4.1 DRAFT MINUTES 12-16-2024�i
City of
Elk
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 2, 2024
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner, Councilmember Mike Beyer,
Councilmember Matt Westgaard, Councilmember Cory Grupa
None
Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner, Business Services Director/Assistant City
Administrator Joe Stremcha, Human Resources Manager Lauren Wipper, and
Records Specialist Katie Porath.
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 Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve
the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve
the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 5-0.
4.1 November 18, 2024, Council Minutes
4.2 Check Register
4.3 LEAST Services/Counseling LLC Agreement Renewal
4.4 Terminate Police Officer
4.5 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan
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4.6 Fire contract with Life Safety Inspection Vault (LIV)
4.7 FT Center Lease for Lawful Gambling Activity
4.8 2024 Local Option Sales Tax Agreement 24-30
4.9 Development Agreement Update: Bradford Park
5. OPEN FORUM
Leo Dombrovski, 834 Xenia Ave, asked if a traffic study was done after work on Highway 169 was
completed. He commented that the turn lane backs up on Highway 10 turning left onto Highway 101.
He said the stop lights going through town on TH 10 are not coordinated. He also asked if there were
any funds to replace the west side of the Highway 101 bridge over Highway 10.
Mayor Dietz stated MnDOT installed the J-Turns and referred Mr. Dombrovski to the City Engineer to
discuss his traffic concerns.
6. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION
There were no presentations, awards, or recognitions.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 2025 Budget and Tax Levy Resolution 24-73
The staff report was presented.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing.
Barb Mueller, 19855 Polk St NW, expressed frustration with her tax increase.
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve the
2025 General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise Fund budgets. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adopt
Resolution 24-73 authorizing the property tax levy for collection in 2025. Motion carried 5-
0.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Mayoral Appointments for Advisory Boards
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Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve
the appointment of Matt Westgaard as citizen representative to the Economic
Development Authority (EDA) for a six -year term. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve the
appointment of Matt Westgaard to the Utility Commission for a three-year term. Motion
carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to extend the
term of Mayor Dietz on the Utility Commission until the end of his council term,
December 31, 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Dietz assigned the following:
■ Planning Commission - Councilmember Wagner
■ Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission - Councilmember Beyer
■ Parks and Recreation Commission - Councilmember Grupa
■ Heritage Preservation Commission and Economic Development Authority - incoming
Councilmember J. Brian Calva
Mayor Dietz proposed that he replace Councilmember Wagner on the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority (HRA) for the remaining two years of her term.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve
the replacement of Councilmember Wagner on the HRA with Mayor Dietz for the
remaining two years of her term. Motion carried 5-0.
8.2 Discuss Work Session Items
Mayor Dietz asked about the report on Fire Station # 1. Mr. Portner stated the results from the
consultant may be available by spring 2025.
9. COUNCIL LIAISON UPDATES
9.1 Council Liaison Updates
The council members provided updates as outlined in the respective advisory board's minutes.
Mayor Dietz asked where funding would come from to purchase land for park acquisition. Mr. Portner
stated the funds could come from the Park Dedication Fund, the Park Improvement Fund, the Liquor
Operations fund balance, a general tax levy, or the balance of the GRE Fund. After the Parks and
Recreation Commission tours potential land acquisitions, they will compile their findings, including
potential costs, and provide them to the Council for consideration to add them to the Master Plan.
10. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
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Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the
regular meeting and move into work session. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 7:17 p.m.
11. WORK SESSION — UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM
1 1.1 FT Center - Electrical Improvements in the Field House
Mayor Dietz stated previous concerts held in the Cornerstone Arena had poor audio, but events held in
the Fieldhouse seemed easier to hear. He believes the electrical improvements would be a good
investment.
Councilmember Wagner expressed concerns about the chairs damaging the turf.
Councilmember Westgaard asked about the last-minute scheduling of the Field House. Mr. Stremcha
stated the Field House is reserved for a period of time for every concert date, regardless of whether it
is used as a rain backup or not. Although summer Field House rental rates are lower than winter rates,
this is an additional cost for each concert.
The Council asked about progress on a hard surface floor for the Field House. Mr. Stremcha stated that
Community Event Center Manager Katie Harstad is working on solutions.
Mr. Portner recommended using the unspent 2024 General Fund balance to pay for the electrical
improvements with GRE funds as a backup.
The Council adjourned the work session at 7:27 p.m.
12. CLOSED MEETING - IUOE LOCAL 49 UNION
12.1 Statement to be read by the Mayor:
"The City Council will be closing the meeting pursuant to MN Statute 13D.03, Subdivision I to
discuss the city's labor negotiation strategy related to the city's negotiations with the IUOE Local
49 Union."
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the closed meeting was called to order at 7:27 p.m.
Council Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Cory Grupa, Matt Westgaard, Mike
Beyer, and Jennifer Wagner
Staff Present: Human Resources Manager Lauren Wipper, Business Services
Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, City Administrator Cal Portner, and
Records Specialist Katie Porath
12.2 Motion Calling Closed Meeting
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12.3 Hold Closed Meeting
The mayor stated the City Council will be holding a closed meeting pursuant to MN Statute Section
13D.03, Subdivision I to discuss the city's labor negotiation strategy related to the city's negotiations
with the IUOE Local 49 Union.
The Closed Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the
closed meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
13. CLOSED MEETING - PID #75-00566-01 10 AND #75-00566-0220
13.1 Statement to be read by the Mayor:
"The City Council will be closing the meeting pursuant to MN Statute Section 13D.05, Subdivision
3(c)(1) to consider offers relating to the possible purchase and/or sale of PID #75-00566-0 110 and
#75-00566-0220."
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the closed meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m.
Council Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Cory Grupa, Matt Westgaard, Mike
Beyer, and Jennifer Wagner
Staff Present: Business Services Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, City
Administrator Cal Portner, and Records Specialist Katie Porath
13.2 Motion Calling Closed Meeting
13.3 Hold Closed Meeting
The mayor stated the City Council will be holding a closed meeting pursuant to MN Statute Section
13D.05, Subdivison 3(c)(1) to consider offers relating to the possible purchase and/or sale of PID #75-
00566-01 10 and #75-00566-0220.
The Closed Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adjourn
the closed meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
14. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
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John J. Dietz, Mayor
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
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