12-05-2022 CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 5, 2022
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councihnembers Garrett Christianson, Mike
Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Human Resource Manager
Lauren Wipper, Finance Director Lori Ziemer, 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 6:28 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mayor Dietz congratulated Elk River High School football on their recent 5A
Championship win.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councihember Wagner
to approve:
4.1 November 21, 2022, Minutes.
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Approve the release of development contracts, as outlined in the staff
report.
4.4 Approve a closed meeting for Monday, December 5, 2022, immediately
following the City Council meeting.
4.5 Adopt Resolution 22-71 levying special assessments for city abatement
costs related to ordinance violations.
4.6 Approve an Off -Sale 128 Ounces Per Day License to Aegir Brewing
Company, LLC. License valid through June 30, 2023.
4.7 Approve the 2023 City Council meeting calendar.
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December 5, 2022
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4.8 Approve the hiring of Jett Brodzinski to the position of park
maintenance worker effective January 3, 2023.
4.9 Approve the hiring of Kristine Galligher to the position of part-time
office assistant at the maintenance facility effective December 12, 2022.
4.10 Approve the extension of the Joint Powers Agreement 22-39
Establishing the Prosecutorial Authority of the Elk River City
Attorney's Office to December 31, 2026.
4.11 Approve the Elk River Police Protector Sculpture Commission
Agreement 22-40.
Motion carried 5-0.
S. Open Forum
Chris Rock,18665 Landers St NW, asked about property tax increases but was
directed to wait until Item 7.1.
6. Presentations, Awards, and Recognition
There were no presentations, awards, or recognition.
7.1 2023 Budget and Tax Levy
Ms. Ziemer presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz stated the average tax levy of surrounding cities increased by 10.49%. A
major reason for our levy increase was debt service for Public Safety and Fire Station
#3. Average Sherburne County property values increased by 19-20% based upon the
market value properties sell for under typical sales. The county assessor required by
state law to determine an estimated market value that is within a range of 90% and
105% of market value. Inflation is also a factor in the tax levy percentage. No new
hires were approved for 2023.
Councilmember Westgaard clarified no new positions were added but there were
some current vacancies.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing.
Mr. Rock commented that he had two properties, and one property had a 600%
increase in property tax in 2023.
Mayor Dietz directed Mr. Rock to speak to Sherburne County assessing office. He
could also return in April to speak to the Board of Equalization and formally protest
the value.
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
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City Council Minutes
December 5, 2022
Page 3
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember
Beyer to approve the 2023 General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise Fund
budgets. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to adopt Resolution 22-72 authorizing the property tax levy for
collection in 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
7.2 2023 Master Fee Schedule
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing.
Debi Rydberg, Executive Director for Elk River Chamber, thanked the Council
for decreasing the processing fee on EDA microloans.
Mayor Dietz stated he spoke with Police Chief Nierenhausen about eliminating the
$20 alarm fee and asked if fees can be changed later. Mr. Portner stated the fee
schedule can be amended at a later date.
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to adopt Resolution 22-73 for summary publication of Ordinance
22-28. Motion carried 5-0.
8.1 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Councilmember Wagner asked about commission member requirements.
Mr. Portner clarified the commission attendance item will return in January.
Commissioners who are appointed from other entities are missing meetings. Mr.
Portner suggested changing these commissioners to advisors and appointing
additional residents as members at -large.
The Energy City Commission would also like to talk to the Council about goals and
funding sources in January.
8.2 Select Joint Meeting Date with Elk River Municipal Utilities
Commission
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
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City Council Minutes Page 4
December 5, 2022
The Council selected January 10, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the ERMU Field Services
Building as a joint meeting with the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission.
8.3 Economic Development Authority, Housing and Redevelopment
Authority, and Library Board Appointments
Mayor Dietz presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember
Westgaard to appoint Charlie Blesener to the Economic Development
Authority with a term expiration of December 31, 2028, Dennis Chuba to the
Housing and Redevelopment Authority with a term expiration of December
31, 2027, and Michelle Hegarty to the Library Board with a term expiration of
December 31, 2025. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board's
minutes.
Mayor Dietz asked if the hours for the library were changing in 2023.
Mr. Portner will look into the new hours and work on advertising if they are
changing.
Council recessed at 7:11 p.m. and reconvened in work session at 7:14 p.m.
10.1 Department Reorganization
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz asked who would present items to the Council. Mr. Portner explained
that the proposed director would present at meetings on behalf of Finance, Parks
and Recreation, and the Furniture and Things Community Event Center.
Mr. Portner explained that there is a vacant position in the Parks and Recreation
Department, and it would remain vacant until Finance can determine if they need
additional support.
Councilmember Christianson clarified that the proposed plan would eliminate one
director position and the recreation programming manager pay would be frozen.
Mayor Dietz asked about the financial impact. Mr. Portner stated the savings would
be approximately $19,000 initially due to the difference between the current Finance
Director top level and the newly proposed position bottom level director pay.
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December 5, 2022
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Councilmember Westgaard stated the importance of maintaining a strong finance
department in order to have a good bond rating.
Mr. Portner proposed the title of Assistant City Administrator with an emphasis on
business services. The new director would assist in the absence of the City
Administrator.
Mayor Dietz asked if it would be easier to find the proposed director or a new
finance director. Mr. Portner hopes that someone with general government, finance,
business, or public administration background would be a good fit and bring a more
business approach to the Parks and Recreation Department.
Councilmember Wagner expressed concern that the proposed director would only
stick around 2-3 years and would use this job as a jumping off point to get
experience for a better job. The proposed director would run the Parks and
Recreation Commission and Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission meetings.
Mr. Portner added that within 2-3 years the city may have someone internally who
could be promoted to this position.
The job opening will be open to internal and external candidates.
Staff is continuing to work on the job description and hopes to have the new
Director on board by the beginning of March 2023.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:36 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
ayor
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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