06-22-2020 Special CCMSpecial Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Monday, June 22, 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, Fire Chief Mark Dickinson, City
Clerk Tina Allard, Community Development Director Suzanne
Fischer, Chief of Police Ron Nierenhausen, Planning Manager Zack
Carlton, Finance Director Lori Ziemer, Parks and Recreation
Director Michael Hecker, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Justin Femrite, 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 4:03 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Council/Staff Annual Retreat
Mr. Portner presented a recap of the June 17, 2020, council retreat.
Councilmember Christianson asked for more visuals on the breakdown for city
portion of property taxes.
Mr. Portner reviewed the value, vision, and mission statements and asked Council
how they felt about the statements. The Council felt the statements were good.
2019 Goals Review/Update
Mr. Portner reviewed short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.
Budget
Ms. Ziemer presented preliminary budget goals.
Councilmember Ovall asked about employees who are still receiving step increases
and incentives for employees no longer receiving increases.
Mayor Dietz suggested, once the Public Safety levy has been paid off in two years,
leaving it so the tax rate does not increase.
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June 22, 2020
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Mayor Dietz asked if there were any budgeted items not used because of COVID-19
that may have saved money.
Ms. Ziemer will provide Council with information on possible savings.
Mayor Dietz asked about the federal funding that the city would be receiving to pay
for COVID-19 related expenses.
Mr. Portner outlined some costs related to COVID-19 including VPN networks,
laptops, plexiglass, fogging machine, and costs to change processes. The allocated
$1.8 million could potentially also pay for utilities or EDA loans or grants.
Council asked if some staff may be permanently moved to work from home and if
COVID-19 had revealed any organizational or structural changes that might be
beneficial going forward.
Mr. Portner will evaluate.
Mayor Dietz asked about the amount allocated to equipment purchases noted in the
budget.
Ms. Ziemer stated the proposed 6% increase would help plan for future large
purchases such as snow plowing equipment or dump trucks.
Council agreed they would like to see a flat tax rate of 46.2% to help residents
through recent economic events while maintaining the same level of city services.
Councilmember Ovall noted the Board of Appeals process had several retail appeals.
Council noted that, even if the city's tax rate does not increase, it doesn't mean that
homeowners property tax will not increase. This is also dependent on county and
school increases.
Mr. Portner said they do not have finalized numbers on some items such as fuel,
healthcare renewals, or salt. Historically, budget projections have decreased from
preliminary numbers.
Council asked about Local Government Aid (LGA) and Minnesota Supplemental
Aid (MSA) funding and what if it went away.
Mr. Femrite explained that MSA is constitutionally dedicated from gas tax. The
amount might decrease due to reduced travel and fuel costs.
Council asked about the Senior Activity Center.
Mr. Portner stated staffing was part of the General Fund but programming is
supported by the tax levy. Once the new Senior Activity Center is finished, as part of
the multipurpose facility, seniors will need to become members and there may be
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June 22, 2020
Page 3
more participants. Maintenance costs for the old Senior Activity Center will also go
down as it has not been used since March and will not be reopening.
Council asked about restructuring of Parks and Recreation staff for the multipurpose
facility.
Councilmember Christianson asked if program offerings from ISD #728
Community Ed could be evaluated against what the city provides for any duplicates.
Mr. Portner added it would be beneficial to analyze certain Parks and Recreation
programs due to changes in the roles of parents and how residents recreate, as well
as a decline in adult sports interest and attendance at outdoor rinks and open gym
times.
Goal Setting
Long -Term Goals (2029)
■ Urban Service Area expansion
■ Commercial/Industrial Development
■ Outdoor swimming pool
Sewer and water extended north of 169
❑ Could this happen faster?
■ Analysis of what to do with garbage once closes in 2030
❑ How much time does the land have to sit?
❑ Who owns the land?
❑ Solar farms were discussed as a possible use
■ Development of Specht property in eastern Elk River
■ Broadband connectivity
❑ Would need legislative support
❑ Is there a way to pay for it if we want to expand past what their
formula states? Some cities have gotten a grant for this.
■ Trail Connections
■ Trail from Lion John Weicht Park to downtown over the railroad tracks
■ More retail development in western Elk River
■ Annexation of Big Lake Township or a portion of it
❑ Discussion should also include Sherburne County
■ What does redevelopment look like if Highway 10 becomes a freeway
■ River walk from Orono Park to Ramsey
■ Feasibility of moving train station to downtown
❑ Elk River station crossing is dangerous
■ Budget Plan — Post Waste Management
Mid -Term Goals (2024)
■ Transportation development funding
■ Acquire business park land
■ Develop means for park capital needs
■ Commercial development
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City Council Minutes
June 22, 2020
• Public Safety Buildout
■ Understand obligations for landfill once it's capped
■ Future of Pinewood Golf Course
• Updating messaging to reflect our vision and mission statements after
Comprehensive Plan Review
❑ Is the "Powered by Nature" message still relevant?
■ Sports dome over football practice field
■ Oak Knoll/Hales Field collaboration
❑ Perhaps the city could take over maintenance of this field
• Parks and Rec app
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❑ The app would identify park amenities, help with directions, suggest
local food and lodging, and provide interconnectivity
■ Consider athletic field needs analysis
■ Update city colors
❑ Suggested red and black to match ISD #728 School District
Short -Term Goals (2020-2021)
• Commercial Development
■ Great River Energy revenue replacement
❑ Provide council with GRE fund balance
■ Budget and sinking fund for building repair
■ Zoning and Acquisition of "challenged" properties policy
■ Update ordinances and policies with clean purpose statement tying to an
overall vision
■ Keep tax rate flat for 2021 budget
Mr. Hecker asked Council about planning a grand opening event for the
multipurpose facility.
Council decided October may be a good goal for planning an event and suggested
inviting NHL hockey players who formerly played in Elk River.
Mr. Portner discussed options for purchasing a cover that would allow the ice sheet
to be covered or partially covered for concerts or other sports.
4. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 6:43 p.m.
utes prepared by Katie Porath.
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
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