06-07-2004 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 9 June 7, 2004 Councilmember Kuester stated that she feels rushed and that she would like to have more time to discuss the issue and different funding options. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION ON THE FUNDING REQUEST BY THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB UNTIL THE JULY 12, 2004 CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.10. Request by Robert Tousignant, General Manager of Timeout Restaurant, to Discuss 2:00 a.m. Closing Time (The City Council discussed this item prior to item 5.9.) Robert Tousignant, General Manager of Timeout Restaurant, was in attendance to request that the City Council discuss allowing liquor establishments to remain open until 2 a.m. Mr. Tousignant stated that St. Michael, Albertville, and Ramsey have all approved the 2 a.m. closing time and it is causing his establishment to lose business. City Administrator Pat Iadaers stated that the Council reviewed this issue a year ago and no action was taken by the Council at that time because no public interest was expressed. Mr. I~daers indicated that if the City Council wishes to allow the 2 a.m. closing time, the ordinance would need to be changed and each establishment wishing to remain open until 2 a.m. would need to apply through the city. He noted that if the ordinance is changed, any establishment in Elk River would have the choice whether or not they want to remain open until 2 a.m. Councilmember Dietz asked if Police Chief Beahen has any issues with the 2 a.m. closing. Mr. Klaers stated that he spoke to Chief Beahen prior to the meeting and his concerns are minor and they could be addressed if the Council decides to proceed with the ordinance change. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN FOR STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE ORDINANCE CHANGE TO ALLOW LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENTS IN ELK RIVER TO REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 2 A.M. AND FOR STAFF TO OBTAIN COMMENTS FROM POLICE CHIEF BEAHEN. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.9. Presentation and Consideration of Utility Bond Consortium Finance Director Lori Johnson stated that the Elk River Municipal Utilities is requesting that the City Council consider joining a joint venture that will allow the Utilities to participate in a bond pool. Ms. Johnson stated that the Utilities Commission approved becoming a member by a 2-1 vote. Ms. Johnson also stated that City Attorney Peter Beck has reviewed the legalities and has conf~rmed that there is statutory authority to participate in a consortium for the purpose of issuing bonds. Ms. Johnson noted that there are several issues to consider when deciding if a bond pool has any advantage over issuing bonds on your own but the three main factors are interest rates, term, and timing. The League of Minnesota Cities had a bond pool for equipment certificates several years ago, but discontinued it because of lack of participation. Elk River Municipal Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams stated that they believe they can get lower interest rates by joining the consortium. Max Richter, of Midwest Consortium of Municipal Utilities, reviewed the risks and liabilities as well as the benefits of joining a consortium with the Council.