08-03-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 3, 2009 APPROVED 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES 2 MINUTES 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4 5 DATE : August 3, 2009 6 TIME STARTED : 5:35 p.m. 7 TIME ENDED : 8:15 p.m. 8 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Members Gallup, O'Donnell 9 Reinert, and Mayor Bergeson 10 MEMBERS ABSENT : Council Member Stoltz 11 12 13 Also Present: Director of Public Safety, Dave Pecchia; Community Development Director, 14 Michael Grochala; City Planner, Jeff Smyser; City Finance Director, Al Rolek; Economic 15 Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine; City Clerk Julie Bartell; City Attorney, Joe Langel 16 17 1. Charter Commission Budget Request-The Lino Lakes Charter Commission had submitted a letter 18 to the council requesting additional funding of$4,000 in 2009. 19 Charter Commission Chair Caroline Dahl and Charter Commission Member Connie Sutherland were 20 present. Ms. Sutherland was introduced as a subcommittee member and explained that the commission is 21 seeking funding to work with their attorney to frame language regarding a tax cap amendment. It was 22 noted that the cities of Fridley(since 2001),Mounds View(since 2006)and West St. Paul (1950's)have "s -- 23 similar charter provisions. Other cities have tax related language in their charters. The Lino Lakes 24 Charter Commission would like to look for what would make the most sense for this city. Ms. 25 Sutherland noted that she had not had the opportunity to meet with the city's finance officer. 26 Finance Director Rolek remarked that when thinking about this type of restriction, it would be important 27 to proceed carefully so as to identify the areas you want to target or control and the factors that should be 28 considered. The council is the elected body that has control over the budget. 29 A council member noted that the lack of business (commercial and industrial)tax base is low in the city 30 and that affects property taxation. That takes some time to build. 31 Ms. Sutherland distributed a chart comparing population change in the city to tax levy increases. 32 A council member noted that the merits of the amendment would not be under consideration at this 33 meeting; the request before the council is for additional funding for attorney assistance. Chair Dahl 34 added that there could be other"housekeeping"amendments related to such matters as data practice. 35 Council Members O'Donnell and Reinert agreed to add the question of the additional funding to the 36 council agenda. 37 A council member remarked that it would be discerning to have legal work done by the commission and 38 then have it repeated by the city. Ms. Sutherland suggested that the commission's work relates to 39 framing an amendment while the council would deal with finalizing language. 40 41 2. Proposed Charter Amendment(televising meetings)—City Clerk Bartell reviewed the written 42 report. The amendment was officially received by the council on July 13 and was designated as an *-- 43 amendment by ordinance under state statute. The process for such an amendment is included in the 1