Loading...
03-25-1991 CC MIN . e e MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers Kropuenske, Holmgren, and Schuldt MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Dietz (Vacation) STAFF PRESENT: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk; Tom Zerwas, Police Chief, Tom Tyler, Sergeant; Brad Rohlf, Sergeant 1. Call Meetin~ to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order by Mayor Tralle at 7:00 p.m. 2. Q9nsider 3/25/91 Council A~enda COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/25/91 COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Q.:QlliL.M i ke Gary Rohling of 817 Gates Avenue, questioned the public hearing notice process. He indicated he did not receive a notice for the public hearing to be held regarding the Holiday Station. The City Clerk advised Mr. Rohling to contact the Zoning Department. Mr. Rohling also commented on the sealcoating job on Gates Avenue. He indicated that it was a poor job and that he has had large rocks from the seal coating thrown on his yard from the snow plows. Mayor Tralle indicated that the Street Superintendent would check the sealcoating project, warranty, etc. and contact Mr. Rohling regarding this matter. Tom Zerwas, representing the Jaycees, requested to put a temporary banner on the old creamery building located on Highway 10 and Main Street. The banner would be a welcome home banner for all the Elk River troops that have been stationed in the Gulf. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize the placement of the banner on the creamery building. Mayor Tralle stated that the building was scheduled to come down sometime in June. Councilmember Kropuenske stepped down from the Council table to place a request before the Council from the Greater Elk River Builders Association. The request was to place an 8 x 10 playhouse on property near Northbound Liquor. The playhouse would be both an advertisement and contest prize for the Elk River Home Show. It was the consensus of the Council to approve the placement of the B x 10 playhouse near Northbound Liquor because it is promoting the City. City Council Minutes March 25, 1991 Page 2 e 4.1. A~endment to Park and Rec~eation Ordinance COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL APRIL 1, 1991, AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE ELK RIVER LIBRARY SO THAT COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4.2. Jenne Purchase A~reement COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXECUTION OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $109,540 BETWEEN IRMA JENNE AND THE CITY OF ELK RIVER FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE ELK RIVER HARDWARE SITE BY THE CITY CONTINGENT UPON THE 4/15/91 TAX INCREMENT FINANCING AMENDMENTS BEING APPROVED BY COUNCIL. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4.3. Naples/186th Avenue Proposal e Pat Klaers gave the background of the proposed upgrading of Naples Street and 186th Avenue. A feasibility report on this project has been accepted by the Council. He indicated that the project was petitioned by the residents. He also indicated that the Ci ty held an informational meeting which was well attended by the residents. The options for upgrading the road were presented at this meeting. A majori ty of the residents that were present at the meeting gave an indication that they would rather have the City improve the private road to a public street. Pat Klaers indicated that since the meeting, he has received a call from a resident that is opposed to the improvement because of the amount of right-of-way he would have to give. Pat Klaers further indicated that if too many of the property owners would be opposed to right-of-way donations, the project would be too costly. Mayor Tralle suggested that the City pursue the right-of-way donations in order to find out how much, if any, opposition there will be. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PURSUE THE OBTAINING OF RIGHT-OF-WAY DONATIONS IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF NAPLES STREET AND 186TH AVENUE. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5.1. Finance Department Annual Report/Lori Johnson, Finance Director Lori Johnson, Finance Director, presented the 1990 Finance Department Annual Report to the City Council. A major discussion item was Finance Department staffing needs. 5.2. Police Department Annual Report/Chief Z~r~as, Serg~~nts R~~lf~_Tyler e The Police Department Annual report was presented to the Council by Police Chief Zerwas and Sergeants Rohlf and Tyler. Recent problems at the mall were discussed. Also discussed were 1991 goals, the investigation division, the patrol division, the CSO activities and the clerical staff. City Council Minutes March 25, 1991 Page 3 e The Council recessed at 9:25 p.m. and reconvened at 9:35 p.m. 5.3. Ambulance Service Annual Report/Steve Dittbenner Steve Dittbenner explained that the ambulance service has been in existence in Elk River for 40 years and that this is the first time a meeting with the City Council to discuss the ambulance service has taken place. Steve Dittbenner presented the Council with an annual report on the Ambulance Service. The report was read verbally to the City Council by Steve Dittbenner. The report followed the outline which was included in the agenda packet. The major areas of the report focused on an introduction of service; significant facts; working relationship with Heal th One; and present to future t.rends and goals. A draft copy of Steve's report is attached to the City Council agenda packet material. Steve Dittbenner explained that it is the goal of the Elk River Ambulance Service to offer the best most appropriate and economical care to everyone needing the service. e There were several people in the audience and the main topic of discussion focused on ALS (Advanced Life Support) versus BLS (Basic Life Support). Steve Dittbenner explained that the Elk River Ambulance has BLS service with state approved variances and an ALS backup through Health One for every run. He indicated that the ALS backup system can meet the Elk River Ambulance at the scene for severe trauma cases, and that for medically ill patients in need of ALS they are generally met at the weight station on Highway 10. He explained that one reason Elk River and other communities operate a BLS service is because the ALS in this area would not be exposed to enough run volume and may end up with rusty skills and secondly, because ALS service is very costly. Harold Navotny expressed his desire to see Elk River with an ALS system. He indicated that if he were in need of ALS service, he would not want to be transferred along the way to receive this service. Roxy Stengline explained that she works as a EMT in Zimmerman. She stated that there is an ALS unit in Princeton that is dispatched to every call in Princeton, Zimmerman and Milaca. This unit provides ALS to every needed call at the scene and there is no need to transfer. If ALS is not needed, the ALS unit is ca.ncelled. She indicated tha.t the standard of care to the people has increased considerably since they added ALS. She indicat.ed that with a City which is growing at the rate of Elk River, the quality of ALS care is needed. e Patty Hansey explained that she is an emergency room nurse at North Memorial Hospital. She indicated that the metro standard of care is ALS and that there is a huge difference in ALS and EMT treatment. She supports ALS being in place in Elk River. Jan Anderson stated she is an EMT and an Elk River resident. She stated that Elk River needs ALS. She indicated that the chances of survival for a person in cardiac arrest are better with ALS. City Council Minutes March 25, 1991 Page 4 ------------------------------ e Council member Kropuenske stated that the City must weigh all perspectives of having ALS including the price, need, timing and what the citizens of Elk River can afford. Dave Plude of the ambulance service restated the fact that an ALS unit is dispatched with each call for the Elk River Ambulance. Tim Schaeffer stated he is an Elk River resident. He stated that ALS is being used in several cities this size. He stated that with an ALS, patient care would begin at the scene. He also indicated that recovery time of a patient is shorter if ALS care is given immediately. He stated that the City has a moral and legal obligation to provide its citizens with ALS care. He suggested establishing a committee to study the feasibility of ALS in Elk River. Mark Allen stated he is the life support manager for Health One. He indicated that the response time and money seem to be the two issues regarding ALS. He stated that it costs a lot of money to upgrade to ALS. He indicated his support to the current Elk River Ambulance Service. Bob Ruprecht, an Elk River resident, indicated that Elk is getting less service than Zimmerman. He indicated that a lot of people do not realize that Elk River Ambulance Service transports to Health One. e Tom Tyler indicated that some valid issues have been raised which the Council will have to address some time in the future. He suggested forming a committee to review the issue. Councilmember Kropuenske concurred with Tom Tyler but felt the committee should consist of people with unbiased opinions. Diane Karne, resident of Elk River and a Metropolitan Suburban Police employee, indicated that it is best to improve the current program. Pat Klaers indicated that the Elk River Ambulance has done and continues to do a good job. He stated he is not opposed to a committee but felt the City should give the Ambulance Service a chance to provide the Council with a report as to what they are considering for the future. The Council consensus was to bring this matter back to the Council at the April 1, meeting to discuss the matter further. 6. Other Business e Mayor Tralle informed the Council that he has had a request from a developer to have the City purchase the MnDOT site on Highway 169. The purpose would be to relocate MnDOT and to use the site for a development. The Council reviewed past MnDOT discussions on this issue. The Council indicated its continued support to see the MnDOT operation relocated to a better Elk River site, but not at City financial expense. e e e City Council Minutes March 25, 1991 Page 5 ------------------------------ The City Administrator informed the Council that he has not had time to put the CIP in a final document for approval. He indicated that with the upcoming workload in 1991, he may not be able to complete the CIP document. It was the consensus of the Council that the draft form of the document is sufficient. The City Administrator advised the Council that a clause in his Employment Agreement states that after five years of employment he is eligible for a 5 week leave of absence. He indicated that the time for the leave according to the agreement is this year. He indicated his concern regarding the workload in 1991 and 1992 and stated that he would like the Council to consider other options. 8. Ad.iQ}lrnment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT ADJOURN. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. CARRIED 4-0. MOVED TO THE MOTION The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 11:55 p.m. ;/ ~ d~~~ Sandra Thackeray City Clerk