Agenda spine

13 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.

1. 1Approve agenda (amended; table item 2 under Park & Recreation)

   Workshop vote recorded in transcript; minutes not in this bundle.

   • agenda

   Approved
   1:54↗I was wondering if we could motion to table or to table item two down under parking our creation as there was no meeting on Tuesday ... motion to approve the agenda as amended ... motion carries

2. 2Fire Department request: year-end transfer and broaden search for fire rescue truck / turnout gear funding discussion

   Fire chief discussed moving unused gear budget into fire equipment fund and creating/dedicating turnout gear funding; also discussed a separate request to increase purchase price range for a fire rescue truck beyond the original $50,000.

   Workshop was described as information-gathering; votes planned for the next Tuesday meeting.

   • fire_department
   • fire_equipment
   • turnout_gear
   • budget_transfer

   Discussion only
   2:39↗we've been looking diligently for a piece of equipment for the $50,000 dollar amount that was granted ... currently right now we are our gear today budget we are under by twenty one thousand seven hundred and nineteen dollars asking to move that forward into our fire equipment fund5:00↗we've allocated 7500 per year for turnoff here ... I'd prefer the 14 and change to go into the equipment fund and the 7,500 that wasn't used go into a dedicated fund for turnout gear be prepared for 20198:25↗this is just based just for the transfer and I don't know I will do another one for the increase in the purchase price ... then we can amend the request to to widen the range research we're going to resubmit that

3. 3Request regarding fire call billing / burn permit issue (Dennis Lesko)

   Council heard the fire chief’s explanation of a response to reported grass fire while a permit burn was occurring; discussed permit rules and whether the billed response was appropriate; resident disputed number of fires/piles and said he did not receive regulation sheet.

   No final decision recorded in the workshop transcript; discussion focused on clarifying rules and process.

   • fire_call
   • burn_permit
   • billing

   Discussion only
   11:09↗2 911 calls came in before mr. Lesko was call ... second caller ... said it was a five to ten acre grass fire ... there was 10 to 12 piles that were actively burning which is a violation of the of the burn permit burn can only have up to three piles burning at one time14:49↗and then the total cost you it's like 1988 maybe it's a little blurry here15:28↗I only had four rows burning so 10 to 12 is absolutely impossible ... I didn't know where to look to find it22:16↗we do have a open burning regulation sheet which if we're not handing it out every time there's a permanent we should ... point number two does say 15 by 15 put the maximum on the pile size and a maximum of three piles at any one time

4. 4Gambling permits: change at Bootleggers to Elk River Youth Hockey

   Discussed a request to change the gambling beneficiary/organization at Bootleggers to Elk River Youth Hockey, with start date January 1.

   Request stated as needing council action; workshop indicated voting would occur the following Tuesday.

   • gambling
   • bootleggers
   • charitable_gambling

   Discussion only
   31:28↗it permits for changing the gambling at bootleggers to over to the Elk River youth hockey ... how soon does this start ... start January 1st

5. 5City-owned parcel / lot sale discussion (asking price based on market value; closing costs)

   Discussed an asking price stated as market value accounting and a change about splitting/handling closing costs; also mentioned site elevation issues and fill needs.

   No vote recorded in the transcript excerpt provided in this bundle.

   • land_sale
   • real_estate

   Discussion only
   34:04↗our asking price was 478 for previously that's what the market value economy is on it ... you're willing to split the closing cost ... in the vacant land purchase agreement it says ... pay all closing costs37:01↗the building would need to be raised up similar to what they're doing on iguana for the tiny homes building ... market value typically is on the low side ... reasonable to ask a few thousand less

6. 6Planning & Zoning: Nowthen Historical Power Association amended CUP/IUP (event change; remove periodic renewal; parking parcels removed)

   Reviewed amended permits: replace 'we sober Fest' with 'wot PD rendezvous', clarify member use, remove two adjoining residential parcels from parking; discussed wording about when a new IUP would be required (changes/complaints).

   Planner indicated final decision would be made Tuesday.

   • planning_and_zoning
   • nowthen_historical_power_association
   • interim_use_permit
   • conditional_use_permit

   Discussion only
   38:55↗permits approved five years ago ... four events originally ... we sober Fest will no longer happen ... replacing that with the wot PD rendezvous ... eliminated the two adjoining residential parcels they do not need that for parking any longer41:21↗I appeal be required only if requested by the City Council based on changes in circumstances or issues ... it's backwards ... make it clear they don't have to come back and less they're proposing changes ... or if there's happen to be complaints then the council would call them44:51↗we will make a final decision on Tuesday

7. 7Planning & Zoning: IUP application name clarification (remove co-signer names from agenda; sale closed)

   Discussed that an applicant had a co-signer while a sale was finalizing, but sale closed before the public hearing; asked to remove co-signer names from Tuesday agenda to avoid confusion.

   Administrative clarification discussed for Tuesday’s agenda.

   • planning_and_zoning
   • interim_use_permit
   • agenda_cleanup

   Discussion only
   45:25↗in our agenda here it says Chuck Vista Phil and Corey and Haley Sheldon is this a joint project well no because they were still finalizing the sale when he made application ... the sale was complete before the public hearing ... for the record he is he does on it outright

8. 8Planning & Zoning: outdoor storage / fencing & landscaping / lot line question (applicant 'Biskit' referenced)

   Discussed amended findings and recommendations including fencing/landscaping screening from residential neighbors and outdoor storage compliance; council member asked about lot line clarity and fencing changes.

   No vote recorded in the workshop transcript excerpt provided in this bundle.

   • planning_and_zoning
   • screening
   • outdoor_storage

   Discussion only
   47:18↗amended findings and recommendations ... looking for fencing and landscaping from the residential neighbors to the west the outdoor storage compliance ... my one question was is that gonna be an issue with your neighbor ... clearer where that actual new lot where the correct lot line is yes

9. 9Planning & Zoning: proposed subdivision/flag lot (20-acre parcel into two tens) with access constraints (negative P&Z recommendation)

   Applicant requested subdividing a 20-acre parcel into two 10-acre lots for his sons; discussion covered access easements/frontage requirements, neighbor concerns, possibility of temporary access, and that P&Z recommended denial.

   Workshop discussion only; no council decision recorded here.

   • planning_and_zoning
   • subdivision
   • flag_lot
   • access_easement

   Discussion only
   50:10↗what I'm looking to do is to subdivide the 20 acre parcel into two tens so that both of my sons can build a home out there55:20↗we got a negative recommendation or a recommendation not to approve on the PMZ1:10:42↗it says in the flag light regulations flag lets shall generally not be permitted except under unique circumstances and through approval of a co P where practical difficulties can be shown to exist due to natural features physical constraints or existing Street and law arrangements

10. 10Planning & Zoning Commission appointment discussion (Jason Alders) and resignation (Vial)

    Discussed recommendation to approve Jason Alders to serve on P&Z; also noted Mr. Vial withdrawing from city functions and resigning from multiple boards.

    No appointment vote recorded in workshop transcript excerpt provided.

    • appointments
    • planning_and_zoning_commission

    Discussion only
    1:22:40↗the recommendation was for to approve Jason alders serve on the pending Zoning Commission ... since then have had him for resignation yes ... mr. vial is withdrawing from all city functions really yeah he was resignation today watershed Rome bridge Park and Rec

11. 11Code enforcement: revise letter/notice process; ordinance consistency; response timeline

    Discussed revising a code enforcement letter to be less threatening, but noted ordinance requirements for an official administrative notice (including potential fines); discussed adding another step and using 15 calendar days to respond.

    No formal action recorded in the workshop transcript excerpt provided.

    • code_enforcement
    • ordinance

    Discussion only
    1:24:33↗to be an official administrative notice we have to not only list what the suspected or known violations are we have to also put in what the potential fines are ... then we'll have to name it something else and add that as the first step in the process1:28:35↗the way it reads now is 15 calendar days ... they have to respond to the notice so maybe making it the same would be easiest

12. 12Consent agenda planning for next Tuesday (minutes, finance report, bills, levy study, closures, staff pay/holiday, deputy clerk ad) and pulling items for discussion

    Discussed items expected on consent agenda and identified items to pull off consent for discussion (deputy clerk position/administrative staffing); also discussed Dec 26 half-day pay and using PTO/no pay for remaining half-day.

    This was planning for the next Tuesday meeting; no consent agenda vote recorded in workshop.

    • consent_agenda
    • staffing
    • holiday_schedule

    Discussion only
    1:39:50↗consent agenda good meeting minutes finance report ... called it the bill ... property tax levy ... offices are closed on December 25th the request was to pay half a day on the 26th ... proved advertisement for the deputy clerk position1:42:21↗I would recommend we pull that from the consent agenda since we have to actually discuss pay raise in the process

13. 13Employee reviews process (need more councilmember submissions; make tabulation blind)

    Discussed that employee reviews could not be scheduled because only one council member had turned in a review; discussed having tabulation be blind rather than using council member initials.

    Planning discussion; no vote recorded.

    • employee_reviews
    • administration

    Discussion only
    1:43:44↗employee reviews we can't schedule it since only one council member has turned in their review so far ... councilmember Bettinger ... I think that should be blind

Issues addressed

What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.

• Fire rescue truck search and year-end fire budget transfers (equipment fund vs turnout gear fund)

  The fire chief reported difficulty finding a suitable fire rescue truck within the previously granted $50,000 and asked to carry forward unspent gear budget into the fire equipment fund to broaden the search. Council discussed splitting the year-end amount so that roughly $14,000 would go into the equipment fund while $7,500 would be set aside into a dedicated turnout-gear fund to prepare for expected replacements in 2019, and they discussed resubmitting the request with a wider purchase-price range for the truck for a vote at the next Tuesday meeting.

  Agenda: 2. Speakers: fire chief, Brian, mayor.

• Dennis Lesko fire response billing tied to burn permit / open burning rules

  Council discussed a resident’s request related to a fire department response while he was burning with a permit. The fire chief explained that 911 callers reported a possible large grass fire, prompting an all-call response; on scene they observed what they described as 10 to 12 actively burning piles, which they said violated the three-pile limit, and referenced an approximate response cost of about $1,988. Mr. Lesko disputed the number of fires, said he had only several windrows burning, and said he did not receive the open burning regulation sheet; the discussion also led to a takeaway that the city should ensure regulation sheets are handed out with permits and that unusual burns should be coordinated with the fire department.

  Agenda: 3. Speakers: chief, Dennis Lesko, mayor.

• Bootleggers gambling permit change to Elk River Youth Hockey

  Council reviewed a request to change the gambling operation/beneficiary at Bootleggers to Elk River Youth Hockey, with discussion noting a January 1 start date. The matter was presented as needing council action, with voting intended for the next Tuesday meeting rather than at the workshop.

  Agenda: 4. Speakers: mayor, Desiree, mr. Benson.

• Nowthen Historical Power Association amended CUP/IUP (event swap and permit renewal language)

  Council reviewed Planning & Zoning’s recommended amendments for the Nowthen Historical Power Association permits: replacing an event ("we sober Fest") with the "wot PD rendezvous," clarifying member use, and removing two adjoining residential parcels from required parking. They also discussed clarifying the wording on when the Association must return for another interim use permit, aiming for a process where they return if they propose changes or if the council needs to address complaints; final action was stated to be taken on the following Tuesday meeting.

  Agenda: 6. Speakers: Stockman, mayor.

• 20-acre parcel proposed split into two 10-acre lots (flag lot / access constraints; negative P&Z recommendation)

  An applicant asked to subdivide a 20-acre parcel into two 10-acre lots so his sons could build homes, but the discussion focused on access/frontage requirements and neighbor cooperation, including the possibility of temporary access and future road connections when surrounding property develops. Council acknowledged Planning & Zoning had recommended denial and debated how the flag-lot regulations and practical difficulties might apply, with no decision made at the workshop.

  Agenda: 9. Speakers: applicant (name unclear in transcript), Stockman, mayor.

• Code enforcement letter revisions and ordinance-aligned notice timeline

  Council reviewed a revised code enforcement letter intended to encourage cooperation without sounding threatening, but discussed that an official administrative notice must include potential fines under the ordinance. They considered adding a new preliminary letter step before the administrative notice and discussed using a 15-calendar-day response window to match the existing notice timeline.

  Agenda: 11. Speakers: mayor, Stockman.

• Staffing and administrative planning for next Tuesday (deputy clerk ad, Dec 26 pay, employee reviews)

  Council previewed items expected on the next Tuesday meeting’s consent agenda (minutes, finance report, bills, levy-related items, and office closure/pay items) and discussed advertising a deputy clerk position, including the need to decide interview process and pay rate. They also discussed the Dec. 26 holiday arrangement (half day paid with remaining time PTO/no pay) and noted employee reviews could not be scheduled yet because most council reviews had not been submitted; they also preferred the review tabulation be blind rather than tied to council member initials.

  Agenda: 12, 13. Speakers: mayor, Corey (referenced), Bettinger.

Motions and votes

1 motion on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

• M1motion to approve the agenda as amended

  Passed

  2:13↗motion to approve the agenda as amended ... yes so moved second second it motion carries

Money discussed

Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.

• F1

  Fire chief referenced the previously granted amount for a fire rescue truck purchase search.

  capital_project · fire equipment

  $50,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  2:45↗looking diligently for a piece of equipment for the $50,000 dollar amount that was granted

• F2

  Fire chief said gear budget was under by this amount and asked to move it forward into the fire equipment fund.

  transfer · gear budget to fire equipment fund

  $21,719

  transfer

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  3:16↗we are our gear today budget we are under by twenty one thousand seven hundred and nineteen dollars asking to move that forward into our fire equipment fund

• F3

  Council discussed $7,500 annual turnout gear allocation and the idea to place unused portion into a dedicated turnout gear fund.

  transfer · turnout gear fund

  $7,500

  transfer

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  4:58↗we've allocated 7500 per year for turnoff here7:51↗the 7,500 that wasn't used go into a dedicated fund for turnout gear be prepared for 2019

• F4

  Council member preference stated to move '14 and change' into the equipment fund (separating turnout gear funding).

  transfer · to fire equipment fund

  $14,000

  transfer

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  7:37↗I'd prefer the 14 and change to go into the equipment fund

• F5

  Fire chief stated the total cost for the fire response billing related to the permit burn call was about this amount (noted as blurry/approximate).

  fee · fire call cost recovery

  $1,988

  inflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  14:49↗then the total cost you it's like 1988 maybe it's a little blurry here

Memory cues and prior history

When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.

• from her memory she had thought that every year that was going to be a reoccurring request from the fire department to to put that $7,500 out there

  What this is about
  Recalling what was previously agreed regarding the annual $7,500 turnout gear set-aside and where unused amounts would be placed.

  5:31↗from her memory she had thought that every year that was going to be a reoccurring request from the fire department to to put that $7,500 out there

  Partial matchWe have not matched this to a prior decision yet.

  The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.

• my preference would be to to do what we had talked about the budget meeting is set up a category so we could pool that

  What this is about
  Recalling prior budget-meeting discussion about creating a pooled category/fund for turnout gear replacements.

  7:06↗my preference would be to to do what we had talked about the budget meeting is set up a category so we could pool that

  Partial matchWe have not matched this to a prior decision yet.

  The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.

• we discussed the need for a fire rescue truck for the fire department since that time since August

  What this is about
  Referring back to an August discussion/decision about needing a fire rescue truck and the granted funding level.

  2:41↗our last gathering here back in August we discussed the need for a fire rescue truck for the fire department since that time since August

  Partial matchWe have not matched this to a prior decision yet.

  The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.

• my experience is accurate yes

  What this is about
  Speaker referenced personal experience about duty officer/fire response process (arrive, gain control, then call back).

  26:20↗my experience is accurate yes

  Partial matchWe have not matched this to a prior decision yet.

  The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.

• I've owned the property for nine years and in those nine years we have had zero complaints

  What this is about
  Applicant recalled prior history of no complaints as context for a subdivision request.

  51:55↗I've owned the property for nine years and in those nine years we have had zero complaints

  Partial matchWe have not matched this to a prior decision yet.

  The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.

• your selfie and I am the reader back in two thousand eight or nine met and we talked about this and to see how we can find a solution to it

  What this is about
  Applicant referenced a 2008/2009 meeting with the mayor about finding a solution to access/subdivision issues.

  55:40↗your selfie and I am the reader back in two thousand eight or nine met and we talked about this and to see how we can find a solution to it

  Partial matchWe have not matched this to a prior decision yet.

  The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.

Sources

Every document and recording archived for this meeting.

• Document

  City Council Workshop — 2017-12-07 Workshop Minutes (2017-12-07)

  Minutes · 2017-12-07

  18 pages

  ↗
• Video

  Meeting recording

  YouTube

  Transcript · 531 segments · 1:26:30

  ↗