HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-2012 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 3, 2012
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : January 3, 2012
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 9:50 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development
13 Director Michael Grochala; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; Public Safety
14 Director John Swenson; Economic Development Coordinator Mary Divine; City
15 Engineer Jason Wedel; Finance Director Al Rolek; City Clerk Julie Bartell
16
17 Oath of Office—the Oath of Office for the position of Council Member was
18 administered by the City Clerk to new Council Member Dale Stoesz.
19
20 1. Otter Lake Road Feasibility Study—Community Development Director
21 Grochala and Engineer Jim Studenski of TKDA presented the study in written form and
22 reviewed its content. The report is on file and includes information on improvements
23 (streets,traffic signal, storm sewer, sanitary sewer and watermain).
24
25 A council member asked if the City of Hugo is expected to contribute for project costs
26 and Mr. Grochala explained that they probably would not since this is considered a local
27 road and will remain so for the foreseeable future. When questions were raised by the
28 council about right of way costs, Mr. Grochala responded that while the city has not
29 gotten appraisals at this point, there are figures included in the report and those estimates
30 he feels are conservative. Staff would prefer to have assessment agreements with the
31 properties involved before proceeding but he is uncertain if that will happen. A council
32 member questioned access plans to proposed commercial areas and staff explained the
33 proposed access initially and as growth occurs. When city resident Mike Trehus asked if
34 the city is contributing funds to this project, Mr. Grochala explained that it is planned to
35 be 97% assessed with a small amount for sewer upgrade. Staff added that the proposed
36 project costs have stayed down in the current economy but that could change; the project
37 still makes economic sense at this time.
38
39 2. Fiscal Disparities—City Administrator Karlson noted that the council reviewed
40 this resolution a few weeks ago and requested additional information on fiscal disparities.
41 He introduced Anoka County Commissioner and Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah.
42 Commissioner Sivarajah explained that the fiscal disparities program began in 1971 and
43 was initiated by an Anoka County legislator. She explained the ratios and process and
44 suggested that while it probably wouldn't be a program that was implemented today, it
,e' 45 has good objectives still. It recognizes that much infrastructure was going to the south
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 3, 2012
APPROVED
46 metro, including MUSA, while the northern metro (especially Anoka County) continued
47 to maintain most of the area's natural resources (including water resources). Anoka
48 County in fact is the water recharger for the entire metro area especially since much of the
49 wetland in the southern metro was drained for development. It's important to think
50 regionally and to have a healthy and competitive environment throughout the region and
51 one that protects natural resources. The program also has a historical link to the Mall of
52 America development whereby funds were directed for that infrastructure and continue to
53 be. The bottom line is that there is a study coming back to the State Legislature on the
54 topic of fiscal disparities and Anoka County is recommending (and asking cities to join
55 their voice) in recommending that the process of reviewing fiscal disparities be long and
56 thoughtful and not be handled during the upcoming short session.
57
58 The council will consider a resolution at their meeting on January 9 supporting the
59 current fiscal disparities program.
60
61 3. Street Reconstruction Issues update—Community Development Director
62 Grochala explained that his written report outlines his review of street reconstruction
63 issues in the city going back to 1991. He discussed the issues included in his report
64 relating to process, financing and design. The Mayor suggested that both a flow chart
65 indicating the many different levels of process to be considered as well as a list of how
66 road reconstruction needs are judged would be helpful. He feels the council wants to
67 improve the process and really needs information to have that discussion. They need to
68 work on problem areas and find a way to make improvements. The Mayor also noted that
69 water improvements in projects shouldn't necessarily be stopping road reconstruction
70 since each individual area is different and requires separate consideration in that area.
71 Mr. Grochala added that sewer is the more important element however in the past the
72 water question has been raised as a safety issue by the area fire department. The council
73 discussed the schedule for getting a project or an amendment on the ballot this year. Mr.
74 Grochala noted that although financial (feasibility)plans are in place for some areas, they
75 would have to be updated; he added that even the Pavement Management Plan should be
76 reviewed as part of any evaluation project.
77
78 The council discussed the concept of a task force that includes members of the Charter
79 Commission (3) as well as council members (2) and representatives of the city's advisory
80 boards (4). A facilitator is a possibility and it was suggested that former council member
81 Kathi Gallup be asked to join the task force also. Staff was directed to request charter
82 commission participation.
83
84 4. Park Complex—Public Services Director DeGardner noted that the Park Board
85 has discussed grant funding opportunities at their past two meetings. They have heard
86 from some professionals on the availability of grant funds and information on those
87 discussions is included in his staff report. He suggested that in discussing funding for a
88 city park complex, it boils down to the fact that the city would have to designate some
89 funds to get things started. He understands that the current economy is a factor in the
90 ability to do that. He thinks that if the area of I-35E develops, that will bring in some
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 3, 2012
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91 park dedication funds but, until something like that pans out it is difficult to find funding.
92 The mayor recalled some positive ideas about volunteers and stretching grant funds. Mr.
93 DeGardner recalled past discussions about phasing the development of the park land.
94 The report before the council includes phases and it appears that a phase one would cost
95 in the area of$600,000. Again, it would be difficult for him to see any movement at all
96 without the commitment of some city funds. The mayor suggested that he likes the idea
97 of matching funds, where the city has some ownership but brings in other money. He
98 realizes that it is hard to get started but the project would have to start somewhere. The
99 city budget is already set for 2012 but he wonders if there are any possibilities this year?
100
101 City resident Williams Combs was in the audience and noted that he is a member of the
102 city's Economic Development Advisory Committee as well as Centennial Little League.
103 He knows that the league teams are often forced to play outside of the city and that comes
104 at an added cost. He can verify that the need is there for more baseball fields. He
105 believes that Centennial Lake Little League Association is interested in fundraising and
106 he encourages the city to move forward on using the land for recreation.
107
108 The mayor noted that he likes the idea of getting something going at the site just to get
109 people interested. Mr. DeGardner noted that an estimate for one youth baseball field and
110 a 40 spot parking lot is $180,000 to $205,000.
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112 The council discussed how the park complex could be started, even this year. They
113 discussed the concept of budgeting some money in 2013 or utilizing some fund reserves
114 in 2012. Administrator Karlson noted that the first step should be to consider what
115 would be the best first phase—what would best meet the needs of the city. Mr.
116 DeGardner confirmed that the need for additional recreation facilities absolutely exists.
117 Expanding facilities has been a balancing act. He noted that a soccer field has been found
118 to give the biggest bang for the buck since it is multi-use. A council member suggested
119 that the city put up signs at the land just to let people know that it's public property and
120 the intended use.
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122 Anoka County Commissioner and Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah added that she's been
123 working with the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Director on grant opportunities and
124 so she understands that while it can be difficult to qualify for some funds such as Legacy,
125 there are other sources and she believes the County would be happy to assist the city in
126 efforts to access grant funds.
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128 Mr. DeGardner suggested that, if the city is on the road to committing funds, he
129 recommends that the plans from the past be reviewed to ensure they are still fully
130 pertinent. The Mayor suggested that staff take a look at the plans in light of the council's
131 discussion and for other possibilities. He is hearing some funding commitment on the
132 part of the council, for something initially such as a couple of ball fields, a couple of
133 soccer fields and parking.
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135 5. Five-Year Financial Plan - Finance Director Rolek noted that tonight's plan was
�-- 136 a continuation of past discussions. As the council will recall, the draft Plan contains
137 increases in expenditures based on conservative assumptions. He suggests that the
138 council may want to discuss whether they feel the assumptions are proper. Changing the
139 assumptions would change the tax rate figures. The council confirmed that the draft Plan
140 assumes continuation of fiscal disparities.
141
142 A council member suggested that the council discussion should be at a high level and
143 perhaps on the whether or not the council is comfortable having the increased costs
144 proposed by the Plan. When the Mayor asked if there is a way to accommodate a
145 somewhat more positive outlook, Mr. Rolek suggested that the assumptions can be
146 changed to reflect more optimism.
147
148 The council confirmed that the Plan is called for by the City Charter but it's very difficult
149 to be accurate with a planning document such as this; the Mayor remarked that the Plan is
150 truly a draft at this point. Administrator Karlson suggested that management staff can
151 relook the Plan and prepare some changes based on somewhat different assumptions. Mr.
152 Rolek finished up by reviewing the capital projections and assumptions; he noted that
153 most cities do have a capital improvement plan forecast such as this and Lino Lakes also
154 adds the operational side.
155
156 A council member suggested that some of the document should really be considered work
157 sheets. Mr. Rolek confirmed that Pages 1 through 9 could be considered the Plan and the
158 rest are actually work sheets; he added that the Charter is somewhat specific on what
159 needs to be included so that is a consideration.
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161 Staff will return to the council in February.
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163 6. Business Licensing (from P & Z)—Community Development Director Grochala
164 reviewed the written report. The council was asked by a business owner to consider
165 licensing massage therapy as a business and the council in turn forwarded the larger issue
166 of business licensing to the Planning and Zoning Board for their recommendation. The
167 Board saw business licensing as an additional and unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. The
168 Board did have some interest in the idea of requiring a certificate of occupancy for
169 business changes to ensure ordinance requirements are met. A council member
170 expressed concern about adding a code compliance element that could be a business
171 deterrent and just another bureaucratic hurdle for businesses. Mr. Grochala added that the
172 Planning and Zoning Board is obviously less interested in a licensing program than in a
173 certificate of occupancy. He suggests that staff relook at the possibilities and report back
174 perhaps with examples of how a new program would look.
175
176 7. Leasing of ECFE—Economic Development Coordinator Divine reviewed the
177 written report. This space at the City complex that will soon be vacant is being actively
178 marketed in all ways possible. She is interested in knowing if the council would like to
179 bring in a broker to assist with the marketing. The council concurred with the idea of
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 3,2012
APPROVED
180 hiring a broker to get the space filled as soon as possible and made some suggestions for
181 staff to consider as they contract for that service.
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183 8. Weekly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the report. The
184 council requested that the union contract be added to the report so the council remain up
185 to date on that process.
186
187 9. Review January 9,2012 Regular Council Agenda—The agenda was reviewed
188 and there were no changes.
189
190 The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
191
192 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
193 January 23, 2012.
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198 Juli. e Bartell, City Cler Jeff ' i e , Mayor
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