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09-04-2001 CC MIN - SPECIALSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2001 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor Kdinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Mot/n, and Tveite None City Administrator Pat Klaers, Director of Planning Michele McPherson, City Engineer Terry Maurer, Finance Director Lori Johnson, Police Chief Tom Zerwas, Assistant Police Chief Jeff Beahen, and City Clerk Sandra Peine Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Kdinzing. 2002 Budget Worksession City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that he has listed several issues relating to the budget in his memo for the Council to review. He indicated that LoriJohnson will speak to the legislative changes and how they affect the City's budget. GIS Bruce Skipton of Howard Green, City Engineer Terry Maurer, and Director of Planning Michele McPherson gave a presentation on the City's GIS needs. Mr. Skipton informed the Council of the possible internal and external uses of a GIS system. Terry Maurer discussed the issue of waiting for the County to finish the base map versus having the City complete the base map. It was noted that there is concern that the County would not be able to complete the map by the end of 2002. Terry further noted that the cost to complete the map would be about $60,000. The Council questioned how the City would benefit by having the map done early rather than waiting for the County to complete the map. Michele McPherson stated that there would be many GIS applications that could be used by different departments if the map were complete. The City Administrator stated that the map would help the city in trying to comply with GASB 34. Mayor IGinzing suggested that she contact Commissioners Engstrom and Leonard to see if they are interested in bringing the issue before the County Board. Initiative Foundation The City Admimstrator updated the Council on the City's past history of contributing to the Initiative Foundation. The City Administrator indicated that the Economic Development Authority has decided not to contribute to the Initiative Foundation. Councilmember Kuester stated that there are other entities that benefit from this program other than the EDA. Following Council discussion it was the consensus of the Council not to contribute to the Initiative Foundation. City Council Minutes September 4, 2001 City. Forester Page 2 Councilmember Kuester updated the Council on the progress of the tree preservation task force. She indicated that the task force is focusing on an inventory of trees, programs, and a policy. She indicated that at this point most of the work can be done by e,,dsting staff. She suggested the possibility of hiring an intern to help with the tree inventory. The City Council encouraged the task force to continue with its work. Mosquito Control The City Administrator updated the Council on the issues of mosquito control. He stated that an informational meeting was held on July 23 regarding mosquito control at which time the Council decided to further discuss the issue at the budget worksession. Mayor I¥flinzing indicated that she thought the use of a private company would be the best option if the Council decides to budget for mosquito control. The Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of mosquito control. Some of the disadvantages the Council discussed included the cost and the question of whether this summer was an unusual year for mosquitoes. Councilmember Dietz suggested that if there is a problem with mosquitoes next summer, the Council could use money from the Council Contingency Fund to hire a private firm to spray. The Council concurred with Councilmember Dietz's and decided that no money be budgeted for this program at this time. City. Recreation Budget The City Administrator explained that with the conversion of community recreation to city recreation, both revenues and expenditures would increase. He explained that the reason for the increase in expenditures is mainly due to the city publishing its own recreation brochure. The Council questioned the cost of nonresident fees and questioned how the city would advertise to nonresidents. The Council suggested that staff get an estimate of what it would cost to send brochures to nonresidents. There was a consensus of the Council to authorize the expenditures for the City recreation brochure. School Theater The City Administrator updated the Council on the issue of the school theater. He noted that the School District would be requesting the Council to contribute money to save the small school theater. The City Administrator talked about the time frame for the decision and the need for the City Council to prioritize the issues presently before them prior to making a decision on the school theater. Mayor Kflinzing stated that if this is a concern of the community, it should be a concern of the Council; however, she indicated that she has not heard from the community regarding this issue. Councilmember Motto indicated his concern of who would use the theater. He indicated that there is not currently an active community theater and chances of the city or chamber members using the theater are unlikely. He indicated that spending the money for this theater might not be a good use of City funds. Councilmember Dietz stated that there should be the possibility of other groups using the new theater that is being built. Councilmember Kuester noted that this new theater would be the only theater in the school district and eventually all three high schools would be using the facility. Councilmember Tveite stated that even paying a portion of the $560,000 is a substantial amount of money and stated that the question is whether this will benefit the citizens of Elk River. City Council Minutes September 4, 2001 Rivers of Hope Page 3 The Council discussed the requested contribution of $6,665.91 for the Rivers of Hope. It was the consensus of the Council to maintain its previous contribution of $3,000. The Council also noted that this would not be an appropriate line item for the budget. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO CONTRIBUTE $3,000 TO THE RIVERS OF HOPE FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND FROM THE 2001 BUDGET. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Legiglative Action and Budget Discussion Finance Director Lori Johnson updated the Council on the following issues: Highlights of the tax law changes that affect Elk River · Budget calendar for taxes payable 2002 · Property tax changes due to changes in aides and credits under the Omnibus Tax Bm · New homestead credit for taxes payable 2002 · Property tax class rates Lori provided handouts for each of these discussion items. The City Administrator noted that it was the intent of the legislature that cities will increase their taxes due to cuts in State aids. LoriJohnson then distributed a proposed resolution authorizing the tax levy for 2002. She recommended that the Council approve the maximum tax levy. Lori noted that most of the equipment has been taken out of the general fund budget and included in the tax levy as equipment certificates. LoriJohnson reviewed the status of the proposed 2002 general fund budget. She noted that there currendy is a $111,600 deficit. Councilmember Dietz suggested that some items in the proposed budget could be paid at the end of 2001 with excess revenues. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 01-59 AUTHORIZING THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR COLLECTION IN 2002. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The Council questioned the status of the drug enforcement officer. Police Chief Zerwas indicated that Wright County has offered to let the City of Elk River be a part of its drug task force. Tom Zerwas updated the Council on this program. Councilmember Motin questioned why the Council recommendation to the County to install ramble strips at the County Road 33 and County Road 1 intersection was changed to add pavement markers instead of the ramble strips. The City Administrator indicated that he received information from the City Engineer indicating that rumble strips could cause a noise disturbance in rural areas. The City Administrator indicated that he author/zed the engineer to ask for the pavement markers knowing that we could send a follow up letter to the County requesting the rumble strips. Councilmember Modn noted that he did not feel the Council's decision should have been changed. It was the consensus of the Council to City Council Minutes Page 4 September 4, 2001 continue discussion on this item at the next Council meeting when the City Engineer was present. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor I~dinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 9:30 p.m. Sandra Peine City Clerk