02-28-1990 CC MIN
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1990
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers Holmgren, Schuldt, and
Kropuenske
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Dobel
STAFF PRESENT: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance
Director; Terry Maurer, City Engineer
Prior to the meeting being called to order, the Fire Chief, Russ Anderson,
was present to update the City Council on the status of the Motel proposal
and the need for a sprinkler system at the motel.
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Prior to the meeting being called to order, Mayor Tralle updated the Council
on his work at the State Legislature regarding a Bill which would allow the
Ci ty and County to collect a tipping fee for garbage dumped at the RDF
Plant. Elk River would be one of approximately 13 communities affected by
such Legislation. At this point, the proposal as adopted by the House
Committee did not include the City of Elk River as an eligible host site to
collect this fee. A proposal may be introduced at the Senate Committee
level to allow this fee to be collected for Elk River and other
communities. Some type of compromise that would benefit Elk River is still
being discussed.
1. Call 2/28/90 City Council 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 7:30 p.m.
2. Discussion on CaDital lmDrovement Pro~ram
The City Council reviewed the 1/31/90 draft ClP minutes. The Council
agreed and concurred that the consensus items listed in these minutes
were accurate.
The City Engineer provided update and progress information on each of
the engineering consensus items that was reviewed by the City Council
from these 1/31/90 minutes.
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During the review of the 1/31/90 minutes, the City Engineer was: 1)
directed to make contact with MnDOT officials to discuss the purchase
of their property along Highway 169, north of Elk Hills Drive; 2)
instructed to continue to do preliminary plans for the improvement of
Railroad Drive and 3rd Avenue in anticipation of this project being
constructed in 1992; 3) directed to use Zebulon Avenue as the preferred
route for a connection to a future Waco Street bridge over the Elk
River, north of Highway 10; and 4) requested that any reconstruction of
Dodge Avenue meet City standards and the proposal, in general, should
include an additional southbound lane, sidewalk, lights and curb and
gutter.
City Council Minutes
February 28, 1990
Page 2
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The City Council briefly discussed the problems on 5th Street, east of
Highway 169 as it intersects with Dodge Avenue. The problems include
the site distance for vehicles which may necessitate the lowering of
the street. This, in turn, may require the lowering of the sewer and
water utilities. A future feasibility study on this issue would include
lowering of the street and may be a very comprehensive street widening
and utility reconstruction from Highway 169 to County Road 13, and not
simply the area around Dodge Avenue.
It was the consensus of the City Council that if the City was
successful in receiving a grant for the protection of the river bank
(Mississippi River behind Nadeau's Cleaners), that the City's share of
this project would come from the City's Capital Projects Fund. It is
estimated that the City expense would be approximately $15,000. It was
further indicated that if this grant is not successful in 1990, the
chances for success are improved for 1991.
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Based on the work listed in the 1/31/90 minutes, the City Administrator
distributed a draft work program for the City staff for the years 1990,
1991, and 1992. The Administrator indicated that even with the limited
amount of decisions that have been made regarding Capital Improvements
to this date, that the City has accumulated a significant additional
work load.
Mayor Tralle reviewed with the Council his Orono Lake memo dated
2/26/90. This memo discusses the need for a feasibility study to
evaluate the dredging of Lake Orono in order to guarantee its future
recreational use. The City Engineer was requested to initiate contact
wi th the DNR regarding the financing of a feasibility study for the
dredging of Lake Orono.
Mayor Tralle requested that Councilmember Holmgren take the lead
regarding a proposed river bank cleanup project. The timing on such a
project could coincide with the Earth Day celebration on approximately
April 20, 1990.
The City Administrator provided the Council with a brief update
regarding annual equipment purchases, annual lease/purchase
obligations, and annual park improvements of a smaller nature. It was
indicated that these three items cost the City approximately $350,000
per year. The finances for these projects come from the City's General
Fund, Equipment Certificates, and Park Dedication Funds.
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The Ci ty Administrator advised the Council that when the Master Park
and Recreation Plan was completed, that the Council could anticipate a
request for funding for various projects from the Park and Recreation
Commission. Two projects that were briefly discussed include the
improvement of the Railroad Trail and the submission of a LAWCON grant
for Woodland Trails park.
City Council Minutes
February 28, 1990
Page 3
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The City Administrator indicated that the next CIP meeting would
concentrate on eliminating projects from the list of work items that
are outside of the City control or are of such a magnitude that they
would require a public referendum. These items would be put on a
"pending" list and would be further evaluated when the CIP Plan is
reviewed next year. Additionally, the City Administrator indicated
that the work program for the next CIP meeting included updates on
progress being made on previously stated high priority projects along
with trying to reach consensus on the status of Old City Hall and its
related storage shed construction, the liquor store road, the financing
of railroad signalized crossings, and discussion on improvements along
Evans Avenue.
It was the consensus of the City Council that the next CIP work session
will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 1990, at the Elk River City Hall
Conference room.
By consensus of the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
· P?t:~
City Administrator
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