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08-17-2026 CCM Meeting of the City Council Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, August 17, 2026 Members Present: Councilmember J. Brian Calva, Councilmember Mike Beyer, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Cory Grupa Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner, City Attorney Jared Shepherd, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, Business Services Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, Community Development Director Zack Carlton, Police Chief David Kuhnly, Police Sargeant Don Birdsall, and City Clerk Justin Dunford. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 6:11 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. CONSIDER AGENDA Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve the agenda, with an amendment of moving Item 6.5 to after Item 6.2. Motion carried 3-0. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 3- 0. 4.1 Check Register 4.2 Agreements with Axon Agreement 2026-27 4.3 193rd Avenue and Evans Street Roundabout — Property Acquisition and Easement Agreement Services 4.4 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Off-Sale License: Kwik Trip, Inc. City Council Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 2 of 6 4.5 Resolution 26-52: TIF 30 Assistance Agreement 2026-28 4.6 Resolution 26-53: Approving a Deed to the Economic Development Authority Clarifying Ownership of Lot 1, Block 1 Northstar Business Park 4.7 Termination and Release of Lot Line Adjustments - Lot 1, Block 1 Northstar Business Park 4.8 Temporary On-Sale Liquor License: Davis-Darrow-Meyer American Legion Post 112 4.9 Separation Agreement and Release - Dickinson 4.10 Separation Agreement and Release - Smith 4.11 Resolution 26-51: Premises Permit For CharitAbleMN dba Midwest Cheer Association 5. OPEN FORUM No one appeared for open forum. 6. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION 6.1 City of Elk River Volunteer of the Month Acting Mayor Beyer presented the August Volunteer of the Month award to Vern Draxler. He highlighted the following: Vern served as commander, vice commander, and adjutant for the Elk River American Legion. He has also been a part of their honor guard since 1984. Vern is the past chair of the Range Association. He participates in the Honeywell retirees volunteer program, building access ramps and is a member of the Elk River Quarterback Club. He was a past president of the St. Andrew's Catholic School board and spent 37 years in the St. Andrew's Catholic Church choir. 6.2 Oath of Office: Police Officer Acting Mayor Beyer administered the Oath of Office to Conner Adams. 6.3 Recognize Promotion of Office Mark Edlund to Patrol Sergeant Officer Mark Edlund was recognized for a promotion to Patrol Sergeant. Acting Mayor Beyer administered the oath of office to Sergeant Mark Edlund. 6.4 Introduce New Employees Wanda McCoy and James Luckhurst were introduced and welcomed by the City Council. City Council Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 3 of 6 6.5 Recognize Communications Division for 2026 MAGC Awards The City Council recognized the Communications Division for their 2026 MAGC Awards. The Council voiced appreciation for the work of the division and their ability to connect with residents to share information, good or bad, in a tone and voice that reflects the Council. 6.6 Recognize and Thank Lauren Wipper The City Council and City Administrator Cal Portner recognized Lauren Wipper for her 30 years of service and her upcoming retirement. Lauren was presented with a plaque proclaiming Lauren Wipper Day. The City Council and Administrator Portner thanked her for her foundational contributions to the city and for the personal and professional support she has provided to her colleagues. 6.7 Recognize and Thank Kevin Beadles The City Council recognized Kevin Beadles for his service and upcoming retirement. Mr. Beadles was not in attendance and the Council directed staff to reach out to Mr. Beadles to ensure he could be properly recognized in the future. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Cornerstone Kia Expansion: Plat of Jabez Fourth Addition and Conditional Use Permit, Mississippi Highlands LLC - 17094 Vance St NW Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve, by motion, the Preliminary Plat of Jabez Fourth Addition, subject to the following conditions: 1. Wetland boundaries identified on the plat must be updated after receiving a Notice of Decision. 2. All existing utility easements must remain in place. 3. The water main shown on the preliminary plat is inaccurately shown and must be updated. 4. If there are any proposed changes to the water service, they must be communicated to Elk River Municipal Utilities. 5. The developer is responsible for connecting Vance Street and 170th Ave. Motion carried 3-0. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve, by motion, the Conditional Use permit (CUP) authorizing expansion of the automobile sales operation at 17094 Vance St NW, subject to the following conditions: 1. Staff approval of all site, civil, landscaping, and utility plans. 2. An encroachment agreement for the parking lot improvements proposed to be constructed over the drainage and utility easements must be approved by the City Council prior to the issuance of building permits. 3. All structures must remain outside existing drainage and utility easements. 4. Parking lot islands in accordance with Sec. 30-935 must be included in the final plans. 5. Submit plans demonstrating compliance with the city's landscaping standards. 6. City Council approval of a final plat for Jabez Fourth Addition. 7. The plat must be recorded prior to recording the CUP. Motion carried 3-0. Acting Mayor Beyer opened the public hearing. Owner Steve Rolf, 12821 188th Ave, spoke briefly during the public hearing to thank the Council for their support. Acting Mayor Beyer closed the public City Council Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 4 of 6 hearing. Councilmember Wagner confirmed that the applicant was in agreement with the conditions of the conditional use permit. 7.2 Interim Use Permit: Residential Occupation (Hair Salon), Stacey Cleveland - 10218 187th Ave NW Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve, by motion, the Interim Use Permit with the following conditions: 1. The IUP will expire upon the sale of the property. 2. The building and business must meet Minnesota State Building Codes and the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology requirements. Motion carried 3-0. Acting Mayor Beyer opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak on this matter, Acting Mayor Beyer closed the public hearing. Councilmember Wagner asked Senior Planner Chris Leesburg why the condition regarding street parking was present in the interim use permit conditions. Mr. Leesburg indicated that the condition was driven by the size of the lot requesting the interim use permit and that the rules regarding street parking are reviewed case-by-case. 7.3 Resolution 26-54: Easement Vacation: Stormwater Pipe Relocation, Crystal Distribution Inc (CDI) — 17560 Tyler St NW Moved by Councilmember Calva and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adopt, by motion, Resolution 26-54 vacating drainage and utility easements, subject to the condition that the lot line adjustment is completed prior to the vacation being recorded. Motion carried 3-0. Acting Mayor Beyer opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak on this matter, Acting Mayor Beyer closed the public hearing. 7.4 Conditional Use Permit: Overhead Doors to Support Light Manufacturing, Crystal Distribution Inc (CDI) - 17560 Tyler St NW Moved by Councilmember Calva and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to approve, by motion, the Conditional Use Permit with the following conditions: 1. Additional year-round evergreen landscaping shall be planted along the north property line to satisfy the screening standards set forth in Section 30-654. 2. The CUP will not be recorded until the property lines have been adjusted to accommodate the proposed building site. 3. Easements running along the existing property boundary must be vacated prior to building permit issuance. Motion carried 3-0. Acting Mayor Beyer opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak on this matter, Acting Mayor Beyer closed the public hearing. 7.5 Resolution 26-55: Northbound Liquor - Property Tax Abatement Bond City Council Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 5 of 6 Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve, by motion, Resolution 26-55, a property tax abatement in the City of Elk River for certain public improvements (Northbound Liquor). Motion carried 3-0. Acting Mayor Beyer opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak on this matter, Acting Mayor Beyer closed the public hearing. 8. GENERAL BUSINESS 8.1 Call Special Council Meeting Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to approve by motion a Special Council Meeting on August 31, 2026. Motion carried 3-0. 8.2 Hearing on Potential Tobacco License Revocation: Star One, LLC Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Calva to direct staff to prepare Findings of Fact for a revocation of Star One, LLC's tobacco license. Motion carried 3-0. City Clerk Justin Dunford provided an overview of the incident and what has led to the revocation hearing for Star One, LLC. City Attorney Jared Shepherd highlighted that Elk River Tobacco, when sold to Star One, LLC, was actually sold from the owner to the owner, rather than business to business. This, to Mr. Shepherd, highlights the connected nature of Star One, LLC and Elk River Tobacco. The owner of Star One, LLC was present to speak before the Council and was assisted by a translator. The owner did not contest the sale of tobacco to underage individuals and understands that it is not acceptable. The owner is looking to sell the store or to enter into a partnership to better control the sale of product so that it does not go to those under 21. 9. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING Moved by Councilmember J. Brian Calva and seconded by Councilmember Jennifer Wagner to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 3-0. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Acting Mayor Beyer called the work session to order at 7:09 p.m. 10. WORK SESSION 10.1 Fire Chief Recruitment The City Council provided staff direction to pursue a search process for a new Fire Chief similar to that of the Police Chief recruitment. 11. MOTION TO ADJOURN Moved by Councilmember Calva and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the meeting of City Council. Motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 07:08 p.m. City Council Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 6 of 6 Minutes prepared by Justin Dunford. 12. INFORMATION 12.1 July Financial Reports ___________ __________________ John J. Dietz, Mayor _______________________ Justin Dunford, City Clerk