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04-09-2007 CC MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM) MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Motin, Farber, Gumphrey, and Zerwas Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Police Chief Jeff Beahen, Assistant Street Superintendent Mark Thompson, City Engineer Terry Mailler, Finance Director Tim Simon, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, 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 6:35 p,m, by Mayor Klinzing, 2, Consider Council Ar;enda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. e 3, Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA: 3,1. APRIL 2, 2007 MINUTES 3.2, MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE FOR ANNE JOHNSON TO WORK FROM JOHN JOSEPH SALON 3.3, TRANSIENT MERCHANT LICENSE TO CURTIS KING TO SELL PLANTS AND TREES FROM WASH-N-FlLL MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for Open Mike. 5. Worksession 5,1. Council Open Forum Councilmember Farber requested more proactive code enforcement for noticeable issues around Elk River. He suggested a summer intern to begin this year, e Ms. Johnson stated the Planning Division is working on developing a better code enforcement process and Scott Clark indicated they may not be ready for an intern this year, City Councill\finutes ,~pril 9, 2007 Page 2 The Council concurred that they don't need to see a list of code enforcement issues before the process to remedy them is started but they would like to be made aware of them periodically after enforcement has begun. e Councilmember Motin questioned the status of the sign ordinance as it relates to putting decals on signs. Ms. Johnson stated she would check on this with the Community Development Department. Mayor Klinzing stated that during the budget process she would like the city to consider privatizing more services if it makes economical sense as she has heard many conunents from constiruents. Ms. Johnson stated the city does consider private services on many things such as snowplowing, janitorial services, etc as part of the annual budget process. She referenced the recent decision on the prosecuting attorney as one of the recent issues reviewed. She stated staff will bring this to the public's and Council's attention more during the budgeting process. 5.2. Transportation Update lMr. Maurer provided a PowerPoint presentation of current transportation projects. e A. 193,d Avenue The Council concurred with the proposed diagram for the Burandt Curve and with the street section design with a median. He stated the new street section would have a ten foot bituminous path on the south side and a six foot concrete path on the north side. Mr. Maurer noted that the proposed sidewalk on the south side of existing 193,d Avenue may need to have retaining walls due to the topography. He stated sidewalks will need to be decided upon at a later date. B. Deerfield 3'" Addition Sidewalk Mr. Maurer presented some results of a survey sent to residents that are part of this pavement management project. Councilmember Motin questioned why a survey was sent out. Ms. Johnson stated there were many comments from the affected property owners after the initial meetings on this project. She stated some owners didn't want to speak in front of their neighbors and some indicated they didn't understand the petition they had signed. Mayor Klinzing noted that some owners signed the petition believing the cost of the assessment would be reduced if sidewalks were removed from the project. e City Council :Minutes April 9, 2007 Page 3 e MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO INCLUDE THE SIDEWALKS HIGHLIGHED IN BLUE ON THE DIAGRAM PRESENTED TO COUNCIL AT THIS MEETING. THE SIDEWALKS SHALL BE DIRECTLY ADJACENT UP TO THE STREET MOTION CARRIED 5-0. c. Railroad Ouiet Zones :rv1r. Maurer stated there are ten railroad crossings in Elk River: six owned by the city, three by the county, and one private. He stated the city needs to determine funding sources. Councilmember Farber stated he would like the city to include the county-owned signals in a cost analysis study. He suggested citizens contact their county commissioners to encourage county participatiou in establishing railroad quiet zones. The Council concurred that they would like to see a feasibility study completed for all ten railroad crossings. D. School Street/lackson Avenue Intersection Improvements-Estimated project cost: $297,000 Mr. Maurer provided a preliminary design for this intersection. He discussed the possibility of three lane striping and parking. He stated minimal easement for a control box should be all that is needed from the school district. e The Council would like the intersection improvement to move forward and the re-striping of Jackson Avenue to wait until the homeowner's are contacted. The Council expressed concerns with parking for a duplex and some businesses in the area. E. Proctor Avenue/TH 10 Rif';ht Turn Lane-Estimated project cost: $131,000 Mr. Maurer presented a concept for this intersection. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned how some of these projects would be funded. Mr. Maurer stated this project is eligible for Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds but noted that the city has committed their funds out. He stated he is unsure yet and needs to meet with the [mance director and the city administrator. He stated he needs Council direction on which projects are priority. F. Main Street/TH 169 Right Turn Lane-Estimated project cost: $80,000 Councilmember Morin stated he would like the south side ofTH 169 and Main Street to also be considered for an extended right turn lane. The Council would like the finance director to look at funding options. G. 197th Avenue Trail Between TH 169 and Tvler Street-Estimated project cost: $205,000 e Mr. Maurer discussed a detached bituminous trail on 197th Avenue. City COlUlcil Minutes April 9, 2007 Page 4 Councilmember Molin stated this project should be put off for awhile until the financing could be determined. e Councilmember Gumphrey expressed safety concerns for pedestrians due to the amount of traffic on this road. The Council would like the finance director to look at fnnding options. Ms. Johnson stated the finance deparnnent would like to complete a comprehensive financing plan for all these transportation projects. She stated this is the first time costs have been attached to these projects and it is staff's intent to come back at a later date with funding options so the Council can prioritize them. H. Mn/DOT Spring-Tour Mr. Maurer stated the Mn/DOT tour has been scheduled for Monday, May 7, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. It was suggested that a representative from Anoka County be invited to this tour due to the CSAH 33 and County Road 22 future through Anoka County. 5.3. Downtown Parking- Focus Group Recommendations for Changes to Current Parking Regulations and Pennitting Process Ms. Mehelich reviewed the Phase I recommendations of the Downtown Parking Focus Group. Councilmember Farber stated the parking ramp analysis should not wait until Phase III. He stated the Group should be studying the need for a ramp while working on Phase I and Phase II. He stated the projected new businesses and the customers they will generate need to be taken into account. e Councilmember Zenvas stated he shares Counci1member Farber's concerns. Councilmember Gumphrey concurred. He stated he would like the Downtown Parking Focus Group to work with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to consider a ramp. Councilmember Morin disagreed and stated he felt it would be okay to wait a year in order to see what is going to happen in the downtown once the Jackson and Bluff Blocks are completed. He stated benefited property owners should be assessed for a ramp. Mayor Klinzing concurred with Councilmember Morin. She stated that some businesses should be limited in the number of city permits given to them as they already own private parking spaces. Councilmember Morin questioned how overnight parking enforcement will be handled. Chief Beahen stated parking will be monitored during the day. He stated residential parking will be the biggest concern with overnight parking. Ms. Mehelich stated the Parking Focus Group is working on an aggressive time schedule. She stated the Council could consider making the city-owned lot an all customer parking lot. e City Council Minutes April 9, 2007 Page 5 e Councilmember Farber commended the Parking Focus Group for the job they are doing. Mayor Klinzing noted that a majority of the Council would like the ramp analysis to be considered during the other phases that the Parking Focus Group is working toward. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned if the parking boots were needed at this time. ChiefBeahen stated the city has no recourse through the court system to collect on parking fines. He stated the parking boots can be installed on a vehicle that has numerous parking tickets until the tickets are paid. Ms. Mehelich noted that cost for the emergency pull-posts in her staff report was incorrect and the cost is really $4,500 plus installation. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF ONE PARKING BOOT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO IMPLEMENT DOWNTOWN PARKING REGULATIONS AND THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR SPRING 2007 AS LISTED BELOW: e 1. REDUCE PARKING TIME LIMITS ON-STREET AND IN KING AVE. LOT AND ENFORCE WEEKDAY AND OVERNIGHT PARKING REGULATIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. 2. RELOCATE DOWNTOWN RESIDENT AND OVERNIGHT GUEST PARKING TO NORTH HWY 10 LOT BY FREE PERMITS. 3. LIMIT ISSUANCE OF KING AVE. EMPLOYEE PERMITS TO 150% (110 PERMITS) OF AVAILABLE STALLS. 4. ISSUE EMPLOYEE PERMITS BY APPLICATION ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, AT A RATE OF $10/MONTH, STARTING WITH 1 PER BUSINESS/PROPERTY OWNER, THEN "ROUND ROBIN" APPROACH. 5. PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE EMPLOYEE USE OF SAFE AND AVAILABLE PARKING LOCATION ALTERNATIVES. 6. PARKING REGULATION AND PERMIT SYSTEM TO BE RE- EVALUATED ON QUARTERLY BASIS BY A SIMILAR FOCUS GROUP WITH REGULATORY CHANGES TO BE AUTHORIZED BY COUNCIL PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The Council concurred to not purchase emergency pull-posts due to the high cost. e HRA Commissioner Toth assured the Council that the Parking Focus Group is moving forward with the parking ramp study. City Council Minutes April 9, 2007 Page 6 5.4. Public Works Director Discussion e Councilmember Farber stated a public works director position is needed due to all the projects and the growth occurring in the city. Ms. Johnson stated this position is being considered to assist the streets, WWTP, and engineering departments with administrative duties and to provide coordination of all departments. She stated it is not a reflection on the current supervisors as they are doing their jobs well but the city has grown to a point that a public works director is needed. She further stated WWTP Chief Operator Gray Leirmoe has indicated that he would like to see a public works director position created. She stated the position needs to be programmed into the budget and the cost is estimated at approximately $115,000, including benefits. She stated funds are available if the Council wants to proceed this year. Councilmember Zerwas stated he would like the city to consider hiring for this position this year due to the scope of projects that could use coordination between the divisions. Mayor Klinzing concurred. Councilmember Motin concurred and stated he would like to advertise for the position. Ms. Johnson stated the applicant should be a qualified registered professional engineer. She stated staff would work on creating a position description and a Cost analysis for the position. 5.5. Potential Retreat/Worksession Framework Ouestions Councilmember Zerwas stated some type of in-depth discussion is needed between Council and staff in order to provide better direction/guidance to the Community Development Department on the goals of the Council. He suggested having a moderator lead the discussion and keeping the discussion to a small group. e Councilmember Motin suggested making the worksessions mote informal like they were supposed to be when the Council started them. He stated the wotksessions have gotten to be too much like regular meetings. He suggested taking on three/ fout concerns of Community Development at a time and then if thete are any issues that are difficult to deal with, a facilitator could be considered. Councilmember Motin expressed concerns with a facilitator taking over and running the meetings. Councilmember Gumphrey stated the worksessions have been more presentations. He concurred with Councilmember Zerwas that there should be more informal worksessions with staff a couple times a year. Councilmember Farber stated there should be limited staff involvement and the meetings should be more free-flowing. It was suggested that staff check with the League of Minnesota Cities to see what they have to offer. The Council concutred with looking at pricing of a facilitator for a small group to meet out of town. e City Council ]\'linutes April 9, 2007 Page 7 e 6, Other Business There was no Other Business. 7. Council Updates There were no Council Updates. 8. Staff Updates Ms. Johnson noted that Deputy Clerk Jessica Miller's step dad passed away and expressed sympathy to the family. Ms. Johnson stated the joint meeting with the school district could be called for 6:00 p.m. on May 14, 2007. The Council concurred. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 9:35 p.m. e /l ,~/1 Iv ----~_.;- -----~<- Tina Allard City Clerk e