HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2011 Council Minutes (2) a
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 4, 2011
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : January 4,2011
5 TIME STARTED : 6:15 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 9:00 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11
12 Also Present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Director of Administration Dan Tesch;
13 Community Development Director Mike Grochala; Director of Public Safety Kent Strege;
14 Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Clerk Julie Bartell
15
16 1. Sharna Braucks, Executive Director, Chain of Lakes YMCA—Ms. Braucks
17 distributed and reviewed a report on the Chain of Lakes YMCA. The council discussed
18 future needs of the facility (expansion) including parking. The council directed staff to
19 keep communications open with the YMCA staff
20
21 2. Annual Appointments (1st meeting of the year)—Administration Director
22 Tesch reported that the council makes a number of appointments at their first council
23 meeting each year.
24
25 The council reviewed the list and agreed upon the necessary appointments. Council
26 Member Rafferty will be the Acting Mayor for 2011.
27
28 Update on Police Chief Search—Administrator Director Tesch distributed an update on
29 the search and recommendations on continuing the process. The council decided that two
30 council members, Mayor Reinert and Council Member O'Donnell, will represent the
31 council on the search committee. A council member suggested that all 23 applicants be
32 reviewed; limiting the field isn't the best way to proceed. Administrator Karlson
33 responded that staff intends to consider all the applicants.
34
35 3. Solid Waste Pickup Start Time—Environmental Coordinator Asleson reported
36 that the city has received complaints about the disruption caused by early solid waste
37 services in neighborhoods. As a result staff is recommending a change to the city's solid
38 waste ordinance that will not allow any pick up before 7:00 a.m. in residential areas. In
39 commercial/industrial areas, solid waste services will continue to be allowed after 6:00
40 a.m.
41
42 The council concurred to add an ordinance amendment to the January 10, 2011 city
43 council meeting agenda.
44
1
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 4, 2011
APPROVED
45 4. Comprehensive Plan—Community Development Director Grochala reported
46 that the council recently requested additional information on residential land use densities
47 in the proposed comprehensive plan (the Plan) along with information on the impact of
48 changes to those densities. He explained the difference between making a major
49 modification to the Plan (requires Metropolitan Council review and authorization) and
50 making an administrative change(does not require full review and resubmission to the
51 Metropolitan Council). A change in residential land use densities would be a major
52 change and would require a restart of the Plan update process. Another option for a
53 change is to adopt the Plan as is and then proceed with a Comprehensive Plan
54 Amendment, allowing elements not affected by the density discussion to go forward and
55 also shortening the review period for other jurisdictions.
56
57 Mr. Grochala also reviewed the work and costs that would be associated with a change to
58 the Plan, both being largely dependent upon the scope of the change that is sought. A
59 process could take up to 14 months and cost up to $15,000, depending on the scope.
60
61 The council had asked for a determination on whether there could be gaps between
62 residential density ranges. Mr. Grochala reported that the city attorney has stated that
63 there does not appear to be any statutory requirements that would preclude gaps in the
64 density ranges, but the city's basis for a change may be scrutinized. Mr. Grochala
65 reviewed the disadvantages to making a change and also the history of what single family
66 developments approved since 1999 fell within the proposed range. He also recalled
67 previous council discussion and decisions relative to residential densities and
68 recommended that if modifications are to be made, the council should establish clear
69 objectives. Mr. Grochala used land use maps on file to assist with his report.
70
71 Council members commented on the process required for an amendment to the Plan. The
72 mayor suggested that lowering the high density is a good idea but he'd like something
73 accomplished without going through a major process. A council member noted the
74 benefit of doing a comprehensive plan amendment that would allow other elements to
75 proceed and not require as much involvement from the Metropolitan Council.
76
77 Mike Trehus, Lino Lakes resident, offered comments in favor of more change; the
78 tweaking that the council is discussing is too much in line and he'd like the city to press
79 for more change.
80
81 5. Weekly Progress Report—City Administrator Karlson reviewed the report.
82 Regarding RFP's for Contractual Services, the council would like to receive the proposed
83 RFP for engineering via email for their review; finalists should come to a council work
84 session and give a presentation on their services. Regarding the Organizational Review,
85 Mr. Karlson reviewed the interview and benchmarking elements of the review; the mayor
86 indicated that he remains interested in having an outside influence in the study.
87 Regarding the Sign Ordinance, the council asked that the YMCA issue relative to signage
88 should be included in the discussion; staff should speak with the YMCA staff on their
89 needs. Regarding the Motorsports Facility Race Track Proposal, Council Member Roeser
2
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 4,2011
APPROVED
90 indicated he had attended a meeting with the developer group; he believes they are
91 interested in receiving a more formal resolution of interest from the city before they
92 proceed with any studies.
93
94 Review Regular Council Agenda-
95
96 Item 6Ai and Aii, Open Air Markets, Transient Merchants, and Community
97 Gardens - City Planner Bengtson explained that the two items are tied together, one
98 changing the city code and the other the city zoning ordinance. These were initiated by
99 the Planning and Zoning Board. The matter of community gardens is also being brought
100 forward; the Environmental Board is looking at setting up a community garden in the
101 city. The roadside stands would fall under the terms of a transient merchant permit and
102 the farmers market under the special event permit system. Community gardens would be
103 allowed in all zoning districts, however, the must be located on public land; the
104 Environmental Board will be working on rules and management issues for the gardens.
105 The site that is under consideration now is the city land adjacent to the American Legion.
106 Regarding open air markets, operation will be tied to an administrative permit(special
107 event permit), allowed in all zoning districts. Regarding transient merchant use, the
108 definition in the code is being pulled into the zoning ordinance to allow certain activities
109 such as roadside markets.
110
111 Item 6B,First Reading of Ordinance No. 03-11, amending the zoning ordinance
112 requirements regarding Motor Vehicle Sales Lots—City Planner Bengtson explained
113 that staff wants to tighten up the definition and requirements in the zoning code that relate
114 to motor vehicle sales. Parking requirements would be updated also. The changes are
115 unanimously recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board.
116
117 Item 6C,First Reading of Ordinance Number 04-11, Amending the zoning
118 ordinance requirements regarding Home Occupations—City Planner Bengtson
119 reported that the ordinance would be updated to further designate the types of activities
120 allowed under the different levels designed in the regulations. It opens up some
121 opportunity for additional retail activities while maintaining appropriate regulation. The
122 Planning and Zoning Board concurs with the changes.
123
124 The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
125
126 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
127 January 24, 2011.
128
129
130 !�
131 Julianne Barte , City Clerk Jeff 'einert, Mayor
3