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11-13-2007 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL • HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM) TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007 Members Present: .Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Farber, Gumphrey, Motin, and Zerwas Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Finance Director Tim Simon, Public Works Director Terry Maurer, Street Superintendent Phil Hals, Assistant Street Superintendent Mark Thompson, Human Resources Representative Lauren Wipper, Building Maintenance Supervisor Gary Lore, Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug, Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams, 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 6:40 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. 2. Consider Council Agenda Ms. Johnson added a personnel item under staff updates. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0, Consider Consent A eg nda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA: 3.1. AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE VEHICLE FOR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT 3.2. .RESOLUTION 07-94 EXTENDING A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER OF LICENSES FOR THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for open mike. 5.1. TH10/160 Corridor Coalition Discussion with Tinklenberg_Group Elwyn Tinklenberg, the Tinklenberg Group -explained options the city has for, pursuing federal funding for Highways 10 and 169. Mr. Tinklenberg indicated that he believes the best opportunity for Elk River to receive federal funding may be as part of the reauthorization City Council Minutes November 13, 2007 Page 2 bill in 2009. He proposed providing services on an hourly basis to prepare an application in • 2008 to be submitted by the city to keep our request up front but that for the major effort to be extended for an application in 2009. Mayor Klinzing questioned if the city funding the transportation studies up front makes a difference. Mr. Tinklenberg indicated that it is best to identify other items that could be completed in 2009 for which funds would normally be expended by the city rather than to request reimbursement. Counciltnember Motin congratulated Mr. Tinklenberg on his plans to run for Congress. Councilmember Motin questioned if Mr. Tinklenberg is elected if our project being tied to him would hurt Elk River. Mr. Tinklenberg indicated that the application should be submitted from the city. Councilmember Motin questioned if the reauthorization bill will be approved after the 2008 elections. Mr. Tinklenberg explained that yes, he expects the reauthorization to be approved in 2009. Ms. Johnson clarified that the city cannot submit an application for a project the city is funding twice. Mr. Tinklenberg confirmed Ms. Johnson is correct and stated that the application should be far new project costs. Public Works Director Terry Maurer questioned if the city should increase the amount requested. Councilxnember Farber stated the city should apply for the entire project cost of $250 million. Mr. Tinklenberg stated that it may be better to submit a project oriented request. He noted that the city spending the money up front for the transportation studies shows commitment. Councilmember Farber questioned if the city has an advantage by being a member of the coalition. Mr. Tinklenberg indicated that there is a benefit to Elk River in working with other member cities. Mayor Klinzing added that the coalition has always supported Elk River's requests. The Council requested that Mr. Tinklenberg work with staff to submit a proposal for his services. 5.2. 2008 Flexible Benefits Plan Contribution Human Resources Representative Lauren Wipper outlined four options fox plan design and city contributions as outlined in her staff report. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE A 5% INCREASE TO THE CITY CONTRIBUTION FOR EACH INSURANCE PLAN AND TO PROVIDE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $300 HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT MATCH FOR THE EMPLOYEES CHOOSING THE HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN (WITH THE CITY MATCHING $1 FOR EVERY $4 CONTRIBUTED BY THE EMPLOYEE UP TO $300). MOTION CARRIED 5-0. • • City Council Minutes November 13, 2007 5.3. Public Works Department Update Page 3 Public Works Director Terry Maurer presented a PowerPoint outlining each division under the public works department including engineering, sewer, building maintenance, fleet maintenance, and the street division. Mr. Maurer explained the mission and goals of each division. Mr. Maurer provided a breakdown of the main tasks of the street department as outlined in his PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Maurer indicated that he met with the street department to discuss their major tasks and goals. He stated that in order to obtain a better idea of how time is spent, staff will be tracking time spent on each task for 2008. Mayor Klinzing questioned how many gravel roads are in the city. Assistant Street Superintendent Mark Thompson indicated that there axe approximately 12 miles of gravel road in Elk River. Mr. Maurer explained that the goal is to include some of the gravel roads as part of each assessable street improvement project. Mr. Maurer noted the amount of time spent for staff to manage the compost pile. He stated that there is a large number of commercial users and that monitoring options will be reviewed. ~~ ~~ Councilmember Motin questioned the statement that engineering is working with Sherburne County on a GIS map. He stated that he believed the city had already done that. Mr. Maurer explained that Sherburne County prepared a base map for the city six or seven years ago but since then little information has been added. He indicated that planning requires the developers to provide GIS information electronically and that information is being added. He stated that the service has been purchased from Sherburne County for a reasonable price. Mr. Maurer provided a transportation update. He questioned if the City Council would like to be apprised of properties that are fox sale within the path of the 193 project. He explained that if the city purchases properties in the path, he believes we would receive cost participation credit in the amount of what the property is worth at the time of project construction. Councilmember Moain indicated that he is not interested in the city getting into the rental business and questioned if the city would get credit if the house were demolished. Mr. Maurer indicated that he believes under those circumstances the city would only receive credit for the land provided. City Administrator Lori Johnson explained that staff will research MnDOT's position on the purchase of property and the potential removal of buildings. Councilmember Motin questioned if it would be appropriate for the environmental division to be under public works rather than community development. Mr. Maurer explained that public works does work with environmental staff on a few issues but there are other issues that more closely fall under community development. Ms. Johnson indicated that placement of the environmental division was reviewed prior to approval of the current organizational , chart and that it can be done either way. Ms. Johnson stated that she believes it is working well now as is with the current employees but that it could be reviewed in the future. • Counciltnember Zerwas questioned the status of the railroad quiet zones. Mr. Maurer stated that the feasibility study will be presented to the Council for consideration at the December 3 meeting. City Council Minutes November 13, 2007 Page 4 5.4. Black Dirt Ordinance • Elk River Municipal Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams presented a PowerPoint outlining monthly water usage and statistics in Elk River. Mr. Adams also explained Elk River's water source. He stated that on an annual basis, lawn irrigation accounts for approximately 45% of Elk River's water use. He explained that the DNR is urging communities to implement water conservation programs and reducing lawn irrigation is one of them. He stated that surrounding communities were surveyed and a majority have a black dirt polity in place. Mr. Adams indicated that the Utilities Commission is recommending the City Council adopt a black dirt ordinance in order to foster water conservation. He recommended the ordinance contain the following four principles: 1. 4"'of black dirt shall be tilled into the top approximate 8" of existing soil 2. 4' of black dirt shall have the approximate following make-up by volume: ^ 61% sand • 12% clay • 12% silt ^ 15% organic 3. areas that naturally contain this approximate soil make-up shall be classified as meeting the black dirt policy 4. inspection as part of the certificate of occupancy process by building inspections Councilmember Moon questioned if the ordinance would apply to existing lots or only new lots.. Mr. Adams indicated that the recommendation is for the ordinance to govern all new, urban lots. Councilmember Gumphrey stated that Elk River is Energy City and this would be an excellent opportunity for a conservation effort. Ms. Johnson indicated that staff agrees with implementing conservation efforts but has concerns regarding enforcement. Mayor Klinzing indicated that she believes it is worth a try and she would like to be consistent with surrounding communities and require 4" of black dirt. Councilmember Motin questioned how acreage lots in urban districts will be handled. Mr. Adams indicated that staff will need to review that and added that it may depend on how much lawn the homeowner intends to mow. It was the consensus of the Council for Mr. Adams to draft a black dirt ordinance to be brought back for Council approval. 5.5. HRA Pro~,ects from City Council Ms. Johnson explained that Councilmember Motin is requesting input from the Council on any projects they would like to see brought back to the HRA. Councilmember Motin indicated that the HRA will be working on the housing study in 2008 but has an otherwise fight schedule. • City Council Minutes November 13, 2007 Page 5 • Councilmember Farber stated that there are certain houses that are eye sores that tend to come up for sale often. He questioned if there is a way for the HRA to purchase the houses, tear them down and have something else built in its place. Mayor Klinzing indicated that there used to be a resident in town that provided that service but not any longer. She stated that funding to purchase the homes is an issue. She questioned if small cities grants are available. Ms. Johnson indicated that the city has not applied for the small cities grant in quite some time but that she will have Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich check into options. 5.6. Joint County Board Discussion Items The following items were suggested additions to the joint County Board agenda: ^ Fairgrounds ^ Transportation ^ Government Center property ^ Landfill ^ Legary Grant ^ Northstar Corridor (public transit) ^ Communication Issues (notification to cities) 5.7. Council Ogen Forum Councilmember Motin provided a NCDA update. He stated that Benton County dropped out of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority as they did not see it as enough of a benefit to its residents. 6. 9ther Business There was no other business. 7. Council Updates There were no council updates. 8. Staff Updates Ms. Johnson stated that she received the resignation of Parks Maintenance Supervisor Terry Bye. She noted that Parks Maintenance employee Rodney Schreifels will serve as acting Parks Maintenance Supervisor. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:47 .m. Minutes epare es ~ "" Miller. Tina Allard City Clerk