01-08-2007 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council I\1inutes January 8, 2007 Page 2 COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . Mayor Klinzing recessed the regular Council meeting at 6:31 p.m. Following the executive session Mayor Klinzing reconvened the regular Council meeting at 6:45 p.m. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO FORMALIZE THE 2007-2008 CONTRACT FOR THE ELK RIVER POLICE OFFICERS (LELS - LOCAL #231) TO BE BROUGHT BACK FOR FINAL COUNCIL APPROVAL. COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Worksession 6.1. Discussion with Legislators Senator Betsy Wergin and Senator Mike Jungbauer were present to discuss issues of interest with the City Council. Liquor Operations Manager David Potvin indicated the :MN Grocer's Association is really pushing for the wine-in-grocery stores this year. He questioned how Senator Wergin and Jungbauer stand on this issue. He noted that he believes that wine is only a starting point and that eventually the grocers would like to sell beer and alcohol also. Senator Wergin indicated that she is not opposed to wine in grocery but would take a strong look at the issue if it comes to a vote. Senator Jungbauer stated that he is not opposed to wine in grocery stores but would like municipalities to have the ability to opt out of including wine in the grocery stores within their community. . Discussion took place on other topics of interest to the city including property taxes and levy limits, charging sales tax on city purchases, eminent, state aid, and transportation funding. The Council expressed their frustration with transportation funding for Elk River. Mayor Klinzing indicated that Elk River recently agreed to pay $1 million for an engineering study for Highway 169 and would like to see a way for cities to be refunded for such large expenditures. Senator Jungbauer was optimistic that there is a way to find reimbursement for the city. Senator J ungbauer encouraged the Council to send a memo to their Legislators outlining the items they feel are priorities for Elk River. Mr. Junghauer also encouraged the Council to send resolutions on issues of importance as it is helpful to have documentation to distribute while discussing issues with legislators. 6.2. Discussion on Northstar Commuter Rail Project Paul Danielson ofKimle Horn (consulting engineers for the Northstar Commuter Rail project) provided an update on the proposed parking lot and the depot for the Elk River Northstar station. Mr. Danielson reviewed the proposed construction schedule. He stated that next spring the existing parking lot will be doubled and heavy construction on the depot is scheduled to begin at the end of 2008. Mayor Klinzing questioned if overflow parking will be available. Mr. Danielson indicated that the project is fiscally constrained and that overflow parking is not included in this .