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07-14-2008 CCMMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM) MONDAY, JULY 14, 2008 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Farber, Gumphrey, and Zerwas Members Absent: Councilmember Motin Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Finance Director Tim Simon, Police Chief Jeff Beahen, Police Captain Brad Rolfe, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz, Recreation Manager Steve Benoit, Senior Citizen Coordinator Sue Kostanshek, Golf Course Superintendent Paul Anderson, Ice Arena Manager Rich Czech, Community Development Director Jeff Gongoll, Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart, Street Superintendent Phil Hals, and Recording Secretary Jessica Miller Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:17 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. 2. Consider Council Agenda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA: 3.1. JULY 7, 2008 MINUTES 3.2. RESOLUTION OS-53 EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF LICENSES FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS SHOPS 3.3. RESOLUTION 08-54 REGARDING A STATE COURT AGREEMENT FOR COURT DATA SERVICES 3.4. AUTHORIZATION FOR STREET DIVISION TO ATTEND OUT-OF- STATETRAINING MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared fox open mike. 5.1. Budget Discussions Ms. Johnson explained that the police, community development, and parks and recreation budgets will be discussed tonight. City Council Minutes July 14, 2008 Page 2 A. Police Department • Ms. Johnson stated that there are no major changes in the police department budget for next year. She noted that the budget is proposed to increase only slightly even though there are substantial increases in fuel, operating supply, and contractual service costs. She stated that the Chief and Captains did a good job reviewing the budget carefully to make reductions where possible without affecting service. Chief Beahen reviewed the department's goals for 2009. He explained that the long-range goal of the department is to keep the number of calls for service at a minimum despite the growing population. He noted that implementing new crime prevention strategies should help in achieving this goal. Chief Beahen noted that the budget process was very difficult because costs are projected to increase 20-30% while the budget is only expected to increase 4.8%. Discussion took place on long-term plans to keep the budget reasonable if costs continue to increase substantially every year. B. Parks and Recreation Mr. Maertz highlighted goals from each of the parks and recreation divisions. Discussion took place on charging higher fees for non-residents because the taxpayers for the City of Elk River are subsidizing the recreation programs. Mr. Maertz indicated he will have staff review a possible fee increase. Ms. Johnson stated that staff has been tracking • programs and fees for the last couple years to determine which programs are advantageous to continue and which programs should be discontinued. Ms. Johnson indicated that the proposed budget includes funding for the Arts Alliance but noted in-kind funding for the Arts Alliance is being provided by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority through the use of a downtown building. Ms. Johnson stated that the Boys and Girls Club has also requested funding of $10,000 for 2008 and $40,000 for 2009. She stated this is not included in the budget. An update on the Boys and Girls Club will be presented July 21. Mr. Maertz stated that a funding request from RSVP was received after the budget had been prepared and is not included in the budget. He explained that RSVP provides thousands of volunteer hours for the City each year and is a valuable resource for the City. He noted that the funding would be used mainly for mileage reimbursement for the volunteers. Council consensus was to include this funding in the 2009 preliminary budget. Councilmember Farber indicated that it has been brought to his attention that minor field repairs are needed at Hales Field where the town baseball team plays. Mr. Maertz noted this is not the City's field and that we would need approval from the School District before making any repairs to the field. Discussion took place on the book drop circle at the new library not being large enough to accommodate large vehicles. Mr. Maertz noted that the original plans showed the area being • large enough to comfortably accommodate a Suburban but many vehicles are having a difficult time utilizing the drop off circle. Mr. Maertz will discuss the issue with the architect. City Council Minutes Page 3 Juty 14, 2008 C. Community Development Mr. Gongoll reviewed the 2009 goals for each community development division. Councilmember Zerwas questioned if the City has looked into single-sort recycling and the organics rerycling program. Ms. Haug explained that the current garbage contracts run until 2012 and going with single-sort recycling would require renegotiating those contracts. She noted that renegotiating the contracts at this time could lead to large increases in contractual costs. She stated that the City is looking for a pilot neighborhood for the organics recycling which -will be paid for by a grant from Sherburne County. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned why the marketing budget for environmental is being reduced by $500 and the fuel budget by $800. Ms. Johnson stated the reductions were made based on last year's actual advertising and fuel expenditures. Discussion took place on highlighting businesses that specialize in energy conservation at the Energy Expo and marketing of the Expo to developers. 5.2. Open Forum Councilmember Farber indicated he would like to discuss the landfill expansion. Ms. Johnson the application could not be but the general items of process could be discussed again. She stated they were discussed at a previous worksession. Councilmember Farber questioned the status of the Jackson Avenue/School Street intersection. Ms. Johnson stated she will get an update from Mr. Maurer. Councilmember Farber stated there are many areas where weeds and long. grass are becoming a problem in the boulevards and on vacant lots. He would like code enforcement to educate residents that it is their responsibility to take care of the boulevards and vacant lots they may own. He would also like for the City to take care of mowing some of these problem areas. Ms. Johnson stated this issue was discussed at a recent department head meeting and staff is preparing an educational piece. Councilmember Gumphrey questioned the status of the old water tower. He explained that he believes the issue whether to paint the water tower or to tear it down will continue to come up until a decision is made. Ms. Johnson stated that the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) was going to look into funding options but she is unsure if they have had the opportunity due to lack of quorum for their meetings. Councilmember Zerwas requested attendance reports for the HPC. 6. Other Business There was no other business. Council Updates There were no Council updates. • City Council Minutes Page 4 J,~y i4, Zoos ----------------------------- - 8. Staff Updates • 8.1. Lake Orono Tour Request Ms. Johnson indicated the Lake Orono Association has invited the Council for a boat tour of Lake Orono. Council consensus was to schedule the tour for Monday, July 28 at 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Target in Elk River has officially sent notice that they are closing in October. Staff has been in continued contact with Target and neighboring businesses regarding marketing of the property. Clearing for the Northstar parking lot has begun. A grand opening will be scheduled in the future. Ms. Johnson stated she attended the MnDOT meeting and according to MnDOT officials, there is not expected to be funding available for large projects for many years. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 7:44 p.m. Minutes prep ed by Jessica Miller. ~~ Tina Allard City Clerk • •