08-02-2021 Regular CCMity
CEI
of
.�►.
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 2, 2021
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike
Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Parks and Recreation Director
Michael Hecker, Recreation Coordinator Karen Wingard, 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 6:37 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Mayor Dietz asked for a moment of silence in honor of John Barth who recently
passed away.
Moved by Councilmember Westgard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer
to approve:
4.1 July 19, 2021, minutes.
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Update to Advisory Board Policy as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Multimedia specialists position descriptions and assignments as
outlined in the staff report.
4.5 Resolution 21-55 authorizing transfer from Government Building Fund
to 2020A and 2020B Bonds Debt Service Funds.
4.6 Addendum to Purchase Agreement 2021-16 with First Step Preschool.
4.7 Appoint Dennis Booth to the Planning Commission for a term to
begin immediately and expire February 28, 2023.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Council Minutes
August 2, 2021
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
Page 2
Andrew Hulse, 18862 Concord St NW, expressed concern about the lack of a trail
from Upland to Meadowvale connecting to Elk Lake Road at 194`h Avenue. He
stated the trail is identified on the Trail Master Plan and he is wondering if it's
possible to accelerate the trail due to safety concerns. He explained people trying to
get from some of the nearby developments to where the current trail begins
frequently have to be on a portion of road with no shoulder and a blind curve. He
also suggested some form of marked pedestrian crossing at Nordic Hills.
Mayor Dietz stated the proposed trail is actually on County Road 44 and under the
county's jurisdiction. He added he doesn't believe the city has proper right-of-way to
put in the trail along the road so the city would be required to acquire right-of-way
and it could be quite costly. He indicated he recalls last time the county paved
County Road 44 the city wanted to discuss trail options, but the project happened so
quickly there was no chance for a conversation. He understands this is a safety issue
but also understands property acquisition is a huge issue. He asked Mr. Portner to
check and see if the county is interested in cost participation.
Councilmember Wagner indicated the Parks and Recreation Commission has
discussed this trail and it is a priority for them, but the biggest roadblock is the
property acquisition along a county road. She would also like staff to discuss with the
county and see if anything can be done.
6. Presentations, Awards, and Recognition
There were no presentations, awards, or recognition.
8.1 Appoint Two Councilmembers to the County -owned Property Task
Force
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to
appoint Mayor Dietz and Councilmember Christianson to the Sherburne County
County -owned Property Task Force. Motion carried 5-0.
8.2 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz questioned if a joint meeting with the School Board is still on. Mr.
Portner indicated possibly once school begins and things hopefully settle down for
the district.
wTURE
City Council Minutes
August 2, 2021
9. Council Liaison Updates
Page 3
Councilmembers provided updates from the respective advisory boards as outlined
in the board/commission minutes.
10.1 Elk RiverFest Update
Ms. Wingard provided a recap of this year's Elk RiverFest as well as some options
for changes for 2022.
Mayor Dietz questioned why there were no police or fire vehicles at the event. Ms.
Wingard explained the event had to be planned COVID friendly and from all the
information she gathered, having kids in and out of vehicles wasn't a good fit as it is
very difficult to keep the crowd small and to disinfect the vehicles after every person.
She added this is also why the event was more spread out this year and why there
were two separate food areas.
Councilmember Westgaard questioned attendance. Ms. Wingard indicated it was
difficult to tell because the events were more spread out than before, but she believes
it was comparable to previous years. She added it doesn't appear people stayed all
day like they did in 2019 noting people may still be hesitant to get out and do
activities.
Ms. Wingard explained staff does not believe the fireworks and festival are co-
dependent. She indicated having the event and fireworks on the same day has proved
challenging for police and fire to be available for event wrap up downtown and
firework set up across town.
Ms. Wingard outlined staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission
recommendations for 2022 as follows:
■ Consider moving the event to last Saturday in July (Saturday, July 30, 2022.)
■ Orono Park daytime family activities
• Evening event downtown street dance 21+
■ Fireworks on July 4
Mayor Dietz questioned if we would be competing with neighboring events if we
move the date. Ms. Wingard indicated we would not.
Council discussed the changes and overall felt moving the event away from the
holiday weekend and having fireworks on Independence Day would be positive.
The Council discussed separating the daytime activities to Orono Park and having a
street dance type event for adults in the evening. There was some concern about
shifting and splitting locations, but Council felt that Orono Park would be an
amazing location and would allow for expansion of the kids and family portion of
P a W E R E I BY
NATURE
City Council Minutes Page 4
August 2, 2021
-----------------------------
the event. The Council also discussed whether to hold the daytime and evening
events on the same day.
Ms. Wingard indicated some other ideas for Orono Park include more of a weekend
event including things like a kick ball tournament, water ski show, or skateboard
event. She indicated she understand shifting locations can be negative but would like
to see the event grow which may be difficult in downtown.
Councilmember Christianson expressed concern over introducing too much change
at once which may deter people from coming. He suggested exploring the possibility
of separating the events first to see what happens.
Mayor Dietz questioned what other events would be held downtown at night under
this proposal. Ms. Wingard explained one suggestion was to close Main Street
blocking it off for liquor and food and have a battle of the bands type event rather
than a concert. She indicated she would discuss further with Liquor Operations
Manager Joe Audette. She noted it should result in a cost savings for less of a road
closure and for the band.
Councilmember Wagner indicated based on feedback received from downtown
businesses, they appreciate the traffic the event brings downtown, and some may be
unhappy to see the event changed. Ms. Wingard explained staff can find alternate
opportunities for downtown businesses that are involved in Elk RiverFest to be
involved. She added there are some fun events in the works.
Concerns were raised over transportation issues with having the large event at
Orono during the day. Mayor Dietz stated he believes the daytime traffic at Orono
Park would be manageable, but he is not interested in moving the fireworks.
Ms. Wingard asked for Council thoughts on moving the Riverside Market normally
held during Elk RiverFest to either Orono Park or the Furniture and Things
Community Event Center. She indicated moving the event to the Furniture and
Things Event Center would remove the market from Elk RiverFest and vendors
would be encouraged to sign up for either the Spring or Fall shows at the Furniture
and Things Event Center.
Council liked the idea of having the Riverside Market at the Furniture and Things
Community Event Center on a different day than Elk RiverFest.
Council consensus was to change the date of Elk RiverFest to the last Saturday in
June and to have fireworks on July 4.
II. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:41 p.m.
P 0 w E R! 0 0 1
NATUREI
City Council Minutes
August 2, 2021
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
hn JJDie ,7.'layor
Tina A ard, City Clerk
J
Page 5
PowEAE0 BY
NATURE