04-05-2021 Regular CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 5, 2021
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike
Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner (6:49 p.m.)
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Planning Manager Zack Carlton,
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Hecker, Fire Chief Mark
Dickinson, 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 6:45 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Beyer to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve:
4.1 March 15, 2021, Minutes
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Not to waive the statutory tort limits for liability insurance.
4.4 Contract 21-06 with American Testing, Inc. (AET, in the amount of
$28,440.40.)
4.5 Contract 21-07 with Bolton & Menk, Inc., and Rice Lake Construction
Group to extend statutes of limitations and repose.
4.6 Resolution 21-23 acknowledging contributions from Colleen Houle for
a park bench.
4.7 Purchase of 2,000-gallon tender/pumper from Midwest Fire for
4306,848.
4.8 Contract 21-08 with Elk River Municipal Utilities for live burn training
at 1627 and 1639 Main Street.
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April 5, 2021
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4.9 Accept ownership and long-term maintenance of the Jackson Street
water tower and property and adopt Resolution 21-24 approving
acquisition of the Jackson Street Water Tower.
4.10 Grant authority to Justin Femrite, Public Works Director/Chief
Engineer to sign and submit a new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
System (MS4) application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
4.11 FTCenter Advisory Commission 2021 meeting schedule.
Motion carried 4-0.
S. Open Forum
Eric Nelson, 15851 St Andrews Lane, Ramsey- would like Council to add a
discussion regarding the mask mandate for outdoor youth sports, city resources and
staff enforcement, and whether the city has a right to levy penalties and cut off field
access.
Councilmember Wagner arrived.
6.1 Proclaim Cliff Anderson Day
Fire Chief Mark Dickinson presented the staff report. He provided a history of
Cliff's work with the department noting he grew up in a fire department family with
his two brothers and dad also serving. He thanked Cliff for his dedicated service to
the community.
Mayor Dietz discussed the Elk River families with a long fire department history in
the community: the Kreusers, Collins, and Andersons. He stated Council is very
grateful to the Andersons for their dedication to the community.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to proclaim August 1, 2021 as Cliff Anderson Day in the City of Elk
River. Motion carried 5-0.
7.1 Easement Vacation for Drainage and Utility Easement, Eder
Mr. Carlton presented Mr. Leeseberg's staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
It was noted there was an error in the staff report with a misspelling regarding the
condition, which should state repay and not replat.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Beyer to adopt Resolution 21-25 granting a petition to vacate a drainage and
utility easement upon condition the applicant repays the city for the portion of
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April 5, 2021
the drainage and utility easement purchased as part of the 193' Avenue
extension. Motion carried 5-0.
7.2 Fee Schedule Update: Park Dedication Fees
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
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Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to adopt Ordinance 21-07 amending the 2021 Master Fee
Schedule. Motion carried 5-0.
8.1 Sponsorship Agreement with Cornerstone Automotive for Arena #1
of the FTCenter
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Chris Potenza presented Cornerstone Automotive as the sponsor for Arena #1. He
expects this deal to set the bar for future sponsorship opportunities. He discussed
Cornerstone Automotive' s long-standing history within the community. He further
read a statement from Cornerstone Vice President Rob Powell as shown in the
record.
Councilmember Wagner discussed her excitement about the brand marketing. She
stated she is proud to have a long-standing member of the community as a sponsor
and noted people using the facility from outside the community will see their brand.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve Contract 21-09 for a sponsorship agreement with
Cornerstone Automotive. Motion carried 5-0.
8.2 2021 Skate Park Grant Agreement Application for Orono Park
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councihnember
Beyer to adopt Resolution 21-26 authorizing filling of application and
commitment to execute the grant agreement if funds are awarded. Motion
carried 5-0.
8.3 Joint Powers Agreement for Handke Pit
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report.
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Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer
to approve Contract 21-10 a joint powers agreement for the mutual use and
maintenance of the Handke Center Stadium. Motion carried 5-0.
8.4 Active Elk River: Orono Park Project Bids
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. He introduced Senior Associate and Engineer
Mike Aaron from SRF Consulting and Architect Tim Mcilwain with HCM
Architects.
Mayor Dietz questioned if lights are needed for the pickleball courts noting how late
is stays light in the summer and it cools in the fall for less play later in the evenings.
He further questioned if park dedication could be used for some expenditures.
Councilmember Wagner stated she is not willing to go over budget for the funds
designated as part of the Active Elk River project. She questioned the park shelter
replacement being cheaper than purchasing new and asked if just the roof could be
replaced to match the other shelters. She suggested cutting the lighting and reviewing
it later if there is a desire to have it. She further questioned the need for proxy card
access.
Mr. Hecker stated the parks master plan outlines the shelter should be replaced or
refurbished. He stated staff would do the demo. Mr. Hecker stated the cost savings
in staff time would be substantial with the purchase of the proxy card software.
Councilmember Westgaard concurred with Councilmember Wagner and would like
to stay at or under budget with the funds allocated for the Active Elk River project.
Councilmember Beyer felt the proxy card technology made sense but also expressed
concerns for the shelter replacement and need for lighting.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to award contract of Orono Park general site improvements to New
Look Contracting, Inc. for $1,466,271. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer
to award contract of Orono Park toilet and shelter building to Minnesota
Wisconsin Playground for $553,197. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to award contract of Orono Park splash pad to Landscape
Structure, Inc., for $435,600. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to award contract of Orono Park skatepark to Spohn Ranch for
$392,700. Motion carried 5-0.
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April 5, 2021
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Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to reject contract of Alternate 1 pickleball lighting to New Look
Contracting, Inc., for $82,500. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer
to award contract of Orono Park toilet building proxy card access to Helix
Solutions for $7,725 and Pro Tech Design for $13,819. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to reject contract for installation of Orono Park shelter to
Minnesota Wisconsin Playground for $119,587. Motion carried 5-0.
8.5 Active Elk River: Youth Athletic Complex Bids
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz questioned why the concession building was considered as a bid
alternate. He asked about the possibility of city sewer and water installed at the
complex.
Mr. Portner stated it may be possible to use funds from the American Rescue Plan,
which can be used for infrastructure improvements, but the one caveat is the plan
details have yet to be released and the timing for it is unknown. He stated the city
has been considering running city sewer and water near the area.
Councilmember Westgaard stated the challenge for Council is if they approve the
toilet and concession building, both will need the septic system to be functional. If
Council approves the septic system bid it will put the project over budget from what
Council approved as part of the Active Elk River project. He stated he is tempted to
wait for further details on whether the whole project can be viable.
There was discussion about utilizing Park Dedication Funds for some components.
Councilmember Beyer further expressed concern with going $100,000 over budget.
Councilmember Wagner suggested transferring funds from the skate park project to
the Youth Athletic Complex. She stated she would like to see the concession
building get done because she felt there is a need for it, and it is used a lot.
Mr. Portner stated $35 million was allocated for the Active Elk River project He
stated, at advice of their attorney, the verbiage for the referendum was left generic
because of the unknowns with being able to predict costs.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to award contract for Youth Athletic Complex toilet building to
Minnesota Wisconsin Playground for $326,918. Motion carried 5-0.
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April 5, 2021
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Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner
to award/reject contract for Youth Athletic Complex concessions building
renovation and site work to Ebert Construction for $295,020. Motion carried 5-
0.
8.6 Resolution Supporting Additional Passenger Train
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Councilmembers Wagner and Christianson expressed they would like more
background on this item.
Councilmember Westgaard concurred.
Staff was directed to contact Mr. Beaumont and ask him to appear at a future
meeting to discuss the topic further.
8.7 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report. He asked for direction with the sewer and
water accessibility for the Downy family.
Staff was directed to reach out to the Downy's and send them information regarding
the petition and waiver and assessment process.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board's
minutes.
10. Work Session
There were no work session items.
II. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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