12-13-1990 CC MIN
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1990
Members Present:
Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers Schuldt, Holmgren, Dobel
and Kropuenske
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk; Tim Keane, City Attorney
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. Con.sider 12/1~~ity Cou~cil A~enda
Item 4.1, WWTP Land Purchase was added to the agenda.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 12/13/90 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.
Plannin~ Commission Interviews
The following individuals were interviewed for the position of Planning
Commissioner: Donald Spotts, Dan Tveite, Charles Houle and Rodney
McArdle.
The Council recessed at 8:05 p.m. and reconvened at 8:10 p.m.
At this time the Council interviewed Ted Cornelius and Rita Johnson
(incumbent) .
The Council recessed at 8:22 p.m. and reconvened at 8:50 p.m.
At this time the Council interviewed Peter Kimball (incumbent).
The Council recessed at 9:15 p.m. and reconvened 9:20 p.m.
Councilmember Holmgren stated he felt that a lot could be gained by
appointing the incumbants, but the reality of the situation is that
both incumbants may not be appointed. He indicated that that his two
top choices, if both incumbants are not chosen, would be Peter Kimball.
and Donald Spotts. He stated that Donald Spotts had a good background
and would provide stability and leadership for the Planning Commission.
Council member Schuldt indicated that he had requested that the City
Administrator check references on a few of the candidates and that
Donald Spotts had an outstanding reference from both the City of
Andover and a Planning Commission member from the City of Andover. He
indicated that his first two choices would be Rita Johnson and Donald
Spotts.
City Council Minutes
December 13, 1990
Page 2
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Councilmember Kropuenske stated that he felt there were several
projects undertaken by the Planning Commission without prior discussion
with the City Council. He stated that he felt any new project or
proposal the Planning Commission wants to undertake should first be
given an informal discussion between the Mayor and Planning Commission
Chair and then a decision should be made by the City Council as to
whether the project should be undertaken. He further indicated that he
did not feel that there was a good line of communication between the
Planning Commission and City Council. Councilmember Kropuenske stated
that his top choices of the candidates were Rita Johnson and Donald
Spotts.
Councilmember Dobel stated that his choices for candidates would be
Donald Spotts and Rita Johnson. Councilmember Dobel indicated that
although Peter Kimball claimed to have good communications between
other governmental bodies outside of the City, he felt it was more
important to work on communication wi thin the local government of Elk
Ri ver. He further stated that he does not feel that communication
between the City Council and the Planning Commission would improve if
Peter Kimball were reappointed.
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Mayor Tralle indicated that it was important for the Planning
Commission Chair to frequently visit with the Mayor and the City
Administrator regarding priorities for the City and further it is
important for the Planning Commission Chair to try to follow the
policies and visions of the City. Mayor Tralle stated that as an
elected body, the City Council must appoint people who can share a
common vision with the City. He further stated that he did not feel
that communication between the City Council and Planning Commission
would improve if Peter Kimball were reappointed. Additionally, he had
some concerns regarding the way people were dealt with at public
meetings at the Planning Commission level. He indicated that Peter
Kimball's personali ty may have had a tendency to get in the way of
communication. Mayor Tralle indicated that unless there are new
personnel on the Planning Commission, the City will not see an
improvement in this area. He stated that his first choice would be
Donald Spotts, as he felt Donald Spotts would bring expertise to the
Planning Commission that is needed regarding hazardous waste. He
indicated his other choice as Rita Johnson. He stated that Rita
Johnson offers understanding and will give continuity to the Planning
Commission. He further stated that she is committed to trying to
improve the relationship and communication with the City Council.
It was the consensus of the Council to appoint Donald Spotts and Rita
Johnson as Planning Commission members at the first meeting in January.
4.
Other Business
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Mayor Tralle stated that the Council had previously authorized the City
Administrator to enter into negotiations for the purchase of land for
the purpose of disposing sludge generated from the Waste Water
Treatment Plant. He further stated that the City Administrator has met
with the property owner and the property owner is holding firm in his
price which is $50 per acre more than what the Council previously
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City Council Minutes
December 13, 1990
Page 3
authorized the City Administrator to offer. The Mayor indicated that
the City Administrator is requesting that the Council increase the
offer by $50 per acre.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO
INCREASE THE OFFER FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND BY $50 PER ACRE PLUS $1,000
AS OPTION MONEY. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. Adjournment
There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION . THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
The meeting of the Elk RiYer City Council adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~....k~ c.4"'7
Sandra Thackeray
City Clerk