Loading...
12-03-1990 CC MIN e e e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CI'l'Y COUNCIL HELD A'l' 'l'HE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1990 Members Present: Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers Holmgren, Dobel, Kropuenske and Schuldt Members Absent: None Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator Planning Commission Representative Present: Robert Bischoff 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 7:05 p.m. 2. Consider 12/3/90 City Council A~enda Item 7.2, Mayor Tralle, was added to the Council agenda. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 12/3/90 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.1 Consideration of 11/13/90 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/13/90 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.2 Consideration of 11/19/90 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/19/90 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.3 Consideration of 11/26/90 City Council Minutes The following changes were made to the November 26, 1990 City Council minutes: In the first paragraph of items 4.3 & 4.4, the words "ten years" should be replaced with "The life of the project". Under the first paragraph of Item 4.3, the City Attorney's last name should be added. Elk River City Council Minutes December 3, 1990 Page 2 e COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/26/90 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike Mr. Thompson, a resident of Elk River, questioned why the City is not receiving any money from the State lottery proceeds. Mayor Tralle explained that the proceeds from the State lottery have been allocated by State law and further explained that if Mr. Thompson would like to see some changes made, he should contact his State Representatives. 5.1 Variance and Administrative Subdivision/Don Rahn/P.H. Steve Rohl f , Building and Zoning Administrator, stated that Mr. Don Rahn of 12992 Orono Road, is requesting a 66 foot variance on the amount of frontage required for a lot in an R-1b zone, in order to create an additional parcel. He further indicated that Mr. Rahn is also requesting an administrative subdivision to create a one acre parcel of land. Robert Bischoff, Planning Commission Representative, stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance as the request met the five standards required for a variance. e Mayor Tralle opened the public hearing. Mr. Don Rahn was present and stated that he agreed with the recommendations of the Planning Commission regarding the variance. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Tralle closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A 66 FOOT LOT FRONTAGE VARIANCE FOR MR. DON RAHN. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MO'l'ION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION REQUESTED BY MR. DON RAHN WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS: 1. That the north 66 feet of the proposed new lot running the entire length of the parcel from east to west be dedicated to the City as easement for road, utility, and drainage purposes. This easement will serve the new lots that can be created from the original parcel in the future when City sewer and water is available in this area. 2. That the shed that is too close to the setback from the new property line be moved. e 3. That the petitioner provide the City with two new legal descriptions for recording. Elk River City Council Minutes December 3, 1990 Page 3 e 4. That $350 in park dedication fees be paid for the newly created lot. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. ~'HE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.2 Ordinance Amendments for Section 900.22/City of Elk River/P.H. Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, stated that the City staff is requesting two amendments to the City's sign ordinance. He indicated that the first amendment would allow the alteration, or relocation of legal nonconforming signs if the alteration or relocation leads to a better situation for the City. He further indicated that the second request is concerning an amendment which would allow one addi tional freestanding sign in the highway commercial zone if the parcel has in excess of 300 lineal feet of frontage. Mayor Tralle opened the public hearing. Gary Green of Circle C indicated that he has two business locations in the City of Elk River and he is in favor of the ordinance amendments. He indicated that the amendments are progressive thinking on the City's part. e Charlie Houle of Houle Oil indicated his support of the proposed ordinance amendments. He indicated that the change is good for the City and for the businesses. There being no further comments, Mayor Tralle closed the public hearing. Robert Bischoff, Planning Commission Representative, indicated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of both ordinance amendments. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 90-49, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 900.22, SUBDIVISION 5, RELATING TO THE RELOCATION OR ALTERATION OF NONCONFORMING SIGNS. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 90-50, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 900.22, SUBSECTION 4D, SIGNS PERMITTED IN THE C-3 ZONE. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED '1'0 ADOPT RESOLUTION 90-67, A RESOLUTION SETTING FEES fOR ALTERATION OF A NONCONFORMING SIGN APPLICATION. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.3 Si.!!na.!!e Request/Elk River Ford e Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, indicated that Elk River Ford had originally made a sign request to advertise Chrysler/ Dodge dealership at the site of the Ford Mercury dealership. Scott Powell, owner of Elk River Ford, indicated that Elk River Ford is looking at two franchises which would include Elk River Ford and Elk River City Council Minutes December 3, 1990 Page 4 e Chrysler/Dodge dealerships at one location. He indicated that their original request was for an additional sign to advertise the Chrysler/ Dodge dealership; however, after further consideration, Elk River Ford had determined that it would be best to advertise by hillboard at a separate lot. Therefore, they are withdrawing their request. It was the consensus of the City Council to consider Item 5.3 as withdrawn. 5.4 Conditional Use Permit ReQuest for Auto Body ShOD/Elk River Chrysler/P.H./Withdrawn This request was withdrawn by the applicant. The City Council recessed at 7:30 p.m. and reconvened at 7:45 p.m. 7.1 ReQuest for Premise Permit for Charitable Gamblin~ at Broadwav Bar & Pizza from Minnesota TheraDeutic CamD e Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk, indicated that Larry Hennig, representing the Minnesota Therapeutic Camp, was present to request a Chari table Gambling Premise Permit to operate charitable gambling at Broadway Bar and Pizza. Ms. Thackeray indicated that Elk River Youth Hockey had been granted a permi t to operate chari table gambling at Broadway Bar & Pizza in October of 1990, but has recently voted to withdraw their gambling license. Mr. Hennig informed the City Council that he was contacted by Richard Kurth, owner of Broadway Bar & Pizza, with a request to have Minnesota Therapeutic Camp operate pull tabs at his establishment. The City Clerk informed the Council that Mr. Hennig was before the Council in Dec~mber of 1988 with the same request and further that the Zimmerman Fire Department had been before the Council in October of 1987 with a request to operate pull tabs at Elk River Bowl. She indicated that the Council denied both requests due mainly to the past practice of allowing only local organizations to conduct charitable gambling in Elk River. The City Clerk indicated that State law does not look favorably on policies set by local government to restrict the operation of gambling regulations to local residents. The City Clerk indicated that an option that the Council may wish to consider would be the developing of a trade area which would allow the Council to require gambling organizations to spend all or a portion of expenditures within the City's trade area. e Larry Hennig explained to the Council that his organization pays for the mentally handicapped to attend the Minnesota Therapeutic Camp. He stated that the City of Elk River, Sherburne County and the mentally handicapped people benefit from the gambling proceeds. He stated that the organization would employ people locally to run the chari table gambling and further that some of the mentally handicapped residents from Sherburne County and Elk River would benefit from the proceeds. Elk River City Council Minutes December 3, 1990 Page 5 e A representative from the VFW was present and stated that all of the gambling proceeds from the VFW goes back into the community. He also noted that VFW does donate to Camp Confidence (Minnesota Therapeutic Camp) . Mayor Tralle stated that he would like time to research an ordinance to develop a trade area for the City of Elk River. Joe Zerwas, a representative of the Elk River Jaycees, stated that the Jaycees give 96% of their proceeds to the Elk River area. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO DIRECT THE CITY STAFF TO WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY IN REVIEWING THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A TRADE AREA FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO TABLE THE REQUEST FOR A GAMBLING PREMISE PERMIT FROM MINNESOTA THERAPEUTIC CAMP TO OPERATE AT BROADWAY BAR & PIZZA UNTIL THE TRADE AREA FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER IS RESEARCHED. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. 1991 General Fund Bud~et/P.H~ e Mayor Tralle indicated that the City of Elk River Budget Public Hearing is scheduled for this evening. He indicated that the public hearing is a requirement of the Truth in Taxation Law. Mayor Tralle explained the distribution of the tax dollar and stated that the City's portion of the local tax dollar is 23.3%. The City Administrator explained that the City's General Fund Budget is projected to increase 9.4%. He stated that the increased market value, due mainly to new construction, should offset the levy increase. He further stated that the residents of Elk River should expect no increase in the City's share of their taxes. He further explained that if the residents do see an increase, it will be due to their property value being increased by the assessor or the levy increase due to voter approved fire equipment. The City Administrator reviewed the revenues for the City and stated that the total 1991 proposed revenues amount to $2,744,350. The City Administrator then reviewed the General Fund Expenditures. He reviewed each category, giving the percentage of expenditure in relation to the total General Fund Budget, and further explained whether each category was proposed to increase or decrease from 1990. The City Administrator explained that the total expenditures proposed for 1991 are $2,744,350. The City Administrator also explained the main reasons for the increase or decrease in the 1991 proposed budget for some line i~ems within each category. e The City Administrator stated that the City Council made a good effort to keep spending in line and that the 1991 budget has the smallest increase in the last five years. He stated that the growth in Elk River is anticipated to offset any increase in taxes. Elk River City Council Minutes December 3, 1990 Page 6 e Mayor Tralle opened the public hearing. Mr. Thompson questioned whether the City had any plans to offset the traffic problems on Main Street and Highway 169. The Mayor stated that plans are underway to improve the Main Street/Highway 169 traffic pattern. Mr. Thompson further questioned whether the City has ever considered an underpass wi thin the City because of the trains. The City Administrator stated that it would be possible to talk about this type of project when the Capital Improvement Program is reviewed in January, 1991. Dick Gruys had a question regarding the method of valuing agricultural land and wetlands and its relation to taxes. The Mayor indicated that questions on property valuation should be directed to the Assessor's Office. Ted Cornelius questioned how the City was going to deal with the possible local government aid cuts from the State. Mayor Tralle stated that the City is aware that there may be some cuts and they have some plans for meeting these cuts. He indicated that one of the possible ways of meeting some of the shortfall would be to cut back on some of the national conferences. e Warren Green questioned where the money the City will receive from NSP would fit into the budget. Mayor Tralle stated that a portion of this money will go to fund a police officer for traffic control. He further stated that the City Council has not made a decision on how to spend the balance of the money but that it may be dedicated toward capital improvements. There being no further comments, Mayor Tralle closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 90-68, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FINAL TAX LEVY FOR CALENDAR YEAR 1991. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FINAL 1991 BUDGET. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. 2 M~or Tralle Mayor Tralle stated that he would like to see staff, all Commission members, and Councilmembers obtain Council approval for all out of State travel in 1991 until such time that the City can determine how State budget cuts will affect the City's budget. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL MUST GIVE PRIOR APPROVAL FOR ALL OUT OF STATE CONFERENCES AND TRAVEL FOR CITY EMPLOYEES. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. e 8. Check Redster COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. e e e Elk River City Council Minutes December 3, 1990 Page 7 9. Other Business None 10. City Administrator Update Pat Klaers, City Administrator, stated that the County has received some SCORE Funds to distribute for recycling and composting efforts. He indicated that the City can possibly receive some of these funds for a clean up day, however, a request in the form of a resolution must be submi tted to the County. He stated that in order to do this in a timely manner the Council will have to call a special meeting to discuss a City clean up day. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ON DECEMBER 10, 6:45 P.M., TO BE HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL, FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING CLEAN UP DAY. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The City Administrator informed the Council that the Finance Department has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. He indicated that this is a very high honor and stated that the Certificate would be formally presented to the Finance Department at the December 17 meeting. The City Administrator discussed some land that could be purchased and used for the disposal of sewer sludge. He indicated that he would like to sign a purchase option for the land and then conduct a public hearing on the issue in January, 1991. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO PURCHASE OPTIONS FOR SLUDGE LAND. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 11. Adiournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MAYOR TRALLE SECONDED 'fHE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adJourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~ Sandy Thackeray City Clerk