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04-05-1993 CC MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1993 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Scheel, Farber, and Holmgren Members Absent: None Staff Present: Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Schmitz, Recycling Coordinator Gary Also Present: Bill Birrenkott, Elk River Municipal Utilities Superintendent 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 7 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. 2. Consider 4/5/93 City Council Agenda COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER 5-0. MOVED TO APPROVE THE 4/5/93 CITY COUNCIL DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3. Consider 3/15/93 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED CARRIED 5-0. 3/15/93 CITY THE MOTION. COUNCIL THE MOTION 4. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 5.1. Garbage Billing Lori Johnson, Finance Director, stated that the City Council discussed the issue of garbage billing at its March 22 meeting. She stated that the issue was tabled at that meeting until such a time that Bill Birrenkott, Superintendent of the Elk River Municipal Utilities, could be present to answer any questions the Council may have. Lori Johnson stated that Bill Birrenkott was present and opened the issue for questions and discussion by the Council. Mayor Duitsman stated that he had a concern with the issue of monthly billing versus bimonthly billing. He informed the Council that he sees little value in switching to a monthly billing as it costs the citizens more for a monthly billing. . . . City Council Minutes April 5, 1993 Page 2 Councilmember Holmgren stated he would rather go to a monthly billing and further stated that he did not feel that the City should be doing the garbage billing. Councilmember Farber stated that he would rather see a monthly billing because this is what the citizens are requesting. Councilmember Dietz questioned why the cost for billing differs between the City of Elk River and the Elk River utilities. Bill Birrenkott explained to Councilmember Dietz that the major cost differences in monthly versus bimonthly relate to start up costs and the fact that Elk River utilities will be billing on a monthly basis. Mayor Duitsman questioned how Gary Schmitz would use the excess time if the garbage billing is handled by Utilities. The City Administrator indicated that this would free up approximately two days a week of Gary's time which would be applied to planning functions. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO BEGIN MONTHLY GARBAGE BILLING THROUGH THE ELK RIVER UTILITIES WITH ANY ADDITIONAL START UP COSTS TO BE PAID BY EXCESS GARBAGE FUNDS, IF AVAILABLE, AND THAT THE TRANSFER OF THE BILLING TAKE PLACE BY SEPTEMBER 1, 1993. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Mayor Duitsman opposed. Mayor Duitsman stated he is not in favor of monthly billing. 5.2. Resolution Awarding Sale of G.O. Refunding Bonds David Drown of Springsted was present and stated that eleven bids were received for the bonds. Dain Bosworth was the low bidder at an interest rate of 3.8553%. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 93-14, A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF THE CITY'S GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS SERIES 1993A AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR ISSUANCE. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.3. ISTEA Grant Park Trail The City Administrator reviewed the ISTEA Grant drafted by Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent. for improvements to the railroad trail from the site to County Road 33. proposal which was The proposal calls Community Education Councilmember Scheel stated that she resents the fact that the City is seeking the ISTEA Grant for the City's sole use, especially after the City Council voted against assisting Sherburne county with the ISTEA Grant for the preservation of the courthouse. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE ISTEA GRANT PROPOSAL DRAFTED BY PHIL HALS, STREET/PARK SUPERINTENDENT. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.4. Facsimile purchase . . . City Council Minutes AprilS, 1993 page 3 Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk, stated that funds have been budgeted for the purchase of two fax machines; one for the Police Department and one for the Administration Department. She indicated that she received quotes for eight machines, but is considering only three of the quotes as the other five did not meet specifications. The City Clerk recommended that the City purchase two fax machines from Cyberstar at a cost of $2,582.00 each. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MACHINES, ONE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT, AT A COST OF $2,582.00 EACH. THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. PURCHASE OF TWO CANON FAX AND ONE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED 5.5. Job Description - City Planner The City Administrator presented a draft job description of the City Planner position for Council review. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE CITY PLANNER. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Mayor Duitsman opposed. Mayor Duitsman requested the City Administrator to look at the structure and job duties of the Building and Zoning Department. 5.6. Wastewater Treatment system Operator Position Vacancy The City Administrator informed the Council that Craig Langbehn, WWTS Operator, has submitted his resignation. The City Administrator requested permission to advertise for the position. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE POSITION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM OPERATOR. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.7. Wapiti Park Set Up License COUNCILMEMBER CAMPGROUNDS. CARRIED 5-0. DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE A SET UP LICENSE FOR WAPITI PARK COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION 6. Check Register COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Other Business Councilmember Farber requested that the issue of the City'S sale of land to Rick Foster be brought back to the table for discussion. He indicated that the Council previously voted not to sell the City land along Highway 169 to Mr. Foster. Councilmember Farber stated that he has further studied the issue. He discussed the gas line issue with the gas company and was informed that if a leak occurred it would be . . . City Council Minutes April 5, 1993 Page 4 detected immediately. He further stated he has reviewed the cul-de-sac issues and indicated that Mr. Foster has proposed changes to the cul-de-sac. Councilmember Farber stated he would like the Council to reconsider selling the land to Mr. Foster. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO SELL THE CITY LAND LOCATED ALONG HIGHWAY 169 TO MR. RICK FOSTER AT $15,000. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. Counci1member Holmgren indicated that the cost for the land was too low. He further stated he felt the City should check with MnDOT to see if they are interested in purchasing the land. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER WITHDREW THE MOTION. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ WITHDREW THE SECOND. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO NOTIFY MNDOT THAT THE CITY PROPERTY FOR SALE AND THAT IF MNDOT IS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING, THEY NOTIFY THE CITY PRIOR TO MAY 1. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. IS MUST THE Councilmember Farber stated that he felt the City Hall grounds should be sodded due to the summer events that are planned to take place. Discussion was held regarding sod versus seed. It was the consensus of the Council that the most visible areas around the City Hall be sodded. The City Administrator stated that he would have the Street/Park Superintendent review his recommendation on landscaping with the City Council. 8. Staff Updates COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 13, 1993, AT 6 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE BUILDING AND ZONING ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTATION AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Orono Third Addition Neighborhood Meeting Councilmember Dietz suggested sending cost information to replace well and septic systems to existing homes in the Orono Third area. It was the consensus of the Council to send this information to the homes in the entire Orono First, Second, and Third Additions. Clerk's Conference COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL IIMC CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Orono Park Well . . . City Council Minutes April 5, 1993 Page 5 The City Administrator informed the Council that the well located in Orono Park will either require a holding pond or a holding tank underneath the building. The City Administrator stated that if a holding or drainage pond were needed, the pond would be about six feet deep, but would be fenced. He stated that a holding tank would be underneath the building and would be more expensive than a holding pond. It was the consensus of the Council not to build a holding pond. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED THAT NO HOLDING POND BE BUILT, BUT THAT A HOLDING TANK UNDERNEATH THE WELL BUILDING BE CONSTRUCTED. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Water System Finances The City Administrator informed the City Council that he would be meeting with the Elk River Utilities on 4/6/93 to discuss the financing of future water system needs. This discussion with the Utilities Commission is a follow-up to the joint City Council and Utilities Commission meeting. The City Administrator stated that, after analyzing the Water Department finances, it was his conclusion that there is no need for a new developer fee (Water Impact Fee-WIF) to finance future Water Department infrastructure needs. The Council discussed the need for a Water Impact Fee and whether or not it was more appropriate to increase the water availability charge which a new homeowner pays or create a new fee for developers. The City Administrator indicated that from the City point-of-view, he does not see a need for a new administrative requirement on developers, a new ordinance for this fee, additional administrative work, and he does not want the City to seem anti-development. A system is already in place which allows for additional revenues to be generated, if the utilities see a need for more revenue, simply through the increasing of the water connection fee. The City Administrator indicated that he will be recommending against the creation of a new developer fee. 9. Adjournment There being no further ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. TO THE The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, k~ ~CLd--f/\~b / / ({tit-~) Sandra Thackeray City Clerk