The Elk River City Council met on Tuesday, February 22 following the Presidents’ Day holiday.
By unanimous agreement they approved the Consent Agenda which included the following items:
- An amendment to city ordinance allowing the sale of wine up to 24% alcohol by volume and removed the requirement for a wine licensee who sells strong beer to prove 60% of their total sales are attributed to food. The ordinance now matches changes to state law.
- Renewed the Consumption and Display Permit for Board & Brush Creative Studio which allows customers to bring alcohol into the studio.
- Awarded the bid from Northwest, Inc. for replacement of Trott Brook Park tennis courts and lighting.
On the regular agenda:
- Mayor Dietz recognized Brenda Roux as his Volunteer of the Month.
- The Council received updates from County Attorney Kathleen Heaney and City Prosecutor Scott Baumgartner.
- There were five public hearings for various conditional use permits.
- Approved a simple plat for Tritabaugh Estate splitting an existing lot to allow a second home.
- Amended city ordinance simplifying the city site plan review and approval process.
- Amended the Parks and Facilities Naming Policy Requirements eliminating the two-year waiting period after ones death to name facilities.
- Named the two fastpitch softball fields at Lion John Weicht Park as “John Barth Fields.
- Reappointed board and commission members.
In work session, they discussed and gave direction on the following:
- Supported a proposal to construct a four-story, 55-unit market rate apartment building with 4,000 square feet of commercial space and seven detached townhomes on the city-owned Main/Gates Redevelopment Area.
- Agreed to host a Memorial Day parade.
- Consented to a study to update the employee compensation plan.
- Set April 20, 2022, for the annual City Council and staff retreat.
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.”