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<br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br />July 7, 2025 <br />--------- <br />Page 6 of 8 <br />the King Avenue lot area, there was discussion that this area may not receive a full reconstruction but <br />rather an overlay if the goal is to have it last another 15 years. Mr. Femrite discussed the challenges <br />with the upper parking lot because the space is tight, and the stalls don't meet current depth <br />requirements. He noted the parking lots should be completed in 2026, based on their condition, and to <br />allow more time and input from the community regarding street and sidewalk design elements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner stated she is not in favor of bathrooms in the old cinema space because it will <br />take away retail opportunities. She also stated that if diagonal parking is not allowed on Main Street, <br />which would reduce the number of parking spaces, there would need to be a redesign of the King <br />Avenue lot to create more parking. Mr. Femrite stated they could look at the entire King Avenue lot <br />area, including green space, to evaluate how to maximize parking and also create some bathroom <br />options for consideration. <br /> <br />The City Council concurred that they want as many parking stalls as can be fitted into the King Avenue <br />parking lot. Mayor Dietz stated he'd like the staff's opinions on how the street and sidewalk designs <br />should look. Councilmember Beyer stated he likes to see various options. <br /> <br />Mr. Femrite discussed opportunities with Burlington Northern Railroad for safety improvements along <br />their corridor, which may include the track becoming grade-separated in the downtown area. He noted <br />a local match may be required for some of the preliminary work. The Council liked the concept noted <br />in the downtown plan and concurred with staff continuing discussions. <br /> <br />Mr. Femrite stated he'd like to identify a work plan and a scope for consulting services. The Council <br />concurred to continue to move ahead with building the framework for this rehabilitation project. <br /> <br /> 11.2 Yard Waste Transfer Facility <br /> The staff report was presented. Mr. Femrite and Mr. Teff discussed the county's program and outlined <br />the challenges at the facility, noting many commercial users are not being honest, not following rules, <br />and are dumping dirty loads. They noted the Elk River site is the busiest of all the city locations in the <br />county and that the county is considering rule changes due to the high volume and costs. Rules for <br />other sites outside the county were reviewed. Mr. Femrite asked the Council if they would be <br />interested in establishing the county’s new rules or considering a program that is independent. <br />Regardless of the direction, staff suggested a reset in which all current cards would no longer be valid, <br />and people would need to reapply to continue using the facility in 2026. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz felt eliminating commercial users was not the answer and suggested charging them a <br />substantial fee, so a staff person can be paid to monitor the site. <br /> <br />Discussion took place regarding running our own city program and making it revenue-generating. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer stated this program should always be free for our citizens, but did feel there <br />should be a charge to contractors. He noted he wants to be able to keep the SCORE funds. He liked <br />the idea of a reset, so a letter could be sent to remind people of the rules. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grupa stated that a fee should be charged to commercial users and that he would not <br />be opposed to a fee for residents as well. <br /> <br />The Council concurred that they'd like to evaluate a city program.