04-04-2022 CCMMembers Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 4, 2022
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard,
and Jennifer Wagner
Councilmember Garrett Christianson
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, City Attorney Peter Beck,
Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Public Works Director/Chief
Engineer Justin Femrite, Economic Development Director Brent
O'Neil, and Records Specialist Katie Porath
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 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Mayor Dietz asked to move Item 8.3 ahead of Item 8.2 on the agenda.
Moved by Councihnember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the agenda, as amended. Motion carried 4-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to approve:
4.1
March 21, 2022, Minutes.
4.2
Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3
Broadband Grant Program Agreement 2022-9.
4.4
Bailey Point Nature Preserve Regulations.
4.5
Temporary On -Sale Liquor License: Bellis.
4.6
Annual Election to Not Waive Tort Limits.
4.7
Memorandums of Understanding I.O.U.E. Local 49 Agreement 2022-
10 and 2022-11.
4.8
Resolution 22-18 Monetary Donations from Woodland Trails Park
Patrons.
` 4.9
Three Park Kiosks and Signage Approval Agreement 2022-12.
1`Jf 4.10
TemporaryOn-Sale Liquor License: Aegir Brewing Company.
Motion carried 4-0.
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!April 4, 2022
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Mayor Dietz asked that information on the properties affected by the broadband
program appeared in the Star News.
S. Open Forum
Gary Santwire, Elk River, spoke as a commercial property owner stating he was
not in favor of approving Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funding for residential
properties.
Jim Acres, Boy Scouts of America, invited councilmembers to a fundraiser on
April 28, 2022.
6. Presentations, Awards, and Recognition
There were no presentations, awards, or recognitions.
7. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
8.1 CR33 Design Modifications
Mr. Femrite presented the staff report. The request was to modify the roadway
design between Ulysses Street and Smith Street by shifting the road 10 feet. This
would allow for rights -of -way to be acquired during the Sherburne County road
project.
Council asked about funding needed for the project.
Mr. Femrite stated the final amount had not been determined but was currently
estimated at $600,000. There was time to determine how the amount could be paid
including Pavement Management Fund, American Rescue Plan Act funds, or Park
Dedication. A final plan and cost estimate would return to the council in late 2022.
Council clarified that they are not voting to approve a trail, only to modify the design
to allow for more cost-effective future infrastructure.
Moved by Councilmernber Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer
to provide direction regarding design considerations along CSAH 33 relating
to future accommodations for a trail. Motion carried 4-0.
8.3 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 28 Development Assistance
Agreement —Jackson Street Apartments, LLC
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report.
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April 4, 2022
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Mikaela Huot, Baker Tilly, reviewed the details of TIF assistance between the city
and Jackson Street Apartments, LLC.
Council stated they were not in favor of using TIF assistance for this project as the
city has met or exceeded their housing study apartment needs. They would prefer to
reserve TIF funding for use on industrial building projects.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Beyer to deny the execution of a TIF development assistance agreement in
connection with Tax Increment Financing (Housing) District No. 28
(Jackson Hills Apartments Phase II Housing Project). Motion carried 4-0.
8.2 Council Discussion: Jackson Hills Fishing Pond/Stormwater Pond
This item was not discussed due to the input on Item 8.3.
8.4 Discuss Work Session Items
Mayor Dietz stated ISD #728 would prefer to have a joint meeting in early 2023
after the election.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board's
minutes.
Mayor Dietz asked about the request by seniors to use a different door at the
Furniture and Things Community Event Center. This request was considered by the
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Committee and rejected.
Councilmember Westgaard added that one individual is continuing to request
changes and has independently contacted Kiser Construction for estimates on cost.
This is not a city -initiated project.
Mayor Dietz asked for input on the Council -sponsored employee lunch. He
recommended waiting until construction at Orono Park was complete with a backup
plan of holding it at Lion John Weicht Park during warmer weather.
Council recessed at 7:31 p.m. and reconvened in work session at 7:35 p-.m.
10.1 Concept Review: 16807 US Highway 10 - Mini -Storage, Outdoor
Storage, and Light Industrial
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
David Vinje, applicant, was in attendance. Questions regarding the site included
road access to the billboard, gas lines located under the property, rezoning of the
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April 4, 2022
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property to allow mini -storage, and visual screening from the road. Because there are
gas lines on the property, that portion of the property would need to be used as a
parking lot or outdoor storage area and not have a building over it.
Council agreed the site had unique challenges and there may not be many options for
development on it. They were in favor of going forward with the concept.
10.2 Concept Review: Richard Foster and U.S. Home, LLC — Residential
Subdivision
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Paul Tabone, representing Lennar Homes, gave an overview of the project.
Mayor Dietz was not in favor of lot sizes less than 65 feet. The current plan includes
45-, 55-, and 65-foot-wide lots.
Council expressed concerns with street parking challenges, the number of driveway
access points, and pedestrian safety as a result of narrower lots. They also called
attention to the amount of access points to and from the development, particularly
on Cleveland Street.
Councilmember Wagner added there are nearby schools that may be affected by an
increase of traffic and residents. She asked that the schools be informed of the plans
and suggested a traffic study.
Mr. Tabone stated the rationale behind offering smaller lots is to create an option for
those wanting a detached home but not needing it to be as large. He felt that there
was a need in the market for this smaller sized lot.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 8:29 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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