Loading...
03-04-1991 CC MIN e e e MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1991 Members Present: Councilmembers Schuldt, Kropuenske, Dietz and Holmgren Members Absent: Mayor Tralle (due to illness) Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Tim Keane, City Attorney; Terry Maurer, City Engineer 1. CI:!JJ meetin~order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order by Vice Mayor Schuldt. 3. Consider 3L4L~1 City Council A~!Lda Item 8.1 - Update from Councilmember Kropuenske, was added to the agenda. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/4/91 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNC I LMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOT I ON. THE MOT I ON CARRIED 4-0. 4. Consider 2/25/91 City Council Minute~ COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED APPROVE THE 2/25/91 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 2. CO_lI!m~mi ty Center TasJ< Force/Ci ty Cou!Wj_LJ~l~cu~!U-_~1! Vice Mayor Schuldt thanked the Community Center Task Force for the time and work they put into the community center project. Dave Bosshardt expressed his disappointment in reading about the Council's decision in the Star News. Pat Rasmusson stated that the Task Force did what they were directed to do. She indicated that the Task Force would liked to have been involved in the Council's discussion and decision prior to reading about the result in the newspaper. Councilmember Kropuenske explained that when the school referendum was approved, the City Council realized that the public would not approve a referendum for a community center. He further stated that the research and time the Task Force put into the project would be put to use in the future. Pat Rasmusson stated that the recommendation of the Community Center Task Force is to pursue the purchase of land for a community center. City Council Minutes March 4, 1991 Page 2 e Councilmember Dietz stated that he was pleased with the results from the Community Center Task Force. He stated that the Council discussion was based on priorities and the priority at the present time is a city hall and police station. Council member Dietz concurred with the Task Force recommendation of continuing to search for land for a communi ty center. Councilmember Kropuenske stated that the Council will try to incorporate some of the Task Force ideas into the plans for a city hall. He indicated that when a city hall is built, meeting rooms will be included in the plans. He stated these rooms could be used by the public until such time that a community center is built. Kathy Heaney stated that she felt the Council and Task Force were working toward the same goal. Pat Rasmusson thanked the Council for allowing the Task Force to go through with the project and stated that the Task Force is now is recess and would be willing to be called again for service. 5. Q~I.L..Mike No one appeared for this item. e 6.1. Resolution to Publish-.Sum!llary of Floog'p-laiJLQ.r9i!l!JIH~e COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 91-12, A RESOLUTION APPROVING NOTICE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FORM OF A SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE 91-4 PERTAINING TO FLOODPLAIN. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6.2. Fillmore Street PubltQ_HeaI:..jJL~ Pat Klaers, City Administrator indicated that an informational meeting regarding the proposed Fillmore project had been held by the City Staff. He stated that all of the affected residents were notified and approximately 13 people attended this meeting. Terry Maurer, City Engineer, explained that the Fillmore Street project would consist of the reconstruction of Fillmore Street from County Road 12 to 174th Avenue. Mr. Maurer addressed some of the concerns which the residents expressed at the informational meeting. The main issue of concern was traffic and safety on Fillmore in regard to speed. Mr. Maurer explained the possible need to start eminent domain proceedings for needed right-of-way in order to keep the project on a timetable for completion in 1991. He indicated that the total project cost is $229,600 excluding land acquisition. e Mr. Maurer explained that at the time Hidden Creek was developed, there was a $500 impact fee per lot of which 60% ($15,900) will go towards the project cost. He further stated that $147,600 in state aid money would also to toward the project, leaving $82,000 to be assessed to property owners. If the amount to be assessed is reduced, then the amount of needed state aid money would increase. City Council Minutes March 4, 1991 Page 3 e Mr. Maurer explained that it was Staff's recommendation to reduce the number of units for Mr. Allen's property from 4 to 2 because of the depth of the property. Mr. Maurer also indicated that it was Staff's recommendation to reduce the number of units for the Holzem property from 8 to 6 due to the wetlands. The total assessable uni ts after these reductions is 37. Mr. Maurer stated that Staff recommendation is to assess each unit at $2,000. Mr. Maurer stated that the proposed plan also calls for a bike trail on sides of Fillmore. This bike path does not increase the assessment amount for each property owner. Vice Mayor Schuldt opened the public hearing. SCQ.tt Mi tch~1~10075 1751;.J1. AvenJJ~ Scott Mitchell stated that if the City takes land from him for easement or right-ow-way purposes I this would take him out of the green acre classification. He further indicated that the City does not own the road and therefore cannot assess him. Pat I:Iolzem - 18~Z-f) Davis Street e Pat Holzem indicated that he was informed by the County that the City cannot assess his property because it is listed as Green Acres. Mr. Holzem also expressed his concern with the City taking land for easement purposes. He indicated that this would affect his farming operation because there would be less land for him to farm. EmJ!la H~tlze!!!.-=-1.6_~2 5-.l2I].'yj~J?.t.r~et Emma Holzem expressed her opposition to the proposed bike trail. She indicated that a bike trail is not necessary as it would not connect to any other trail or road. Ms. Holzem also stated that a bike trail would be a potential hazard for the farming operation as there would be the danger of bikers being hit by farm equipment. P.!J._LijQl~_eIlL-=-lJl~..2JLJ2a vi ELJIt.r.Q..e_t Pat Holzem questioned the engineer as to how he arrived at the reduction of assessable units from 8 to 6. He also questioned the need to take the easement from only the west side of the road. Terry Maurer explained that the west side for easements was suggested because the west side of the road is agricultural and the east side is already developed as residential. ~ordQP Mire - 17753 FillmQT~ Street e Gordon Mire expressed his opposition to the bike trail being on both sides of Fillmore. He stated his preference to see the bike trail on only the east side because it would be safer for his children. He indicated that he was in agreement with the easement being fully on the west side of the road. e e . City Council Minutes March 4, 1991 Pag-e 4 Scott Mitchell - 10075 175th Avenue Scott Mitchell stated that residents in Hidden Creek should pay more than just the $300 impact fee. Ron Myhre - 10022 175th Avenue Ron Myhre stated that Hidden Creek Development is the cause for improving Fillmore Street and felt that the residents should pay more than $300. He also stated that 175th Avenue should be improved because it is the main road to Highway 10. ~i~_Fo~JLthe - 9951 174th AveDu~ Jim Forsythe explained that when he built his home in Hidden Creek, he was informed that he could not access his home from Fillmore Street and now the City is encouraging access to Fillmore Street with this project. He further stated that he was not one of the major users of Fillmore Street nor did he think that the Hidden Creek residents were major users of the Street. R~~h Allen - 17575 Fillm~re S~y~et Ruth Allen stated that large semi trucks and high speed traffic are problems on Fillmore Street. Pat HolzelD - 18~25 Davis Street Pat Holzem questioned the weight of the road. He questioned if trucks would be fined if they are overweight. Scott Mitchell - 10075 175th Avenu~ Scott Mitchell stated that he was not opposed to the project but that he was opposed to the method of assessment. There being no further comments from the public, Vice Mayor Schuldt closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 91-13, A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE FILLMORE STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 1991. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED THAT THE FILLMORE PROJECT PROCEED WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS: 1. ASSESSMENT UNITS FOR THE ALLEN PROPERTY BE REDUCED FROM FOUR TO TWO 2. ASSESSMENT UNITS FOR THE HOLZEM PROPERTY BE REDUCED FROM EIGHT TO SIX 3. A COUNTY ROAD 12 TURN LANE BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT e e e City Council Minutes March 4, 1991 Page 5 4. THE ASSESSMENT COST SHALL BE $2,000 PER UNIT. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE NEEDED RIGHT-OF-WAY AND THAT EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDINGS BEGIN IF NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 91-14, A RESOLUTION DETERMINING ASSESSED COST OF IMPROVEMENT AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLL IN THE MATTER OF FILLMORE STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 1991. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The City Council recessed at 8:45 p.m. and reconvened at 8:55 p.m. 6.3. Otse~o Sewer Capacity Discussion The Council discussed the possibility of leasing Elk River's sewer capacity to Otsego. It was a general concern of the Council that this project could possibly backfire on Elk River if Elk River had a large spurt of residential growth or if sewer is extended to the western area of Elk River. Councilmember Kropuenske expressed his concern regarding the possibility of jeopardizing the incoming of future industry to Elk River if the City's sewer capacity is leased to Otsego at the time it is needed for industry in Elk River. The Council discussed the question of whether Otsego is requesting a long or short term commitment. It was the consensus of the Ci ty Council to inform Otsego that the City of Elk River is possibly willing to consider leasing sewer capacity to Otsego on a short term basis only. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO RESPOND TO THE MEMO FROM OTSEGO'S ENGINEER REGARDING THE LEASING OF SEWER CAPACITY AND FURTHER TO INFORM THE CITY OF OTSEGO THAT ELK RIVER IS INTERESTED ONLY IN A SHORT TERM AGREEMENT. COUNCILMEMHER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-1. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE OPPOSED. Councilmember Kropuenske indicated that he is not sure that leasing sewer capacity to Otsego is in Elk River's best interest at this time. 6. 4a. ltDaLBJ'id~e Terry Maurer indicated that he has submitted a design study report to Mn/DOT for the Main Street Bridge Replacement. He indicated that he anticipates receiving the report back in six to eight weeks and is optimistic that the project can begin in 1992 and be completed in early 1993. City Council Minutes March 4, 1991 Page 6 e 6.4b.2128/91 MnDOT m~~tin~ Terry Maurer stated that he met with MnDot regarding the right on/right off on Highway 169 for the Darkenwald Plat. He informed the Council that MnDOT denied the request as they felt it was a detriment to the highway. Terry Maurer indicated that other items discussed with MnDOT included Main Street 169 Intersection; Highway 169 overlay; and the 192nd signalization. 6.4c.173rd Railroad Ctossin~ and Street ImQrov~men~ Terry Maurer indicated that he has submitted plans to the MnDOT State Office for improvement to the Burlington Northern Railroad Crossing on 173rd Avenue. The improvement of this crossing will take place in the 1991 construction season. 6.4d.Westwood Improvement Terry Maurer indicated that the Council has authorized a feasibility study to investigate the extension of City sanitary sewer and water into this area. He informed the Council that he has sent a questionnaire to the Westwood residents regarding the project. e 6. 4e. E:Loctor A,,~n.!le I!IIprovem.~ILt. Terry Maurer informed the Council that he has met with the School District regarding the Proctor Avenue project. He indicated that he discussed the sidewalk which is proposed to run to Salk School, and the closing of the entrance on Proctor to Vandenberge School. Terry Maurer stated that a feasibility would be presented to the Council at a future date. 6.4f.Qr~QQ__Lake Dredgin~ Terry Maurer informed the Council that he has contacted the Army Corp of Engineers regarding the status on the dredging of Lake Orono. He indicated that he is anticipating a response from the Army Corp sometime in April. 6.4g.~~ples Nei~nborhood Meetin~ Terry Maurer indicated that a feasibility study for street improvement to Naples Avenue has been completed. He indicated that an informational meeting has been set for March 19, 1991. 7.1. Northbound Liquor Annual Report/Fritz Dolejs e Fritz Dolejs, Liquor Store Manager, presented the Liquor Store Annual Report to the City Council. City Council Minutes March 4, 1991 Page 7 ~ 7.2. Fire Department Annual Report/Russ Arrgerso~ Russ Anderson, Fire Chief, presented the Fire Department Annual Report to the City Council. Russ Anderson indicated the Steve Di ttbenner would be before the Council in the future to discuss the status of the ambulance service. 8. 1. Ccm.nci !!!lE:!_mber Kropuepske Councilmember Kropuenske indicated that he met with the landowners of the property along the river that is being considered as a potential City Hall site. He indicated that the landowners have indicated that price will be lower than originally quoted. 9. Qj~<i!!Ii!lllttrator IDldate The City Administrator indicated Mr. Gospodor is interested in donating land to the City if it would be put to public service. The City Administrator indicated that he would like the Council to consider adding this parcel of land to the other parcels being evaluated by Zack Johnson. It was the consensus of the City Council to acknowledge the Gospodor property as a potential city hall and/or community center site. e The City Administrator informed the Council that on March 11, at 6:00 p.m. he will meet with two County Board representatives, the Mayor and Councilmember Kropuenske in a committee worksession. He indicated that the meeting was called by the County for the purpose of discussing the County Administration Building. The City Administrator indicated that Laurie Britz has requested an increase in pay of $50.00 a month to purchase cleaning supplies for the Library and City Hall. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO INCREASE LAURIE BRITZ'S SALARY BY $50.00 PER MONTH TO COVER CLEANING SUPPLIES FOR THE LIBRARY AND CITY HALL. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The City Administrator indicated that for the past few years the City has donated $250 in support of the 2001 Conference, and indicated that the City has once again been asked to donate toward this cause. e COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO DONATE $250 TO SUPPORT THE 2001 CONFERENCE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. City Council Minutes March 4, 1991 Page 8 tit The City Administrator informed the Council that the Board of Equalization Meeting will be held on April 11, 1991, at 6:00 p.m. at the County Administration Building. 10. Check Re~ister COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 11 . J.\J:ij ournll!ent There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 10:30 p.m. / /7 . Ji ~:./~~/'--t? ',,-<df/i-C't/J..-i'~;c Sandra Thackeray City Clerk tit e