05-09-1988 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 City Council Minutes May 9, 1988 e Councilmember Tralle indicated that this request was discussed by the Elk River Utilities Commission and indicated that the following concerns were discussed: vandalism, public safety, maintenance, snow removal and replacement of trees. Cliff Lundberg stated that most of these concerns could be addressed in the specifications. Councilmember Tralle indicated he was not opposed to the change order provided that the work is done safely and that two-thirds of the project is funded by the Retailers, with the remaining to be funded by the City. Mayor Gunkel indicated that the Council has accommodated the Downtown Retailers regarding the beautification of the downtown area. She further stated that lighting outlets are available on the light poles which could be used to light the trees. Mayor Gunkel indicated that there are several other commercial areas in the City which the Council may also be requested to consider "helping out" and further that the City has donated money and time to the downtown beautification project. Mayor Gunkel also questioned whether this would be a good and proper use of tax dollars. She indicated she did not feel it was appropriate for the Downtown Committee to come back to the Council and request more money at this late date. e Cliff Lundberg stated that this request for electrical w1r1ng and outlets to the trees was originally requested at the beginning of the project but was eliminated by the Council because they were trying to keep the cost of the project down. He stated that since the project came in under budget, the request is being brought back to the Council. He further stated that timing is very improtant as the change order must be approved immediately. He stated that he was not sure if the retailers could raise the remaining $5,000. Jim Mulroy last Tuesday project. This so late. indicated that the downtown retailers had just found out that the outlets to the trees were not included in the is the reason the request for the change order is coming Counci1member if the City receive other Dobel indicated that he agreed with Mayor Gunkel in that contributes to the cost of the change order, they will requests for money from commercial areas in Elk River. COUNCILMEMBER TRALLE MOVED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND OUTLETS BE ADDED TO THE BASE OF THE TREES AS A PROJECT CHANGE ORDER AND THAT THE DOWNTOWN RETAILERS PAY TWO-THIRDS OF THE MONEY AND THAT THE CITY CONTRIBUTE A MAXIMUM OF $4. 000 ~ . COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. e Counci1member Schuldt indicated that the City's maximum financial participation in the project had been decided early in the project and does not feel the Council should consider contributing more money at this time. THE MOTION FAILED 2-3. MAYOR GUNKEL AND COUNCIL MEMBERS SCHULDT AND DOBEL VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION.