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03-01-2010 CCM JOINTMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH I, 2010 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Westgaard, Gumphrey, and Motin EDA Commissioners Dwyer and Touchette Planning Commissioners Anderson, Bell, Johnson, Ives, Scott and Westberg Members Absent: Councilmember Zerwas EDA Commissioner Tveite Planning Commissioner Lemke. Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, and Senior Administrative Assistant Jennifer Johnson Also Present: Bruce Chamberlain and Bryan Harjes of Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. Call Meeting 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 Mayor Klinzing. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Scott. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Dwyer. 2. Ioint Meeting with Economic Development Authority and Planning Commission to Discuss the Focused Area Study Mr. Barnhart introduced HKGi staff member Bruce Chamberlain, who provided a brief introduction of the three plans presented. HKGi staff member Bryan Harjes went over each option in detail. Mr. Chamberlain went over a comparison of the options and how they impact existing properties and traffic patterns. Steve Rohlf, 12821 - 188 Avenue, presented and read a memorandum. He expressed concern with not including a geometric study. He asked the Council to do one of the following: 1. Adopt the Focused Area Study and issue a statement that they would like the interchange as far north as possible and to contact Mn/DOT to begin a geometric study to finalize interchange details; or 2. Place the study on hold and work with Mn/DOT to expand the scope of their study of Highways 10 and 169 to include this area and again ask the intersection be placed as far north as practical to limit disruption. City Council Minutes March 1, 2010 Page 2 John Weicht, 13880 Islandview Drive, presented a letter with his ideas for a plan. He also presented a drawing proposing a `tight' intersection and felt this type of intersection would take less undeveloped land away from property owners. He stated he disagreed with the figures the staff from HKGi presented and asked that this study be rejected and a geometric study completed. Todd McLouth, Oliver & Associates, 580 Dodge Avenue, indicated he was hired by Mr. Weicht and discussed the drawing of the intersection that Mr. Weicht presented. He indicated the plan was called a single point interchange and stated all traffic movements are controlled by one traffic light. He indicated this interchange would be more compact than the diamond interchange and have less land impact by about 400'. He stated he felt this type of plan would have less of an impact on wetland areas. He asked the City to consider this option with the other options presented. Councilmember Gumphrey asked Mr. McLouth if he knew the cost difference between a single point interchange and a diamond interchange. Mr. McLouth stated a typical diamond interchange would cost approximately $8-10 million dollars and the cost for a single point interchange recently cost the City of Otsego approximately $12-14 million dollars. Commissioner Touchette stated he feels this type of plan would require more elevation changes, and cited the example of Hwy. 101 and the lack of visibility to the adjoining businesses due to the retaining walls. Mr. Weicht believed the plan for Highway 10 was to lower the road 10', so in this instance, you would still have good visibility of the businesses by using a single point interchange. Councilrnember Westgaard stated the study wasn't to determine the type of interchange, it was more about land use, traffic circulation, and the relationship between the east and west side of Highway 10. He would like to have a geometric study done as the next step in the process. He doesn't want this plan to impact existing businesses and he would like to see the intersection as far north as possible. President Dwyer asked about a geometric study. Mr. Barnhart stated it is an in-depth engineering analysis which determines how roads are designed and placed, environmental impacts, grading; going into significant detail. Recently, a geometric study completed for Highway 169 was $1 million dollars and a study for Highway 10 was $.5 million dollars. President Dwyer asked how the project was initiated. Mr. Barnhart stated it is technically Mn/DOT's project but the City pays a portion or all of the cost. President Dwyer asked if the City would lose control of the design of the plan by having Mn/DOT in control. Mr. Barnhart stated it is possible the final plan may be changed and stated the final plan might end up being a combination of all three plans. He stated Mn/DOT would gain • City Council Minutes March 1, 2010 Page 3 control of it and ultimately the City has to give them an idea of what it wants to see as the • next step. Chad Lundquist, 12551 - 225 Court, stated he felt frustrated with the length of time this study was taking and the amount of money spent. He asked if Highway 10 could be used as a frontage road instead of acquiring land, which he felt would be less costly. Mr. Barnhart stated he wasn't sure how much money the first phase of the study cost, but the second phase cost approximately $40,000. Commissioner Touchette stated both phases of the study covered more than the planned interchanges. Councilmember Motin stated the decision to do a particular type of interchange wouldn't be decided tonight. He felt that decision was a lower priority than the overall study, stating the Highway 10 and 169 plans were more critical. He stated the City needs to not only consider the current landowners but to consider who might be here in 30 years. He stated he prefers Option B. Councilmember Gumphrey stated he agrees with Councilmember Motin. He stated the City has been criticized in the past for not having a plan. He feels Option B is the right answer and feels a geometric study should be completed when Mn/DOT determines where they will put an interchange. He also stated he would not support an increase in property taxes to help pay for a geometric study. Mr. Weicht stated without a geometric study, he would not be spending any money on his property. He felt his land is worth nothing unless the City decides on a plan. Mayor Klinzing stated there is no money in Mn/DOT's budget for any new projects and the City would definitely have to pay for any projects themselves. President Dwyer stated the City needs to decide on a plan. Mayor Klinzing agreed with President Dwyer, stating deciding on a plan would allow Mn/DOT to be aware of what the City wants. Her main goal is to find a plan that will impact the area in the least amount. She stated the City should make a statement to Mn/DOT that they would like the intersection as far north as possible. Mr. Barnhart stated that ultimately the plan is to only do things once and take everything into consideration now as businesses will make decisions based upon where lights and traffic patterns are placed. Mayor Klinzing feels option A is the best option. Councilmember Westgaard stated choosing Option A wouldn't allow both sides of Highway 10 to line up. He stated the study was about the west side of Highway 10 and how the first phase impacted the west side. He stressed the need to keep residential and commercial traffic separate. He would like to see streets lined up. He stated this study is more than just where to locate an interchange. He stated there is more control over Option A & C and he isn't interested in spending any money now for a geometric study. • City Council Minutes March 1, 2010 3. Page 4 Councilmember Gumphrey reiterated his choice of Option A or B, stating the interchange will be dictated when the money becomes available. He also agreed that the land use portion of this project still hasn't been discussed. Mr. Barnhart stated once an option is chosen, then they can continue the discussion about land use. Mayor Klinzing stated she would like to find out a price of a geometric study and would like to invite Mn/DOT representatives to a future meeting. Mr. Weicht asked the council to table this discussion for a month so he can pay for an engineer to meet with Mn/DOT to get some input from them. Mayor Klinzing stated a decision would be made this evening. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE SIGNAL OPTION A AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. There being no further business, President Dwyer and Chair Scott adjourned the meetings of the Elk River Economic Development Authority and the Elk River Planning Commission at 7:51 p.m. Mayor Klinzing recessed the City Council meeting at 7:52 p.m. Mayor Klinzing called the meeting back to order at 8:00 p.m. Consider 03/01 /2010 Agenda Councilmember Motin asked that an item be added after 6.1. regarding the road and surface on County Road 12. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA: 4.1. COUNCIL MINUTES • 02/08/10 JOINT ^ 02/16/10 REGULAR ^ 02/16/10 CLOSED 4.2. CHECK REGISTER 4.3. RESOLUTION 10-08 AUTHORIZING STAFF TO APPLY FOR ELECTION ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS FOR DISABILITIES GRANT PROGRAM 4.4. MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE -JAMIE PERRY, SALINA SALON AND DAY SPA . City Council Minutes March 1, 2010 4.5. SOLICITOR LICENSE - MONTY TORPER, FRONT LINE . MARKETING 4.6. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for Open Mike. 6.1. Consider Agreement for the Bituminous Surfacing of Line Avenue Ms. Johnson presented the staff report. Page 5 MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT FOR THE BITUMINOUS SURFACING OF LINE AVENUE AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6.2. Consider Notification from Minnwest Bank to Lease Units at The Bluffs of Elk River Ms. Mehelich presented the staff report. She stated the documents presented by Minnwest Bank had been reviewed during the HRA meeting earlier in the evening. She stated the HRA was supportive in increasing activity in The Bluffs building. 6.3. Consider Date for Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting Ms. Johnson presented the staff report. • MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO SET THE DATE FOR THE BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION MEETING FOR APRIL 28, 2010 AT 6:30 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6.4. Discuss Council Worksession Agendas Ms. Johnson presented the staff report. No additions were made to the March and April Worksessions. 7. Other Business There was no Other Business. 8. Council Updates There were no Council Updates. Staff Updates Ms. Johnson reminded the council of the meeting Tuesday evening at the Sherburne County Government Center from 6-8 p.m. hosted by the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership. Mayor Klinzing indicated she was planning to attend. Ms. Johnson gave an update on a recent meeting at the City of Ramsey with adjoining cities to discuss the Mississippi River and future recreational trails. Mayor Klinzing stated the City of Elk River will receive funding fox a portion of the Mississippi trail in 2014. City Council Minutes Page 6 March 1, 2010 ----------------------------- 10. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor K]inzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:26 p.m. Minutes epared by J ~fer Johnson. /~ ~ ,, Tina Allard, City Clerk Step nie Klinzing, a r r~ ~~ •