09-02-2008 CCMMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
Members Present: Councilmembers Zerwas, Farber, and Motin
Members Absent: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmember Gumphrey
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Finance Director Tim Simon, Accountant
Lori Stich, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz, Fire Chief Bruce
West, Sgt. Bryan Vita, Community Development Director Jeff Gongoll,
Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart, Public Works Director Terry Maurer,
Code Enforcement Officer Dave Hetrick, and Recording Secretary Jennifer
Johnson
1. Call Meetin~To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 6:30 p.m. by Acting Mayor Motin.
2. Consider 09/02/2008 Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY
• COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED 3-0.
3. Consider Consent A eg nda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT
AGENDA:
3.1. 08/18/08 COUNCIL MINUTES
3.2. CHECK REGISTER
3.3. WASTEWATER MAINTENANCE OPERATOR I POSITION AND
PROMOTION TO WASTEWATER LABORER
3.4. .AUTHORIZE FILLING VACANT FULL-TIME CUSTODIAL POSITION
WITH ONE PART- TIME POSITION AND A CONTRACT WITH
CARLSON BUILDING SERVICES, INC.
3.5. LIQUOR LICENSES FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE AND
DANCE
A. 3.2. PERCENT MALT LIQUOR TEMPORARY ON-SALE FOR
ELK RIVER LIONS CLUB
B. TEMPORARY ON-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR OFF
PREMISES FOR COMMUNITY EVENT FOR MCCOY'S PUB
MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
• 4. Open Mike
No one appeared for Open Mike.
City Council Minutes page 2
September 2, 2008
5.1. Public Safety Donations -The Eddv Fo,~ undation
Chief West was present and introduced Robert K Eddy of the Eddy Foundation and Chris
Weise of Northstar Access. Mr. Eddy awarded $2,000.00 each to both the Elk River Fire
Department and the Elk River Police Department. The Council thanked the Foundation for
their continued generosity and support.
5.2. Plaque Presentation for 30 Years of Service -Firefighter Steven Dittbenner
Chief West introduced Steven Dittbenner to the Council, and Acting Mayor Motin awarded
Mr. Dittbenner with a plaque thanking him for 30 pears of service. Also present was Deb
Steiskal on behalf of Representative Michele Bachmann, who presented Mr. Dittbenner with
the Congressional Fire Services Institute, Length of Service Award. Mr. Dittbenner spoke a
few words thanking his fellow firefighters and family for their support the past 30 years.
5.3. Consider Bids for River Walk Project
Mx. Maertz presented the staff report. He recommended awarding the contract to American
Liberty Construction in the amount of $69,780, with $60,000 of this amount to be
reimbursed in the future by the Elk River Rotary Club.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO AWARD THE BID TO AMERICAN
LIBERTY CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,780. MOTION
CARRIED 3-0. ~ •
5.4. Consider Banner Arms for TH10 Lighting
Mr. Maurer presented the staff report. He suggested rectangular banners, 24" g 48" in size,
at a cost of $210 each, placed on both sides of the light pole but alternate poles. The new
lights are scheduled to be installed October 15.
Staff was directed to put together a banner polity and come back to counal in the future.
Acting Mayor Motin asked staff to ensure the banners would be allowed on low speed spots
along the highway.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF 24" X 48"
RECTANGULAR BANNER ARMS FOR THE NEW TH10 LIGHTS. MOTION
CARRIED 3-0.
5.5. Discuss Council Worksession Agendas
Ms. Johnson added review of the 5 year CIP to the October 13 Worksession of which the
transportation update, as requested by Councilmember Farber, would be discussed. She
stated Worksession items may be moved to the October 6 meeting if that agenda was light.
The Council agreed.
6.1. Other Business •
City Council Minutes
September 2, 2008
'T'here was no other business discussed.
Council Updates
There were no council updates.
8. Staff Updates
Ms. Johnson noted staff had received early morning noise complaints from residents
near Cretex. She stated staff is looking into the matter.
Page 3
Ms. Johnson stated the Gateway appraisal was received in draft form, and staff is working
with the appraiser to finalize the report.
Mr. Simon stated Randy's Sanitation expressed interest in being a sponsor of the new
Zamboni for the Ice Arena. He showed photos of proposed advertising on the Zanboni. He
will keep the council informed if a contract is finalized.
Recess to Worksession
Acting Mayor Motin recessed the meeting at 7:05 p.m. in order to go into Worksession. He
reconvened the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
A. Code Enforcement
Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report. Mr. Hetrick was available to answer any
questions of the council.
Mr. Hetrick felt the complaints coming in this winter will be about junk and snow
removal. He stated he's been successful getting residents to comply with ordinance
violations. He stated that the upcoming ordinance changes will help with
compliance. He is seeing a rise in foreclosed homes.
Mr. Barnhart expressed concern with subdivisions in the City that have huge tracts
of land in foreclosure or in various stages of abandonment. He stated they are
anticipating more of this trend in the next year. In the next few months, he stated
staff will be refining the condemnation process to correct unsafe structures, and
also looking for ways to make the complaint response time more efficient and
effective.
B. 2009 Budget and Tax Lew Disc cessions
a) Resolution Authorizing the Proposed Property Tax Lew for Collection in 2009
Ms. Johnson presented the staff report. She stated they are still waiting for the
updated net tax capacity estimate from Sherburne County; therefore, they are unable
to determine exactly the City's levy. She anticipated receiving these figures any day
and proposed the council wait to pass the resolution authorizing the property tax
levy for collection in 2009 until September 8. Ms. Johnson stated staff would come
back next Monday with a list of items that could be removed from the budget.
Councilmember Farber commented the 2009 budget was lean akeady.
City Council Minutes
September 2, 2008
Page 4
Acting Mayor Motin felt it would be best to wait until next Monday to act on this •
resolution. The rest of the council agreed.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO TABLE DISCUSSION ON THE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX
LEVY FOR COLLECTION IN 2009 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 8, 2008.
MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
b) Resolution Approving the Housing and Redevelopment Authority 2009 Tax
Lem
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 08-62
APPROVING THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
2009 TAX LEVY. MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
c) Resolution Approving the 2009 Tax Levy for Economic Development
Purposes for the Elk River Economic Development Authority
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 08-63
APPROVING THE 2009 TAX LEVY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PURPOSES FOR THE ELS RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. ~ •
d} Motion Calling for Truth in Taxation Hearing (and Continuation Datel
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO SET THE TRUTH-IN-TAXATION
HEARING FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2008 AT 6:30 P.M. WITH
THE CONTINUATION HEARING FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 8,
2008 AT 6:30 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, Acting Mayor Motin adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:50 p.m.
Minutes prepared by ennifer Johnson.
U''~
Tina Allard
City Clerk
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