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10-08-2007 CC MIN• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL. HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM) MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2007 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Farber, Gumphrey, Moon, and Zerwas Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Chief of Police Jeffrey Beahen, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz, Finance Director Tim Simon, Public Works Director Terry Maurer, Street Superintendent Phil Hals, Assistant Street Superintendent Mark Thompson, Community Development Director Scott Clark, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart, Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug, Ice Arena Manager Rich Czech, Accountant Lori. Stich, and Recording Secretary Jessica Miller Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. 2. Consider Council Agenda Councilmember Motin requested that items 3.1., 3.3., and 3.5. be removed from the consent agenda for discussion. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA: 3.2. 3.2. PERCENT MALT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR ALDI, INC. 3.4. PROCLAMATION -OCTOBER 22 - 26, 2007, MINNESOTA MANUFACTURER'S WEEK IN ELK RIVER MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for open mike. 3.1. October 1. 2007 Minutes • Councilmember Motin offered the following change to the October 1, 2007 minutes: City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 2 • Item 6.1., page 4 - Councilmember Motin requested staff determine what se~ieeEs} fide ~ provides ~e control the city can have over the other bordering townships MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 1, 2007, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 33. Request by Global Marketing_for Solicitor Licenses Councilmember Motin requested wording changes to two of the conditions of the solicitor licenses. He questioned why they hours of Monday through Friday, Noon to 6:00 p.m. were included as a condition. Ms. Johnson stated that the city attorney has advised staff that if the hours were restricted for one solicitor they should be restricted for future solicitors as well. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREYAND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING SOLICITOR LICENSES FOR GLOBAL MARKETING LLC D/B/A GMG DIRECT: ^ DEJVID SLONECKI ^ BRIAN PATRICK MCCURDY ^ ANDY MARCUS EARL ABRAT-SAMSON ^ DONALD RAY HEATH WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. ONLY ONE (1) SOLICITOR SHALL APPROACH EACH RESIDENCE AND NO SOLICITOR FROM THE SAME COMPANY CAN APPROACH THE SAME RESIDENCE AGAIN UNLESS INVITED BACK BY THE RESIDENT. 2. HOURS FOR UNSOLICITED CALLS ARE LIMITED TO MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NOON TO 6:00 PM. 3. APPLICANTS SHALL CARRY THE SOLICITOR'S LICENSE, A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR STATE ID, AND WEAR A CITY PROVIDED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION WHILE SOLICITING. 4. APPLICANTS CANNOT APPROACH ANY RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS WHERE THERE IS A SIGN PROHIBITING SOLICITORS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.5. Authorization to Provide Office Space for Coordinator of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program I,RSVPI in the New Senior Activity C, enter Councilmember Motin questioned what programs RSVP offers. Charlotte Strei, Coordinator RSVP -explained RSVP and the services they offer. Councilmember Motin expressed concern over providing office space for outside groups. Ms. Strei explained that RSVP currently provides approximately 6700 hours per year of volunteer service in Elk River; 2000 hours to the police department alone. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 3 Police Chief Jeffrey Beahen indicated that the city experiences a savings by RSVP providing 2000 hours of volunteer service. He stated that it would cost the city at least $30,000 to hire an employee to replace the services RSVP performs. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO PROVIDE OFFICE SPACE FOR THE COORDINATOR OF THE RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP) IN THE NEW SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER WITH A THIRTY DAY TERMINATION PERIOD ON THE LEASE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.1. Continue Downtown Parking_Study Discussion Parking Studv City Administrator Lori Johnson indicated that the first item for Council consideration is whether or not to accept the downtown parking study. Ms. Johnson indicated that although there are some concerns and questions about the study, there are advantages to accepting the study as prepared. First, the study would give the city a starting point from which to make adjustments as parking patterns and volumes change. Second, it would give developers of new commercial space the parking data they need to help market their commercial units. Third, the study includes a list of recommendations that, if adopted, will help deal with current and future parking related items in a proactive way to help avoid parking problems. Ms. Johnson stated that questions have been raised about the validity of the study since the count used as the measure for the study was only taken on one day. She explained that Mr. Surna explained during his presentation that other cities have also questioned this . methodology and have chosen to conduct additional parking counts, but the end result only changed by one or two percent. Ms. Johnson stated that the study should be viewed as a baseline for a given point in time and accepted knowing the parking data may change. She stated that staff suggests that parking counts by staff be conducted at least every six months. Ms. Johnson indicated that staff concurs with the list of recommendations included in the study and is prepared to begin working on the recommendations if the study is approved by the Council. Ms. Johnson explained that one of the recommendations is to adopt guiding principles for downtown parking as outlined in the study to help set expectations, define the mission, determine responsibilities, help plan for and manage the parking needs, as well as other related items. She stated that one of the recommendations is to designate a single department to be in charge of parking with the understanding that certain responsibilities would be designated to other departments. Staff is recommending the public works department be the department responsible for parking. The street division will still be responsible for lot maintenance and the police department will still be responsible for parking enforcement. Councilmember Motin indicated that he does not believe the study is representative of what parking in the area will be in the future once the downtown businesses and residents-move in. He stated that it would make sense to accept the study and review the parking counts in six months. Councilmember Zerwas explained that he is concerned with the method used for the count but he believes that in order to move forward the study should be accepted as a baseline and • additional traffic counts should be taken quarterly for at least the first year. He would like the counts taken over a two or three day period. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 4 Councilmember Farber stated that the study was flawed from the beginning because of the timing and because information was left out of the study. Councilmember Farber indicated the study contains good recommendations and should be accepted but the city should continue to conduct its own counts. He noted in accepting the study, he would like to acknowledge that it is flawed. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned if a firm would be hired to conduct the additional traffic counts. Councilmember Farber indicated that he would like staff to conduct the counts because he is not satisfied with the firm that conducted the parking study. Councilmember Gumphrey agreed that staff should conduct the parking counts. Councilmember Zerwas stated that he is in favor of accepting the study, spedfically the recommendations called for in the study, requested that it be treated as a baseline and reevaluated quarterly. He stated that during those quarterly reevaluations, he would like to see parking data collected over a three day period. He noted that he also does not believe the study is an accurate representation of what the future will be in downtown but he is not in favor of accepting the entire study as flawed. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO ACCEPT THE DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY BY CARL WALKER, INC. WITH ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH IN THE STUDY; FOR THE STUDY TO BE TREATED AS A BASELINE AND REEVALUATED QUARTERLY; FOR QUARTERLY PARKING COUNTS TO BE CONDUCTED BY STAFF OVER A THREE DAY . PERIOD AND BROUGHT BACK TO THE COUNCIL; AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE PARKING COUNT PORTION OF THE STUDY IS INACCURATE. MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember Motin opposed. Councilmember Motin noted that he did not vote in favor to accept the study because he does not believe the language in the motion should include that the study is inaccurate. He believes that the information is incorrect as it is expected to be in the future but is correct as of the date the study was conducted. He explained that he does not believe the study can be used as a marketing tool if the Council acknowledges it as inaccurate or flawed. Ms. Johnson indicated that staff will come back to the Council with recommendations for methodology on conducting and implementing parking counts. ParkingPermitr Chief of Police Jeffrey Beahen indicated that Public Works Director Terry Maurer, Community Development Director Scott Clark, Street Superintendent Phil Hals, and he met to discuss the parking permit process as it relates to the downtown businesses, specifically the. permitted uses of the King Avenue lot. Chief Beahen stated that the consensus of the group was that they do not support putting employees, residential and visiting parking, and customer parking all in the King Avenue lot. Chief Beahen reviewed issues relating to permitting, signage, snow removal, safety, multiple uses in the lot, and enforcement as outlined in his staff report. Chief Beahen reviewed staff's recommendation as follows: • ^ Employee parking -keep in the King Avenue parking lot with permits issued at a low or nominal fee. These permits would be issued knowing that with approximately 156 City Council Minutes Page 5 October 8, 2007 • permits requested and only 96 parking spots available in the King Ave lot, parking would be on a first come, first served basis. • Residential parking -assign across Highway 10, on the south side of the tracks, west of Jackson. Staff would advocate that significant enhancements be made to that lot including: parking lot overlay, lighting, and other security features as directed by the Council. Council discussion took place on the employee permitting process. Ms. Johnson reviewed the motion the Council approved on September 17, 2007, reverting back to the former permitting system issuing yearly permits with a nominal yearly fee of $20 per permit. Councilmember Motin stated that he agreed with the first two or three recommendations in the staff report but did not agree with the others. Councilmember Gumphrey expressed concern over charging the public a fee for a parking permit. Councilmember Motin indicated that he believes that the fee should be higher to help cover costs associated with the permitting process. Councilmember Farber indicated that the city should acknowledge the fact that having pedestrians crossing Highway 10 is not the most ideal situation but agreed that labeling the intersection dangerous would land lock the downtown area. He stated that the parking lot needs to be utilized but should not be a permanent solution to the parking problem. Councilmember Farber questioned if there is a way to make the intersection more pedestrian friendly, especially in the winter. Public Works Director Terry Maurer indicated- that he and Phil can develop a plan to ensure that snow is properly removed from the pedestrian route. Mr. Maurer stated that he contacted the District 3 Traffic Engineer for MnDOT to see what other forms of signage can be installed to make crossing Highway 10 more pedestrian friendly. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned what the plan is for the residents that require overnight parking. Chief Beahen explained that he has received 42 requests for parking permits in the King Avenue lot. He stated that he cannot find a way that co-mingling the residents with the employees and customers will efficiently work. Councilmember Gumphrey indicated that he is only concerned with providing parking spaces for the previous nine residences that requested parking. He stated that he is not concerned with the Jackson Square residents as they have already each been provided one parking stall. Councilmember Motin stated the King Avenue parking lot is a public parking lot and he does not believe any downtown residents should have dedicated parking stalls. He stated that he would support three-hour parking for the business part of the day, such as 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., and allowing anyone to park overnight. He doesn't see the harm with overnight parking but believes the snow removal issues need to be addressed. He noted that if those hours do not work for people they would have to .park across Highway 10. Mayor Klinzing stated that it does not make sense to her to not allow overnight parking the entire year because of potential snow plow issues. Councilmember Zerwas concurred. • City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 6 • Wendy Simonson, Kemper Drug -stated that encouraging residents to parkin customer parking sets a negative precedent. She requested the employee parking be signed for the permitted overnight parking rather than the customer parking. Mr. Maurer indicated that if no overnight parking restrictions are in place during the winter months, the street department may not be able to plow the lot due to vehicles parked in all areas of the lot. Garen Attia, Olde Main Eatery -questioned if residents could park overnight in the back row of employee parking. It was noted that would require each parking spot to be individually signed. The Council questioned how the parking spots are currently marked. Chief Beahen indicated that there are signs on the light posts that point to a row of parking rather than individual parking spots. He noted that 24 of the spots in the back are deeded to First National Financial so that needs to be taken into account. It was noted that having each parking spot individually signed is a plowing nightmare. Chief Beahen indicated that the easiest solution would be the one as suggested by Councilmember Motin to sign the entire lot three hour parking and first come, first served in the evening. He stated that he understands the concerns of the businesses but does not see another viable solution. Mr. Hals indicated that there are a number of issues staff should consider including: how do we remove snow from the lot, how many overnight resident stalls need to be provided, and can the parking lot be entirely closed overnight following a snowfall. Mr. Maurer indicated that additional signage may be necessary for some of the overnight parking in the winter. Councilmember Zerwas stated that he believes the seasonal approach is good and that something similar to the winter street parking ordinance could be enacted. Mr. Maurer explained that staff suggested that overnight parking of residents be only allowed in the row of parking stalls adjacent to Highway 10 to allow the lot to be effidendy cleared of snow. Mr. Maurer noted that there are only 26 parking spots along this row which will not be sufficient for the number of residents that have requested overnight parking in the winter. . Councilmember Moon indicated that there are other parking spots available if the 26 spots are full. Mr. Maurer indicated that if this is workable, it is the best scenario for plowing because it will allow snow removal while maintaining the parking for customers and residents. Ms. Johnson confirmed that staffls understanding is that the Council is leaning towards residential parking in the King Avenue lot overnight and staff will figure out how to do it.. She stated that staff will work out a plan to facilitate parking, develop signage, and address snow removal issues. Chief Beahen stated that the Police Department is getting ready to issue parking pernzits and questioned if residential permits are necessary. It was the consensus of the Council that they were not necessary because the 26 overnight parking spots would be first come, first served.. Ms. Attia explained that if residential pernts are not issued she is in the same place she was before. She noted that the residents of Jackson Place have already been given 1.2 spots per unit and her tenants have none. Mayor Klinzing clarified that the city did not provide the • Jackson Place residents with the parking spots. She noted that most of the discussion the Council has had is because of Ms. Attia's request for residential parking in the King Avenue lot. She stated that the Council is trying to be fair in addressing this request. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 7 Counc3lmember Gumphrey questioned how many residents have requested parking in the King Avenue lot. Chief Beahen indicated that there are nine above downtown businesses and an additiona132 from Jackson Square. Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich clarified that MetroPlains provided residential parking spaces as provided by code. Councilmember Farber would like staff to review the downtown parking standards. Marci VanValkenburg, Elk River Travel -questioned what prompted residents of Jackson Place to request residential parking permits for the King Avenue lot. Counalmember Zerwas indicated that it was the downtown business owners who requested residential parking in the King Avenue lot and the Jackson Square residents are responding to that request. Ms. Simonson -stated that the request was for current downtown residences to be grandfathered in and allowed parking spots in the King Avenue lot. Chief Beahen questioned if the Council would like parking enforced on weekends. Council consensus was to enforce parking Monday through Friday. Chief Beahen indicated that he does not want to speak for the businesses, but they may have concerns that residents and visitors will park in prime spots on weekends directly in front of and behind their businesses. It was noted that with the exception of overnight, parking is not currently enforced on weekends. Councilmember Gumphrey requested that weekend parking be monitored. He stated that he would like the original nine apartments to be provided with an employee permit to park in the King Avenue lot. Councilmember Motin indicated that he does not have a problem with allowing the nine residents the option of purchasing employee parking permits. Councilmember Farber indicated that this may not address the problem as the issue is with overnight parking. Chief Beahen stated that nine of the parking stalls would be signed as overnight parking/permit required with the additional 17 signed only overnight parking allowed. He stated that this information as well as the snow removal recommendation will be included in the staff report to be brought back to the Council. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO ALLOW THE NINE PREEXISTING DOWNTOWN APARTMENT RESIDENTS TO PURCHASE EMPLOYEE PARKING PERMITS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Ms. Johnson indicated that staff will come back with recommendations on overnight parking and snow removal either October 15 or November 5. Mayor Klinzing recessed the meeting at 8:50 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:55 p.m. Mayor Klinzing indicated that there has been a request to move item 5.3.A. and 5.3.B. before item 5.2. • City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 8 • 5.3.A. Consideration of Rezoning to Permit Business Office and Outdoor Storage in Oudot A Aggregate Commercial Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart presented the staff report. Bill Ramsay, representing SR Weidema -explained that the applicant would like Council direction on a request for rezoning that would permit the construction of a business office and associated outside storage in the I1 zoning district. Mr. Barnhart stated that in addition to the options outlined in the staff report, another option would be to amend Section 30-1562 (d Conditional Urer) (20 L.andreaping contractorryard provided that). Mr. Ramsay questioned if an Interim Use Permit (IUP) would be appropriate. He noted that the applicant would be willing to sign an agreement outlining adrop-dead date if appropriate. Mr. Barnhart stated that an IUP could hamper future planning efforts. Councilmember Farber indicated that if the IUP has adrop-dead date, planning can proceed. He added that he believes it is a good use for land that is currently not being utilized. Mr. Barnhart indicated that in order to allow the contractors yard either the area would need to be rezoned, or a portion of it, to allow I1 or I2 or modify this zoning district to allow contractor yards. He stated that if he had to chose an option, he would recommend modifying subsection 20 to allow contractors yards. Mr. Barnhart noted that by doing this, it would open up the entire I1 and I2 zoning districts to allow contractors yards, which map be undesirable. Councilmember Farber indicated that an applicant would still need to come before the Counal if they wanted an interim use and approval would be at the discretion of the Council. Mr. Barnhart explained that the burden to find reasons to deny a conditional use permit or an interim use permit is on the Council which may be problematic for the Council. Councilmember Farber stated NPs have drop-dead dates and the city can still plan for the future. He stated that he supports modifying subsection 20. Councilmember Gumphrey stated that the ordinance should not be modified and that these cases should be discussed on an individual basis. He noted that he supports the request and would like staff to develop options to allow the request. Mr. Barnhart explained that interim use permits sound good but they can be difficult to enforce. He stated that it is difficult to make people move that have been successful in a location for a number of years. He stated that the City Council has the authority to enforce the IUPs but that enforcement may be difficult politically. Mr. Barnhart recommended that if the Council desires, he would come back with an ordinance amendment to allow the contractors yard as a conditional use permit and the Council could consider allowing this as an interim use in the meantime. Mayor Klinzing stated that she does not want the ordinance changed. She stated that she believes what is in the ordinance is sufficient as a number of uses are allowed. Councilmembers Farber and Gumphrey indicated they would like staff to bring back options. Mr. Barnhart stated that staff also needs Council direction on transitional rezoning • and this use could be listed as an interim list. Councilmember Farber indicated that he believes this would be an excellent topic for the retreat. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 9 • 5.3.B. Consideration of Rezoning to Permit Gravel Mining in the Area Known as North of 225 Avenue and Adjacent to Baldwin Street Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart presented his staff report. Ken Kuhn, Gemstone -noted that Gemstone does not own the subject property at this time. He stated that Gemstone drilled the subject property for minerals and they found that there are minerals on half of the property. Mr. Kuhn explained that this area is not in the Mineral Overlay District; therefore, due to the expense of environmental assessments and land acquisition, Gemstone wished to discuss whether or not the Council is open minded to including this property into the Mineral Overlay District before proceeding. John Shardlow, Bonestroo -stated that the Metropolitan Council has recognized that aggregate resources are a diminishing resource in the Twin Cities Metro area. He indicated that he understands the comprehensive plan for this area is commercial and explained that he believes mining is a very compatible use for future commercial. He stated that his company was involved with the master planning and environmental review for the Arbor Lakes area in Maple Grove. Mr. Shardlow asked for Council feedback to allow any potential concerns to be addressed. Mayor Klinzing commented that mining of the materials is very important. She noted that future sewer and water extension for the area has not been discussed. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned when mining would begin and end if this proposal is approved. NIr. Kuhn explained that the environmental review process will take 18-24 months. Mr. Kuhn indicated that the property has about a 20-year mine-life. Councilmember Gumphrey e.~pressed concern over traffic entering and existing Highway 169. The Council concurred that traffic is a concern. Mr. Kuhn explained that the environmental review process would address this issue. Councilmember Motin questioned why this area is not included in the Mineral Overlay District. Mr. Barnhart explained that his understanding is that when the city conducted the environmental impact study, property owners were given an opportunity to participate and those that opted out were not included in the study. Mr. Maurer and Ms. Haug concurred. 5.2. Garbage Hauler Hours of Operation Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug presented her staff report. Councilmember Gumphrey stated that he has received complaint calls regarding garbage being picked up at 6:00 a.m. He stated that he would prefer that garbage collection begin at 7:00 a.m. and be extended later into the evening if necessary. Councilmember Farber concurred noting that the haulers could begin with the commercial properties first. Ms. Haug noted that commercial garbage operations are handled by a separate set of trucks. Councilmember Motin stated that he likes the idea of rerouting the haulers to address the issues. He noted that he has not had one complaint related to garbage haulers in his nine years on the Council. • Ms. Haug indicated that she has spoken to both contracted hfi.ulers for the organized collection in the city and they both indicated that if the hours are changed they would like City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 10 the contracts renegotiated which could lead to price changes. She noted that the city has the option to address concerns and renegotiate items under the contracts in two years. It was the consensus of the Council to reroute the garbage haulers to pickup in the rural areas earlier in the morning and to address issues of concern with the two contracted residential haulers when the contract allows. Discussion took place on rerycling and whether or not Elk River will be shifting to the single sort rerycling. Ms. Haug stated that there is some controversy over the single sort because if the glass breaks or cardboard gets wet the entire load is contaminated and cannot be recycled. She stated that it is written into the hauler contracts that Elk River is to utilize a two sort system. 5.4. Capital Improvement Plan A. Government Buildings Finance Director Tim Simon reviewed the Government Buildings Capital Improvement Plan as presented in his staff report. Councilmember Farber questioned if there is pending legislation coming in reference to liquor stores. Ms. Johnson explained that she expects that wine in grocery legislation will come up again in 2008. She stated that there has also been some discussion on city enterprise funds and that it is always a possibility that those funds map be entirely eliminated. Ms. Johnson noted that she would expect that if additional restrictions are placed on enterprise funds by the state, the change would be phased in to allow cities ample time to plan. She indicated that enough funds have been set aside to pay for the bonds, which is the city's highest priority. Councilmember Zerwas questioned if the street department will lease space until the new public works complex is constructed. Public Works Director Terry Maurer indicated that leasing should not be necessary as current space along with the temporary trailers that were purchased should be sufficient for the time being. Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz and Ice Arena Manager Rich Czech reviewed a concept for the Ice Arena expansion. Mr. Maertz indicated that the estimated costs are between $1.5 - $1.8 million but that does not include new locker rooms. Mr. Maertz explained that the school district has expressed interest in helping to defray the cost of building new locker rooms, possibly through alease-back option. Discussion took place on funding options for the expansion. Ms. Johnson stated there are different funding options depending on the time frame for the project. She stated that the project would probably require a levy increase. The consensus of the Council was for staff to come back with funding options. for the Arena expansion. ' Councilmember Gumphrey indicated that he met with a business owner who map be interested in purchasing naming rights for the Arena. He asked Mr. Czech to discuss an • amount with the Ice Arena Commission and let him know. City Council Minutes Page 11 October 8, 2007 • B. Equipment Mr. Simon reviewed the Equipment Capital Improvement Plan as outlined in his staff report. Discussion took place on the loader that is in the street department budget fox 2008. It was the consensus of the Council to keep the loader in the 2008 budget. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned the necessity for a snowmobile. Mr. Maertz explained that the snow mobile will be used for grooming ski trails. Ms. Johnson explained that the host fee was changed a few years back and the intent at that time was for the amount going into the capital outlay reserve to be designated but it has not been. She recommended that the host fee allocation be changed to 95% to the government buildings fund and 15% to the street reserve fund and the host fees in the capital outlay reserve be transferred to government buildings fund. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY APPROVING THE FOLLOWING ALLOCATION OF LANDFILL HOST FEES: 85% GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, 15% STREET RESERVES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The library debt will be paid from host fees in the government buildings fund. 5.5. Council Open Forum Councilmember Gumphrey indicated that he would like to add an additional worksession every other month due to the length of the current worksessions. Councilmember Farber stated that he would like some of the worksession items to be added to the first meeting agenda. Ms. Johnson explained that staff will adjourn to a worksession during the first meeting when the regular meeting is short and there are too many worksession items on the worksession agenda. 6. Other Business There was no other business. 7. Council Updates Councilmember Zerwas reminded the Council that the library open house is Saturday, October 13 at 9 a.m. 8. Staff Updates Ms. Johnson indicated that Manufacturing Week is next week and the Council should let staff know if they would like to attend the luncheon. 9. Adjournment • There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 10:38 p.m. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller. ~,,.,.~' Tina Allard City Clerk Page 12 • • r ~ ~~