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City Council Minutes August 23, 1982 Page Three ~ Councilman Duitsman indicated that currently two people in the water department have water licenses. Councilman Engstrom indicated that he felt the jurisdiction of the water department under the City Council could eliminate duplication of in~ spections for both the water facilities and the sewer facilities. Councilman Toth indicated that he was not opposed to the referendum and further indicated that he did not feel the sewer department personnel should be approving inspections that they are not qualified to inspect. Councilman Schuldt indicated that he felt the citizens of the City of Elk River should have the opportunity to decide whether the jurisdiction of the water de- partment should be transferred from the Elk River Utilities Commission to the Elk River City Council. Mayor Hinkle indicated that he was in agreement with Councilman Schuldt. Mr. John Pearce commended the City Administrator on his memo dated March 30, 1982 to the Mayor and City Council regarding the issue of jurisdiction of the water depart- ment. Mr. Pearce indicated that the City Council is responsible for the bonding of any water projects the City Council might approve, but that the City Council does not determine the rates for the water department. Mr. John Pearce indicated that this could be a problem if not handled properly. Mr.. John Pearce indicated that he felt the City Council should exercise greater authority over the responsibility that they have. Mr. John Pearce discussed the jurisdiction of the electric utility under the Elk River Utilities Commission. Mr. Pearce indicated that the electric utility has the largest expenditures for the whole City of Elk River. Mr. Pearce indicated that he felt a system of commissioners is a good system but that the Elk River Utilities Commission runs autonomously as they do not report directly to the City Council. Mr. Pearce recommended that the City Council consider the referendum to include the jurisdiction of the electric utility, as well as the water utility to be transferred from the Elk River Utility Commission to the Elk River City Council, and that a commission directly responsible to the City Council be established for the setting of utility rates. Mayor Hinkle indicated that he felt the electric utility could still remain under tlie jurisdiction of the Utility Commission and further indicated that he felt it was good sense to have the water and sewer departments under the same operation. Councilman Duitsman indicated that it was his understanding that the newly scheduled four meetings a month were to meet with the various commissions and work towards solving the communication gap between the City Council and the various commissions. COUNCILMAN SCHULDT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THAT A QUESTION BE PLACED ON THE GENERAL ELEC- TIONBALLOT ON NOVEMBER 2, 1982, ASKING THE VOTERS IF JURISDICTION OVER THE WATER DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE. TRANSFERRED FROM.. THE UTILITIES COMMISSION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-1. COUNCILMAN DUITSMAN OPPOSED. 6. Swanson Conditional Use Permit Request ~ Public Hearing Mayor Hinkle indicated that Patti Swanson, 12651 Highway #10, has requested a con~ ditional use permit for the purpose of locating a home occupation to operate an