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01-03-1984 CC MIN ~ REGULAR WEEKLY MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY JANUARY 3, 1984 Members Present: Mayor Hinkle, Councilmembers Engstrom, Duitsman, Schuldt and Gunkel Members Absent: None 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Hinkle. 2 . Agenda Item 12~ - Fire Numbers, was added to the January 3, 1984 City Council Agenda. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 3, 1984 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 3. Minutes COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 19, 1983 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. Mayor Hinkle presented a resolution of acknowledgement for services to Mary Bender, the resigning librarian at the Elk River Public Library. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 5. Liquor License Application by Jerome Scepurek Mayor Hinkle indicated that Mr. Jerome Scepurek of 2221 4th Street North, St. Cloud, has applied for an on-sale liquor license and Sunday liquor license for the business known as Danceland and Reggie's Pennant Bar. Mayor Hinkle indicated that Mr. Scepurek has previously owned bars in Bollis, Minnesota, and Cobdin, Minnesota. The City Administrator indicated that in the City's background check, the Chief of Police found no particular problems regarding Mr. .Scepurek'.s business operations, therefore, it is recommended that the City Council approve the liquor license request. COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE A LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST BY MR. JEROME SCEPUREK FOR THE OPERATION KNOWN AS DANCELAND/REGGIE' S PENNANT BAR. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 6. Supplemental Agreement with Tolz, King, Duvall and Anderson for CSAH #42 Bridge The City Administrator indicated that the agreement is a supplemental agreement to an already existing engineering contract with TKDA for services related to the re- placement of the Old Highway #101 Bridge. The City Administrator indicated that the supplemental agreement deals primarily with administration of the construction contract, inspection of the construction on the bridge, assisting the County in City Council Minutes January 3, 1984 Page Two " completing the project and completing the necessary as-built drawings. The City Administrator indicated that the agreement has been reviewed by the Wright County Engineer and himself and it was found to be acceptable for the County and the City, therefore, it is recommended that the City Council approve the supplemental agreement. General discussion was carried on regarding the joint powers agreement and the division of costs of the project. COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WRIGHT COUNTY, THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AND TOLZ, KING, DUVALL AND ANDERSON. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 7. Designation of Vice-Mayor for 1984 Mayor Hinkle indicated that at the present time, Councilmember Schuldt is serving as the City's Vice-Mayor and further indicated that Councilmember Schuldt has expressed his interest in serving again for 1984. Mayor Hinkle thanked Council- member Schuldt for his service as Vice-Mayor in 1983. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO REAPPOINT COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT AS VICE-MAYOR FOR 1984. COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 8. Designation of Official City Newspaper Mayor Hinkle indicated that at the present time the City's official newspaper is the Star News and as the City has no other options for a local paper, it is recom- mended that the City Council again designate the Star News as the official newspaper. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DESIGNATION OF THE STAR NEWS AS THE CITY'S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 9. Designation of Official City Depositories COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPOSITORIES AS LISTED IN THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S MEMO TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATED DECEMBER 29, 1983 AS THE CITY'S OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR 1984. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 10. Committee Appointments A. Planning Commission Appointments Mayor Hinkle indicated that Planning Commission members, Jim Tralle and John Pearce's terms have expired and both people have indicated their interest in serving for another term on the Planning Commission. City Council Minutes January 3, 1984 Page Three , COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED TO REAPPOINT MR. JIM TRALLE AND MR. JOHN PEARCE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. B. Beautification Committee Appointments Mayor Hinkle indicated that Mag Johnson has indicated his desire to be reappointed to the Beautification Committee for another term and further in- dicated that Mr. Tony Jarmoluk would accept the appointment but indicated that Mr. Jarmoluk would not be interested in serving as chairman of the Committee. Discussion was carried on regarding a committee chairman and the appointment of a chairman by the Beautification Committee. COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPOINT MR. MAG JOHNSON AND MR. TONY JARMOLUK TO THE CITY BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. C. HRA Committee Appointment Mayor Hinkle indicated that he had contacted Mr. Larry Toth regarding re- appointment to the HRA Commission. Mayor Hinkle indicated that Mr. Toth was willing to serve on the HRA Commission for another term. The City Administrator indicated that originally at the formation of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the Commission was structured so that three Council members were represented and at the present time, the HRA is composed of two City Councilmembers. The City Administrator further indicated that the City Council may wish to consider the importance of having three City Council representatives on the HRA or if two members would serve this purpose. Councilmember Gunkel indicated that she felt two City Councilmembers on the HRA Commission would be enough representatives from the City Council and further indicated that she felt Mr. Toth should be reappointed as he has the background for serving on the HRA. Councilmember Duitsman indicated that his term would be up next yeat,~and tn~t he did not intend to run again. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO REAPPOINT. MR. LARRY TOTH TO THE HRA COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 11. Pay Estimate for Gates Avenue Improvement Project General discussion was carried on regarding the change orders in the contract for the Gates Avenue Improvement Project. COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE A PAY ESTIMATE IN THE AMOUNT OF $113,282.55 TO BARBAROSSA AND SONS, INC. FOR WORK ON THE GATES AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 12. Conference Attendance City Council Minutes January 3, 1984 Page Four ~ Mayor Hinkle indicated that he felt the proposed Telecon '84 Conference would be very beneficial to the City of Elk River. Mayor Hinkle indicated that he felt the conference would expose the City staff to outside information not necessarily available by any other means. Councilmember Duitsman indicated that he could not see the value in authorizing a staff member to attend the conference, as he felt most of the information would be provided in written form. Mayor Hinkle indicated that it was his understanding that much of the conference would provide for two-way conversation and therefore, would provide exposure to attendees beyond what could be read in printed material. Councilmember Gunkel indicated that she felt there were many areas that the City of Elk River could use help, specifically, senior citizen issues, therefore, she felt the conference would be worthwhile. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO ATTEND THE TELECON '84 CONFERENCE IN ANOKA. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 3-1. COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN OPPOSED. 12~. Fire Numbers Councilmember Engstrom indicated that residents in the Greenhead Acres 3rd Addition expressed their concerns of the Fire Department or Police Department's ability to find the rural residents by address and suggested that the City Council discuss the issue of fire numbers for all rural residents. Discussion was carried on regarding other rural communities and whether they use fire numbers. Police Chief, Tom Zerwas, indicated that the City's ordinance encourages house numbers but many of the rural area residents do not put their house numbers on their homes. Mr. Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administrator, indicated that the 1983 Building Code states that all homes must post their house numbers. Mr. Breezee indicated that he does tell every homeowner on the final inspection that they must have a house number on their house. General discussion was carried on regarding the routing of the Fire Department through the dispatcher's office. Mr. Tom Zerwas indicated that the Police Depart- ment is generally the first ones at a fire and can direct the Fire Department to the proper location. Tom Zerwas further indicated that when the 911 emergency number is in effect for Elk River, it will solve those kinds of address problems, as when the call comes in, the address will automatically be printed on the screen. Further discussion was carried on regarding addresses at driveway entrances, as many homes in the Elk River area have a long driveway and many trees and the house is not visible from the road. Discussion was also carried on regarding responsibility of sending a letter to all residents informing them of the City Code regarding an address posted on their residence. It was the consensus of the City Council that the City staff discuss with the Fire Chief various options to notify the residents of the importance of addresses posted on their homes or property for an emergency. -.., City Council Minutes January 3. 1984 Page Five 13. Administrator's Update A. Elk River Flooding The City Administrator indicated that over the past several weeks the level of the Elk River has been higher than normal and therefore, has caused some problems for residents on Waco Street and Yankton, particularly for two families, the Huffs and the Watts. The City Administrator further indicated that on Friday, December 23rd, several County officials, residents, representa- tives from the Corps of Engineers and the DNR met to discuss the problem and the general feeling was that there was no action that could be taken by the City of Elk River at the present time. The City Administrator indicated that the DNR and the Corps of Engineers indicated that the problem could possibly be caused by silt in the river at the entrance to Orono Lake which then would cause a shallowness of water and that in turn would cause ice jam-up and build- up, forcing the water to go elsewhere. Mayor Hinkle indicated that the news medias were contacted regarding the problem and that the City Administrator's whole day was taken up with the media. The City Administrator indicated that Channel 4, Channel 5, Channel 11 and Channel 7, in addition to radio stations and newspapers. had contacted him regarding the Elk River flooding of the Huff's residence. Mr. Tom Zerwas indicated that the County refused a building permit to the Huffs to remodel and add on to their cabin, but they went ahead and did the remodeling and addition anyway. Discussion was carried on regarding the well and septic system at the Huff's residence. The City Administrator indicated that Mr. Brian Benson expressed concern of the Huff's water system and suggested that the Huffs boil their water and get it tested. Further discussion was carried on regarding the water problem and the possibility of greater flooding problems in the springtime. The City Administrator indicated that the DNR would be contacting the City of Elk River with some suggestions to alleviate springtime flooding problems. The City Administrator further indicated that the DNR also indicated that the City should make residents aware of flood insurance. Mayor Hinkle indicated that the DNR is also concerned with the Mississippi River during springtime flooding, as the Monticello Nuclear Plant\fJwlllbbecciliosedfci' February 1st for approximately seven months. It was the consensus of the City Council to keep in touch with the DNR and the Corps of Engineers regarding the Elk River flooding problems now and ex- pected in the springtime. -.., City Council Minutes January 3, 1984 Page Six B. Lions Park Development The City Administrator indicated that changes have been made on the plan for the Lions Park which seem to satisfy all people involved. General discussion was carried on regarding the walkways, bridge, flower gardens, bandstand, and various other elements of the Lions Park. It was suggested that Councilmember Engstrom locate the City's old bankshell for consideration to be moved to the new park. 14. Check Register The City Administrator requested that Check number 30932 to Elk River Ford for the Police Department Bronco be added to the check register. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 3, 1984 CHECK REGISTER. COUNCIL- MEMBER DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. 15. Tentative Agenda for January 9th Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission Councilmember Duitsman requested that the City Administrator gather regarding Council decisions on the property along east Highway #10. discussion was carried on regarding the various properties and what discussed with the Planning Commission. all information General would be There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM MOVED THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. ~1~:!;~ City Clerk/Treasurer PB:dk