07/23/2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 23, 2003 APPROVED • City Administrator Waite Smith stated the utility company pays a franchise fee to cities for damage done to rights of way. Franchise fees are not uncommon. AMELIA LAKE ROAD STREET CONSTRUCTION, MICHAEL GROCHALA, JIM STUDENSKI Community Development Director Grochala distributed a map pointing out the proposed Amelia Lake Road. The developer wants to put in single-family homes in the area. The developer would be constructing and paying for the roadway. Community Development Director Grochala continued indicating the City's transportation plan does show a road in the area. The intent is to hook up the roadway with Holly Drive East. However, it is not practical to tie those two roads together. The proposal is for a cul-de-sac and right-of-way being provided for a future extension. The City's park land is adjacent to the property and the road could be an access to the park. Staff is working on the design of the roadway. The City approval would be for execution of a development agreement and acceptance of the right-of-way. Councilmember Carlson asked why the road has to be curved when it appears it should go straight across. Community Development Director Grochala advised that if the road does go through it would have to be curved due to the lake. Staff will continue to work on the road design and exact location of the right-of-way. It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to move forward with the Amelia Lake Road street construction. UPDATE ON QUAD CITIES POLICE TASK FORCE, LINDA WAITE SMITH City Administrator Waite Smith advised she previously updated the Council regarding the Quad Cities Police proposal. She distributed a map of the area that would be included in the Quad Cities Police Department. The Task Force strongly suggested that the two police departments merge. However, the budget and Chief of Police decision would require approval from all four involved cities. Mayor Bergeson stated he believes this is the last proposal. He stated he is cautiously willing to look at the proposal. Councilmember Reinert stated he had suggested the 50/50 plus one option. The Task Force did not like the idea of the extra vote in cases of a tie. If the Council chooses, the City can look into the 50/50 proposal without the plus one vote, but require that the City of Lino Lakes choose the Chief of the Department. Councilmember O'Donnell asked if levels of service in the department could get better with a merger. Chief Pecchia stated that in the long term, levels of service could be increased. The City's levels of service are going to change no matter what, and hopefully for the better.