Minutes - Council Work Session - 01/08/2013

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Councilmember Backous noted this would have to be discussed in the near future because going out for RFPs is a lengthy process. He stated he is not opposed to keeping the legal service provider but would like to look at options soon enough to do something about it. Mayor Strommen stated it was discussed last year and decided to defer legal RFPs for one year, so the timing is appropriate. The consensus of the Council was to direct staff to schedule discussion of legal RFPs for an upcoming Work Session. 2.02: Consider Feasibility Report for Riverdale Drive Extension Interim Engineer Nelson reviewed the staff report and presented the Riverdale Drive feasibility report. It was noted the City has received a $702,000 grant to help in funding the reconstruction and extension of Riverdale Drive from Armstrong Boulevard to Traprock Street. He summarized methods for recapturing the capital costs of the utilities and stood for questions. Mayor Strommen asked the Council if it had questions about the project, feasibility study, or funding mechanisms. Councilmember Riley thanked Interim Engineer Nelson for the thorough staff report that answered his questions. He asked if there would be required timing for connection once the project is completed. Interim Engineer Nelson stated with the connection charge method, it is at the point of connection with the fees adjusted for inflation. With the assessment method, the timetable is known and payable the following year through property taxes. That method may be more of a consideration if the City issues bonds for the improvement and needs to fund those payments. In this case, it will be funded internally. Councilmember Elvig stated the City has a policy in place about connecting with available sewer and water. He asked whether the Bank of Elk River and Wells Fargo should have connected. Development Services Manager Gladhill indicated that US Bank is now connected as part of its site plan approval. The other properties were developed prior to requiring connection to sewer and water. Councilmember Elvig noted the City's statute would then not force those properties to connect. He asked if the watermain is a loop or dead end system. Interim Engineer Nelson stated it would be a dead end system. Councilmember Elvig stated his understanding that a loop system, though expensive, was the preferred system to assure there is not stagnant water at the end of the line. City Council Work Session / January 8, 2013 Page 3 of 7