12-09-2002 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2002
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Vice Mayor Tveite, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, and Motin,
Mayor IGinzing
City Administrator Pat Klaers, Finance Director LoriJohnson, and City
Clerk Sandra Peine
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 6:45 p.m. by Vice Mayor Tveite.
Consider 12/9/2002 Agenda
The following items were added to the agenda:
6.1.
Memo from Councilmembers Kuester and Dietz Regarding Term Limits
Consider Executive Session on December 16, 2002
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS
AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT
AGENDA AS FOLLOWS:
3.2.
3,4.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
· 11/25/02 COUNCIL MINUTES
· 12/2/02 COUNCIL MINUTES
· 12/2/02 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
CHECK REGISTER
CONDITIONAL HIRING OF THE FOLLOWING FIREFIGHTERS.'
· TIMBRISBIN
· TIM MARCHIAFAVA
· BRENT RICHTER
· SCOTT SCHMIDT
APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING LICENSES CONTINGENT ON
ALL APPLICATION MATERIAL BEING SUBMITTED:
· KENNEL LICENSES, PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL
· TOBACCO LICENSES
· MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT ESTABLISHMENT LICENSES
· BILLIARD HALL LICENSE
· THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE
City Council Minutes
December 9, 2002
3.5.
3.6.
Page 2
· MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE
RESOLUTION 02-108 A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE TERM OF
THE CABLE FRANCHISE HELD BY CC VIII OPERATING COMPANY,
LLC D/B/A/CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
RESOLUTION 02-109 ESTABLISHING THE MEETING TIME FOR
THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
TRANSIENT MERCHANT LICENSE FOR JEREMIAH WATSON TO
SELL COUPON BOOKS DOOR-TO-DOOR
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
4. Open Mike
No one appeared for open mike.
5.1. Consider Term Expirations for EDA, HRA, and Library. Board
The City Clerk explained that the Mayor appoints the EDA, HRA, and Library Board
members. She suggested tabling this item until next week so that the Mayor can make the
appointments.
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO TABLE ACTION ON THIS ITEM
TO THE DECEMBER 16, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER
DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
5.2. Approve Resolution Setting Final Tax Lew for Taxes Payable 2003
5.3. Consider Motion Adopting 2003 Budget
The City Administrator indicated that on December 2, 2002, the City Council held its Truth
and Taxation public hearing. He indicated that the Council reviewed the proposed 2003
General Fund budget of $7,687,900. The City Administrator noted that based on the
proposed tax levy, the 2003 tax rate is estimated at 44.513 which is a 2.1 percent increase in
the tax rate. He further noted that the city net tax capacity increased by 14.44 percent in
2003.
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 02-110 A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR
COLLECTION IN 2003. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2003 MUNICIPAL
GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS.
COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
5.4. Consider City. Recreation Use of Boys and Girls Club
The City Administrator indicated that Councilmember Dietz has requested that this issue be
brought back to the Council for reconsideration. He indicated that the proposal has not
changed since the last time it was before the Council (October 28, 2002 meeting). The
City Council Minutes Page 3
December 9, 2002
proposal is to rent the gymnasium space from the Boys and Girls Club for $15,000 per year
with a minimum commitment of three years. Councilmember Dietz indicated that the Boys
and Girls Club need this commitment from the City or they will not be able to get the loan
that they need. Councilmember Motto indicated his concern that the programs do not cost
the City more money than the $15,000. Councilmember Motin also questioned the
possibility of extending the lease past the three-year commitment if it is in the Cit?s best
interest.
Councilmember Kuester indicated her concern of funding in 2004 ifLGA is cut by the State.
She questioned the possibility of paying the 2003 lease from the 2002 budget. The Finance
Director indicated that the lease for 2003 could be prepaid from the 2002 budget.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO LEASE THE BOYS AND GIRLS
CLUB GYMNASIUM FOR $15,000 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS AND THAT
THE LEASE FOR 2003 BE PREPAID FROM THE 2002 COUNCIL
CONTINGENCY BUDGET. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
5.5. Tim Smith - Main Street House Removal
City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that per Council direction, the City has invoiced Tim
Smith in the amount of $9,900. He noted that this is the penalty amount of $100 per day that
was issued pursuant to the order for permanent injunction and judgment for the removal of
Mr. Smith's house on Main Street.
Tim Smith, 403 Main Street - indicated that he was unable to move the house by the
deadline because of survey problems on the land where the house was being moved. Mr.
Smith indicated that he felt wronged by the City because he was required to get a conditional
use permit in 1994 and later found out that the permit was not necessary. Mr. Smith stated
that he should not have to pay any penalty.
Councilmember Dietz indicated that he would be willing to compromise on the penalty.
Councilmember Tveite indicated that he is not willing to set a precedent by waiving the
entire fee. Councilmember Kuester indicated that she would like to see Mr. Smith work with
the City in determining the amount of penalty. Councilmember Motin indicated that the City
has incurred a large amount of legal expenses in dealing with this issue and feels that Mr.
Smith is responsible for the full penalty amount.
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO ALLOW THE PENALTY TO BE
REDUCED TO $6~000 IF PAID BY MARCH 31, 2003; OTHERWISE THE FULL
AMOUNT WILL BE DUE. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-1. COUNClLMEMBER KUESTER
OPPOSED.
6. Other Business
6.1. Memo from Council_members Kuester and Dietz Regarding Term Limits
Councilmember Kuester introduced a memo from herself and Councilmember Dietz. The
memo included a proposal for an ordinance amendment that would allow Park Commission
members who are serving as non-residents as of December 2002 to continue to serve on the
Park Commission. Councilmember Kuester stated that Dave Anderson has served on the
City Council Minutes Page 4
December 9, 2002
Park and Recreation Commission for 15 years. With his term expiring on February 28, 2003,
the current ordinance would not allow him to be reappointed. She indicated that he has
much knowledge of the history of City park and recreation development as well as much
experience in recruiting and working with park volunteers and that it would be a mistake not
to reappoint him.
Following discussion of this issue, it was the consensus of the City Council that it would be
more appropriate to revise the ordinance to allow people outside of the City to serve on city
commissions, but allowing the Council to give preference to Elk River residents who apply.
The Council directed staff to review the ordinance and to bring the issue back to the Council
for discussion when the City Attorney is present.
6.2. Consider Executive Session on December 16, 2002
The City Administrator requested the Council to call a special executive session of the City
Council to discuss the Gobel litigation and Tollefson litigation.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL EXECUTIVE
SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2002, AT
5:30 P.M. TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION ON THE TOLLEFSON AND
GOBEL CASES. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
7. Staff Updates
There were no staff updates.
7. Executive Session Continuation
Vice Mayor Tveite recessed the Council and moved to the training room for the continued
executive session for the purpose of conducting a performance review of the City
Administrator.
Following the executive session, Vice Mayor Tveite reconvened the City Council meeting.
Vice Mayor Tveite indicated that the performance review of the City Administrator has been
completed and it has been decided that his performance is Satisfactory and that the City
Administrator will focus on establishing citywide team goals and on encouraging a positive
work environment.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Vice Mayor Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council.
Sandra Peine
City Clerk