01-05-2026 CCM
Meeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, January 5, 2026
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, Community Development Director Zack Carlton,
and Records Specialist Dawn Robertson.
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
Mayor Dietz added Item 8.3, Letter to the Governor, to the agenda. Item 4.6 was moved
to general business for discussion. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by
Councilmember Grupa to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve the
following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 5-0.
4.1 Check Register
4.2 Designate Official Newspaper and Website for Transportation Project Notices for 2026
4.3 Designate Official Depositories and Delegate Authority for Electronic Funds Transfers
4.4 Fire Relief Association Appointments
4.5 Resolution 26-01 Appointing a Data Practices Responsible Authority and Designees
City Council Minutes
January 5, 2026
---------
Page 2 of 4
4.6 Ordinance 26-01: Regarding Process for Incomplete Licensing Applications
4.7 Resolution 26-03 General transfer from the Multipurpose Facility and Wastewater Funds to the
Fleet Replacement Fund
4.8 Vehicle Acquisition and Replacement Policy
4.9 On-Sale 3.2 Liquor License and Wine License: Pickle Paradise LLC
4.10 Agreement 26-01 Meadowwoods Village Sewer Acquisition
4.11 2026 Solid Waste Collection License Renewal
4.12 Approve Subcontractor RFQ Documents
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 City of Elk River Volunteer of the Month award to Will and Tracy Wojcik.
He highlighted the following: Will and Tracy host the Elk River Breakfast Club at the Furniture and
Things Community Event Center twice a month. An average of 150 students attend regularly, and they
enjoy breakfast while being given messages of hope and inspiration. Will is also a volunteer coach for
the Elk River Composite Mountain Bike Team.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 Resolution 26-02: Easement Vacation, Allen Perkins - 13937 196th Ave NW
The staff report was presented.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing.
Allan Perkins was present on behalf of his mother, Sara Lee Perkins, 13937 196th Ave NW.
Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Calva and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to Vacate, by
City Council Minutes
January 5, 2026
---------
Page 3 of 4
Resolution 26-02, the existing drainage, utility, and roadway easements at 13937 196th
Ave NW, subject to the condition that the resolution is recorded immediately preceding
the recording of the plat of Perkins Acres. Motion carried 5-0.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Appoint Acting Mayor
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to appoint, by
motion, Councilmember Beyer as acting mayor for 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
8.2 Discuss Work Session Items
The staff report was not attached to this meeting's agenda. Work session items have not changed since
the previous meeting.
8.3 Mayor's Letter to the Governor
Mayor Dietz wanted to explain to the Council and the public that he missed the original email that was
sent seeking signatures from the mayors in the state to show disapproval of the fraud in St. Paul. There
was an extension given until December 28th for those mayors who missed signing originally. Mayor
Dietz signed the letter on behalf of the City of Elk River and the City Council.
8.4 Plants and Things Playground Shade Structure
Mr. Portner explained to the Council that the shade structure was chosen for a more decorative look.
It was removed after a year and not reinstalled, as it was determined that the soil was too sandy to
accommodate the structure. Staff negotiated with the shade company for a certain fee reduction. The
city will take a loss as the shade was used for a year, and it could not have been foreseen that the
structure would not have worked well for that area.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve
the settlement. Motion carried 5-0.
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 Calva and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to adjourn the
meeting of City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
City Council Minutes
January 5, 2026
---------
Page 4 of 4
11. CLOSED MEETING - LELS #589 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
Council Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers J. Brian Calva, Cory Grupa, Mike
Beyer, and Jennifer Wagner
Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner and Records Specialist Dawn Robertson
Mayor Dietz read the following statement:
11.1 Statement to be read by the Mayor:
"The City Council will be closing the meeting pursuant to MN Statute Section 13D.03, Subdivision
1(b). The Council will discuss the city's labor negotiation strategy related to the city's negotiations
with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, LELS 589."
11.2 Motion Calling Closed Meeting
Mayor Dietz called the closed meeting to order at 6:59 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to open the
closed meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
11.3 Hold Closed Meeting
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 7:22 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Dawn Robertson
__________________
John J. Dietz, Mayor
__________________________
Jolene Richter, Deputy City Clerk