Loading...
09-14-1987 CC MIN e Members e e MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL SEPTEMBER 14. 1987 CONTINUATION OF THE AUGUST 31. 1987. CITY COUNCIL MEETING Present: Mayor Estelle Gunkel. Councilmembers Gene Schuldt. Roger Holmgren. Jim Tralle Members Absent: Councilmember Harold Dobel Staff Present: Patrick Klaers. City Administrator. Terry Maurer. City Engineer 1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof Mayor Gunkel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2.1 Main Street Improvement Project for 1988 City Engineer. Terry Maurer was present before the City Council to discuss the feasibility study for street and utility improvements on Main Street. Jackson Avenue. and Proctor Avenue dated September 1987. Mr. Maurer briefly discussed the scope of this project with the City Council including the sanitary sewer. water main and street improvements. Mr. Maurer further discussed the extra downtown amenities that are being requested by the downtown merchants. The amenities being discussed includes: tree plantings with protective grates. street lights that will produce a "gas light" effect. texturing of sidewalk surface and trash receptacles. The cost for such amenities vary dramatically and additional meetings will be needed with the downtown merchants group in order to determine how much cost for these amenities the group is willing to assume. A meeting between the staff and the merchants will be required prior to the public hearing on this feasibility report and project. Mr. Maurer additionally explained that the cost of these assessments per front footage is somewhat high and that a waiver of appealing the assessments may be required from all the business owners before these amenities are installed. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 87-51. A RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND ORDERING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 1988. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. It was noted that this public hearing is planned to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. November 2. 1987. at Handke School. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 87-52. A RESOLUTION ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 1988 IMPROVEMENT OF MAIN STREET. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. It was once again clearly expressed by all Councilmembers that the extra amenities being requested by the downtown merchants group will not be financed by the City's general fund and that the merchants desiring the extra amenities will be required to pay for these items. 2.2 Jackson Avenue Improvement Project for 1988 City Engineer. Terry Maurer. explained that the City had finally received the official documents from Mn/DOT which turned back Highway #201 (Jackson Avenue) to the City of Elk River. Page 2 Elk River City Council Minutes September 14. 1987 e The Engineer of improving Avenue to the indicated to the Council that the next step in the process Jackson Avenue in 1988. called for the adding of Jackson City Municipal State Aid System. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT ESTABLISHING JACKSON STREET. COUNCILMEMBER 4-0. MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 87-53. A RESOLUTION AVENUE AS A CITY OF ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL STATE AID HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED " 3. Review of Community Development Coordinato~ Applications City Economic Development Consultant. Mike Mulrooney. was present before the City Council to review the applications that have been received for the City Community Development Coordinator position. Mr. Mulrooney distributed a memo dated 9/14/87. which listed the recommended names of individuals to be interviewed and provided some additional information related to the interviews. The Council concurred with the list of seven individuals to be interviewed and added an eighth name. Mr. William Weaver. to this list. The Council indicated that Finance Director. Lori Johnson. should be present during the interviews along with the City Administrator and Economic Development Consultant. Additionally. interested Councilmembers were encouraged to be present during this first round of interviews. Mr. Mulrooney indicated that as part of the interview. a written test would be given to all the applicants in an effort to determine their financial analysis capabilities. Following these interviews the staff would be recommending a final list of applicants to be interviewed before the City Council. e It is anticipated that the interviews will be held toward the end of September and that a list of final applicants to be interviewed before the City Council will be presented in October. 4. City 4.1 e Administrators Report Special City Council Meeting to Review 1988 Budget Proposal City Council determined that Tuesday. September 29. 1987. was an appropriate date to hold a special meeting to review the proposed 1988 City budget. This meeting is to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Elk River City Hall. It was aknowledged that the budget document may not be available for distribution prior to this date because of the uncertainties with the revenue aspect of the budget. The result of the City levy limit appeal will not be known by that date. nor will the level of contribution to the General Fund from the City Electric Utility Fund be known. 4.2 Utility Commission Update Utility Commission and Councilmember. James Tralle. provided an update to the City Council on the requests the City made to the Electric Utility Department regarding financial contributions to the City General Fund. Mr. Tralle indicated that this issue will be further reviewed at the next Utility Commission meeting. which is planned for early October. 1987. Page 3 Elk River City Council Minutes September 14. 1987 e 4.3 Street Department Request Street Superintendent. Phil Hals. requested the City Council approve the low quote for the purchase and installation of a fence around the newly constructed Public Works facility. This fence was part of the original plan for the building and the City has enough funds remaining in its escrow account for the purchase and installation of this fence. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE LOW QUOTE FROM LOWE FENCE. COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $7.280.00 FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A FENCE AROUND THE CITY PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. Mr. Hals also requested that the City Council approve the six week temporary employment of Jeff Harpster. a laborer from the sewer department. in the amount of $4.00 per hour. This additional manpower is needed since Brad Belair. a street department employee. has left the City. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF JEFF HARPSTER. A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE. FROM THE SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR SIX WEEKS AT THE $4.00 PER HOUR RATE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. e Mr. Hals presented the Council with one final request. This request was for the purchase of two used tandem axle trucks and plows. It was planned that this equipment would be financed through the use of 1988 Equipment Certificates. This request is being presented at this time as this equipment is needed prior to winter 1987-88. and the fact that there are a number of good used trucks on the market at this time. The availability of good used trucks at this time is because other local units of government are gearing up for winter and purchasing new trucks. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED TO PURCHASE A USED TANDEM AXLE TRUCK FROM THE COUNTY OF ANOKA. AND THAT THIS PURCHASE WOULD BE FINANCED FROM THE 1988 EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. It was noted to the Council that the anticipated cost of this truck and plow would be under $15.000~00. Mr. Hals indicated that bids are being received for another tandem axle truck and plow and that these bids would be opened at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. September 18. 1987. A request will be on the 9/21/87 City Council Agenda. to consider the low qualified bid and to finance this tandem axle truck and plow through the use of 1988 Equipment Certificates. 4.4 The City Administrator discussed with the Council the possibility of having the Brainerd Mn/nOT officials down to Elk River for a tour of the community and a luncheon with staff. councilmembers and consultants. The Administrator requested this meeting and tour because of the new district manager at the Brainerd Mn/DOT office. and the importance of good communication and information about Elk River being available to these officials. e Page 4 Elk River City Council Minutes September 14. 1987 e It was the concensus of the Council to attempt such a luncheon and tour meeting with Mn/DOT officials during the third week of October or the first week of November. 4.5 City Administrator briefly updated the Council on some employee applications that are being received for various positions that are vacant in the City of Elk River. 5. Don Heinzman from the Star News was before the City Council to request the use of Jackson Square for an Octoberfest special event. Mr. Heinzman indicated that this event is planned for October 17. 1987. between the hours of 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. It was the concensus of the Council that such an event in Jackson Square was acceptable. and that Mr. Heinzman should meet with the appropriate department heads to make arrangements for closing off the street. if it is needed. and insuring that safety conditions are at an acceptable level. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER 4-0. MOVED SCHULDT TO ADJOURN THE ELK SECONDED THE MOTION. RIVER CITY COUNCIL THE MOTION PASSED Respectfully Submitted e ?P I(/~ Patrick D. Klaers e