12-01-1994 CC MIN - SPECIAL
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1994
Members Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Holmgren, Dietz and Scheel
Members Absent:
Councilmember Farber
Staff Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator, and Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk
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 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman.
2. Consider Council Aaenda
The following items were added to the agenda:
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4.a. Storm water fee update/Councilmember Scheel
4.b. Update on Houlton litigation
4.c. Discussion regarding Finance Director Position
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
3. Amend Action taken at 11/28/94 Council Meetina reaardina Western Area Phase
II Proiect
The Council discussed a November 28, 1994, Council motion regarding the
Western Area Phase II project. The motion required the contractor to continue
the project despite the recent snowfall received. Council member Holmgren
indicated that he has further reviewed the situation and now feels comfortable
requesting the contractor to shut down the project at this time and to complete it
in the Spring.
Council member Scheel indicated her concern regarding the City's liability if the
project was not completed this year. The City Administrator stated that he did
not feel the City would be at risk.
COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO AMEND THE NOVEMBER 28, 1994, MOTION
REGARDING THE WESTERN AREA PHASE II PROJECT BY ALLOWING THE BARBAROSSA
AND SONS TO SHUT DOWN THE PROJECT AT THIS TIME AND TO COMPLETE THE
PROJECT IN THE SPRING. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
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City Council Minutes
December 1, 1994
Page 2
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4.
Call a Special Council meetina for December 5. 1994, at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FOR DECEMBER 5, 1994, AT 7:00 P.M. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
4.5a. Storm Water Management/Councilmember Scheel
Councilmember Scheel indicated that she has received several complaints from
area citizens regarding the proposed tax levy for storm water management. She
informed the Council that area residents will be present to discuss this issue at the
December 5,1994, City Council meeting.
Councilmember Scheel indicated that she has received complaints from
residents regarding the moratorium on subdivision of property and the 10 acre
minimum lot size zone.
4.5b. Pendin9 Litiaation of Houlton Farms, Inc.
The City Administrator indicated that he received a letter from Mr. Houlton's
attorney indicated that Bud Houlton has decided to dismiss the pending appeal
from the special assessments resulting from the Western Area Phase I project.
4.5c.
Finance Director Position
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The City Administrator indicated that the Finance Director is planning on
accepting another position. He stated that a major issue is the number of hours
the Finance Directofworks. He questioned if the Council wanted to consider
hiring a full-time Assistant Finance Director, and allow the Finance Director to
enter into an agreement with the City that allows her to work fewer hours. The
City Administrator indicated that the Finance Director has not requested this type
of arrangement from Elk River, however, because of her knowledge of the City
finances, it maybe in the City's best interest to try to retain her services.
Mayor Duitsman and Councilmember Dietz indicated that they would be open to
this type of arrangement as it would be to the benefit of the City to retain Lori
Johnson as the City Finance Director.
Councilmember Holmgren questioned whether the City could function with less
than a full time Finance Director and if the City would be setting a precedent by
allowing a key employee of the City work on a part time basis. Councilmember
Scheel also indicated her concern regarding the setting of a precedent.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ALLOW THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO CARRY
OVER HER VACATION HOURS PAST THE JANUARY 1, 1995, DEADLINE.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
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It was the consensus of the Council to authorize the City Administrator to proceed
with drawing up a contract to allow the Finance Director to work less than full
time at an hourly rate. This issue will then be reviewed by the Council on
December 5, 1994.
City Council Minutes
December 1, 1994
Page 3
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5. Adjournment
There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
The meeting of the City Council adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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C)..j~ -<4'( {J
"Sandra Thackeray .
City Clerk
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