06/27/2005 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 27, 2005 APPROVED *03 Lino Lake's Charter provides for by putting the decision in the hands of the citizens. He indicated 404 most cities have put that decision in the hands of the City Council. He stated the Council did approve 405 the feasibility studies for these areas to determine costs so the public could know and make a 406 knowledgeable decision. He indicated from there they decided to consider this communication plan 407 so the citizens would be fully informed on the City's process for reconstructing roads, and that 408 proposal is before the Council now. He stated he is 100 percent behind this communication plan, and 409 while it is a tight timeframe, it will provide the two issues on the ballot a better chance for approval, 410 and educate the citizens going for projects going forward. He commented the City has used this 411 method for road reconstruction since the mid 1980's, and only one project has been done. He stated 412 the City is way behind, and if they are going to keep their roads in good repair they need to find a way 413 to educate the citizens on how this process works. 414 415 Mayor Bergeson noted that one of the streets on the referendum is the street on which he lives, and he 416 has received advice from the attorney not to vote on those plans, however he has been told he can 417 vote on this action for a communication plan. City Attorney Hawkins verified that is correct. 418 419 Councilmember Carlson noted that a referendum in 1996 or 1997 did pass, and since then there have 420 been two referendums that failed. She stated the Athletic Complex failed 4:1, and the last road 421 reconstruction project failed 65:35. She indicated at the time of the Athletic Complex referendum she 422 and other Council members asked for a citizen survey that would have told the Council what the 423 citizens were willing to pay for and what they were not. She stated the cost of this communication 24 plan is almost as much as a survey, and if the only way she can say that the Council needs to hear 425 from the citizens is to vote no, she will do that. 426 427 Councilmember Carlson stated there is a conflict with the Charter Commission, and the Council 428 needs to meet with the Commission and resolve that conflict so they are all in agreement. She added 429 she also has concern on the effectiveness of this communication plan at this late date. 430 431 Councilmember Dahl agreed on the need for a citizen survey. She stated since the money is in the 432 budget she believes they should do that and get back in touch with the citizens that they represent. 433 She indicated it has been almost ten years since the last citizen survey, and she would prefer to see 434 that done before they approve $25,000 plus expenses for a communication plan. 435 436 Councilmember Reinert stated he is in support of a citizen survey, but a communication plan is on the 437 agenda. He indicated they are two different items, and the survey is not on the agenda. He stated the 438 survey would encompass everything going on in Lino Lakes, but they need to address a 439 communication plan for the Pavement Management Plan immediately to provide the citizens with as 440 much information as they can to make a good decision this fall. He stated a citizen survey is a great 441 idea, but that and the communication plan are two different things. 442 443 Councilmember Carlson stated she will clarify that what she said earlier is the Council needs to listen 444 to the citizens and do a survey, but they have chosen for six months not to do that even though the 445 Council knew a referendum was coming up. She believes it would be beneficial to have it done .46 before the road referendum. 447 10