09-05-2023 CCMMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councihnembers Cory Grupa, Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and
Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Business Services Director/Assistant City
Administrator Joe Stremcha, Finance Manager Lori Stich, Northbound Liquor Store
Manager John Colotti, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer Justin Femrite, 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 6:31 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve
the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to approve:
4.1 August 14, 2023, Special Budget Meeting Minutes.
August 21, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Position description for fire academy instructor.
4.4 Adopt Resolution 23-29 acknowledging the monetary contributions of $2,500 from Elk
River Youth Hockey Association.
4.5 Amended and Restated Ground Lease and Estoppel Certificate Agreement 23-29 with
the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities.
4.6 Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement 23-30 for IT Services.
4.7 Approve the expenditure of IT Capital Reserve Funds in the amount of $38,932.93 to
directional bore our fiber lines near the Lake Orono Dam.
4.8 Adopt Resolution 23-31 approving the submission of information and grant with the
Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) for $1,100,00 of special appropriation
for the Rolling Hills Sewer Extension project.
4.9 Adopt Resolution 23-32 of donations for the City of Elk River Fire Department Silent
Auction as listed in the staff report.
4.10 Adopt Resolution 23-33 acknowledging the contribution of rubber flooring valued at
$49,641.17 to be installed in the north -end of the Cornerstone Automotive and Kiser
Construction Arenas at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Council Minutes
September 5, 2023
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Presentations, Awards, and Recognition
There were no presentations, awards, or recognition.
7. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
8.1 Orono Lake Improvement District (OLID) Annual Update and 2024 Budget
Patrick Plant, OLID Board Chair, presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz asked if the fish population has returned following the lake dredging. Mr. Plant
responded that it seems better, but it won't be confirmed until the DNR does a lake fish survey in
2029.
Mayor Dietz asked how many of the 197 property owners attended the OLID annual meeting. Mr.
Plant responded that 27 attended.
Moved by Councihnernber Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adopt
Resolution 23-34 approving OLID Resolution 23-012024 OLID Annual Service and Activities
Charge Request. Motion carried 5-0.
8.2 Discuss Work Session Items
Mr. Portner presented the staff report.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board's minutes.
Mayor Dietz has asked staff to look into the price of upgrading the electricity in the Furniture and
Things Community Event Center fieldhouse to allow for indoor concerts.
Mayor Deitz has talked with ERMU to discuss alternatives for lowering the electricity bill at the
Furniture and Things Community Event Center.
Councilmember Wagner stated that the EDA public art subcommittee has merged with the
Beautification Committee and are looking at a grant to help fund a new public art project.
10. Adjourn Regular Meeting
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City Council Minutes
September 5, 2023
Page 3
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the
regular meeting of City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 7:01 p.m.
1 1.1 Rivers Edge Commons Park Limestone Block Deterioration
Mr. Stremcha and Mr. Femrite presented the staff report.
The Council discussed replacing some of the blocks that are in the worst shape and the types of
materials that may be an option. The blocks function as seating as well as a retaining wall.
The Council asked staff to research the range of cost between natural stones and concrete and bring
some options to a future meeting as part of the Capital Improvement Plan review. Staff will consult
with the original designer.
11.2 2024 Budget
Mr. Portner and Mr. Stremcha presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz stated the current levy increase of 10.3% seems high but he is happy that the tax rate is
going down.
The Council agreed on a maximum tax levy of $16,641,082 and adjustments can be made before the
public hearing in December 2023.
12. Motion to Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn
the meeting of City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
13. Closed Meeting — BMI Litigation
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Cory Grupa, Mike Beyer, Matt
Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Justin Femrite, Business Services Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe
Stremcha, and Records Specialist Katie Porath
Also Present: Eric Ruzicka, Attorney from Dorsey and Whitney
13b. Motion Calling Closed Meeting
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City Council Minutes
September 5, 2023
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the closed meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to
order at 7:37 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
13c. Hold Closed Meeting
The Council held a closed meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3 to
discuss Bolten & Menk, Inc. litigation status of equipment selection for the Wastewater Treatment
Facility expansion.
13d. Motion Adjourning Closed Meeting
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adjourn the
closed meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
14. Closed Meeting — Nature's Edge
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, Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Business Services
Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, and Records Specialist
Katie Porath
14b. Motion Calling Closed Meeting
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the closed meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to
order at 8:21 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
14c. Hold Closed Meeting
The Council held a closed meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3 to
discuss the possible sale of city owned property PID 75-929-0020, Outlot B, Nature's Edge Business
Center Fourth Addition.
14d. Motion Adjourning Closed Meeting
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adjourn the
closed meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
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City Council Minutes
September 5, 2023
15. Closed Meeting — PID 75-566-01 10
Page 5
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, Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Business Services
Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, Northbound Liquor
Store Manager John Colotti, and Records Specialist Katie Porath
15b. Motion Calling Closed Meeting
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the closed meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to
order at 8:27 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
I Sc. Hold Closed Meeting
The Council held a closed meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3 to
develop or consider offers or counteroffers for sale of real estate at 19348 Evans St NW — PID 75-
566-0110.
15d. Motion Adjourning Closed Meeting
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adjourn the
closed meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
16. Adjournment
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
U
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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