Loading...
10-26-1992 CC MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers Holmgren, Dietz, Kropuenske, and Schuldt MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; and Terry Maurer, City Engineer 1. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due to call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Tralle. 2. Consider 10/26/92 Agenda Item 7.1. - Expo Update, was added to the agenda. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. 5~0. 10/26/92 CITY COUNCIL THE MOTION CARRIED 3. Open Mike NO one appeared for this item. 4.1. Assessment Public Hearing for 4th and Holt Improvement Project Terry Maurer, City Engineer, reviewed the Holt Avenue and Fourth street Improvement project. He stated that the project consists of street and utility improvements on Holt Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets and 4th Street between Gates and Holt Avenues. He indicated that all sanitary sewer and water costs will be assessed against the Elk Terrace project and that the other abutting properties will be assessed for street and storm drainage with st. Andrew's paying the bulk of the storm drainage costs due to the oversized pipe to serve St. Andrew's future development. Terry Maurer reviewed the construction costs and the proposed assessment costs for the project. He indicated that the total project cost is $166,554.60. Mayor Tralle opened the public hearing. Mayor Tralle reviewed the assessment appeal process. Reg Powell, 12582 182nd Avenue, stated that he owns property in the assessment area on 554 3rd Street and stated he felt being assessed for a street project that was not needed except fact that Elk Terrace requires the improvements. Terry involved he was for the Maurer . . . City Council Minutes October 26, 1992 Page 2 responded by stating that Holt Street was a narrow street and not adequate for commercial zoning. Paul Henderson, 517 4th Street, questioned why the total project cost presented at tonight's meeting differed from the project cost presented in the feasibility study. Terry Maurer explained that there were several factors involved in the difference of the project costs including the Council decision to not construct the street from Irving to Holt and also the decision to widen the street from Holt to Gates and, further, that Elk Terrace has requested several changes to the project which increased the rates to their assessment. Paul Henderson questioned whether a sidewalk would be constructed on the south side of 4th Street. Terry Maurer stated that the sidewalk will be constructed at a later date when the area develops in a commercial manner. Larry Toth, representing st. Andrew's Parish, questioned why St. Andrew's was being assessed an extra $4,000 for storm sewer and why the homeowners were not carrying the cost along with St. Andrews. Terry Maurer explained that the need to oversize the storm sewer was done to accommodate st. Andrew's proposed future expansion and part of the oversizing of the storm sewer included the restoration of Gates Avenue. He stated that the restoration of Gates Avenue cost $4,000 and explained that this is part of the storm sewer cost. Terry Maurer explained the the residential properties are being assessed at $7.00 per foot for storm sewer and anything extra would be paid by the Church as originally planned. Larry Toth requested that the City pay part of the cost. Tim Kratzke, 373 Gates, questioned how the unit assessment prices were arrived at in relation to paying a commercial rate when the property is being used as residential. Terry Maurer explained that the Assessment Manual looks at the zone of the property and not the use of the property. The City Clerk entered into the record a letter of written objection to the assessment submitted by Reg Powell for 554 3rd Street. There being no further comments, Mayor Tralle closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO DENY THE OBJECTION SUBMITTED BY REG POWELL FOR 554 3RD STREET ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PROPERTY WILL BE BENEFITTED IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSMENT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 92-104, A RESOLUTION DETERMINING ASSESSED COSTS OF THE IMPROVEMENT AND ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLL IN THE MATTER OF HOLT AVENUE AND FOURTH STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 1992. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPTING THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ADOPT RESOLUTION ROLL FOR THE HOLT 92-105, A RESOLUTION AND FOURTH AVENUE . . . City Council Minutes October 26, 1992 Page 3 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.2. Resolution Approving Hillside Estates Assessment Roll Terry Maurer indicated that Rick Foster, developer for the project, has petitioned for improvements and assessments to Hillside Estates Plat. He indicated that the developer has waived his rights to object to the assessment. Terry Maurer explained that the developer has also requested to spread a portion of the project costs to three properties outside of the Hillside Estates Phase I Plat. Terry Maurer reviewed the project costs of $589,325.56 and stated that it would be assessed to 56 residential lots in Hillside Acres and three parcels which are currently unplatted. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 92-106, A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE HILLSIDE ESTATES PHASE I AND CHERRY HILL BLUFFS IMPROVEMENT. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. Terry Maurer stated that waivers of rights to appeal the assessment have also been received for the areas outside of the original plat. 4.3. City-wide Transportation Plan Terry Maurer indicated that the City Council had previously requested a proposal for a city-wide transportation plan. He presented a proposal for the City Council to consider. He reviewed the proposal which consisted of four major components; inventory, analysis, planned development, and final report. Terry Maurer stated that the total cost to accomplish the transportation study would be a not-to-exceed figure of $28,500 and would be billed on a hourly basis. The City Council discussed the need and benefits of doing a transportation study for the City of Elk River. The Council also discussed the coordination of this project with surrounding communities. The Council requested that the plan point out problem areas in the City that would need to be worked on in the future. Councilmember Holmgren questioned how this program would be funded. The City Administrator stated that it would be financed with City Council 1993 Contingency funds or the Capital Projects reserve fund which is generally used for street projects. Councilmember Holmgren suggested that the City Council hold a public meeting on the issue. The Council discussed the fact that it would be beneficial to hold a public meeting to inform residents of the transportation plan once it is completed in draft form, and further, to hold a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and City Council regarding the transportation plan. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CITY-WIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY MAIER STEWART AND TO AUTHORIZE MAIER STEWART TO PROCEED WITH THE PLAN AND THAT THE COST OF THE PLAN NOT EXCEED . . . City Council Minutes October 26, 1992 Page 4 $28,500. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. CARRIED 5-0. THE MOTION 5.1. Authorization to Solicit Phone System Bids Pat Klaers, City Administrator, requested authorization from the Council to advertise for phone bids which would be due on November 30. He stated that the bids will be advertised locally. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED. TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO ADVERTISE FOR TELEPHONE BIDS FOR THE PHONE SYSTEM AT THE NEW CITY HALL/POLICE FACILITY. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.2. Award TIF No. 10 Bond Sale The City Administrator explained that the recently approved TIF Plan for TIF District No. 10, Elk Terrace Limited partnership Project, calls for financing of $160,000. He stated that due to the small size of this issue, the bonds have been negotiated locally. He indicated that each of the three local banks were given an opportunity to submit a bid and that the City received only one response, from First National Bank of Elk River, at an interest rate of 7.9%. Councilmember Kropuenske stated that he would abstain from voting on this issue because he participated in putting the bid together and, further, because he is an employee of the First National Bank. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 92-107, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE, AWARDING SALE, PRESCRIBING THE FORM AND DETAILS AND PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF $160,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION TAX INCREMENT TAXABLE NOTE, SERIES 19920. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. Councilmember Kropuenske abstained. 5.3. Fire Department Pagers The City Council reviewed the Fire Chief's memo dated 10/22/92 on this issue. The City Administrator indicated that the Fire Chief is requesting to purchase 10 new pagers in 1992. The City Administrator stated that this expense has not been budgeted in either the 1992 or 1993 budget. He stated that if the Council approved the purchase of these pagers, the money would come from the Emergency Preparedness and Fire Department 1992 budgets and it may be necessary to use some funds from the Council Contingency 1992 Budget to pay for the pagers. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE FIRE CHIEF TO PURCHASE 10 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PAGERS FOR A TOTAL OF $4,914.70. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.4. Planning Commission Terms The City Administrator indicated that there are two Planning Commission members who's Planning Commission terms will expire on 12/31/92. He indicated that staff is recommending that the positions be advertised . . . City Council Minutes October 26, 1992 Page 5 in the star News so that appointments can take place by January 1. It was the consensus of the City Council to authorize staff to advertise for Planning Commission members in the Star News. 6. Consider FHA Issue Regarding Deerfield 3rd and 4th Additions Mayor Tralle stated that he would like authorization to submit a letter to Senators Durenburger and Wellstone, and Representatives Sikorski and Oberstar regarding FHA's policy to not allow FHA refinancing in the Deerfield 3rd and 4th Additions. Mayor Tralle stated that the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority Chair has submitted a letter to FHA requesting them to review their pOlicy, however, no action has been taken by FHA. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SUBMIT LETTERS FROM MAYOR TRALLE REGARDING THIS MATTER TO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7.1. Business Expo Councilmember Schuldt thanked staff for their effort in organizing the City booth at the Business Expo. He further stated he thought it would be a good idea to consult with the Fire Department to see if they would be in favor of having a booth at the Expo in 1993. 8. Staff Updates The City Administrator informed the Council that the Street Superintendent did not purchase the used truck which he requested to bid on because the truck was sold at the auction at a higher price than he felt was appropriate. He indicated that there is another truck in Apply Valley and that the Street Superintendent is requesting permission to submit a bid up to $18,000 for the truck. He indicated that the funds would be from the 1993 Equipment Certificate budget. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize the Street Superintendent to spend up to $18,000 for the purchase of a truck. The City Administrator informed the Council that he has met with the School District, the Street Superintendent, and the Police Chief regarding safety and traffic issues during certain periods of the day near the Senior High School. He stated that the School District representatives, Street Superintendent, and Police Chief have suggested that a crosswalk be installed across from the Lion's Park parking lot so that it would be safer for the students to cross the street to get to the school or to leave the school area. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO CROSSWALK ACROSS FROM LION'S PARK. MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. AUTHORIZE THE INSTALLATION OF A COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE . . . City Council Minutes October 26, 1992 Page 6 Councilmember Holmgren questioned the Council if the Park and Recreation Commission had been requested to not hold their meetings on Wednesdays, due to church days during Lent. Councilmember Kropuenske indicated that earlier this year he had requested that Park and Recreation Commission meeting days be changed. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, -A~ ~~ Sandra Thackeray ~ City Clerk