4.1 DRAFT MINUTES 11-18-2024Meeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, November 4, 2024
Members Present:Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner, Councilmember Mike Beyer,
Councilmember Matt Westgaard, Councilmember Cory Grupa
Members Absent:None
Staff Present:City Administrator Cal Portner, Community Development Director Zack
Carlton, Interim Police Chief Darren McKernan, Business Services
Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, Finance Manager Lori Stich,
FT Center Manager Katie Harstad, FT Center Assistant Manager Jen Katke, Great
River Regional Library Services Coordinator Margo Barry; Great River Regional
Library Patron Services Supervisor Jeannette Burkhardt, and Recording Secretary
Jennifer Green
1.CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The 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 Westgaard to approve
the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion Carried 5-
0.
4.1 October 21, 2024, Minutes
4.2 Check Register
4.3 Appoint Assistant City Weed Inspector
4.4 Premises Permit Resolution 24-64 - Elk River Youth Hockey Association
Page 4 of 204
City Council Minutes
November 4, 2024
---------
Page 2 of 3
4.5 Purchase Medical Equipment
4.6 On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License: MFS Foods Inc., DBA Tipsy on Main
4.7 State Fuel Consortium
4.8 2025 Tahoe Truck Replacement for Fire Department
5.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.GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Discuss Work Session Items
Councilmember Westgaard asked to discuss the status of closing Line Avenue at a future work session
now that the Highway 169 project was complete. Mr. Portner stated this topic could be discussed
during the CIP item later that evening.
9.COUNCIL LIAISON UPDATES
9.1 Council Liaison Updates
The Councilmembers provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board's minutes.
10.MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the
regular meeting of City Council at 6:40 p.m. to go into work session. Motion Carried 5-0.
The work session portion of the meeting opened at 6:43 p.m.
11.WORK SESSION – UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM
Page 5 of 204
City Council Minutes
November 4, 2024
---------
Page 3 of 3
11.1 FT Center Leased Space Rental Rate
Mr. Stremcha presented the staff report.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to set the 2025 leased space rental rate at $12.00
per square foot for a year.
11.2 2025 Budget
Mr. Stremcha presented the staff report.
It was the consensus of the Council that keeping the levy under a 5% increase was favorable.
11.3 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Stremcha presented the staff report. He noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission has not
yet reviewed the CIP due to staffing changes.
Mr. Portner indicated he would ask Chief Engineer Justin Femrite about the status of Line Avenue and
would follow up with the council.
Mayor Dietz recommended library staff look into the Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange Grant
Program.
Councilmember Beyer asked staff to keep on their radar the potential building of an Otsego fire station,
which could affect service coverage among other things.
12.MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adjourn the
meeting of City Council. Motion Carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 07:24 P.M.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
__________________
John J. Dietz, Mayor
___________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Page 6 of 204