6.2. SR SR 12-18-2000
.
City of 1:t
Elk
Item # 6. 2.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Mayor & City Council
Michele MCPherson~ctor of Planning
DATE:
November 20, 2000
SUBJECT:
Reconsideration of Water Tower - East Elk
River
At its November 27,2000 meeting, the City Council moved to request that the Park and
Recreation Commission reconsider the placement of a water tower in east Elk River. After
several meetings between Commission members, the developer, and the Utilities General
Manager, the subject was formally discussed at the December 13, 2000 Park and Recreation
Commission meeting. The Commission voted 7-1 to recommend to the City Council that the
tower not be located in either Hillside City or Trott Brook Farm Parks. Attached for your
review are the minutes of their meeting.
.
Also present at the meeting was the Utilities Commission. A memo from the Utilities
General Manager, Bryan Adams, is attached. Included in his packet are the minutes of the
Utilities Commission meeting of December 12, 2000.
.
13065 Orono Parkway. P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420. Fax (763) 441-7425
.
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2000
Members Present:
Chair Kuester; Commissioners Dana Anderson, Dave Anderson,
Huberty, Sladek and Westrum. Commissioner Peterson arrived at
7:05 p.m. Commissioner Reitsma arrived at 7:35 p.m.
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Michele Bergh, Community Recreation Manager; Phil Hals,
Street/Park Superintendent; Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Michele
McPherson, Director of Planning
Municipal Utilities
Representatives
Present:
Bryan Adams, Municipal Utilities General Manager; Utilities
Commissioners Jim Tralle, John Dietz, George Zabee
Also Present:
George Sanford of S & Z Investments and Jim Brown of Dynamics
Land; Bob Mueller, BLAST
1.
Call Meeting To Order
.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Park and
Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Kuester.
2.
Consider 12/13/00 Park & Recreation Commission Aaenda
COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 13,2000, PARK &
RECREATION AGENDA WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGE:
.MOVE WATER TOWER DISCUSSION TO PRIOR TO ITEM 5.
COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
6-0.
3. Consider Minutes of 11/08/00 Park & Recreation Commission Meetina
Chair Kuester noted that under Item 13 - Other Business, Chair Kuester brought
the issue forward, as opposed to Commissioner Dave Anderson.
COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 8, 2000,
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED.
COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend December Planning Commission and
City Council Meetinas
.
a.
12/18/00 City Council Meetina
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
December 13. 2000
Page 2
.
Commissioner Kuester will be in attendance at the December 18, 2000
City Council meeting.
b.
12/27/00 Planninq Commission Meetinq
Commissioner Peterson will attend the December 27,2000 Planning
Commission meeting.
9.B.3. Reconsider Placement of Water Tower - East Elk River
Director of Planning McPherson provided a verbal update regarding Council
action on November 20th and 27th. She stated that the Council had voted to
place the water tower in Trott Brook Farm Park on November 20th per the
Commission's recommendation, but that a letter from the Developer had been
received, objecting to the placement of the tower. The Council then voted to
have the Park and Recreation Commission reconsider placement of the water
tower. This vote was taken at the November 27th City Council meeting.
Chair Kuester stated that he spoke on November 20th regarding the Commission's
difficult decision to place the water in Trott Brook Farms Park. He also provided
an update of various meetings that had occurred between members of the Park
& Recreation Commission, the Utilities Commission, and the developer.
.
General Manager Bryan Adams stated that the charge of the utilities is to provide
safe, dependable, affordable and consistent services to the City of Elk River
residents. He stated that an extensive analysis had been completed and that a
water tower is necessary for the summer of 2002, based on strict engineering
standards. He stated that in addition to the original six sites reviewed by the
Commission in October, two new sites were added at the southeast corner of
County Road No. 12 and Twin Lakes Road and the City-owned property formerly
owned by George Deschene.
Bryan Adams stated that there are three major considerations that factor into a
decision such as this, including the physical aspects of the site: can the ground
support the tower, is there access to the tower for maintenance, is there access
to nearby trunk utilities and can the tower be maintained in the future. There are
hydraulic considerations to consider: is this the best site for the tower in terms of
the rest of the system, both existing and future. Finally, what are the financial
impacts of each site. Mr. Adams stated that in his mind, sites 3 (Hillside Park) and
5 (Trott Brook Park) are the best sites to place the tower. He reviewed the two
locations at Hillside City Park.
Utilities Commissioner George Zabee stated that placement of the tower is a
difficult choice and the Commissions are only recommending bodies, someone
else may change the decision that occurs this evening. He stated that he would
vote for Site 3 or Site 5 as they are the best sites in terms of the overall system. He
stated that good water pressure is important and that providing less than good
service is a disservice to Elk River city customers.
.
Utilities Commissioner James Tralle spoke to his concern regarding locating the
water tower in the park. He stated that the need for the tower is a result of the
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
December 13. 2000
Page 3
.
development and that if the developer objects to the location of the tower in the
park, the developer should be willing to assist the Utilities Commission in finding a
less objectionable site. Mr. Tralle stated that he was open to other options:
however, there are consequences to other options including timing and risk
factors. He stated that the Utilities may be required to impose restrictions on use
of water if a tower is not built in the recommended time frame.
Mr. Don Patten, representing D.R. Horton provided the Commission with some
background regarding discussions in early June 2000, regarding a need to
provide a water tower in the area. At that time, it was his understanding that the
tower would be located in Hillside City Park, south of County Road No. 12. Mr.
Patten stated that the developer has contributed to the community: land, money
and grading in regards to parks. They have also paid their assessments in cash.
Chair Kuester asked Mr. Patten what solution was he offering and what he could
bring to the table in terms of resolving the issue of locating the tower in a city
park.
Mr. Tralle asked Mr. Patten if a developer could donate land either in the existing
development, or in future developments for which he is currently negotiating.
Mr. Zabee stated that compromise is good, however, he did not feel that they
could compromise the time line in order to delay a decision any further. He
stated he would be agreeable to pay slightly more in order to obtain a site to
place the water tower.
.
Chair Kuester asked Mr. Adams if the Deschene site would be work or, in the case
of Site 6, the developer indicated that title to that property would be available
shortly. Mr. Adams stated that Site 8, the Deschene property, would not work well
hydraulically, especially with the well located directly adjacent to the tower. He
stated that currently, even with the soil borings that have been taken, if the
project were bid in January 2001, the tower would not be operational until June
of 2002. If an additional month is necessary to take soil borings and the project is
not bid until February 2001, the tower would not be available until September
2002.
Mr. Adams stated that he felt Site 6 was an extremely high risk due to lack of
control of the site. He stated that there are too many concerns with Site 6:
scheduling a closing, demolishing the house, plugging the well, and financial
liability if the site were not available for timely construction.
Mr. Kuester again asked Mr. Adams if Site 8, the Deschene site, would work. Mr.
Adams responded that the urban service district and land uses can change with
a vote of the Council and that Site 8 is not centrally located as the Urban Service
District is currently defined. Mr. Adams stated that the Utilities Commission are in a
position of risk management in order to protect the future investment and future
options for the water system, should the urban service district boundaries change
in the future.
.
Commissioner Peterson stated that he has as concern with the timing of the
process. He stated that the first opportunity the Commission had to view this
proposal was in September and only one site was under consideration. At the
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
December 13. 2000
Page 4
.
October meeting, five additional sites had been added and the Commission was
asked to make a decision. The Commission has since discovered that
conversations had occurred in June regarding the potential of a water tower site,
yet the Commission is now being requested to make a decision under a
shortened time frame.
Commissioner Huberty stated that it was the role of the Commission to protect the
resource and to be stewards of the park and recreation system in the City of Elk
River. She stated that she would not want to see the tower located in the park
and that sites 1, 2, 6, and 8 appear to be acceptable and available for
consideration. She suggested taking soil borings at all sites in order to determine
is any site would not work.
Chair Kuester asked the Commission what they would want to do. He stated
there appears to be three options: 1) support the original motion to locate the
tower in Trott Brook Park; 2) approve a motion to state that the tower should not
be in either park; 3) suggest that the Utilities Commission look at Site 8.
Commissioner Sladek stated that it is not the Commission's job to direct the Utilities
or the City Council where to locate its tower.
COMMISSIONER SLADEK MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE WATER TOWER NOT BE
LOCATED IN EITHER PARK. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION.
.
Commissioner Reitsma stated that his largest concern was that of the timing of
the process. He stated that the Utilities Commission should have been before the
Park and Recreation Commission in June. His second concern was that the
money offered under the original approval in an amount of $20,000 was not
enough, especially in light of the discussion of $100,000 difference between the
Hillside site and any other site. He felt that if the Commission agreed to place it in
Hillside City Park, that the Utilities should pay the difference. Mr. Reitsma stated
that he concurred with Bryan's analysis in regards to the best location.
Commissioner Dave Anderson presented information regarding protection of the
Hillside City Park. He supported the motion on the floor. He stated that Hillside
City Park has the healthiest Oak forest within the City and that it should be
protected vigilantly during the future driveway construction. Commissioner
Anderson presented visual images with the water tower located in Hillside City
Park, which illustrated the visual impact of the tower on the park.
THE MOTION CARRIED 7.1. Commissioner Reitsma opposed.
Utilities Commissioner Tralle stated that the Utilities Commission would look at other
sites and consider the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendation.
7. Area Recreation Uodate - Michele Ber9h
Ms. Bergh stated that she has a number of updates and also two items for
discussion. The updates were as noted here:
.
The winter/spring brochure will be delivered January 3rd with the next brochure
not scheduled for delivery until June. They will be providing additional
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
-1</
322 King Avenue
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Phone (763) 441-2020
Fax (763) 441-8099
To: Elk River City Council
Stephanie Klinzing, Mayor
John Dietz
Daryl Thompson
Larry Farber
Paul Motin
December 15, 2000
From: Bryan C. Adams
Subject: Location of Proposed Eastern Water Tower
The Trott Brook Park location for a new water tower was approved by both the City Council
and Park & Recreation Commission. Due to the objection of Mr. Don Patton of D.R. Horton,
the City Council asked the Utility Commission and Park & Recreation Commission to again
revisit the proposed location of this water tower.
-
I have had numerous meetings with members of the Park & Recreation Commission. The
Utility Commission and the Park & Recreation Commission also had a joint meeting in an
effort to resolve this location issue.
Enclosed is the following information for your review.
1) Drawing reflecting the four (4) locations currently under consideration for the
proposed water tower.
2) Eastern Water Tower Location Evaluations Matrix.
3) Sketch reflecting two (2) possible locations in Hillside Park.
3a) South of driveway on high ground and..
3b) North of driveway on lower area.
4) Detailed drawing of Hillside Park Site"3 b".
5) Detailed drawing of Trott Brook Park Site "5".
The pertinent facts as we know them to be are as follows:
a) A water tower for eastern Elk River is required next year to provide quality water
service (pressure and flow) and adequate fire protection. Due to the high water
demand by our customers in the Summer months, due to sprinkling, a new water
tower is desirable before the Summer period. To enhance fire protection, a new
tower should be operational as soon as possible.
b) Due to the current backlog of work by tower fabricators and erectors, the earliest a
tower can be operational is second quarter 2002 if ordered in January 2001.
-
.
.
.
c) Due to up coming work with projected water tower needs, a tower ordered after
January 2001 will not be available until late third quarter or early fourth quarter
2002, thus missing the Summer 2002 high demand season.
d) The necessary engineering has been completed for sites "5" & "3b" to secure bids
and award contractors by January 2001 dead line. If the Council desires the Elk
River Municipal Utilities to look at other locations, the January 2001 dead line will
not be met and the tower will not be operational for the Summer 2002.
Contingency plans will then be implemented.
e) The Elk River Municipal Utilities has been actively looking for a suitable location for
a water tower for over six months. Many other sites were considered that are not
shown in the above referenced attachments.
f) The Park & Recreation Commission has voted to not allow a water tower to be
constructed in any of their parks due to visual aesthetic reasons.
g) D.R. Horton has offered the use of site "6" when they obtain it at a price yet
undetermined. Due to liability reasons the Elk River Municipal Utilities does not
desire to enter into a water tower construction contract without the land being
under their control.
h) City Staff has offered the Deschanes property as a possible location for a water
tower as well as #7 water production facilities.
i) The Elk River Municipal Utilities is charged with providing our customers with safe,
reliable, cost effective and quality long term electric and water utility services. At
the most recent Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission meeting the
recommendation to the City Council is to allow construction of a water tower at the
lower area of Hillside Park (Site "3b"). The reason for this decision is as follows:
1) Hillside Park area is the best location for a water tower from a technical
perspective. Not knowing what the future of Easter Elk River may be, this
site satisfies the current needs and provides the most flexibility to satisfy
future requirements. When building a $1,000,000 facility, for the long term,
get a $1,000,000 of value.
2) This location is cost effective as compared to the other options.
3) The Elk River Municipal Utilities understands the visual aesthetics
argument. Unfortunately, this argument is very subjective and can be made
by any person concerning any location in Elk River. Our goal is to at least
minimize the impact on the maximum number of people, knowing an
essential facility must go somewhere.
cc: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Sheet1
. Elk River Municipal Utilities
Eastern Water Tower Location Matrix Evaluation
Site # Location Owner Base Tower Cost Advantages Disadvantages
Elevation Height Differential
3a Hillside Park City 964 146 Save Shorter Tower Loss of trees
South of Road $108,000 Good Hydraulics In Park
Near Trunk Lines Difficult access
City Owned
3b Hillside Park City 928 182 $0 Good Hydraulics In Park
North of Road Near Trunk Lines
City Owned
Good Access
Stabilize Embankment
5 Trott Brook City 928 182 $0 Good Hydraulics In Park
Park Near Trunk Lines Developer Objects
City Owned
Good Access
6 Tyler & Private 902 208 More by Fair Hydraulics Must Purchase
CR12 $78000 + Near Trunk Lines Taller Tower
Land Cost Good Access
. 8 Deschenes City 910 200 More by Near Trunk Lines Poor Hydraulics
Property $58,000 Good Access Not Centralizes
City Owned Taller Tower
Information about Existing Water Towers
Location Base EL Height Capacity Date Built
Freeport Tower 943 83.5 1,000,000 gal 1986
Gary Street Tower 886 142.5 1,000,000 gal 1995
Auburn St Tower 993.5 116.5 500,000 gal 1994
.
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APPROVED BY: JOB NUMBER ~63OJ
CAD DATE: December 04, 2000 11:19:51 Q.m.
CAD tiLE: 812400J\812400ALTl.DWG
ELK RIVER MUNClP AL UTILITIES
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