09-02-2014 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 2, 2014 APPROVED 46 2. Taproom Sunday Sales - City Clerk Bartell explained that the State Legislature 47 changed liquor regulations this past session to allow brewery taprooms to remain open on 48 Sunday with local approval. The City has one taproom, Hammerheart Brewery, and they 49 have come forward requesting permission to sell on Sundays. In order to allow such a 50 change in the city, an ordinance amending the city's liquor regulations in the City Code 51 would be required. 52 53 The council discussed the success of the local brewery, how the state regulates sales 54 hours, the selling of food at the taproom and asked if staff is aware of any concerns 55 relative to a license extension such as this. Public Safety Director Swenson said he 56 wouldn't have any special concern about this change; the hours and days would be 57 consistent with the other licensed establishments in the city. City Clerk Bartell noted 58 that her research didn't indicate other cities having concern about this type of change to 59 their liquor code. 60 61 Staff will prepare an appropriate ordinance amendment for first reading at the next 62 regular council meeting. 63 64 3. 2015 Budget Discussion — Finance Director Rolek distributed his most recent 65 information on the city's 2015 budget discussions /gap analysis. He reviewed updated 66 information in the area of the fire department and health insurance costs. The council 67 discussion included: 68 - The mayor is comfortable with including the estimated start -up costs for the fire 69 department but he wants to drill down on everything else; 70 - Revenue from the former ECFE site in the city complex be shown as revenue even if it's 71 dedicated for facility management; 72 - Cellular lease revenue and previous discussion about selling leasing rights; 73 - The current level of the city's fund reserves; 74 - A full accounting of the city's revenue is requested; 75 - North Metro Telecommunications funding; where will those funds available for 76 technical upgrades be recognized; 77 - Water and sewer infrastructure and depreciation was reviewed. 78 79 Public Safety Director Swenson was asked to give an update on public safety personnel. 80 He distributed and reviewed information on the average cost per call for medical /rescue 81 for the Centennial Fire District in 2012 and 2013. He also discussed the duty officer 82 model and the engagement of city personnel for firefighting duties that is possible for the 83 Lino Lakes Public Safety Department. When the mayor asked if there would be an option 84 to have new personnel go on calls soon, the Police Chief said that would be positive for 85 trained personnel. Training would occur as soon as possible and, in the case of police 86 personnel that chose to participate, he promises there would be no reduction in police 87 coverage as a result. The hiring of new personnel will take some time but they should be 88 hired, trained and in place by January of 2016. 89 2