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10-23-2000 CC MIN - SPECIAL . . . JOINT MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2000 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Farber, Motin, and Thompson Members Absent: None Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Sandra Peine, City Clerk; Catherine Mehelich, Executive Director of Economic Development; Marc Nevinski, Assistant Director of Economic Development; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Bryan Adams, Utilities Manager; Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; and Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator 1. Call Meetina To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. 2. Consider 10/23/2000 Council Aaenda COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/2312000 COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Aaenda COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. 10/16/2000 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED 3.2. CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED 3.3. PAY ESTIMATES: . PAY ESTIMATE #7 TO LATOUR CONSTRUCTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $157,443.02 FOR THE EASTERN AREA TYLER STREET IMPROVEMENTS- APPROVED . PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #2 TO HARDRIVES, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $388,383.85 FOR THE EASTERN AREA PHASE III STREET & UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED . PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #1 TO RICHARD KNUTSON, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,992.85 FOR WESTERN AREA PHASE IV IMPROVEMENTS- APPROVED 3.4. REQUST TO REHIRE JERRY MACKEDANZ AT PAY GRADE 9, STEP C, WAGE LEVEL $15.40 PER HOUR AS A PART TIME EMPLOYEE - APPROVED 3.5. REQUEST TO PAY INVOICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,319 TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOR CANADA GOOSE REMOVAL SERVICES - APPROVED . . . City Council Minutes October 23, 2000 Page 2 COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.1. Bond Sale Presentation Finance Director Lori Johnson indicated that the council previously authorized the issuance of four bond issues; two to finance improvement projects and two refundings. Shelly Eldridge of Ehlers and Associates presented the bid results. She noted that Moody's has confirmed the city's A3 bond rating but has upgraded the outlook from stable to positive. Because of public hearing timing requirements, Lori Johnson requested that the council not award the sales until after 6:00 p.m. 5. Joint HRA/Citv Council Central Business District Worksession City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that one purpose of this meeting is to discuss the proposal for the sidewalk at the King and Main site and to determine how it relates to sidewalk replacement in the downtown business area. John Plaisted, developer of the King and Main Site, displayed and reviewed a drawing of the proposed building for the site. Mr. Plaisted discussed the proposal for a sidewalk consisting of a red colored concrete paver (cobblestone brick style). He indicated that he would install this sidewalk at no cost to the city. Discussion was held regarding whether this proposed King and Main sidewalk would be consistent with the future sidewalks in the downtown area. Cliff Lundberg (business owner) indicated that the design should be similar but does not necessarily have to be identical to a new downtown sidewalk plan. Bud Houlton (business owner) indicated that the downtown area should continue with the historic turn-of-the-century look, which includes the sidewalks, older buildings, and light posts. He stated he is not interested in a gray sidewalk. Grip Dare (business owner) indicated his support for a solid pattern look throughout the downtown sidewalks. Councilmember (and Commissioner) Thompson questioned whether business owners are interested in helping offset the cost of replacing the downtown sidewalks. John Plaisted indicated that the business owners have already paid for the reconstruction of the sidewalks and do not want to pay again. Pat Dwyer (EDA President) noted that something must be done with the existing sidewalks. He indicated that the new design should remain consistent with the existing downtown theme. He indicated that he liked the King and Main sidewalk proposal. Discussion continued around the King and Main sidewalk proposal. Questions pertained to whether Plaisted's design is something that the city likes and whether the design can be incorporated into a future sidewalk plan and, at the same time, be economically feasible and mesh with the theme already present in the downtown area. The city engineer reviewed his memo dated 10/23/00 that discussed cost and maintenance/repair issues. The sidewalk replacement cost for the entire downtown area ranged from $175,000 to approximately $350,000. . . . City Council Minutes October 23, 2000 Page 3 Mayor Klinzing suggested a committee consisting of representation from the City Council, HRA, and downtown merchants to work out the details of the sidewalk replacement. The city administrator indicated that staff could put together a more exact cost estimate for the sidewalk replacement. It was the consensus of the council to have the HRA take the lead in this project. There was also a council consensus concurring with John Plaisted's sidewalk proposal. The City Council directed staff to work with John Plaisted in coordinating sidewalk designs and to report back to the council as soon as possible. Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich talked about the need for long-term proactive planning for the downtown. She explained that the existing redevelopment plans are from the 70's and 80's and should be revised. Director of Planning Michele McPherson stated that Mr. Plaisted's development would be a cornerstone for downtown and possibly set the standard for future projects. She indicated that staff is looking for guidance on design standards for the downtown area. The council concurred that standards should be in place, however, there was no interest in requiring existing businesses to conform to certain standards. Discussion took place regarding the boundary of the downtown area. Mayor Klinzing questioned whether the downtown should extend across the railroad tracks. Council member Farber concurred and stated that this area needs to be reviewed for redevelopment. Councilmember Motin stated that it might cause more problems if both sides of the downtown are looked at for redevelopment at the same time. City Administrator Pat Klaers suggested that the HRA review the matter and consider doing an updated study with the help of a consultant. Councilmember (and Commissioner) Motin stated that he is not interested in another study. Commissioner Wilson stated that he also felt there was no need for another consultant. He stated that the HRA, with staff assistance, should devise a plan and make a presentation to the council. He stated that it is time to take action. Cliff Lundberg suggested getting the Historical Preservation Commission involved. The council directed staff to complete an updated downtown plan in-house with the HRA and some business owners involved in the planning and review process. 6. aDen Mike Director of Planning Michele McPherson reviewed the letter in the council packet from the school district pertaining to the temporary parking lot at the Senior High School. She noted that the school is requesting that the requirement of Class 5 being applied to the temporary parking lot be waived. Following council discussion it was the consensus that the school district remain consistent with the parking requirements. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO DENY THE REQUEST BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT OF APPLYING CLASS 5 TO THE TEMPORARY HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. City Council Minutes October 23, 2000 Page 4 . 4.2. Consider Resolution Awardina Bond Sales COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-91 ACCEPTING OFFER TO PURCHASE THE CITY'S $800,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION TAX INCREMENT BONDS, SERIES 2000A AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR ISSUANCE. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-92 PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE CITY'S $1,275,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT REVOLVING FUND BONDS, SERIES 2000B. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-93 PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE CITY'S $900,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2000C. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-94 ACCEPTING OFFER TO PURCHASE THE CITY'S $510,000 TAXABLE GENERAL OBLIGATION TAX INCREMENT REFUNDING BONDS SERIES 2000D AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR ISSUANCE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.3. Benefits Committee Uodate . Finance Director Lori Johnson updated the council on the progress of the Benefits Committee. She explained that the committee is still waiting for information from one of the insurance providers. She noted that it is the intention of the committee to bring a final proposal to the council on November 13. 4.4. Resolution Awardina The Sale Of The Citv's $198,200 General Obliaation Eauioment Certificate Of 2000: Fixina Its Form And Soecifications: Directina Its Execution And Deliverv: And Providina For Its Payment Finance Director Lori Johnson explained that the proposed resolution awards the sale of the city's 2000 equipment certificate in the amount of $198,200. She indicated that this figure is under budget by $17,600. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-95 AWARDING THE SALE OF THE CITY'S $198,200 GENERAL OBLIGATION EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATE OF 2000; FIXING ITS FORM AND SPECIFICATIONS; DIRECTING ITS EXECUTION AND DELIVERY; AND PROVIDING FOR ITS PAYMENT. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Other Business 7.1. Political Advertisina . Council member Thompson questioned the rules for allowing political advertising at council meetings and also how city employees are affected by the rules. The city administrator indicated that he did not know of any restrictions other than what is covered by state law, but . . . City Council Minutes October 23, 2000 Page 5 noted that staff would research the issue. Councilmember Dietz requested staff to check with the city attorney to see if restrictions can be placed on council members from wearing political pins during a council meeting. 7.2. Absentee Ballot Board City Clerk Sandra Peine requested the council to adopt a resolution authorizing an absentee ballot board. She explained that the absentee ballot board would expedite the processing of absentee ballots. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-96 AUTHORIZING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BOARD. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Staff Updates City Administrator Pat Klaers updated the council on the upcoming meeting to take place regarding the County Road 33, Highway 169 interchange. Councilmember Dietz updated the council on a recent meeting he attended regarding this issue. 8. Adiournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 7:25 p.rn. J~~~ai<^- Sandra Peine City Clerk