06-12-2023 Council Meeting Minutes

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COUNCIL MINUTES LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DATE: June 12,2023 TIME STARTED: 6:31 PM TIME ENDED: 7:01 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Stoesz,Lyden, Cavegn,Mayor Rafferty MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Ruhland Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah Lynch; Human Resources Director Meg Sawyer; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; City Planner Katie Larsen; City Clerk Jolleen Chaika. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment was opened at 6:32 PM. Mr. Christopher Stowe, 426 Pine Street, advised Council that he received a letter in the mail from the City Attorney requiring him to provide a response to some issues but the letter was received after the response date. He provided a copy of the letter to Council. Mr. Stowe advised that when he purchased his home in Lino Lakes at the old horse track,neighbors began complaining and the City became involved. He went through the process of obtaining a Conditional Use Pen-nit(CUP) and was told by Katie Larsen that there was no enforcement on animal units and that the max number of animals he could house was 25,though there were 35 stalls in the barn where over 50 horses used to be housed by the prior owner. He said the city adopted an animal use chart after he was already living on the property and housing his horses there. He said he jumped through hoops to get his CUP,that the city changed it multiple times and wanted to add additional conditions after it was already issued. He voiced frustration with the letter he received which asked him to consent to an inspection by May 26, a week after he received the letter. He said he has been upfront and forthcoming with the City and he doesn't understand why has happened. He stated his CUP does not include any annual inspections and he also questioned if another horse facility was being subject to annual inspections. He wanted to know if others were grandfathered in to the animal unit chart and if he is being harassed. Mayor Rafferty agreed that the letter appears to have a typo. He further stated that Community Development Director Michael Grochala would be in touch with Mr. Stowe; Director Grochala confirmed that the letter from the City Attorney did contain a typo and that a new letter is being submitted to Mr. Stowe. Mayor Rafferty reiterated that staff, specifically Director Grochala,will go through the status with him and will answer questions and concerns. Mr. Stowe also wanted to receive information about the complaints that the city has received. Mayor Rafferty said that those questions can be handled by Director Grochala as well. No further public comment was received.