HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-2012 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 1, 2012
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
4 DATE : October 1,2012
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:10 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Services Director Rick
12 DeGardner; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Finance Director Al
13 Rolek; City Attorney Joseph Langel; Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice
14 Divine; City Clerk Julie Bartell
15
16 Otter Lake Drive Cartway—Community Development Director Grochala noted that
17 staff has received additional information including a survey submitted by the petitioner.
18
19 City Attorney Langel reviewed his written report. The process of establishing a cartway
20 involves meeting the requirements of the statute and then looking at damages and
21 maintenance costs. He believes that the petitioner has met the requirements. On the
22 question of public use,he doesn't agree with the homeowners' association(HOA)that
23 this is a situation of eminent domain. If the cartway is established,by default it will be
24 public and the landowners could then choose to make it private. The question of use has
25 been brought up but it is irrelevant to the cartway question. On the question of location,
26 the petitioner has submitted a plan to follow the existing drive and that would meet the
27 requirements. On the question of damages,the statute is somewhat nebulous. In this case
28 both parties have submitted their recommendation of damages (which he then outlined).
29 Mr. Langel spoke about rights and consideration of how a cartway would impact land use.
30 He doesn't have a direct comparison to anything as it's quite a unique situation involving
31 an established roadway and an expensive private bridge. He noted that the petitioner's
32 estimate of damages doesn't recognize the cost of the roadway/bridge at all and that
33 doesn't seem fair. On the other hand,the.HOA argues severance damages but he doesn't
34 see any change that would actually sever-other properties. Regarding maintenance,he
35 noted that he has received some historical information on maintenance costs from the
36 HOA. He recommends that it may not be fair to have a fixed amount and also the costs
37 should only apply to the portion of the cartway and not all the way through to the other
38 properties. As far as an impact on privacy to the area property owners, Mr. Langel
39 suggested there isn't a way to capture that concept.
40
41 A council member mentioned that the cartway easement will be attached to the land so it
42 could impact what happens with the land in the future (providing access to a new property
43 for instance). Mr. Grochala pointed out that the parcel in question isn't buildable since it
44 wouldn't qualify under current city regulations for a split due to its size. The council
45 heard about the threat of legal action against the city by the HOA.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 1, 2012
APPROVED
46
47 A council member asked petitioner Adam Johnson to explain his connection with First
48 Flight Finishers. Mr. Johnson said that it is a hunting organization that he owns; he
49 doesn't do much guide services any longer because he has another job. The closest
50 location that the organization utilizes to Lino Lakes is Hugo.
51
52 City Attorney Langel suggested that the resolution before the Council represents one
53 approach. Mayor Reinert heard from some council members that they still have
54 questions about the cartway matter. He suggested that the matter may be postponed so
55 that council members can pose their questions to staff. Persons on both sides of the
56 matter will be allowed to speak at the council meeting.
57
58 3. Quarterly Newsletter—Mayor Reinert recalled that the council discussed this matter
59 briefly at the September 24 work session. Council Member Roeser has suggested that
60 the city consider use of a for-profit publication that may be looking for articles, That
61 situation would potentially be free to the city. The mayor suggested that he doesn't favor
62 that approach because the city loses all control,however, he remains interested in the
63 possibility of allowing Lino Lakes' businesses to advertise in the city newsletter. Council
64 Member Roeser concurred in the concern of losing control but indicated that he remains
65 interested in mixing advertising with news.
66
67 Economic Development Coordinator Divine explained how the city's newsletter is
68 currently created, including the Parks and Recreation section. She is exploring how other
69 cities disseminate news and looking for good ideas that will still allow content control.
70
71 The mayor recommended that the discussion on this topic continue; he believes it could
72 be a win/win situation if advertising is included. Council Member Stoesz suggested that
73 the discussion include the possibility of offering an on-line only publication or at least a
74 way to allow residents to opt out if they prefer on-line. He also recommends looking at
75 adding advertising to the Parks and Recreation uniforms. The mayor directed staff to
76 keep looking at options and obtain cost information.
77
78 4. Temporary Sign Permits—Community Development Director Grochala noted that
79 the council briefly discussed this matter at the September 24 work session and called for
80 further discussion before anything would move on to the Planning&Zoning Board.
81 Council Member Roeser noted that part of the problem is the limitation of days per
82 quarter; in some situations,that doesn't work. The mayor recalled his suggestion that the
83 allowance be four times a year but not restricted quarterly; he is concerned that the
84 regulations be enforceable also. He suggested that the matter be referred to the Planning
85 &Zoning Board with a request to review current sign regulations and answer the question
86 "how is the current situation working?" Community Development Director Grochala
87 suggested that staff will also speak with the area Chamber of Commerce for their opinion
88 and/or suggestions.
89
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 1, 2012
APPROVED
90 5. Signal Project Update-Community Development Director Grochala noted that
91 construction is underway at the Lake &Main site and will be soon at Birch and Ware.
92 There have been a few complaints with the onset of construction and staff has responded
93 appropriately. Since trucks and weight restrictions are involved, staff may decide to do
94 some signage and will also continue working with the Police Department. The mayor
95 concurred that the truck traffic should be kept under control.
96
97 Regarding Birch Street, Council Member Stoesz asked if the construction will impact
98 school walkers or traffic. Mr. Grochala indicated that plans are in place to deal with the
99 situation, mainly with signs and replacement trails.
100
101 Community Development Director Grochala added that staff is continuing to work on the
102 outstanding supplemental engineering agreements with TKDA that relate to the projects.
103 He will have more information at the next work session and probably again in November.
104
105 The council heard additional information on the one property that will be taken on Birch
106 Street and Mr. Grochala indicated that the final figure will be forthcoming but it appears
107 it will come in under the maximum.
108
109 1. 2013 Budget Considerations-Mayor Reinert noted that the council has found a path
11 o for the 2013 budget but, during previous discussions, good ideas came forward and he
111 doesn't want to lose sight of them. Council Member Roeser noted personnel
112 openings/retirements that are forthcoming and he suggests that when an opening occurs,
113 it's a good time to think about the future and needs. Another idea that came up was
114 bidding for some services such as mowing.
115
116 The mayor recommends that council members continue to forward their ideas to the City
117 Administrator. Perhaps a budget committee of a couple council members would be
118 helpful. The council briefly discussed some areas in the budget that are not yet firm such
119 as valuations and the utility franchise fee. The mayor recommends that the council start
120 building a list of 2013 ideas. Administrator Karlson remarked on the recently completed
121 city organizational study;the study includes a plan for the future personnel structure for
122 the city.
123
124 6. Review Regular Council Agenda of October 8,2012-The agenda was reviewed
125 and there were no changes.
126
127 The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
128
129 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the re Lt. . Council „-- 's g eld on
130 October 22, 2012.
131 /
132
tc 3 ■
134 I '.1 e Bartell, City Cler Je " R: -rt, Mayor
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