4.1 DRAFT MINUTES 05-06-2024Meeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 15, 2024
Members Present:Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner, Councilmember Mike Beyer,
Councilmember Cory Grupa
Members Absent:Councilmember Matt Westgaard
Staff Present:City Administrator Cal Portner, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, Public Works
Director Justin Femrite, Street and Park Superintendent Tim Sevcik, City Clerk
Tina Allard
1.CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 6:12 p.m.
2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3.CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to approve
the agenda. Motion Carried 4-0.
4.CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve the
following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 3-
0. Councilmember Wagner abstained due to conflict of interest with Item 4.12.
4.1 March 18, 2024, Regular Minutes
4.2 April 1, 2024, Regular Minutes
4.3 April 8, 2024, Board of Appeal Minutes
4.4 Check Register for the period ending April 15, 2024
4.5 Parks and Recreation Park Steward Guidelines Policy Update
Page 4 of 254
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2024
---------
Page 2 of 5
4.6 Hire Kaitlyn Hennes as Fire Department Administrative Assistant effective April 29, 2024
4.7 Promoting Ryan Sandhoefner to Engineering Project Manager and post for the rehire of a new
Engineer 1
4.8 Escrow Agreement: Trellis - Clear Sky Apartments
4.9 Pay Estimates
4.10 Wastewater Settlement Agreement 24-9 and 24-10 (Bolton & Menk)
4.11 Employee Resignation/Retirement Severance and Waiver of Claims for Michael Hecker
4.12 Temporary On-Sale Liquor License - Aegir Brewing Co. valid at 19050 Industrial Blvd NW, for May
4-5, 2024
4.13 Hire Caroline Koch as Police Department Secretary/Receptionist effective April 24, 2024.
5.OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6.PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION
6.1 Retirement Recognition: Perry Milless
Mr. Sevcik discussed Perry's history with the city.
Mayor Dietz read and presented a plaque to Perry and the Council wished him the best in his
retirement.
6.2 City of Elk River Volunteer of the Month
Mayor Dietz presented the April Volunteer of the Month award to Melanie Clemons and highlighted
the following:
▪Organizes and hosts the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
▪Active in the Elk River Quarterbacks Club.
▪Assists with the Kiser Kids Christmas program.
▪Worked at the St. Paul Fire Foundation golf tournament.
Page 5 of 254
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2024
---------
Page 3 of 5
▪Volunteers for the Sherburne County Fair parade, events at the Furniture and Things
Community Event Center, and several community fundraisers.
6.3 Energy City Commission Interviews
The Council interviewed Mike Enfield and appointed him to the commission with a term ending
February 28, 2025.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to appoint Mike
Enfield to the Energy City Commission. Motion Carried 4-0.
6.4 Proclamation: Fair Housing Month
Elk River Realtor Ryan Hardin provided highlights of the Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors and the
Fair Housing Act.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to proclaim
the month of April as Fair Housing Month. Motion Carried 4-0.
6.5 Introduction of New Employees
Mr. Sevcik introduced the new employees. Mr. Dahl and Mr. Sweat noted they appreciated working for
the city. The Council welcomed them.
7.PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 Ordinance Amendment: Freestanding Signage Along Highway 169 - City of Elk River
The staff report was presented.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing.
Debbie Rydberg, Elk River Area Chamber, stated she appreciated working together with staff on this
item due to the highway elevations changing and affecting the local businesses.
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt, by
motion, Ordinance 24-09. Motion Carried 4-0.
7.2 Ordinance Amendment: Lot Line Adjustments and Platting Small Parcels - Ken Beaudry
The staff report was presented.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this matter, Mayor Dietz closed
the public hearing.
Page 6 of 254
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2024
---------
Page 4 of 5
Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt
Ordinance 24-10. Motion Carried 4-0.
8.GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Energy City Commission Appointment
The Council made the appointment earlier in the meeting.
8.2 Consumption and Display License: Pinewood Golf Club
Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve
renewal of a Consumption and Display License for Bear Necessities, LLC DBA Pinewood
Golf Club, effective April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025. Motion Carried 3-
0. Councilmember Wagner abstained due to conflict of interest.
9.MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the
meeting. Motion Carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
10.WORK SESSION – UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM
The work session began at 6:38 p.m.
10.1 EAB Draft Management Plan
The staff report was presented. Mr. Sevcik reviewed the draft Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Plan. He noted
there is a 4-6 year window where EAB will have its impact on the community. Discussion at this meeting
involved the following topics:
▪How to resolve disputes about where a tree may be located; whether on private property or in
right-of-way.
▪Having an available list of contractors who'd be willing to remove the trees at a reduced rate.
▪Utilization of funding sources, such as grants.
▪Cost and staff efficiency of mass removal of trees in one neighborhood versus removing a few
here and there as they are dying.
▪Homeowners concerns with tree being removed when it is not showing symptoms of dying yet.
▪Tree replacement policy.
▪Prioritization of trees on city properties/parks.
Staff reviewed the engagement plan and noted an open house will be scheduled in May for community
feedback.
11.MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adjourn
Page 7 of 254
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2024
---------
Page 5 of 5
the meeting. Motion Carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tina Allard.
12.INFORMATION
12.1 Investment report - 1st quarter 2024
12.2 Financial report - March
__________________
John J. Dietz, Mayor
___________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Page 8 of 254