01-17-1994 CC MIN
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
WORKSESSION - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL-TRAINING ROOM
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
Members Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Council members Farber, Dietz and Holmgren
Members Absent:
Councilmember Scheel
Staff Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director
(7:00 p.m.); Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Tom Zerwas, Chief of
Police
Also Present:
Planning Commission Chair Bob Minton and Commission
members Kreger, Kuester, Eberley and Tacheny
1 . Call Meetinq 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 Duitsman.
2.
Consider 1/17/94 City Council Agenda
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COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/17/94 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
3.
Elk Park Crossinq Develooment Prooosal Uodate
Mr. Eric Peterson introduced himself and the company that he is representing,
Associated Developers, Inc. (ADI). Mr. Peterson indicated that ADI intends to be
the developers of a commercial project at the southeast corner of Highway 169
and Main Street. This property is currently owned by Mr. Earl Hohlen and a trailer
park is currently operating on part of this site. Mr. Peterson introduced seven
other individuals he brought with him that will be working for and with ADI on this
project. It was indicated that ADI works with a large construction firm (Ames
Construction, Inc.) and with a large concrete firm (A VR, Inc.) and are currently in
the process of doing projects in about five Minneapolis suburban communities.
Working on this project in Elk River will also be KKE Architectural Firm and SEH
Engineering Firm.
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Mr. Peterson identified the three key issues associated with this site and the
development proposal. The three issues are (1.) relocation of the existing trailer
park; (2.) traffic in terms of Highway 169 access and access into the site off of
Main Street; and (3.) wetlands in terms of complying with the new wetlands
regulations and the fact that over thirty acres of wetlands exist on the site at this
time. It was noted that an application has been submitted to the City but that
this application is incomplete and additional information needs to be presented
before any Planning Commission hearing is scheduled on the development
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
January 17, 1994
Page 2
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proposal. The development concept under discussion at this time is subject to
change,
Mr. Peterson reviewed an overall concept for the development proposal. It was
noted that the trailer park will be removed from the site, Mr. Peterson indicated
that at this time ADI has indications from MnDOT that a right in/right out access
point from Highway 169 will be approved. It was noted that the site has 77 acres
including the wetlands.
An open question/answer session followed between the City Council, Planning
Commission, and developers, Topics discussed and reviewed include the
following:
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Concern was expressed that access off of Highway 169 as shown would
not be obtained from MnDOT, especially a full interchange access.
*
It was noted that there is about 400,000 square feet of building designed
for the east side of Highway 169,..lt will be 3-5 years for the total
development of the site.
*
Just under ten acres of the 30 acre wetlands area will be affected by this
development,
*
There are 61 lots in the trailer court and options for the trailer court include
relocating it in its entirety or buying out the residents...There is a 9-12 month
legal process to follow for the relocation of trailer courts and one possible
site under consideration is to the southeast of the proposed development
area...It was noted that a relocation plan will need to be approved
before the City Council approves any commercial development
proposal.
*
Mr. Peterson indicated that the City storm drainage plan discussed on
1/8/94 can become a joint effort with the developers to the benefit of
both the City and the developers and include a series of ponds and
ditches.
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The power line location in the site and its future relocation was briefly
reviewed.
*
Traffic for the commercial development on the west side of Highway 169
and its access to Main Street being aligned with Carson A venue was
discussed. On the east side of Highway 169, the main entrance at the
intersection of County Roads 12 and 13 was discussed along with an
entrance further east off of County Road 12 for trucks.
*
The need to extend the municipal utilities to the site was noted,
Comments about pedestrian movement to and around the site and
general comments on landscaping were made.
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
January 17, 1994
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The three main types of uses for the center; a grocery store, home
improvements, and general merchandising, were discussed along with
the accessory commercial uses such as gas stations and restaurants.
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Mr. Peterson gave an overview of ADI and its financial strength and experience in
doing commercial projects. It was noted that ADI is actually composed of the
two large companies, Ames Construction, Inc., and A VR, Inc. The representatives
of these two large firms combined with other individuals to do development work
in communities such as Elk River.
Mayor Duitsman thanked Mr. Peterson and their group for their presentation.
4. Civic Center Committee Update
Jeff Gongoll, Chair of the Civic Center Committee, was present to update the
City Council on the status of the Committee's efforts to see a hockey arena and
civic center built in Elk River. Other Committee members present included
Councilmember Farber, Dave Taus, Marly Glines, and Dale Matson.
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Jeff indicated that the Committee is concentrating on the ice arena aspect of
the civic center at this time, but that it has not lost sight of the need for a civic
center in Elk River. The current plan calls for the ice arena to be separated from
the civic center and in a different location rather than adjacent to City Hall. The
location for the proposed ice arena is next to the current ice facility where the
two outdoor ice rinks are located. Jeff emphasized that the ice arena would
have hOCkey as its primary use, but that the facility is still a multi-use building
where other activities could take place.
Jeff reviewed with the City Council the memo he included in the agenda packet.
It was indicated that this information was also given to the School Board at its
1111/94 meeting. The proposed site for the facility is on school property and
school approval for the use of the land is required. The proposal calls for the
facility to be owned and operated by the City or the Economic Development
Authority (EDA). Currently the ice facility has a full time employee for
management of the arena and scheduling of activities. The need for a full time
employee is expected to be continued with an additional facility being
constructed.
Jeff indicated that a financial feasibility study would have to be done in order to
determine if the new facility could be operated debt free. It is believed by the
Committee that this is the case, especially when taking into consideration that
the current ice facility will make its last bond obligations in 1995 and that revenue
from this original facility can help pay the debt of the new building. It is
estimated that an olympic size skating rink with 2500 seats would have a
construction cost of approximately $3 million.
Jeff indicated that he would be in attendance at the 1/31/94 joint City
Council/School Board meeting to facilitate any discussion on this topic. Also, Jeff
will request that the EDA put this issue on its 2/14/94 agenda in order to consider
the request to have the financial feasibility study completed.
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Meeting of the Elk River City Council
January ]7, ]994
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The Mayor thanked Jeff for his presentation and indicated the City's support for
improving the hOckey facifities in Elk River. The Mayor also indicated a concern
over the operating expenses and debt obligation of a new facility and stated
that continued strong support from the Hockey Association would be necessary
for this proposal to be successful.
Counci!member Holmgren left the Council table at this time.
6. Other Business/Staff Uodates
The entire City Council complimented Phil and his crew on the excellent snow
removal operation this winter.
6.1.
Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent, discussed with the City Council the status of
street employee Amy Borst as outlined in his 1/14/94 memo. The City Council
concurred with Phil's recommendation to change Amy's employment status to
Maintenance I and to pay her at Step 2 of this pay range.
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COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE STREET
SUPERINTENDENT REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF AMY BORST
WHEREBY AMY'S TITLE WOULD BE CHANGED TO MAINTENANCE I AND HER PAY
WOULD BE AT STEP 2 ($10.40/HOUR) EFFECTIVE 1/15/94 AND ALSO THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL REVIEW THE POSITION THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 1994 STREET DEPARTMENT
BUDGET TO BE FILLED THIS FALL BEFORE ANY ADVERTISEMENT FOR THIS POSITION
TAKES PLACE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 3-0.
It was noted that the increase in pay for Amy Borst in 1994 may have to come
from the City Council 1994 Contingency Fund.
Phil updated the City Council on the possible use of a retired MnDOT employee
as a City of Elk River part time employee as the need arises. Also, Phil indicated
that one of the future needs in the street department is that of a full time
mechanic and this may need to be discussed with the City Council during
consideration of the 1995 budget.
6.2. The City Administrator advised the City Council that the Police Union has decided
to not grieve the change in the City's dental policy as originally anticipated and
indicated by the Union Representative.
6.3. The City Administrator updated the City Council on a discussion he had with the
County Coordinator Dave Lock regarding topics for future joint City
Council/County Board meetings. Two of the topics that were discussed for this
agenda include the establishment of a government relations committee
composed of both City and County representatives and the potential change of
the County's MSA status (see handout). Other topics include the fairgrounds
expansion and storm drainage.
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6.4.
The City Administrator distributed an article on storm drainage in suburban
communities. One of the paragraphs in this article indicated that the City of
Meeting ofthe Elk River City Council
January 17,1994
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Chanhassen has established a separate utility to deal with water quality and
charges homeowners $13.00/year for storm drainage efforts.
Councilmember Holmgren returned to the Council table at this time.
6.5. Chief of Police Tom Zerwas reviewed with the City Council his manpower
shortage that is expected soon in the police department. This issue was outlined
in a 1/14/94 memo to the Mayor and City Council. Discussion took place by the
City Council on the need to hire one or two additional officers from the
employment list developed four months ago.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF TWO ADDITIONAL
POLICE OFFICERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UPON THE RESIGNATION OF GREG JONES.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-1.
Councilmember Dietz opposed.
6.6. Discussion took place regarding a time for the City Council to hold a personnel
worksession. It was the consensus of the Council to hold this meeting on 2/14/94
both before and after the EDA meeting.
5. Discussion on CIP
Due to the lateness of the hour. the City Council decided not to start this
discussion and to continue this item until the scheduled 2/21/94 CIP Worksession.
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7.
Adiournment
By consensus of the City Council the meeting was adjourned at approximately
9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
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eg. KIQe~
City Administrator
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