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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/2001 Council Minutes• COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 UPDATED 4/3/01 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : March 26, 2000 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:40 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Dahl, O'Donnell, Reinert, and Mayor Bergeson MEMBERS ABSENT : Carlson Staff members present: City Administrator, Linda Waite Smith; City Attorney, Bill Hawkins; City Engineer, John Powell; City Planner, Jeff Smyser; Finance Director, Al Rolek; Public Services Director, Rick DeGardner; and Environmental Specialist, Marty Asleson SETTING THE AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Dahl moved to approve the Consent A O'Donnell seconded the motion. Motion carried .0 ITEM DISBURSEMENTS: March 26, 2001 (C 61457, $158,7'R ,:4 Centennial Fire OPEN MIKE ACTION Approved Approved rated. Council Member Ms. Lynn Heaser, 218 Egret Lane, came forward and stated she received a message from the City Engineer today. The City Engineer indicated the resolution that was approved by the City and the County was sent to MnDOT. It has been indicated that a speed study will be conducted and that will take approximately 11/2 months to complete. She asked if this is accurate information. City Engineer Powell advised the resolution was sent to the Commissioner of Transportation and then forwarded to another department. The City did not request a speed study. A speed study would take approximately 1-1/2 months to complete if the study is conducted. • Ms. Heaser stated she spoke with Ms. Jane Krentz and Mr. Ray Vandeveer. Ms. Krentz indicated she thought everything relating to this issue was going as planned and was going to go to the Legislature. 1 • • COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 City Administrator Waite Smith advised the City thought it could get the speed request through the office of the Commissioner of Transportation. The Council will discuss this issue after the regular Council meeting. Ms. Heaser indicated she is confused about the process and the deadline. She asked if everything would be taken care of by Friday. City Administrator Waite Smith advised everything would be taken care of by the deadline on Friday. No one else was present for open mike. FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT, AL ROLEK Resolution Nos. 01— 05 and 01— 19, Setting the Utility Rates for 2201— 2003, (3/5 Vote Required), John Powell — City Engineer Powell advised the City Charter states "The Council shall endeavor to make each municipal utility financially self-sustaining". The City staff has prepared cost and revenue projections for the next three (3) years and is prepared to nd utility rates for 2001 through 2003. Sanitary Sewer The City's sewer rates are based on a quarterly charge p unit that represents the daily volume required by a one REU. Commercial, industrial and institution flow they generate. U is a residential equivalent tial connection. One house equals onverted to REU's based on the volume of The major expenses related to sew e ' clu s e the cost of operating the system, Metropolitan Council charges, and depreci . ' ciati • n relates to the cost of replacing the system after it has reached the end of its usefu The rate computation basis. This includes co increase does not occur a 220 -unit increase in the number of connections on an annual n by existing houses as well as new construction. However, if this costs should also be proportionally lower. The current sewer rate is $51.00 per quarter per REU with no usage charge. The proposed sewer rate increase is as follows: Effective March 26, 2001: $50 per quarter per REU + $1.00 per 1,000 gallons over 10,000 gallons (based on winter usage) Effective January 1, 2002: $51 per quarter per REU + $1.00 per 1,000 gallons over 10,000 gallons (based on winter usage) Effective January 1, 2003: $52.00 per quarter per REU + 1.00 per 1,000 gallons over 10,000 gallons (based on winter usage) 2 COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 Water The City's water rates are based on a quarterly charge per REU and a charge on water usage. The usage charge is based on 1,000 gallon units. The major expenses related to water charges include the cost of operating the system, bond expenses, and depreciation. The bond expenses would be offset by a transfer from the Area and Unit Fund. The water rate computation also assumes a 220 unit increase in the number of connections on an annual basis. In order to satisfy the Department of Natural Resources concerns regarding water appropriation (pumping) the proposed rate structure increases the rate per gallon for heavier water use. This also keeps the base rate for the lower water users very close to the existing level. The current water rate is $10.00 per quarter per REU and $1.63 per 1,000 gallons. The proposed water rate increase is as follows: Effective March 26, 2001 through December 31, 2003: Water Usage Rates: $1.77 per 1,000 gallons $2.07 per 1,000 gallons Water User Fee: 0 to 30,000 gallons all water use abov $10.00 • er The average household uses approxi ons of water per quarter. Based on this information, the average increase e s fo sanitary sewer and water per quarter will be from $109.90 in 2000 to $123.10 i Mayor Bergeson inqu Council. Finance Dire Met Council will recei ow the expenses for sanitary sewer break out for the Metropolitan dvised the budget in 2001 is just over one million dollars. The ximately $467,000, which is about 45%. Council Member Reinert asked if the dollars that go to the Metropolitan Council are based on a percentage. Finance Director Rolek advised the fee is based on the amount of water the Met Council treats directly from the City of Lino Lakes. The water is measured and the City does get billed for that amount. Council Member Dahl asked what the Metropolitan Council was charging in the past and what the City was paying. She asked if that is why the City has a deficit for the utility. Finance Director Rolek stated the City has had a deficit in the past because the City is not charging enough to cover the costs of the system. The major expense related to that is the depreciation that includes the replacement costs of the system. The City has not been generating enough revenue to cover that expense. The proposed rates will cover the costs of replacing the system. 3 • • COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 Council Member Dahl asked why the City has not generated enough revenue to cover the costs. Finance Director Rolek advised the City has added a lot of infrastructure. The depreciation costs have increased considerably. Developers do pay for the pipe but the City has to pay to replace the system at some time in the future. Council Member Dahl clarified that developers do pay for the initial piping but not for depreciation. Council Member O'Donnell moved to adopt Resolution No. 01 — 05, as presented. Council Member Reinert seconded the motion. Council Member Reinert amended the second to include a condition that staff prepare a resolution to make sure the extra dollars be put into a fund to make sure they are set aside for depreciation. He asked that the resolution be prepared for the next meeting. Council Member O'Donnell agreed to the amendment. Council Member Dahl stated she also feels that the funds need to go ate account. She asked if there could also be a statement put on the bill indicating t t and ;:= e for depreciation. She stated people would be less upset if they understand why t up. City Engineer Powell advised a flyer can be included in and why the City is creating the fund. Staff is pre clear regarding the additional funds. Mayor Bergeson indicated the flyers c additional funds do go into a sep necessarily set up a separate f of the system. The funds customers about the increase resolution to make the City's intent e s administratively. He stated he is sure that the ance Director Rolek stated the intent is not to ut t funds in a designated fund for the future replacement ted every year. Mayor Bergeson clan t'"' ` depreciation funds can be tracked and will be in a separate account. Council Member Dahl a ed how much of the funds would be designated for depreciation. Finance Director Rolek stated approximately $300,000 per year will be designated for depreciation. City Administrator Waite Smith noted that the City did miss out on the first quarter of the additional funds for this year. City Engineer Powell added that the increased costs would not be retroactive to January 1, 2001. The increased costs will be adjusted for the next billing cycle. Motion carried unanimously. Council Member Dahl moved to adopt Resolution No. 01-19, including the condition that staff • prepare a resolution to make sure the extra dollars be put into a fund to make sure the they are set 4 COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 aside for depreciation and a statement be put on the bill indicating that the funds are for depreciation. • Council Member Reinert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution Nos. 01— 05 and 01— 19 can be found in the City Clerk's office. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT, DAN TESCH Conditional Job Offer to Part-time Utility Billing Clerk — City Administrator Waite Smith advised that authorized in year's budget was the addition of a part-time utility billing clerk. The City received a good number of qualified applicants. Interviews were held on March 22 and 23, conducted by the Administration Director and members of the Finance Department. In order to meeting the timelines, City Administrator Waite Smith requested permission to make a conditional job offer contingent upon successful completion of background checks. Mayor Bergeson asked about the number of application received. applications were received. Staff interviewed five (5) applicants. Council Member O'Donnell moved to make an offer of emplo contingent upon successful completion of a background the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Finance Director Rolek advised 28 time billing clerk, ember Dahl seconded the Adopt Resolution No. 01— 51, Donating $1001 nnial A -Bantam Hockey Team to Attend National Finals — City Administr advised on March 18, 2001, the Centennial A -Bantam Hockey team w•� t = hampionship in Willmar, MN. The team includes 17 eight and ninth grade students, • • ive in Lino Lakes. The team is now eligible to compete in the National Ch. . ames in Philadelphia, PA the week of April 4 — 8. The cost of travel and lodging for th . e3, ated to be $20,000. Parents and coaches are seeking donations to defray th ts. Because this is the first e a entennial hockey team has been eligible to compete in a national championship and the ti to raise travel funds is very limited, the City Council indicated at its March 21, 2001, work session, a desire to donate $1,000 to the team. Council Member Reinert moved to adopt Resolution No. 01— 51, as presented. Council Member Dahl seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT, DAVE PECCHIA There was no Public Safety Department report. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT, RICK DEGARDNER There was no Public Services Department report. 5 • • COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT • Resolution No. 01— 46, Variance from Setback Requirement, Rick Boschee, 1205 Peregrine Circle, (3/5 Vote Required), Jeff Smyser — City Planner advised Mr. Rick Boschee of Boschee Homes, Inc., has applied for a variance from a setback_ requirement for a lot in Peregrine Pass. Mr. Boschee is a builder who prepared a plan for a house on Lot 8. The plan does not fit within the setbacks, which is the reason for the variance application. City Planner Smyser presented the staff's analysis of the application noting that in considering all requests for variance and in taking subsequent action, the City shall make a finding of fact: 1. That the property in question cannot be put to a reasonable use if used under conditions allowed by the official controls. 2. That the plight of the landowners is due to physical circumstances unique to his property not created by the land owner. 3. That the hardship is not due to economic considera use for the property exists under the terms of th 4. That granting the variance requested wil privilege that would be denied by t in the same district. 5. That the proposed acti City Planner Smyser advised is based on the unique attri in the development. and recommended app when a reasonable e applicant any special other lands, structures, or buildings eeping with the spirit and intent of the ordinance. en approval of the variance request noting that the request and in no way implies support for variances on the other lots g and Zoning Board considered the application on March 14, 2001 Council Member O'Don 11 stated Park B is a 15' wide trail and Park A is only 10' wide. He asked if Park A is also and trail and why it is not as wide as Park B. City Planner Smyser advised Park A is also a trail. There is a difference in the width due to the topography of the land. The Environmental Specialist did visit the site and determine which trees should remain and which ones should be cut down. Mayor Bergeson stated 12th Avenue is currently narrow. He stated it looks like there is a 73' foot right-of-way. City Engineer Powell advised 12th have has been reconstructed and is a State Aid roadway with no curb. The road can remain rural and can still be widened without additional right- of-way. Council Member Dahl asked if a convenant should be included for future homeowners indicated that a trail will be in that location. She stated that may eliminate problems in the future due to the close proximately of the lot line. 6 COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 Public Services Director DeGardner advised the trail is scheduled to be paved this spring. Council Member Dahl asked if the builder is present. City Planner Smyser stated the builder and the people who are buying the home are present this evening. Council Member Dahl asked if different house plans were looked at to make the home fit on the lot as is. Mr. Rick Boschee, Boschee Homes, Inc., came forward and stated he was not aware that a variance would be needed when the house was designed. Other house designs were looked at when it was clear that a variance would be needed. He stated that no other house style made sense on that particular lot in that price range. Council Member Dahl stated the size of the house doesn't make it more expensive. He asked if another plan would work on that lot. Mr. Boschee stated a house with a two (2) car garage could be des' er, that would not blend with the rest of the houses in the development. Council Member Dahl stated she remembers when that very carefully. The developer wanted eleven lots does not want to see variance requests on the oth gh. The project was looked at down to nine (9). She stated she Mr. Boschee stated he does not see th ecause this is such a unique lot. Council Member Dahl stated was 1 so concerned about Lot 8. She added Lot 4 is also small and perhaps the plan my included eight (8) lots. Council Member Rein He stated this may invo third garage but possibl understands the situation but believes it could have been avoided. o planning and he does not necessary want to approve a variance for a ill support it. He indicated that maybe there are too many lots within the plan. He stated that he hopes something has been learned from this and it won't happen again. Council Member O'Donnell moved to adopt Resolution No. 01 — 46, as presented. Council Member Dahl seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution No. 01— 46 can be found in the City Clerk's office. Resolution No. 01— 45, Approving Minor Subdivision of VFW Property, Apollo Drive, (3/5 Vote Required), Jeff Smyser — City Planner Smyser advised the Circle Lex VFW Post #6583 owns property on Apollo Drive. The property was originally about nine (9) acres but was cut in two (2) by Apollo Drive. The result is one large tax parcel divided by a road easement. The application is to split the property into three (3) lots, which will better reflect the real situation. Land on the north side of Apollo Drive will be split into two (2) lots, one 1.47 acres and one 1.5 acres. Land on the south of 7 • • • COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 Apollo will be a separate parcel of 4.1 acres. The VFW will sell the 1.5 -acre lot to Lino Lakes Dentistry, which wants to build a new office building on the site in the near future. The goal is to sell the other lots in the future. City Planner Smyser presented the staff analysis of the application noting the revised survey and shared driveway agreement documents have been provided. Therefore, staff recommended approval of the minor subdivision. Mayor Bergeson referred to the drawing that shows three (3) lots and asked if parcel 8 is adjacent to the current bank site. City Engineer Powell advised there is a triangular piece of land that is owned by a property owner to the north. The sliver of land is not buildable. City Planner Smyser referred to the map indicating the location of the bank property. Council Member Reinert moved to adopt Resolution No. 01— 45, as presented. Council Member Dahl seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution No. 01 — 45 can be found in the City Clerk's office. Resolution No. 01— 50, Receive Feasibility Report and C i n Improvement, Twilight Acres, (3/5 Vote Required), John Powell — City Engi sed at the January 22, 2001, City Council meeting, a study was ordered to eval on of sanitary sewer to the Twilight Acres 15t Addition and Twilight Acres 2nd Additi•: °and associated costs. Staff is requesting that Council receive the report and call a heap �,�� R _� ement. The hearing is scheduled for May 14, 2001, at which time a detailed revue . vt E i • i ity report will be presented. In accordance with Minnesot to be received by Council es 4 , and the Lino Lakes Charter, the feasibility report is aring scheduled. City Engineer Powell • County will be making formal recommendation regarding the grant tomorrow. Staff a resent when the recommendations are made. Council Member O'Donnell moved to adopt Resolution No. 01— 50, as presented. Council Member Reinert seconded the motion. Mayor Bergeson inquired about the time of the hearing and if property owners will be notified. City Engineer Powell advised the hearing will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. on May 14, 2001. The hearing will be published and property owners will be notified. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution No. 01— 50 can be found in the City Clerk's office. Resolution No. 01— 49, Revisions to Municipal State Aid System, (3/5 Vote Required), John Powell — City Engineer Powell advised cities that qualify for participation in the Municipal State Aid System (MSAS) are allowed to designate roadways to the system based on the length of improved COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 roadways within the City. Each year cities are allowed to revise their MSAS by adding or revoking MSAS mileage. Council approval of the revocations and additions to the MSAS is required prior to State Aid recognizing them. The proposed revocation is West Shadow Lake Drive, designated as segment 107, from Birch Street to the northern terminus. The length of this segment is 1.49 miles. As West Shadow Lake Drive will never connect with Black Duck Drive, and is no longer used as the primary access to the County golf course it no longer meets the criteria for state aid designation. The proposed additions to the Lino Lakes Municipal State Aid System are as follows: Roadway From Baldwin Lake Rd. Ash Street Woodridge Lane Baldwin Lake Rd Town Center Pkwy Lake Drive (west of Lake Drive) 21st Avenue CSAH 14 To Length -miles Woodridge Lane 0.34 Ash Street 0.73 Lake Drive CS41.55 3.28 Council Member O'Donnell clarified R t tion is to designate roadways to the MSAS and does not set a priority for recons Council Member Dahl inqu Powell advised Coun presented. suggestion of revisions on the staff report. City Engineer ption to return to staff for further review, make revisions, or adopt as Council Member Reine oved to adopt Resolution No. 01 — 49, as presented. Council Member O'Donnell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution No. 01 — 49 can be found in the City Clerk's office. Resolution No. 01— 48, Conservation Partners Grant with DNR, (3/5 Vote Required), Marty Asleson — Environmental Specialists Asleson advised the purpose of the Conservation Partners Grant Program is to encourage the enhancement of fish, wildlife, and native plant habitats and research and surveys of fish and wildlife directly related to specific habitat improvement projects through cooperation by private organizations and local governments. The grant program funds a maximum of 50% of the total eligible project costs not to exceed a maximum grant of $20,000. Applications are due by March 31, 2001. 9 • • COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 The City of Lino Lakes Conservation Partners Grant Program submittal is intended to restore a woodland in the Birchwood Acres neighborhood area by removing existing buckthorn from the understory. City maintenance staff and neighborhood volunteers will perform this work. The grant is also intended to initiate a 3 to 5 year volunteer education and maintenance "follow up", with the residents in Birchwood Acres and the Clearwater Creek areas. Clearwater Creek is presently under an initial invasive plant removal program funded through the Conservation Development Management Plan Agreement. The grant request to The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is for $8197.97. The City portion of the grant is $4098.98, of which $2,203.69 is a soft match of the City's labor hours and equipment costs. The rest of the moneys would be to purchase the necessary chemicals for invasive removal, provide for an updated Environmental Board education packet to be distributed to residents involved, and a contingency of $1500 for ground story replacement plants should a sufficient seed bank be unavailable. Mayor Bergeson referred to the contingency of $1500 and asked about the City's part regarding that contingency. City Administrator Waite Smith advised that question w has been determined that $1900 of hard money will be required fr• R a t period. The first year's expenses to the City will be approxima at the work session. It er a three (3) year Council Member Dahl moved to adopt Resolution No. 4 as nted. Council Member O'Donnell seconded the motion. Motion carried Resolution No. 01 — 48 can be found in thfice. UNFINISHED BUSINESS March 7, 2001, Council the March 7, 2001, C the motion. nutes — Council Member O'Donnell moved to approve Session Minutes, as presented. Council Member Dahl seconded Council Member Dahl i ired about the procedure if Council Member Carlson has a correction after the minutes are approved. The City Attorney advised a Council Member can bring a motion to amend and re -approve the minutes after they have been approved. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS - None COMMUNITY CALENDAR MARCH 26 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2001: Mayor Bergeson advised the Council will adjourn to a Council work session to discuss the Comprehensive Plan immediately after the regular Council meeting. • City Council Meeting, Monday, March 26, 2001, 6:30 p.m. 10 COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 Environmental Board Meeting, Wednesday, March 28, 2001, 6:30 p.m. Park Board Meeting, Monday, April 2, 2001, 6:30 p.m. Council Work Session, Wednesday, April 4, 2001, 5:30 p.m. Joint EDAC Meeting/Council Work Session, Thursday, April 5, 2001, 7:00 a.m. City Council Meeting, Monday, April 9, 2001, 6:30 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business, Council Member Dahl moved to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. Council Member Reinert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council ri1 9, 2001. y -R' hel Gaustad, City Clerk Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, In 11