4.1 DRAFT MINUTES (1 SET) 02-20-2024
Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, February 5, 2024
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,
and Records Specialist Katie Porath
1. 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.
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 January 16, 2024, Regular Minutes.
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Adopt Resolution 24-08 appointing election judges for the 2024 elections.
4.4 Approve a Temporary On-Sale Liquor License to the City of Elk River for Elk
RiverFest scheduled on July 27, 2024, with the condition alcohol must be confined to
an area enclosed by a fence with a secured, controlled access. Wristband control is
required for patrons 21 and over.
4.5 Approve the escrow agreement securing funds for landscape improvements at 10730
th
175 Ave NW.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. Open Forum
Eric Lucero, Minnesota State Senator, gave an overview of past and upcoming legislative
initiatives. Mayor Dietz thanked him for his role securing money for the Rolling Hills project. Senator
Lucero shared his contact information sen.eric.lucero@mnsenate.gov.
6.1 Advisory Board Candidate Interviews
City Council Minutes Page 2
February 5, 2024
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The Council interviewed the following candidates:
Energy City Commission
Barbara Burandt
Matthew Fomby
Anthony Miller
Heritage Preservation Commission
Zachary Griffiths
Planning Commission
Robert Rydberg
Parks and Recreation Commission
Dave Anderson - Mr. Anderson expressed concerns with the Commission becoming irrelevant
because we have a great staff. Mr. Anderson provided a handout of what he thought was the mission
statement for the Commission. Emphasizing its mission is to be advocates for the citizens of Elk
River and in the stewardship of the city owned parks and trails. He explained that the Commission
too often rushes through staff recommendations with little deliberation and that the commission
doesn't seem to be as engaged into topics as in the past. He preferred if the commission more often
started topics with a “blank slate” and let the Commission lead in certain ways to chart their own
course. He was concerned that commissioners get "pigeon-holed" into supporting certain priorities
and all commissioners should take interest in all topics before them by being engaged in discussions.
He also feels the staff updates have less information than in the past with reports no longer being
presented from maintenance, senior center, and programming. He stated there is only one "director's
report" attached to the packet, but not presented to the commission. Mr. Anderson feels this is in the
interest of saving time by only offering questions related to the report rather than going through it in
detail.
Mayor Dietz agreed that commissioners should be interested in the big picture of parks and recreation
and not pigeon-holed to represent a specific sport or interest.
7. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
8.1 Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Appointments
Mayor Dietz presented the staff report. He stated he would like to find a way to appoint all three
applicants.
Councilmember Wagner commented that Greg Loidolt had not reapplied.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to appoint Tonya
Henderson as At-Large Representative to the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission
with a term ending February 28, 2026, Jacob Kotzian as Turf Representative to the
City Council Minutes Page 3
February 5, 2024
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Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission with a term ending February 28, 2026, and
Michael Zeman as Turf Representative to the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission
with a term ending February 28, 2027 at the conclusion of Greg Loidolt’s term. Motion carried
5-0.
8.2 Advisory Board Appointments
Mayor Dietz presented the staff report.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to appoint
Barbara Burandt as Resident Representative to the Energy City Commission with a term
ending February 28, 2026, Matthew Fomby as Resident Representative to the Energy City
Commission with a term ending February 28, 2026, Anthony Miller as Energy-Related
Business Representative to the Energy City Commission with a term ending February 28,
2026, Zachary Griffiths to the Heritage Preservation Commission with a term ending
February 28, 2026, Jim Hecker as Senior Center Representative to the Multipurpose Facility
Advisory Commission with a term ending February 28, 2026, Dave Anderson to the Parks and
Recreation Commission with a term ending February 28, 2026, Tony Mauren to the Planning
Commission with a term ending February 28, 2026, Robert Rydberg to the Planning
Commission with a term ending February 28, 2026, and Paul Bell to the Utilities Commission
with a term ending February 28, 2026.
Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Dietz asked Mr. Portner if staff will advertise for any other open positions while considering
currently received applications first. Mr. Portner stated that applications for those not appointed
remain on file for one year. If there are no applications on file, staff will advertise for additional
applicants.
8.3 Discuss Work Session Items
Mayor Dietz presented the staff report.
Councilmember Wagner requested a work session discussion on plastic bags at the Farmer’s Market
as well as discussing the Volunteer Appreciation event.
9. Council Liaison Updates
Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board’s minutes.
10. Adjourn Regular Meeting
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn
the regular meeting of City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 7:18 p.m.
11.1 Concept Review: Draft New Ordinance to Support Platting Small Parcels
City Council Minutes Page 4
February 5, 2024
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Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Ken Beaudry, applicant, was in attendance.
Mayor Dietz confirmed that this new way to plat the lots would not force the owner of the property
to plat their remaining piece.
Mr. Carlton agreed and added that the proposed ordinance would state that the smallest piece of any
lot would have to be a minimum lot size for that district.
The Council agreed that Mr. Carlton should work with the city attorney and Sherburne County to
develop a draft ordinance to add this additional way to plat.
11.2 Furniture and Things Community Event Center Staff Positions
Mr. Stremcha presented the staff report. He presented the information so that the Council would be
aware of the direction he was considering taking with staffing.
Councilmember Westgaard asked if concessions had been profitable or if they considered returning to
a catering model.
Councilmember Wagner questioned if this would get the Furniture and Things Community Event
Center to a fundamentally rich, running environment or if it was just a matter of changing titles.
Mr. Stremcha stated the purpose was to increase profitability and reallocate staff resources and
strengths.
The Council discussed preparations for large hockey tournaments including digital ticketing, utilizing
staff from the liquor store for concessions, increased time between period for purchasing concessions,
additional concession lines, and back up parking options.
The Council advised Mr. Stremcha to bring the information to the Multipurpose Facility Advisory
Commission and asked that he include a visual org chart.
11.3 Discuss Lease Proposal from Spike's and Houle's
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. Gino Pitera, representing Gertens, was in attendance.
The Council thanked Mr. Pitera for Spike's generous contributions for seasonal decorations in the
downtown area.
The Council discussed whether the parking lot may, in the future, be part of the downtown plan. Mr.
Carlton stated it would be included in the downtown small area study which would be under
discussion in 2025 and may start implementation in 2026.
Mr. Carlton asked if the Council would consider leasing the entire parking lot rather than the portion
initially discussed. The Council felt that they could consider that later but should begin with the
originally requested section.
City Council Minutes Page 5
February 5, 2024
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The Council decided the applicant should either have a three-year lease with the option to renew it or
a five-year lease with an exit clause in case the parking lot was needed for part of the downtown plan.
12. 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 8:04 p.m.
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John J. Dietz, Mayor
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Tina Allard, City Clerk