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10-30-1989 CC MIN e e e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1989 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers Dobel, Kropuenske, and Holmgren; Councilmember Schuldt (6:50 p.m.) STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator; Richard Fursman, Economic Development Coordinator 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 6:00 p.m. 2. Consider 10/30/89 City Council A~enda Item 3.5 - Economic Development Update was added to the City Council agenda. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/30/89 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider 10/23/89 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/23/89 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3.5. Economic Development Update Richard Fursman, Economic Development Coordinator, explained that Remmele Engineering is considering an expansion of their operations in either Monticello, Big Lake, or Elk River. Mr. Fursman stated that if Remmele Engineering is to consider Elk River's location, there is a long list of needs that must be met. Mr. Fursman stated that he is proposing two tools which could be used to entice Remmele to come to Elk River. He stated that one of the tools is the use of tax increments to purchase and correct the site. Mr. Fursman stated that the proposed plant would employ 50 people at start up time with an expansion to 150 people in three years. Mr. Fursman stated that both Monticello and Big Lake either have a site available or Remmele Engineering owns the site outright, which are the factors that Elk River is competing against. The City Administrator stated that there would be a possibility that excess increments from District 1 and 3 could be used. The second tool that is proposed to be offered to Remmele is the Ci ty revolving loan program. City Council Minutes October 30, 1989 Page 2 e COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED FINANCIAL PACKAGE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Councilmember Kropuenske stated that although First National Bank is a potential lender, he does not feel there is a conflict because at this point there is no contract between Remmele Engineering or the First National Bank. He further stated that the proposal is just used as tool to show Remmele Engineering that there is an interest by the local community, and further that other banks in the community are open to bid on the project. 4.1. School Street and County Road #1 Resolution Reauestin~ County Consideration of a Four-way Stop Si~n COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 89-65, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING A PERMANENT FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF SCHOOL STREET AND COUNTY ROAD #1. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4.2. Extension of Time for Morrell Transfer Site Proposal e The City Administrator indicated that the City had previously made an offer to Larry Morrell for his property on the corner of School Street and Jackson Avenue. He indicated that the offer made was for $50,000 per acre. The City Administrator requested that the deadline for acceptance of the offer be extended to January 1, 1990. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION DATE TO JANUARY 1, 1990, FOR THE PROPOSAL MADE TO MR. MORRELL. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5. Citizen Task Force/Community Center Mayor Tralle stated that the purpose of the Task Force discussion is to determine the purpose and composition of the Task Force. Mayor Tralle further stated that it will be important to give the Task Force parameters from which to work. He indicated that he would like to see the parameters of the Task Force focused on the following: space needs and location of city hall and police department complex; a teen center; senior citizen center; and performing arts center. The Ci ty Council discussed the fact that a lot of direction and answers to these parameters will result from the survey which will be given at random to 400 Elk River residents. Discussion pursued regarding the location and possibility of a joint City Hall/Community Center. It was indicated that a joint City Hall/Community Center mayor may not be a possibility but that it was something that could be considered. It was also indicated that all e City Council Minutes October 30, 1989 Page 3 e locations should be considered, either city-owned or private land. The Council discussed the possibility of the School District sharing City Hall facilities. It was again emphasized that all possibilities should be considered. Discussion was held regarding the fact that although the City is negotiating with Larry Morrell to purchase his property on School Street and Jackson Avenue, this location will not necessarily be used exclusively for City Hall. It could be considered for uses such as a teen center or for the school district. The City Council discussed the amount of money the Task Force will be allowed to work with, the amount of time they will have, and also the cost of the proposed community center and how it will be financed. It was indicated that the survey results may show what the community is willing to fund for the project. 2001 Steering Committee representative, Peter Kimball, indicated that he would prefer to see the Task Force tackle the project in stages such as determining the needs; setting priori ties; and looking at possible site locations. Councilmember Schuldt arrived at this time (6:50 p.m.) e The Council discussed the immediate need for City administration offices and whether including this issue to the community center project would slow down the process of building a new City Hall. Discussion also pursued around the fact that most citizens are not aware of the need for a new Ci ty Hall. Councilmember Kropuenske stated that it is very important to inform the Task Force of the Council consensus that there is an immediate need for a new City Hall due to the shortage of space at the present location and because of the projected growth in Elk River. Councilmember Schuldt stated that a search for space for administrative offices should not be included as a Task Force duty but that the only thing regarding City Hall that they should be looking at is "Should City Hall be included as a part of the community center?" After discussing this matter, it was the conclusion Community Center Task Force research the size and component a community center, the location of a community center, financing of such a center. that the needs of and the The City Council discussed the selection process for the Community Center Task Force members. The various community groups which would have an interest in the project were discussed. After discussing the possible groups that would have an interest, it was indicated that it would be impossible to involve every community group. The Council discussed ways of dealing with this and it was decided that 2 to 3 members at large would have to represent the community as a whole. e City Council Minutes October 30, 1989 Page 4 e The Council discussed possible ways of choosing the individuals from the groups to serve on the Task Force. It was the consensus that a letter of invitation be submitted to the groups chosen by the City Council to be represented with a request for a maximum of 3 names to be submitted to the Council. The Council would then choose a representative from each group. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO FORM A COMMUNITY CENTER TASK FORCE WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF 11 INDIVIDUALS AS FOLLOWS: SENIOR CITIZENS (1) TEENS (1) ARTS COUNCIL (1) SCHOOL DISTRICT 728 (1) MINISTERlUM (1) CITY (1) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (BUSINESS COMMUNITY) (1) COMMUNITY EDUCATION (1) AT LARGE (3) AND FURTHER THAT ALL MEMBERS BE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AND THAT THE TASK FORCE BE FINALIZED IN DECEMBER, 1989. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. e COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPOINT COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN TO SERVE AS THE CITY REPRESENTATIVE, AS A VOTING MEMBER, OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER TASK FORCE. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN ABSTAINED. The City Administrator informed the Council that Finance Director, Lori Johnson, would be a City Staff representative on the Task Force without voting powers. The City Council discussed the time frame for this project. It was the consensus that the Task Force selection be completed in early December with their first meeting in January and that they report with a recommendation to the City Council of December 1, 1990. The Council discussed the amount of money the City would allow the Task Force to work with. It was the consensus that the City should not set a limit on the dollar amount. Councilmember Kropuenske indicated he would like to see the group form their own budget and that it be reviewed and approved by the City Council. e Mayor Tralle suggested that the City hire a facilitator to be present at the groups first meeting so as to focus the group toward its goals. The Council discussed this idea and suggested that the Council and the Task Force meet so the Council can inform the Task Force of their concerns and also help focus the group. It was also suggested that Councilmember Holmgren could convey the Council's ideas and suggestions as the Council representative. No decision was made regarding this matter. e e e City Council Minutes October 30, 1989 Page 5 6. Other Business The City Administrator updated the City Council on the RCM fire site. He indicated that the owner is attempting to clean-up the site and that there may be no need to go through with the Court Order. 7. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MAYOR TRALLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Sandra Thackeray City Clerk