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02-04-1980 CC MIN ~ REGULAR SEMI-MONTHLY MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELK RIVER HELD IN THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY February 4, 1980 Members Present: Mayor Madsen, Councilmembers Engstrom, Toth and Duitsman. Councilman Otto arrived at 9:30 p.m. Members Absent: None. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mayor Madsen. 2. Agenda Item 13 1/2, use of park facilities, and item 15, next City Council meeting date, were added to the agenda. COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 1980, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 3-0. 3. Minu tes COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 21, 1980, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 5. Sherburne County Fair Board Request ~epresentatives from the Sherburne County Fair Board were present to discuss the agreement between the City and the County concerning the fairground land. The Fair Board representatives requested the q~letion of the provision in the agree- ment which states that if the site is no longer used by the Sherburne County Fair Board for County fair purposes, the property reverts back to the City of Elk River. The Fair Board re.presentatives indicated the Cbunty would not improve nor update the buildings on the fairground unless they were owned by the County. Mayor Madsen indicated he felt the pltoblem was the County Fair Board's rather than the City's because according to his information if the property was given back to the City it then went back to the Athletic Association. Mayor Madsen further indicated if the County was given the use of the property for thirty years, the improve- ments to the property would have their useful use and, furthermore, if the land was given to the County and the Fair Board chose to mbve the fair, the City lost the land. Mayor Madsen asked if the Fair Board would give the property back to the City if they chose to move the County fair to another location and further indicated he did not think it was unreasonable for the City to give the property to the county for County fair purposes for a certain number bf years. Councilman Toth indicated the Athletic Association had sold it to the City with the stipu- lation that if the City did not use it, it was to return to the Athletic Associa- tion and further indicated that the City gave it to the County for fair purpbses with the same stipulation. Councilman Toth indicated the original lease was a 99 year lease. Councilman Duitsman indicated that if according to the agreement the City did not use the property, it was to be returned to the Athletic Associa- tion it would then be impossible to give it to the County. Mayor Madsen suggested a meeting be scheduled between the Sherburne County Fair Board and the City Council to discuss the issue and work,out the problem. February 4, 1980 Page 2 " 6. LibraryBoardAppointment The City Administrator indicated there were open1ngs on the Library Board from both the third and fourth wards. COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED APPOINTMENT OF DELORIS COLLINS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A THREE YEAR TERM BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1980. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 3-0. Mayor Madsen suggested deferring of the fourth ward Library Board appointment until the next regular City Council meeting. 7. Horvath Conditional Use Permit The City Administrator indicated the conditional use permit was for Mr. Horvath to locate a mobile trailer on his property to be used for a~ a~ts and crafts workshop by 11 boys residing with Mr. Horvath. The City Administrator further indicated the Planning Commission unanimously approved Mr. Horvath's request for the conditional use permit. Mayor Madsen indicated the Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit for a two year period at which time it would then again be reviewed. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A TWO YEAR PERIOD. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 8. Meadow Park Rep1at Mr. Me1 Boyd was present to explain his request for rep1atting his property from single family lots to a plat that would permit construction of 8 townhouse units and to answer any questions posed by the City Council. The City Administrator indicated the property was currently zones R-3 and further indicated the replatting would in essence realign the lot lines for simplification of the transfer of property to the owners of the townhouses. Councilman Toth asked if the rep1atting would make the individual lots bigger. Councilman Toth expressed the concern of traffic and whether the townhouse concept would produce more or less traffic problems than duplexes or other multiple dwelling concepts. The City Adminis- trator indicated the townhouses would be single family owned units. Discussion was carried on between Mr. Peter Kimball, a resident from the adjoining area, the City Council and Mr. Me1 Boyd regarding side yard variances, the power line through the area, the design of the townhouse units, the price and the land- scaping. The City Administrator requested Mr. Me1 Boyd to review the total concept for the benefit of the City Council. Mr. Me1 Boyd indicated if the preliminary plat was approved, excavation would be done, the foundation put in place and then the final survey done for the final plat. Mr. Me1 Boyd explained this procedure was done to eliminate any problems with the survey and the actual placement of. the foundation. The City Administrator indicated the City Attorney was consulted and that there was no problem with this procedure. Mr. Peter Kimball expressed his concern of oversaturation.of the area by the townhouses and further questioned the need for multiple housing. Mr. Me1 Boyd explained the units were still single family units just joined together and that the area was zoned R-3 and would not be rezoned. Councilman Toth indicated he felt that this was the best use of the land. COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF MEADOW PARK SUBDIVISION. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 9. 1980 Salary Request The City Administrator indicated the request for $1,000 was to be used specifically for additional salary increases for the Building Inspector, Deputy City C1erk/ Treasurer and other positions within the general fund. The City Administrator further indicated the bookkeeping position had been upgraded to Deputy City C1erk/ Treasurer with increased duties and that the Building Inspector's salary was at February 4, 1980 Page 3 a range comparatively less than others in the area. Councilman Duitsman indicated he was specifically against a greater than 9% increase in salary for the Building Inspector. Councilman Toth asked where the $1,000 should come from. The City Administrator. indicated that Jack Bredeck's salary was budgeted half in the general fund and half in the sewer fund but he would be working more than half of the year for the Sewer Department. The City Administrator suggested leaving the $1,000 in the general fun? for the additional salary increases requested. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN MOVED TO TRANSFER $350.00 FROM THE STREET DEPARTMENT SALARIES TO THE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT SALARIES, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE DEPUTY CITY CLERK/TREASURER. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 3-0. Mayor Madsen asked for a motion on the $650.00 request for salaries. COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED THE $650.00 REMAIN IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET. COUNCILMAN DUITS-- MAN SECONDED THE MOTION . MOTION PASSED 3-0. 10. Purchase of Police Car Mayor Madsen indicated the price for the Vo1are from Bloomington Chrysler Plymouth was $6,326.00 with the 318 cubic inch engine or the 360 cubic inch engine rather than the $6,036.00. Mayor Madsen further indicated he asked the local dealers for quotes based on the Sherburne County specifications. The quotes received. were as follows: Elk River Ford Granada $6,309.77 Country Chrysler Vo1are 6,487.20 Cloverleaf Motors Malibu 6,626.00 Gould Brothers Ma1ibu 6,596.92 Main Motors Ma1ibu 6,377.48 Coon Rapids Chrysler Vo1are (without Police package) 6,629.48 Coon Rapids Chrysler Vo1are (with Police package) 6,418.98 Councilman Toth asked if these cars quoted met the needs of the Police Department. The City Administrator indicated the Police package was necessary because of the starting and stopping, slow driving, different drivers and overall harder use of the cars. Mayor Madsen expressed a concern in the problem of servicing the cars if purchased out of town. The City Administrator indicated the warranty work could be done by a local dealer and that the specifications called for pickup and delivery by Bloomington Chrysler Plymouth if local service was not available. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED TO PURCHASE THE VOLARE WITH A 318 CUBIC INCH ENGINE FROM BLOOMINGTON CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH. THE MOTION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN MOVED TO PURCHASE THE GRANADA FROM ELK RIVER FORD FOR THE PRICE OF $6,309.77. COUNCILMAN TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 2-1. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM OPPOSED. 11. American Legion Auxiliary Bingo License COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY BINGO LICENSE. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 12. Administrator's Update A. DowntownRedeve1opment The City Administrator indicated he and Councilman Duitsman had attended the meeting of the Downtown Development Implement Committee to hear a presentation made by Fisher/Coughlan & Associates. Councilman Duitsman indicated he felt it was important for the City Council to work with the Downtown Committee to map the strategy for the development of the downtown area and to work with February 4, 1980 Page 4 them in obtaining funds to meet the needs. Councilman Duitsman further indi- cated he felt progress should be made as soon as possible. The City Adminis- trator indicated Kraus-Anderson Development was interested in owning and development in the City and would be presenting their ideas to the Downtown Development Implementation Committee on Tuesday, February 5, at 4:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the First National Bank. The City Administrator further indicated Fish~r/Cough1an & Associates were consultants and were interested in working with the private sector; namely a local development corporation in the planning of the project. They were not builders nor financiers. The City Administrator indicated he felt the City should play an active role and that the Committee needed guid.ance as to what they can expect from the City of Elk River and what the City would do. The City Administrator indicated that Burlington Northern Railroad would lease an additional 350 feet next to the current parking area for a total annual rent of $1,500 and that the annual lease parking fees would cover this rent. The City Administrator further indicated the City could do the grading and class 5 but not the blacktopping. Mayor Madsen suggested the City get an estimate on the blacktopping and then meet with the retailers with regard as to how it should be paid for. The City Administrator indicated he would meet with the retailers at their next meeting to discuss the additional parking area and how it would be paid for. B. Orono Dam The City Administrator indicated the documents for the bidding of the radial gates were ready, advertisements for bids were published and that CHZM Hill has a draft of the complete specifications done and will be getting a copy for the City Attorney to review. The City Administrator indicated the advertisements for bids were placed in the Construction Bulletin and the local paper and that CHZM Hill notified five national firms of the project. Councilman Toth questioned the availability of a cleanup program on the north end of Lake Orono. The City Administrator indicated the water level would stay as close to the present as much as possible during the construction b~t that he would look into the availability of work programs for the possible cleanup of the north end of the lake. C. Liquor Store The City Administrator indicated the report from the audit was not yet avail- able but the preliminary figures indicated a gross sales figure of $960,000 with a gross profit in the high $40,000. The City Administrator further indicated the equipment was sold at an amount less than the book value so, therefore, a loss on equipment would have to be realized. D. Elected Officials Handbook Series The City Administrator indicated that he recommended the Policy handbook for review at a workshop meeting by the Council. Mayor Madsen indicated his lack of interest in the special workshop meeting and suggested the workshop pro- ject be set aside for awhile. 13. Check Register COUNCILMAN TOTH MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 13~. Park Facilities Mayor Madsen indicated he has received various requests for the use of the ball diamonds and that he has received complaints of the diamonds being scheduled for February 4, 1980 Page 5 -., and used by outside teams. Mayor Madsen suggested the City determine what types of interest there was within the City regarding the ball teams. Councilman Otto indicated he felt the ,scheduling of the ball diamonds was not a Council duty and suggested this project is within the realm of the Recreation Board. Councilman Duitsman suggested the City Council make a recommendation to the Recreation Board to schedule the use of the ball diamonds and to give priority to City leagues. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM MOVED APPROVAL OF THE SCHEDULING OF THE BALL DIAMONDS TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RECREATION BOARD AND TO RECOMMEND THEY GIVE PRIORITIES TO CITY LEAGUES. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED 4-0. 14. Tentative Agenda The flood maps, year end expenses, parking lot and Library Board appointment are tentatively scheduled for the February 25, 1980, City Council agenda. 15. Next Meeting Date It was decided that the next City Council meeting would be held February 25, 1980, at the Elk River Public Library. There being no fl,1rther bus.iness, COUNCILMAN OTTO MOVED THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. COUNCILMAN TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.. MOTION PASSED 4-0. Respectfully Submitted, \. /. A' 'd'h . i .). I" ' '""', ' .' ~ " :' 'I ~ < \ 'J!JIL"['--::i uc--C 'i ~(.(';d"'- C' Phyllis Boedigheimer Deputy City Clerk/Treasurer PB:ab