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4.1 DRAFT MINUTES (1 SET) 12-18-2023c�ty of Elk � River � Members Present: Members Absent: Meeting of the Elk River City Council Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, December 4, 2023 Ma�ror John Dietz, Councilmembers Cor�T Grupa, iVlike Be�Ter, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner None Staff Present CityT Administrator Calvin Pormer, Business Services Director/r�ssistant CityT Administrator Joe Stremcha, Finance Manager Lori Stich, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer Justin Femrite, and RecoYds Specialist Katie Porath I. Call Meeting to Order `- = 2. 3. 4. PuYsuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk Ri�rer Cityr Council was called to oYdeY at 6:28 p.m. by MayoY Dietz. Pledge of Allegiance: Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Consider Agenda Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. Consent Agenda Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve: 4.1 November 6, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes November 20, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes 4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report. 4.3 Fire department to conduct live training until March of 2024, at which time there will be a live burn conducted at 19101 Jackson Avenue. 4.4 Updates to the Advisory Board and Commission Policy as outlined in the staff report. 4.5 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Motion carried 5-0. 5. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. Cit�r Council i�linutes December 4, 2023 6.1 6.2 City of Elk River Volunteer of the Month Page 2 Mayor Dietz presented the November Volunteer of the Month award to Deb Weston. He highlighted the following: ■ MembeY Elk RiveY Lions Club foY 15 yeaYs. ■ Served as President, SecretaryT, and Board member for Elk River Lions Club. ■ Currently on the District Cabinet of Lions. ■ Served six �rears for Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation. ■ Board member for iVlinnesota Lions iVlission. ■ TYaveled to Guatemala in 2019 to provide glasses for over 2000 residents, will make anotheY trip back in 2024. ■ Catholic Charities Senior Dining volunteers. ■ Member of Friends of GuaYdian ringels Care Center. Oath of Office: Police Officer MayoY Dietz admitusteYed the oath of office foY Officer Bailey iVleyeY. 6.3 Energy City Commission Interview w MayTor Dietz presented the staff report. 7. I 2024 Budget and Tax Levy Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to appoint Barbara Burandt as Energy City Commissioner with a term ending February 29, 2024. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. Stremcha presented the staff report. Ma��or Dietz opened the public hearing. Charlie Wanha, 10619 20151 Ave NW, asked about the percentage set byT legislature and expressed concern at how his taxes had incYeased. Wendy Nelson, 13990 194`'' Ln NW, suggested supporting a bill in legislature to examine how houses are assessed. Steve Nelson, 13990 194`h Ln NW, stated that people don't gain the moneyT from their house valuation until the�� sell and he doesn't see a huge incYease in cit�r services. Tory Apps, 19702 Irving St NW, stated his home value �uent up and he doesn't use cityT sewer or `vater. He asked the cit�- to look where theyT could cut costs for those `vho don't use as many cit�- services. PowER�o er ���V�� Cit�r Council i�linutes December 4, 2023 Page 3 Greg Olson, 19726 Irving St NW, expressed concern at his taxes going up as he is retired and on a fixed income. Ross Hjermstad, 18175 Denver St NW, �uondered about the timeframe of evaluations and asked questions regarding homestead exclusion. Brian Hub, 303 Proctor Ave NW, stated he has lived in Elk River for 20 y ears and seen a lot of nice things in Elk River. He asked that the cityT stop adding nice things. Gary Stritesky, 12808 Orono Rd NW, stated he moved from the cit�T of R�mseyT because of their taxes. Diane Stritesky, 12808 Orono Rd NW, stated they mayT need to mo�re out of �linnesota because of the high taxes. Roger Page, 13740 Riverview Dr NW, expressed concern �uith the rise in taxes and the amount of apartment buildings in Elk River. Virginia Page, 13740 Riverview Dr NW, asked if the council decides how manyT apartment buildings aYe built in Elk RiveY. The Council explained that the�r do have final decisions on when and where apartment buildings are built and ho�v the�T are funded. MayTor Dietz closed the public hearing. Councilmember Wagner stated that being on the council involves making hard decisions. The council tries to make the best decisions with the best information available to leave the cityr the best now and in the future. Councilmember Be��er encouraged people to attend the 2024 Board of Appeals meeting and to talk to the counttr assessors. Ma��or Dietz added that cost of living incYease for emplo�rees helps ensure that the cit�r retains qualit�r emplo�rees and doesn't need to hire and Ye-train new staff. Councilmember Westgaard encouraged residents to contact their representatives to consider a bill that would change the wa�� houses are valued as well as attend count�r and school tax meetings. Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to approve the 2024 General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise Fund budgets. Motion carried 5-0. Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 23-59 authorizing the property tax levy for collection in 2024. Motion carried 5-0. 7.2 Simple Plat: Glens Ridge, Westphal Construction Company, Inc., Case No. P 23- I 3 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. MayTor Dietz opened the public hearing. rowER�o er ���V�� Cit�r Council i�linutes December 4, 2023 Page 4 Shawn Norton, 201 Montana Ave, Big Lake, applicant, asked about a less expensive pavement option. He also asked for clarification on the total cost. Mr. Leeseberg stated the estimated cost was $65,000. MayTor Dietz closed the public hearing. MayroY Dietz stated the cityr is tryring to get rid of gravel Yoads, not add new ones and he will be voting to follow cityT standards. CouncilmembeY WestgaaYd recommended building the cul-de-sac to cit�r standards consistent with the Yest of the Rolling Hills development that it is connecting to. He was surprised the applicant had chosen a cul-de-sac YatheY than a futuYe thYough street. Mr. Femrite discussed engineering standards for new private developments including surmountable cuYbs but offered that he could suppoYt a B4-12 curb which may be a less expensive option. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 23-60 for the fnal plat of Glens Ridge with the following conditions: 1. Park Dedication shall be paid for one dwelling unit at the rate applicable when the subdivision is released for recording. 2. All city standards for public improvements shall be met. 3. A development agreement shall be approved by the City Council prior to releasing the plat for recording. 4. Allowing the applicant to work with staff to consider the appropriate curbing options that meet city standards. Motion carried 5-0. 7.3 Amend Sections 30- I 86 I through Section 30- I 9 I 2 of the Floodplain Management Ordinance Division I I Rebecca Haug, WSB Senior Project Manager, presented the staff report. Ma�ror Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue, Ma�ror Dietz closed the public hearing. Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adopt Ordinance 23-25 amending Chapter 30, Section 1861, Defnitions, through Section 30-1914, Nonconforming Structures and Uses of the Ciry of Elk River, Minnesota, City Code. Motion carried 5-0. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 23-61 approving notice of summary publication of Ordinance 23-25, and ordinance regarding floodplain management. Motion carried 5-0. PowER�o er ���V�� Cit�r Council i�linutes December 4, 2023 $.� 9. I 0. Discuss Work Session Items Page 5 MayTor Dietz presented the staff report He asked whyT there were so fe`v items on the list. Mr. PortneY explained that the council had addressed some of the items and others weYe being Yeassessed before the Council needs to provide input. Council Liaison Updates Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective ad�risory- board's minutes. CouncilmembeY Wagner asked about the potential to disband the Naming Rights Committee. Councilmember Wagner stated the combined Public Art and Beautification Committee is considering applyTing for a grant for public art in 2024. Motion to Adjourn Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adjourn the meeting of City Council. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Minutes prepared by Katie Por John J. Dietz, Ma�ror Tina Allard, Cit�r CleYk vowER�o er ���V��