Loading...
08-29-1988 CC MIN e e e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL AUGUST 29. 1988 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Gunkel. Councilmembers Dobel. Tralle. Schuldt. and Holmgren MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Klaers. City Administrator; and Lori Johnson. Finance Director 1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Consideration of 8/29/88 City Council Agenda The following items were added to the agenda: 5.11. City Administrator Update D. Main Street Sign Resolution E. Johnson Assessment Appeal F. Assembly of God Church Accessory Buildings 5.12. Councilmember Tralle/Highway 101 Update 5.13. Councilmember Tralle/Action Taken at Recent Utilities Commission Special Meeting COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE 8/29/88 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consideration of 8/22/88 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE 8/22/88 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. General Budget Discussion 4.1. Softball Complex Lighting Proposal Dave Anderson and Rolfe Anderson representing the Elk River Softball Organization and Craig Gallopp of Sports Technology Incorporated. were present to discuss a softball lighting proposal with the City Council. The softball complex lighting proposal has been discussed at many recent Recreation Board meetings. In June. a motion recommending Council consideration of the softball complex lighting was adopted by the Recreation Board. At that time. the Council agreed to consider it when reviewing the 1989 City Budget. e e e Page 2 City Council Minutes August 29, 1988 Dave Anderson presented the proposal as reviewed by the Recreation Board. This information was distributed to the City Council. The lighting proposal calls for lights to be purchased in the amount of $39,416.00, or the lights to be purchased on a lease/purchase plan of five payments at $9,649.00 per year. It is estimated the poles for the lights would cost approximately $12,000.00 and that it would cost approximately $10,000.00 for the lighting system to be installed. Therefore, the total estimated cost of the lighting proposal is $62,000.00. The City Administrator noted that as the purchase exceeds $15,000.00 the City has a legal requirement for bidding out the improvement project. Dave Anderson indicated that the softball organization was willing to pay the City $10,500.00 per year until the total cost of the lights were paid off. However, during the time that this payment is being made, the softball organization would not be able to pay the City, at the same level as previous years, for maintenance supplies for the softball complex. The City had been receiving approximately $5,100.00 per year for the past few years from the softball organization for these maintenance supplies. Dave indicated that for any team above 45 in number that would be particiating in organized softball league activities, that the softball organization would contribute $125.00 per team to the City for softball complex maintenance supplies. Dave also indicated that with lights it is conceivable that as many as 25 additional teams could be added to softball leagues. During open discussion between the City Council, Dave Anderson, and the City Administrator, it became apparent that no firm guarantees from the softball organization could be offered to the City for future payments for the lights once they were installed. However, this was not deemed as a serious concern since the City Council could not allow softball activities at the softball complex if payment for the lights was not received on a annual basis. It was also brought out if a new softball complex was constructed in future years, that these lights were movable and could be relocated at a new softball complex. Dave Anderson indicated that in addition to seeking City financial support for the softball complex lights, that he would be approaching the Legion organization in looking for financial assistance in the purchase of the poles. The City Administrator indicated that the main concern of the City in this purchase was not future payment and the City absorbing an additional $5,OOO.00/year of maintenance fees, but the cost for the poles and installation of the lighting system in the fall of 1988 when such activity was not anticipated when the 1988 budget was approved. The City Council discussed the overall betiefit to the Elk River Community and businesses that the softball leagues provide. Also discussed was the availability of funds for recreational purposes and the fact that the City has previously invested a great deal of money in the softball complex and by authorizing the purchase of the softball complex lights, the City would be committing a great deal of future funds for softball. The issue of recreational funding and priorities for various recreational projects was debated. Page 3 City Council Minutes August 29. 1988 e It was indicated that in order for softball lights to be in operation for the 1989 season. a decision on City financial particiation in the lighting proposal would have to be made in the very near future. After a very lengthy debate on the issue. the Mayor requested a motion so that this improvement can be taken into consideration or eliminated from consideration when the 1989 City Budget is reviewed. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY FINANCING THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF LIGHTS AT THE SOFTBALL COMPLEX WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SOFTBALL ORGANIZATION WOULD PAY THE CITY $10.500.00 PER YEAR UNTIL THE TOTAL COST OF THE SOFTBALL LIGHTS ARE REPAID TO THE CITY. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-l. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT WAS OPPOSED. Councilmember Schuldt indicated he was opposed to this purchase because of the uncertainty as to where the estimated $22.000.00 would come from in order to finance the poles and the installation of this lighting complex as this expenditure was not included within the adopted 1988 City Budget. e It was the consensus of the City Council. that when such lights are installed and in operation that it would be the City's position and policy that these softball lights should be turned off by 10:30 p.m.. unless special arrangements were made. At this time. the City Council took a ten minute break. The City Council reconvened at 8:40 p.m. 4.2. Revenue Projections 4.3. Expenditure Update 4.4. Personnel and Comparable Worth Update 4.5. Capital Outlay Review e The City Administrator reviewed with the City Council the revenue projections for the 1989 City Budget. It is anticipated that the revenues and expenditures will increase somewhere in the 20 to 22 percent range. This will place the 1989 level of revenues and expenditures at approximately 2.1 million dollars. The increase is possible because of a successful levy limit appeal. an increase in local government aid. and a general levy limit increase from the State based on increased households and population. The Administrator indicated that it is uncertain as to what this increase in revenue by way of taxes would do to the mill rate because of the assessed valuation increase in the community and the increased households which the taxes would be spread out over. Since this revenue being generated through taxes is roughly ten percent of the mill rate and the other part of the mill rate generated by the City by way of bond requirements is being reduced. it is anticipated that if any increase takes place in the mill levy from the City. it would be relatively minor. e e e Page 4 City Council Minu August 29. 1988 Regarding possible personnel increases and total personnel expenses. the City Administrator indicated that it is planned for all of the pay ranges for municipal employees to increase three percent and then each employee would move up a step in their pay plan or to the top of the pay plan. whichever is less. Of the possible personnel increases. the City Council indicated that the hiring of an Administrative Assistant/Personnel Coordinator and Police Officer #13 were the highest priorities. The City Council acknowledged that along with the hiring of an Administrative Assistant/Personnel Coordinator and the increased clerical work load with the recent hiring of an Economic Development Coordinator. that additional clerical time would be needed. The Administrator discussed the request for a second Community Service Officer (CSO) and the adjustment of the employment status of the Fire Chief from half-time to full-time. The City Council indicated that these two personnel adjustments were of a lower priority. The City Administrator indicated that he would most likely request the Fire Chief and Police Chief to be present at a future special City Council meeting where the budget is discussed to present their cases for these two personnel changes. Regarding Comparable Worth Law and its relationship to future wage adjustments. the City Administrator discussed a method of adjusting wages for individuals that are above the pay corridors. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES FALLING OUTSIDE THE HIGH POINT OF THE 10% PAY CORRIDOR FOR THE ALL EMPLOYEE REGRESSION ANALYSIS. HAVE SUCH PAY ADJUSTMENT GIVEN AS ONE HALF OF THE INCREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE BASE SALARY AND THE OTHER ONE HALF GIVEN IN PERIODIC LUMP SUM AMOUNTS AS THE WORK IS PERFORMED. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The City Administrator discussed possible capital outlay purchases in 1989. He indicated that it is the goal of the City to not increase its reliance on Equipment Certificates and the long term goal of the City is to eliminate the use of Equipment Certificates. However. in order to finance all of the needed expenditures in 1989. Equipment Certificates will have to be used. It was noted that three police vehicles and associated equipment are planned to be purchased. Two of these vehicles would be a Equipment Certificate purchase and one would be included within the General Fund. It was noted that these purchases would increase the police fleet by one vehicle. as this is needed when Officer #13 joins the Staff. The City Administrator noted that one additional siren would need to be purchased in 1989. and depending upon the status of a sidewalk snow removal policy. the City may need to purchase a sidewalk snow removal tractor. The Council indicated that consideration of purchasing cable TV equipment should be delayed at least one year. The City Administrator indicated that the Staff would be trying the finalize the list of recommended Capital Outlay purchases by way of Equipment Certificates for Council consideration in mid-September. Depending on the availability of revenues in the General Fund Budget. as many capital outlay items as possible would be financed through each departmental General Fund Budget. Page 5 City Council Minutes August 29. 1988 e 4.6. Econmic Development Authority Tax Levy Resolution COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-67. A RESOLUTION STATING THE PROPOSED AMOUNT OF LEVY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PURPOSES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.7. Housing and Redevelopment Tax Levy Resolution COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-68. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 1989 TAX LEVY. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5. Other Business 5.1. Ground Water Study at Hillside Park Tbe City Council reviewed a proposal. that the Staff requested Liesch and Associates to submit. for the testing of the ground water in Hillside Park around the area of the old City dump site. The proposal from Liesch and Associates that was reviewed by the City Council was dated August 11. 1988. e COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE GROUND WATER TESTING PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY LIESCH AND ASSOCIATES. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.2 Curtis Job Petition for Municipal Improvements COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-70. A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE ADEQUACY OF THE PETITION FOR IMPROVEMENT AND ORDERING THE PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY REPORT IN THE MATTER OF SANITARY SEWER AND WATER STUB IN'S TO THE PROPERTY LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED SIGNED PETITION FOR CURTIS JOB. COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. It was noted that the location of this property is in the very southwestern corner of the nearly 40 acre Royal Oaks Addition. 5.3 Gospodor Petition for Public Improvement COUNCILMEMBER DOBEt MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-69. A RESOLUTION ~ICtARING THE ADEQUACY OF THE PETITION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND ORDERING THE PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY REPORT IN THE MATTER OF SANITARY SEWER. WATER MAIN AND STORM DRAINAGE IN THE WESTERN AREA OF THE CITY AS REQUESTED BY THE SIGNED PETITION SUBMITTED BY DOMINIC GOSPODOR. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. e It was noted that this property runs along Orono Road from Lake Orono to the Orono Lake Third Addition and is directly east of the Softball Complex and County fairgrounds area. Page 6 City Council Minutes August 29. 1988 e 5.4 Economic Development Commission Ordinance In an April 25. 1988. joint City Council and Economic Development Commission meeting it was agreed upon that the Economic Development Commission would be abolished once the Economic Development Authority (EDA) was established. The City Council approved the EDA bylaws on 8/22/88. These bylaws call for Citizen Advisory Committees to assist the EDA in special tasks. By mutual understanding of the City Council and the Economic Development Commission. former Economic Development Commission members would be serving on these Citizen Advisory Committees to the EDA. Since the Economic Development Commission was established by ordinance, an ordinance is needed to formally abolish the Economic Development Commission. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 88-24. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER TO REPEAL SECTION 215 WHICH CREATES AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION. COTJNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.5 Purchase of Industrial Property from Associated Investors e The City Council has approved Tax Increment Financing District #5 which. in part. called for financial assistance to Alltool Manufacturing in its business expansion. This expansion is the construction of a new facility in the Industrial Park. Part of the Tax Increment plan was for the City to purchase property from the Associated Investors and sell the property to Alltool for one dollar. COTJNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-71. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY FROM ASSOCIATED INVESTORS or ELK RIVER. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.6 Transfer Deed of Industrial Property to Alltool Manufacturing COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-72. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SALE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY FROM THE CITY OF ELK RIVER TO ALLTOOL MANUFACTURING. INC. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.7 Resolution of Appreciation-Former Library Board Member Deloris Collins It was noted Library Board August. 1988. by Mayor Gunkel that Deloris Collins has served on the since January. 1980. and resigned her position earlier in e COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-73 . A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SERVICES OF DELORIS COLLINS TO THE ELK RIVER LIBRARY BOARD. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5- o. Page 7 City Council Minutes August 29. 1988 e 5.8 Gambling License for VFW Post The City Council had no problems with gambling license renewal for the VFW for its pull tab operation taking place at Elk River Bowl and Dick's Main Tap. Accordingly. no City Council action was required on this agenda item. 5.9 Pay Estimate #1 Royal Oaks Ridge The City Engineer has recommended payment in the amount of $58.598.03 to S & L Excavating for the work completed in the Royal Oaks Ridge Improvement Project. COUNICLMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF $58.598.03 TO S & L EXCAVATING FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE ROYAL OAKS RIDGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.10 Street Department Truck COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $5.000.00 TO HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR THE PURCHASE' OF A STREET DEPARTMENT TRUCK. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION' CARRIED' 5-0. e 5.11 City Administrator Update a. Main Street Update City Administrator referred the Council to the August 25. 1988. memo from City Engineer. Terry Maurer. regarding the construction status of the Main Street/Jackson Avenue improvement projects. b. Miscellaneous Building & Zoning Questions City Administrator from the Building August 26. 1988. Zoning issues. brought to the City Council's attention a memo & Zoning Administrator. Stephen Rohlf. dated which addresses various miscellaneous Building & c. Kelley Farm Special Event City Administrator informed the City Council of a special event planned by the Director of the Kelley Farm. Tom Woods. on September 17 and 18. The event is to be called "Frontier Business Days" which emphasizes the fact that the City of Elk River was founded on the basis of farming activity. d. Yield Signs e City Administrator indicated that it has been the plan to replace all of the yield signs entering onto Main Street with stop signs to improve the vehicle pattern and safety conditions. Page 8 City Council Minutes August 29. 1988 e COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 88-74. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS ON THE SIDE STREETS THAT ENTER ONTO MAIN STREET FROM THE ORONO DAM BRIDGE TO HIGHWAY 10. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. . THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. e. Johnson Assessment Appeal City Administrator informed the City Council that Mr. Dale Johnson. who had appealed the Central Business District assessment. had accepted the City Council offer of being reassessed a total of one assessment unit instead of the previously assessed two assessment units. A signed statement to this effect has been received by the City Attorney. f. Assembly of God Church Accessory Buildings City Administrator indicated that instead foot accessory building that would have action. the Church is now proceeding with 1.000 square foot buildings which require These accessory structures at this size are of the one 2.000 square required City Council the construction of two no City Council action. permitted by City Code. 5.12 Highway 101 Update e Councilmember Tralle informed the City Council that a special meeting has been arranged between the 101 Committee and Governor Rudy Perpich on Thursday. September 1. 1988. for the purpose of discussing the need of improving Highway 101 to a four lane highway. 5.13 Councilmember Tralle Utilities Commission Update Councilmember Tralle informed the City Council that the Utilities Commission met in special emergency session on Thursday. August 25. 1988. to reveiw the employment status of Utilities General Manager. Bill Birrenkott. The Commission had been informed that Mr. Birrenkott had received an employment. offer from a utilities operation in Florida and was considering accepting this position. The employment offer paid $53.000.00 effective immediately. The Utilities Commission considered Mr. Birrenkott's current wage as compared to wages of similar positions within Minnesota. The Utilities Commission countered the Florida offer by offering to increase Mr. Birrenkott's wage to $49.000.00 effective September 1. with the committment to increase the wage to $53.000.00 for the calendar year 1989. Mr. Birrenkott has decided to remain employed with the Elk River Municipal Utilities and not accept the position in Florida. 5.14 Check Register e COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.. e e e Page 9 City Council Minutes August 29. 1988 5.15 Adj ournment COUNCILMEMBER DOBEL MOVED TO ADJOURN THE 8/29/88 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:20 p.m. R~;j)az--- Patrick D. Klaers City Administrator