4.1. DRAFT MINUTES (1 SET) 10-19-2015 VA
City of
Elk Meeting of the Elk River City Council
River Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, October 5, 2015
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Olsen, Burandt, and Wagner
Members Absent: Councilmember Westgaard
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Finance Director Tim Simon,
Park Planner Chris Leeseberg, Economic Development Specialist
Colleen Eddy, City Clerk Tina Allard, Community Operations and
Development Director Suzanne Fischer, City Engineer Justin
Femrite,IT Manager Bob Pearson,ERMU General Manager Troy
Adams, City Attorney Peter Beck, and Executive Secretary/Deputy
City Clerk Jessica Miller
I. Call Meeting to Order X,
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6:30 p. ,by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider 10/05/15 Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Olsen
,,,,to approve the October 5, 2015, agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
4. 'Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Burandt and seconded by Councilmember Wagner
to approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 Minutes
■ September 8, 2015, Regular
■ September 14, 2015, Special Joint
■ September 15, 2015, Special Joint
■ September 21, 2015, Regular
4.2 Check register, check numbers 9822 and 93949-94140 as outlined in the
staff report.
4.3 Hire Dylan Sandberg as police officer effective October 6, 2015.
4.4 Solicitor license to Aaron Jahnke and Joshua Stover of The Window
Store Home Improvements, Inc. valid until December 31, 2015.
4.5 Massage therapist license for Chunzi Cai to perform massage at Joy
Massage, 19242 Evans Street NW,valid until December 31, 2015.
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October 5,2015
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4.6 Hire Jason Ames as wastewater treatment systems operator at step B
of pay grade 6 effective October 26, 2015.
4.7 Hire John Legatt as maintenance mechanic at step A of pay grade 6.
Motion carried 4-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6.1 Proclamation: Public Power Week
Mayor Dietz read the proclamation.
Moved by Councilmember Burandt and seconded by Councilmember Olsen
to proclaim October 4-10, 2015, as Public Power Week. Motion carried 4-0.
6.2 Proclamation: Minnesota Manufacturer's Week
Mayor Dietz read the proclamation.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Olsen
to proclaim October 1-10, 2015, as Minnesota Manufacturer's Week. Motion
carried 4-0.
7.1. Easement Vacation for Roadway, Sportech
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak,Mayor Dietz
closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Olsen and seconded by Councilmember Wagner
to adopt resolution 15-61 to vacate a roadway easement. Motion carried 4-0.
7.2 ERX Motorsports Plat and Conditional Use Permit
Mr. Leeseberg stated the applicant has withdrawn their applications for a preliminary
plat, final plat, and a conditional use permit.
Mr. Beck indicated it is not necessary to conduct a public hearing since the
application has been withdrawn.
8.1. Ordinance 78-5 Sunset on Payment and Assessment for Connections
Ms. Fischer presented the staff report.
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October 5,2015
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Mayor Dietz felt property owners were given ample time to hook up and doesn't
think it is fair to those who have hooked up if the city doesn't make the others hook
up. He would like to have a discussion with Attorney Beck regarding enforcement.
Attorney Beck explained current enforcement is by way of not issuing permits for
new or failing septic or wells and requiring connection at time of sale.
Mayor Dietz stated he was on the Council when the city water and sewer was
installed in the Highland area and he didn't think it was fair for those people not to
be forced to hook up as other developments were not given the option to wait.
Councilmember Wagner questioned what happens after the sunset date. Mayor Dietz
explained property owners will no longer receive city assistance and will be
responsible for financing the connections on their own.
Councilmember Burandt questioned what action a property owner has to take before
the sunset date in order to qualify for the incentive program. Mr. Femrite indicated a
petition would need to be submitted by November 15 in order for staff to process
the paperwork and certify it with Sherburne County.
Councilmember Burandt expressed concern with forcing property owners to hook
up in this time of economic hardship. Mayor Dietz stated a majority of these
property owners were supposed to hook up years ago and have had ample time to
comply. He added the city initiated this incentive program in hopes of assisting
property owners with the connections.
Councilmember Wagner questioned how many property owners responded to the
recent reminder. Ms. Fischer stated a few have responded but the response is much
lower than staff had hoped. Mr. Femrite indicated he been contacted by less than
10% of the remaining property owners.
Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to
terminate the incentive program for the payment and assessment for
connections as scheduled on December 31, 2015. Motion carried 4-0.
8.2 Membership Expansion of Utilities Commission
Mr. Adams presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz provided some additional background explaining it is difficult to serve
on a commission of three. He stated he would like to have the option for two
Councilmembers to serve on the commission. Attorney Beck indicated language
allowing for up to two Councilmembers would need to be included in the legislation.
Mayor Dietz would also like to make it a policy for at least one person on the
commission to be serviced by city water.
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October 5,2015
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Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Olsen directing city
and utility staff to proceed with preparing legislation increasing the number
of commissioners serving on the Utilities Commission from three to five and
to include language allowing no more than two Councilmembers to serve on
the commission. Motion carried 4-0.
Attorney Beck indicated once the legislation has been drafted it will be brought back
to the Council.
8.3 City Feedback on Purchase of Election Equipment
Ms. Allard presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz questioned if funding options have been discussed. Mr. Simon stated
staff brainstormed some ideas that can be brought forward on November 2 as part
of the Capital Improvement Plan discussion.
Council consensus was support to pursue the possible purchase of new election
equipment and for staff to bring funding sources forward at the November 2
meeting.
8.4 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented his staff report.
Attorney Beck confirmed the Council would like to discuss enforcement options for
sewer and water connections at a future Work Session. The Council confirmed they
do.
9.1 Council Liaison Updates
Council provided updates for the various boards.
Council recessed at 7:27 p.m. to go into Work Session. The meeting reconvened at 7:32 p.m.
10.1 2016 - 2020 Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Simon presented the staff report.
Mr. Femrite presented the infrastructure improvement funds.
Mr. Pearson presented the technology replacements for the next five years.
No changes were noted from Council.
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October 5,2015
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Mr. Pearson distributed a handout outlining options for Council Wad replacements.
The Council discussed various options. Mr. Simon indicated staff will bring this item
back for formal action in December.
II. Adjournment
There being no further business,Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council 8:46 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
John J. Dietz,Mayor
Tina Allard, City Clerk
p 0 w I R 1 0 0 Y
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