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03-08-1993 CC MIN - SPECIAL #2 . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1993 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Scheel, Farber, Dietz and Holmgren (8:57 p.m.) Members Absent: None Staff Present: Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Bill Rubin, Economic Development Coordinator; Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 8:50 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. 2. Consider 3/8/93 City Council Agenda The following was added to the agenda: 8.1. City Council Updates COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/8/93 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Public Hearing/Tax Increment Financing Plan Tax Increment District No. 9/Tescom Bill Rubin explained that the Economic Development Authority adopted a resolution approving the Tax Increment Financing Plan for District No. 9 located within Development District No.1. Bill Rubin indicated that TIF District No. 9 was recently approved by the Council in August, 1992, and the District was comprised of one parcel, Lot 8, Block 1, Elk River Industrial Park. He stated that because of uncertainties surrounding site preparation costs and wetland issues involved with Lot 8, an alternative site for TIF District No. 9 was explored. Bill explained that because the TIF Plan was never certified, the TIF Plan being presented this evening has been renamed TIF Plan No.9. Bill Rubin explained that Tescom is requesting Tax Increment Financing assistance in the amount of $194,000 to support an expansion of approximately 30,000 square feet. He stated that the TIF District will be comprised of Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 2, Elk River Industrial Park Second Addition, however, Tescom is requesting to purchase only two of the lots. Therefore, Tescom's assistance will be reduced by the value of the lot not sold. . . . Elk River city Council Minutes March 8, 1993 Page 2 Mayor Duitsman opened the public hearing. There being no one for or against the matter, Mayor Duitsman closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 93-9, A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 9 AND THE ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATED THERETO, LOCATED WITHIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO.1. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Consider Request to Sponsor Grant Arne Engstrom, County Commissioner, stated that Sherburne county Commissioners voted in favor of requesting the City to sponsor a grant for the preservation of the old courthouse. John Kuester stated that the County Attorney felt it was in the County's best interest not to sponsor a grant for its own building as it may be perceived as a conflict of interest. Councilmember Holmgren arrived at this time (8:57 p.m.). John Kuester suggested that the Council grant preliminary approval of the sponsorship and hold final approval until the details of the grant are submitted to the City Council. Mayor Duitsman stated that he is not in favor of preserving the building. Councilmember Dietz questioned who would fund the remaining 20\ of the grant. He further stated that the City can apply for money through this grant program for the park system and stated that he would rather apply for money for the park system rather than for the preservation of the old courthouse. John Kuester informed Councilmember Dietz that applying for one grant for both the courthouse and the park system would strengthen the grant application. Councilmember Holmgren stated that he no longer felt this was a conflict of interest because the County has voted to request that the City Council take action on this matter. He stated he is in favor of sponsoring the grant program to save the old courthouse. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER TO SPONSOR THE GRANT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE COURTHOUSE. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION FAILED 2-3. Councilmembers Farber and Dietz and Mayor Duitsman opposed. Mary Jo Minton stated that she was in favor of preserving the courthouse and felt the Council made a mistake. 5. Authorize Letter to Federal Housing Administration Bill Rubin indicated that staff is requesting the Council to authorize a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development requesting . . . Elk River City Council Minutes March 8, 1993 Page 3 an expeditious adjustment to Sherburne County's single family mortgage insurance limits to reflect those limits of the Twin Cities metro area. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SEND A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT REQUESTING AN ADJUSTMENT TO SHERBURNE COUNTY'S SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE LIMITS. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Pat Klaers distributed a letter which he received from the Citizen's League in support of the preservation of the courthouse. 6.1. Resolution Initiating Process for the Sale of the City's General Obligation Refunding Bond Series 1993A COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO INITIATING THE PROCESS FOR REFUNDING BOND SERIES 1993A. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. ADOPT RESOLUTION 93-10, A RESOLUTION THE SALE OF THE CITY'S GENERAL OBLIGATION COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. 6.2. Consider Proposal for the 5.5 Acre City Parcel Pat Klaers referred to his 3/5/93 memo on this topic and stated that a water tower site has been identified within the Hillside Estates area. He stated that Mr. Foster, developer of the plat, has suggested that a property exchange take place for this water tower site property. Mr. Foster suggested that the City exchange the City owned 5 acre site north of the MnDOT facility for the water tower site. The City Administrator stated that the value of the City land is unknown at this time. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that he would rather have an exchange of dollars and cents rather than a land exchange. The City Administrator indicated that the Council must also consider the fact that the City would be buying land for the water utility. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO TABLE THIS ISSUE UNTIL MONDAY, MARCH 15. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. Steve Rohlf suggested discussing this issue during the preliminary plat review. Councilmember Scheel rescinded her motion. concurred to rescind the second. Councilmember Holmgren COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO COMMISSION TO REVIEW DURING HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. REFER THIS ISSUE TO THE PRELIMINARY PLAT. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. THE PLANNING COUNCILMEMBER Councilmember Homgren suggested that the City Administrator contact the County Assessor's office to try and get an understanding of the value . . . Elk River City Council Minutes March 8, 1993 Page 4 of the City parcel. Also, if this data could be obtained, Pat should present this information to the Council at the 3/15/93 meeting. 6.3. Review Planning Position Discussion was held by the Council regarding the issue of hiring a City Planner versus a Zoning Assistant to replace Janelle Schmitz. Councilmember Holmgren stated that the City should have hired a Planner two years ago because the Building and Zoning Administrator is responsible for more duties and activities than is appropriate for the position. Chris Kreger stated that he felt it would be best for the City to hire a Planning Consultant and to utilize steve Rohlf's experience and ideas in the capacity that he is working now. Mayor Duitsman indicated people regarding both sides clear consensus from the the City should continue to that he has received comments from several of the issue. He stated he does not have a public whether a Planner should be hired or utilize the present staff and consultants. Steve Rohlf informed the Council that if they should hire a Planner, it would not eliminate the need for a Planning Consultant. Councilmember Scheel stated she would like to leave steve Rohlf in his current position, but eliminate some of the work load. She indicated that apartment building inspections could be handled by the Fire Department. She further stated she felt the City should hire Steve Rohlf an assistant. Mary Eberley indicated that she is an advocate of increasing the planning activity in Elk River. She feels the City needs to look at long range planning and issues such as transportation and also to make a stronger commitment to future growth and development. Councilmember Farber stated that hiring a Planner would not be a demotion for Steve Rohlf, but is necessary due to the growth of Elk River. He stated that an assistant for steve Rohlf would not be an answer to the work load and further indicated that the City needs to look into the future. Councilmember Dietz stated that he felt the City should have some type of Planner, but he is not sure who the position would report to. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that some of the issues facing Elk River go beyond the work of an assistant planner. He stated he does not support hiring an assistant planner. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DIRECT THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO DRAFT A JOB DESCRIPTION AND SALARY RANGE FOR A CITY PLANNER ACTING AS A DEPARTMENT HEAD. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. . . . Elk River City Council Minutes March 8, 1993 Page 5 Councilmember Dietz questioned what responsibilities steve Rohlf would have if he was relieved of planning duties. Pat Klaers indicated that Steve Rohlf would continue to supervise the Building Official and inspections, work in environmental areas, continue to administer and implement the landfill license, gravel mining operations, wetlands, floodplain, zoning ordinance and enforcement. Steve Rohlf questioned what his future in Elk River would be and how his salary would be affected if the City would hire a City Planner. He also questioned if the City would reimburese him for college expenses for a planning degree. Councilmember Farber indicated that the City Council is looking at the long term plans for the City. He further stated he does not see steve's job disappearing and feels that his department head status will remain. Steve Rohlf informed the Council that his main concern is that he continues to have a job for the long term when the decision is made and further stated that the Council should do what is necessary and not consider personalities. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Other Business The City Administrator informed the Council that the preliminary plat concept review for the Barnier property of 112 single family lots has taken place. The Council decided that a joint meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission and City Council could be held on April 12, following the regularly scheduled EDA meeting. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ NATIONAL CONFERENCE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOVED TO AUTHORIZ~ FRITZ DOLEJS TO ATTEND HIS COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE 8. Staff Updates Councilmember Dietz informed the Council that he has made contact with several residents in the Moldenhauer Addition to inform them of the Kincanon plat. Councilmember Dietz requested that the Council proclaim Elk River Hockey Week. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO PROCLAIM MARCH 7-13 AS ELK RIVER HOCKEY WEEK. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . . . Elk River city Council Minutes March 8, 1993 9. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCI LMEMBER ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 6 HOLMGREN MOVED THE MOTION. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~k~ City Clerk TO THE