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03-12-2007 CC MIN . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM) MONDAY, MARCH 12,2007 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilrnembers Dietz, Motin, Farber (7:00 p.m.), and Gumphrey Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Police Chief Jeff Beahen, Community Development Director Scott Clark, Economic Development Director Cathy Mehelich, Assistant Economic Development Director Heidi Steinmetz, Finance Director Tim Simon, Environmental Technician Nicki Bradley-Blake, and City Clerk Tina Allard 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. 2. Consider Council Agenda . MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda Councilrnember Gumphrey requested the following change: Item 6 Other Business-Request by Town of Hassan for Letter of Support. Acting Mayor Gumphrey stated he has been in contact with Elwyn Tinklenberg and they have set up meetings for him to meet with legislators in ~ March. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE CHANGE NOTED ABOVE: 3.1. 3/5/07 COUNCIL MINUTES MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike Russ Anderson, 640 Irving Avenue-Handed out photos of different sidewalk styles in Elk River. Mr. Anderson is part of the Irving Avenue Improvement Project. He requested the sidewalk and curb be installed adjacent to the road rather than having a grass boulevard in between. He felt it would be easier for sidewalk maintenance. . The Council requested staff to discuss the following options at a future meeting: City Council 11inutes Much 12, 2007 Page 2 . Advantages/ disadvantages for placement of sidewalks Bikes use on sidewalks Widths of sidewalks . . . 5.1. Council Open Forum Mayor Klinzing would like a discussion on whistle-free train zones. She requested information on costs and liability to the city. 5.2. Downtown Redevelopment Plan Taskforce Update Taskforce member Mark Urista presented an update of the progress by the Taskforce regarding key issues and the next steps needed for a redevelopment plan for the greater downtown area. Ms. Steinmetz stated the taskfo1=ce is looking for Council input on whether they are moving in the right direction. Councilmember Motin expressed concern with the decision regarding TH 10 remaining at grade. He questioned whether vehicles on the highway will want to stop in downtown Elk River. He expressed concerns with the uncertainty of Mn/DOT's plans for TH 10. Mr. Urista stated it may be 15-20 years before Mn/DOThas a plan for the highway. Ms. Steinmetz stated it is the consensus of the Taskforce that the draw for the downtown will be local traffic. She stated the Taskforce felt it would be best to remain at grade in order to keep Elk River visible. . Councilrnember Gumphrey stated the city shouldn't wait for a Mn/DOT decision to be made on TH 10. He questioned why such a large portion ofland north ofTH 10 is in this downtown redevelopment plan. Councilrnember Motin asked the Taskforce if they added the parcel near Elk River concrete to their study area as requested by the HRA. Councilrnember Zerwas stated concerns with the Taskforce decision ofTH 10 remaining at grade level because it made the city look like it is unwilling to consider other options. He stated it could take more time for local traffic to cross the highway if it is kept at grade level. He further stated that after the Taskforce holds its open houses, it should take a few more months to evaluate the public input before bringing it to the HRA. He suggested that a representative from Mn/DOT be invited to the Taskforce meetings. Councilrnember Farber stated the city can't do anything about Mn/DOT's planning but the city does need to move forward. He stated keeping TH 10 at grade is too rigid and the Taskforce needs rework this decision. The Council concurred. Mayor Klinzing questioned the natural progression for redevelopment. . Mr. Urista stated the areas that will most likely be redeveloped will be specific project areas on the north side of the highway. . . . City Council 11inutes March 12, 2007 Page 3 Ms. Steinmetz stated redevelopment will most likely occur west of downtown on the south side of the highway. Ms. Mehelich stated the redevelopment plan should acknowledge that the market will naturally progress to the west of downtown and not ignore the north side of the highway but at the current time there is no draw for it. Councilmember Motin stated the Taskforce should focus on "historic character" being a sense of place and not building specific. Mayor Klinzing suggested looking at a policy laying out the criteria and funding for property acquisition by the city. Mayor I<Jinzing thanked the Taskforce for their efforts. 5.3. Discuss Energy City Designation-(Energy City Commissioners Present) Mayor I<Jinzing stated there is a bill in the legislature to consider designating Elk River as Energy City. She explained the significance and impact this will have on the city for more programming. She stated Elk River would need to focus on completing projects here that are different and unique compared to other city accomplishments. Ms. Johnson stated this designation may result in more staff and funding commitment from the Council for the Energy City budget. Commissioner Steve Rohlf stated the Commission has many great partnerships. He stated the city will get recognition, credibility, and economic development PR in return. Commissioner Vance Zehringer stated Elk River is known as Energy City statewide but a goal of the commission is to educate local citizens. Commissioner Bratlie stated he has seen national interest with the school district's projects and the designation will benefit the city in indirect ways. The Council concurred in their support of the city pursuing the Energy City designation. Councilmember Gumphrey directed staff to look at the structure of staff to work on Energy City and to review the budget and for the Commission to come back to Council with how the process will work in more detail. Councilrnember Farber concurred. 5.4. Public Works Master Plan Update Ms. Johnson stated the budget for this project has come in high at $6.5 million. She stated Public Works needs space now and staff is looking at interim options for temporary office space. She stated the Master Plan needs to be more realistic and the city may need to consider another architect. She stated staff received the proposal late in the week and didn't have time to review it prior to this meeting. City Council Minutes March 12,2007 Page 4 Councilrnember Gumphrey questioned how there was a disparity between the original estimate and the current proposal. He further questioned why the Public Works budget seems to have constant issues and how it can be remedied. . Ms. Johnson stated the original estimate was made internally be former staff and long-term needs were not considered. She stated staff is trying to work with Public Works more as a committee to resolve some of the budgeting issues. 5.5. YMCA Project Update Ms. Johnson noted that YMCA representatives Phil Nyvall and Anita Lancello-Bydlon were present. She stated a full size gymnasium has been incorporated into the project. Councilmember Gumphrey stated the YMCA would like to consider hiring a construction manager at risk. He stated he doesn't have any issues with this contingent upon attorney approval. He stated the YMCA is concerned about getting specific contractors for the pool and would like to consider bidding options. He questioned the need for bleachers in the gym and concerns for liability. Ms. Bydlon stated the YMCA may be required to carry a rider on their insurance policy for the bleachers. Ms. Johnson stated she would check with Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz on usage. Ms. Johnson noted the legislature is reviewing the bid requirements and cities may no longer have to accept the lowest bid based on certain criteria. . Jeff Gongoll, Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce President-Stated concerns for parking during the Independence Day community event on Lake Orono. It was noted that there would be no parking issues this year due to a delayed construction start. Ms. Johnson stated the Legacy Grant due by April 16 requires bidding documents and the city may not meet this deadline but she was informed that the city could apply again in 2008 or subsequent years if the city does not receive the grant right away. 5.6. Discuss Workshop to Develop a Framework for Future Development Councilrnember Zerwas stated staff is looking for Council direction regarding development within the next five years and suggested a retreat. He stated they would like guidance and a framework to follow-through on Council's vision. He cited the Natural Resources Inventory as an example. Ms. Johnson stated it is difficult for staff to participate and lead this type of discussion without a facilitator, a good agenda, and solid background information. Councilmember Farber stated he felt more comfortable with a facilitator because they allow for conversations to be more free-flowing and open. Councilmember Motin stated it may be too soon to involve a facilitator and the Council should refine issues and concerns in worksessions fltst. He stated the Council Worksessions . . . . City Council Minutes Much 12, 2007 Page 5 were supposed to be more informal than they are now and suggested going back to this type of format. Mayor Klinzing stated she would be fine with the informal worksession format. The Council suggested that staff come back to Council with a list of concerns at the April 9 . worksession. 5.7. Discuss Topics for Joint Meeting with School Board Ms. Johnson noted a date for this meeting still needs to determined. She listed the following topics for discussion: . City interest in purchasing School District Administrative Office in the downtown Keeping kids next to schools . Councilrnember Farber suggested discussing donation of land so the city could construct a right turn lane on Jackson Avenue and School Street. Councilrnember Motin would like to know the status of the liaison program and questioned if the city could help promote the possible bond referendum. 6. Other Business There was no Other Business. 7. Council Updates There were no Council Updates. 8. Staff Updates Ms. Johnson noted the GRE is pursing legislative funding for a $250,000 grant to the City of Elk River for ??? (tape cut off here and I didn't get rest of it) 9. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor I<Jinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 9:00 p.m. d:P ..{/~ /,/ (..../' Tina Allard City Clerk . . .