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06-03-1996 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1996 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Scheel, Farber, Holmgren and Dietz (6:05 p.m.} None Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Lori Johnson Assistant City Administrator; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Steven Ach, City Planner; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator: Bruce West, Fire Chief; Peter Beck, City Attorney; and Tom Zerwas, Police Chief Call Meetinq 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 Duitsman. 2. Consider A,qenda Item 5.1 1 a. - "Accident Spill Update" was added to the agenda. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 6/3/96 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Consider Consent Aqenda COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 5.1. CITY REQUEST TO AMERICAN LEGION FOR $2,000 FOR AMERICAN FLAGS -- APPROVED 5.2. BEREAVEMENT POLICY -- APPROVED 5,3. RELEASE OF $5,000 IN MATCHING FUNDS TO THE ELK RIVER AREA ARTS COUNCIL -- APPROVED 5.4. PURCHASE OF 1996 TAX FORFEITED LAND -- MOTION TO NOT PURCHASE 7. CHECK REGISTER -- APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. City Council Minutes June 3, 1996 Page 2 5.5. 5.6. 5.7. 5.8. Resolution Awardinq the Sale and Settinq the Terms of $2,655,000 G.O. Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 1996A and $500,000 G.O. Improvement Bonds Series 1996B Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson updated the City Council on the City's bond rating according to Moody's. She indicated that the City now has a Baal bond rating. Lori Johnson stated that Springsted took bids on the sale of two bond issues. One issue relates to the expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the second issue is to fund public improvements in the Hillside Crossing II development. She recommended that the council award the bids to the Iow bidders. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 96-32, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE CITY'S $2,655,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION SEWER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 1996A. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 96-33, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE CITY'S $500,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 1996B. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Public Hearinq to discuss the Issuance of General Obliqation Bonds for the Construction of an Ice Arena City Administrator Pat Klaers informed the Council that the contracts have been signed for the ice arena project. He indicated that the City will be issuing bonds on the proposal. Mayor Duitsman opened the public hearing for comments on the proposal to sell bonds for the ice arena project. Jeff Gongoll indicated he felt this was a worthwhile community project. There being no further comments, Mayor Duitsman closed the public hearing. Dwiqht Kirkeide Request This item was postponed until a later time al this meeting. Traffic Concerns on Dodqe Street Between Elk Hills Drive and 193rd Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk, stated that Mr. Rob Meyers has requested to speak to the council regarding traffic concerns on Dodge Street. Mr. Meyers introduced himself to the council - Rob Meyers, 19069 Dodge Street. Mr. Meyers informed the council that Dodge Street between Elk Hills Drive and 193rd Avenue has become a convenience street. He further indicated that he is concerned with the volume of traffic, traffic noise, and speed. He suggested that the street be posted at 20 mph, and that the road be patrolled daily, especially during the hours of 5-7 p.m. City Council Minutes June 3, 1996 Page 3 5,5. 5,9, 5.7. Mr. Meyers also suggested signing the road to inform drivers that there are children in the area and that the street is for residential use. City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated that the volume and speed of traffic was measured on Dodge Street. The volume going northbound on Dodge for a 24 hour time period was 300 vehicles. He indicated that the traffic speed was averaged at 30 mph on the north end and 35-38 mph on the south end. Police Chief Zerwas indicated that radar on Dodge has shown that speeds do not exceed 34 mph. Councilmember Scheel indicated that she received calls from area residents indicating that some of the people who are speeding on Dodge and are using the street as a thru-street are residents in that area. Police Chief Zerwas indicated that he would took into the issue of more signage on Dodge Street and more patrolling of the area. Sewer Revenue Bonds and Sewer Bonds Dave McGillivray of Springsted indicated he was late due to traffic. He briefly spoke about the G.O. bonds that were previously approved by the City Council. Accept Resi.qnation from WWTS Operator Pat Hendrickson City Administrator Pat Klaers requested the City Council to accept the resignation of Pat Hendrickson as of June 7, 1996. He also requested Council authorization to advertise for two part-time wastewater treatment plant employees. Discussion was held regarding the city's electrical needs and how much this would cost to hire out versus hiring a person with these skills. The City Council requested that the WWTS Superintendent keep track of the need and cost for electrical services. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF PAT HENDRICKSON AS OF JUNE 7, 1996 AND TO AUTHORIZE THE WWTS SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR TWO PART-TIME WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EMPLOYEES AT PAY GRADE 1, LEVEL A ($6.54 PER HOUR). COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Dwi.qht Kirkeide Requ City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that identification and address information for Dwight Kirkeide is now on the 911 system. He also informed the Council that a 173rd Avenue Street sign has been installed off of Highway 10 at the access point to the Kirkeide homesite. Pat Klaers indicated that the legal status of the cartway has not be solved at this time, however, the City Attorney is working on the issue. Pat Klaers indicated that staff is recommending that Mr. Kirkeide be exempt from garbage and recycling services beginning in 1996. Councilmember Farber suggested that 1995 assessments for garbage and refuse service be removed because Mr. Kirkeide did not receive the service. City Council Minutes June 3, 1996 Page 4 Councilmember Scheel concurred with Councilmember Farber and further indicated that any and all previous garbage assessments also be removed. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO DELETE ALL PREVIOUS GARBAGE AND REFUSE ASSESSMENTS FOR DWIGHT KIRKEIDE AND FURTHER THAT MR. KIRKEIDE BE EXEMPT FROM GARBAGE AND REFUSE SERVICE IN THE FUTURE. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-2. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND MAYOR DUITSMAN OPPOSED. 5.10. Discussion Reqardin,q Ordinance Amendment to Allow Development in Urban District Before Utilities are Installed City Planner Steven Ach explained that the city has received a request from two local trucking firms to relocate their existing businesses to 171st Avenue. The City Planner indicated that in order to accommodate the request of these trucking firms, the current ordinance would have to be amended. He explained that water and sewer is not immediately available at the relocation area, and the city's ordinance does not allow development in this area without these services. The City Planner reviewed two options available to the Council. One option would be to amend the ordinance to allow commercial and industrial development throughout the city regardless of the availability of water and sewer. Another option would be to tailor a solution to the request of the two trucking companies. The City Administrator handed out and entered into the minutes a letter of support for the two trucking operations from the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce. Following discussion, it was the consensus that the council supports the businesses and would like to work toward a solution that would not entail an ordinance amendment for fhe entire urban area of the city. 5.11. Update on Transportation Projects City Engineer Terry Maurer updated the City Council on current transportation projects including the MnDOT tour, the Upland Avenue signal, the Simonet Drive left turn lane and the Joplin frontage road. 6. Open Mike Jeff Collins of 19171 Vale Avenue questioned the proposed ordinance amendment pertaining to parking vehicles on city property. He indicated that he felt the citizens should be able to use city property to park vehicles for the purpose of selling the vehicles. 5.1 la. Diesel Spill Update Fire Chief Bruce West updated the City Council on the diesel spill which recently took place in the City. City Council Minutes June 3, 1996 Page 5 5.12. 5.13. 5.14. 5.15. Review Ordinance Pertaininq to Rental and Housinq Inspection Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, reviewed the draft housing and maintenance ordinance with the City Council. Steve Rohlf informed the council that the inspections will be done by a building and zoning housing inspector. He indicated that this will be a new position. The Fire Chief indicated that he and the housing inspector would also be doing fire inspections. The Fire Chief stated that he will mainly be doing fire inspections for commercial and industrial buildings. He also stated that he will be requesting to hire a part time tire fighter to assist in these inspections. The Building and Zoning Administrator indicated that staff is recommending a $20 per unit fee for inspections. It was the consensus of the City Council to move ahead with the program and to start the process for hiring an inspector. Mayor Duitsman stated that the fees for this service should be reviewed after the program has been in operation for at least one year. Peter Becl< indicated that there would be some minor revisions to the proposed ordinance. Steve Rohlf indicated that he would hold informational meetings with apartment owners prior to the public hearing. Buildinq and Zonin.q Annual Report Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, presented the 1995 Building and Zoning annual report. Consider Request for Clerical Intern from Anol~a Ramsey Community Colle.qe Steve Rohlf requested that the council authorize the city to hire a clerical intern to worl~ in the Building and Zoning Department for approximately five months. COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO HIRE A CLERICAL INTERN AT MINIMUM WAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Update on Director of Economic Development City Administrator Pat Klaers updated the council on the interview process for the position of Director of Economic Development. He indicated that interviews would be held on June 5 and that a lunch to meet the candidates is being planned. He further indicated that the City Council is invited to attend the lunch and the interviews. Pat Klaers suggested that a special meeting of the council be called in case a quorum is present during the interview process. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED 1'O CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, AT 11:30 A.M. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. City Council Minutes June 3, 1996 Page 6 8. Other Business Councilmember Scheel indicated her concern regarding the ordinance pedaining to licensed and unlicensed vehicles. Councilmember Scheel also indicated a concern she had regarding the condition of Lion's Park during the American Legion convention. 9. Staff Updates There were no staff updates. 10. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNClLMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, THE Sandra Thackeray City Clerk s:\minutes\coO6-O3.doc