The Elk River City Council had a busy night at their regular meeting on Monday, October 17.
On the Consent Agenda,
- They approved a cost participation agreement with Sherburne County for the design modifications to CSAH 33
- Hired eight paid on-call firefighters
- Revised the towing ordinance to allow for the towing of vehicles parked overnight in city parking lots including city park lots
- Extended the moratorium for sales of THC hemp products for an additional 45 days while the city attorney crafts a new ordinance
In Open Forum, five residents with current or past students at Spectrum High School expressed their concerns for traffic along Twin Lakes Road near Industrial Circle NW following the recent tragic accident that seriously injured a student. The speakers made numerous suggestions for safety improvements in the area. The Council will hold a future work session after the accident investigation is complete and the Chief City Engineer has considered potential remedies.
Mayor Dietz posthumously recognized Larry Toth as the October Volunteer of the Month and presented a plaque to his widow, Joyce. They also interviewed Levi Aesoph and Anthony Miller for the two vacancies on the Energy City Commission. They will be considered for appointment at a future meeting.
Six public hearings were held for a variety of conditional use permits (CUP) and land use applications.
- A home occupation business CUP was approved for a hair salon at 329 Morton. Three residents voiced concerns.
- A second CUP for the same address was not heard at the request of the property owner.
- After agreeing to store materials on the westerly half of his property and no higher than 20 feet, the Council approved a CUP for outdoor storage for Josh Clark at 21144 Twin Lakes Road.
- A land use amendment, zone change and plat were approved to bring a sign into compliance with MnDOT regulations for Phoenix Enterprises, Outlot A, Cherryhill Bluffs 4th Addition.
- Five individuals provided testimony regarding a CUP to establish a Residential Planned Unit Development for Phase II of Jackson Hills for three 44-unit apartment buildings by Briggs Companies before it was unanimously approved.
- The Beaudry Elk River Addition Administrative Subdivision was continued to November 7, 2022.
In General Business,
- The city ordinance for liquor regulations was approved to match state law.
- The Council approved the purchase of a replacement fire department ladder truck for $1,973,100. After November 1, the price would have increased by 6.5%.
- They approved ice and facility use contracts with Elk River Youth Hockey Association and the Elk River Figure Skating Club.
After receiving a single family home development review presentation in Work Session, the Council expressed consensus to work with the developer for the project near County Roads 33 and 1. Following that discussion, they received the draft sewer and water study outlining the extension of sewer and water to the previously discussed development and to a potential development eat of Miske Meadows. The Council expressed concerns with the potential infrastructure cost but wished to hear further details as the study is completed. The Council expressed consensus to apply for a Corridors of Commerce grant for highway improvements on southeast Highway 10. Due to the length of the meeting, the Capital Improvement Plan review was postponed to November 7. The Council expressed consensus to accept the proposal from Serrano Brothers to discontinue the catering and concession agreement with the city and accepted the recommendations from the Multipurpose Advisory Commission for catering and concessions at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center.
Meetings are broadcasted on ErTV Spectrum 180 and on the city’s website (live and after the fact within 48 hours). ElkRiverMN.gov now has an easily accessible quick link on the homepage to check out the meetings (live or on demand) – just click “Watch Now.”