HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07-2013 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 7, 2013
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : January 7, 2013
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:45 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Environmental Coordinator
12 Marty Asleson; Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine; Community
13 Development Director Michael Grochala; Public Safety Director John Swenson; City
14 Clerk Julie Bartell; City Attorney Joseph Langel.
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16 1. Interview EDAC candidate Tom Colgan—Mr. Colgan was interviewed by the
17 council; Mayor Reinert thanked him for his interest in serving.
18
19 Council Members completed individual ballots indicating their choices for filling
20 positions on the city's advisory boards. A vote on appointments will occur at the next
21 regular council meeting on January 14, 2013.
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23 2. Linda Weiner, Appraiser—Ms. Weiner announced that she will be retiring from her
24 position with Anoka County as of the next week. She thanked the council for their
25 assistance and support of her work over the past 12 years. She also thanked staff at city
26 hall for their assistance.
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28 The council collectively offered thanks to Ms. Weiner and wished her well in her
29 retirement.
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31 3. Environmental Board 2013 Goals - Environmental Coordinator Asleson introduced
32 Environmental Board Vice Chair Barbara Bor who reviewed the 2013 goals as approved
33 by the Board. She highlighted that efforts will continue into 2013 to improve recycling
34 operations with an expectation for increased tonnage. Regarding community gardens,
35 there are plans to develop a sign for the gardens. When asked about the heron rookery,
36 Mr. Asleson updated the council on the flashing and other efforts to protect the herons.
37 The mayor offered thanks to the Environmental Board and Mr. Asleson for their work.
38
39 4. Off-Sale Liquor Licenses—City Clerk Bartell reported to the council on the number
40 and location of off-sale liquor licenses in the city as well as regulations that other cities in
41 the area use to limit this type of license. Most regulations correlate either to population or
42 geography. The mayor recalled a city regulation previously in place that limited licenses
43 to one mile apart. Council Member Roeser noted that a limitation of the number of
44 licenses could set up a situation where an area that is without this type of store would not
45 be eligible because all the licenses are taken. Council Member Rafferty suggested that
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 7,2013
APPROVED
46 the map indicating off-sale locations within Lino Lakes is somewhat misleading since it
47 shows some restaurant bars and 3.2 establishments that are really not the same as a
48 "liquor store".
49
50 Adam Lamere, Lakes Liquor, addressed the council. He explained that there are
51 combination licenses allowed by the state and so the city could deal with them separately.
52 He noted that realistically, a population based licensing system would be difficult. He
53 feels that something needs to be done—it doesn't work out having liquor stores across the
54 street from each other. When the mayor asked if Mr. Lamere has a suggestion that would
55 deal with the situation, he mentioned that radius wouldn't necessarily work well and
56 population based wouldn't be ideal either. The mayor said he recognizes that exclusive
57 liquor stores can't really expand their business to other sales so some regulation may be
58 necessary. Council Member Roeser noted his struggle to about regulations that would put
59 government in a role that picks the winners and losers or could possible lead to
60 corruption.
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62 Community Development Director Grochala noted that a distance requirement would be
63 the most sensible. The Mayor suggested that under that scenario, those in violation of the
64 distance requirement that are originally grandfathered would eventually go away. The
65 mayor would like to know about what other cities are doing and what has worked. A
66 council member noted that a distance regulation could impact development in the village
67 area or a liquor store with a grocery store development.
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69 The manager of Eagle Liquor addressed the council. He suggested there are other cities
70 that are successfully using off-sale restrictions. It may be a moving target but you have to
71 try and hit it.
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73 The mayor suggested that the council would like more information and will continue the
74 discussion at the next work session. He urged the liquor store owners to provide
75 information to the council if they have it.
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77 5. Minnesota Government Data Practices Act—Administrator Karlson explained that
78 due to a data practice request, a city in Minnesota has dealt with the concept of elected
79 official data and decided to identify officials as employees only for the purpose of data
80 practices. Based on council direction, staff spoke with the city attorney and he wrote a
81 resolution that would designate Lino Lakes elected officials as employees but only for the
82 purpose of the Data Practices Act. A council member expressed concern that the
83 designation could hold some unexpected consequences down the line. Attorney Langel
84 explained that the designation is narrowly defined and applies only to data practice. He
85 had prepared a memo explaining implications. Council Member O'Donnell said that he
86 wants to understand if a designation could impact other areas such as a private business
87 and personal matters. City Attorney Langel said that he would amend the resolution to
88 make it even clearer that the employee designation is strictly limited.
89
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 7, 2013
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90 6. Holiday Lighting Contest (Dale Stoesz)—Council Member Stoesz recalled that
91 when he was looking at lighting in the city around the holidays, he realized that it is
92 sometimes hard to find those homes where the owners have gone all out to put up a
93 display. He suggests that there could be a contest in the city,judged by an independent
94 group. He's checking to see if there is interest.
95
96 The mayor recalled there was a contest in the past. Staff noted that the Parks and
97 Recreation Department did run a contest many years ago. It wasn't continued perhaps
98 because it was pretty much the same winners each year. It was a fun event and people did
99 enjoy it.
100
101 Council Member Stoesz recommended that a key element would be to post locations on
102 the web for people to use as a guide to view the best displays.
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104 The council concurred that staff should look into bringing back the program. The mayor
105 added that he'd be interested also in having some city sponsored decorations on light
106 poles and such.
107
108 7. Special Legislation—Council Member Roeser indicated that he asked for this
109 discussion with the idea of spurring special state legislation to deal with situations such as
110 what arose with the properties on Bald Eagle Lake (property assessment between two
111 counties) through annexation. He recommends that the council show support to the state
112 representatives so that legislation could be sought to assist with that type of a situation.
113 The council concurred and the mayor suggested that the city put together a game plan
�— 114 because getting a change at the state level would take time.
115
116 Council Member Roeser noted also his interest in discussing the recommendation of
117 Attorney Steve Bubul for a statute change. The mayor suggested waiting on that
118 discussion.
119
120 Economic Development Coordinator Divine explained her item on special legislation
121 regarding tax forfeited property. There are outstanding issues that relate to the city's
122 situation. Potential legislation would allow the sale of the Legacy property below market
123 value for economic development purposes, not currently allowed under state law. The
124 argument can be made that the special assessments are greater than the value on the
125 property. Annual administrative fees owed to the county are another economic difficulty.
126 The city could make an argument for a"revenue neutral" situation that makes
127 development possible. Staff is presenting the idea of special legislation for council
128 consideration. The council discussed pros and cons and staff indicated that they would
129 continue to pursue the suggestion.
130
131 8. Otter Lake Road Update—Community Development Director Grochala explained
132 that staff sent out petition and waiver information to property owners in December.
133 Discussions have occurred with their attorneys but a formal response is outstanding.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 7, 2013
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134 There is a window of time before eminent domain could occur. Staff anticipates coming
135 to council on January 28 to discuss a quick take situation.
136
137 9. 2013 Pavement Management Program—Community Development Director
138 Grochala reported. In light of the failed referendum, staff is looking at next steps. WSB
139 is updating the pavement management plan and updating the computer system as far as
140 road ratings to utilize for street maintenance options over the next five years. He wonders
141 if the council wants to consider a referendum for a reconstruction project; there is a
142 conflict between charter language and state law that impacts a referendum schedule and a
143 timeline that is impossible to meet. Staff did present an amendment to the Charter
144 Commission that would solve the calendar conflict but they have not acted on it other
145 than to request funding for attorney review. Mr. Grochala stated that another option
146 would be to send an amendment to the ballot again, perhaps with revised ballot language;
147 that path would require consideration in February however. The mayor recalled a
148 discussion at the charter commission meeting that acknowledged that a majority of the
149 votes cast were in favor of the amendment and a suggestion that the council and
150 commission discuss an amendment together and share ideas, using a mediator-type
151 person chairing the meeting. The mayor suggests allowing that process to happen. And
152 if a new program for reconstruction is to occur, that should be put together in a thoughtful
153 long term way. Mr. Grochala noted that he is working with the city engineer on the most
154 appropriate treatments for areas and the most cost effective approach over the long run.
155 Staff will return in February with more information for discussion.
156
157 10. Social Media (Dale Stoesz)—Council Member Stoesz announced that he has a great
158 interest in seeing the city as others see it on line. A Web site that has caught his attention
159 is "See, Click, Fix", a complaint based site to report problems. A free account could be
160 opened by the city that would allow citizens to follow problems through to a solution. A
161 question that arises when discussing free social media such as this is the amount of staff
162 time involved and how that fits into priorities for staff. He feels strongly that the city
163 should be thinking about how it looks on-line and how it chooses to participate in social
164 media.
165
166 Administrator Karlson explained that staff has formed a committee to look at a
167 coordinated approach to using social media for the city. He noted that the Parks and
168 Recreation Department and the Police Department are and would continue to be the
169 primary users (they are already utilizing Facebook, Twitter and You Tube). The group
170 has put together a draft communication plan that is currently under review and that will
171 be eventually brought to the council for approval. Staff sees that social media can be a
172 very useful tool in getting important messages to the public. The plan is focused on
173 identifying levels of communication (green, yellow and red), based on the priority of the
174 message. A part of this plan will be a social media policy. Public Safety Director
175 Swenson explained the elements of the plan as they are being developed. The plan will
176 remain flexible for future developments but should have a practical approach to limiting
177 the number of programs and messages. Administrator Karlson added that he will soon be
178 recommending an upgrade to the city Website in addition.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 7, 2013
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179 11. Letter of Support for HOME Grant Application—Dominium Project-
180 Economic Development Coordinator Divine recalled the Dominium proposal to develop
181 townhomes in the Legacy area. They will need several sources of income to make such a
182 project feasible. At the federal level, she reported that tax credits have been continued
183 and that improves the outlook for a project. Dominium also wants to apply through
184 Anoka County for a HOME grant before next week's deadline. They have requested a
185 letter of support from the city. She clarified that such a letter does not indicate any city
186 financial commitment to the project. The council discussed some of the elements of the
187 Dominium project. The mayor suggested that a resolution approved by the council would
188 be the most appropriate but since there isn't time to get one approved (the deadline is
189 prior to the next council meeting), he will review the details again and provide a signature
190 of support if possible.
191
192 Review Regular Agenda—The agenda was reviewed.
193
194 Annual Appointments—The council concurred to fill the blank positions as follows:
195 - Rob Rafferty, Vadnais Lakes Watershed District;
196 - Acting Mayor, Jeff O'Donnell;
197 - County Corrections Program, Jeff O'Donnell
198 - Joint Law Enforcement Council, Dale Stoesz
199 Regarding the designation of the legal newspaper, council members indicated that they
200 received a letter of interest from the Anoka Reporter. Administrator Karlson discussed
201 the paper and recommended against a change. The city clerk reviewed the statutory and
202 charter requirements for an official newspaper. The council concurred to stay with the
203 Quad Community Press after reviewing cost and delivery considerations. Carter Johnson
204 of the Quad Community Press was present and provided some information on how the
205 paper reaches citizens.
206 Mayor Reinert noted that one of the attorneys that has represented the city through the
207 Ratwik firm has broken off to another firm; he recommends that the city give the new
208 firm an opportunity to present a plan for their services.
209
210 There were no other changes to the regular Council agenda.
211
212 The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
213
214 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
215 January 28, 2013.
216
217 1
218 I AA,
220 Julia e Bartell, Ci Cl- Je r 'e -rt, Mayor
221
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