07-26-2021 Regular CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Ver Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, July 26, 2021
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard,
and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: Councilmember Garrett Christianson
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Finance Director Lori Ziemer,
Human Resource Manager Lauren Wipper, Planning Manager Zack
Carlton, Community Development Director Suzanne Fischer,
Building Official Bob Ruprecht, and Liquor Operations Manager Joe
Audette
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 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. 2022 Budget
Ms. Ziemer presented the 2022 budget. Various staff presented their departmental
budgets as outlined in the report. Items to note include the following:
Human Resources
Council asked staff to reach out to ISD 728 to inquire about a firefighter education
and recruitment program for high school students.
Ms. Ziemer stated that was a possibility.
Information Technology
Council asked about installing cameras at parks.
Mr. Calvin explained that there are cameras at Lion John Weicht Park as well as
Orono Park. He is working on solutions for Woodland Trails Park and Rivers Edge
Commons Park as there is currently no Internet at these parks.
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City Council Minutes
July 26, 2021
Planning/Code Enforcement
Page 2
Councilmember Westgaard mentioned the code enforcement vehicle wrap may be a
good expense to complete in 2021 if there are excess funds in the budget by year-
end.
Community Development
Councilmember Wagner mentioned putting information about the Volunteer Pre -
Application Meetings with developers in the weekly Chamber of Commerce
newsletter.
Councilmember Beyer mentioned a safety training resources he has used that is
based on buying credits to be used for classes.
Mayor Dietz asked if there is any way for developers to give feedback on the process
when the project is completed.
Ms. Fischer stated they did a survey in the past and received two positive responses.
A link to the survey is included with every permit as well as posted on the Building
Safety web page, however, it has very little activity.
Liquo
Councilmember Westgaard asked about disruption to business because of
construction on Highway 169.
Mr. Audette stated the construction would affect sales and the 2023 budget would
reflect this.
Mayor Dietz asked about replacing a full-time staff member should one retire or quit.
Mr. Audette stated that the norm is to have one full-time staff member for every $1
million gross profit and in 2020 the liquor stores had over $8 million.
Council asked Mr. Audette to inquire with other cities that have municipal liquor to
find out how much money they keep in their liquor store fund versus transferring to
the city general fund. They would like to evaluate the amount of money transferred
to the general fund at a future council meeting.
Ci1y Council Communications Administrative Services Z Elections
Councilmember Westgaard discussed the potential of building a public restroom and
memorial bench in downtown Elk River and asked about funding.
Mayor Dietz stated he believed it should be a Council led project.
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City Council Minutes Page 3
July 26, 2021
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' Councilmember Wagner discussed allocating a budget of $10,000-15,000 toward
downtown beautification where the Council would have approval of spending.
Council discussed the proposal to move the part-time Multimedia Specialist, Micaela
Strand, from part-time to full-time. With savings from the vacant Communications
Coordinator position, the cost would be $7,000 to implement in 2021.
Finance/Legal
Mr. Portner stated that IT could examine whether as many VPN lines were necessary
now that staff are back in the office.
Council asked Ms. Ziemer to find out the percentage the city pays for credit card
fees. The standard is 3%.
4. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:18 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
hn J'Dietz,tkayor
Tina Allar , City Clerk
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