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03-27-1989 CC MIN It MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1989 MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Schuldt, Holmgren, Dobel, and Kropuenske MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Tralle STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Sandy Thackeray, Deputy City Clerk; Darrell Mack, WWTP Superintendent; Phil Hals, Street Superintendent; Fritz Dolejs, Liquor Store Manager; Dick Fursman, Economic Development Coordinator; Russ Anderson, Fire Chief; and Stephen Rohlf, Building & Zoning Administrator ALSO PRESENT: Ty Bischoff, Jerry Kritzek, and John Cullen from the Sherburne County Assessors Office 1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Vice Mayor Schuldt called the meeting of the Elk River City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Presentation Regarding Tax Laws/Sherburne County Assessor e Ty Bischoff indicated that they were present to inform the Council of tax changes and methods of assessing. He explained the City Council's role as the Board of Equalization and also explained how the Board of Equalization meeting will be run. He informed the Council that their role, as the Board of Equalization, is to review the value and classification of the property tax. John Cullen, the residential appraiser, reviewed the method used for appraising residential property within the City of Elk River. Jerry Kritzek, the commercial appraiser, reviewed the method used for appraising commercial property within the City of Elk River. After the presentations, the Council discussed some potential questions that may be brought before the Board of Equalization on May 10, 1989. It was indicated by Mr. Bischoff that property taxes have increased significantly and this fact alone will bring people to the meeting. He indicated that he will attempt to inform the people why the taxes have increased at the beginning of the meeting; therefore possibly eliminating some questions. Vice Mayor Schuldt thanked the Sherburne County Assessors for their presentation. 3. Consider 3/27/89 City Council Agenda Item 4.5 Open Mike, was added to the agenda. e COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. AGENDA AS AMENDED. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Page 2 Elk River City Council Minutes March 27, 1989 e 4. Consider 3/20/89 City Council Minutes The City Administrator, Patrick Klaers, made the recommendations for amendments to the City Council minutes: following 1. Page 3 Add the following sentence to end of the paragraph following the motion: "They will be heard again at the Assessment Public Hearing, which will be heard prior to the project being authorized." 2. Page 3 paragraph income." The following in It em 7 : wording "Anything should above be 70% added to the first of the home owners 3. Page 4 Add the words St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority to the first motion on this page. 4. Page 9 - The third and fouth sentences in the second paragraph under #9 should read as follows: "It was the consensus that five years training and experience in a Volunteer Fire Department was not sufficient as a minimum qualification. The Volunteer description should be moved under desirable qualifications and further that the five years be changed to ten years experience in a Fire Department." e 5. Page 9 The sentence should consensus of the additional pay." third paragraph should be deleted. The following be added to the second paragraph on page 9: "The Council and Fire Chief was that he would receive no COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 20, 1989, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4.5. Open Mike Mr. Ken Wells of 13109 Mississippi Road stated that he is aware that the City of Elk River is pumping water out/of an outlot due to the fact that the water is running onto a lot behind him owned by Tom Zerwas. He indicated that he does not feel that the City of Elk River should pay for the pumping of this water, as the lot was originally an outlot dedicated for the purpose of water drainage. He stated that Mr. Zerwas had knowingly and intentionally built the house on that lot knowing that it could possibly be affected by water drainage. e Tom Zerwas of 13122 182nd Avenue stated that the lot was split at the request of the developer and that he had no special interest in the splitting of the lot, and he further indicated that the lot was split in April, 1986, and he did not sign is purchase agreement for his house until 1987. Mr. Zerwas indicated that he had lived across the street from the property for ten years and as far as he was aware there has never been a water problem in that area. He further stated that had he known there would be a water problem on that lot, he would not have purchased the house. Page 3 Elk River City Council Minutes March 27. 1989 e Patrick K1aers. City Administrator. indicated that the area was platted during the time of the old township and the present staff had no input of the engineering of the plat or the drainage of the plat. He further stated that the City does not show preferential treatment for staff members or Council members with the use of City funds. He indicated that if any other citizen had had a problem such as this. the City would have helped out by using city employees. city equipment. and materials to try to minimize the damage. He stated that approximately five years ago the Elk River flooded and the. City had assisted homeowners affected by the flooding. He stated that the City will try to prevent this problem of flooding in the future and further that they will try to establish a drainage system for the area by working together with the County. Counci1member Kropuenske stated that the question is not whether or not the property should have been built upon. but how to solve the problem. Steve Rohlf. Building and Zoning Administrator. indicated that as far as he was aware. Outlot A was never designated as a drainage lot. Vice Mayor Schuldt indicated that the problem would not be solved tonight but stated that the staff would look into solving the water drainage issue. 5.1 Finance Department Annual Report/Lori Johnson e The Finance Director. Lori Johnson. reviewed her 1988 Annual Report with the City Council. She highlighted some of the activities that have taken place in the Finance Department. such as: IRS Section 125. which is a City Cafeteria Benefit Plan; implementation of the new payroll system; data processing; special assessments; bond issues; investments; and budget and tax levy. Ms. Johnson then reviewed with the Council some of the newly implemented and updated forms which will be used by the City. She indicated that some of these forms were requested by the City's Auditor. Ms. Johnson then briefly reviewed the financial data contained within her report with the Council. She thanked Joan Geroy. Senior Accounting Clerk. for her dedication. hard work, and assistance. She also thanked Alice Heinecke and Brenda Ebner for all the extra work and help they have given the Finance Department. She stated that with such a small staff it si possible that they will be looking for more assistance in the future. Lori Johnson handed out an investment policy. which she had drafted. She indicated that she would like the Council to review and approve the policy. It was the consensus of the Council to review the policy at a later date in order to allow Mayor Tra11e's input on the policy. Vice Mayor Schuldt indicated that he would have to leave the meeting. OOUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE CHAIP.MAN OF THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. MOVED TO APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBER HOLMGREN AS COUNCILMEMBER DOBEr. SECONDED THE MOTION. THE e The City Council thanked Lori Johnson for her annual report. Page 4 Elk River City Council Minutes March 27. 1989 e 5.2 Liquor Store Annual Report/Fritz Dolejs Fritz Dolejs. Liquor Store Manager. reviewed his annual report with the City Council. Fritz indicated that 1988 sales reached $1.840.327. which is an all time high for Elk River. He stated he was quite certain that sales would start to peak at this point. He further stated that he felt Northbound Liquor Store would be one of the top municipal liquor stores in the metro area for sales. Mr. Dolejs reviewed with the Council some of the future capital outlay items that he would be requesting. He indicated that in 1989 he would be requesting stucco on the north and east exterior walls. new face on the present outdoor sign. lighting the parking lot. sealcoating the parking lot. and adding one cash register and scanner to be used on busy days. He indicated that other future capital outlay items would be a double entrance door into the store and new shelving in the sales area. Fritz then explained some of the future legislation that would effect the Liquor Store. Fritz Dolejs indicated that he is requesting approval from the Council for the purchase of a cash register and scanner. He stated that the cost would be approximately $3.693. e COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW CASH REGISTER AND POWER. EQUIPMENT AS DESIGNATED ON THE PROPOSAL FROM TOTAL REGI STER SY STEMS. INC. AT A NET COST OF $3.693. COUNCIL MEMBER DOBEt. SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. The Council thanked Fritz Dolejs for his annual report. 5.3 Street Department Annual Report/Phil Hals Phil Hals. Street Superintendent. reviewed his 1988 Annual Report with the City Council. He reviewed with the Council the snow plowing hours spent in 1988 and the cost for plowing snow. He reviewed the equipment list with the Council and stated that the average age of his equipment is nine years. He stated he is looking to possibly modernize some of the equipment and he would like to get an equipment replacement system in operation. Mr. Hals showed some slides he had taken of various projects and equipment and reviewed miscellaneous street projects and other park projects that his department has accomplished in 1988. He stated that some of the shop projects consisted of building picnic tables. building a ski trail groomer. and rebuilding an old snow plow and wing. Phil Hals concluded by stating that he has a lot of respect for his employees and he gives them a lot of credit for the good job and the difficult tasks that they have performed. The Council thanked Phil Hals for his annual report. 6. City Administrator Update e The City Administrator questioned whether the City Council would approve an appraisal being done on City property owned on Highway 169. He indicated that the appraisal was requested by Councilmember Holmgren. The Council discussed this matter and it was the consensus of the Council to not authorize the appraisal of the property until such time that the City is interested or approached in selling the property. e e e Page 5 Elk River City Council Minutes March 27. 1989 The City Administrator indicated that he would like authorization from the Council for payment of $2.000 to Mr. Leonard Babinski for sewer and water easements. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF $2000.00 TO MR. LEONARD BABINSKI FOR SEWER AND WATER EASEMENTS. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Steve Rohlf. Building and Zoning Administrator, stated that he would like Council approval to appoint Jeff Travis and Sheridyn McClain to the Recycling Task Force. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO APPOINT JEFF TRAVIS AND SHERIDYN MCCLAIN TO THE RECYCLING TASK FORCE. COUNCIL MEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 3-0. 7. Adjournment There being no further business. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Resp'ectfully submitted. ~~~. Sandy Thackeray ~ Deputy City Clerk