09-23-1996 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1996
Members Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Scheeh Farber, and
Holmgren
Members Absent: None
Staff Present:
Also Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Lori
Johnson, Assistant City AdminisJrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park
Superintendent
Dan Greene, Insurance Agent; Dana Anderson, Park and
Recreation Commission Representative
1. Call Meetin.q 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 Aqenda
COUNCILMEMBER $CHEEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE 9/23/96 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
Consider 9/16/96 City Council Minute~
COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE 9/16/96 CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Property, Liability, and Worker's Compensation Insurance Renewals
Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson indicated that the City of Elk River
requested quotes for insurance coverage. Dan Greene of First National Insurance
Agency indicated that all companies have declined to quote with the exception
of the League of Minnesota Cities InsUrance Trust. Dan Greene reviewed the
renewal premium summary and binder presented by the League of Minnesota
Cities Insurance Trust. Dan Greene indicated that the premium for 1996-97 is
$199,260. Dan Greene reviewed ~he renewal for the worker's compensation
package. Fie indicated ','hat the annual premium for worker's compensation has
decreased.
Lori Johnson reviewed the managed care portion of the insurance coverage.
Lori indicated that by switching to managed care with a $5,000 deductible, the
city received a credit of $15,000. She recommended that the Council continue
with the $5,000 deductible for the managed care program.
City Council Meeting
September 23~ 1996
Page 2
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO CONTINUE WITH THE $5,000 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE
MANAGED CARE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE INSURANCE PACKAGE AS
PRESENTED BY LORI JOHNSON AND DAN GREENE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. Discussion with the Lion's Club and Park and Recreation Commission on thc
7.1.
7.2.
7.3.
7,4,
Development Plans for Lion's Community Park
City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that representatives from the Lion's Club
would not be present to discuss this issue. Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals
indicated that members of the Lion's Club had presented concerns regarding
Lion's Park. The concerns involved maintenance of the park, mowing, and
installation of playground equipment.
Phil Hals addressed these issues. He indicated that there was some
misunderstanding between him and the Lion's Club regarding the installation of
the playground equipment. He further indicated that the equipment would be
installed this year. Phil Hals indicated that he would be working closely with the
Lion's regarding mowing and park maintenance.
Open Mike
No one appeared for this item.
Proclamation for Public Power Week
COUNCILMEMBER $CHEEL MOVED TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER 6-12 AS PUBLIC POWER
WEEK. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
5-0.
Update on Status of 1996 Park Improvements
Phil Hals reviewed the proposed park improvements to be completed in 1996. He
indicated that many of the improvements would be completed this fall.
Update on the Use of Oak Knoll Park Parkinq Lot for Skateboardinq Activities
Phil Hals reported on the temporary use of Oak Knoll field parking lot for
skateboarders. He indicated that the park is being used by skateboarders and
rollerbladers.
At this time the Council discussed some concerns they had regarding weeds,
mowing of ditches, and grading of roads.
Update on the Desiqn and Gradinq Plan for the Youth Baseball Fields on the Cass
Phil Hals presented the proposed plan for the Cass property. He indicated that it
is proposed to move the ballfields to the northwest corner of the property and
soccer fields south of the ballfields. Phil Hals proposed to grade the fields in h, vo
7.5.
7.6.
7.7,
7.8.
City Council Meeting
September 23, 1996
Page 3
phases, with phase one to include grading the fields and phase two to include
completion of the roadway entrance and parking lot.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AUTHORIZE PHIL HALS TO RECEIVE QUOTES FOR
PHASE I. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION.
Councilmember Holmgren indicated his concern regarding the field becoming a
multi-complex field. He indicated that there is a need for a baseball complex for
youth competition.
Councilmember Farber indicated that he concurred with Councilmember
Holmgren and stated that the fields were originally intended for multi-purpose use
which would include youth programs.
Dana Anderson, Park and Recreation Commissioner, indicated that it was not the
purpose of the fields to have them built strictly for one use. He indicated that the
goal is to get high quality fields in a close area. The Council discussed the issues
regarding the types of use for the fields and indicated its concern that the fields
not become an adult softball complex.
THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
It was the consensus of the City Council to set up a meeting including two
Council representatives and a Park and Recreation representative to discuss the
use of the fields. Councilmember Dietz indicated his concern that the fields will
be underutilized if they are designed for AAU. Councilmember Scheel indicated
her concern regarding other communities contributing to the cost of the fields.
She suggested that staff approach city council's of other communities requesting
assistance in tunding these activities.
Update on 1996 Seal Coat Proo, fram
Phil Hals indicated that the 1996 seal coat program is nearly completed. He
indicated that the cost for seal coating in 1996 was $35,800.
Update on the Downtown Parkinq Lot Seal Coat Proiect
Phil Hals updated the Council on the status of the downtown parking lot. He
indicated that the parking lot has been seal coated and is in the final stages of
being striped.
Update on Riverview Heiqhts Overlay Project
Phil Hals indicated that the overlay project for Riverview Heights would begin
soon. He stated that the work will be completed witi~in approximately two
weeks.
Update on the 1996 City Overlay Proqram
Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals reviewed with the Council overlays that have
been completed in 1996.
City Council Meeting
September 23, 1996
Page 4
7.9. Discussion on Status of 217th Avenue
Phil Hals informed the Council that 217~h Avenue has been difficult to maintain
due to the lack of right-of-way. He indicated that presently the City has acquired
the right-of-way and, therefore, he is proposing to regrade the road to a rural
section with a 24 foot wide top, shallow ditches, and a six inch thick Class 5
surface.
7.10. Update on Norfolk and Hiqhway 10 Storm Drainage Issues
Phil Hals presented three options that were suggested by the city engineer to
correct the storm drainage problem on Norfolk and Highway 10. The options
ranged from $84,000 to $204,400. Phil Hals indicated that he would have more
information to present to the City Council at a later date.
7.11. Discussion on Street Stripin.q on Hi.qhland Road
Phil Hals presented the cost for striping Highland Road. Following discussion it was
the consensus of the Council to include the striping of Highland with the striping of
other streets in the city.
8. Other Business
The City Administrator informed the City Council that Woodland Trails Park grand
opening would be on Saturday, October 5, 1996.
9. Staff Updates
None presented.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, COUNClLMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO ADJOURN
THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
The meeting of the Elk River C;ty Council was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully subrnitted,
Sandra Thackeray
City Clerk