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01-31-1994 CC MIN - JOINT er e e JOINT MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Scheel, Farber, and Holmgren Members Absent: None Staff Present: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Bill Rubin, Economic Development Coordinator; Phil Hals, Street Superintendent; and Terry Maurer, City Engineer 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 Duitsman. 2. Consider 1/31/94 Aaenda COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/31/94 CITY COUNCil AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Aoenda 5.1. 3.2% OFF-SALE BEER LICENSE AND CIGARETTE LICENSE - BEAUDRY EXPRESS - APPROVED 5.3. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE BY CITY PLANNER ~ APPROVED 5.4. MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE LICENSE - DYNAMICS SPORTS, INC. - APPROVED 5.5. PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE FOR ELK PARK CENTER - COUNCIL INFORMATION 5.6. PAY ESTIMATES: a. Pay Estimate #2 - Highway 10 Lift Station - APPROVED b. Pay Estimate #3 - Meadowvale Heights Trunk Utility Improvements - APPROVED c. Pay Estimate # 1 - Northeast Area Utility Improvements - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Consider Tax Increment Financina Plan for Tax Increment Financina District No. 12 (EDA Main Street Redevelopment Proiect Economic Development Coordinator Bill Rubin reviewed the original request for tax increment financing in the amount of $235,000 for TIF District No. 12. He stated that the request was to support the proposed construction of a two-story 12,000 City Council Minutes January 3], ] 994 Page 2 e square foot retail office facility to be located on the EDA Main Street redevelopment site. Bill reviewed the background of the request which storted with a public hearing on November 15, 1993. Bill Rubin reviewed the history of the site. The site has been vacant since a fire which destroyed existing buildings six years ago. Efforts to redevelop the site were done in vain. The property was then acquired in 1991 for $109,000 by the City and title conveyed to the EDA. TIF plans 1 and 3 were amended to reflect the budgetary expense of acquiring the property. Bill Rubin stated that at the present time, the developers ore requesting $235,000 in TIF assistance; $165,000 for site preparation and $70,000 for land acquisition. Chris Bulow, agent for the developer for the project, indicated that this project was started one yeor ago. The project is a feasible project. Mr. Bulow stated that the downtown corporation and the Chamber of Commerce met to discuss this project. No negative comments from either group were heord regording the project. e Gary Santwire, consultant for the developer, stated that the site as it is, is unacceptable. Mr. Santwire stated that the project, if developed as proposed, will produce a building valued at $625,000 which will pay real estate taxes and will provide $70,000 to pay back funds the City originally spent to purchase the property. If the property becomes a park, approximately $50,000 will be necessary to make the improvements. This $50,000 along with the $70,000 the City will lose from the Kjellberg development will total $120,000 that the City will lose. Council member Holmgren spoke regording the size of the project and the fact that the building is the maximum size the project can support. He also discussed the issue of the developer moving the project along with the impression that the project would be approved. He stated that the fact that the Council changed direction toword the end of the project was unfair to the developer. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE TIF PLAN FOR TIF DISTRICT NO. 12. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION FAILED 2- 3. MA VOR DUITSMAN AND COUNCILMEMBERS DIETZ AND FARBER VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DIRECT BILL RUBIN AND THE EDA TO CONTINUE TO MARKET THE SITE OR TO SELL THE SITE OUTRIGHT TO A DEVELOPER. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.7. Consider Altemate meetinq dates for City Council and Sherburne County Boord ioint meetina It was the consensus of the Council to hold a joint meeting with the Sherburne County Board on Morch 7, 1994. This is a regularly scheduled Council meeting. e e e e City Council Minutes January 31, 1994 Page 3 5.2. Update on Applications for Boards and Commissions The City Clerk advised the City Council that one vacancy exists on both the Library Board and the Planning Commission. One application has been received for each vacant position. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 7, 1994, AT 5:30 P.M. TO INTERVIEW APPLICANTS FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE LIBRARY BOARD. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF DEBRA ANDERSON FROM THE LIBRARY BOARD. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Business/Staff Reports The City Administrator requested that the Fire inspections report by Fire Chief Anderson be moved to the February 14th agenda due to the length of the February 7th agenda. The Council indicated it consent to this request. The City Administrator informed the Council that Ken Beaudry has requested to place a sign for his new business "Beaudry Express" on city right-of-way. The City Administrator stated that staff has suggested that Beaudry purchase 6th Street from the City and in exchange the City will finance and construct the turn lane on Highway 10 into this area. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO PURSUE NEGOTIATIONS WITH KEN BEAUDRY REGARDING THE SALE OF 6TH STREET AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TURN LANE ON HIGHWAY 10. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The City Clerk stated that Anthony Mikols has requested that the Council consider purchasing a framed print of elk by a river to display in City Hall. He felt the print does a fine job of portraying "Elk River" and offered the print and frame at a cost of $200.00. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO PURCHASE THE FRAMED PRINT FROM ANTHONY MIKOLS FOR $200.00. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Recess The Council recessed at 6:37 p.m. to move to the training room for the joint meeting with the School Board. City Council Minutes January 31, 1994 Page 4 e JOINT MEETING WITH DISTRICT 728 SCHOOL BOARD School Board Members Present: Chairman Tim Kelly, Board Members Ty Bischoff, Kathleen Poate, James Osterman, Patricia Schaber, Mary McDevitt, and Rachael Leonard Also Present: Doctor Flannery, School Superintendent 1. Reconvene City Council Meeting The City Council meeting was reconvened by Mayor Duitsman at 6:40 p.m. 2. Introductions Introductions of City Council and Staff and School Board Members and Staff were made at this time. 3. Consider LCMR Grant Proposal by Mike Niziolek e Mike Niziolek stated that he is requesting support for a grant application. The grant is for the construction of a environmental learning center building to be located at Woodland Trails Park and for the development of a Community Environmental Education Program. Mayor Duitsman explained that the City Council heard Mr. Niziolek's proposal at the January 24 Council meeting. At the time the council decided to take no action until the School Board heard the request and made a recommendation. Dr. Flannery stated that he applauds Mike Niziolek's efforts and stated that it is his belief that the School District will invest in this concept in the next 5 to 10 years. He questioned the timing of this project and stated that the school district will not be able to commit any money at this time. Councilmember Farber stated that although the Council felt this was a worthy project, it felt the City could not commit $70,000 on this short of notice. Council member Scheel indicated her concern of ongoing costs. Mr. Niziolek stated that the funds would not be needed until 1995 and 1996. School Board Chair Tim Kelly suggested that a committee be formed to work on this issue. Mr. Niziolek stated that this grant will again be available in two years but it will be 1999-2000 before the actual project could take place. He further stated that by waiting, the City will be competing against more applicants. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $70,000 PAYABLE IN 1995 AND 1996 AS LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE LCMR GRANT APPLICATION. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. e City Council Minutes January 31, 1994 Page 5 e Mayor Duitsman stated that he would be in favor of giving $40,000. Councilmember Dietz felt that this request for funds and project was moving too fast and stated that he would like more time to study the request. THE MOTION FAILED 1-4. MAYOR DUITSMAN AND COUNCILMEMBERS DIETZ, SCHEEL, AND FARBER VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $40,000 AS LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE LCMR GRANT PAYABLE IN TWO INSTALLMENTS IN 1995 AND 1996. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Chairman Kelly stated that although the School Board is not ready to offer money for this project at this time, it would send a letter of support for the project. BOARD MEMBER SCHARBER MOVED TO DRAFT A JOINT RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE CITY SHOWING SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER PROJECT. BOARD MEMBER LEONARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO JOIN WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD IN THE RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Update on Second Ice Hockev Arena Proposal - Jeff Gonooll e Jeff Gongoll updated the School Board and City Council on the progress of the proposed ice arena. He indicated that this issue will be before the EDA at its next meeting to request funding of a financial feasibility study. He informed the Board and Council members that the total project is estimated to cost 2.5 million dollars, however, the land has to be turned over to the City to make the project viable. School Board Member Jim Osterman gave an update from the land committee discus~ions regarding this proposal and the issue of traffic. He indicated that it was felt that traffic will not be a concern because most events will be held during off hours of the school. He stated that the land committee supported the hockey arena concept at this site. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER OSTERMAN MOVED TO DEED THE LAND TO THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT BODY (EDA OR CITY) CONTINGENT UPON SOIL BORINGS AND OTHER NECESSARY TESTS TURNING OUT POSITIVE AND WITH THE STIPULATION THAT IF PROBLEMS ARISE, THE LAND TRANSACTION WOULD NOT TAKE PLACE. BOARD MEMBER BISCHOFF SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1. BOARD MEMBER POATE ABSTAINED. Mayor Duitsman emphasized the fact that if the City is to own and manage the facility, then the City does not intend to lose money at any time during this project. e Council member Dietz questioned whether the School Board is prepared to pay more for ice time with the new arena. Jim Osterman stated that he felt the cost to the school would be less with the new arena. City Council Minutes January 31, 1994 Page 6 e Councilmember Scheel indicated that the ice arena was a good idea, however, she hoped that the same support would be shown to all of the children in Elk River, not just those involved in hockey. 4. Review School Maintenance Facility Proiect Dr. Flannery commented on several projects that have been done in cooperation between the City and the School District. Some of the projects mentioned included jOint occupancy of the city maintenance building, pOlice liaison, D.A.R.E., Oak Knoll park, and the Recreation position. Dr. Flannery requested the City to extend the School's lease for use of the City maintenance garage. This extension would end 1211/95. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO EXTEND THE LEASE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S USE OF THE CITY MAINTENANCE GARAGE FOR ONE YEAR. COUNCILMEMBER FARBE~ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Dr. Flannery informed the Council that the School District is looking for property to locate a maintenance building. He indicated that one of the locations being considered is a piece of city property located in Oak Knoll park. 5. Streets e City Engineer, Terry Maurer, reviewed the two options available for improvements to widen School Street. He reviewed a three-lane and a four-lane option. After discussion on both options, it was the consensus of the School District that a three lane design would be safer for the school children. The Council indicated its desire to see a four-lane design as it felt this would be the best long term design for the city traffic flow. Terry Maurer also reviewed proposed designs for the intersections of School Street at Jackson Avenue and Freeport Avenue. Terry Maurer recommended a four lane option for both intersections. Dr. Flannery stated that the School District has four concerns: · Children crossing the street · Sidewalks on the south side · Lincoln School -- concern for children due to its proximity to the street · The School District would like to see an exploration of other east/west routes through the City. Chair Tim Kelly indicated that the School Board would continue discussions on this subject at future Board meetings. e Discussion was held regarding the student parking at Lion's Park. Dr. Flannery indicated that the school district has taken care of the situation by creating another parking lot at the school. Street Superintendent. Phil Hals, indicated that there is no longer a problem with students parking at Lion's Park. e e e City Council Minutes January 3 I, 1994 Page 7 7. Future School Sites Mayor Duitsman stated that the City wants to work with the school district in locating a new senior high school in the City of Elk River. He stated that it was a high priority of the Council that a senior high school be located in Elk River and offered to work with the School District in finding a location and developing property at a reasonable cost. Dr. Flannery indicated that the School Board would be making a decision very soon regarding school building needs. He indicated that the school district is considering all possibilities including other cities in the school district. 8. Update on County Road 1 Terry Maurer presented an update on the request to upgrade County Road # 1 from County Road #77 to County Road #32. He indicated that this County project would not be constructed in 1994, but administration work may take place so construction could happen in 1995 or 1996. 9. Update on D.A.R.E. Proaram The City Administrator informed the Council and Board that the D.A.R.E. house has been sold. He indicated that the money will finance the secondary D.A.R.E. program for the next two or three years. 10. Other Business Chairman Kelly questioned if the City had any idea as to the plans of Morrell Transfer. He indicated that the fumes from the trucks are causing problems for the students and teachers. It was noted that Morrell may be looking for a new location. Chairman Kelly indicated that the School Board appreciated the opportunity to meet with the City Council and requested that this type of meeting take place on an annual basis. 11. Adjournment COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO ADJOURN. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. BOARD MEMBER LEONARD MOVED TO ADJOURN. BOARD MEMBER BISCHOFF SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The joint meeting of the City Council and School Board adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Re~ctfUIlY.s~ed. . c;4~ ~ .-sandra Thackeray City Clerk