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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 27, 2014 DRAFT 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES 1 MINUTES 2 3 DATE : January 27, 2014 4 TIME STARTED : 5:34 p.m. 5 TIME ENDED : 6:25 p.m. 6 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Stoesz , O’Donnell, 7 Rafferty , Roeser and Mayor Reinert 8 MEMBERS ABSENT : None 9 10 11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development 12 Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Katie Larsen; Public Safety Director John 13 Swenson; City Engineer Jason Wedel; City Clerk Julie Bartell 14 15 Review Regular Council Meeting Agenda of January 27, 2014. 16 17 3B) Resolution No. 14 -12, Approving Withdrawal from Centennial Fire District 18 (CFD) Joint Powers Agreement II – Mayor explained that the CFD Steering Committee 19 forwarded two amendments to the joint powers agreement (adding veto power) that were 20 both rejected by member cities Centerville and Circle Pines. The result appears to be an 21 impasse and before the council is a resolution that approves w ithdrawal of Lino Lakes 22 from the CFD. If it passes, the JPA does allow a six month period during which the 23 opportunity exists to change the withdrawal, however , he suggests that a change would 24 really have to happen in weeks, not months, because the city does need time to plan for 25 the move ahead. 26 27 3C) Joint Powers Agreement for Intervention in White Bear Lake Level Lawsuit – 28 Administrator Karlson reviewed the current status of discussions among cities named in a 29 lawsuit by a White Bear Lake group agains t the Minnesota Department of Natural 30 Resources (DNR). The lawsuit rel ates to water appropriations. The concept arose 31 among the group of forming a coalition such as a joint powers organization. Discussion 32 points about the City joining such a group inc lude: all administrative remedies for the 33 suit may not yet be exhausted; there are questions about geological data involved; and the 34 cost of participation is unknown. He added that if a joint effor t occurs, the primary focus 35 would be on filing a summary for dismissal. He explained that of the ten cities 36 considering participation, four have already declined the opportunity and one other has 37 capped costs. Mayor Reinert expressed concern about entering a lawsuit with a price in 38 mind – it certainly would n’t cost any less. Council Member Kusterman remarked that 39 the DNR is already defending against the charges so it seems odd that cities would have 40 to join also. Mayor Reinert concurred adding that he wouldn’t support joining a group 41 without more informa tion and with another government entity already involved. Council 42 Member Roeser suggested that the city has a water report that could be pertinent; he 43 added that he fears the politics of more governmental control of water resources may be 44