08-07-2023 CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 7, 2023
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Cory Grupa, Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and
Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Community Development Director Zack Carlton,
Police Chief Nierenhausen, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer Justin Femrite,
Street and Park Superintendent Tim Sevcik, Human Resources Manager Lauren
Wipper, Fire Chief Mark Dickinson, Deputy Chief Joe Libor Jr., and Deputy City
Clerk Jolene Richter
Others Present: Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce Debbi Rydberg and Linda Cockrell
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 6:31 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Mayor Dietz added Item 4.12 Final Plat: The Cove
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to approve
the agenda as amended. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve:
4.1 July 17, 2023, Regular minutes
July 24, 2023, Budget meeting minutes
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Pay estimates as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Personnel Policy Manual updates as outlined in the staff report.
4.5 A bid from Dahlheimer Construction Inc. for the construction of a 32' x 24' garage in
the amount of $66,451.
4.6 A proclamation designating August 11, 2023, as David Bleyhl Day in the City of Elk
River, Minnesota.
4.7 The position description for the position of Investigative Analyst as outlined in the
staff report.
4.8 A change order for North Valley Inc. to install 271 feet of 18-inch storm pipe and
associated work south of Main Street on Morton Avenue in the amount of $67,229.95.
4.9 Hiring of Hailey Kipka to the position of police officer effective August 21, 2023.
City Council Minutes
August 7, 2023
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4.10 The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) for a refurbished 5-foot by 30-foot dock for the Orono Boat
Launch.
4.11 Interim pay for full-time liquor store clerk Brenda Gustafson.
4.12 Final Plat: The Cove, as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6.1 Heritage Preservation Commission Interviews
Mayor Dietz presented the staff report.
The Council interviewed Mary Stoutenburg for the Heritage Preservation Commission. The Council
will make an appointment at a later dated Council meeting.
7.1 Conditional Use Permit: Establish Home -Based Business for Construction, Jason
Bye, 10208 209'Avenue
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
8.1 Discuss Work Session Items
Mayor Dietz presented the staff report.
Mr. Portner stated the school board did not feel it was necessary to have a joint meeting at this time.
Councilmember Wagner asked how the city shares with the school district regarding changes within
the city, such as new apartment complexes and housing developments. Mr. Portner answered stating
the school district is given reports each year regarding pending plats, building permits, projections on
items, and the comprehensive plan. The city communicates with the school district often and there is
a strong relationship with the school district.
Mayor Dietz wanted to add the River's Edge Commons Park limestone blocks as a work session
discussion.
8.2 Ordinance Amendment: Prohibiting the Smoking or Vaping of Cannabis on Public
Property
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz asked Chief Nierenhausen to comment on the proposed ordinance. Chief Nierenhausen
is in favor of the proposed ordinance.
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City Council Minutes
August 7, 2023
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Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve
Ordinance 23-19 prohibiting the smoking and vaping of cannabis on public property. Motion
carried 5-0.
9. Council Liaison Updates
The Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board's minutes.
10. Adjourn Regular Meeting
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adjourn the
regular meeting of the City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 6:56 p.m.
11.1 Chamber of Commerce Building Improvements
Mr. Portner presented the staff report and introduced Linda Cockrell, Elk River Area Chamber of
Commerce Board Member.
Ms. Cockrell explained the improvements that need to be made to the building including ADA
requirements, as outlined in the staff report.
Mayor Dietz asked where the funds would come from for this project. Mr. Portner stated the Building
Reserve Fund.
The Council agreed they would be willing to see the plans and the cost of this project.
11.2 Snow Removal Policy
Mr. Femrite presented the staff report.
The Council agreed to move forward with the snow removal policy changes, the sidewalk routes, and
the employee handbook amendments as outlined in the staff report.
11.3 Compost Transfer Facility Policy
Mr. Femrite and Mr. Sevcik presented the staff report.
The Council discussed having a first offense of revoking the pass for a year unless cleaned up by the
violator, then lessen the time revoked. For a second offense the pass could be revoked indefinitely,
and the violator could get invoiced for the disposal of the materials.
Mayor Dietz stated all four sites within the county should have the same rules. Once we adopt a
policy, he would like the policy sent to the other sites in the county, so they are aware of our rules.
The Council directed staff to finalize the policy and bring it back to a future council meeting.
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City Council Minutes
August 7, 2023
1 1.4 Kelley Parkway/Twin Lakes Road Extension
Mr. Femrite presented the staff report.
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The Council discussed possibilities and directed staff to have another conversation with MnDOT and
bring it back to the Council.
11.5 Fire Academy Instructor Position
Chief Dickinson presented the staff report.
The Council discussed and agreed to have the Fire Department move forward with the proposed
instructor positions.
12. Motion to Adjourn Work Session
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adjourn the
meeting of the City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
The work session meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
13. Closed Meeting
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order
at 7:59 p.m. by Mayor Dietz
Statement read by the Mayor:
"The Council will be holding a closed meeting pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subdivision 3(a). The
Council will discuss the city's labor negotiation strategy related to the city's negotiations with the
Police Captains union, LELS 501."
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Cory Grupa, Mike Beyer, Matt
Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Human Resources Manager Lauren
Wipper, and Deputy City Clerk Jolene Richter
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to commence
the closed meeting of the City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
14. Motion to Adjourn
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn
the meeting of the City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
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City Council Minutes
August 7, 2023
Minutes prepared by Jolene Richter.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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