12-16-2024 CCM
Meeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 16, 2024
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner, Councilmember Mike Beyer,
Councilmember Cory Grupa, Councilmember Matt Westgaard
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner, City Attorney Jared Shepherd, Business Services
Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, Engineering Project Manager
Ryan Sandhoefner, Community Event Center Manager Katie Harstad and Deputy
Clerk Jolene Richter
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 6:10 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 Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve the
following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion Carried 5-0.
4.1 December 2, 2024, Council Minutes
4.2 Check Register
4.3 Resolution 24-74 and Agreements 24-32 and 24-33 Subordination of Restrictive Covenants for
Dove Tree Apartments
4.4 Ordinance 24-25 Repealing Division 8 to Dissolve the Energy City Commission
4.5 Resolution 24-75 Accept Donations from Woodland Trails Patrons
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4.6 Resolution 24-76 Accept Donation from Zimmerman Fire Relief Association
4.7 Resolution 24-77 Approving an Amendment to the Minnesota Municipal Power Association
Agency
4.8 City Council Committee Assignments and Terms
4.9 Housing and Redevelopment Authority Appointment
4.10 Agreement 24-34: Flock Safety Group for License Plate Recognition Technology
4.11 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement 23-27 for Plants and Things Naming Rights
4.12 Agreement 24-35 Lion John Weicht Park Lease with Elk River Youth Hockey Association
4.13 Agreement 24-36 with Social Indoor Advertising for the Community Center
4.14 Proclamation: Jeff Prehatney Day
4.15 Proclamation: Mike Suchy Day
4.16 Resolution 24-78 Updated Final Plat of Bradford Park Second Addition
4.17 Resolution 24-79: 2025 Compensation Plan for Non-Organized Employees
4.18 Master Labor Agreement 24-37 with Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 271
4.19 Pay Estimates
4.20 Agreement 24-38 with Axon
4.21 Meadowwoods Village Sewer Connection (Agreement 24-39)
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5. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION
6.1 City of Elk River Volunteer of the Month
Mayor Dietz presented the December Volunteer of the Month award to John Osterman. He highlighted
the following:
▪ Involved with Taste of Elk River for 17 years as a contact for liquor vendors
▪ Announcer for Elk River varsity football games for 20 years - "The Voice of the Elks"
▪ Part of St. Andrew's choir for more than 100 funerals
▪ Elk River Rotary president 1998-1999
▪ Active participant in Elk River Rotary Bowling for Polio event
▪ An active member of Elk River Rotary Club since 1991
6.2 Proclaim December 16, 2024, as Elk River High School Football "Team 133" Day
Mayor Dietz read and presented the proclamation to the Elk River High School Football Team 133.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to
approve the proclamation designating December 16, 2024, as the Elk River High School
Football Team 133 Day in the City of Elk River, Minnesota. Motion Carried 5-0.
6.3 Recognition of Councilmember Matt Westgaard
Mayor Dietz read and presented a plaque to Councilmember Westgaard recognizing his years of
service as Councilmember since 2009.
The council and administrator expressed their gratitude.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 Northstar Truck & RV Parking - Zone Change & Conditional Use Permit
The staff report was presented.
No action was required as the applicant had withdrawn both of their applications.
7.2 Ordinance 24-26 : Adopt 2025 Master Fee Schedule
Resolution 24-80 Summary Publication of Ordinance 24-26
The staff report was presented.
Councilmember Wagner asked if we were in line with what the state requires for cannabis licensing.
Mr. Portner explained that we were.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adopt
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Ordinance 24-26 approving the 2025 Master Fee Schedule and adopt Resolution 24-80 for
summary publication of the ordinance. Motion Carried 5-0.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 FT Center 2025 Budget
The staff report was presented.
Mayor Dietz commented that Ms. Harstad's report was amazing and stated he was impressed by how
much work they accomplished over a short period of time.
Councilmember Wagner shared that in 24 months of being on the Multipurpose Facility Advisory
Commission, last Monday was the first time they walked out of a commission meeting with the feeling
that it was productive. She continued explaining that it was a very positive meeting with great
conversations, and they all felt very good bringing the budget forward.
Mayor Dietz further added that he is proud of what Tony has done with the utilities and the
building/maintenance to improve and save money.
Councilmember Westgaard stated he echoes the same as what had already been said. He further
explained it is exciting to see things falling into place; the chemistry of the staff and the mission and
vision coming to pass. It is only the beginning.
Councilmember Grupa thanked everybody for their hard work to get the FT Center to the place that it
is headed.
Councilmember Beyer added that there have been a lot of challenges along the way, and it is nice to see
things going in the right direction. There was a lot of concern in the beginning, and we were all trying to
make sure that we were going to stick to the plan. He looks forward to working with the commission
and staff.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to
approve, by motion, the 2025 FT Center budget as recommended by the MFAC. Motion
Carried 5-0.
8.2 2025 Meeting Calendar: City Council and Advisory Boards
The staff report was presented.
The Council confirmed April 16, 2025, for the Board of Appeal meeting and confirmed April 28, 2025,
for the Council retreat meeting.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to
approve, by motion, the 2025 City Council meeting calendar. Motion Carried 5-0.
8.3 Resolution 24-81 Voter Referendum Required for Utility Disposition
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The staff report was presented.
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Mayor Dietz to adopt, by motion,
Resolution 24-81 requiring a voter referendum to dispose of the Elk River Municipal
Utilities. Motion Carried 5-0.
9. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to
adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council. Motion Carried 5-0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 6:55 p.m.
10. WORK SESSION – UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM
10.1 Discuss No Parking Designation on Local Streets
The staff report was presented.
The Council discussed and decided that there was no need for a one-size-fits-all all solution, and they
should take it on a case-by-case basis. They recommended staff to work with the event coordinator for
bigger events regarding parking.
The Council decided to monitor the parking situation.
11. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adjourn
the meeting of the City Council. Motion Carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jolene Richter.
12. INFORMATION
12.1 Financial reports - October
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John J. Dietz, Mayor
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Tina Allard, City Clerk