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01-04-2021 Regular CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, January 4, 2021 Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Public Works Director Justin Femrite, Fire Chief Mark Dickinson, Street and Park Superintendent Tim Sevcik, Wastewater Treatment System Chief Operator Matt Stevens, 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. Oath of Office Councilmember Westgaard and Beyer took the oath of office before assuming their roles as Councilmembers. 4. Consider Agenda Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Christianson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. S. Consent Agenda Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve: 5.1 Check register as outlined in the staff report. 5.2 Contracts for public safety expansion project as outlined in the staff report. 5.3 Designate Star News as the city's official newspaper for legal notices. 5.4 Resolution 21-01 designating depositories of city funds and delegating authority for electronic funds transfers. 5.5 Appoint Mayor John Diez and Finance Director Lori Ziemer to the Fire Relief Association Board with term expirations of December 31, 2021. City Council Minutes January 4, 2021 Page 2 5.6 Designate use of City of Elk River website ElkRiverMN.gov as the location where transportation projects will be advertised. 5.7 Resolution 21-02 acknowledging contribution to police and fire of 500 protective respiratory face masks from WSI Sports for their Unite America Campaign. 5.8 Resolution 21-03 granting final plat approval for Orono Park Addition, Case No. P 20-15. 5.9 Resolution 21-04 approving plans and ordering advertisement of bids for the 2021 street improvement project. 5.10 Laura Estby moved to full-time customer service associate effective January 5, 2021. Motion carried 5-0. 6. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. 7.1 Introduction of New Employees Council met and welcomed new employees for the public works departments. 8. Public Hearings There were no public hearing items. 9.1 Appoint Acting Mayor Ms. Allard presented the staff report. Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to appoint Councilmember Christianson as acting mayor for 2021. Motion carried 5-0. 9.2 Furniture and Things Community Event Center Concession Contract Mr. Portner presented the staff report. Council noted Serrano Brothers would offer a very attractive menu and be a plus over a traditional concession stand. Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to approve Agreement 21-01 with Chow Mixed Grill & BBQ, LLC, d/b/a Serrano Brothers Catering. Motion carried 5-0. City Council Minutes Page 3 January 4, 2021 9.3 Modern Construction Extension Mr. Portner presented the staff report. Mayor Dietz read a statement into the record. Council had the following comments: • Concern for project timeline and street closure impacts to businesses. Especially with the pandemic and ordered closures. • Negative conversation by developer to a business owner. • Potential loss of parking for several months. • Developer given 16 months to respond to questions and asked -for deliverables not received. • Submitted letter by local chamber asking Council to act quickly and not leave area residents/businesses waiting with uncertainties. • Should developer have an exclusive agreement over anyone else? • Downtown opposition. • A proper process should be followed for a downtown project. City needs vision and goals and to explain why a development is approved. • Developer can still complete work without exclusive extension. • Concerns with moving forward on the project without public engagement. • Not against innovation, new ideas, or economic development, but can't see need to grant exclusive agreement/extension. • Not much public interest for development in downtown. ■ Not fair to the developer to spend money on a project that may not happen. ■ Commitments wanted by developer without any clear project direction. Mayor Dietz requested a special meeting with the HRA and EDA with information communicated to the public about the opportunity to speak. Council could address rumors and listen to the public and the advisory boards on whether they want a project. Councilmember Westgaard further noted the need for public engagement on the comprehensive plan and suggested bringing in the consultant and rolling this into the special meeting as they are related. Council consensus was to call a special joint meeting with the HRA and EDA for Monday, February 22, 2021. Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to deny the extension. Motion carried 5-0. 9.4 Discuss Work Session Items Mr. Portner presented the staff report. r 0 N E R E 0 e t NATURE City Council Minutes Page 4 January 4, 2021 ----------------------------- 10. Council Liaison Updates Councilmembers provided updates which are outlined in the respective advisory board's minutes. Councilmember Wagner provided an update of the Northwest Metro Mississippi River Crossing Feasibility Analysis Policy Advisory Committee, which consisted of councilmembers, representatives, and senators. She stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the need to add more bridges across the river, noting current traffic flow patterns were reviewed. She stated there didn't seem to be much interest in a bridge crossing at this time. Council recessed at 7:28 p.m. and reconvened at 7:32 p.m. to go into work session. 1 I.1 Compensation Plan for Fire Department Chief Dickinson presented the staff report noting the last pay change for this group is unknown. He stated all firefighters get the same pay rate regardless of how long they have been working so he suggested a tiered pay structure to improve recruitment and retention. He stated the change would have minimum budget impact. Council questioned how this would be budget neutral and history where firefighters care more about the pension then the pay. Chief Dickinson stated he has been averaging a $12,000 surplus at the end of each budget cycle. He stated Council could focus more on pay incentives versus the retirement plan. He further noted issues with getting firefighters to attend calls. Council discussed generational changes. Council directed staff to provide financial data for the proposed adjustment. Mayor Dietz read the statement on the agenda outlining the need to hold a closed meeting. Council recessed at 7:49 p.m. and reconvened in a closed meeting at 7:50 p.m. 12. Closed Meeting Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: None P 0 1 1 A I I l i NATURE City Council Minutes January 4, 2021 Page 5 Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, City Clerk Tina Allard, and City Attorney Peter Beck/via video Council held a closed meeting pursuant to MN Statute §13D.05, Subd. 3(c) to discuss offers for Pinewood Golf Course. 13. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:18 p.m. Tina Allard, City Clerk P0VEaFa ar NATU