01-06-2020 Regular CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, January 6, 2020
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Nate
Ovall, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Parks and Recreation Director
Michael Hecker, Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen, and City Clerk Tina
Allard
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 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Ovall
to approve:
4.1 Check register, check numbers 112989 - 113180 as outlined in the staff
report.
4.2 Resolution 20-01 appointing election judges for the 2020 elections.
4.3 Resolution 20-02 designating depositories of city funds and delegating
authority for electronic funds transfers.
4.4 Designate the Star News as the city's official newspaper for legal
notices.
4.5 Appoint Mayor John Dietz and Finance Director Lori Ziemer to the
Fire Relief Association Board with term expirations of December 31,
2020.
4.6 Designate the City of Elk River website, elkrivermn.gov as the location
where transportation project bids will be advertised.
4.7 Resolution 20-03 approving Notice of Summary Publication of
Ordinance 19-25 an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 10,
relating to animals of the City of Elk River, Minnesota, City Code.
City Council Minutes
January 6, 2020
Page 2
4.8 Purchase two 2020 Mack tandem axel plow trucks with Towmaster
equipment as outlined in the staff report.
4.9 Appoint Michelle Hegarty and Mary Keifenheim to the Library Board
with terms expiring December 31, 2022.
4.10 Resolution 20-04 acknowledging contributions from the Zimmerman
Fire Department Relief Association to the Fire and Parks and
Recreation Departments.
4.11 Resolution 20-05 acknowledging contributions from Walmart
Community Grants to the Fire Department.
Motion carried 5-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6.1 Proclaim January as National Human Trafficking Awareness and
Prevention Month and January as Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz read the proclamation.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to proclaim January as National Human Trafficking Awareness
and Prevention Month and January 11, 2020, as Human Trafficking
Awareness Day. Motion carried 5-0.
6.2 Oath of Office: Police Officer
Chief Nierenhausen presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz administered the oath to Officer Jeanette Nelson.
7. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
8.1 Appoint Acting Mayor
Ms. Allard presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Ovall and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard
to appoint Councilmember Wagner as acting mayor for 2020. Motion carried
5-0.
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City Council Minutes Page 3
January 6, 2020
8.2 Woodland Trails Regional Park Nature Play and Shelter
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report.
WSB Senior Landscape Architect Candace Amberg provided an overview of the
project design and bid documents as shown in her presentation.
Councilmember Wagner highlighted the collaborations and savings the grant
committee accomplished noting she appreciates these partnership efforts. She
suggested the Heritage Preservation Commission source the hand pump that is part
of this project.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the final designs for the Woodland Trails Regional Park
Nature Play and Shelter. Motion carried 5-0.
8.3 Heritage Preservation Commission Ordinance Amending Meetings
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to adopt Ordinance 20-01 amending Chapter 2, Division 2, relating to
Heritage Preservation Commission, of the City of Elk River, Minnesota, City
Code. Motion carried 5-0.
8.4 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Council provided updates of the various advisory boards as noted in the respective
board minutes.
Councilmember Wagner noted the city received grant funds to repair the Jackson
Street water tower.
10. 1 Activity Center Property Disposition
Mr. Portner presented the staff report. He noted the school district's interest in the
property as a parking lot, but zoning would require an accessory use to the lot.
Councilmember Ovall suggested obtaining some broker opinions because they
would give as accurate of a value as an appraiser.
Councilmember Christianson and Westgaard concurred.
rIN,ATURE
City Council Minutes
January 6, 2020
Page 4
Councilmember Westgaard further stated he'd like to leave the zone change to the
decision of any potential buyers. He also stated collaboration with the school district
would be good too if they have interest in the property.
Councilmember Gvall expressed safety concerns with pedestrians crossing the busier
collector street to the school facility. He further stated a parking lot is not the highest
and best use of the property. He questioned Council if they were okay with keeping
the land off the tax rolls or wanted to explore the open market.
Councilmember Westgaard felt the property would make sense for a parking lot as it
is on a collector street versus in a residential neighborhood. He stated he would be
okay with exploring the market if the school has no interest.
Council concurred it would be ideal to put the property on the tax rolls.
Council concurred to market the property and to inform the school district that the
property will be up for sale. They also requested broker opinion as to value.
II. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:27 p.m.
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
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