11/22/1994 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 22, 1994 comparing Lino Lakes tax rates to adjoining cities. Mayor Reinert suggested that the City of Blaine be used as an example because they are more developed, have a commercial base and the tax rate has been climbing. Ms. Vaske also asked what information the City Council wanted included in the packets that will be prepared for the public. She will include a presentation on where new tax dollars are to be spent, a "pie" chart showing where the tax dollars go (school district, county, other taxing districts). A past history chart will also be included. Mayor Reinert directed staff to ask Mr. Schumacher if he felt additional information should be included in the packets. CITY ATTORNEY OPINION ON CODE OF CONDUCT, MARY KAY WYLAND Ms. Wyland explained that she had been directed to ask the City Attorney to compare the current code of conduct to the proposal from a citizens group. Ms. Wyland read the letter from Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins letter states that the proposed changes are not concise enough and did not differ from the existing laws. Mayor Reinert felt that there were no reasons to justify a new ordinance. Ms. Wyland also received a document from the League of Cities regarding conflict of interest. The two documents will be given to the City Council. Council Member Bergeson suggested that copies of the documents be given to interested citizens. Ms. Wyland asked the City Council if they wished to pursue any changes to the current code of conduct. She also asked the City Council if they wanted to change requirements for notification of property owners. Council Member Elliott noted that the City Code requires property owners within 350 feet of a proposed change to be notified by mail. She asked what would the reason be for changing the requirement to 600 feet and why not notify people within 700 feet. Council Member Elliott asked what is the "magic" number. She noted that there will always be someone who feels he should have been notified. Council Member Bergeson noted that in developed areas, 350 feet will encompass many property owners. However, in rural or semi - rural areas there may be a need to increase the requirement. Mayor Reinert asked what other cities do in these cases. Ms. Wyland explained that she did survey other cities and only Forest Lake Township has a larger area of notification, 500 feet. She also explained that none of the communities surveyed had additional requirements such as notification by registered mail. Mayor Reinert asked what makes Lino Lakes different? He felt that if a change is to be made, it should be made in the State PAGE 3 27J