07-29-2019 Special CCMof
A
�-- Special Meeting of the Elk River City Council
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ver Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, July 29, 2019
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councihnembers Garrett Christianson, Nate
Ovall, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Great River Regional Library
(GRRL) Branch Manager Robbie Schake, GRRL Regional Supervisor
Brandi Canter, Community Operations and Development Director
Suzanne Fischer, Environmental Coordinator Amanda Bednar,
Finance Director Lori Ziemer, Liquor Operations Manager Joe
Audette, Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Arena Manager Rich
Czech, Fire Chief Mark Dickinson, Deputy Fire Chief and Deputy
Director of Emergency Management Aaron Surratt, IT Manager Bob
Pearson, IT Support Jake Walz, and Records Specialist Katie Porath.
I . Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Elected Official Travel Request
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to approve a request for Councihnember Christianson to travel out-
of-state for a White House event. Motion carried 5-0.
4. 2020 Budget
Ms. Ziemer presented the staff report. Various departments presented their
proposed budgets as outlined in the staff report.
Energy City
Council asked if they may be able to get a grant or a civic organization to help
purchase the electric bike.
City Council Minutes
July 29, 2019
Page 2
Information Technology (IT)
Mr. Pearson explained the improvement in disaster recovery with the proposed IT
infrastructure enhancement.
Mayor Dietz asked if ERMU would pay for a portion of the IT infrastructure
improvements.
Council was concerned about buying $190,000 worth of IT equipment and then the
next IT Manager not liking it.
The council took a short recess at 5:44 p.m. and reconvened at 5:52 p.m.
Fire/Emergency Management
Fire Chief Dickinson explained that the fire academy was very popular and well
regarded throughout the state. There are opportunities to expand the classes but
currently there isn't enough time to devote to training. He added that the fire
academy is self-sufficient but he felt it may have opportunity to generate revenue.
Emergency Management
Fire Chief Dickinson explained that Sherburne County Emergency Management may
be willing to offset some of the cost of the equipment upgrade since they also use
the Emergency Operations Center (F -OC) in an emergency situation. The EOC
could potentially also be rented to other groups for training purposes.
Requested positions
Fire Chief Dickinson believes that, in time, the Fire Residential Rental Specialist
position could pay for itself through the increased amount of inspections able to be
performed.
General Discussion
Mayor Dietz asked Ms. Ziemer for a general idea of how many of the requested
budget items could be funded. He also asked if Sherburne County had provided the
net tax capacity yet.
Councilmember Christianson was concerned about the possibility of a recession and
having to make drastic cuts in the future.
Councilmember Westgaard added that, until the next recession hits, the city's net tax
capacity would grow and Elk River would need to continue to maintain the same
level of service.
Council requested the following:
Future discussion on ice arena fees and advertising.
Future work session on the transfer of $700,000 to the general fund and park
improvement fund from the liquor store fund.
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City Council Minutes
July 29, 2019
Page 3
Council asked the fire department for performance measures including average
response times which would help in understanding the need for future
expansions.
Council asked for information on what is the right size fire department for our
size city and data from comparable cities.
4. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:10 p.m.
Q161
Joyn J. D etz, M r
,--4( 1 —
Tina Allar , ,ity Clerk
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