09-08-1981 CC MIN
REGULAR SEMI..:..MONTHLY MEETING OF THE
ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
SEPTEMBER 8, 1981
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Members Present: Mayor Hinkle, Councilmembers Duitsman, Toth, Engstrom and Schuldt
Members Absent: None
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Hinkle.
2. Agenda
Item #6~ - Street Sealcoatbid and Item #14~ - Bidding on a used typewriter were
added to the September 8, 1981 City Council Agenda. Item #llb - Vassar Adminis-
trative Subdivision was deleted from the Agenda.
COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMAN SCHULDT
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
3. Minutes
COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE.AUGUST 17, 1981, CITY
COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMAN TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. . THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
4. Open Mike
No one appeared for this item.
5. Fire Relief Association Request Regarding Benefits
The City Administrator indicated that the Fire Relief Association has requested
that the City Council increase the amount of retirement benefits from $300 per
year accumulation for each year of service to a $400 accumulation per year. He
further indicated that the Fire Relief Association is financially sound and
could continue to pay the requested level of accumulation.
Councilman Duitsman questioned where the funding would come from in the future
for the Fire Relief Association. Mr. Dan Green indicated that the State is re-
quired to contribute an amount based on 2% of the valuation of the City to the
Fire Relief Association.
COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION'S REQUEST FOR AN
INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM A $300 PER YEAR ACCUMULATION TO
A $400 PER yEAR ACCUMULATION.. COUNCILMAN SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
PASSED 4-0.
6. Donahue Industrial Revenue Bond Concept
The City Administrator indicated that Mr. Pat Donahue, owner of the building at
the corner of Third Street and Irving, currently occupied by the United States
Post Office, is proposing to double the size of the current building and would
like the City of Elk River to issue Industrial Revenue Bonds to pay the cost of
the addition to the building. The City Administrator further indicated that Mr.
Donahue is atr this time requesting the City Council's approval of the Industrial
Revenue Bondconcept of the proposed project.
September 8, 1981
Page Two
Mr. Pat Donahue reviewed the plans of the proposed expansion of 3,rOO square
feet to the building and explained the need for the additional space required
by the post office. Mr. Donahue als.oexplained the j oint driveway agreement
with Mr. "Murray Mills. Mr. Donahue indicated that Mr. Mills would prefer a 30
foot driveway but felt that a 20 foot driveway was allowable and further indicated
that the joint driveway could be agreed upon.
Mr. Wayne Ruckle, Postmaster for the Elk River Post Office, indicated that
the Post Office was in desparate need of additional space. Mr. Ruckle further
indicated that the volume of mail has increased one-third since this time last
year.
COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE TF~CONCEPT OF ISSUING INDUSTRIAL REVENUE
BONDS " FOR AN ADDITION TO "THE BUILDING CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY THE UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
6~. Seal coat Bids
Mr. Terry Mauer of Consulting Engineers Diversified indicated that the bids for
the sealcoat project were received and tabulated Monday, August 31, 1981, with
four (4) bidders each submitting a base bid and an alternate bid. Mr. Mauer
indicated that the four base bids ranged from $20,356.40 to $25,696.00 and the
four alternate bids ranged from $28,038.00 to $33,942.80. Mr. }fuuer indicated
that the base bid was for pea rock and the alternate bid was for a larger
aggregate.
The City Administrator indicated that the balance of the budgeted amount for seal-
coating work in 1981 was $31,000.00 and that the low bidder, Allied Blacktop Com-
pany, would add additiona~~ileage for sealcoating to bring the base bid amount
to the budgeted $31,000.00.The City Administrator further indicated that the ad-
ditional mileage to be included for seal coating would be approximately 1 to 1~
miles of which the Street Superintendent could designate which additional streets
should be sealcoated.
Councilman Duitsman questioned the difference of the base bid between the pea
rock and the alternate bids of the larger aggregate.
Mr. Terry Mauer of Consulting Engineers Diversified explained that the alternate
bid with the larger aggregate also had more bituminous but that i(vposed a problem
in low-traffic areas as the larger aggregate moved with the starting and stopping
of cars.
The City Administrator indicated that the Street Superintendent was in favor
of the pea rock as the areas to be blacktopped were primarily residential areas;
and further indicated that City staff recommends awarding the sealcoating contract
to Allied Blacktop Company.
COUNCILMAN"DUITSMAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 81,;..41, AWARDING THE 1981 SEALCOAT-
ING PROJECT TO ALLIED BLACKTOP COMPANY AND TO INCLUDE AN EXTRA ONE (1) TO ONE
AND A HALF (1~) MILES DESIGNATED BY THE STREET SUPERINTENDENT IN THE PROJECT.
COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED" THE MOTION. THE" MOTION PASSED 4-0.
September 8, 1981
Page Three
7. John Judge Conditional Use Permit
The City Administrator indicated that Mr. John Judge has requested a conditional
use permit to operate a taxi service out of his home, and further indicated
that Mr. Judge's request for a conditional use permit was based on the staff's
interpretation of the zoning ordinance regarding the home occupation section.
The City Administrator indicated that the Planning Commission determined that
a conditional use permit was not required to operate a taxi service out of the
home as long as only one taxi was utilized. The City Administrator further in-
dicated that the City staff's interpretation of the zoning ordinance requires that
a conditional use permit be issued for home occupation of which the taxi service
would fall under that definition, and that the zoning ordinance therefore, allows
for the regulation of the home occupation businesses.
Mayor Hinkle questioned the means of control of the home occupation should Mr.
Judge decide to have three or four taxi vehicles out of his home.
General discussion was carried on by the City Council regarding the definition
of a home occupation and the types of businesses that would fall into that
definition. Councilman Toth indicated that he felt that a taxi service was a
need of the community.
The City Administrator indicated that should the City Council interpret the
zoning ordinance as such that a conditional use permit would be required by
Mr. Judge to operate the taxi service out of his home, Mr.Judge would have
to request that the Planning Commission rule upon the conditional use and then
make a recommendation to the City Council.
COUl\lCILMAN SCHULDT MOVED TO REQUIRE THAT A CONDITIONAL USE PEronT BE REQUIRED
TO OPERATE A TAXI SERVICE OUT OF THE HOME. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
8. Extension to InterceptorCorttract Completion Date
Mayor Hinkle indicated that the contractor of the sewer interceptor is request-
ing an extension of the completion time of the project due to the delay in
awarding the bids and further indicated that Mr. Wilson of McCombs-Knutson
and Associates, Inc., recommended the extension of the completion date to
November 15, 1981..
COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION OF THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THE
SANITARY SEWER INTERCEPTOR PROJECT AS RECOMMENDED BY McCOMBS KNUTSON AND
ASSOCIATES,INC~TONOVEMBER 15, 1981. COUNCIDMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MO-
TION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
1
September 8, 1981
Page Four
9. Industrial Park Improvements ~ Public Hearing
The City Administrator briefly reviewed for the City Council the nat-
ure of the improvements to be made to the Industrial Park "and costs
associated with the improvements. The Administrator indicated that
on August l&hhe had met with the Elk River Investor's Association
group and various tenants from the Industrial Park regarding the spe-
cific improvements and potential costs of the project. Prior to that
date the Administrator indicated that a set of plans and specifications
and the bid tabulation regarding the improvements was sent to the Elk
River Investors Association for their review and study.
The City Administrator indicated that notice of the public hearing was
published in the City's official newspaper 10 days prior to the public
hearing and a second publication was requested by the City but not pub-
lished by the newspaper. The City Administrator further indicated that
notices of the public hearing were hand delivered to all parties affected
by the proposed improvements and as such all parties were aware of the
hearing within an adequate time.
The City Administrator indicated that the City has made a sincere and good
faith effort to notify all affected parties benefiting from the proposed
industrialipark improvements.
Mr. Skip McCombs from McCombs-Knutson and Associates, Inc., was present to
answer any questions the Councilor public had regarding the proposed im-
provements in the industrial park.
Mr. Demorest of Modern Controls, indicated that he and Mr. John Plaisted
question the design of the sanitary sewer lines along their side of the
street versus the other side.
General discussion was carried on between the City Council, Mr. Demorest and
Mr. Skip McCombs regarding the design of the project. Mr. McCombs indicated
that the project as designed was approximately $2,000 less in costs and con-
struction conflicts with the underground utilities on the other side of
street was avoided. Mr. McCombs also explained that the contractor is re-
quired to replace the sod, sprinkler systems and rock gardens along the pro-
posed route of the sewer as part of the project. Mr. McCombs indicated that
the total cost of the industrial park improvements is approximately $41,000
or approximately $5,200 per parcel based upon a unit assessment with eight
parcels assessed.
It was the Council's consensus that the improvements to the Industrial Park
were necessary and that the objections presented could be overcome and dealt
with during the course of the project. The Council also agreed that the City
had made a sincere and good faith effort to notify all affected parties and
that in fact all parties affected had been notified and had either questions
answered or were present at the hearing.
COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 81~39, ORDERING THE SANITARY SEWER
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THE ELK RIVER INDUSTRIAL PARK AND AWARDING THE BID TO
C.S. McCROSSAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,500. COUNCILMAN TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED 4..;..0.
September 8, 1981
Page Five
10. Ridgewood East 2nd Addition Improvements
Mayor Hinkle indicated that the project was initiated by a 100% petition
from the owner and developer of the project; and therefore, recommended that
the City Council order the completion of the Ridgewood East 2nd Addition sanitary
sewer lateral improvement and award the contract to C.S. McCrossan, in the
amount of $41,317.DO.
COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 81-40, ORDERING THE COMPLETION
OF THE RIDGEWOOD 2ND ADDITION SANITARY SEWER LATERAL IMPROVEMENT AND AWARDING
OF THE CONTRACT TO C. S. McCROSSAN. COUNCILMAN SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
11. Administrative Subdivisions
A. Sherburne County Farm Services
The City Administrator indicated that the Sherburne County Farm Services
has requested an administrative subdivision to divide their current site
of approximately 5 acres into 2 parcels of approximately 1 acre and 4 acres
in size. The City Administrator further indicated that the request is in
compliance with the City's zoning and subdivision ordinance.
COUNCILMAN SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION RE-
QUEST BY SHERBURNE COUNTY FARM SERVICES TO DIVIDE THEIR CURRENT SITE
INTO 2 PARCELS OF APPROXIMATELY 1 ACRE.AND 4 ACRES IN SIZE. COUNCILMAN
ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION.
B. Eugene Vassar
Deleted
C. Donald Lannn
The City Administrator indicated that Mr. Lannn has requested an administra-
tive subdivision to divide two parcels of 2~ acres in size from his 110
acre parcel, arid further indicated that the subdivision request is in com-
pliance with the City's zoning and subdivision regulations.
COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION REQUEST
BY MR.LAMMTO DIVIDE 2 PARCELS OF 2~ ACRES IN SIZE FROM HIS 110 ACRE PARCEL
AT 21272 ELK.LAKE.ROAD. COUNCILMAN. TOTH. SECONDED. THE MOTION. THE MOTION
PASSED 4-0.
D. ReubenNorling
The City Administrator lndicated that Mr. Norling has requested an admini-
strative subdivision to consolidate 7 sub-standard lots in Camp Cozy 6th
Addition to two larger lots and further indicated that this request requires
City approval in order to make the resulting parcels legally recordable.
Councilman Toth questioned if the area in question is in a flood plain area
and further indicated that a building permit could not be issued under the
flood plain ordinance.
September 8, 1981
Page Six
The City Administrator indicated that the area was in the flood plain
area and further indicated that there were two dwellings on the proposed
new subdivision of the two lots.
COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION RE-
QUEST BY MR. NORLING TO CONSOLIDATE 7 SUB-STANDARD LOTS INTO 2 LARGER LOTS
IN THE CAMP COZY 6th ADDITION. COUNCILMAN SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION PASSED 4-0.
12. Northern Natural Gas Variance
The City Administrator indicated that Northern Natural Gas has requested a var-
iance so that they may construct a metering station on a parcel of property of
less than 1 acre in an I-I zone. The City Administrator further indicated that
in reviewing the request of Northern Natural Gas, the standards for a variance
could not be met in the situation presented and that the Planning Commission has
unanimously denied the variance request. The City Administrator further indica-
ted that the same results desired by Northern Natural Gas can be achieved by
either obtaining an ,eas.ement or a long.;...term lease for a small piece of property.
Mr. John Oliver, member of the Board of Directors. of the Industrial Park, indi-
cated that it was the consensus of the Board that they could agree with either of
the alternatives suggested.
COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN MOVED TO DENY THE VARIANCE REQUEST BY NORTHERN NATURAL GAS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING A METERING STATION ON A PARCEL OF PROPERTY LESS THAN
THE REQUIRED MINIMUM OF 1 ACRE IN AN I-L ZONE. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
>-..-
13. Eagles Club Rezoning Request
The City Administrator indicated that the Eagles Club, located at 825 Railroad
Drive, is requesting a zone change from the present zone of I-I (Light Industrial)
to C-l (Central Commercial) so that they may expand their building by approximately
20 feet. The City Administrator indicated that a zone change is necessary be-
cause the present use of the building is non-conforming to the I-I zone. The
City Administrat<,r further indicated that the Planning Commission's recommendation
was to unani~usly-- deny the rezone request as it was very similar to a request
recently made by Standard Lumber, which was denied by the City Council because
the request was inconsistent with the City's land use plan.
Mr. Jim Nord, representative for the Eagles Club, was present to discuss the re-
zone request and plan for expansion of the Eagles Club building. Mr. Nord in-
dicated that the expansion was necessary to bring in more memberships to raise
funds to eventually build a new building in the area, and further indicated that
the Eagles Club was an organization supporting community functrr.ons and an asset
to the community. Mr. Nord indicated that the expansion would include two
bathrooms upstairs to better serve the elderly people and the additional space
would gernerally improve the building and therefore enlarge the membership in
the organization. Mr. Nord further indicated that the long-range plan was in
approximately 3 to 5 years to build a new building.
Councilman Toth questioned whether the Eagles Club building and expansion could
conform to the handicap requirements.
September 8, 1981
Page Seven
~ounci1man Schuldt indicated that he felt that the City could not and should
Inot do spot rezoning and~urhter indicated that the City could not do the spot
rezoning for Standard Lumber and therefore should not approve the rezone re-
quest by the Eagles Club.
Councilman Toth suggested that the City, the City Planner, and the Planning
Commission take another look at the area and review the zoning ordinance and
land use plan for that specific area.
Councilman Duitsman indicated that the City Planner, Mr. Zack Johnson, along
with the HRA, is looking at the area now on the fringe of the specific area in
question regarding zoning and land use plan, and further indicated that possibly
that area in question could be discussed also.
COUNCILMAN SCHULDT MOVED. TO DEN~ THE REZONE REQUEST BY THE EAGLES CLUB FROM THE
PRESENT ZONE OF I-I (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL) to C..,.l (CENTRAL. COMMERCIAL). COUNCILMAN
TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
COUNCILMAN TOTHMOVED TO REQUEST THE.CITY PLANNER, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLAN-
NING COMMISSION TO RE-EVALUATE THE AREA IN QUESTION FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF REZONING.
COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION.. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
14. Martin Mechanical Artlllsement Device License
The C~ty Administrator indicated that Mr. Chip Martin has requested a mechanical
amusekent device license for approximately 10 to 15 machines to be located in
an arcade at 950~ Highway 1110. Mr. Chip Martin was present to discuss the mechan-
ical amusement device license request and indicated that the arcade was proposed
for the west end of the building at the lower level~ and would be operating from
approximately 12:00 noon to 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. in the evening. Mr. Martin further
indicated that he would ~e the operator of the arcade and therefore responsible for
the activities with the proposed arcade.
COUNCILMAN SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MECHANICAL. AMUSEMENT DEVICE LICENSE FOR
AN ARCADE LOCATED AT 950~ HIGHWA! 1110. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
15. Non-Con .Items
A. 3.2 Percent On-Sale Beer License for Monte Club Softball Tournament on
September 11-12-13.
COUNCILMAN SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3.2 PERCENT BEER LICENSE REQUEST
FOR THE MONTE CLUB SOFTBALL TOURNMENT~. COUNCILMANTOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
B. 1981 Contract with Wendy's Tree and Stump Removal Service
The City Administrator indicated that Wendy's Tree Service contracted with
the City for tree removal in 1980 and posed no problems, and further indica-
ted that Wendy's Tree Service is insured and bonded and recommended that the
City Council approve the 1981 contract.
September 8, 1981
Page Eight
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COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1981 TREE SERVICE CONTRACT WITH
WENDY'S TREE' AND ' STUMP REMOVAL. COUNCILMAN' DUITSMAN' SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
16. Administrator's Update
A. Sanitary Sewer Interceptor
The City Administrator indicated that the project was proceeding on sche-
dule with no major problems developing.
B. Mediscreen, Inc.
The City Administrator indicated that the Masonic Lodge would be working
with Mediscreen, Inc. developing a plan of resurfacing part of the parking
lot and. doing some screening for the property, and further indicated that
they would submit a plan to the City for their proposed improvements.
C. Peterson Addition Road Shoulders
Mr. Skip McCombs indicated that Mr. Chuck Wilson had met with the contractor
to review the shoulders incomp1eted in the Peterson Addition and further in-
dicated that the contractor agreed to complete the shoulders at the price
in the contract of $4.95 a yard for the materials. Mr. McCombs indicated that
the contractor felt that he would have been paid for the yardage had it been
done at the time of the project and therefore, was still requesting payment
for the yardage necessary to complete the shoulders. Mr. McCombs indicated
that Mr. Chuck Wilson felt that the additional cost would be approximately $500.
COUNCILMAN 'DUITSMAN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CONTRACTOR TO ,COMPLETE THE SHOULDERS
IN THE PETERSON ADDITION FOR A COST OF UP TO $500. COUNCILMAN TOTH SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
17. Check 'Register
COUNCILMAN TOTH 'MOVED 'APPROVAL 'OF THESEPTEMBER'8~'1981,CHECK REGISTER~ COUNCIL-
MAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION~THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
18. Tentative Agenda
An update on the review of zone change is scheduled to be discussed at the
September 21, 1981 City Council meeting.
There being no further business~ 'COUNCILMAN'TOTH'MOVED THAT THE 'MEETING BE'ADJOURNED.
COUNCILMAN SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION~ 'THEMOTIONPASSED'4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Q I) ; i3:t .
. /1, I / ~ I
A1ix> /0)(; ,A" !fLvtJvU
PhY~iS Boedighe"mer
Deputy City Clerk/Treasurer
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