04-26-2021 Council RetreatMeeting of the Elk River City Council
fiver Held at the Elk River Emergency Operations Center
Monday, April 26, 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, Chief of Police Ron
Nierenhausen, Finance Director Lori Ziemer, City Clerk Tina Allard,
Public Works Director/Chief Engineer Justin Femrite, Planning
Manager Zack Carlton, Fire Chief Mark Dickinson, Parks and
Recreation Director Michael Hecker, and Deputy Clerk Jessica Miller
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 1:03 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Council/Staff Retreat
Leadership Assessment Discussion
Lisa Sorenson, Sorenson Consulting, presented Leadership and Team Effectiveness
and walked the Council and staff through the results of their colors personality
profiles. Staff and Council discussed the differences and how to interact and
communicate with each other based on each person's prominent profile color.
The Council recessed at 2:55 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:11 p.m.
Review 2020 Retreat
Mr. Portner presented a PowerPoint reviewing the 2020 retreat and the agenda
topics for this meeting.
Business Matrix Update
Mr. Carlton distributed an updated Action Plan generated from the Elk River Area
Chamber of Commerce Focus Group discussions. He reminded the Council these
are results from a survey the Chamber of Commerce sent out to building permit
recipients from the last few years.
Mr. Carlton reviewed the updated Action Plan. He stated staff is looking at some of
the larger design standards and questioned where the Council would like to see
change or of any sections of the code the Council is interested in discussing.
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April 26, 2021
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Councilmember Wagner explained she would like to look at landscape design
requirements as she believes our landscaping ordinance creates situations where
planting trees and shrubs does not make sense once they are full grown and impact
site lines. One example Councilmember Wagner provided was the former Jiffy Lube
location on the corner of Main Street and Line Avenue where landscaping was
required at one time but has since been removed due to visibility issues. She
suggested having the landscaping planted elsewhere like a park or somewhere that
makes more sense if it does not make sense on the property being considered. Mr.
Carlton indicated he will add this to a future agenda for discussion.
Councilmember Beyer questioned how often all ordinances are reviewed. Mr.
Carlton indicated ordinances are generally reviewed as issues come up but we could
be more proactive in the review if the Council desires.
Mr. Carlton indicated staff is,encouraging Council concept review to developers
because it potentially saves the applicant from spending time and money only to find
out the Council is not interested in the project.
Mr. Carlton stated Code Enforcement Officer Tim Trebesch is following up on
Conditional Use Permits to make sure conditions are still being adhered to. He then
notifies the applicant of any issues by an in -person meeting and/or a follow-up
letter.
Mayor Dietz questioned if Mr. Trebesch looks at other properties in a neighborhood
if he is in the area for a complaint. Mr. Carlton indicated he does. He explained Mr.
Trebesch prefers to knock on doors and have personal conversations about code
concerns; however, he has been reluctant to do that because of COVID but is
hoping to begin in -person meetings again soon. He added staff will continue to
follow-up with a letter even after an in -person meeting.
Mr. Carlton questioned if the Council is interested in getting rid of the second
planning public hearing at Council for less controversial items helping to expedite
the process. He noted this could be achieved by putting non -controversial items on
consent.
The Council discussed and they are not in favor of eliminating the Council public
hearing at this time for a variety of reasons including the following:
■ Perceived favoritism with which items are put on consent.
■ Planning Commission hearing more detailed, and bugs worked out
between hearings.
■ Items that come up at Planning Commission can be addressed at the
City Council public hearing.
■ Reduced transparency.
Mayor Dietz questioned if staff notifies the applicant and the public that the
Planning Commission is an advisory commission and Council makes the decisions,
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April 26, 2021
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so it is good to attend both hearings. Mr. Carlton explained this is a common
misconception and staff does stress it is important to attend both hearings.
Mayor Dietz questioned if staff notifies applicants if new information comes up
during the Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Carlton indicated staff generates a
letter to the applicant immediately following the Planning Commission meeting and
staff always encourages applicants to attend both meetings.
Councilmember Westgaard suggested conducting another survey of people who pull
multiple permits to see if their experience or perception has changed since the first
survey. Councilmember Wagner agreed we should ask the end user if we have made
progress. She added she is willing to meet with the Chamber to review the new
matrix if need be. Mr. Carlton stated the Economic Development Authority also
expressed interest in following up on the survey after a year or two. He indicated he
is willing to meet with Ms. Rydberg and she can discuss follow-up with her board
and any Chamber members.
Public Safety Improvement Tour
Representatives from Terra Construction and BKV Architects provided a tour of the
public safety facility to the Council and staff.
The Council recessed at 5:00 p.m. for dinner. The meeting reconvened at 5:40 p.m.
Reviem Values, Vision, and Mission Statement
Vision
Chief Dickinson questioned community engagement and what it means in the vision
statement. Staff and Council provided some examples including Night to Unite and
other community events as well as soliciting more public input.
Councilmember Christianson indicated he feels like we have doubled down on the
community engagement and are continuing to do things to elevate community
engagement.
Mr. Portner explained one advantage of COVID is we had a chance to look at ways
to better engage people and we are looking at how we can continue to improve once
we have more freedom coming out of the pandemic.
Mission
Mr. Portner reviewed the mission components with the Council and asked if the
statement still meets the intent.
Goals
Mr. Portner reviewed the following goals and updates:
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Short-term (2020-21)
■ Commercial Development
o HRA Main/Gates Project
■ Property ready for development
■ Preparing RFP
o Ebert Joplin/Business Ave Project
■ Ebert sold to Beaudry.
o Market EDA TH10 Property
Multiple inquiries — discuss expectation?
Monitor
o Downtown development
• Negotiating with ER Meats
• Considered Ecology
• HRA
Great River Energy revenue replacement
o Monitor GRE property marketing.
• Site restoration in process
■ Doesn't look like they are selling plant area.
■ October 2020 sale of Resource Processing facility to
Malark, Inc.
■ Is replacement necessary? Citywide valuation increased
7%
• Withdrew added powerplant plan.
Budget and sinking fund for building repair.
o Transition PW Facility bond to general levy
■ Ongoing
■ CARES Act removed large capital improvements.
• Sale of Activity Center removes capital needs.
■ Demo of Lions Park Center removes capital needs.
■ ER Ice Arena replacement removes capital needs.
■ PS improvements removes capital needs.
■ Closure of RDF Plant accelerated tipping fees.
o Move GRE Fund Balance to Building Fund
• Do we want this in other funds? Park Improvement,
Capital Replacement?
■ Parks & Recreation Capital Plan — Funding
o LOST -funded projects
o Field/facility user fees shift.
• Activity Center Facility future
■ Sale in progress
■ Zoning & Acquisition of "challenged" properties policy discussion.
■ Riverwalk under review, land use applications approved.
■ Considering a property identification committee with PD, CD.
■ Keep 2021 property tax rate flat.
■ 2021 tax rate decreased over 2020.
• Complete Lion John Weicht Park (playground, disc golf, trail, lighting)
■ FT Center Branding
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Ms. Ziemer indicated debt service payments over $1 million are coming due in 2022
and urged the Council to begin thinking if those payments should be included in the
levy or if building funds should be used.
Mayor Dietz questioned what happens to resident's garbage once the landfill closes.
Councilmember Christianson indicated it will likely be hauled to the open space at
the landfill in Livonia Township.
Mayor Dietz indicated the parking lot at Lion John Weicht Park may have been built
too small as he recently attended a softball game and the lot was completely full.
Councilmember Wagner stated the school lot across the street is huge and is still
closer to the fields than parking is at some other ball parks in the state. She noted she
would be in favor of communicating to people to pay attention in the crosswalk after
someone was hit while crossing.
Mid-term (2026)
■ Budget Plan — Post Waste Management
■ Transportation development funding
■ TH169 complete (Corridors of Commerce)
■ Final plans being developed. Construction starts in 2022.
■ TH10 study in partnership with county, Metro/D3 MnDOT
■ Study underway for TH 10 east of TH 101.
■ Acquire business park land.
Assist developers with private acquisition as needed.
■ Cargill swap in progress
■ Marketing Moyer
■ Faribault Foods
Develop means for park capital needs.
■ LOST -funded projects
■ Some complete, some under construction, some in
design, and a few remain in preliminary design.
■ Parking lot repair/replacement funded through Pavement
Management Program
■ Trail maintenance plan initiated.
■ Field/facility user fees shift.
Commercial development
o HRA Main/Gates Project
■ Public works will be seeding the property within 2
weeks.
o Ebert Joplin/Business Ave Project
o Market EDA TH10 Property
o Monitor Downtown development
■ Draft Comp Plan includes language regarding
downtown — expand area and evaluate uses.
Q ■ (Short or mid) understand obligations for landfill once it is capped.
*ram ■ Future of Pinewood Golf Course
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a Negotiating Purchase Agreement
■ Bubble over football practice field
■ Oak Knoll/Hale's Field improvement - collaboration with ISD #728
■ Preliminary discussions opened — need athletic field
Needs Analysis and master plan update.
■ Parks and Rec app — directions, ads, amenities, park features
■ Complete athletic field needs analysis.
■ Initiated
■ (Short or mid) Update our branding/colors more toward red and black to match
ERHS
■ Initiated
■ Youth Athletic Complex and Oak Knoll Master Plans
■ Rivers Edge Commons Park Dock
Councilmember Beyer questioned the status of the movie theater. Mayor Dietz
indicated he has been in discussions with the theater owner and last he heard they
have a May 15 reopening planned but still plan to market the property. He asked
staff to contact the owners to discuss ways the city can provide assistance for the
theater by way of loans, etc.
Mayor Dietz indicated Shannon Tatro received a large donation from Chris Carlson
for the downtown dock and is still working on fundraising. He questioned if GRE
funds can be used for this project.
Councilmember Wagner questioned what projects the city is looking for volunteer
funding on and which the city is willing to fund. She likes the idea of the city
participating in the dock installation in some form.
The Council directed staff to check on lead times for the dock and put this item on
an agenda for discussion soon.
Long-term (2031)
■ Urban Service Area expansion
o Comp Plan Update
" C/I development
■ Sewer and water extended north of 169.
" Analysis of what to do with garbage once closes in 2030.
■ Development of Specht property in eastern Elk River
o Numerous conversations with prospective developers over the past year.
Landowner apprehensive to sell.
■ Improve Broadband connectivity
o Initiated — in conjunction with ARPA and DEED funds. DEED Grants
in Aug./Sept.
■ Trail connections
or Trail from Lion's Park to downtown over the railroad tracks.
o Initiated — In conjunction with ARPA and Federal Biden infrastructure
stimulus bill.
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■ More retail development in western Elk River
o Comprehensive plan review opportunities for additional development
along 10
■ What does redevelopment look like if Hwy 10 becomes a freeway?
■ Riverwalk from Orono Park to City of Ramsey
• Feasibility of moving train station to downtown
■ Outdoor swimming pool
Mr. Portner asked if there are items the Council would like incorporated or changed.
Councilmember Westgaard explained the city has a lot going on right now with
major transportation projects and we may need all hands-on deck for crowd control
and communications. He indicated once finished with those larger projects, he
believes ideas about what to do and where to go next will come freely and will
become quite apparent going into the next decade.
Mayor Dietz questioned if the meat market building would be demolished quickly if
the city acquires the property. Councilmember Wagner questioned if we would
assume additional parking or if we would ask the community what they would like to
see. She mentioned feedback from downtown businesses has been to install public
restrooms and that may be an appropriate area, especially if a dock is completed.
Councilmember Christianson questioned how closely environmental staff is talking
to landfill staff about post collection. He explained the issue could come up a lot
quicker than we had planned and he does not want to be tasked with making drastic
decisions. Councilmember Westgaard commented the discussions should take place
but noted the increase in costs will be passed from the garbage hauler to the resident
and not absorbed by the city. It was noted the tipping fee the city receives will be
eliminated once the landfill closes.
Mr. Portner indicated he will bring the goals back on a future agenda for review and
acceptance.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:04 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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