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10-11-1993 CC MIN - SPECIAL e SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Holmgren, Dietz, and Farber (arrived 6:10 p.m. as he was involved in a Refuse Appeal Board meeting) Members Absent: Councilmember Scheel Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Bill Rubin, Economic Development Coordinator Also Present: Jeff Gongoll, Economic Development Authority President; Pat Dwyer, Economic Development Authority Vice President 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. 2. Consider 10/11/93 City Council Agenda Item 6.3., Community Billboard, was added to the agenda. e COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER MOTION CARRIED 3-0. APPROVE THE 10/11/93 CITY COUNCIL DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE The City Council decided to move to Item 6.3 and return to Item 3 when Councilmember Farber arrived. 6.3. Community Billboard Councilmember Dietz stated that he was contacted by a representative from C.A.E.R. who was denied advertising the upcoming C.A.E.R. Soup and Bread Supper for October 17. Councilmember Dietz questioned who owned the theater sign located on Jackson Square. e Economic Development Coordinator Bill Rubin stated that the Community Theater group owns the sign and does allow other groups to advertise on the sign for a fee if the sign is not being used by the Community Theater. Bill Rubin informed the Council that he contacted the Community Theater group and suggested that it would be best for the sign to come down during the Jackson Square improvements so that the sign is not damaged. Bill Rubin indicated that this would be a good time for the City to evaluate the possibility of locating a community billboard at Jackson Square. Councilmember Dietz suggested that the Chamber of Commerce could put up a billboard at its new site if it locates at Highway 10 and Main Street. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to pursue the possibility of a community billboard to be located at Jackson Square and that the billboard would replace the Community Theater sign. It was further the consensus of the Council to discuss this issue with the Chamber of Elk River City Council Meeting October 11, 1993 Page 2 e Commerce to see if they would be interested in having a community billboard sign at their new location. 3. Business Park Task Force Presentation Pat Dwyer, Chair of the EDA Business Park Task Force, updated the council on the Task Force composition and reviewed the progress and current status of the Task Force. Pat Dwyer also reviewed the current status of the existing industrial lots available in Elk River and noted that the City is quickly running out of industrial lots. He stated there is a need to develop industrial property. He further noted that the concept of the Task Force is to have two different types of industrial parks available. The Task Force is recommending that a light industrial park be located in the eastern area of the City along Highway 10 and that a business park be created along Highway 10 in the western area of the City. Pat Dwyer reviewed possible funding sources for the City or the EDA to acquire the land for the parks. He stated that the Task Force is recommending to amend TIF Plans No. 1 and No. 3 to enable funds from TIF Districts No. 1 and No. 3 to be used in the acquisition of land for additional industrial and business parks. He noted that there is an estimated $430,000 to $435,000 in funds available from Districts No. 1 and No.3. e Pat Dwyer also discussed infrastructure improvements necessary for the parks. He stated that the options available to pay for the construction of roads and the installation of utilities include the sale of bonds via Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429, or an application to the u.s. Economic Development Administration (USEDA). Pat Dwyer stated that the Business Park Task Force is also requesting that a recommendation be made to the Planning Commission to study the creation of a new business park zone in the western area of the city. Mayor Duitsman stated it is important to get industrial development in Elk River and the only way to get ahead is to dedicate the TIF funds from Districts No. 1 and No. 3 for land acquisition. Mayor Duitsman further stated that if money is needed for Main Street redevelopment, the HRA could dedicate some of its funds to that purpose. Councilmember Dietz indicated he agreed with Mayor Duitsman in that it is important to acquire land for industrial development and that the funds from Districts No. 1 and No. 3 be used. Economic Development Coordinator Bill Rubin indicated that the money from Districts No. 1 and No. 3 would be used as seed money and would be recaptured from land sales. These funds would be used in subsequent phases of the business park. e Councilmember Holmgren questioned whether it was necessary to use all of the money from Districts No. 1 and No.3. He indicated he would rather not commit all of the funds at one time, but would like to see a project prior to committing the funds. Elk River City Council Meeting October 11, 1993 Page 3 e Jeff Gongoll, EDA President, noted that it is important to commit the entire amount at this time if the City is to move forward. Pat Dwyer indicated that the EDA would like to tie up as much land as possible at this time and, therefore, it is necessary that all of the funds be dedicated. Councilmember Holmgren stated he was hoping some of the money could be used to develop some of the City's existing park land. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ALLOCATE $400,000 IN TAX FINANCING FUNDS FROM DISTRICTS NO. 1 AND NO. 3 TO BE USED ACQUISITION FOR A BUSINESS PARK ON THE WEST END OF THE CITY INDUSTRIAL PARK ON THE EAST END OF THE CITY. COUNCILMEMBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. INCREMENT FOR LAND AND LIGHT HOLMGREN Councilmember Farber noted that it was important that the City provide a business park on the west end and an industrial park on the east end of the City. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO REFER THE CONCEPT OF A BUSINESS PARK ZONE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR FURTHER STUDY. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6.1. Consider 221st Avenue Improvements e Pat Klaers, City Administrator, informed the Council that the 221st Avenue improvement project has been delayed. He indicated that financing and timing of the project will be discussed by the City Engineer, Street Superintendent, and himself. He further noted that this issue will be brought back to the Council at a Council meeting in October. 6.2. Consider Park and Recreation Terms and Vacancies City Administrator Pat Klaers noted that the City council previously determined that the best time to advertise for Park and Recreation Commission vacancies was sometime after Labor Day and before Christmas. He noted that there will be three vacancies at the end of 1993, and all three Commissioners, Dave Anderson, Clair Olson, and Sue Daleiden, have requested reappointment. The City Administrator questioned whether the Council wished to reappoint the three Commissioners or to advertise for the positions and interview new applicants and existing Commissioners. Councilmember Holmgren noted that in the past there have been times when the City Council advertised and interviewed both new applicants and existing applicants who have requested reappointment. Councilmember Holmgren suggested that the City have a consistent policy for all boards and commissions. He further noted that it would be best to advertise for all boards and commissions so that the door would be kept open for new applicants to apply. e COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT A POLICY REGARDING BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS. THE POLICY WOULD REQUIRE THAT ALL COMMISSION e e e Elk River city Council Meeting October 11, 1993 Page 4 AND BOARD MEMBERS WHOSE TERMS HAVE EXPIRED AND HAVE REQUESTED REAPPOINTMENT BE INTERVIEWED AND ALSO THAT ALL POSITIONS BE ADVERTISED FOR NEW APPLICANTS. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 2-0-2. Mayor Duitsman and Councilmember Dietz abstained. 6.4. Troy Street Councilmember Dietz noted that he has continued to receive complaints regarding the condition of Troy Street. He indicated that Troy Street is not a City road. He informed the residents that if they wish to bring the road up to city standards, they should meet with the City staff and follow the plan that was set up for Naples Street. 7. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED MOTION CARRIED 4-0. HOLMGREN MOVED THE MOTION. TO THE The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 4~h~~~ City Clerk