08-13-2012 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes August 13, 2012 Councilmember Westgaard stated that if a private system fails, and city sewer and water is available, they would have to connect to public system at that time. Mr. Femrite asked if the property owners should be charged WAC and SAC fees now, and costs over $15,000 could be city - financed through an assessment process. Councilmember Westgaard stated he was not in favor of assessing sewer and water costs to a property= if they don't have the benefit. Councilmember Motin asked what the cost is to replace a septic system. Mr. Femrite stated that the cost can be anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000, depending upon the type of system required. Councilmember Motin had concerns that property owners would wait to hook up until the property is sold. He felt that property owners should be encouraged to hook up now by giving them the option of having the costs assessed, and if they opted to wait, they would have to finance themselves. He stated an end date should be established for allowing costs to be assessed. Councilmember Westgaard suggested an end date of December 31, 2015, to have the costs assessed over a 10 -year period upon failure of a system, or the sale /transfer of the property, whichever comes first. City Attorney Peter Beck discussed possible options with the Council. Mayor Dietz asked that Mr. Femrite work with the city attorney on a draft ordinance for review at a future meeting. 6.1 Council Visioning and Goal Setting Jeremy Barnhart reviewed the four goals adopted by the Council in 2010. He asked the Council if they would like to include additional goals in the 2013 -2014 Vision and Goals. He suggested replacing the Innovation goal with Strategic Planning. Discussion followed regarding how to provide benefit to the residents, as well as the need to keep in step with their changing needs. The Council members were in agreement that the original goals are still valid and supported staffs recommendation to add Strategic Planning. Mr. Barnhart stated that he will go through the existing vision and goals, identifying what has been done and what is left to do. Council member Motin suggested soliciting ideas from city employees. Mr. Barnhart noted that staff will develop tasks and action steps to be approved by the Council in the coming months. 6.4 Ordinance Regulating the Use of Coal -Tar Based Products Rebecca Haug presented the staff report. She reviewed new information since the July 9 City Council work session. Ms. Haug reviewed the two draft options. Staff recommended approval of the version without the licensing requirement. She explained that licensing for such practices has proven to be more costly and time - consuming than providing information to residents and businesses. Ms. Haug noted that contractors have asked that the new ordinance become effective January 1, 2013, to allow them to complete their 2012 contracts. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 12 -14, AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE XII TO CHAPTER 30 OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER CODE OF ORDINANCES, REGULATING THE USE OF COAL TAR -BASED SEALER PRODUCTS WITHIN THE CITY. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0. Page 4