HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-2012 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 3, 2012
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : December 3,2012
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 9:20 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; Director of Public Safety John
13 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Economic Development
14 Coordinator Mary Alice Divine; City Engineer Jason Wedel; Finance Director Al Rolek;
15 Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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17 1. Joint Powers Agreement for Conduct of Elections—City Clerk Bartell introduced
18 Cindy Reichert, Anoka County Elections Manager who was present to explain and
19 answer questions about a proposed Joint Powers Agreement between the county and city
20 regarding equipment and services for conducting elections. Ms. Reichert explained that
21 the proposal before the council is the result of three years work among all elections
22 partners in Anoka County. The proposal includes participation of all cities and school
23 districts in the county, has been reviewed by a multi jurisdictional voting equipment task
24 force and was passed on to the Anoka County Board where it received approval. Ms.
25 Reichert explained that the year 2000 was the last purchase of equipment by cities (ballot
26 boxes and counters); there are actually many other areas of equipment involved. With
27 individual city ownership, it's more difficult to manage equipment services. She further
28 explained that within the last decade also, federal certification of equipment became a
29 reality. Voting equipment companies have also faced changes and challenges. The
30 capital cost of the equipment is about twice the previous purchase price and maintenance
31 services have increased in many parts due to more complexity in the equipment.
32 Council Member Stoesz asked if the new equipment will change the way that the city
33 transmits results to the county. Ms. Reichert explained that while a modem system will
34 still be used,the results will continue to be printed also and the modem system will be
35 updated. Council Member Stoesz received additional information on securities in the
36 system as well as equipment storage requirements. Ms. Reichert further explained that the
37 current equipment is declining with parts failing and while it still counts votes accurately
38 and is fully tested each year,the system relies on a DOS background that is no longer in
39 use or upgradeable. Council Member Roeser asked if the absentee ballot counting will
40 move to the precincts with the new equipment. Ms. Reichert explained that central
41 counting of ballots is required under law and in Anoka County that central location is the
42 county; the service is included in the JPA. The council discussed options and concurred
43 that participating in the JPA is the best course of action for the city. Council Member
44 Roeser suggested that precinct locations are a concern and indicated that he'd like to
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 3, 2012
APPROVED
45 continue reviewing those locations. He also requested and received a review of the
46 security in place for the handling of absentee ballots.
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48 The council concurred that they would consider authorizing execution of the JPA at the
49 next council meeting.
50
51 2. Lake Weeds—Surfside Seaplane Services (from 11/13/12 open mike)—Mayor
52 Reinert noted that his neighbor on Reshenau Lake, Brian Fossey, is present and has
53 information to share about lake weeds. Environmental Coordinator Asleson reviewed his
54 staff report responding to Mr. Hanson's concerns about vegetation obstructions
55 surrounding his seaplane base. He met with Mr. Hanson earlier this summer and it's
56 obvious that Rice Lake is shallow and will be a plant productive lake. He informed Mr.
57 Hanson that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) does allow
58 treatments with their permission. Mr. Rick Braunig of MnDOT Office of Aeronautics
59 was present and announced that Mr. Hanson's seaplane base is licensed by his division.
60 The base does include a turf runway and another issue that is being addressed is tree
61 overgrowth. He explained the need for airplanes to use rudders to maneuver in water and
62 how the weeds are impacting use of the rudders. Mr. Braunig noted that he feels that the
63 problem can be addressed and he explained the different ways to address the problem;.
64 Mr. Fossey reviewed his experience in dealing with lake weeds. The watershed district
65 has been helpful and is essentially providing half the cost of treatment. The Mayor noted
66 that help is out there if the problem is identified and an action plan is clear. Staff will
67 continue to work with Mr. Hanson as necessary.
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�-' 69 3. Preliminary Plat and Conditional Use Permit, Bill's Superette - Community
70 Development Director Grochala introduced Breanne Rothstein of WSB & Associates
71 who has been providing assistance on the report before the council requesting action on a
72 preliminary plan for a subdivision and conditional use permit for a motor fuel station.
73 There is a liquor store included in the development also but it doesn't require any land
74 use related approval.
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76 Ms. Rothstein reviewed the staff report. The development includes a superette/gas station
77 and a liquor store. The properties are guided for commercial/general business in the
78 comp plan. A new signal project is underway at the intersection. She reviewed
79 architectural standards (including comments from the Police Department), sewer and
80 water service plans, traffic planning (including recommendations from Anoka County),
81 parking plans (with staff recommending a lower requirement based on environmental and
82 practical reasons) and landscaping plans. She noted comments included by the engineer
83 that will be addressed. Rice Creek Watershed is in the process of reviewing the plans.
84 She pointed out the addition of trails and trail easements as recommended by the Planning
85 and Zoning Board. In summarizing public hearing comments, she noted the primary
86 concern heard was about the number of off-sale liquor stores that exist in the city and a
87 request to limit those. Ultimately the Planning and Zoning Board did recommend
88 approval with their conditions. The council will be considering the approvals at the next
89 council meeting.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 3, 2012
APPROVED
90 Grant Rademacher of the developing group, came forward. Council Member Rafferty
91 noted that he has taken a driving tour of most of the Bill's Superette properties. He asked
92 Mr. Rademacher about the companies building standards, the size of the proposed liquor
93 store, fencing plans, and the boldness of the proposed façade. He also asked that the trail
94 plans be included in the action as a recommendation and that the propane facility be
95 moved to a less visible location. In addition Council Member Stoesz asked about
96 possible satellite dishes and signage. Community Development Director Grochala will
97 work with the applicant on the suggestions. Council Member Rafferty added that his
98 suggestions reflect his viewpoint and not the council's; he is actually impressed at what
99 he seen on the tour.
100
101 Adam LeMere, Lakes Liquor, noted that it is clear that this facility is not needed. There
102 are vacant store fronts in the city so he sees zero need for additional facilities. Since he
103 runs a liquor store, he can't add items for additional revenue so it's not a fair field. The
104 mayor recalled that the city did have limitations on off-sale some years ago and Mr.
105 LeMere suggested they be reconsidered. The mayor suggested adding the matter of off-
106 sale liquor to the next council work session.
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108 The council then heard from Sergei (manager of Eagle Liquors) who concurred with Mr.
109 LeMere's comments and added that the city will have empty liquor stores if they allow
110 this large store to go in. He fears that there will be a price war and G-Will will be in a
111 better situation to run others out. He was forced to take down a banner and a larger sign
112 at his store. The mayor noted that empty buildings do concern him but he added that the
113 council's authority is limited as they don't approve businesses but only buildings.
' 114
115 4. Advisory Board Appointments—City Clerk Bartell noted that each year the
116 council considers appointments to the city advisory boards and committee. The process
117 of receiving applications is complete and the city has received just enough applications
118 for the open positions (except EDAC). There are two applicants who have not served
119 before. She asked who the council would like to interview and the majority agreed to
120 interview only new candidates at interviews to be held before the next council meeting on
121 December 10.
122
123 5. Final 2013 Budget Review—Finance Director Rolek presented the final budget
124 that will be presented for approval at the next city council meeting. Changes from the
125 council's last review include revenue from the Centennial Utilities gas franchise and
126 savings for health insurance that will go toward contingency. The budget proposed is less
127 than the 2012 budget. Administrator Karlson added that the arbitration award has been
128 presented for the LELS (Police Officers) union. The award regarding six issues was
129 reviewed by Mr. Karlson (as included in the council packet). Funding is available in the
130 contingency and he will fully review recommendations and possible impacts with the
131 council at a future closed session.
132
133 6. Five-Year Financial Forecast—Finance Director Rolek noted that the forecast
134 was added to the electronic packet for review. More detail is available if council
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 3, 2012
APPROVED
135 members want more information. The forecast has been retooled and represents an
136 increase of just over fifteen percent. Much of the forecast is tied to property values in the
137 city, with only 2013 values set at this point. The county assessor has reported that values
138 are firming up but still there is a contraction over the five year period of about two
139 percent. He distributed information on capital outlay and reviewed the five year plan for
140 those funds. There was discussion about the debt financing versus paying up front for
141 capital equipment purchases. He reviewed the Five-Year General Fund Plan Summary
142 and impacts on the general fund and possible tax levies, as well as projected tax capacity
143 rates, general fund revenues and expenditures. The council discussed possible impacts
144 of emerald ash borer and staff was directed to look at what impacted cities are doing or
145 preparing to do. The mayor suggested that as council members continue to review the
146 forecast on their own,they should direct their questions to Mr. Rolek. The council
147 anticipates more discussion in January.
148
149 Review Regular Council Agenda—The council reviewed the council agenda; there were
150 no changes.
151
152 There were no other changes to the regular Council agenda.
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154 The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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156 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
157 January 14, 2013. — -
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161 ti �-'
162 Ju1i e Bartell, City lerk Jeff 'ei ert, Mayor
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