04-06-2020 Regular CCMMembers Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
2.
3.
4.
Virtual Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 6, 2020
(Due to COVID 19 Pandemic)
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Matt
Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Councilmember Nate Ovall
City Administrator Calvin Portner, Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen,
Fire Chief Mark Dickinson, City Engineer Justin Femrite, and City
Clerk Tina Allard
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.
Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Consider Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to approve:
4.1 March 16, 2002, minutes.
4.2 Check register, check numbers 114015-114192 as outlined in the staff
report.
4.3 Purchase of 2020 F350 4X4 pickup truck as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Resolution 20-19 authorizing an Interfund Loan for advance of certain
costs in connection with a tax increment financing district.
4.5 Purchase of Genie GS2632 scissor lift and a tandem axle trailer as
outlined in the staff report.
4.6 Employee Assistance Agreement 20-04 an agreement between Sand
Creek EAP, LLC and City of Elk River.
4.7 Hiller Commercial Floors for carpet replacement at City Hall in the
amount of $137,956, as outlined in the staff report.
4.8 Proposal by Marco Technologies, LLC for information technology
network systems - $19,429.20.
City Council Minutes
April 6, 2020
Page 2
Proposal by Marco Technologies, LLC for security cameras and
associated hardware - $36,478.40.
Proposal by All State Communications for low voltage wiring at
multipurpose facility - $64,556.
Proposal by All State Communications for low voltage wiring at the
Lion John Weicht Park concession facility - $5,000.
Proposal by Helix Solutions for fiber installation to the Lion John
Weicht Park concession facility - $11,830.
Proposal by Automated Industrial Maintenance DBA AIM
Electronics Inc., AEPA Cooperative) for scoreboards and
associated items - $ 254,445.
4.9 Election not to waive the statutory tort limits for liability insurance.
4.10 Resolution 20-20 granting final plat approval for Prestigious Woodland
Hills Fifth Addition, Case No. P 20-06.
Motion carried 4-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Presentations, Awards, and Recognition
There were no presentations, awards, and recognitions.
7. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
8.1 Letter of Support for TH 1691CSAH 4 Interchange Design Funding
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to endorse a letter of support for TH169/CSAH 4 interchange design
funding. Motion carried 4-0.
8.2 Hire Architectural Design Firm for Public Safety Buildings and Third
Fire Station
Chief Nierenhausen and Chief Dickinson presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz questioned how funding would be split among the various needs and
the project timeline. He also inquired about the partnership option staff was
exploring with the City of Nowthen. He asked if the third station would be put on
the backburner if there were to be a partnership.
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City Council Minutes Page 3
April 6, 2020
Mr. Portner stated the Building Reserve Fund would be used for this project.
Chief Nierenhausen stated preliminary work would start this fall.
Chief Dickinson stated the design work includes the whole project outlined in the
scope, including the public safety building and the third fire station. He stated he
didn't feel a partnership with Nowthen would make a difference for the third fire
station because they wouldn't be very close to each other. He stated the Nowthen
station would provide benefit as backup support to Elk River.
Councilmember Christianson questioned if the city would be locked into paying the
$558,000 if the third fire station doesn't come to fruition.
Chief Nierenhausen stated yes.
Mr. Portner stated this is for architectural work and would determine costs and
valuation of the projects. Staff would come back to Council for further review before
proceeding to the construction manager phase.
Mr. Portner stated the City of Nowthen has a two-year agreement with the City of
Ramsey and talks didn't seem optimistic. He explained how a partnership would be a
challenging transition.
Councilmember Wagner questioned response time on the east side of town.
Chief Dickinson stated response time were mixed due to circumstances, time of
day/year and other criteria.
Councilmember Wagner believes the extra fire support on the east side is needed and
she in favor of the proposal.
Mayor Dietz concurred and felt it was better to have it designed and planned so they
could work on financing later. He further noted the Highway 169 project and the
number of firefighters living on the other side of the city.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to hire BKV for architectural services for the public safety building
per the staff report. Motion carried 4-0.
8.3 COVID 19 Leave Policy
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve pandemic leave for employees impacted by public
health measures enacted to contain COVID-19 from March 16 through March
31, 2020. Motion carried 4-0.
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City Council IN inutes
April 6, 2020
Page 4
8.4 Resolution Enacted Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 12.29
Extending Period of Mayor Declared Local Emergency
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
.Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to adopt Resolution 20-21 extending the period of a mayor -
declared local emergency. Motion carried 4-0.
8.5 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Councilmember Westgaard noted there are still quite a few emails and phone calls
regarding the County Road 12 project, and he questioned when Sherburne County
would bring it back for further discussion.
Mr. Portner stated it is slated for the next meeting, noting the neighborhood would
be invited.
Mr. Femrite stated the county would be bringing all their responses related to the last
comments received by the public.
Councilmember Westgaard inquired about the 193'Avenue and Dodge Street item.
He also questioned the status of the advisory board for the new facility.
Councilmember Christianson stated he requested a discussion regarding 193'
Avenue and felt it was appropriate to invite the public to discuss at a worksession.
Mr. Portner stated these items would be discussed at an upcoming meeting.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Council provided updates of various advisory board activities as noted in the
respective boards' minutes.
Mayor Dietz stated, depending on how the pandemic goes, he'd like to try as much
as possible to keep the concerts and Elk RiverFest this summer. He stated if we
couldn't have Elk RiverFest in July, then he'd like to see it moved to Labor Day.
Councilmember Westgaard would like the Elk River Municipal Utilities Annual
Report distributed electronically to Council.
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City Council Minutes
April 6, 2020
Page 5
Mayor Dietz stated there was a complaint to KSTP Channel 5 regarding information
on Elk River city signs, which stated playgrounds were closed by governor's
executive order.
Mr. Portner stated the city had the discretion under the order to close the
playground, noting it's tough on everyone, but felt it was in the best interest of the
public. He further commented staff discussed using caution tape or a snow fence to
keep kids off the equipment but decided against it.
There was discussion about the new liquor store online ordering system.
Mayor Dietz suggested adding an option for a customer to select their car color
when they check in, so it is easier to locate the car during busier times. He asked that
kudos be sent to Liquor Store Manager Joe Audette for his work on this project.
Councilmember Westgaard stated he's been contacted regarding code enforcement
correction issues during this pandemic. He specifically mentioned the semi -truck
issue and was under the assumption this was to remain as is until it was brought to a
Council worksession.
Mr. Portner stated staff is busy responding to complaints but is working with
violators on solutions and correction plans. He stated the city is receiving more calls
with everyone being home more. Mr. Portner stated he believes staff did reach out to
the semi -truck owner, but he will confirm.
10. Work Session
There were no work session items.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:24 p.m.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
iNAWREE]
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