04/07/2008 Council Minutes (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 7, 2008 APPROVED 224 required including road widening, turn lanes, signalization and extension of utilities, 225 some requiring city assistance. The concept of a grocery store in the area has been 226 examined by the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) and supported as 227 a concept and as an appropriate use including for TIF financing, with the understanding 228 that neighborhood concerns must be worked through. Director Grochala added that the 229 grocery store concept is not in line with the current master plan for the area (2007) and a 230 traffic study has indicated that a grocery store may exceed the traffic capacity of the area. 231 232 Council comments included that anything that isn't conducive to the neighborhood on the 233 west side would be a hard sell; a store would have difficulty surviving financially; an 234 upscale store on the east side seems more viable; traffic issues exist in the area already; 235 there is minimal interest in even a smaller store on the west side; master plan calls for an 236 attractive area and that should be the goal. It was confirmed that housing would 237 eventually be a component of any development; residential provides an important fill -out 238 ability for the land. The council consensus was to not support a large box development 239 on the west side. 240 241 UTILITY FRANCHISE FEES - Administrator Heitke reported on the city's situation 242 relative to utility franchise agreements. Currently the city has a franchise agreement with 243 Xcel Energy (that will expire in 2008), receives a franchise fee from Centennial Utilities 244 for natural gas services, has an agreement with CenterPoint Energy that allows for a fee 245 but does not have one instituted, and has no agreement with provider Connexus Energy. 246 He noted a table in his report that outlines actions that would be needed to establish and 247 collect a franchise fee for all electrical and natural gas utilities in Lino Lakes. Would the 248 council like staff to include a franchise fee element as the Xcel Energy agreement is 249 renegotiated and what direction is given relative to the other utility agreements. 250 251 The council will review agreement changes or institution of agreements as they are 252 brought forward. 253 254 2008 WAGE ADJUSTMENTS - Administration Director Dan Tesch presented 255 information regarding contract negotiations with the AFSCME union (representing 256 clerical and technical employees) and Local 49 (representing street, utility and park 257 employees). The tentative agreements both include a two-year term, annual adjustments 258 of 3% for 2008 and 2009, health insurance provisions and some other specific changes. 259 He also presented a proposal relative to non-union salaries acknowledging that an annual 260 audit of some personnel items is underway and requesting a 3% one year adjustment. 261 262 There was a council comment that it is appropriate to consider just the annual adjustment 263 on the non-union personnel item but there should be a commitment to follow through on 264 other elements affecting those employees as the personnel study comes through. 265 266 A council member requested information indicating the actual dollar salary amounts 267 being discussed. 268