HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-2013 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 4,2013
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
',-- 3
4 DATE : February 4,2013
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 10:00 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty (arrived at 5:45 pm), Roeser and
9 Mayor Reinert
10 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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13 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Economic Development
14 Coordinator Mary Alice Divine; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; Community
15 Development Director Michael Grochala; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner;
16 Public Safety Director John Swenson; Finance Director Al Rolek.
17
18 1. Water and Sewer Utility Rate Study, Springsted Incorporated—Nick Dragisich
19 and Patty Kettels gave a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the results of the utility rate
20 study they produced. Mr. Dragisich reviewed the water rate section, noting that the last
21 time the city raised water rates was 2008. It was pointed out that water conservation
22 efforts can oddly result in a cost increase. Patty Kettels reviewed the sewer rate section.
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24 The Mayor suggested that the report recommends that the city raise rates as soon as
25 possible. He would prefer to do a"drill down" on costs included in the water and sewer
26 rates to see if there can be savings. He recommends looking at other cities to see what
27 they are doing right. A rate increase is never easy and he'd like to find another way to
28 meet the needs of the utility. Mr. Dragisich suggested that a drill down is a good exercise
29 and he'd recommend that the city look at other cities that are truly comparable to Lino
30 Lakes. Public Services Director DeGardner added that there are a lot of variables that
31 impact costs, including density, location of water, qualify of water, treatment needs, etc.
32 Mr. Dragisich noted that some of the biggest drivers of cost is depreciation and other
33 things that are not in the city's control; the sewer charges are mainly driven by the
34 Metropolitan Council. Council Member Roeser remarked that with interest rates close to
35 nothing, the city may be losing by putting aside money for the future of the system.
36 Finance Director Rolek noted some capital costs that are incurred regularly.
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38 The mayor said that more discussion is needed so he anticipates seeing the matter on a
39 future work session agenda.
40
41 6. Adam Johnson Docks—Community Development Director Grochala explained that
42 Mr. Johnson, who has previously petitioned for a cartway, has now constructed two
43 docks, one on each side of the channel. The city doesn't have jurisdiction over the work
44 -the water way is controlled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and
45 bridge permits fall under the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). Mr. Grochala
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 4,2013
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46 explained that he has had conversations with both those groups. The DNR may require a
47 permit after further review and the RCWD will be reviewing and responding on the
�-' 48 situation also. The mayor remarked on the footings shown in picture.
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50 The council heard from John and Linda Elliot, 2001 Otter Lake Drive. Ms. Elliot had in
51 hand the DNR guidelines on docks and permits which she read. Historically in 1999 a
52 developer came to the city and asked for permission to build a culvert in the channel for a
53 road to Oak Brook Peninsula. The residents didn't know until markers showed up and
54 then concern arose. The DNR, RCWD and city were contacted and a suit was filed. The
55 bridge was not allowed; it had to span the channel and that's what was ultimately built.
56 Most of the same residents live in the area. Ms. Elliot recalled Mr. Johnson's statement
57 to the council that he knows he cannot build a bridge. Even though he is calling what he
58 built docks, they are a bridge in essence because they are too close to allow safe passage
59 of boats through the channel. Mr. Johnson bought his land assuming he had access to all
60 the land but he doesn't. He shouldn't be allowed to start this construction because she
61 fears it won't be stopped. She wants him to be instructed to move the docks to an area
62 where they don't obstruct.
63
64 The mayor suggested that there are limitations on what the city can do in this case but he
65 believes the city can put together a resolution that asks the RCWD and DNR and any
66 other appropriate entity to strictly enforce existing guidelines. Community Development
67 Director Grochala suggested that staff be directed to write a letter to those agencies; the
68 council concurred.
69
70 2. Emerald Ash Borer Project—Country Lakes Park—Environmental Coordinator
71 Asleson reviewed the inventory of ash trees on public property(map included in staff
72 report). He offered some history on where Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) started in the
73 country in 2003 and where it has traveled. He was happy to report that the City did not
74 do a major planting of ash trees as some other cities did and therefore there is more
75 variety of trees. He talked about the areas in Lino Lakes that do have numbers of ash
76 trees and noted those areas that may be treatable. The map he is showing only relates to
77 trees on public property; of course there are many, many more on private land. As staff,
78 he is looking at ways that will be appropriate to respond for this city and is keeping
79 informed on the matter. Since it hasn't been detected yet, he wouldn't recommend
80 treatment, however, that will be an option for private property owners and the city. He
81 would like to begin removing some of the trees that wouldn't be missed as much. Mayor
82 Reinert recommended that staff utilize the city newsletter to get the word out—keep
83 people up to date and show them what to watch for. Mr. Asleson suggested that the Quad
84 Community Press local newspaper will also be a good vehicle to get information to the
85 citizens. Public Services Director DeGardner reviewed the city's overall plan to move to
86 take down those trees that can be spared on public property so that all the trees don't die
87 all at once.
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89 3. Off-Sale Liquor Licensing—City Clerk Bartell reviewed the council's previous
90 discussion about off-sale liquor licensing restrictions that would limit the numbers and/or
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91 location of off-sale establishments in the city. An updated map was reviewed that had
92 been amended to include off-sale licenses near the city and to exclude 3.2, combination
93 and brewery off-sale locations. In response to the council's inquiry about what other
94 cities are doing in the area of limiting, Ms. Bartell provided a chart indicating what cities
95 in the metro area have restrictions and what they are. Another chart listed metro cities
96 that do not restrict the number of off-sale and cities that have a municipal off-sale
97 store(s). Also included was a per capita chart indicating how cities in the immediate
98 vicinity with and without restrictions fall according to the number of residents per license.
99 The mayor suggested that in this city the kind of area where the licensing is allowed is
100 somewhat limited because of the large park area and neighborhood areas. Because of that
101 it would make more sense to him to consider a geographic restriction. Council Member
102 Roeser remarked that a clustered commercial development in the future could possibly
103 have difficulty getting licensed with such a restriction. The council discussed the
104 possibility of a half mile restriction. Off-sale liquor store owners that were present
105 pointed out their support for restrictions that would provide some support for established
106 businesses in the city. The council discussed restrictions that would target only liquor
107 stores and that would allow new stores to buy out existing stores or transfer licenses. A
108 council member warned against allowing license holders to hold their license for sale and
109 not actually continue their operations. When a council member suggested including an
110 end date,the mayor responded that he'd prefer to work with current knowledge rather
111 than guessing what will happen in the future. Council Member Roeser remarked that the
112 city may have to think about something like an assisted relocation plan if a situation such
113 as a large development were to arise.
114
115 The city clerk will prepare an ordinance reflecting the council's directions and return to
116 the next work session for review.
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118 4. Blue Heron Days-Economic Development Coordinator Divine reviewed her years of
119 involvement with the city's annual festival, Blue Heron Days. While there have been
120 many volunteers for the festival, it reached a point where it was easier for her to
121 coordinate rather than manage volunteers. Past that, she has worked to grow the festival,
122 in one way by bringing events together at one site. She feels that outside funding for the
123 festival is at a good point, noting an annual contribution from the area tourism group and
124 the Blaine Jaycees continuing involvement. It is already the time of year when planning
125 for this year's events should begin.
126
127 Administrator Karlson noted the importance of the event to the city and suggested that the
128 coordinating functions continue to grow and it could be difficult for the city's pared down
129 staff to undertake that additional duty. The mayor suggested that Ms. Divine put
130 together a list of responsibilities associated with the festival as well as take a look at what
131 other cities do for their festival. The council will discuss the situation again at the next
132 work session.
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134 5. Five-Year Financial Forecast-Finance Director Rolek reviewed the updated
135 forecast. He noted changes in assumptions to the operating forecast and discussed
136 questions as follows:
137
138 -tax capacity rate increase;
139 - assumes a successful referendum under the current charter;
140 -no impact under the Governor's budget proposal;
141 - discussion of YMCA debt and how long it would be in place;
142 -tax base in 2014 changes from flat to a moderate decrease;
143 - capital equipment replacement grows after 2013;
144 - recreation complex-assumes only funding to pay on the debt;
145 - road reconstruction-assumes some funding and no change to the city charter;
146 -the capital improvement program includes programs included in the comp plan and
147 utility plan.
148
149 Staff is looking for direction from the council on the forecast. The mayor noted that he
150 sees the need to do what is necessary to keep a handle on the levy; a fifteen percent
151 increase over the next five years he doesn't see. The mayor would like to also see a
152 forecast built on different assumptions; how can rates go up when the revenue is going
153 down? Council Member Roeser suggested that revenues as well as economies and
154 technology would be a good plan. Council members suggested something like going out
155 for bid on information technology services. The council would like to see a document
156 that better highlights priorities and the mayor recommended setting up a special session to
157 gain a more comprehensive approach to a forecast. The mayor would also like to include
158 discussion on next year's budget; he needs to understand what the overall figures
159 represent. Other council members spoke in favor of looking for consolidations,
160 efficiencies and outsourcing.
161
162 7. Charter Commission Expenditures-Mayor Reinert explained that he attended the
163 last Charter Commission meeting (following last fall's election). A commission member
164 said that the commission should be paying attention to the vote that occurred on the
165 charter amendment-in that a majority voted for a change. There were some ideas raised
166 by commissioner members and some wanted to forward those ideas to the council. A
167 vote was taken and there were comments from some saying they did not want to work
168 with the council. Commissioner Storberg said that she sees value in the amendment and
169 she moved for a joint meeting with the council to discuss the amendment or other
170 suggestions to move forward. Mayor Reinert said such a meeting could be facilitated by
171 someone not on the council or the commission. The mayor has spoken with Charter
172 Commission Chair Chris Lyden, confirmed the motion to have a joint meeting and
173 confirmed his support to have attorneys for both groups present and that their attorney be
174 paid outside of their $1,500 annual budget (just for this one meeting). The mayor said he
175 also heard that the commission has a standing concern about losing their minute taking
176 services (Timesavers) and he would support having that service again. A council
177 member replied that if there are to be two attorneys at a joint meeting, it should be agreed
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 4,2013
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178 upon beforehand that they are there to reach a resolution and not to debate issues. Some
179 council members will be attending the next charter commission meeting.
180
181 8. Citywide Survey—Mayor Reinert noted that it has been about eight years since the
182 city last conducted a survey and he thinks it would be a good thing to do again.
183 Administrator Karlson estimated the cost of a citywide survey through an experienced
184 firm such as Decision Resources to be in the range of$12,500. The mayor noted that a
185 survey can be used to gain important information such as how residents want to
186 communicate and receive information from the city. It's not a decision that must be made
187 immediately but the mayor said he'd like to have a discussion on how to put together a
188 valuable survey with scientific results. Council Member Stoesz suggested exit polling at
189 the election and the mayor said it wouldn't be a bad idea but wouldn't serve the same
190 purpose as an officially conducted survey.
191
192 Review Council Agenda for Regular meeting of February 11, 2013. The council
193 reviewed the agenda. Administrator Karlson noted, regarding Item 3A, that he is
194 bringing forward a franchise ordinance to continue the city's franchise with Centerpoint
195 Energy. There is no fee included in the ordinance but that could be added in the future if
196 the council so desired. The ordinance is mainly consistent with what the city has adopted
197 for Centennial Utilities.
198
199 The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
200
201 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
202 February 25, 2013. __
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207 Juli e Bartell, City lerk Jeff R:'ne , Mayor
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