Loading...
06-10-1985 CC MIN ~ REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1985 Members Present: Mayor Hinkle, Councilmembers Schuldt, Engstrom, Williams and Gunkel Members Absent: None 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Hinkle. 2. Agenda Item 3~ - Ramsey PUD Proposal, Item 8~A ~ Treatment Plant Supervisor, 8~ - RDF, 8~C ~ Bridge Opening, and 8~D - Check Register, were all items added to the June 10, 1985 City Council meeting agenda. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE JUNE 10, 1985 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 3. Resolution Recognizing the Bank of Elk River's 100th Anniversary COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS~MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 84-17, A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BANK OF ELK RIVER. COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 3~. Ramsey PUD Proposal Mr. Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administrator, was present to review with the City Council, plans for a Planned Unit Development in the City of Ramsey. Rick Breezee explained that the first phase consisted of single family housing to be located adjacent to Jarvis, a City of Elk River Street. Rick Breezee further indicated that it was originally intended for the development to have access from Highway #10 but Burlington Northern had denied the request for a railroad crossing which was necessary. Rick Breezee further indicated he was very concerned with the condition of Jarvis and that both he and the Street Superintendent felt that the road would not take any additional traffic. Rick Breezee reviewed a letter dated June 7, 1985 to the City Planner, Anne Norris of the City of Ramsey, stating these concerns and recommended that a feasibility study be done to determine cost and extent of work on Jarvis Avenue that was necessary to bring the road up to standard. Rick Breezee further indicated that he did not feel the cost for the feasibility study should be borne by the City of Elk River, as the City has no plans to make improvements to this road due to its limited use by Elk River residents. Rick Breezee indicated that a public hearing for the proposed PUD would be held by the City of Ramsey on Tuesday, June 11th, and this item was being presented to the City Council for their information. Rick Breezee further commented that he also informed the engineer for the project, Pete Radeke, that the proposed single family housing will abut both light and heavy industrial zoning of the City of Elk River. r . . City Council Minutes Page Two June 10, 1985 Mayor Hinkle commended Rick Breezee for his prompt attention to this issue and the complete and thorough manner in which it was covered. Update on Junkyards/Cars Ordinance Violations Rick Breezee informed the Council that Mr. Peter Coyle of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly, Lindgren has been assigned to process the significant number of junkyard and junk car violations in the City and that approximately five were being completed at this time. Discussion was carried on between members of the City Council and Rick Breezee regarding the Piwowar property, the Charest property and the Omitt property. Rick Breezee indicated that Mr. Piwowar had signed a waiver giving the City the right to clean up his property, with the cost of the cleanup to be assessed to the property, but now has reneged on his agreement and wished to appear before the City Council to discuss the issue. Mayor Hinkle indicated that he felt as far as the Council was concerned, the situation has been taken care of and the cleanup of the property should proceed as planned. Mayor Hinkle further suggested that the City staff should contact a private entity to handle the cleanup as the City's Street Department already has quite a workload for the 1985 summer/fall work session. 4. Elk River Landfill Update Mr. Rick Breezee indicated that approximately two and one half years ago, the City had requested a public hearing from the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) regarding the Elk River Landfill, and as a result of that request the City had requested Donahue and Associates to prepare plans and specifications for the landfill operation in order to issue a landfill license. Breezee further indicated that nothing had been received from Donahue until today, June 10, 1985. Rick Breezee indicated that the County issues the license for the landfill operation itself and that the City issues a conditional use permit. Breezee indicated that upon contacting the County he learned that the County had re- ceived the plans and specifications approximately two months ago. Breezee further indicated that he felt there were some definite problems and concerns with the landfill that should be addressed as soon as possible by means of the landfill license process. Rick Breezeestated that mineral extraction is also being conducted on the site by H & S Asphalt, and that consideration of a mineral extraction license was postponed until action on the landfill license was taken. Breezee explained that excavation is done, the space filled with garbage, and then covered with sand left from the excavation, thus avoiding gravel tax by reason that the excavated material is used as cover. Rick Breezee indicated that it was the staff's oplnlon at the time the PCA was contacted requesting a public hearing, that the PCA was not receptive to the idea of the City becoming involved in the licensing of the landfill. He further indicated that he has been receiving feedback from City residents of their concerns over what is being dumped in the landfill and whether or not proper monitoring of the aquifer is being done. City Council Minutes Page Three June 10, 1985 Councilmember Williams indicated that he was very concerned with the situation at the landfill and felt something must be done to control the operation as soon as possible. It was the consensus of the City Council that the City Administrator should contact Terry Maurer of Maier Stewart to obtain a cost for review of the land- fill license plans and specifications by a qualified staff person of Maier Stewart. The City Council further directed the City Administrator to contact the PCA regarding a possible meeting with a representative of the peA and the City Council to discuss the landfill operation, and that if a negative response from the PCA was received, the City's attorney, Dick Nowlin of Larkin, Hoffman be contacted for direction. 5. Ridgewood West Street Overlay The City Administrator indicated that the residents of Ridgewood West sub- division had requested an overlay of the existing streets in 1984. It was pro~ posed at that time that the cost of the overlay be split between the City and the residents with the City picking up approximately twenty percent (20%) of the cost and the residents paying apprxoimately eighty percent (80%) of the cost. It was determined that the homeowner cost would be approximately $1,000. The City Administrator further indicated that a petition was to be presented to the City Council from the homeowners requesting that the project be completed and no petition has been received to this date. He further indicated that a petition should be circulated to residents in the area to show those for and against the project to determine whether or not the City should go ahead with the project. Councilmember Gunkel stated that she felt it should be the responsibility of the homeowners association in Ridgewood West to circulate the petition. The City Administrator indicated that the City will provide the forms necessary and that the homeowners association would be contacted regarding circulation. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that he felt a large majority of the residents should be shown to be in favor of the project before taking any action, to avoid a situation such as the one encountered in the Heavenly Hills road improvement project. It was the consensus of the City Council that approximately eighty percent (80%) of the homeowners should be shown in favor of the project on the petition before considering the improvement. 6. Star Cities Program The City Administrator reviewed his memo dated June 7, 1985 regarding the Star Cities quarterly meeting with the City Council. He indicated that an advertising campaign was being organized for the promotion of all the Star -Cities, and that the City of Elk River's share of the cost would be approximately $598.00. Discussion was carried on regarding the need for establishment of a policy for allocation of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds. City Council Minutes Page Four June 10, 1985 The City Administrator indicated that he was waiting for a copy of the State's sign ordinance regarding placement of the Star City signs in the City. Councilmember Gunkel indicated that she felt there may be a need for a Star Cities Committee to go out and market the City in the future and that it was important that the City make full use of the Star Cities designation. Discussion was carried on regarding the City brochures and it was the con- sensus of the Council that the brochures were intended to be used for marketing of the City and should be given out to potential developers. Discussion was also carried on regarding the need for an additional flyer to be mailed out to all residents of the City approximately one week prior to the upcoming referendum. It was the consensus of the City Council that additional information be placed on the proposed brochure regarding the public works garage and also that the day of the election, polling place and hours of voting be noted on the front of the brochure. 8. Report on Replacement of Administrative Staff Positions The City Administrator reviewed with the City Council a proposal to fill the City's need for a financial person by using the services of a firm such as the City's auditor to organize and research the financial situation as it now exists. He further indicated that this type of firm could be utilized on a temporary basis to fill its present needs and to implement the computer system to its fullest potential. He further stated that once some clear cut job responsibilities are established for a financial director, advertising for the position could begin. The City Administrator further discussed needs for a full time bookkeeper and perhaps changing the position of administrative assistant/secretary to deputy city clerk and assigning that position the responsibilities of taking minutes, elections, licensing, etc. Discussion was carried on regarding the possibility of making the proposed deputy city clerk a salaried position rather than an hourly paid position. 8~. Recognition of Treatment Plant Superintendent Mayor Hinkle indicated that Darrell Mack, Treatment Plant Superintendent, has received an annual award for the operation of the facility for the past several years from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It was the consensus of the City Council that the City Administrator draft a letter of recognition for Darrell Mack. RDF Discussion was carried on regarding the Refuse Derived Fuel project, and the fact that now recent information was available to the City. City Council Minutes Page Five June 10. 1985 8~C. CSAH #42 Bridge Opening The City Administrator indicated that scheduled for July 10th at 7:30 p.m. bility of refreshments and an idea to be the first to cross the bridge. -.., the official opening of the bridge has been Discussion was carried on regarding the possi- contact owners of antique cars in the area to Councilmember Gunkel indicated that she felt it would be appropriate for the City Administrator to direct a letter to the community education staff to recognize them for their efforts associated with the 1985 Community Festival. 8~D. Check Register COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 10. 1985 CHECK REGISTER. COUNILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS MOVED THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. Respectfully submitted, 1J~olWh J:!~ Deborah Kleckner ~ Administrative Assistant sm