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01-28-2002 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2002 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor I~dinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Motin, and Tveite None City Administrator Pat I~daers, City Engineer Terry Maurer, Finance Director Lori Johnson, City Clerk Sandra Peine, Chief of Police Tom Zerwas, Assistant Chief of Police Jeff Beahen, Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals, Building and Zoning Administrator Stephen Rohlf, and Fire Chief Bruce West Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Iadinzing. Consider 1/28/2002 Agenda COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Consent Agenda COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3,1, 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 1/22/2001 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CHECK REGISTER RESOLUTION 02-06 APPROVING PREMISES PERMIT RENEWAL FOR THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES AERIE #3264 TWO TEMPORARY ON SALE LIQUOR LICENSES FOR CHURCH OF ST ANDREW FOR THE EVENTS OF MARDI GRAS AND MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT PAY ESTIMATES · PAY ESTIMATE #11TO RICHARD KNUTSON, INC. FOR WORK ON THE WESTERN AREA PHASE IV IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $92,806.16 · PAY ESTIMATE #15 TO LATOUR CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR WORK ON THE TYLER STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $117,855.24 ATTENDANCE OF OUT OF STATE CON EXPO CONFERENCE BY STREET/PARK SUPERINTENDENT COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. City Council Minutes January 28, 2002 ............................. Page 2 4.1. Consider Hiring Police Officers Police Chief Zerwas indicated that Officer Todd Besser's military leave of absence could last until the end of 2003. Chief Zerwas stated that the candidates that have been interviewed for Todd's patrol position have indicated that they do not want to leave an existing job and take this job if there is a risk of being laid off when Todd returns. The city administrator indicated that the Council could hire a patrol officer with the intent of transferring an existing position to drug control when Todd returns from active duty. The Council discussed the issues of not decreasing the patrol fleet and the need for a drug control officer and possible cutes in state aid. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO HIRE A PATROL OFFICER AND PLAN FOR A TRANSFER OF AN OFFICER INTO THE DRUG TASK FORCE WHEN TODD BESSER RETURNS FROM MILITARY DUTY AND TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION AGAIN IN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LEGISLATURE HAS DECIDED ON CUTS TO STATE AID. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.2. Consider Pay Ranges for Building Inspector Positions Building and Zoning Administrator Stephen Rohlf informed the Council that he is in danger of losing two building inspectors to the City of St. Michael. He reminded the Council that he just recently lost the building official to the City of St. Michael. He indicated that following a survey he conducted of building inspectors wages using Group Six cities, he found that Elk River's building inspector wage was low. Steve requested the Council to immediately increase the pay of all building inspectors by $3,000 per year. He indicated that the increase is warranted due to the extra duties that all of the inspectors will be doing. Steve explained that the inspectors are splitting the previous Building Official's job dudes and that all of the inspectors would be doing commercial inspections. He recommended that a new non- exempt pay grade 15 be created and that the Lead Inspector and Plumbing/Mechanical Inspector move to the new pay grade. He further recommended that the building inspectors move from pay grade 13 to pay grade 14. He proposed to eliminate the vacant inspector position to pay for the increases. The City Administrator indicated that under normal conditions this request would go through the personnel committee, however do to the timing of this situation, the personnel committee has not had a chance to review the issue. He discussed the possible negative financial impact for the city as it relates to pay increases for other employee groups if the inspectors pay increase is given and the point rankings do not increase. The potential impact to the entire comp worth plan was noted. Discussion was held regarding how the employees are rated in terms of job worth and pay through the comp worth plan and whether the additional job dudes would bump the inspectors to a new pay grade. LoriJohnson indicated that the comp worth plan rates employees based on expertise, importance to the department, and unfavorable working COIlditions. Mayor Klinzing indicated her concern that the city can't respond to the job market under the comp worth plan. City Council ~vfinutes January 28, 2002 Page 3 COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO INCREASE EACH OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR'S WAGE BY $3,000 EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2002 AND THAT STAFF COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION AS TO HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE INCREASE. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.3. 175TM Avenue Street Improvement of 2002 ao Consider Eminent Domain Resolution Consider Feasibili ,ty Report Resolution City Engineer Terry Maurer updated the Council on the 175th Avenue land acquisition efforts. The City Engineer indicated that although none of the property owners have expressed negative concern about the project, only one property owner has signed an easement for the right-of-way. Terry Maurer indicated that in order to protect the TEA 21 grant the city has received for this project, the City must provide proof that right-of-way is available by the spring of 2002. Terry indicated that this can be done through the eminent domain process to acquire the right-of-way. He indicated that he would first continue to negotiate for the right-of-way and try to avoid eminent domain. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 02-07 AUTHORIZING EMINENT DOMAIN AND ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH MINN. STAT 117.042 IN RELATION TO THE 175TM STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 2002. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTIN 02-08 ORDERING A PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY REPORT IN THE MATTER OF THE 175TM AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 2002. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.4. Consider Resolution Receiving the Feasibility. Report and Ordering a Public Hearing on the Improvement in the Matter of the Zane Street Improvement or 2002 City Engineer Terry Maurer reviewed the Feasibility Study for Zane Street NW Improvements. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 02-09 RECEIVING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND ORDERING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE ZANE STREET IMPROVEMENT OF 2002. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.5. Consider Equipment Purchases Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals requested authorization to purchase a tandem axle dump truck with snow plow equipment, an asphalt patching trailer, and a 4x4 pick-up truck. He indicated that the 2002 budget contains equipment certificates to fund these purchases. City Council Minutes Page 4 January 28, 2002 Phil explained that all of the items are available through the State of Minnesota Cooperative Purchasing Program. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT REQUESTED BY THE STREET/PARK SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PRICE OF $183,000. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5. Open Mike There was no one present for open mike. 6.1. Public Safety. Facility. - City. Hall Remodeling/Addition City Administrator Pat IClaers indicated that the public safety facility plans are complete and are consistent with council direction. The plans include 32,600 sq. ft for the police facility, which includes the EOC in the basement, the gun range, and a 4,500 sq. ft second level as a shell. He explained that the facility also includes approximately 3,000 sq. ft for the fire department office area and 5,400 sq. ft for the fire department truck and apparatus garage. The City Administrator explained that it is proposed to include one bid alternate for the equipment in the gun range, a second bid alternate for additional garage spaces, and a third bid alternate for a canopy area in the impound lot. Gary Tushie of Tushie-Montgomery Architects (TMA) displayed the public safety facility drawings. The Assistant Police Chief reviewed the proposed drawings and explained the floor plan of the police department to the Council. The Fire Chief reviewed the fire station plans. The City Administrator indicated that the final plans for the remodeling of city hail are not finalized at this time and will be presented at a future Council meeting. The City Administrator indicated that staff and the committee are proposing to hire a construction manager for the project. He indicated that proposals were received from four construction management f~rms. He further stated that a committee interviewed all four firms and is recommending to hire ICraus -Anderson Construction Company. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED THE FOLLOWING: o o TO DIRECT THE ARCHITECTS TO PROCEED WITH DESIGN DEVELOMENT WORK AND WITH THE PREPARATION OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS SO THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY CAN GO OUT FOR BIDS. TO ENTER INTO THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER CONTRACT WITH KRAUS-ANDERSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY, CITY HALL EXPANSION/REMODELING, AND THE UTILITIES FACILITY. TO ENTER INTO THE ARCHITECTURAL CONTRACT WITH TUSHIE-MONTGOMERY ARCHITECTS. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The Council recessed at 8:10 p.m. and reconvened at 8:20 p.m. City Council Minutes Page 5 January 28, 2002 6.2. Key Financial Strategies with Rusty, Fifield Rusty Fiefield, of Ehlers and Associates reviewed the final draft of the city's financial management plan entitled "Key Financial Strategies for Elk River." Rusty indicated that the changes requested by the Council on October 17, 2001 have been incorporated into the final draft. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ENTITLED ~'KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR ELK RIVER." COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED $-0. City Administrator Pat Iadaers indicated that Rusty Fifield is now working for the Hoisington Koegler planning consulting firm. The city administrator indicated that the City Council has discussed requesting professional assistance with the updating of the comprehensive plan. He informed the Council that Rusty will be submitting a proposal to assist the City ~vith the comprehensive plan update and will be attending the February 4, 2002, comp plan meeting. Rusty reviewed his experience in working with communities to update their comp plans. Other Business Councilmember Dietz indicated that Mr. Gunther Sagen, who is a teacher of the government class at the high school, has requested the Council to consider contacting his class when items of interest to students would be on the agenda. The city administrator indicated that city staff would contact Mr. Sagen regarding this request. The Council discussed making all city vehicles tobacco free and indicated that this issue should be on a future City Council agenda. Staff Updates There were no staff updates. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 9:00 p.m. Sandra Peine City Clerk