02-19-1996 CC MIN - SPECIALSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1996
Members Presenf:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Scheel, Farber, and
Holmgren
None
Pat Klaers, City Administrator;, Terry Maurer, City Engineer;, Steve
Ach, City Planner;, Peter Beck, City Attorney; Lad Johnson, Assistant
City Administrator
Call Meetin,q To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City
Council was called to order at 5 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman.
It was the consensus of the City Council that the agenda was acceptable as
presented.
Joint Meetin.q with the Planninq Commission
The following members of the Planning Commission were present: Chair Tom
Dillon, Commissioners Kuester, Sullivan-Slocum, Thompson, Minton, and Anderson
(Commissioner Tacheny was out of town on vacation). Also present were the
following Chamber of Commerce Representatives: President Dennis Chuba,
Lynn Caswell, and Charlie Houle.
The City Administrator distributed an adicle from the August, 1988 Public
Mana.qement magazine entitled Ways to Selectively Influence Growth. It was
suggested that the most relevant information in this article reviews the following
methods or techniques for managing growth: the extension of municipal utilities,
the availability of land, and the zoning ordinance/map. It was also noted that,
from the tone of this article, it appears that the City of Decatur, Georgia has had
problems in the past with developers.
The City Planner reviewed his memo on growth management and specifically
discussed residential and commercial/industrial development in the urban
district of the city prior to municipal utilities being available.
The Planning Commission Chair stated that the Planning Commission had
discussed this topic in a worksession. It was the consensus of the Planning
Commission that, in the residential zone prior to utilities, the development
guideline should be a 10 acre minimum. It was noted that the Planning
Commission considered overlay plats and a 2-1/2 acre development pattern,
but rejected this approach based on the belief that if this residential
development pattern took place then utilities would never be extended into
that area or beyond.
Special City Council Meeting
February 19, 1996
Page 2
Chamber of Commerce President Dennis Chuba distributed a handout entitled
Development in Areas Imprisoned by Urban Service Area Boundaries. It was
noted that the Chamber suggestions do not apply strongly to residential uses,
but do apply strongly to opportunities for commercial/industrial uses in the
urban district prior to utilities being available.
Discussion of the four Chamber suggestions related to commercial/industrial
lC/I) uses took place...the City Engineer indicated that it could be possible to
measure the flow of septic discharge from facilities, but that there would be a
concern about potential reuses of a building...the City Attorney stated that it is
very difficult for something to be legally binding whereby a property owner
would sign off to pay future assessments and also noted the future political issue
of allowing a rural development pattern and then municipal sewer and water
Iwith assessmentsl coming into the area at a later date...the Mayor indicated
that many good industrial uses need sewer and water and that the city is out of
industrial land that has municipal utilities...a number of Planning Commission
members supported the concept of allowing C/I development only if the city
could get a commitment that sewer and water assessments will be paid in the
future...Councilmember Holmgren indicated his support for maintaining a ten
acre minimum in the residential areas before utilities become available and
indicated his support for keeping non-urban development out of the urban
district until utilities become available in order to protect the integrity of the
future urban district along Highway 10...Councilmember Farber concurred in his
support for the ten acre minimum in the residential zone, but indicated he would
be willing to look at non-urban uses in the C/I zone on a case-by-case bases...it
was noted that the current city policy is a pro-growth, aggressive plan that
reserves and protects land for future urban growth opportunities...
Councilmember Dietz indicated that he could see both sides of the issue and
indicated his concern about whether or not sewer and water utilities could be
afforded by land owners if rural development takes place in the urban
district...the Mayor concurred with Councilmember Dietz and indicated that if a
great deal of rural C/I development takes place along Highway 10, then the city
may never get municipal utilities into this area. Furthermore, he hopes to have a
public hearing in May on the extension of municipal utilities to this corridor.
The Mayor summarized the discussion by indicating that no final conclusions
have been made at this time. There currently is a formal request that will go to
the Planning Commission and then to the City Council regarding the city's
policy for development in the urban district prior to municipal utilities being
available.
On a different topic, the Mayor summarized his recent conversations with Rich
Duggan whereby Mr. Duggan would like to expand his Marketech business to a
larger facility. The goal of Mr. Duggan is to purchase land for the construction of
a facility, but Mr. Duggan is having problems locating industrially zoned land.
One site discussed was south of Highway 10 in the very, eastern part of the city
off of a service road. This property is currently zoned highway business and has
a few different types of existing businesses. The Planning Commission indicated
Special City Council Meeting
February 19, 1996
that it would review this area and the request from Mr. Duggan at ifs next
meeting.
Page 3
3. Discussion on Capital Improvement Pro,qram
The CIP meeting began at approximately 6:30 p.m. The City Administrator
provided an overview of the agenda and noted that the last CIP meeting is
reviewed in the 1/15/96 minutes that have already been approved by the City
Council.
Municipal Liquor Store - Liquor Store Manager Fdtz Dolejs reviewed his 1995
Annual Report to the City Council. Fritz highlighted the finances for 1995 as
outlined on Page ,5 of his report...Fritz indicated that his priorities for the future of
the liquor store are to purchase a Westbound Liquor store site and begin plans
for the construction of a new Northbound store...Councilmember Dietz discussed
the possibility of a liquor store in the downtown area...Iocations along the north
side of Highway 10 were reviewed and the Council indicated its support for the
Joplin Street and Highway 10 intersection.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO HAVE STAFF PROCEED WITH THE
NEGOTIATIONS FOR A WESTBOUND LIQUOR STORE SITE AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER
OF JOPLIN STREET AND HIGHWAY 10. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO OBTAIN A QUOTE FOR ARCHITECTURAL
SERVICES FROM THE TUSHIE MONTGOMERY ASSOCIATES, INC. ARCHITECTURAL
FIRM FOR SERVICES FOR A NEW NORTHBOUND LIQUOR STORE PROJECT.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED S-O.
Ice Arena Project Update - Ice Arena Task Force members Pat Klaers, Lori
Johnson, John Dietz, and Larry Farber updated the City Council on the status of
the ice arena project and recent Task Force meetings.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO HAVE THE ARCHITECTS PROCEED WITH THE ICE
ARENA CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember Scheel opposed.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO HAVE THE CITY CONTRIBUTE TO THE
PROJECT BUILDING PERMIT FEES, THE SEWER AVAILABILITY CHARGE, THE COST TO
INSTALL THE SEWER LINE, AND ANY STREET DEPARTMENT HELP WITH THE STRIPING
AND MARKING AND SIGNAGE OF THE PARKING LOT. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember Scheel
opposed.
Western Area Surface Water Manaqement Plan - The City Administrator briefly
reviewed the western area surface water management plan and in the
discussion of this document the City Engineer noted that a similar plan would be
needed out east if urban development is going to take place. The western area
plan dated November, 1995, was received by the Council
Eastern Elk River Public Improvement Project - The City Administrator briefly
reviewed the memo on east Trunk Highway 10 aerial topography and ground
Special City Council Meeting Page 4
February 19, 1996
control. Discussion took place with the City Engineer on his quote for services
and the need for this work. The Administrator also reviewed the 2/9/96 Patchin
and Associates quote for an assessment benefit analysis of water and sewer
trunk improvements in this area for commercial and industrial uses.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE WORK ON THE EAST
TRUNK HIGHWAY 10 AERIAL TOPOGRAPHY AND GROUND CONTROL FROM THE
CITY ENGINEERING FIRM AS OUTLINED IN THE 1/25/96 MEMO FROM THE CITY
ENGINEER. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED $-0.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE BENEFIT ANALYSIS WORK
AS OUTLINED IN THE PATCHIN AND ASSOCIATES LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 9, 1996.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
County Road 1 Update - It was noted that the County Engineer will be at the
2/26/96 City Council meeting to discuss this topic.
The City Engineer bdefly discussed the Planning Commission review of the Long
Range Transportation Plan on 2/19/96 and its recommendation for approval.
Summary of Riverview Heiqhts Nei.qhborhood Meetinq - The City Engineer
reviewed his 2/14/96 memo that su;'nmadzes the recent Riverview Heights
informational meeting regarding municipal improvements. The memo indicates
the opposition for the public improvement project from the residents that were
present.
Councilmember Dietz indicated his concern over doing an overlay project at
this time and then foregoing the opportunity for installing municipal utilities into
this area for another ten years or so. The City Engineer was requested to provide
more detailed information on potential assessments for sewer and water into this
area.
Surface Water Mana.qement Fund - The City Council agreed to discuss this issue
at a future CIP meeting. Everyone present indicated their support for the
projects that have been done, but also a concern over the status of this fund.
Community Center Task Force Letter - The 1/10/96 letter from Cliff Lundberg
regarding re-establishment of the Community Center Task Force was discussed.
The Council indicated its desire to not initiate any Task Force on this issue until
after the school has successfully passed a bond referendum for new facilities.
4. Other Business
Economic Development Coordinator Task Force - The City Administrator, Mayor,
and Councilmember Farber updated the City Council on the Economic
Development Coordinator Task Force meeting held earlier in the day.
COUNCILMEMBER HOI.MGREN MOVED TO APPOINT MAYOR DUITSMAN AND
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER, REPRESENTING THE CITY COUNCIL, JEFF GONGOLL AND
PAT DWYER {WITH TOM BENDER AS AN ALTERNATE) REPRESENTING THE EDA, DUANE
KROPUENSKE, REPRESENTING THE HRA, CHARLIE HOULE, REPRESENTING THE
Special City Council Meeting Page 5
February 19, 1996
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND ASSISTANT CITY
ADMINISTRATOR TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR TASK FORCE.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE TASK FORCE TO ENTER
INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM TO ASSIST IN THE
SELECTION OF A NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR IF THE TASK
FORCE DEEMED IT APPROPRIATE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED $-0.
It was the consensus of the Council that it was comfortable receiving only one
recommended candidate from the Task Force and that if the candidate was
not acceptable, they would interview another one of the finalists for the
position.
City Attorney Fees - The City Administrator gave an overview of the issue and
indicated his support for an increase in the retainer fee.
The City Attorney reviewed his memo on this topic.
Councilmember Holmgren indicated his concerns when charging two different
rates for legal services. Councilmember Dietz offered a different opinion.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO INCREASE THE RETAINER FOR THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO $2500 PER MONTH AND TO HAVE THE LEGAL FIRM CHARGE ONE
RATE OF $135 PER HOUR FOR SERVICES ON A ONE YEAR TRIAL BASIS.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-2.
Mayor Duitsman and Councilmember Dietz opposed.
Minnesota Sports Federation - The Mayor and City Administrator reviewed the
2/2/96 meeting on this project with representatives of the Federation. The
2/19/96 material for the Economic Development Coordinator was discussed.
Discussion took place regarding a land lease situation at Hudson Street and
whether or not any currently vacant facilities could meet the needs of MSF. It
was the consensus of the Council to indicate its support for the Hudson Street
site to the Minnesota Sports Federation.
All Terrain Vehicles - The 2/9/96 memo from the Chief of Police on the all terrain
vehicle quotes was reviewed.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO RESCIND COUNCIL ACTION ON 2/2/96
REGARDING THE AWARDING OF QUOTES FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO ALL TERRAIN
VEHICLES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
COUNClLMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AWARD THE PURCHASE OF TWO ALL TERRAIN
VEHICLES TO RIVERVIEW SPORTS PER ITS ATTACHED QUOTE. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION, THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
St. Cloud Intern - The Assistant City Administrator reviewed her interview with the
intern from St. Cloud and how this individual could be used at City Hall.
Special City Council Meeting Page 6
February 19, 1996
COUNCllMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO PAY THE ST. CLOUD INTERN MINIMUM WAGE
FOR 20 HOURS PER WEEK FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN WEEKS. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED S-O.
Lease A,qreement - The City Administrator updated the City Council on the lease
agreement for the Nord house.
5. Adjournment
There being no further business, COUNCIl. MEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
The special meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at
approximately 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick D. Klaers
City Administrator