07-13-2026 Budget CCM
Meeting of the City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, July 13, 2026
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmemeber Cory Grupa, Councilmemeber Mike Beyer,
Councilmemeber, Councilmemeber Jennifer Wagner, Councilmemeber J. Brian
Calva
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner, Business Services Director/Assistant City
Administrator Joe Stremcha, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer Justin Femrite,
Community Development Director Zack Carlton, Building Official Mark Pistulka,
Finance Manager Lori Stich, Engineering Project Manager Ryan Sandhoefner,
Environmental Services and Projects Specialist Joe Hale, Wastewater Treatment
Chief Operator Matt Stevens, Public Works Supervisor Chris Teff, Public Works
Supervisor Mitch Litfin, Public Works Supervisor Joshua Baas, Facilities
Maintenance Supervisor Gary Lore, Assistant Facilities Maintenance
Superintendent Butch Pelarski, Accountant Jill Knutson, Accountant Erika Pudas,
City Clerk Justin Dunford, Records Specialist Dawn Robertson.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. 2027 BUDGET
3.1 2027 Budget
The Council met with various departmental staff to review budget requests for 2027.
Library
GRRL Patron Services Supervisor Burkhardt shared performance measures and goals. She noted that
Elk River Library ranked third in the Great River Library system.
Mayor Dietz expressed concern with the turnover of patron services staff and thought they should
work more closely with city staff in the future.
Building Safety and Community Development
Staff provided an update on the new code adoption process. The department is looking at a new plan
review software and will gather feedback from other municipalities regarding its effectiveness. Building
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Official Pistulka reported that the Plumbing Inspector is currently training to obtain a commercial plan
review delegation from the state. Mr. Carlton shared that the current CitizenServe software for
permitting and licensing is effective and working well for staff, contractors, and residents.
Code Enforcement
Mr. Carlton provided an overview of the code enforcement process. He shared the department's goal
to document all in-person interactions, highlighting that face-to-face contact with residents yields higher
compliance rates. Common ordinance enforcement areas include unkempt lawns, failure to shovel snow
from sidewalks, and debris accumulation in yards.
Waste Water Treatment Plant
Chief Operator Stevens shared the wastewater treatment facility's projected goals. Staff reported that
there has been a significant decrease in the amount of biosolids with the new centrifuge systems.
JonnyPops continues to work to decrease the amount of waste they send and on a significant industrial
user agreement with the city.
Engineering
Mr. Femrite shared the department's project projections, goals, and objectives.
Storm Water
Mr. Sandhoefner shared updated goals and objectives. He noted they are continuing pond cleaning
projects, inspections, and maintenance. He also gave updates on several upcoming city projects that will
require stormwater utilities.
Environmental
Mr. Hale shared updated goals and objectives. He is working to review and update ordinances for
consistency and compliance with state laws. He noted there has been more participation in the
recycling program. The contract for garbage removal with Republic Services is being reviewed. He
noted the rates for the landfill have increased, stating the rates for the garbage services will likely
increase.
Facilities and Maintenance
Staff shared the department's goals and objectives. Mr. Pelarski explained the reasoning behind the
custodial contract for the library and stated they assist Furniture and Things Event Center staff with
maintenance when requested. Mr. Lore noted the increases in budget for new staff training and
computer software. Staff reported a low turnover rate in the maintenance department with an average
tenure of 18 years.
Park Maintenance
Staff addressed concerns regarding downtown event garbage, explaining that bins had been removed for
the parking lot improvement project. Mr. Baas has since added garbage cans to various downtown
locations. Mr. Baas shared the department's goals, performance measures, and objectives. He
mentioned they are working daily at Orono Park Splash Pad to keep the chemicals and equipment up to
standards. Mr. Baas also talked about adding irrigation to the green space at Orono Park. Their budget
request includes one new full-time hire, a sidewalk snowplowing machine, replacement of end of
lifecycle tractors with more versatile Cat machines, and an increased rate for contractual services with
Speedcutters.
Streets
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Mr. Teff shared with the Council the amount of new growth in streets that have been developed that
require services. He also mentioned the city is currently bidding to construct the RCUT lanes serving
the new Oakwater Ridge Development. Mr. Teff shared some of the increases in the department's
budget are for the gate into the yard waste complex, railroad quiet zone delineators to maintain safety
compliance, the truck currently up for replacement, and personnel costs for new staff and a promotion
to a lead position.
Fleet
Mr. Litfin shared the department's performance measures and goals. He stated the maintenance garage
services whatever fleet vehicles they can, noting how they manage all fleet vehicles in a way that benefits
the entire city.
4. 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 5:47 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Dawn Robertson.
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John J. Dietz, Mayor
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Justin Dunford, City Clerk