03-07-2022 CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, March 7, 2022
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Matt
Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner (arrived at 6:46 p.m. due to the
HRA Closed meeting)
Members Absent: Councilmember Mike Beyer
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, City Clerk Tina Allard, Senior
Communications Coordinator Kaylin Clement, Multipurpose Facility
Superintendent Tim Dalton, Park and Recreation Director Michael
Hecker, Park Maintenance Supervisor (Parks Superintendent) Tim
Sevcik, Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator Matt Stevens,
Public Works Director/Chief Engineer Justin Femrite, Wastewater
Treatment Systems Operator Tyler Hall, Park Maintenance Worker
Tim Gallagher, Park Maintenance Worker Kyle Murphy, Park
Maintenance Worker Daniel Zych, 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 6:32 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Mayor Dietz commended Furniture and Things Community Event Center and Parks
and Recreation staff for hosting two well -attended hockey games.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 3-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve:
4.1 February 22, 2022, Closed Minutes.
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Accept Bids and Award Contract for 2022 Street Improvement Project.
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March 7, 2022
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4.4 Riverwalk Apartments: Development Agreement 22-06 and Planned
Unit Development Agreement 22-07.
Motion carried 3-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6.1 Recognize Mayor for a Day Honorable Mention Essay Winner
Ms. Clement presented the staff report.
Favor Ayumbu, League of Minnesota Cities Honorable Mention Essay
Winner, read her essay.
Mayor Dietz presented her with a certificate.
6.2 Introduction of New Employees
Mr. Stevens introduced Tyler Hall, Wastewater Treatment Systems Operator.
Mr. Sevcik introduced Tim Gallagher, Park Maintenance Worker, Kyle Murphy, Park
Maintenance Worker, and Daniel Zych, Park Maintenance Worker.
Council welcomed new employees.
8.2 Discuss Work Session Items
Councilmember Christianson asked about a date for the joint meeting with ISD 728.
Mr. Portner stated a date was still being determined.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Council provided updates of the various advisory boards as noted in the respective
board minutes.
Councilmember Wagner arrived.
7.1 2022 Redistricting Establish Election District Boundaries and Polling
Places
Ms. Allard 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.
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March 7, 2022
Page 3
f Mayor Dietz stated a Sherburne County commissioner had contacted him with
concerns about having to run in the upcoming election depending on how the
redistricting lines are drawn. He clarified that the city does not have anything to do
with how the county draws their redistricting lines.
Ms. Allard confirmed the county and school district will receive the maps from the
city and will be able to use the city's lines in any way they choose. The county will
also need to attempt to maintain equal population distribution between the districts
for the commissioners.
Mayor Dietz added he had heard that all five county commissioner may need to run
again depending on population changes.
Councilmember Wagner confirmed that voters will be notified of any polling site
changes.
Ms. Allard explained that any voters who have a new polling site will receive a Postal
Verification Card (PVC) card in the mail notifying them of a change.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councihnember
Westgaard to adopt Ordinance 22-06 establishing new ward boundaries of the
City of Elk River, Minnesota, City Code. Motion carried 4-0.
{ Moved by Councihnember Christianson and seconded by Councilrnember
Wagner to adopt Resolution 22-16 establishing precincts and polling places.
Motion carried 4-0.
u
8.1 Furniture and Things Community Event Center Branding Plan
Mr. Dalton presented the staff report.
Glenn Waguespack and Heather Novak, representing HGA, gave a
presentation on the branding plan and proposed graphics.
The Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission has adopted the plan. The task
force will come up with recommendations for imagery to bring to the Multipurpose
Facility Advisory Commission for recommendations on budget. The items will then
come to council for financial and visual approval.
Council wants to make sure the graphics are done right, therefore it may take a few
years to fully implement.
Mr. Portner stated graphic and design for the interior of the building will come from
the Furniture and Things Community Event Center budget.
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Mayor Dietz addressed the desire of ISD 728 and local sports groups to display
photos, trophies, banners, and other items recognizing past accomplishments and
players.
Councilmember Westgaard stated a list should be compiled with any group that has
been promised space in the facility so their requests can be addressed.
Council requested hockey related items be hung before the fall 2022 hockey season
begins.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to approve the branding plan for the Furniture and Things
Community Event Center. Motion carried 4-0.
Council recessed at 7:32 p.m. and reconvened at 7:32 p.m. to continue the work
session.
10.1 County Road 33 Trail Discussion
Councilmember Westgaard stated that, following the February 7, 2022 meeting
discussion of County Road 33, he met with Sherburne County Commissioner Tim
Dolan.
Councilmember Westgaard learned Sherburne County has acquired a 100-foot right-
of-way.
Council discussed the possibility of using the 100 feet of right-of-way to add a trail in
the future.
Mayor Dietz asked if the county would be interested in a swap where the city takes
over part of the old section of road in exchange for financial assistance in
constructing a trail. He felt a trail was mutually beneficial, especially in connecting to
neighboring trail systems.
Mayor Dietz asked if the city would be asked to take back the road or if they would
be forced.
Mr. Femrite stated that would be a question for the city attorney.
Mayor Dietz was concerned about revisiting the subject after the public comments,
at which residents spoke against the proposed trail.
Councilmember Westgaard stated council was being pushed to make a decision
without enough information which led them to vote against the proposed trail and
seek additional information.
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Councilmember Christianson stated, if the 100-foot right-of-way is going in anyway,
what is the rush to construct a trail?
Councilmember Westgaard stated constructing the trail while the road is also under
construction would be less expensive and create less disruption to the area.
Council was concerned about the landowners who would have the trail pass very
close to their house.
Councilmember Christianson stated there were other areas in Elk River he would
like to see take priority if there was money to spend on a trail.
Mayor Dietz agreed he does not see the urgency and can't justify spending money on
a trail along County Road 33.
Mr. Femrite proposed an idea asking for the right-of-way to be graded so it would be
easier to add pavement in the future to create a trail. Until then, it would grow over
and be part of the ditch system.
Council asked Mr. Fe nrite to investigate the potential costs of this plan.
II. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:59 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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