HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-2012 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 25, 2012
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : June 25,2012
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 6:25 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; Public Services Director Rick
12 DeGardner; Finance Director Al Rolek; Public Safety Director John Swenson;
13 Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Paul Bengtson; City
14 Clerk Julie Bartell
15 1. Revised Personnel Policy—Council Member Rafferty noted, regarding the section
16 dealing with tuition reimbursement that he'd like to see the section removed or at least
17 tabled for further discussion as he cannot support it as it proposed. City Administrator
18 Karlson responded that he can't recommend that the section be removed from the policy
19 as he believes that would put the city at a competitive disadvantage.
20 The council discussed how much of the policy would actually be covered in union
21 contracts also and Mr. Karlson offered to provide a breakdown of that information.
22 The mayor suggested that staff look at what other cities have in place in the area of tuition
23 reimbursement and the council can consider options at the next work session.
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25 2. Paperless Council Packets—Council Member Roeser noted that he is trying out the
26 iPad at the upcoming council meeting so he doesn't have a review to report as yet.
27 Council Member Stoesz noted that he heard good things at the League conference from
28 other cities that have gone paperless.
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30 City Administrator Karlson noted three options for providing equipment to the council
31 members: 1)city purchase and maintain ownership of the equipment; 2)the city provides
32 a monthly stipend for council members to purchase equipment; or 3)the city provides
33 each council member with an up-front payment to provide for their purchase of the
34 equipment. Staff's recommendation is to go with a monthly stipend and for the council
35 members to utilize the city's existing computer purchase program to initially get the
36 equipment. The mayor concurred with Mr. Karlson's recommendation, adding that he
37 believes a$25 per month stipend over two years would be appropriate. A council
38 member pointed out that some members may not have two years remaining on their
39 council service; how would that situation be handled? Mr. Karlson replied that stipends
40 would continue only as long as service and money owed after that point would be the
41 departing council member's responsibility.
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43 Mr. Karlson will bring an action item forward for council consideration.
44
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. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 25, 2012
APPROVED
45 3. Review Regular Agenda—The council amended the agenda as presented by moving
46 Item 1K to the Administration section of the regular agenda and to delete Item 3A
47 regarding the Revised Personnel Policy.
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49 Item 5A, Authorizing a Utility Rate Study was reviewed by Public Services Director
50 DeGardner. He noted that the city last studied rates in 2008 so it is appropriate to
51 consider a study at this time. He is recommending that the city contract with Springsted
52 for the rate study and also contract with WSB to provide necessary update information
53 prior to the study. Both of the contracts as proposed were included in his staff report for
54 council review. Council Member Roeser suggested that the contract amount seems high
55 and Mr. DeGardner assured him that it is an appropriate amount for an in-depth study.
56 Council Member Stoesz noted that cities are no longer required to have tiered rate
57 structures; Mr. DeGardner replied that non-tiered could be included in the study but
58 added his opinion that tiers spread charges more fairly.
59
60 The council concurred to proceed with the rate study.
61
62 Item 6Ai and 6Aii, Interim Use Permit for Accessory Outdoor Storage was reviewed by
63 City Planner Bengtson. He noted that the business at 7301 Apollo Court, Lakes Building
64 Components, originally sought the ability to store business materials outside of their
65 building and the council addressed that request by approving an ordinance that allows the
66 storage as an interim use. The owner of the business has applied for an interim use
67 permit and includes in his proposal construction of a fence and additional landscaping to
68 screen the storage. Staff has found that the application meets the city's ordinance
69 requirements and has presented the request to the Planning and Zoning Board where one
70 area resident did appear and speak against the request. The staff report includes certain
71 conditions that are recommended by staff as well as findings for council consideration.
72
73 Mr. Bengtson noted the condition relating to operating hours allowed(7:00 a.m. to 9:00
74 p.m.) and the council discussed the appropriateness of those hours. The mayor suggested
75 that the hours be changed to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The applicant responded that his
76 work shifts begin at 7:00 a.m. so that would create a hardship; he added that the evening
77 hours don't generally include any noisy activity and in fact he doesn't currently need the
78 9:00 p.m. end time but would like to have it available for growth. The mayor suggested a
79 compromise of beginning at 7:30 a.m. Council Member Roeser pointed out that the area
80 sits next to an interstate freeway that generates noise and also that garbage trucks are
81 allowed to work at 7:00 a.m. A council member noted that he didn't hear any concerns
82 about the hours of operation but rather thought there is concern about weekend
83 operations. A majority of the council concurred that the hour limitation will be 7:00 a.m.
84 to 8:00 p.m. The mayor suggested that there could be an adjustment in the future if
85 necessary.
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87 Mr. Bengtson reviewed the proposed performance agreement with the council.
88
89 The remainder of the council agenda was reviewed.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 25, 2012
APPROVED
90
91 The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
92
93 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
94 July 9, 2012.
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99 Julianne Bartell, City Clerk Jeff •ei .rt, Mayor
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