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11-27-2000 CC MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27,2000 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Council members Dietz, Farber, Motin, and Thompson Members Absent: None Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Phil Hals, Street Superintendent; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; and Bryan Adams, Utilities Superintendent 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: 1 0 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. 2. Consider 11 /27/2000 Aaenda The following items were added to the council agenda: 4.6. Consider Hiring Government Cable Producer 4.7. Consider Park and Recreation Request Regarding Hockey Boards COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Aaenda COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. CONSIDER 11/13/00 COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED 3.2. CONSIDER 11/20/00 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED 3.3. CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED 3.4.A. PAY ESTIMATE #17 TO S.R. WEIDEMA, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $97,190.18 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE EASTERN AREA UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED 3.4.B. PAY ESTIMATE #8 TO LATOUR CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $216,169.01 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE EASTERN AREA TYLER STREET IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED 3.4.C. PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #3 TO HARDRIVES, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $159,378.26 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE EASTERN AREA PHASE III STREET AND UTILITIES IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED . . . City Council Minutes November 27, 2000 Page 2 3.4.0. PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #2 TO RICHARD KNUTSON, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $515,520.43 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE WESTERN AREA PHASE IV IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.1 . Review Medica Health Insurance Quote for Deductible Plan Lori Johnson reviewed the information regarding a deductible health insurance plan that was requested by the City Council. She stated that Medica has provided rates for a $200 deductible plan for all non-union employees. After reviewing the information Lori Johnson explained that most employees would not see any savings by changing to a deductible plan, nor would the city realize a savings with this type of plan without changing their current contribution structure. The council decided to take no action on this plan. 4.2. Art SouP 2001 Update Sue Seeger of the Arts Alliance updated the council on the upcoming 2001 Art Soup Event to take place in downtown Elk River on June 22-24. Ms. Seeger requested a contribution of $3,000 from the council to help cover some of the costs incurred with this type of community event. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE A $3,000 CONTRIBUTION TO THE ART SOUP COMMUNITY EVENT. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. It was the consensus of the council to concur with the dates of June 22-24 for the Art Soup festival. 4.3. Downtown Discussion - Update on HRA Meetina The city administrator noted that prior to the council meeting the HRA reviewed the issue of sidewalk replacement and downtown redevelopment. Councilmember Motin reviewed issues discussed by the HRA including sidewalk design, cost, funding of the sidewalk, and timing of the project. Councilmember Motin indicated that the HRA discussed the possibility of assessing the business owners for sidewalk replacement. He noted that staff would be reporting back with information on the 1988 assessment for sidewalks. Council member Motin informed the council that the director of economic development reviewed components of the proposed downtown redevelopment plan with the HRA. Council member Dietz indicated his concern about the cost of the sidewalk and the fact that one builder may be dictating the design and cost of the sidewalk. The council questioned why the original proposed sidewalk design has changed. Staff noted that this was a request from the developer and the change was briefly discussed as a possibility at the October joint meeting. Council member Motin further explained that according to the engineer there would be no substantial cost savings between a solid design versus one that was broken up into different patterns. The council requested more information on design options and costs. . . . City Council Minutes November 27,2000 Page 3 4.4. Consider Hirina City Hall Receotionist The city clerk requested council authorization to hire Julie Kragness and Katie Kill as secretary/receptionist for the city. She explained that the position would be job-shared by both individuals and that the hours would total 40 per week. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO HIRE JULIE KRAGNESS AND KATIE KILL AS SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER BEGINNING DECEMBER 4, 2000, AT PAY GRADE 5, STEP A, $10.36 PER HOUR WITH THE TWO EMPLOYEES JOB- SHARING THE POSITION. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.5. Reconsider Water Tower Site - East Elk River Director of Planning Michele McPherson indicated that staff recently received a letter from D.R. Horton objecting to the placement of the water tower in Trott Brook Farms Park. Mr. Don Patton, representing D.R. Horton, indicated that he received memos from staff to commissioners on the topic, but. as the developer, received no formal notice of the water tower placement. He indicated that the water tower is not compatible with the homes in the development and further stated that the homeowners have not been informed of the water tower. He indicated his objection and requested the council reconsider its decision to locate the tower in Trott Brook Farms Park. Park and Recreation Commission representative John Kuester informed the council that the Park and Recreation Commission would like to review this issue and work together with the Elk River Utilities Commission regarding the placement of the water tower. He indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission feels they were given two unacceptable choices and had to make a decision between the lesser of two evils. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO SEND THE ISSUE OF THE WATER TOWER PLACEMENT TO THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR REVIEW AND THAT THE COMMISSION HAVE A RECOMMENDATION BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL BY DECEMBER 18. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.6. Consider Hirina Cable TV Producer City Clerk Sandy Peine requested the council to rehire Kristin Thomas as the city's government access cable coordinator. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO HIRE KRISTIN THOMAS AS THE CITY GOVERNMENT ACCESS CABLE COORDINATOR EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 18, 2000, AT PAY GRADE 11, STEP A, $14.09 PER HOUR. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . . . City Council Minutes November 27,2000 Page 4 4.7. Consider Park and Recreation Reauest Recardina Hockey Boards Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals requested the council to authorize the expenditure of $2,600 for the construction of a second set of hockey boards for the Gary Street rink. He noted that the Park and Recreation Commission recommended the expenditure. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $2.600. FROM PARK MAINTENANCE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND SET OF HOCKEY BOARDS FOR THE GARY STREET RINK. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for open mike. The council recessed at 7:30 and reconvened at 7:37. 6.1. Discussion on Auburn Street Traffic Issues City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated that staff held a meeting to discuss possible improvements to the Auburn Street area to address citizen complaints concerning speed and traffic volume. Terry Maurer reviewed the options that were discussed. He indicated that the staff recommendation is to install an all- way stop sign at Auburn Street and 193rd Avenue and to install a landscape component or barrier curb at the intersection of Auburn Street and 196th Avenue to address the traffic cutting the corner. Dave Crocker, a resident of Auburn Street, stated that this issue was brought to the city four years ago and nothing has been done to correct the situation. He stated that he did not feel the traffic trailer measurements accurately reflected the actual speed on the street. Council member Motin indicated he thought staff was directed to place stop signs at the three-way stop at 196th and Auburn. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PLACE THREE STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF 196TH AND AUBURN. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Councilmember Thompson indicated that the speeding and careless driving is a patrol issue. He suggested that the police department spend more time patrolling in that particular area. There was a consensus of the council to proceed with the landscaping of 196th and Auburn provided the property owner agrees and to install the stop signs at 193rd and Auburn. . . . City Council Minutes November 27, 2000 Page 5 6.2. 6.3. MnDOT - City Signal Agreement For County Roads 12 and 13 Terry Maurer reviewed the two Traffic Control Signal Agreements between the State of Minnesota and the City of Elk River. He explained that the agreements are for the new signal being installed at the intersection of Main Street and Zane Avenue (CSAH 12/13). COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-102, FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL AGREEMENT NO. 80971M BETWEEN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF ELK RIVER TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE ELECTRICAL ENERGY FOR THE TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL AT 181sT AVENUE (CSAH 12) AND TWIN LAKES ROAD (CSAH 13). COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-103, FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL AGREEMENT NO. 80972R BETWEEN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF ELK RIVER TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE OF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL AT 181 ST AVENUE (CSAH 12) AND TWIN LAKES ROAD (CSAH 13). COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 175TH Avenue Proiect Upddte City Engineer Terry Maurer distributed the minutes from the October 17, 2000, informational meeting that was held with numerous property owners along 175th Avenue. It was noted that the meeting was well attended, with all but four of the fourteen property owners in attendance, and that the city engineer has since had discussions with some of the property owners who could not be in attendance at the meeting. Key points discussed at the meeting included timing options for the improvement, what is included in the scope of the project, necessary right-of-way to be obtained by the city for the project, and that a future decision will be made by the City Council on possible assessments. Some of the next steps in the process include staking the necessary right-of-way so the property owners can visually see where the new right-of-way line will be and how it will be different from what currently exists and then to have legal descriptions and offer sheets sent to the property owners. At this point, based on the status of the County Road 12 improvement project, it is anticipated that the 175th project will begin in late summer 2001. 6.4. HighwaY 169/County Road 331nterchanae Update City Engineer Terry Maurer updated the council on the Highway 1691County Road 33 interchange planning process. He informed the council that several variations of the interchange are still under discussion. . . . City Council Minutes November 27, 2000 Page 6 6.5. Status of Enaineerina Proiects City Engineer Terry Maurer updated the council on the following projects: . Western Area Business Center Project . County Road 12 . Main Street . Eastern Area Elk River Projects 7. Other Business Councilmember Farber informed staff that someone who is interested in leasing the Community Recreation building for his business had contacted him. The city administrator suggested that the interested party contact the economic development staff. 8. Staff Uodates There were no staff updates. 9. Adiournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:40 p.m. ~, ~. ~ ~/,//' t i, _~.-.-//, /' (~) ~. /;(:';1 1/'.i ,\(Clk'. C .c\.:... " ,.,., _ lL. '-' tJ sandra Peine City Clerk