was going welt but that there needs to be some improvement in the scheduling
of work. Discussion took place regarding record keeping of maintenance work being
completed on vehicles and equipment and what could be done to make improvements in
this regard.
Councilmember/Commissioner Dietz requested information regarding the cost to have the
city mechanics certified in order to work on the boom trucks, which the utilities operate.
2.5. Water Facilities
Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams reviewed plans for future water facilities in both
east and west Elk River. Discussion took place regarding the summer lawn watering
demands on the water system. Discussion took place regarding the need for another well
near City Hal on city property.
Bryan Adams responded to a question from Commissioner/Councilmember Dietz
regarding providing water services to the area east of County Road 40. It was noted that this
is a timing issues and not a capacity issue.
2.6. Shared Operating Expenses
The city administrator and utilities general manager briefly updated the Commission and
City Council on the sharing of some operating expenses in the new municipal complex.
2.7. Other Discussion Items
President Gerry Takle provided an update on the recently attended utilities conference.
Topics discussed included: terrorist attacks, contributions to the host communities in lieu of
taxes, and the difficulty in locating underground facilities now that the use of plastic pipes
has become widespread.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the special meeting of the Elk
River City Council at approx/mately 8:00 p.m.
Pat Klaers
City )2drmnistrator