04-06-2026 CCM`y of
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 6, 2026
Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Cory Grupa, Councilmember J. Brian Calva,
Councilmember Mike Beyer, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner
None
Staff Present: Business Services Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha,
Community Development Director Zack Carlton, Fire Chief Mark Dickinson, and
Deputy Clerk Jolene Richter.
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.
CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve
the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Dietz pulled Item 4.9, Additional Service Agreement 26-12 with CNH Architect Group for
discussion.
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 January 20, 2026, Closed Meeting Minutes
4.2 January 20, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes
4.3 March 2, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes
4.4 March 16, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
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4.5 Check Register
4.6 Annual Election Not to Waive the Statutory Tort Limits for Liability Insurance
4.7 Temporary Liquor License: Aegir Brewing Company
4.8 IT Services MOU with ERMU
4.9 Additional Service Agreement 26-12 with CNH Architect Group
Mayor Dietz pulled this item from consent for discussion.
Mayor Dietz asked about the increase in building size and the cost associated with it. Chief Dickinson
explained that after going through the design phase and realizing the needs for the department, the
design had increased from the original, along with the estimated costs in the RFP. This item will be
discussed at a future Council meeting.
4.10 Security Information and Event Management Services Agreement 26-13 with the City of Rogers
4.11 Resolutions 26-22, 26-23, and 26-24 Related to Closing of the Coborn's Land Purchase
4.12 Conditional Use Permit: Educational Institution, Good Shepherd Lutheran High School — 630
Freeport Ave NW
4.13 Resolution 26-25 of Support for CAER Grant
5. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for open forum.
6. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION
6.1 Oath of Office for Deputy Chief Kreuser
Chief Dickinson introduced the new Fire Deputy Chief, John Kreuser.
Mayor Dietz performed the oath of office, and the pinning ceremony was held.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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April 6, 2026
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7.1 Interim Use Permit: Educational Institution, Good Shepherd Lutheran High School — 630
Freeport Ave NW
The staff report was presented.
No action was taken.
7.2 Ordinance Amendment 26-07: Sign Standards and Codification of the .Elk River Crossing Planned
Unit Development. Resolution 26-21 for summary publication of the ordinance.
The staff report was presented.
Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this matter, Mayor Dietz closed
the public hearing.
Councilmember Wagner asked if this changes any of the current signs in the area. Mr. Carlton stated no
and explained that it provides more opportunity than what was there before.
Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Calva to adopt
Ordinance 26-07 amending the sign standards and codifying the development standards
for the Elk River Crossing Planned Unit Development. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt
Resolution 26-21 for summary publication of the ordinance. Motion carried 5-0.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Ordinance Amendment 26-08 Good Shepherd Lutheran HS
The staff report was presented.
Kelly Lampkin, 7495 269th Ave NW, St. Francis, thanked the Council and staff for all the support
they had received throughout the process and expressed their appreciation.
8.2 State Flag Display Discussion
The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz invited residents to speak on this topic.
Gary Tonsager, I 1 156 193rd Ave NW, explained the history and significance of the previous flag,
and is in favor of the previous flag.
Dean Determan, 20791 Twin Lakes Rd NW, is in favor of a resolution for the previous flag for
historical reasons.
Joyce Klegon, 18254 Monroe Court NW, is for the new state flag, stating it does represent
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Minnesota.
Lavine Hoselton, 12964 Meadowvale Rd NW, is for the new state flag and is wondering what this
division is doing for our children.
Jan Filer, 19448 Vernon St NW, is for the new state flag, and stated she does not want to see
division.
Linda Schultz, 19561 York St NW, is for the previous flag representing the heritage of Minnesota.
Mitch Johnson, 19561 Tyler St NW, is for the previous flag and explained that the flag is a symbol
representing the values and heritage of Minnesota.
Andy Price, 10072 189th Ave NW, is for the new state flag, stating it is clean and simple, and is tied
to the state motto.
Jefferey Grates, 13029 180th Court NW, explained he served in the service and served as a public
servant, and explained the previous flag represents the state and is for the previous flag.
Darlene Determan, 20791 Twin Lakes Rd NW, would like the previous state flag.
Neil Shubert, 358 Gates Ave NW, is for the new flag, stating the flag is not about personal
preference; it is about consistency and clarity, regardless of how people feel the flag represents the
present Minnesota.
Vicki Stevenson, 19850 Watson Cir NW, is for the previous flag, would like to respect history and
respect our heritage. She explained she would like people to fly the flag they choose and not receive
any disrespect over which one they choose, but she still supports the heritage of the previous flag.
Debra Mortenson, 17149 Olson Court NW, is for the previous flag and stated that it represents
the state in a good way.
Mary Roy, 18015 Naples St NW, is for the new flag and stated there was a process for it, and there
was an opportunity for public to vote on it.
Don Kent, 337 Norfolk Ave NW, is for the previous flag, stating that if you want unity, bring back
the previous flag, and explained that it is historic.
Ed Leduc, 14383 209th Ave NW, thanked the Council for letting them voice their opinion and
would like the previous flag flown.
Deb Morey, 13449 2 14th Lane NW, explained that she is the daughter of a WWII Vet who fought
for our freedoms, which is about law and due process. She does not think the public was aware of the
voting for the new flag, and is for the previous flag for historical purposes.
Mayor Dietz brought the discussion back to the Council.
Councilmember Calva explained the submissions that were received and the emails and phone calls he
received about the flag. He thanked the people who had conversations with him regarding the flag and
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explained that the divisiveness is not whether you want the new flag versus the old flag; the divisiveness
was created by how the marketing of the new flag went. He further stated that there is no correlation
between the new state seal and the new flag, and thinks we wouldn't be in this predicament if they had
gone with something closer to the state seal. He stated his vote is for the previous flag.
Councilmember Grupa explained he did not like the way the process of the new flag was brought forth
and explained that it wasn't elected people on the committee, and it wasn't brought forth to the people
very well. He further explained that when we talk about unity, we as the Council represent the entire
city and take into consideration what comes before them. He stated he had conversations with
everyone who emailed him as well. He explained that we get to choose which flag to fly that represents
what the majority of what the city residents would like, and with that said, he would choose the
previous flag.
Councilmember Wagner thanked the audience for being part of the process and discussion. She
explained she read the dissenting report for the flag redesign and stated she did see when the flag was
marketed, but thought it was poorly marketed (coming from a marketing professional). She also stated
she had read about each person who was on the board and does not think all of Minnesota was
represented on that board. She explained that the flag that had the majority vote of the public didn't
even make it into the top 5, and people were only able to vote in a 30-day window. She does not agree
with the process that the current flag was chosen and said that every other state flag was voted on by
legislators, but this one was not, and she does not understand why. She further explained that she does
not think the current flag represents the state and states that she thinks it is our job to fight back and to
show the representatives that we don't agree. She would like to fly the previous flag.
Councilmember Beyer thanked the Mayor for taking this on and the Council. He explained that we are
non -partisan people who are elected to make decisions for the city. He stated he does not take this as a
political thing. The previous flag has been behind him at the dais for a year, and no one had said anything
until they brought it up now. He explained that they could have just decided themselves, but as elected
officials, they chose to bring it to the people to hear from them. He appreciated everyone's input at the
meeting tonight and said it was very professional and polite. He stated that if the majority is to fly the
old flag, that is where his stance is.
Mayor Dietz thanked everyone for coming and speaking and stated he is happy that the public is
involved. He explained that he doesn't think they have received 1,100 submissions on any other topic
within the city in the 32 years he has been involved. He explained he is going with the majority, which
he does not think is divisive; rather, it is listening to the people and agreeing with what the people want.
He stated he will agree to fly the 1983 flag.
Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to instruct city
staff to bring back a resolution at the April 20, 2026, Council meeting stating that on all
city properties now or in the future, that fly a Minnesota state flag shall fly the one that
was the official state flag from 1983 - 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Dietz called a 5-minute recess at 7:30 p.m.
The regular meeting reconvened at 7:35 p.m.
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8.3 Discuss Work Session Items
There were no topics added to the work session list.
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. Motion carried 5-0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 7:44 p.m.
11. WORK SESSION
1 1.1 POC Assistant Chief Position
The Council agreed to move forward with the recommended pay.
12. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to adjourn the
meeting of the City Council. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jolene Richter.
Jolene Richter, Deputy City Clerk