4.1 DRAFT MINUTES (3 SETS) 05-02-2022�
aty or
Elk -�.�-�
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, l��ike
Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Planning Manager Zack Carlton,
Cit�T Attorney Peter Beck, and CityT Clerk Tina Allard
I. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Cityr Council
�vas called to order at 7:49 p.m. byT MayTor Dietz.
2.
3.
Closed Meeting
The mayor stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the puYchase price for
the cityr's possible purchase of a po�tion of 18454 Waco Street pursuant to MN
Statute, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(C).
Adjournment
TheYe being no further business, Ma�roY Dietz adjouYned the meeting of the Elk
RiveY Cit�r Council at 7:56 p.m.
John J. Dietz, Mayror
�
Closed Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 18, 2022
Tina Allard, Cit�r Clerk
�
aty or
Elk -�.�-�
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 18, 2022
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, l��ike
Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Planning Manager Zack Carlton,
Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, Public Works Director Justin
Femrite, Cit�r Attorne�T Peter Beck, and City- Clerk Tina Allard
I. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Cit�� Council
�vas called to order at 6:36 p.m. byT Ma�-or Dietz.
2.
3.
Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
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 Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer
to approve:
4.1 Apri14, 2002, regular Council minutes, and Apri111, 2002, Board of
Appeal minutes
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Pay estimates as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Commissioning services for Fire Station #3 with Alternate #1 in the
amount of $19,750.
4.5 Resolution 22-19 authorizing a transfer from the General Fund to the
Capital Reserve Fund.
4.6
4.7
4.8
Resolution 22-20 granting fnal plat approval for Evergreen
Townhomes, Case No. P 22-04.
Update ciry organizational charts and job descriptions for communiry
development director and environmental services /special projects
director.
Purchase two shade structures for Orono Park pickleball courts as
outlined in the staff report.
Cit�r Council iVlinutes Page 2
April 18, 2022
4.9 Hire Joshua Mollan as an economic development intern effective April
20, 2022, as outlined in the staff report.
4.10 Resolution 22-21 approving delegation of the administration of the
Wetland Conservation Act (WCA), floodplain, shoreland, and buffer
programs to a qualifed consulting frm.
4.11 Purchase of two 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles for a total of $84,000
with authorization to equip them for fre department not to exceed a
total cost of $102,268.
4.12 Joint Cooperative Agreement 22-13 with Sherburne County fre
departments
4.13 Promote Zack Carlton to Communiry Development Director effective
Apri119, 2022, as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. I City of Elk River Volunteer of the Month
Mayror Dietz pYesented the April Volunteer of the Month award to Dave Williams.
He highlighted the follo`ving:
■ Current Chair of Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission and Multipurpose
Facilit�r r�dvisor�- Commission
■ PYesident Elk River Quarterback Club
■ Founder and Executive Director of Elk River Flag Football
■ Assistant Coach, Elk River Football
■ Member ISD 728, Facilities L�sage Committee
■ Founder/Chair, Elk River Youth SpoYts Commission
■ Chair, Yes to Active Elk River Committee
■ Member, Comprehensive Plan Committee
■ MembeY, Elk River Area Design Team
■ Former coach/board member, Elk River Youth Football
6.2 Proclamation: Fair Housing Month
Mayor Dietz read the proclamation
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to proclaim April at Fair Housing Month. Motion carried 5-0.
6.3 Introduction of New Employee
Ms. Allard introduced Klara Porath, the new communications coordinator. Council
welcomed Klara to the cityT.
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Cit�r Council iVlinutes Page 3
April 18, 2022
7. I Interim Use Permit: Temporary Outdoor Storage and Sale of Garden
Sheds and Furniture, Steve Hickman, 9875 US Highway 10
Mr. Carlton pYesented the staff YepoYt.
MayTor 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 approve Interim Use Permit, Case No. IU 22-01 with the conditions
outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0.
7.2 Steve Hickman, 9875 US Highway 10
a. Zone Change: I-3 General Industrial to C-3 Highway Commercial
b. Preliminary and Final Plat: Hickman Addition
Mr. Carlton pYesented the staff Yeport He noted the offeY by the applicant of
product versus payTing a park dedication fee.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Mayor Dietz asked for paYk dedication to be sent to the PaYks and Recreation
Commission for revie�u. He stated if approved by- the commission he'd like to see an
in-kind contribution at wholesale cost.
Mr. Beck stated he will do some reseaYch to see if the cityr is legally allowed to accept
other forms of park dedication.
Councilmember �X�agner noted this location is an aesthetic gateway and the first
thing a person sees as the�r drive into the cityr. It's a veryr identifiable bYand and a big
opportunityT for the communit�- to have two major brands coming together in Elk
River.
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to adopt Ordinance No. 22-08 amending the zoning map to rezone
certain property from General Industrial (I-3) to Highway Commercial (C-3).
Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Beyer to approve Preliminary Plat, Case No., P22-03 with the condition
outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer
to adopt Resolution 22-22 granting fnal plat approval for Hickman Addition,
Case No. P 22-03. Motion carried 5-0.
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Cit�r Council iVlinutes Page 4
April 18, 2022
7.3 Lowell 10 Partners LLC, Property ID# 75-405-0190 and 75-405-0120
a. Zone Change: Downtown District to Planned Unit Development
(PUD)
b. Conditional Use Permit: Establish a PUD
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Mayror Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
MayTor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Council expressed concerns for traffic patterns and the proximit�r of the business to
Highway 10.
1��. Carlton discussed the traffic stud�r completed b�r the applicant.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Beyer to adopt Ordinance No. 22-09 to rezone certain property from
Downtown District (DD) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) with the
condition the zone change will not be recorded until City Council approves a
Planned Unit Development Agreement. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve Conditional Use Permit, Case No. CU 22-08
establishing a commercial Planned Unit Development with the conditions
outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0.
7.4 Conditional Use Permit: Allow Commercial Kennel at 18753
Cleveland Street, Travis Petron of K-9 Country Club
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Ma�ror Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue,
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Wagner to approve Conditional Use Permit, Case No. CU 22-07 with the
conditions outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0.
7.5 Land Use Amendment and Zone Change: Single Family Residential to
Mixed Residential Neighborhood, Daniel Kruger, PID# 75-871-0105
Mr. Leeseberg pYesented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing.
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Cit�r Council iVlinutes Page 5
April 18, 2022
Michael Klopping, 18540 Troy Street, expressed concerns ��ith the driveway near his
bedroom and the garage openings facing his property which would create an increase
in traffic and noise. He further expressed concerns `vith the propertyT being all rental.
Tina NorenbeYg, 18746 TYoy Street, stated the family does not want to see a multi-
family unit at the end of their private drive. She stated theyT pay for and maintain the
drive `vhich is private.
Mayor Dietz asked for clarification about the drive/road.
Mr. LeesebeYg stated it is not a city street and discussed easement, road width
Yequirements, paving, and Yesponsibilities. He stated the portion along the subject
parcel would be maintained as a private drive with an easement to the pYoperties
north of the subject paYcel.
Mr. NoYenbeYg, 18746 stated it's a private Yoad and they tryr to discourage use.
1VLr. Beck explained Yoad rights and easements and noted the NoYenberg's have
access onto the new public Salem Street as well.
Mr. Norenberg stated cityT staff wants to take away his access on the private road to
start using the public cityr street. He stated he can't put a drivewayr onto Salem Street
because it'll cost mone�r and he'll lose outbuildings. He stated cit�r fibeY and a hyrdYant
are in the wa�T as �vell.
1VLr. Leeseberg stated the cit�r is not aware of any easement on the private drive/road.
Mr. NoYenberg stated the�� have a court hearing scheduled lateY in the yeaY YegaYding
owneYship of the road.
Mr. Beck stated the new cityr street was planned to serve the 18746 TYoy Street paYcel
if they lost access to the existing private drive.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember
Christianson to continue the public hearing for the land use amendment and
the zone change to May 2, 2022, Ciry Council meeting. Motin carried 5-0.
8. General Business
There `vere no general business items.
Council recessed at 7:27 p.m. and reconvened in work session at 7:34 p.m.
Prior to adjournment the ma�Tor read a statement noting the CityT Council will be
holding a closed meeting peY Minnesota State Law Section 13D.05 Subdivision 3(c)
to discuss price foY the cityr's possible puYchase of a poYtion of 18454 Waco Street
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Cit�r Council Minutes
April 18, 2022
9.1
9.2
I 0.
and that the closed meeting to discuss the confidential appraisal date foY PaYcel
Number 75-915-0020, Nature's Edge Business PaYk was cancelled.
Facility Maintenance Organizational Structure
Mr. Femrite presented the staff report.
Page 6
Councilmember Westgaard noted the city growth and growth in the department and
that it makes sense to bYeak up the span of control.
MayTor Dietz liked the idea as a succession planning opportunit�T.
Council consensus to move forwaYd with the oYganizational changes out]ined in the
staff report.
Recognition Program for City Volunteers
Ms. AllaYd pYesented the staff YepoYt.
Council consensus was to host a volunteer da5r at the market on a conceYt night,
Yecognize volunteers prior to concert staYt, raise the recognition amount to $10.
Council consensus to hold the event on July 18.
Adjournment
TheYe being no further business, Ma��or Dietz adjouYned the meeting of the Elk
River Cit�- Council at 7:41 p.m.
John J. Dietz, Mayror
�
Tina Allard, Cit�T Clerk
PONEREO er
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.
aty of
Elk -�.-�
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River Emergency Operations Center
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike Beyer,l�latt
Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
None
Staff Present: CityT Administrator Calvin Portner, Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen, Finance
Director Lori Ziemer, Cinr Clerk Tina Allard, Public ��'orks Director/Chief
Engineer Justin Femrite, CommunityT Development Director Zack Carlton,
Environmental Services and Special PYojects Di�ector Suzanne FischeY,
Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Fire Chief Mark Dickinson,
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Hecker, and Records Specialist Katie
Porath
�
2.
Call Meeting to Order
PuYsuant to due call and notice theYeof, the meeting of the Elk RiveY Cityr Council was
called to oYdeY at 1:01 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
Council/Staff Retreat
Opening — Beflection on accoYnplishYnents
Council and staff discussed answers to the question "Do you remembeY when...".
CouncilmembeY Be�rer issued a challenge between the Police and Fire departments foY a
fundYaiser sports game.
Bevie�a� Tlalue�; Visiorz er Mission Stateynent 2029 Goals
Council had no changes to the value, vision, oY mission statement.
Mr. PortneY Yeviewed the 2021 goals.
Short-term (2020-21)
Commercial Development
o HRA l�Zain�Gates PYoject
o Joplin
o Market EDA TH10 PropertyT
Budget and sinking fund for building repair.
o Transition PW FacilityT bond to generallevyT
o Move GRE Fund Balance to Building Fund
Parks & Recreation Capital Plan — Funding
o LOST-funded pYojects
o Field/facilit�T user fees shift.
Cit�r Council i�linutes
r�pri120, 2022
■ Zoning & Acquisition of "challenged" properties policyT discussion.
■ Complete Lion John Weicht Park (playground, disc golf, trail, lighting)
■ FT Center Branding
■ Do`vnto�vn traffic, parking, and pedestrian studies
■ Rivers Edge dock
Page 2
Mid-term (2026)
■ Budget Plan — Post Waste Management
■ Acquire business park land.
o Assist developeYs with private acquisition as needed.
■ Develop means for park capital needs.
o Trail maintenance funding plan
o Field/facilityT user fees shift
■ Commercial development __ _
o HRA Main�Gates PYoject
o Ebert Joplin/Business Ave Project
o Market EDA TH10 Propert��
■ Public SafetyT buildout
■ Understand obligations for landfill once it is capped.
■ Bubble oveY football practice field
■ PaYks and Rec app — diYections, ads, amenities, park features
■ Complete athletic field needs anal�rsis.
■ (Short or mid) Update our branding/colors more toward red and black to match ERHS
■ Youth Athletic Complex and Oak Knoll Maste� Plans
■ Improve BYoadband connectivit�r
Long-term (2031)
■ l�ZoYe Yetail development in western Elk RiveY
■ What does redevelopment look like when Trunk Highway 10 is a freeway?
■ Riverwalk from Orono Park to City of Ramsey
■ Feasibilit�r of moving train station downtown
■ Outdoor s�uimming pool
■ Transportation development funding
■ Urban Service Area expansion
■ C/I development
■ Anal�rsis of what to do with gaYbage once closes in 2030.
■ Development of Specht propertyT in eastern Elk River
■ Improve Broadband connectivity
o Initiated — in conjunction with ARPA and DEED funds. DEED GYants in
Aug./Sept.
■ Trail connections
■ Trail from Lion's Park to downtown over the railroad tracks.
o Initiated — In conjunction with ARPA and Federal Biden infrastructure stimulus
bill.
■ More retail development in western Elk River
o Comprehensive plan review opportunities for additional development along 10
■ What does redevelopment look like if H�vyT 10 becomes a free�vayT?
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Cit�r Council i�linutes
r�pri120, 2022
Riverwalk from Orono Park to Cit�T of Ramse�T
FeasibilityT of moving train station to downtown
Outdoor swimming pool
Page 3
Mr. Pormer indicated he will bring goals back to a future agenda for revie�v and acceptance.
A�neTzcan Bescue Plan Act �ABI'A� Funds
Mr. Pormer discussed possible uses of ARPA funds.
Council discussed wanting ARPA funds to a difference for the most residents.
Mr. PoYtner stated most of the items on the list �uould be funded at some point, it's just a
matter of ho`v theyT `vould be paid for.
MayroY Dietz asked if ARPA funds could be applied to the General Fund.
Council asked about using the moneyT for propert�T acquisition to bring in outside businesses
or to expand broadband to the entire cityT.
Mr. PortneY stated the amount of ARPA funds would not go far in paying foY broadband
connectivityT.
Ms. FischeY stated anotheY phase of broadband might be possible if a service provider
would parmer `vith the cit�r to payT for it Sherburne CountyT may also be a source of funding
for a broadband project.
The Council Yecessed at 3:04 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:17 p.m.
Business BegistT ation P� oaz aYn
Fire Chief Dickinson and �1s. Fischer explained the Business Registration Program `vhich
�vould help the city kno�v �vhat businesses are operating within cityT limits. This would not
be a permit oY license and would be free to business owneYs.
Benefits of a Business Registration ProgYam include accessing infoYmation in an emeYgencyr
call as well as a��areness of any hazardous materials on site.
Council questioned �vhyT businesses don't alreadyT update their information �vith the fire
department, �vho `vould keep the database current, and if businesses would be resistant to
registering. They suggested starting with the largest businesses.
Police Chief Nierenhausen asked about data privac�T.
Staff will continue to work on the process and bring it back to council at a work session.
City Prog�alns/Do2a�nto�a�n Policy
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Cit�r Council iVlinutes Page 4
r�pri120, 2022
Mr. Pormer discussed preparing a policy for the process of hanging decorations on
downtown lights maintained by Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU).
Items hung on light poles would need to have a public purpose. AgYeements would be set
up with groups looking to hang decorations and funding for decorations would be through
the city's Housing and Redevelopment AuthorityT (HRr,).
Council discussed the geographic limits of the downtown area.
MayTor Dietz asked Councilmember Wagner if she could pro�ride information on what the
Downtown Elk River Business Association (DERBA) spends on decoYations for the
do`vnto`vn area.
CouncilmembeY Westgaard asked foY examples of cities who decoYated their light posts but
did not have a municipal utilityT.
1VLr. PoYtner stated the city will begin to document cit�r events and who pa5rs for what.
Mr. Pormer asked Council if the�r `vould like ERIVIU to take over the maintenance of the
new trail lights along HighwaST 10.
Council felt, from a consistenc�r standpoint, ER��1U should maintain the trail lights. These
lights would also fall under the ne�v decorating policy-.
Budget Kickoff
Mr. Pormer asked Council if the�T had any preliminaryT thoughts on the 2023 budget.
Mr. Portner stated that the cit�T would be implementing a charge back program where each
department pa��s an annual fee and computeYs aYe Yeplaced as they break.
i�Zr. Pormer �vill be �vorking on a comparison stud�T of salaries including historical
comparison cities and cities that are of a similar population. This discussion will come to a
future «�ork session.
Council discussed the impoYtance of employee retenrion.
MayTor Dietz stated he was concerned about the budget due to large housing valuation
increases. Council asked department directors to on1yT budget for essentials.
Mr. Pormer stated that, at some point, the cityT will begin to see funding from Tax
Increment Financing (TIF) payTments once TIF districts are decertified.
Councilmember Christianson expressed concern about the fallout of housing prices in the
future.
The Council Yecessed at 4:51 p.m. foY dinneY. The meeting reconvened at 5:24 p.m.
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Cit�r Council i�linutes
r�pri120, 2022
Police Depa�7�nent Bevie2a�
Page 5
Chief Nierenhausen updated Council on the department and crime statistics over the past
yTears.
Councilmember Wagner asked if increased calls for service correlated to population
increase.
Chief NieYenhausen stated calls foY service were moYe dependent on the make up of the
communityT, tyTpes of services, and housing densityT.
Chief NieYenhausen discussed staffing issues, upcoming retirements, and retention. I Iiring,
onboarding, and training a ne`v officer takes nine months.
Goal Setting ������
1VLr. PoYtner asked if Council had any additional goals to add. �
Mr. Pormer stated one long-term goal could be communit�- `risioning, including various Elk
RiveY focus gYoups, to be held after Highwayr 169 is completed.
Council asked if there was potential to have the Main and Gates propertyT purchased within
the next 18 months. Council asked if the space could be used foY food trucks, vendoY tents,
or a flea maYket while it is vacant.
Mayor Dietz added that the fairgrounds is considering moving but wants to stay in Elk
RiveY. They are looking for a 30-acre parceL The new fair buildings would be laYgeY and
provide foY �rear-round events.
Councilmember Be�rer asked about hotels coming to Elk River.
Councilmember Wagner mentioned Energy Cit�r Commission is reviewing their goals and
rebranding.
3. Adjournment '�
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River CityT
Council at 7:03 p.m.
Minutes prepared b�T Katie Porath.
John J. Dietz, MayoY
Tina Allard, CityT Clerk
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