4.1 DRAFT MINUTES (1 SET) 12-20-2021
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 6, 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, Finance Director Lori Ziemer,
Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen, and Records Specialist Katie Porath
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6:41 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
Christianson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner
to approve:
4.1 November 15, 2021, Minutes
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Conditional Use Permit, CU 19-14 Extension: Auto-Rec Bodyworks,
Inc.
4.4 National Opioid Settlement Signatory
4.5 Master Labor Agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services Local
271
4.6 Library Board Appointment as outlined in the staff report.
4.7 Temporary Liquor License: AEGIR Brewing Company
4.8 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan
4.9 Resolution 21-89: Accept Supplemental Distribution of American
Rescue Plan Act Funds
4.10 Resolution 21-90: Declare Public Nuisance and Accept Consent
th
Decree for 13690 186 Avenue NW
4.11 Hire Park Maintenance Worker – Gallagher
4.12 Resolution 21-91 and 21-92: Accept Donations to Parks and Recreation
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December 6, 2021
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4.13 Change Orders for Youth Athletic Complex and Lake Orono
4.14 Hire Park Maintenance Worker - Murphy
Motion carried 5-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6.1 Presentations, Awards, and Recognition
Police Chief Nierenhausen presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz administered to Officer Jason Michaud and Officer Grace O’Konek.
7.1 2022 Budget and Tax Levy
Ms. Ziemer presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing.
Chris Stearns, 12268 Ridgewood Dr NW, asked about the special taxing districts
and the definition of fiscal disparity. Ms. Ziemer responded the special taxing
districts included the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Housing
Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Elk River does not have fiscal disparities.
Paul Ahles, 20824 York St NW, asked when the EDA and HRA hold their
meeting. Councilmember Wagner clarified that the HRA meeting is held the first
Monday of the month and the EDA meeting is held the third Monday of the month.
Information on meeting dates and agendas are on the city website.
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Mayor Dietz clarified that the amount has been decreased since notices were sent out
in September. He expressed concern at the increase in the general fund but
understood that it was partially as a result of staffing the new facilities.
Mr. Portner added that the county and school district tax capacity is based on a
larger pool of people and experienced a greater increase due to development and
population growth. This results in a lower rate because their levy is spread among a
larger population.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the 2022 General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise
Fund budgets. Motion carried 5-0.
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December 6, 2021
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Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to adopt Resolution 21-93 authorizing the Proposed Property Tax
Levy for Collection in 2022. Motion carried 5-0.
7.2 2022 Master Fee Schedule
Mr. Portner 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 Beyer and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to adopt Ordinance 21-12 approving the 2022 Master Fee
Schedule. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to adopt Resolution 21-94 approving Notice of Summary Publication
of Ordinance 21-12 an Ordinance Adopting the 2022 Master Fee Schedule.
Motion carried 5-0.
8.1 General Business
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
9. Work Session
Council provided updates of the various advisory boards as noted in the respective
board minutes.
Multipurpose Facility Commission
Mayor Dietz asked about youth hockey fees. Mr. Portner stated a formal invitation
was sent to youth hockey to discuss 2022 fees. New fees need to be set in April or
May.
Mayor Dietz also asked about the concerns of seniors accessing the senior activity
center of the Furniture and Things Community Event Center. Mr. Portner stated
that using the emergency doors was not a good option as it presents challenges for
the facility and staff.
Utilities Commission
Mayor Dietz clarified that there is a power cost adjustment of 14% and electricity
customers will see an adjustment on their statements. The city covers the cost up to
$500,000 but any cost over that will be passed to customers.
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December 6, 2021
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Mayor Dietz addressed a rumor regarding Livonia, Zimmerman, and the landfill. He
met with representatives from the two cities. It was his own opinion that Elk River
would not support a “hostile takeover” of property not in Elk River.
Mr. Portner added the city has experience managing and regulating the landfill and
could act in this capacity if the landfill should move to Livonia or Zimmerman. The
permitting process could take up to four years to complete which coincides with the
proposed closure date of the landfill.
The council may want to discuss the issue with Livonia in the future.
10.1 Fund Raising for Law Enforcement Monument
Police Chief Nierenhausen presented the staff report.
The proposed monument funds would be collected accounted for. Names would be
collected to present to the council.
Police Chief Nierenhausen stated that a model for the monument child and officer
have been selected. The design company would need half of the amount before
beginning the monument construction.
Council was in favor of fund raising for the monument as long as the city attorney
felt the city was compliant with any money raised.
Mr. Portner informed the council that the grand opening for First Step Preschool
would be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:51 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
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John J. Dietz, Mayor
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Tina Allard, City Clerk