02-22-1999 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River City Council Minutes February 22. 1999 Page 6 e Mayor Klinzing indicated that she would have supported the smaller project, however she will not vote in favor of the large project due to her concern regarding funding of the project. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Mayor Klinzing opposed. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AUTHORIZED THE USE OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FUNDS TO MAKE UP FOR THE TRUNK SEWER LINE SHORTAGE OF APPROXIMATELY $200,000 OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.4. Resolution Establishina Park Dedication Fees for 1999 John Kuester, park and recreation commissioner, indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission is recommending the Council increase park dedication fees. He indicated that staff has researched park dedication fees in other cities and determined that Elk River park fees are not in line with surrounding communities. Commissioner Kuester noted that the Park and Recreation Commission feels their recommendation to increase the fees has been carefully thought through, is fair, and has been done in a strategic manner. John Kuester stated that people moving into the City want a park system to meet their needs. He further noted that land values have increased in Sherburne County by about 70 percent since the last time park dedication fees have been increased. e Councilmember Farber stated that he concurs the City needs to increase its park fees, however he questioned why there is no graduation in the increase. He indicated that he is concerned with the fairness of increasing the fees so drastically at one time. Councilmember Thompson noted that he feels the proposal is fair, however, he is also concerned about not phasing in the increase. He further noted his concern as to how this increase would impact developers currently in the platting process. Council member Dietz stated that Elk River is in demand and this is not the time to be concerned about increasing its fees. He noted that the increase in the park dedication fee is a step in the right direction so people can have the park system they expect to have for a City the size of Elk River. Council member Dietz questioned the reasoning and necessity of charging park dedication fees for industrial property. Councilmember Dietz further indicated that he would not be in favor of phasing in the increase. Council member Motin indicated that Elk River must be compared to neighboring metropolitan. He further indicated that he has concerns regarding industrial property paying park dedication fees. He stated he would prefer to see plats that are in the planning stages be grandfathered-in some way so they are not stuck with the entire increase without having planned for the increase. Homer Tompkins, developer of Trott Brook Farms, indicated that they are proposing to develop a park and to pay their park dedication up front and questioned how an increase at this time would affect his plat. e