HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2011 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 7,2011
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : February 7,2011
5 TIME STARTED : 5:33 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:40 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty,Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karison; Director of Administration Dan
13 Tesch; Community Development Director Mike Grochala; Director of Public Safety Kent
14 Strege; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; Director of Finance Al Rolek;
15 Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine; Director of Public Safety Rick
16 DeGardner; City Clerk Julie Bartell
17
18 1. Board Appointments—Administration Director Tesch noted the list before the
19 council of applicants seeking appointment/reappointment to the city advisory boards. He
20 would like to set up a time for the council to interview candidates.
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22 The council will meet with the new applicants and for those positions where there is a
23 contest.
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25 2. RCWD Water Management District—Community Development Director
26 Grochala introduced Phil Belfiori of the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) and
27 John Kolb who is an attorney with Rinke-Noonan. Mr. Belfiori distributed and reviewed
28 a written presentation (on file) outlining their request for municipal concurrence. The
29 RCWD is requesting that the council give municipal consent for the District to undertake
30 certain ditch improvement proceedings using the statutory Watershed Law rather than the
31 statutory Drainage Code for Anoka County Ditch Project 10-22-32. He explained the
32 implications to the city.
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34 Mr. Kolb discussed the proposed resolution and the financial implications of the ditch
35 project and explained that municipal concurrence would not represent an endorsement of
36 the project.
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38 The council discussed the impact of the ditch project on city residents. They heard that
39 the use of the Watershed Law would allow the project to be funded from two sources of
40 money—a drainage charge against those in the area of the project and an ad valorem
41 charge from the whole jurisdiction. The council heard that the project will have to be
42 done and this discussion is more about how it will be charged for. They also heard from
43 Attorney Kolb that the current watershed board is solidly interested in moving in the
44 direction of maintaining the district's system.
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' CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 7, 2011
APPROVED
46 The council has more questions and would like to continue discussion of the matter at the
47 March work session.
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49 3. Century Farms North Drainage—Community Development Director Grochala
50 explained that the Century Farm North development includes an area where drainage has
51 been a concern for some time. The city has taken measures to address the situation but
52 the area isn't effectively draining at the current time. It involves an infiltration basin that
53 particularly concerns one resident; the area is inundated with water/ice and attracts
54 waterfowl that in turn cause safety concerns (for the airpark). After a study of the
55 situation, the Rice Creek Watershed District has presented options to address the resident
56 concern with one option being to no-action since no measurable change in water quality
57 would result from improvements.
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59 When the council asked about how improvements could be funded, Mr. Grochala
60 suggested that while funding hasn't been identified for any improvements, cost sharing
61 with the watershed district and the site developer would be the most probable.
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63 Developer Gary Uhde told the council that he feels this is an individual concern that
64 doesn't represent the homeowners association; he is interested in working on a solution
65 but not alone.
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67 The council requested a legal opinion on the possibility of any city liability.
68
L 69 4. Periodic Financial Updates—Finance Director Rolek noted that the council has
70 requested periodic financial/budget updates in order that they stay apprised of the status
71 of the city budget. He has provided a possible format that includes revenue and expense
72 information.
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74 Council members noted that there is interest in seeing the revenue information provided
75 by such a report; there is interest in getting as much budget related information as
76 possible. A council member distributed written information that he had compiled relative
77 to the Centennial Fire District budget, including the approved budget compared with
78 expenditures in 2010. He is curious as to why the budget and expenditures don't
79 balance.
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81 Finance Director Rolek explained that some fire district expenses are not just to the city;
82 some expenses may be paid by Lino Lakes and then reimbursed.
83
84 The council directed staff to provide the additional financial information to the council
85 regularly and in electronic form. There was discussion about the city's financial
86 accounting system (software) and if there is a need to update. A council member also
87 suggested that the city utilize a credit card that gives a bonus.
88
89 5. 2011 Goal Setting Session—Administration Director Tesch noted that the
90 council is interested in a goal setting process; he reviewed the process used in 2009.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 7,2011
APPROVED
91
92 The council discussed the need for goal setting and the best way to utilize results of a
93 process.
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95 City Administrator Karlson noted that costs could be curbed somewhat with a one-day
96 process. Also he has many topics that he'd like to bring to the council; he'd recommend
97 that goal setting process be strategic.
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99 The council sees the directors involved in the process. They will discuss the topic further
100 at the next work session.
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102 6. Public Safety Director Interviews - Administration Director Tesch updated the
103 council on the hiring process that is currently underway. He will be contacting all
104 council members to establish a second interview time for four finalists.
105
106 7. Environmental Board Goals—Environmental Coordinator Asleson noted that an
107 Environmental Board member had planned to attend this evening's session to review the
108 group's 2011 goals with the council however that member was not able to make it. Mr.
109 Asleson reviewed the goals and informed the council and the board chair would be in
110 attendance at the city council meeting. He also distributed an updated Great Blue Heron
111 Nesting Report.
112
113 S. Legacy at Woods Edge—Special Legislation and property discussion—
114 Economic Development Coordinator Divine reported that staff is presenting information
115 on how the city could seek special legislation from the state legislature that would extend
116 the duration of Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-10 through 2023 and devote the
117 tax increment to payment of debt service on the Legacy at Woods Edge improvements.
118 Staff would like permission from the council to speak with state legislators next week.
119 She also mentioned that this type of special legislation is not unusual, noting the
120 examples included in the staff reports.
121
122 The council concurred that staff should proceed with discussing the matter with state
123 legislators.
124
125 The council also received an update on the memory care center that has occupied the
126 former County Inn and Suites facility within the Legacy at Woods Edge area. Ms. Divine
127 reported that the facility is open and is doing well.
128
129 9. EDAC IMEDC Racetrack recommendation —Economic Development
130 Coordinator Divine reviewed her written report on the history and status of the
131 motorsports facility proposal of International Motorsports Entertainment Development
132 Company (IMEDC). She explained that the city's Economic Development Advisory
133 Committee (EDAC)reviewed the current situation/proposal and formed a resolution that
134 is being presented for city council consideration.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 7,2011
APPROVED
136 The mayor noted concern about lack of information—no background on investors, no
137 escrow, and no noise study. It seems like the proposal is moving in the wrong direction.
138
139 There was discussion about the informational meetings that have been held on the
140 proposal and staff assured the council that the discussions have not been in the direction
141 of pitting cities against one another but rather the opposite of gaining information in the
142 same direction. Lino Lakes' staff will be meeting with the City of Columbus staff to
143 share information and discuss requirements; the council suggests that a discussion may be
144 forthcoming about how much time should be spent on the proposal.
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146 10. Local Board of Appeal and Equalization—City Clerk Bartell noted that the city
147 council holds a Board of Appeal meeting each year; it is an opportunity for taxpayers to
148 address the council regarding their valuations. This year's meeting is scheduled for April
149 25, 2011 prior to that evening's council meeting. She noted that the county assessor will
150 be present at that meeting to respond to questions about valuations.
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152 11. Weekly Progress Report—City Administrator Karlson reviewed the progress report.
153 A council member requested that the YMCA sign issue be added to the list of
154 projects/issues that are being followed.
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156 12. Review Regular Council Agenda -There were no changes to the regular Council
157 agenda as it was presented.
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159 The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
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161 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
162 February 28, 2011.
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167 Julia e Bartell, Ci Cler Jeff einert, Mayor
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