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11-04-1991 CC MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1991 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Tralle, Councilmember Schuldt, Kropuenske, Dietz, and Holmgren MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Tom Zerwas, Police Chief; Brad Rohlf, Sergeant; and Officer Ron Nierenhausen 1. Call Meeting 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 7:05. 2. Consider 11/04/91 City Council Agenda The following items were added to the Council agenda. 8.1. 8.2. 8.3. Snowfall Update School Dewatering Old City Hall property COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/04/91 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider 10/28/91 Citv Council Minutes Councilmember Schuldt indicated that the name, Jim Weaver, on Page 5 should be Marvin Weaver. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/28/91 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Insurance Update - Dan Greene Dan Greene of First National Insurance indicated that the City started the process of receiving bids from insurance companies in July. Dan Greene stated that there are three major companies other than the League of Minnesota Cities who write City insurance coverage; bids were requested from all of these companies. However, because of the League's low rates and because most companies will not insure the dam or the beach, the League was the only one to submit a bid. The City has had insurance coverage with the League for the past several years. He informed the Council that there has been a 5% rate increase with the League of Minnesota Cities' casualty insurance and an increase due to an increase in the amount of equipment and growth of the City. City Council Minutes November 4, 1991 Page 2 . COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ACCEPT THE LEAGUE CITIES' INSURANCE RENEWAL WITH A PREMIUM OF $124,953. HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. OF MINNESOTA COUNCILMEMBER Dan Greene also reviewed the City's Workers Compensation insurance coverage. He indicated that the League of Minnesota Cities is again the only company that would bid on the City's Workers Compensation insurance. He indicated that the League's rates were favorable compared to the State rate. The City has had coverage with the League for the last several years and this 1991-92 policy renewal was approved by the Council earlier this year. 6. Citv Hall/Police Station Facilitv Plan Review . Kevin Conley, with EOS Architecture, reviewed the exterior layout and parking of the City Hall/Police Station facility. Discussion was held regarding the secured parking area for the Police Department. Discussion was held regarding whether or not the secured parking area was large enough and whether the area would be used to house Pol ice Department personnel personal vehicles and Ci ty Hall City vehicles. The Police Chief indicated that if there was room in the secured area, the Police personnel would be allowed to park their personal vehicles in that area at night. The Council questioned whether the area should be used to park City Hall vehicles during nonworking hours. After discussing this matter it was felt that the secured parking area should possibly be made larger to accommodate four more parking spaces for City Hall vehicles. Mayor Tralle requested EOS Architecture to draft another option showing four additional security parking spots without moving closer to the Lake. Councilmember Holmgren suggested moving the Council chambers closer to the Administration facilities so that the Police expansion would not be limited to being only towards the lake. Kevin reviewed the rationale for the proposed location of the Council Chambers. Discussions were held regarding screening of the secured parking area. Kevin Conley reviewed two draft designs of the secured parking area. One design screened the secured area with a wall and the other design screened the secured area with a berm. After reviewing the two designs, it was the consensus of the Council that they liked the idea of the berm rather than the wall because the berm blended in better with the Lake area and the surroundings and also because of the fact that the wall would add an additional $20,000 to the cost of the project. The Council recessed at 8:40 p.m. and reconvened at 8:52 p.m. . David Soucy, of EOS Architecture, distributed a design development cost analysis to the Council. He indicated that the schematic design estimate total is $2,258,000. He also reviewed with the Council al ternates which would be placed in the bidding process in order to control the cost. He indicated that EOS Archi tecture felt that the City is still within the budget they had set for City Hall. 5.1. Consider Pull-Tab Renewal for Jaycees . . . City Council Minutes November 4, 1991 Page 3 The City Clerk reviewed her 11 /1/91 memo and indicated that the Elk River Jaycees have requested a renewal of their premise permit application to operate a Class B Gambling License at Dick's Riverfront Bar. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 91-63, A RESOLUTION APPROVING PREMISE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE ELK RIVER JAYCEES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.2. Industrial Park Source of Funds The City Administrator indicated that the Council recently voted to purchase the remaining parcels of the Elk River Industrial Park from the Elk River Associated Investors at a purchase price of $210,000 for seven lots. The City Administrator stated that at the 10/17/91 City Council meeting, when the Council voted to purchase the prope~ty, the Council also requested staff to review possible alternative sources of funding for the purchase. The Council suggested requesting assistance from the Elk River Utilities in order reduce the $55,000 being proposed to be used from the City's Revolving Loan Fund. The City Administrator indicated that the Elk River Associated Investors have previously agreed to contribute $39,000 to the Revolving Loan fund once the property is sold. Councilmember Schuldt commented that the suggested funding was coming from some critical areas. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to request funding from the Elk River Utili ties. An amount of $25,000 was suggested, however, after further discussion, it was the consensus to request $55,000. The City Administrator informed the Council that the Ci ty is moving forward with drafting the Purchase Agreement. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED THAT THE PURCHASE OF ELK RIVER INDUSTRIAL PARK DOES NOT AFFECT THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND, THEREFORE, NO REVIEW IS NECESSARY BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.3. Consider Appraisal Firm The City Council discussed the hiring of appraisal firms for the Westwood improvement project, the Main Street/Highway 169 Intersection improvements, and the purchase of a parcel of property located by the City Park and the golf course. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO OBTAIN A QUOTE FROM PATCHIN AND ASSOC I A TES FOR APPRA I SAL WORK ON THE WESTWOOD AREA. COUNC I LMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO OBTAIN A QUOTE FROM PANGER AND BENSON APPRAISAL FIRM FOR AN APPRAISAL ON THE MAIN STREET HIGHWAY 169 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . . . City Council Minutes November 4, 1991 Page 4 Discussion was held by the Council as to whether or not an appraisal firm should be hired to obtain an appraisal for the Nord property located between the City Park and the golf course. It was the consensus of the Council to also receive a quote from Panger and Benson for this parcel of property. 5.4. Pay Estimate #2 Fillmore Imorovement Project COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #2 TO BITUMINOUS CONSULTING AND CONTRACTING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $122,277.65 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE FILLMORE AND 173RD AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Check Re~ister COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE CHECK REGISTER. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8.1. Snowfall Uodate Councilmember Schuldt requested the City to consider lifting the no parking ban on streets that are marked no parking due to the recent snow storm. It was the consensus of the City Council that this matter would be discussed with the Police Chief. It was noted that the seasonal no parking ban begins on November 15 of each year. 8.2. Dewaterin~ of School Councilmember Schuldt indicated he would like an explanation on the dewatering of the school property. Pat Klaers, City Administrator, explained that the School has been relocating a wet land and the water was being pumped into the Industrial Park holding pond. He indicated that the level of the pond has risen to the level of being close to overflowing and that recent rains along with the dewatering for the sewer improvements did cause some water problems in the Westwood area. He indicated that the School has been notified that they must discontinue the dewatering. He further stated that the School District has found a new area to pump the water. 8.3. Old City Hall Site Councilmember Dietz indicated that he is interested in selling the property of the old City Hall site as soon as possible instead of waiting.until the first of year to review the issue. He indicated that there is Council consensus that no retail establishment be located in the area and further that UPA has expressed interest in this site. The City Administrator indicated that there may be some retail businesses with low volume parking that could be considered for this site and further stated that the City should not limit its options. Per Council consensus, the City Administrator indicated that the City will inform UPA that the City would be willing to consider an offer with the conditions discussed by the Council in October. . . . City Council Minutes November 4, 1991 Page 5 9. City Administrator Update 9.a. Highwav 101 The City Administrator informed the Council that a Highway 101 Commi ttee meeting was held at Ci ty Hall and further that a public hearing was scheduled for November 21, 1991, at the Senior High School. 9.b. TAC Officer The Ci ty Administrator informed the Council that Linnea McRae, TAC Officer for the Police Department, is retiring. He requested permission to pl~ce an ad in the newspaper for her replacement. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO PLACE AN AD FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE NEWSPAPER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CITY'S TAC OFFICER. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 9.c. Liauor Store Consultant The City Administrator informed the Council that he has received some recommendations regarding the hiring of a Liquor Store appraiser. He indicated that the recommendations he received were for Maxfield Research Group from the cities of Champlin and Anoka. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize the City Administrator to meet with Maxfield representatives to obtain a quote to determine whether the City needs a second Liquor Store and its location. 9.d. Boards and Commissions The City Administrator informed the Council that several terms will be expiring on the City's Boards and Commissions. It was the consensus of the City Council to place ads in the City's newsletter regarding vacancies for the Planning Commission and Park and Recreation Commission. 9.e. Snow Days The City Administrator informed the Council that the City does not have a formal snow day policy. The Sherburne County policy was distributed. He indicated that the City Hall was closed on Friday, November 1 due to the "Blizzard of the Century." The City Administrator informed the Council of the City's most recent past practice of allowing those employees not working to use either sick time, comprehensive time, or vacation time for the snow day; and those employees that did work would treat this as a normal working day. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that he felt this was being negative to the employees that chose to work during the snow emergency. It was also noted that on one previous afternoon snow emergency, employees were simply sent home with pay when City Hall was closed. It was the consensus of the Council to follow the past practice set by the City Administrator. . . . City Council Minutes November 4, 1991 Page 6 9.f. Old City Hall Demolition The City Administrator distributed a cost summary of the old City Hall demolition. He indicated that the total cost minus sand, fill, and landscaping was $78,828.94. 9.g. Police Deoartment Suoervisor The City Administrator indicated that the Police Chief is requesting permission to authorize a supervisor to be added during the night or "c" shift. He indicated that the supervisory position would be a promotion of an officer wi thin the department to a Sergeant position. Councilmember Schuldt questioned why it was necessary to have a Corporal and a Sergeant on the same shift. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the concept to add a sergeant to the force was acceptable. However, a formal memo reviewing this si tuation should be presented to the Council with the Police Chief being present to answer any questions. 10. 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 10:30 p.m. Resnectfully submitted, f! ::, dGJ~. ~~aCkeray 7 City Clerk