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03-07-1983 CC MIN REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY MARCH 7, 1983 Members Present: Mayor Hinkle, Councilmembers Engstrom, Schuldt, and Gunkel Members Absent: Councilmember Duitsman 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Hinkle. 2. Agenda Item l3~ - Building Permit Fees was added to the March 7, 1983 City Council Agenda. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 7, 1983 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4~0. 3. Minutes of February 7, 1983 City Council Meeting COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 7, 1983 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 4. Minutes of February 14, 1983 City Council Meeting COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 14, 1983 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE ~OTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 5. Open Mike Mr. Gary Rohling questioned the City Council regarding the completion of the School Street project and the completion of the sealcoat project. Mr. Rohling indicated that there were problems with the overlay on the School Street project and that there still was a lot of sand and gravel to be swept up from the sealcoat project. Mr. Terry Maurer of Consulting Engineers Diversified indicated that they were aware of the problems on School Street and that the City was holding back $30,000 as a retainer on the project. Mr. Maruer indicated that the problems with the overlay on School Street would be taken care of before final approval was made. The City Administrator indicated that the streets would be swept in the Spring which would take care of the remains of the gravel from the sealcoat project. Councilmember Engstrom indicated that the problems on School Street had been discusseg and will be taken care of before final approval of the project. 6. Fournier Administrative Subdivision - Continued Public Hearing Mayor Hinkle i~,t~d,that the public'hem;ing for theFournfet'"_~'ff.~il':JNltive ~ub""-' 1ii,vision was- co~nue4juntil sUCh1tilM",as'"EheCity staff was able to meet with Mr. Fournier to discuss the administrative subdivision request. The City Administrator indicated that the City's Building and Zoning Administrator met with Mr. Fournier and reviewed the City's various lot size and setback requirements for the zone in which Mr. Fournier's property is located. The City Administrator further indicated that Mr. Fournier is aware of the consequences of his request for the administrative subdivision and that the request meets with the City's Zoning and Subdivision re- quirements. The City Administrator indicated that it is recommended that the City City Council Minutes March 7, 1983 Page Two Council grant approval of Mr. Fournier's administrative subdivision. Councilmember Schuldt questioned the use of the long lots as proposed in the sub- division. The City Administrator indicated that it is Mr. Fournier's intent to keep the lots and continue farming them and to develop Parcel One. The City Administrator indicated that it is Mr. Fournier's intent to fence Parcel One for storage of Air- stream trailers. The City Administrator further indicated that Mr. Fournier is also proposing the construction of a mini storage building on Jarcel One. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that if Mr. Fournier does not have a problem with the shape of the parcels in the proposed subdivision, the City Council could approve the administrative subdivision request. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED ~O APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION REQUEST BY MR. FOURNIER. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 7. Minnesota Star Cities Program Mayor Hinkle indicated that it is recommended that the City Council take the follow- ing steps in proceeding with the development of the Economic Development Commission. 1. Adopt Ordinance 83-3, an ordinance creating an economic development commission. 2. Appoint members to the position on the newly-created economic development com- mission. Mayor Hinkle further indicated that he questioned Item (g) in Ordinance 83-3. Mayor Hinkle indicated that review of requests for industrial revenue bonds may delay action by the City Council in approval of industrial revenue bonds. Councilmember Gunkel indicated that she felt the expanded duties may be more than the proposed members have volunteered for and further indicated that she felt Item (e) and (f) would automatically be a function of the committee; that Item (g) should not be included in the ordinance and Item (h) should be a function of the Planning Commission. The City Administrator indicated that the majority of the duties listed does fall within the scope of the normal duties of the Commission and the list just actually spells out those duties. The City Administrator indicated that the initial thrust of the Commission is to get the Star Cities designation and then to keep the designa- tion and further indicated that the Star Cities designation requires an annual up- date by the Commission. The City Administrator indicated that Item (g) is for the City Council's consideration and further indicated that some cities do request rec- ommendation from the Economic Development Commission on industrial revenue bonds. The City Administrator furtherandicated thaLltem (h) does go beyond the scope>of the Planning Commission and further indicated that the general policy directiol would be with concern to specific applications, a sounding board, with regard to industrial growth. ., City Council Minutes March 7, 1983 Page Three Councilmember Schuldt questioned I"general policy" and furthercrlnclicated that he did not see the review of industrial development revenue bonds as a function of the Economic Development Commission. [ Discussion was carried on regardi g the review of industrial revenue bonds and it was the consensus of the City Cou cil to eliminate Item (g) from Ordinance 83-3. Further discussion was carried on regarding the recommending of general policy direction and its potential meani g. It was the consensus of the City Council to change the word "recommend" in It m (h) to "consider" general policy direction. Discussion was also carried on re arding the twenty-member Economic Development Commission and specifically, what constitutes a quorum. The City Administrator indicated that the Commission can adopt rules and procedures at their first meet- ing. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO AD PT RESOLUTION 83-3, A RESOLUTION CREATING AN ECO~ N MIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR E CITY OF ELK RIVER WITH THE PROPOSED CHANGES A RECOMMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER GU EL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. scussion was carried on regardi g the length of service of the members of the Eco- mic Development Commission and ho would be voting members and non-voting members. scussion was also carried on regarding a meeting date to orient the Commission mbers on the duties of an economic development commission and the Star Cities signation. It was the consensus of the City Council to call an organizational eting of the Economic Development Commission for March 28, 1983, at 7:30 p.m. at e Elk River Public Library. C UNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPOINT THE TWENTY VOTING MEMBERS AS SUBMITTED IN A MEMO TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATED MARCH 3, 1983 AND ONE EX-OFFICIO MEMBER, R BERT C. MIDDAUGH, TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 8. Main Streeti:Feasibility Study Mayor Hinkle indicated that at the February 14, 1983 City Council meeting, the City Council determined that at the next regular City Council meeting consideration would be given to ordering a feasibility study for the MSA road improvement project on Main Street from Gates Avenue to Highway #169. Mayor Hinkle indicated that it ap- peared to be the consensus of the City Council to order the feasibility study, and questioned the cost of the proposed study. Discussion was carried on regarding the timing of the improvement of the east Main Street project. Councilmember Gunkel questioned if the section on the east side of Highway #169 would also be considered in the feasibility study. Mr. Terry Maurer of Consulting Engineers Diversified, indicated that much of the work has already been done and that the feasibility study would cost approximately $800.00. Discussion was carried on regarding the section of Main Street from Gates Avenue to Railroad Drive. The City Administrator indicated that that section could be included C~ty Counc~l M~nutes March 7, 1983 Page Four with the feasibility study done by Consulting Engineers Diversified for the improve- ment of east Main Street. Counci1member Gunkel indicated that that section of Main Street would be dug up during the storm sewer project proposed for construction in 1983. The City Ad- ministrator indicated that the rail crossing will shift toward Boelter's and that it was possible that that section of Main Street could be torn up twice, as the Highway #10 improvement is proposed for 1984. Mr. Terry Maurer indicated that the storm sewer pipe is designed for placement in the direction of City Hall outside of Main Street. Discussion was carried on regarding the section of Main Street east of Highway #169 regarding the improvement oJ, and whether it was on the MSA system. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEl:. MOVEB-!fO AUTHOR:rZE-AFEASIBII.ITI"S!!YD~-FQR~TIiE<n4PROVEMENT OF MAIN STREET FROM HIGHWAY 11169 TO GATES AVENUE OR THE RAILROAD TRACK TO INCLUDE A STORM SEWER LATERAL LINE TO THE PROPOSED AREA "c" OF THE COMPREHENSIVE STORM SEWER PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 9. Sidewalk Feasibility Study for Main Street The City Administrator indicated that Counci1member Schuldt has asked that the question of completing a feasibility study for sidewalk construction along Main Street be dis- cussed by the City Council. Counci1member Schuldt indicated that after review of the sidewalks on Main Street after the snow has melted, he has discovered that there a are some bad sections of sidewalk but that the whole sidewalk from Lowell to Quinn need not be replaced. Counci1member Schuldt indicated that there are approximately three pedistrian routes, Main Street, Proctor and Fourth Street, and further indicat- ed that repair of these sidewalks could possibly be funded through the discretionary Municipal State Aid funds. Counci1member Schuldt suggested that the City Council consider a feasibility study for the sidewalk improvement along Main Street. General discussion was carried on regarding the condition of the sidewalk along east Main Street, west Main Street, Proctor Avenue and Fourth Street. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO AUTHORIZE A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR SIDEWALKS ALONG MAIN STREET, PROCTOR AVENUE AND FOURTH STREET. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTffiON PASSED 4-0. 10. Purchase of Telephone Answering Machine The City Administrator indicated that the City Council has considered the possibility of installing a telephone answering machine in City Hall that will have the capabil- ity of giving information to callers as well as providing an opportunity for callers to leave a message. The City Administrator indicated that after the review of sev- eral different answering machines, it appears that, for the price and features of- fered, the telephone answering machine offered by Sears would be the best buy. City CQuncil Minutes March 7, 1983 Page Five COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A TELEPHONE MESSAGE ANSWERING MACHINE FOR CITY HALL. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 11. Purchase of Pagers The City Administrator indicated that the City Council has briefly discussed the option of the purchase of a paging system for certain employees of the City of Elk River. The City Administrator indicated that the paging system would allow certain employees, specifically, Phil Hals and Darrell Mack, to be reached for emergency calls at any time or place. The City Administrator reviewed the cost of the monitor, pagers, chargiIlS uni ts ,and carrying cases for the City CoUncil. Discussion was car- ried on regarding the difference in cost between the Sewer Department and the Street Department. The City Administrator explained that the Sewer Department would have three charging units with one remaining at the plant at all times. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF TWO PAGER UNITS AND THE APPROPRIATE ACCESSORIES. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 12. Staff .Conference Attendance The City Administrator indicated that the Deputy City Clerk has requested permission to attend the State City Clerk Conference in St. Cloud on March 24th and 25th. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE ATTENDANCE OF THE DEPUTY CITY CLERK AT THE STATE CITY CLERK CONFERENCE. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 13. Vacation Payment Request The City Administrator indicated that the Chief of Police presently has a vacation balance of approximately 157 hours and that the Chief has requested that he be allowed to cash in 40 hours of his accumulated vacation time. Mayor Hinkle indi- cated that he felt there should be a limit to the amount of vacation time that can be accumulated as vacation time is given to employees be taken. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that he was in agreement with Mayor Hinkle; that is, the fact that vacation time should be taken. Councilmember Engstrom indicated that he be- lieves that the purpose of vacation time was for rejuvenation and further indicated that the employer also suffers when employees do not take vacation as allowed. Discussion was carried on regarding a maximum amount of vacation time to be accumu- lated and the amount that could possibly be cashed in. It was the general consensus of the City Council to request the department heads to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding accumulation of vacation time. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE POLICE CHIEF'S CASHING IN OF 40 HOURS OF VACATION TIME. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. City Council Minutes March 7, 1983 Page Six Building Permit Fees The City Administrator indicated that the City's Building and Zoning Administrator has suggested that the City Council authorize the increase in building permit fees to the 1979 schedule prior to the onset of building construction in the City of Elk River for the year 1983. The City Administrator indicated that the present building permit fee schedule is half-way between the 1976 building code schedule and the 1979 building permit schedule. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE INCREASE OF BUILDING PERMIT FEES TO THE 1979 BUILDING CODE SCHEDULE. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 14. Administrator's Update A. City Garage Replacement Plans Phil Hals, Street Superintendent, submitted a plan for a City garage to the City Council for general discussion. Phil Ha1s indicated that the plan shows a 150,000 square foot building. Discussion was carried on regarding the means of paying for the construction of a City garage. The City Administrator indi- cated that general, G.O. bonds are issued for construction of a garage which may require a referendum. B. Mn/Dot Information Meeting - March 14, 1983, 7:00 p.m. The City Administrator indicated that Mn/Dot has scheduled an'informational meeting regarding the improvement of Highway #10 for Monday, March 14, 1983 at the Elk River Public Library. The City Administrator further indicated that Mn/Dot has been in town talking about the improvement of Highway #10 to the properties involved in the improvement. C. Replacement of Old Highway #101 Bridge The City Administrator indicated that he has met with the Wright County Eng- ineers and the engineers on the project; and further indicated that the project is still on schedule with proposed starting of construction in the fall of 1983. D. Cable Televesion System The City Administrator submitted a letter from the City of Champlin represent- ing the Quad Cities Cable Communications Commission, regarding the possible in- clusion of Elk River in the Quad Cities cable service terti~~r~~w~ The City Ad- ministrator indicated that the Quad Cities Commission does not think the possi- bility of Elk River joining their teritory is a good idea and 'suggested that the City of Elk River establish its own cable service territory. The City Admini- strator further indicated that it is to the advantage of the City of Elk River to have their own cable franchise. The City Administrator further indicated that he has received a first draft of the joint powers agreement from ~the attorney for the cable television system. C~ty Council Minutes March 7, 1983 Page Seven E. Signal at In~e1:section of Highway #169 and Main Street The City Administrator indicated that Mn/Dot has indicated that a signal for the intersection of Main Street and Highway #169 isp~ogrammed for 1983. The City Administrator indicated that the acknowledgement of the signal on the Mn/Dot program is the first big step in getting the signal for the intersec- tion. F. Administrator's Vacation The City Administrator indicated that he is planning a three-week vacation, be- ginning March 18 and that he would be back in the City offices on April 11th. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that he has received complaints regarding semi trucks and gravel trucks on Irving Avenue to Fourth Street and Jackson. The City Administrator indicated that he would request the Street Superintendent to investigate the truck traffic on Irving and Fourth. Discussion was carried on regarding the approval of a gopher bounty in the City of Elk River for 1983. 15. Check Register COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 7, 1983 CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 16. Tentative Agenda The consideration of a gopher bounty is tentatively sched~leQ for the March 21st, 1983 City Council ~eeting. There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. Respectfully submitted, 6-bL&/o d~d~jk~u~) LuLj) d~~J Phyllis Boedigheimer t7 ,/)~ Deputy City Clerk/Treasurer PB:dkk