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01-22-2001 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2001 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Motin, and Tveite Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Pat Klaers, Director of Planning Michele McPherson, City Engineer Terry Maurer, City Attorney Peter Beck, Police Chief Tom Zerwas, Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals, Recording Secretary Tina Allard, 1. Call Meetin.q 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 Klinzing. 2. Consider 1/22/2001 A.qenda The []1/16/[]1 executive session minutes was added to the consent agenda. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent A.qenda Councilmember Dietz questioned whether the $6,365.73 write-off for bad checks, by Northbound Liquor, listed in the check register was the amount for the whole year and whether this amount was considered high or Iow compared to other years. City Administrator Pat Klaers stated he would check with the finance department on this matter. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.6. 1/16/01 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED 1/16/01 CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES - APPROVED CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED REQUEST TO REAPPORTION SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS OF $1,453.53 PER LOT TO 77 LOTS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $111,921.81 TO TROTT BROOK FARMS 5TM ADDITION - APPROVED REQUEST BY THE ICE ARENA TO PURCHASE THE CLARK L20 FLOOR SCRUBBER IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,200 - APPROVED REQUEST TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION 01 - 04 TO AUTHORIZE APPLICATION AND PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON FOR THE COMMUNITY ROADSIDE LANDSCAPING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM - APPROVED REQUEST BY PLANNING COMMISSIONER HOWARD ROPP AND MARK PEDERSON TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE - APPROVED City Council Minutes January 22, 2001 Page 2 COUNClLMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.1. Request by Phoenix Enterprises for Preliminary Plat Approval (Hillside Estates 8th Addition), Public Hearin.q - Case No. P 00-18 - Continued from 1/16/01 Meetin.q Director of Planning Micheie McPherson stated that, per Council direction, staff prepared a resolution denying the preliminary plat for P 00-18, Hillside Estates 8th Addition. Councilmember Dietz stated that he would not vote for this resolution based on the following reasons: · The complete area (Hillside 1-7, 9, Coborn's, and Menards) used to be forested with trees so the argument that trees should not be cleared from the Hillside 8th Addition is not valid. · The property has always been zoned Rle, which requires lot sizes to be a minimum of 12,000 square feet and the Hillside Plat has lot sizes averaging 17,000 square feet. · The reason the park location was selected near powerlines was because it was centrally located for the whole Hillside Development and it was also the flattest and most open location in the Hillside Estates 8th Addition. · Traffic on 193rd Avenue and Evans Avenue is not a problem now but if it were to be an issue in the future then the city could look at installing a traffic signal. Councilmember Dietz stated that the only part of the plat he would like to see changed is the removal of the two lots located in a wetland area. Councilmember Dietz stated that this plat meets all regulations set forth in the Rle zoning district and should be passed accordingly. COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 01- 05 DENYING PRELIMINARY PLAT REQUEST P 00-18, HILLSIDE ESTATES 8TM ADDITION, AND ESTABLISHING FINDINGS OF FACT THEREFOR. MAYOR KLINZING SECONDED THE MOTION. Councilmember Motin stated his concern that the 50' no cut buffer zone would be part of the lots located on the west end of the plat and that the lot area of these lots should not be included as part of this buffer zone. Councilmember Motin further stated that the retaining walls were overly high, and the parkland should be in a location away from powerlines. Councilmember Kuester commented on the proximity of the park to the powerlines and asked if this had been an issue or concern in the past when other parks or trails were sited. Councilmember Tveite expressed concerns regarding the 50 foot no cut zone as being a part of the lots located on the west end of the development and with traffic safety on 193rd and Evans. Mayor Kiinzing stated that the density of this development was too high, as it would cause traffic issues at 193rd and Evans, and 193rd and Dodge. Mayor City Council Minutes Page 3 January 22, 2001 Klinzing stated that the city should study traffic issues that would be created by new developments. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-2. COUNClLMEMBERS DIEI'Z AND KUESTER OPPOSED. Councilmember Kuester stated that she opposed the motion as she did not agree with all the findings in the resolution, 4.2. Authorize Evans and 193rd Traffic Study City Engineer Terry Maurer stated that the city would like to complete a traffic count study on Evans Avenue and 193rd Avenue. Mr. Maurer indicated that the study would cost approximately $5,000. COUNClLMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE A TRAFFIC STUDY FOR EVANS AVENUE AND 193RD AVENUE. COUNClLMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.3. Authorize Park Land Ne.qotiation with Grace Assembly of God Church Director of Planning Michele McPherson stated that staff would like authorization from the Council to begin negotiations for the purchase of approximately 10 acres of land from the Grace Assembly of God Church. Ms. McPherson stated that the area is near an urban residential location where there is little parkland and that there may be future opportunities to acquire more land in the area. City Engineer Terry Maurer informed council that Municipal Utilities have future plans to loop the water system between Royal Oaks Ridge and County Road 13. The need to acquire necessary easements should be brought up during these negotiations. COUNClLMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS WITH GRACE ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH FOR THE PURCHASE OF UP TO 10 ACRES OF PARKLAND AT $14,500 PER ACRE. COUNClLMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for open mike. 6.1. Consider Request to Advertise for Police Officer Position Police Chief Tom Zerwas stated that two police officers might be leaving the Elk River Police Force. Chief Zerwas stated that the hiring process takes three to four months to complete and he would like authorization to advertise for the position of police officer. Councilmember Dietz questioned if the police department had an established eligibility list. Chief Zerwas stated that the market for police officers is very competitive and his department does not have a current eligibility list because it's hard to keep a list of good qualified applicants for more than a few months. City Council Minutes Page 4 Januap/22, 2001 COUNClLMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE ELK RIVER POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ADVERTISE FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER. COUNClLMEMBER DIE1-Z SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.2, Call Special City Council Meeting for February 5, 2001 for Economic Development Worksession with Ehlers & Associates. City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that Director of Economic Development Cathy Mehelich has requested a special meeting of the City Council, EDA, and the HRA on Monday, February 5, 2001, at 6:00 p.m., to hold a worksession on economic development financing tools. COUNClLMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING ON ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2001, AT 6:00 P.M. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.3. Purchase of 1-Ton Dump Truck for Street/Park Department Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that he would like to use the Street Capital Outlay funds from the General Fund to purchase a 1-ton dump truck. Mr. Hals stated that he tested 7 models and believed the 1998 GMC to be the best value. COUNClLMEMBER DIE1-Z MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A 1998 GMC, 4- WHEEL DRIVE 1-TON DUMP TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,755, INCLUDING TAX, WITH $25,000 TO COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND $3,755 TO COME FROM EQUIPMENT RESERVES. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.4. Central Business District Sidewalk City Administrator Pat Klaers discussed design options, and funding for the central business district sidewalk plan. Mr. Klaers stated that the HRA reached a consensus on the solid Cobblestone paver sidewalk in the amount of $290,000, which would also include the removal of the existing sidewalk. Mr. Klaers indicated that staff and the HRA agree that there should be one consistent look throughout the downtown area and that the traditional look of the cobblestone pavers would fit in with old and new buildings. Mr. Klaers stated that when pavers are replaced, they will match old pavers better than new concrete would match existing concrete. Mr. Klaers stated that some funding for the sidewalks could come from HRA tax monies, surpluses in the HRA budget, funds from the King Avenue and Main Street TIF project, or from assessments. Mr. Klaers stated that the exact funding would be determined by the HRA at a later date but, if it is determined that an assessment would be needed, then the Council would be taking this action. Mr. Klaers noted that municipal utilities would like to complete this project by June 22, 2001 and their involvement with sidewalk removal would reduce the project cost for the city. Todd Plaisted, developer for the King and Main Project, stated that the pavers would be very durable and resistant to salt corrosion. Mr. Plaisted stated that it City Council Minutes Page 5 January 22, 2001 would be easy to remove the pavers for construction work and then replQce them again. Mr. Plaisted stated that this type of paver is being used in the city of Buffalo and St. Cloud. Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that the pavers should not be a tripping hazard. Mr. Hals stated that he received comments from citizens who believed that this product would be smoother than the existing sidewalk. Councilmember Dietz mentioned that he was concerned about the cost of this project. Councilmember Dietz questioned how the downtown residents felt about this sidewalk plan. Cliff Lundberg, representing the River's Edge Organization, stated that the River's Edge Organization is supportive of the cobblestone pavers but concerned about their financial share of the project Councilmember Kuester questioned whether the property owners on Lowell Avenue were asked to be included in this project. City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that they are not included and that whatever sidewalk is currently red in the downtown area would be the sidewalk that gets replaced with the cobblestone pavers. COUNOILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE HRA DECISION ON THE DESIGN AND MATERIAL OF THE SOLID COBBLESTONE PAVER BEING USED THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN AREA. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Other Business City Administrator Pat Klaers gave a brief legislative update to Council. Mr. Klaers noted that Operation ER would be holding a meeting to discuss a community center on February 8, 2001, at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Klaers stated that the Wal-mart grand opening is scheduled for January 24, 2001, at 7:00 a.m. Mr. Klaers stated that the Highway 10 MnDot committee would be holding an open house on January 24, 2001, at 6:30 p.m, to discuss local transportation issues. Mayor Klinzing stated that she wished to congratulate Councilmember Tveite on receiving his black belt. 8. Staff Updates There were no staff updates. City Council Minutes Page 6 Janua~/22, 2001 9. Adiournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 7:40 p.m. Tina Allard Recording Secretary