4.1. DRAFT MINUTES (2 SETS) 01-19-2021

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City Council Minutes Page 8 December 21, 2020 ----------------------------- He indicated staff is recommending a $1,000 fee for contractor passes to offset increasing costs. He noted there are currently 19-20 contractors holding passes which would generate additional revenue to cover the increased costs associated with allowing contractors. Mayor Dietz indicated he attended the meeting, and he has concerns with the county wanting the four compost locations to be tied together but not providing a universal policy covering all four. He stated he suggested allowing a contractor to use a resident’s pass if they have been hired by that resident to do landscaping work. He explained he was under the impression the other public works directors did not want to allow contractors so he is a little surprised by the $1,000 fee proposed at that meeting. He expressed concern for the city with the lowest fee taking the brunt of the contractor waste. Councilmember Wagner questioned what happens if contractors are also residents and use their card to dispose of contractor waste. Mr. Sevcik indicated there is nothing to stop a resident who is also a contractor from collecting waste from multiple job sites and depositing it all at the Elk River site. Mr. Femrite indicated the $1,000 fee was floated by the county earlier this year and each city was supposed to discuss with their Council and report back. Not all cities were in favor of the fee, so the county held a meeting and invited the Mayors. He noted Becker and Big Lake were in favor of a commercial fee, but Zimmerman was in favor of eliminating commercial. Mr. Portner indicated he’s hoping to have a joint meeting with the County Board in 2021 and this item can be on the agenda. Mayor Dietz questioned what would happen if Elk River operated our compost site independently only allowing Elk River residents. Mr. Sevcik explained the city would lose county SCORE funding. He added the compost sites are meant to also serve the Sherburne County township residents who don’t have their own site. Mr. Femrite noted the challenge is dealing with four different cities making decisions. He added he believes it should be the county’s role to make decisions relating to the sites and has had multiple conversations with the county on this topic. Council consensus was for staff to confirm what the other three cities: Becker, Big Lake, and Zimmerman, are doing and bring back. 9.3 Personnel Policy Manual Update Mr. Portner presented the staff report and reviewed the proposed changes to the policy. He explained he would like to consider allowing closer to three weeks of vacation for new employees. The Council discussed the ability for employees to carry over 240 hours. Councilmember Wagner expressed concern with allowing employees to carry over 240 hours as she feels like the city becomes a bank and it becomes a