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12-05-2016 CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council Held at the Elk River City Haii Monday, December 5, 2016 Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Olsen, Burandt, Westgaard, and Wagner Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Pormer, Finance Director Lori Ziemer, Assistant Finance Director Jesse Dorn, Parks & Recreation Director Michael Hecker, Parks Maintenance Worker Todd Neal, Captain Bob Kluntz, Community Service Officer Nicholas Davis, Engineer Justin Femrite, Elk River Municipal Utilities General Manager Troy Adams, City Attorney Peter Beck, and Recording Secretary/Sr. Administrative Assistant Jennifer Johnson Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Mayor Dietz. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider 12/05/2016 Agenda Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to approve the December 5, 2016, agenda. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Consider Consent Agenda Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to approve the following consent agenda: 4.1 Check register, check numbers 9875-9877 and 99369-99502 as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. S. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. City Council Minutes Page 2 December 5, 2016 ----------------------------- 6.1 Introduction of New Employees Ms. Ziemer introduced Jesse Dorn and provided a brief background of his work experience. Mr. Dom indicated he was looking forward to his work on the city's budget. Captain Bob Kluntz introduced Community Service Officer Nicholas Davis and provided a brief background of his work experience. Mr. Davis will be attending school in January of 2017 to become a licensed peace officer. Mr. Hecker introduced Parks Maintenance Worker Todd Neal and provided a brief background of his work experience. Mr. Neal stated he was impressed with the diversity of park amenities the city offers its residents. 7.1. 2017 Budget and Tax Levy Ms. Ziemer presented the staff report. She provided a PowerPoint presentation explaining the purpose of this evening's public hearing was to discuss the 2017 city budget and tax levy information. She stated if individuals have questions/concerns regarding their property values, they should attend the Board of Appeal meeting in the spring or contact the Sherburne County Assessor's Office. Ms. Ziemer briefly outlined the process of this evening's budget presentation and comment period, explaining the city's vision and the goals supporting that vision. She stated Council approved the maximum tax levy of $10,657,808 in September, which is the maximum tax levy the city can adopt. The Council directed staff to make reductions to the budget and is recommending a final tax levy of $10,563,770, which is an increase of 3.85% and down from the preliminary levy increase of 4.78%. Ms. Ziemer reviewed the tax levy by use and compared the levy with previous years. She also reviewed property tax changes and explained that a number of factors play a role in determining the property tax amount. Ms. Ziemer reviewed General Fund revenues and expenditures, Special Revenue Funds, and Enterprise Funds. She concluded that the Council may adopt the 2017 tax levy and budgets following public input and comment. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. Teresa Konvicka 565 Jefferson Lane located in Presidential Estates, stated she was astounded by her 2017 tax statement and her estimated market value increasing so much. She stated she contacted the Sherburne County Assessor's Office to ask them to review the proposed property value. She also expressed concerns regarding the proposed expenditures for 2017. Ms. Ziemer explained to Ms. Konvicka that she was correct in working with the Assessor's office and directed her concerns regarding property values to them as the city only controls the tax levy amount. POOEAE� ®r N�►TURE City Council Minutes December 5, 2016 Page 3 Mayor Dietz explained the increase in taxes from 2016 to 2017 can be attributed to providing a cost of living pay adjustment for employees. There being no one else present to speak, Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to approve Resolution 16-82 authorizing the proposed property tax levy for collection in 2017 as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Burandt to approve the 2017 General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise Fund Budgets as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. 8.1. Preliminary Feasibility Report for 2017 Street Improvements Mr. Femrite presented the staff report. He outlined the 2017 street improvements maintenance techniques prescribed based on current pavement conditions and the proposed project areas and suggested rehabilitation techniques provided by Hakanson Anderson. Mayor Dietz asked about a property off of 209' Avenue with storm sewer issues in which staff was working with the property owner and wondered if it would be part of these street improvements. Mr. Femrite indicated the area he was referring to was not in this project area Mayor Dietz asked if Mr. Femtite would be able to assist the library project with replacing parking lot concrete curb. Mr. Femrite stated we will ask the contractor for a price and, if competitive, we could have the work done as part of the contract. Councilmember Olsen asked if the sidewalks on Joplin Avenue, in which the sections are chipped and uneven, were part of the scope of this project. Mr. Femrite indicated, after he drove the entire area and noted minor chipped or separations on sidewalks, a crack doesn't affect the functionality of the sidewalk, they wouldn't be part of improvements but if there was separation of concrete slabs, especially in the area of pedestrian ramps, those would be included in this project. Councilmember Westgaard asked if the pavement management fund amount of $4.4 million fits in his projection and forecasts to allow this and future projects to be completed. F0VIIRII 11 NATUREJ City Council Minutes Page 4 December 5, 2016 ----------------------------- Mr. Femrite indicated it did. Moved by Councilmember Olsen and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to accept the Feasibility Report for the 2017 Street Improvement Project as outlined in the staff report and allow for final plan preparation for bids. Motion carried 5-0. 8.2. Utilities Commission Membership Expansion Mr. Adams presented the staff report. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Burandt to adopt Resolution 16-83 approving the laws of Minnesota 2016, Chapter 97 - House File Number 2718 as outlined in the staff report. Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to adopt Ordinance 16-27 amending Chapter 2, Article V Regarding Membership of the Public Utilities Commission of the City of Elk River, Minnesota, City Code as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. 8.3. EDA and Library Board Appointments Mayor Dietz presented the staff report and his recommendations as outlined. He indicated he will make the HRA appointment when the new councilmember begins in January 2017. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Olsen to approve the mayoral recommendation to appoint Charles Blesener to the Economic Development Authority with term expiring December 31, 2022; and appoint Mary Keifenheim and Margaret Stoffers to the Library Board with terms expiring December 31, 2019. Motion carried 5-0. r City Council Minutes Page 5 December 5, 2016 8.4. Discuss Work Session Items Mr. Portner presented the staff report. Mayor Dietz asked about the status of the yellow arrow installation cost to be provided by MnDOT after he and Councilmember Wagner attended a MnDOT signalization enhancement study meeting last summer. Mr. Portner stated they had not yet received estimated costs from MnDOT. He stated he would have staff follow up with MnDOT. Councilmember Wagner also asked about the secondary timing study MnDOT was to complete when school began in the fall and indicated there's been some signal interruptions on Main Street and Highway 169. She stated she's also heard from residents regarding signal timings being off and requested an update from MnDOT. Mayor Dietz asked about scheduling the joint meeting with the school board. Mr. Portner stated it might be better to have the new superintendent and new board members in place before attempting to schedule a joint meeting to allow the school board an opportunity to prepare their strategic and work plans. 9.1 Council Liaison Updates The mayor and council members provided their council liaison updates. Mayor Dietz suggested the following assignments of council members to the various boards and commissions: ■ Nate Ovall appointed to the Library Board and Housing and Redevelopment Authority. • Jennifer Wagner as the liaison to the Planning Commission and the Heritage Preservation Commission. ■ Matt Westgaard appointed to the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission and continuing to serve on the Ice Arena Commission. ■ Jerry Olsen as liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Energy City Commission, and the Economic Development Authority Finance Committee. ■ Mayor Dietz to continue on the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission and by statute is part of the Fire Relief Association. He stated he will also continue to attend the 7W road meetings in St. Cloud. Mayor Dietz recessed to work session at 7:32 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:49 p.m. POIER11 BT INATUREJ City Council Minutes Page 6 December 5, 2016 --------------------------- 10.1. 175" Avenue Mr. Fernrite and Captain Kluntz presented the staff report. They reviewed the results of the traffic survey provided by the police department, which allowed a better understanding and nature of the traffic on this corridor. They also discussed various options, which could provide an immediate relief to the neighborhood. It was the consensus of Council to have staff create and install business / industrial district directional signs with language to be determined by staff to assist delivery drivers with locating their business and notify drivers they are in a residential area. 10.2. Religious Institutional Structures Mr. Carlton presented the staff report and provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the regulation of symbols as signage; other city's zoning ordinances regarding wall and freestanding signs for religious institutions, and accessory structure regulations specific to religious institutions. After significant discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that City Code, Sec. 30-852 be amended to improve clarity, but that no additional amendments regarding signage and accessory structures for religious uses or public art be brought forward at this time. II. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:49 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Johnson. 'POPIVAVI BV NATURE