04-08-1985 CC MIN
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1985
Members Present: Mayor Hinkle, Councilmembers Williams, Gunkel, Schuldt and
Engstrom
Members Absent: None
1. Call Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Hinkle called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
It was the consensus of the City Council to accept the agenda as presented.
2. A thank you letter from the Chamber of Commerce expressing thanks for the City's
help in funding the "old Fashioned 4th of July" was acknowledged by the Council.
3. Ramona Doebler was interviewed for the City CLerk/Treasurer position. Cathy
Hopkins was interviewed for the City Clerk/Treasurer position.
After these two interviews it was decided to call Sharon Robinson, whose applica-
tion was received after April 1st, for an interview.
4. Discuss Location for Public Works Garage
Mayor Hinkle indicated that he had walked the proposed site on County Road #1
for the City garage, and stated that the conditions of the ground were not good
for building. Mayor Hinkle stated that the water table was very hi~h-ar:ld;t:here
was a lot of peat on the site. Mayor Hinkle indicated that he originally felt
County Road #1 was a good site because of the central location, but felt that
$2,000 per acre, which the County is asking, is too steep a price considering
the City would have to spend at least $20,000 to make the site buildable. Mayor
Hinkle indicated that of the two sites available, he was in favor of the 169
site.
Councilmember Williams indicated he felt $2,000 per acre was not a firm price and
felt it could be negotiated.
Councilmember Gunkel indicated she felt Highway #169 was a prime piece of highway
property, and did not feel it was appropriate for the City to tie up such prime
property for a public works garage. Councilmember Gunkel also stated that she
felt since the property on #169 was highway property, it would be very unlikely
that it would be residentially developed.
Councilmember Williams also stated that he felt the property on #169 was prime
highway frontage and would not feel comfortable with the City using this site.
It was the consensus of the City Council to present this item on the April 15,1985
City Council Agenda, and to have Phil Hals, the City street Superintendent and
Rick Breezee, the Building and Zoning Administrator present to answer any questions
on zoning or building locations.
The location of the old City dump was discussed for a City Garage Site.
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Elk River City Council Minutes
April 8. 1985
Page Two
5. Interim Salaries
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR HINKLE TO INCREASE JOAN GEROY' S, THE BOOKKEEPER'S
SALARY FROM $5.85 TO $7.00/HR. EFFECTIVE APRIL 1. 1985 UNTIL THE NEW CITY
ADMINISTRATOR STARTS WORK. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION PASSED 4-1. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT OPPOSED.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR HINKLE TO INCREASE SANDY THACKERAY. THE BUILDING AND
ZONING SECRETARY'S SALARY FROM $6.35/HR. TO $7.50/HR. EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 1985
DURING THE INTERIM PERIOD OF DEBBIE KLECKNER'S ABSENCE, UNTIL SHE RETURNS TO WORK.
COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-1.. COUNCILMEMBER
SCHULDT OPPOSED.
Sharon Robinson was interviewed at this time.
Discussion was held regarding the three interviews.
COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO HIRE ROMONA DOEBLER AS CITY CLERK/TREASURER FOR
THE CITY OF ELK RIVER. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
PASSED 3-2. COUNCILMEMBERS WILLIAMS AND GUNKEL OPPOSED.
Counci1member Gunkel stated she was opposed to the motion because she felt the
position required a person with more professional acuity. Counci1member Williams
also voted against the motion for the same reason.
COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO PAY THE NEW CITY CLERK/TREASURER A STARTING SALARY
OF $22.400 PER YEAR WITH A REVIEW IN SIX MONTHS. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
6. Payment of Dump Truck
COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF THE 1978 INTERNATIONAL DUMP
TRUCK. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
7. Water Tower
Mayor Hinkle indicated he had spoken to Ar1ys Christeck regarding the $1,000.00
earnest money for the water tower. and that Mrs. Christeck had stated that she
did not want to accept the $1.000.00 until they returned home from vacation.
because they want an explanation on part of the purchase agreement.
8. Check Register
Counci1member Schuldt expressed a concern regarding the check register being
approved after the checks have already been paid.
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Elk River City Council Minutes
April 8, 1985
Page Three
COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CHECK RESISTER. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
There being no further business, COUNGILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
:;:J::::J~bmitted'
Sandra Thackeray
Building & Zoning Secretary
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