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12-02-1996 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAy, DECEMBER 2, 1996 o Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor Duifsman, C°uncilmembers Diefz, Scheel, Farber, and Holmgren None Pal Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Assistant C/fy Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Tom Zerwas, Chief of Police: Bruce West, Fire Chief; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Steve Ach, City Planner; Steve Diffbenner, Ambulance Coordinator Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called fo order at 6 P.m. by Mayor Duitsmon. 2. The City Clerk and Counci]member Father both indicated that they had an item for City Council Consideration Under Other Business. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 12/2/96 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. '/'HE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Cons/der Consent A enda COUNClLMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. CHECK REGISTER _ APPROVED 3.2a. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT REAPPORTIONMENT FOR COUNTRY CROSSING III ADDITION _ APPROVED 3.2b. RESOLUTION 96-108, ADOPTING JOPLIN/185'm REVISED FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR IMPROVEMENT_ APPROVED 3.3. RESOLUTION 96-109, APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONs AND ORDERING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS IN THE MATTER OF ORONO LAKE THIRD ADDITION IMPROVEMENT OF 1996 - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5.0. Elk River Ambulance Coordinator Steve Diftbenner indicated that he was present to discuss SOme issues that had been raised in recent letters to the editor in the Star News regarding the Elk River Ambulance Service. Steve Dittbenner introduced David Miller and Mark Stutelberg from HealfhSpan Transportation services. Steve Dittbenner gave a brief h/story at the El/( River Ambulance Service explaining the organizational structure and the role the Fire Department plays in the ambulance service. Mark Stutelberg and David Miller discussed the volume of services and response time. Also reviewed was the differences between BLS Elk River City Council Meeting December 2, 1996 Page 2 (basic life support) and ALS (advanced life support) service. Discussion was held regarding the citizens perception of the City of Elk River not having ALS service. It was indicated that because Elk River Ambulance contracts with HealthSpan services, Elk River residents have both BLS and ALS services. Mark Stutelberg indicated that he does not feel a change is necessary to improve ambulance services in the city. He further indicated that if the Elk River Ambulance service were to provide only AL5 service, the cost would increase dramatically. Mayor Duitsman thanked the Elk River Ambulance Service and HealthSpan Transportation Services for their presentation. 5.1. Handke Warmin.q Hous~ Dana Anderson, Park and Recreation Commission representative, stated that the Park and Recreation Commission discussed the possibility of providing a portable trailer as an option to the current Handke warming house. He indicated that the current warming house is not adequate due to the number of people using the skating rink. Dana Anderson indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that the Council authorize the rental of the portable trailer for the 1996-97 skating season. Councilmember Farber questioned the use of the skating rinks and indicated he would like to see the use expanded to include hockey. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that the trailer should be a temporary solution and stated that he would like to see the Park and Recreation Commission come up with a design and cost estimate for a permanent facility. He further indicated that this could be a community project. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE RENTAL OF A 8 X 32 TRAILER AS A TEMPORARY WARMING HOUSE FOR HANDKE PIT AT 5228 PER MONTH PLUS DELIVERY AND SET UP COSTS FOR A THREE MONTH TOTAL OF $1,354. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The City Administrator indicated that the funds for this lease would be taken half from the Park budget and half from the Recreation budget. 6. .Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 7. Public Hearinq - Truth in Taxation Hearinq on General Fund Budqet and Tax Levy City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that the proposed 1997 budget is $4,535,850, which reflects a 10.77% increase over the adopted 1996 budget. He indicated that the proposed budget reflects a 3% increase in the city tax rate based on an increase of 12% in the city net tax capacity. The City Administrator reviewed the source of funds proposed for 1997 and reviewed the budget detail expenditures for 1997. The City Administrator also reviewed the supplemental budgets. The City Administrator reviewed the gross and net tax levy proposal for 1997. Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson informed the Council that the net tax capacity is projected to decrease 1% fram what was expected. She indicated that this 1% decrease would raise the tax rate change to 3.9% as opposed to 3%. Elk River City Council Meeting December 2, 1996 Page 3 8.1. 8.2. Mayor Duitsman opened the public hearing. There being no one for or against the matter, Mayor Duitsman closed the public hearing. Councilmember Dietz indicated that he would not be in favor of raising the city tax rate by 3.9%, but would rather make $25,000 in adjustments from the proposed draft 1997 budget to keep the net city tax rate at a 3% increase. Mayor Duitsman indicated that the final levy and budget would be adopted at the subsequent hearing on December 16, 1996, at 6:00 p.m. Exemption from Lawful Gamblin.q License - Jaycee,, COUNCILMEMBER $CHEEL MOVED TO APPROVE AN EXEMPTION TO A LAWFUL GAMBLING LICENSE AS REQUESTED BY THE ELK RIVER JAY(ZEES TO HOLD A RAFFLE ON NEW YEARS DAY. (ZOUNC:ILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Snowmobiles Councilmember Farber indicated he has received several complaints regarding snowmobiles operating on right-of-way properly. Councilmember Farber indicated that he requested the Chief of Police develop an ordinance amendment to regulate the driving of snowmobiles on residential rights-of-way. Police Chief Tom Zerwas suggested that the city consider adopting an ordinance similar to the City of Ramsey. He indicated that the snowmobiling ordinance in the City of Ramsey does not allow the operation of snowmobiles on the right-of- way within the urban service area. Councilmember Scheel indicated her concern regarding allowing snowmobiles to operate in the right-of-way in rural areas. Councilmember Farber indicated his concern about enforcement of the ordinance. He requested the Chief of Police to research the cost of leasing a snowmobile for this purpose and the cost to purchase a snowmobile. Councilmember Scheel indicated that if the ordinance goes into effect it should be for the entire city. Staff U~)dates Fire Chief Fire Chief Bruce West indicated that the 1996 Congressional Fire Service Institute Longevily Award the award will be presented to former Fire Chief Russell Anderson by United States Senator Rob Grams on December 5th. 10. The City Council recessed at 7:55 to the Training Room. The Council reconvened at 8:00. Elk River City Council Meeting .,December 2, 1996 Page 4 .Preliminary Planninq for East Elk River City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated that several months ago the Council directed him to begin looking at the eastern area of Elk River to identify possible corridors where trunk sewer and water could be extended. Terry Maurer indicated that as utility corridors have been reviewed, staff has begun assessing possible transportation routes. Steve Ach indicated that by identifying utility corridors and possible transportation routes a more accurate assessment can be made on appropriate land uses in the eastern area. He stated that this has become critical in terms of looking for additional industrial land, as well as a variety of housing opportunities. Steve Ach stated that the maps that have been prepared for Council review are very preliminary and should only be considered as conceptual plans. Steve Ach indicated that staff is looking for Council direction as to where to go from this point regarding extension of services to the eastern area. Discussion was held regarding the extension of sewer to the Earl Hohlen and Weldon Schultz properties. Discussion was also held regarding the upgrade and timing of the upgrade of County Road 12. Councilmember Farber questioned the feasibility of developing the transportation route prior to the extension of utilities. He indicated he was concerned that the roads are necessary, but sewer and water may not be feasible in the near future. Mayor Duitsman indicated his opposition to the extension of 173rd Avenue. The developers for the Weldon Schultz property were present and indicated they were interested in the timing of the utility extension. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he is not prepared to make any decisions regarding this plan until he has heard a proposal from the Strategic Planning Committee. Mayor Duitsman suggested setting up a joint meeting with Sherburne County regarding the county's plans for improving County Road 12. It was the consensus of the City Council to authorize the City Engineer to move forward with the planning process for the necessary infrastructure for the urban development of east Elk River. 11. .Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Thacker~ City Clerk