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4.1 DRAFT MINUTES (1 SET) 11-15-2021VA City of Elk -� River Members Present: Members Absent: Meeting of the Elk River City Council Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, November I, 2021 Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner None Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Finance Director Lori Ziemer, Public Works Director Justin Femrite, Wastewater Treatment Chief Operator Matt Stevens, and Deputy Clerk Jessica Miller Call Meeting to Order AN *%kh, 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. Pledge of Allegiance 6X 7 2. 3. 4. Pledge of Allegiance was Consider Agenda Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Christianson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. Consent Agenda N Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to approve: I)K Minutes � ■ October 18, 2021, regular ■ October 18, 2021, closed (WWTP) ■ October 18, 2021, closed (Union) 4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report. 4.3 Resolution 21-72 designating polling places for 2022. 4.4 Resolution 21-73 Authorizing Agreement 21-33 Toward Zero Deaths Department of Public Safety grant 4.5 Resolution 21-74 authorizing an Interfund Loan for the Business Center Drive extension. 4.6 Agreement 21-34 with Century College to assist with Elk River Fire Academy. 4.7 Resolution 21-75 acknowledging contributions from Zylstra Harley Davidson. City Council Minutes Page 2 November 1, 2021 ----------------------------- Motion carried 5-0. S. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. 6.1 Proclamation: American Education Week Mayor Dietz read the proclamation and presented it to American Legion Education Program Chair Roberta Takle, American Legion Auxiliary President Cathy Artman, and long-time American Legion Member Jerry Takle. 7.1 Drainage and Utility Easement Vacation: A ex Transfers Expansion Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. X, 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 Beyer to adopt resolution 21-76 vacating a portion of the shared drainage and utility easement between lots 4 & 5, Block 1, Renner Fourth Addition, upon condition that the two parcels are combined to create one buildable lot. Motion carried 5-0. 7.2 Drainage and Utility Easement Vacation: Broadway Investors 11, LLC Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue, Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Christianson to adopt resolution 21-77 vacating a portion of the shared drainage and utility easement located on Outlot A, West Oaks, with the following conditions: 1. The easement must be replaced with an easement agreeable to Connexus Energy and staff must receive written approval of the new easement location from Connexus. 2. The applicant and Connexus shall come to terms regarding the costs associated with the relocation of the overhead powerline currently protected by the subject easement. 3. Applicant shall agree to a temporary utility easement that is suitable to Connexus for the existing powerline facilities until they can be relocated. 4. The Final Plat for Broadway on 10 shall be updated to note the vacation of the existing easement. p 0 W I R 1 0 ® Y NATUREI City Council Minutes Page 3 November 1, 2021 5. The resolution vacating the described easement must be recorded immediately prior to the Final Plat of Broadway on 10. Motion carried 5-0. 8.1 Discuss Work Session Items Mr. Portner presented the staff report. Councilmember Wagner stated she received an email from St. Louis Park City Councilmember Larry Kraft about an opportunity to join St. Louis Park and other cities in a climate change leadership opportunity. She indica ed she feels this should be a discussion at a future work session. 9.0 Council Liaison Updates Councilmembers provided updates which are outlined in the respective advisory board's minutes. The Council recessed at 6:57 p.m. in order to go into work session. The meeting reconvened at 7:02 p.m. 10.1 Sewer Revenue Adequacy Report Mr. Femrite presented the staff rep Miranda Kleven, AE2S Nexus, reviewed the Sewer Revenue Adequacy Report. Mayor Dietz questioned what the SAC fee can be used for. Mr. Femrite explained generally the city uses the SAC fees to make the debt service payment. He indicated the Council can change.how the, fund is set up in the future if they wish. Ms. Kleven explaied if a change is made the Council would want to understand the basis for any change. For example, if the city was bringing on new infrastructure use of the SAC fee could be reevaluated. Mayor Dietz stated developers complain about the SAC fee, but he never receives any complaints from people about the monthly sewer fee. He indicated the Otsego SAC fees are almost $10,000 and he may contact the Mayor of Otsego to find out if they receive complaints as they are growing much quicker than Elk River. Ms. Kleven noted developers tend to complain more about these types of fees once growth slows. Ms. Kleven indicated further refinement of the city's Capital Improvement Plan will help guide these type of policy decisions. She suggested keeping the residents updated on any potential increases, so they know what to expect. P O W E R E D 0 Y 4A UR City Council Minutes November 1, 2021 Page 4 Mr. Femrite stated the fee schedule will be considered soon and requested Council guidance on a sewer rate increase for 2022. Council consensus was to follow the results of the report and increase the sewer fee by 4.5% this year and adjust as necessary after the long-term planning is complete. 10.2 Wastewater Treatment Facility Position Rehire Mr. Stevens presented the staff report. Council consensus was to fill the current vacancy with a Was ater Systems Operator. 10.3 2022 Budget Ms. Ziemer presented the staff report. Mayor Dietz questioned options to lower tie budget increase. Ms. Ziemer explained the only way is to reduce expenditures. She noted increased revenues will reduce the levy but not the General Fund increase. Councilmember Westgaard inUL!lu cing the head count is the most impactful way to decrease the budget. Mayor Dietz questioned the average increase for residential taxes. Ms. Ziemer explained the packet includes the estimated tax impact of various property values. She noted if there were no property valuation increase residents would experience a decrease in their taxes. Mayor Dietz noted he understands most homes in Elk River will see a 5-8% increase in property value. Mayor Dietz questioned if budget adjustment requests will be available by the December budget hearing. He indicated it's possible that money could be used to Offset 2022 expenditures. He added it is crucial to have the figures by the budget hearing because the numbers cannot be changed after that date. He asked staff to obtain the adjustment numbers by the hearing in December and if money is left over the Council can decide if they want to spend it on 2022 budget items. Ms. Ziemer stated it will be close as many departments wait until the end of the year to see what they have left. Mr. Portner explained staff has gone through their budget already to identify 2022 budget items that can be purchased in 2021. He noted some items cannot be purchased ahead of time. Mayor Dietz indicated he is recommending expenditures from the pickleball court repair come from budget excess and not out of the Park Budget as it wasn't the Parks Department's fault. P O W E R E D 0 Y UREJ City Council Minutes November 1, 2021 Page 5 Mr. Portner explained recent interviews were conducted to fill a park maintenance position and since that time the Parks Department is down two maintenance employees due to a recent resignation and separation with a probationary employee. Mr. Portner indicated the most recent round of interviews had a good candidate pool and asked the Council if they would be willing to allow the additional 2022 position to be filled now with those candidates. He stated the cost impact would be equal to four months of wages for one of the positions beginning in January rather than May. Council consensus was to fill the positions now if there are good candidates. II. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Dietz River City Council at 8:03 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller. John J Tina Allard, City Clerk 13 meeting of the Elk P O W E R E D 0 Y UREI