12/11/1995 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1995 could not disagree with Mayor Reinerts remarks. He had a concern that the current market trend is pushing housing in Lino Lakes to a higher level and staff wants to make sure that this trend continues. The City has a housing supply that meets the needs of the residents and meets the needs of the local residents who qualify as the target group for the Livable Community Act. Mr. Brixius also noted that it appears that Met Council is trying to micro -manage growth through the extension of sewers, highways and now through the Livable Communities Act. Mr. Schumacher explained that this is a new program and all the rules are not clear. First they requested participation by each City and now they are requesting that goals be established. In June, 1996 a plan to implement the goals will be required. Mr. Brixius said that when staff met with Met Council, staff expressed concern about the high benchmarks that had been suggested by Met Council because once benchmarks and goals are written, they become more than just policies. Met Council staff explained that this why they want the municipalities to establish their own goals. Mayor Reinert said that even the word "affordable" is not explained. He felt that people who have moved into Lino Lakes now have established what is affordable. These people have come in with certain expectations about the community and had faith their lifestyle would be secure. Mr. Wessel noted that staff is "bending over backwards" to respond to this kinds of inquires from Met Council. He noted that the City has committed to explore the program and has one year to evaluate whether the City should or should not continue with the program. Mr. Brixius explained that the Livable Communities Act was presented to the City as a voluntary program. There are a number of communities within the metropolitan area that have chosen not to participate. Mr. Wessel is correct when he noted that the goals can be re-evaluated. However, staff wants to establish goals at this point that are realistic because we do not want to show any regression when the goals are re-evaluated. Council Member Bergeson suggested that the City respond with a very low and liberal standard. Mr. Brixius said that the goals proposed by staff are very realistic. He explained that Met Council has assured staff that these goals will be something that the City will work toward and if they are not achieved, the City will not be penalized. This preface will be written before each goal. Met Council says that this is a volunteer program and the City should set goals and work toward achieving the goals. If the goals are not met, there is not penalty. Kim Sullivan, 7132 Whippoorwill, 20/20 Vision Coordinator explained that some of the discussion is of interest to her because the 20/20 Vision document set some very specific recommendations. The Growth Group also had representation from Met Council. This group had a good opportunity to sit and talk to a planner from Met Council about what the citizens felt the goals for the community should be versus what Met Council felt that they should be. Met Council has benchmarked the entire metropolitan area. However, when the City looks at this issue, the City is looking at the quad communities area. Ms. Sullivan PAGE 10