08-11-2008 CCMMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM)
MONDAY, AUGUST I I, 2008
Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Farber, Gumphrey, Motin, and Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Finance Director Tim Simon, Recording
Secretary Jennifer Johnson
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 7:26 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Consider Council A eg nda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
® MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA:
3.1. AUGUST 4, 2008 MINUTES
3.2. PURCHASE RECYCLED PLASTIC FURNITURE FOR THE ARENA
OUT OF LANDFILL ABATEMENT FUNDS
3.3. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS COMPENSATORY TIME PAY-OUT
DATE CHANGE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Toint Meeting_with Economic Development Authority
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the joint meeting of the Elk River City Counal and
Economic Development Authority was called to order at 7:28 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing and
EDA President Pat Dwyer.
The purpose of the joint meeting was to discuss options for development of land known as
Gateway Business Park and the surrounding area. Mr. Gongoll presented the staff report,
and asked the EDA and councilmembers to form goals for development of the area. He
asked for members to come to a consensus of who to market this property to, what type of
land is suitable for what types of businesses, and when do they want the property to be
developed in order to market it accordingly. He also discussed providing a status update on
recent development request proposals, and to re-examine the issues surrounding the
Gateway site and its surrounding area, given its proximity to the area of the Northstar
Commuter Rail.
City Council Minutes
August 11, 2008
Page 2
The land in question is zoned light industrial, retail, and commercial. Discussion was held •
regarding the current zoning of the land, and if changes needed to be made. Councilmember
Farber suggested keeping the I1 land in the lower portion of the site as is, and to promote
commercial businesses along Highway 10.
Commissioner Dwyer discussed keeping the light industrial zoning near the RDF plant,
which borders wetlands. If the wetlands would need to be mitigated, soil replacement costs
would be high.
Mayor Klinzing discussed the Highway 10 area, noting to develop the commercial strip
portion will compliment the area.
Councilmember Farber suggested a PUD in the area.
Mayor Klinzing suggested the study area should be south of the bridge down to 165
Avenue, and from the railroad tracks on the east of Highway 10 to the commercial property
on the west, to include both sides of Highway 10.
Ms. Mehelich stated she's received calls from brokers asking about the 175 area across
from the new Sportech site. She stated the area would be attractive to a variety of different
uses, especially north of 173 in the former Back to the 50's location and former Dehn's
Four Seasons location. She asked if a boundary map should be drafted.
Ms. Johnson stated the purpose of the study would be to provide a plan to maximize the use ~ •
and value of the area property and to increase employment opportunities in the City. The
study would address several issues. identify how development should occur around the
depot, in Gateway, and surrounding areas; identify areas for possible redevelopment;
determine how to transition from one land use to another; and outline the City's
development goals for the area. The study would help developers focus on proposing
projects that the Council feels fit the area and meet the City's objectives. It would help staff
to target marketing to the identified uses.
Mr. Gongoll stated they should take proposals and try to fit them into the property.
Mayor Klinzing agreed, stating the city needs to tighten the area.
Ms. Mehelich stated to look proactively into the future, set guidelines, and provide
expectations; in doing so, it won't limit brokers but will still provide guidelines. In the end,
the City would benefit from having a plan in place.
Mr. Barnhart stated once the plan is in place to have a zoning plan setup in anticipation.
Mayor Klinzing asked if a moratorium should be put in placed on the area until the study
comes back.
Mr. Barnhart stated it wouldn't be necessary since the market currently appears to be in its
own moratorium.
Commissioner Dwyer asked to hear from Scott Powell and Chuck Lefebvre on their •
thoughts with developing the area.
City Council Minutes
August 11, 2008
Page 3
• Scott Powell, owner of Elk River Ford, spoke to the EDA and City Council. He feels this is
a wonderful corridor with many great opportunities for commercial and light industrial.
development. He expressed his interest in not only being part of developing the area but to
also own and operate the businesses he develops. He stated he would be a taking a trip to
Seattle to view their public transit system, which is similar to the Northstar Commuter Rail.
He wants to see what businesses would compliment and cater to commuters.
It was the consensus of all present to go forward with a Focused Area Study in order to
provide short and long range guidelines for development and possible redevelopment
opportunities surrounding the Northstar Rail station. The study would include both sides of
Highway 10. After the study is completed, staff can begin preparing a marketing plan for
review by the EDA and City Council.
The mayor closed the joint meeting at 8:22 p.m.
The council recessed at 8:22 p.m. and reconvened at 8:36 p.m.
5.1. Open Mike
Steve Rolfe, Elk River Ford, stated he and Scott Powell are ready to move ahead with
development along Highway 10, and requested the City to move quickly in making decisions
about the area. He is excited about the opportunities this land will bring to residents and
commuters.
6.1. Request Authorization for Ordinance Change for City Entrance Signs
Mr. Gongoll presented the staff report.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO RESEARCH AND
PREPARE SOLUTIONS TO ALLOW CITY ENTRANCE SIGNS. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
6.2. Consider HKGi Landfill Expansion Study
Ms. Johnson presented the staff report.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM
HOISINGTON gOEGLER GROUP INC. FOR A LANDFILL EXPANSION
STUDY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6.3. Council Open Forum
There were no items discussed during open forum.
7. Other Business
There was no other business reported.
• 8. Council Updates
City Council Minutes
August 11, 2008
Page 4
Councilmember Farber attended the arena commission meeting last week, stating things are •
well at the arena and discussed ice time rates.
9. Staff Updates
Ms. Johnson asked if the council would be available to attend the Northstar Corridor
groundbreaking at Elk River Depot/Station on Wednesday, August 27, at 5:00 p.m.
Ms. Johnson gave a budget update, stating they were still waiting for figures to come from
Sherburne County. It was determined that the budget discussions would take place at the
September 2 and September 8 council Worksessions with no special meeting needed.
9. Ad~ournxnent
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 9:07 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Johnson.
Tina Allard
City Clerk
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