02-04-2008 CC MIN PWPLANNING WORKSHOP OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
• HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CHAMBER OFFICES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008
Members Present: Mayor lin7ing, Councilmembers Farber, Gumphrey, Morin, and Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Rusty Fifield of the Hoisington Koegler
Group Inc.
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the planning workshop of the Elk River City
Council was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Consider Council Agenda
Rusty Fifield, Hoisington Koegler Group Inc., began the planning workshop by reviewing
the issues still outstanding from meeting one including gravel musing, park funding,
marketing, transportation funding, affordable housing, interim uses, natural resource
inventory, landfill, and financial viability.
3. Council Planning Session
• The Council discussed the natural resource inventory and their desire to increase the number
of trees planted including in medians and the importance of having attractive medians that
are well maintained and attractive. Staff was requested to present options for the Orono
Parkway median at an upcoming meeting.
Discussion took place on pazk funding and the need to develop a source of funding in the
absence of park dedication fees. The Coundl felt that a park referendum was not viable at
this time. Staff will bring back a financing plan after the audit is presented.
Transportation funding was discussed. The Council expressed concerns that Highways 10
and 169 need improvements now; however, they are not scheduled fox improvement by
MnDot and no other funding is available. Council stressed the need to stick with the
approved design plans once those are completed.
The Council discussed affordable housing. The suggested emphasis is to rehabilitate older
homes instead of seeking out new affordable housing Coundl member Morin will inform the
HRA of the Council's discussion.
Council discussed the landfill, the long-term plan for the landfill, and the fact that a request
for an expansion is expected soon.
Mazketing of the city was discussed including the need for the new community development
director to have some marketing background. Discussion continued about what is available
to market and what Council wants the focus of that marketing to be.
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City Council Minutes
Date: February 4, 2008
Page 2
Development of the gravel mining area was identified as a priority for the City. The Council •
acknowledged the importance of the gravel mining study that is just begintvng. They
e%pressed a desire to work with the gravel miners and land owners to accommodate future
development.
Councilmember Zerwas stated he felt these two workshops were valuable and that the
Council should continue with this type of meeting at least one time per year. The Council
concurred.
4. Other Business
No discussion.
5. Council Updates
There were no Council. Updates.
6. Staff Updates
There were no staff updates.
7. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the planning workshop of the
Elk River City Council at 8:37 p.m.
Minutes prepared by L.o ~ nson.
/f ~ `,
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Tina Allard
City Clerk
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