Loading...
05-31-1994 CC MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, MAY 31,1994 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Council members Scheel. Dietz, and Holmgren Members Absent: Councilmember Farber (absent due to illness in family) Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; and Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator Also Present: Gary Groen, (Abdo, Abdo & Eick) City Auditor 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 Aaenda e Item 9.1 - "Neighborhood complaints on Gates Avenue," was added to the agenda. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 5/31/94 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3.1. Consider 5/9/94 City Council/Fire Department Worksession Minutes COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 9, 1994, CITY COUNCIL/FIRE DEPARTMENT WORKSESSION MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3.2. Consider 5/16/94 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 16, 1994, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Consider 1993 City Audit e Gary Groen of Abdo, Abdo, and Eick, presented the 1993 Elk River Audit to the City Council. He commented on the individual funds, financial statements and general fund. Mr. Groen indicated that the City's general fund balance increased $133,851, or approximately 1 %, from 1992. He explained that although the general fund balance is at 28% of the City budget, it still does not meet the City's cash flow requirements during certain times of the year. Lori Johnson, Finance Director, indicated that the City receives most of its revenue in City Council Minutes May 31. 1994 Page 2 e November and December. She indicated that this creates a deficit in the fund balance during certain times of the year. An increase in the fund balance would eliminate the cash deficit. Gary Groen indicated that the City should strive for a minimum fund balance of 35%. Mr. Groen indicated that the increase of 1 % is positive, but is not enough for a cash flow in the general fund. Gary Groen continued reviewing other areas of the audit including special revenue funds, debt service funds, capital projects funds and enterprise funds. Pat Klaers, City Administrator, stated that the Council deserves credit for the good audit report and also thanked Lori Johnson and the finance department for its management of city funds. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 1993 CITY AUDIT REPORT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6.1. Prooosed new location for Sherburne County Growers Association at Elk River Mall - CU 94-12 City Administrator, Pat Klaers indicated that the Sherburne County Grower's Association have made a request to relocate the Farmer's Market from the previously approved location at the Elk River Mall. e COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE RELOCATION OF THE FARMER'S MARKET AT THE ELK RIVER MALL WITH THE SAME STIPULATIONS AS ORIGINALLY PLACED ON THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 9.1. Neiahborhood Comolaint at Gates A venue Councilmember Holmgren indicated that he has received many complaints on a property located on Gates A venue in relation to the length of grass, unfinished building projects, and the number of cars on the lot. He requested staff to look into this matter. 7.2. Consider Elk Park Center Bids for Internal and External Drainaae and Street Imorovements City Administrator. Pat Klaers, informed the Council that the City received six bids for the internal and external street and storm drainage improvements associated with the Elk Park Center project. He stated that the City Engineer is recommending that the Council accept the low bidder. Forest Lake Contracting, Inc. at $1,673,878.71. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 94-60, A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT IN THE MATTER OF THE SCHOOL STREET, JACKSON AVENUE, FREEPORT AVENUE, AND TH 169 AND TH 10 TURN LANES IMPROVEMENT OF 1994. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. e 6. aoen Mike No one appeared for this item. City Council Minutes May 31. 1994 Page 3 e 7.3. Consider Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Country Crossinas Steve Rohlf. Building and Zoning Administrator. indicated that the environmental assessment review process of Country Crossings Plat has been completed. He indicated that staff is recommending that the Council adopt a resolution declaring that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Country Crossings Plat is not necessary. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 94-61, A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS fOR THE PROPOSED COUNTRY CROSSINGS PROJECT; RESPONDING TO COMMENTS RECEIVED ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET; SETTING fORTH THE CITY COUNCIL'S fiNDINGS Of fACT REGARDING THE NEED fOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT; AND DECLARING THAT THE PREPARATION Of AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT IS NOT NECESSARY. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 7.1. Fire Relief Association - Presentation of Preliminary Schedules 1 & 2 Randy Sykes, Fire Relief Association Treasurer. reviewed the state requirements of pension benefits for the firefighters. He indicated that the present benefit level per year of service is $2,200. He indicated that the firefighters are requesting an increase to $2.400 per year. He further explained that at the end of 1994, there is a projected surplus of $1,500. e Randy Sykes explained that Schedules 1 & 2 must be filed by AugustL 1994, in order to approve the benefit level for the Relief Association in 1995. Mayor Duitsman indicated that the compensation package for the firefighters is currently being studied by the Task Force and stated that he did not feel a decision would be made by the August 1 deadline date. It was the consensus of the Council to review the benefit change at the June 27 Council meeting. 7.4. Consider Elk River Landfill fundina reauest for Methane Gas Proiect/Chris Kreqer Building and Zoning Administrator, Steve Rohlf. indicated that the Elk River Landfill is requesting aid from the City and County to build an active gas venting system at the Elk River Landfill. He stated that the Landfill is requesting $70,000 from the City and $170,000 from the County. Chris Kreger, President and owner of Elk River Landfill, stated that the gas venting system is needed to ensure public safety. He indicated that the Landfill indicated that it does not have enough money to fund this project on its own. He further indicated that the request for funds from the City would be contingent upon the Landfill becoming current with past due surcharge money. e Mayor Duitsman suggested that the City contribute a percentage of the amount the County is willing to contribute. Discussion was held regarding the City auditing the books of the Landfill prior to making a contribution. Lori Johnson suggested hiring the City's auditors to do a brief review of the books. City Council Minutes May 31, 1994 Page 4 ------------------------------------- e COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO HIRE ABDO, ABDO, AND EICK, TO PERFORM A FINANCIAL REVIEW OF THE ELK RIVER LANDFILL, INC., TO ASSIST THE CITY COUNCIL IN DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF AID THE CITY SHOULD GRANT FOR THE GAS VENTING SYSTEM. COUNCllMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. Steve Rohlf suggested including the County and sharing the cost of the audit. It was the consensus of the Council to request the County to share in the cost of the Audit of the Elk River Landfill. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The City Council recessed at 8:00 p.m. and reconvened at 8:05 p.m. 7.5. Finance Deoartment Annual Reoort Finance Director Lori Johnson. presented the 1993 Finance Department Annual Report. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 1993 FINANCE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT. COUNCILMEM8ER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 7.6. Northbound Liauor Annual Reoort e This item was deferred to the June 6. Council meeting. 7.7. Personnel Reauest - Human Resources This item was deferred to the June 6. Council meeting. 7.8. CIP Reauest - 221st Street The City Administrator indicated that improvements to 221 st Street were previously discussed by the City Council in 1993. The total cost for the gravel improvements is about $115,000 - $120,000. He further stated that the Council rejected bids for the project in 1993. The City Administrator indicated that after reviewing the City audit. it was determined that there are sufficient funds available in the street reserve and the capital projects reserve to complete this improvement. if the Council so desires. Councilmember Dietz indicated that it would be hard to justify spending this amount of money to improve this road because there are only a few residents who abut the road. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO DEFER THIS PROJECT TO A LATER DATE. COUNCllMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 7.9. Review County Letter for City Comment on Librarv Services e This issue was deferred until the June 6, Council meeting. City Council Minutes May 31. 1994 Page 5 e 7.10. Update on Surface Water Manaaement Utility Fee Finance Director Lori Johnson informed the Council that the Finance Department has been in the process of taking inventory of all Elk River property so as to implement the surface water management utility fee. She stated that the acreage must be calculated on all commercial and industrial property. She further stated that when this is completed the City will be ready to implement the fee. Mayor Duitsman indicated he would like to see this go into effect by July 1. 7.11. Update on Storm Water Manaaement Fee This issue was deferred until the June 6, Council meeting. 11 . Staff Update Executive Session Scheduled The City Administrator requested that the City Council call an executive session of the City Council for 6/6/94. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO CALL AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 6, 1994 TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: e 1. 2. 3. PERSONNEL PENDING LITIGATION OF HOULTON SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS PENDING LITIGATION OF HOHLEN PROPERTY COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Fire Deoartment Meetina Scheduled The City Administrator informed the Council that a meeting has been scheduled for June 2, with the Fire Department, the City Administrator and the City Attorney. Discussion was held by the Council regarding the position of Fire Chief and whether it would be beneficial for the City to advertise for the position. It was the consensus of the Council that the City should advertise for this position. 11. Adiournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the City Council adjourned at 8:38 p.m. e Respectfully submitted, u- {J. ~ ~~ Thackeray City Clerk