09-02-2025 CCM Special BudgetMeeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Members Present:Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Cory Grupa, Councilmember J. Brian Calva,
Councilmember Mike Beyer, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent:None
Staff Present:City Administrator Cal Portner, Business Services Director/Assistant City
Administrator Joe Stremcha, Finance Manager Lori Stich, Accountant Jill Knutson,
Community Development Director Zack Carlton, Building Official Mark Pistulka,
IT Manager Seth Calvin, Human Resources Manager Lauren Wipper, Police Chief
David Kuhnly, Police Captain Darren McKernan, Police Captain Joe Gacke, Fire
Chief Mark Dickinson, Assistant Fire Chief Joe Libor, Jr., Deputy Fire Chief Casey
Neumann, and City Clerk Tina Allard
1.CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 4:01 p.m.
2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
There was no Pledge of Allegiance due to it being performed at the regular City Council meeting.
3.2026 BUDGET
3.12026 Budget
Various departments presented their 2026 proposed goals and budget.
Community Event Center
It was noted that a battery for the Zamboni would cost $20,000, and Councilmember Beyer asked if
these types of expenses could be included in the Capital Improvement Plan. The Council noted it was
great to see a profit in the center's 2025 budget.
Human Resources
Mr. Portner noted that staff are reviewing other software options over UKG that could be less
expensive and more efficient, noting the city is not utilizing everything in the program, and the customer
service is poor for smaller entities.
Police
Mayor Dietz stated St. Andrews Church may have an interest in police liaison services, and they are
willing to pay for the service. Chief Kuhnly noted they would reach out to them.
Mayor Dietz questioned why dues and subscriptions were increasing by $22,000. Captain Gacke stated
they were looking to purchase Cellebrite, a software that performs cell phone analytics. He noted most
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September 2, 2025
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crimes they investigate now involve cell phones. He further explained how the phone companies can
lock down these phones within 72 hours and the city has lost out on a lot of investigative case data and
not been able to solve crimes as a result. He stated they have worked with the county to try and get
this data, but most times the county doesn't get the date extracted in time due to other agency
requests so they'd like to bring it in-house.
Councilmember Wagner stated a breakdown of cloud-based programs would be helpful, wanting to
know which is software or equipment, and which are ongoing or one-time purchases.
4.MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adjourn
the meeting of City Council. Motion Carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.
Minutes prepared by City Clerk Tina Allard.
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John J. Dietz, MayorTina Allard, City Clerk