HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2011 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2,2011
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : May 2,2011
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 10:15 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11
12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development
13 Director Mike Grochala; Police Chief John Swenson; Finance Director Al Rolek; City
14 Planner Paul Bengtson; Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine;
15 Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Clerk Julie Bartell
16
17 1. Stormwater Management Overview - Special Area Management Plan (SAMP)
18 EOR,Inc. —Community Development Director Grochala explained that the city is
19 required to adopt a local storm water management plan(SWMP). The council has
20 requested an overview of the requirements for such a plan. He reviewed the Impaired
21 Water Program, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program,the
22 Wetland Conservation Act, groundwater planning, shoreland and flood plain management
23 and the Local Surface Water Management plan requirements.
24
25 Jason Naber, Emmons & Olivier, Inc. (EOR, Inc.) gave a PowerPoint presentation
26 outlining a SAMP for the city of Lino Lakes (presentation is on file).
27
28 The city was presented with an award from the ACEC of Minnesota honoring the city and
29 EOR, Inc. for the Lino Lakes SAMP.
30
31 When the mayor asked about the city's requirements to complete a plan, Community
32 Development Director Grochala explained the minimum requirements and, when asked
33 how an effort would be funded, explained that the city charges a surface water
34 management fee in connection with development and those funds would be used. He
35 added that part of the plan is developing a CIP related to storm water management that
36 will indicate needs and proposed funding. There could be other funding components
37 such grants or ad valorem taxes.
38
39 The council directed staff to continue their discussion with EOR, Inc. in the direction the
40 council has indicated; staff suggested that they would work to get the costs down. When
41 a council member suggested that staff should get some cost comparisons from other
42 providers, Mr. Grochala explained a comparison would be difficult since efforts probably
43 wouldn't yield any apples-to-apples view of services. Staff will include analysis of the
44 best use of funds as the proposal is reviewed.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2, 2011
APPROVED
45 An EOR, Inc. representative noted that what they(EOR)have proposed initially isn't the
46 minimum the city could do; it does include things that they see would be beneficial to the
47 city. They'd be happy to look over the proposal again.
48
49 2. Nadeau Farm Development—Marcel Eibensteiner- Community Development
50 Director Grochala introduced developer Marcel Eibensteiner and his engineer for the
51 proposed development. Mr. Grochala then explained that the site under discussion is a
52 portion of a site that is guided medium density under the draft 2010 Comp Plan.
53 Developer Eibensteiner is interested in moving forward with development of single
54 family homes on a portion however there are issues. Until the updated Comprehensive
55 Plan is adopted, the developer would require an amendment to the existing Plan. The
56 proposal could conceivable go through a planned unit development(PUD)process for the
57 whole site and apparently that would require a level a detail that the developer says he is
58 not yet ready to establish especially in consideration of the current economic conditions.
59 Mr. Eibensteiner confirmed that the PUD process suggested by staff is not feasible for
60 him. He needs to build to suit the market and density is not what is selling. Mr.
61 Grochala remarked that amending the density ratios within the updated comprehensive
62 plan isn't recommended because a change in one area impacts all others. The mayor
63 suggested that the best way to allow for this proposed development would be to figure out
64 a way to do it and keep it within medium density. Staff will continue to work on the
65 figures and report back.
66
67 3. Emerald Ash Borer Update—Environmental Coordinator Asleson and Public
68 Works employee Mike Hoffman were present. Mr. Asleson reviewed the update report
69 before the council, including outlining the number of ash trees estimated on public and
70 private property,treatment options and funding opportunities. The draft Emerald Ash
71 Borer Management Plan has been before the city's Environmental Board and it will
72 remain under review. Mr. Asleson noted that the borer has been found as close as 15
73 miles from the city. It will be important to consider treatment options as the borer moves
74 closer. The mayor remarked that he is interested in understanding how treatment will be
75 prioritized; he'd like to see an action plan that indicates how the city is ready to manage
76 the problem. The plan should of course include how trees on public property will be
77 treated but also an element to bring important information to the public on residential
78 treatment options, including costs. Mr. Asleson noted that there will be information in
79 the next city newsletter. Staff will be reviewing plans more with the Environmental
80 Board and reporting back to the council in the future.
81
82 4. American Legion Parking—Community Development Director Grochala noted
83 that staff has an initial question prior to discussion of the staff report. There is an event
84 coming up at the American Legion facility this coming weekend and Governor Dayton is
85 an expected attendee and so quite a large crowd is expected. The Legion is therefore
86 interested in utilizing the adjacent city-owned land for parking for this one event. City
87 Clerk Bartell reported the following information: the event may have in excess of 300
88 attendees,the city-owned land could accommodate 100-150 cars without interfering with
89 the community garden area; 77th Street is on-street parking available; the land wouldn't
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2, 2011
APPROVED
90 be too wet for use since it is sand based and doesn't get muddy; the city attorney reports
91 that city insurance would generally cover the land and additional coverage by the Legion
92 is recommended; a hold harmless agreement is recommended; police department is
93 working with the state patrol on the Governor's visit; Fire Department lot is partially
94 available. The council concurred with the request for parking for a one-time use the
95 coming weekend.
96
97 The Mayor then noted that the American Legion has some long-standing parking issues
98 and they are requesting on-going use of some of the city owned land for that purpose.
99 City ordinance has specific requirements for parking areas (including curb and gutters) so
100 a temporary use would be a difficult call. Henry White, American Legion Commander,
101 noted that the Legion understands that temporary means they could lose the parking at the
102 city's call. The Mayor suggested that the Legion consider buying a portion such as a half
103 acre. Mr. Grochala noted that splitting the land could inhibit its future sale. Mr. White
104 stressed that the American Legion facility clearly doesn't have adequate parking but it's a
105 good community organization that serves the area and doesn't make a lot of money. The
106 council discussed the option of joining the current Legion parking with adjacent Fire
107 Department lot to gain parking space. Staff will continue to work with the Legion on
108 options and report back to the council.
109
110 5. Update on 49/J Development Proposal—Economic Development Coordinator
111 Divine reviewed her written update on the grocery store proposal. As recommended
112 previously by the council, a public meeting was held on the proposal. Approximately 75
113 people attended the meeting and some voiced their concerns about such things as noise,
114 size of store, traffic,proximity to residential area and 24 hour operations. Staff has since
115 met with the developer and has heard from them that they would not be interested in
116 building a smaller store (she shared market information for the area that the developer
117 had provided). She noted the master planning that has been done for the area and the
118 need for infrastructure improvements for new development. She also reviewed the
119 concept of tax increment financing for those improvements, as has been discussed
120 previously.
121
122 The mayor noted that without agreement on all sides of the matter,there really isn't a
123 project in his eyes. He disclosed that he has spoken with the developer and has heard
124 their needs and why they can't change them. He also understands what the neighbors are
125 saying. Ms. Divine remarked that if the 50,000 square foot store isn't acceptable to the
126 council, more discussion may not be needed; also the tax increment element won't be
127 available indefinitely. The development could be proposed without city assistance (tax
128 increment)however no formal application has been received. The mayor remarked that
129 he sees it is appropriate for the council to give the developer an answer on the project; his
130 preference would be to give them an answer other than just"no". In that light,his
131 question would be "if not this, what?"understanding that something will eventually be
132 developed at the site.
133
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2, 2011
APPROVED
134 The council heard comments from citizens in the audience: they do not want a negative
135 impact on the neighborhood; something neighborhood-based would be more appropriate;
136 not a destination development but rather a nice gateway to the neighborhood; nothing box
137 type is acceptable to the neighborhood; keep the trucks out; it's not the box type of
138 development they won't accept but rather the noise and traffic that goes with that type of
139 development. Suggestions for the site were a school, office space, single family homes,
140 or a park. A council member noted that marketing research in the area seems to indicate
141 that a grocery store is needed. Some residents of the city of Shoreview noted their current
142 problem of cut-through traffic and Community Development Director Grochala pointed
143 out that any project in the area would include a traffic study, and he acknowledged that
144 there is obviously already a traffic capacity problem. When a citizen commented that
145 there are already high water issues and they would be exacerbated with new development,
146 Mr. Grochala noted that storm water management is also part of any development plan.
147
148 The mayor noted that he is asking about possibilities because in business he knows there
149 is room for negotiation. There were suggestions from the audience of a smaller store
150 (Mississippi Market). There was also concern raised that the proposal contains no
151 improvement on the corner where blight exists.
152
153 The council directed staff to pass on the feedback to the developers.
154
155 6. Redevelopment Task Force—Economic Development Coordinator Divine
156 reported that the council asked EDAC to look at issues surrounding underused and
157 nonconforming properties in the city. The EDAC group worked with staff's guidance on
158 such areas as existing city regulations (ordinances, charter, fire code, etc) and came up
159 with a number of necessities to deal with properties: identify properties; determine
160 impact on city tax base; determine impediments to development; and actions the city
161 could take (regulatory, financial)to assist. Staff inventoried properties on Lake Drive and
162 Hodgson Road, resulting in 163 properties initially. Vacant and single family homes
163 were eliminated. Many of the properties do not have city water access and that impedes
164 redevelopment that requires code compliance that includes certain fire suppression. The
165 impact of the properties on the city's tax base was reviewed and properties were also
166 classified for risk of becoming vacant. Possible actions identified by EDAC: allow
167 market forces to determine redevelopment; expedite redevelopment by providing funding
168 sources; determine funds to assist with utility access; consider changes to zoning
169 ordinances. EDAC's suggestions focus on the city being more proactive; Ms. Divine
170 reviewed their recommendations to the council.
171
172 The Mayor remarked that this report is a wonderful piece of work and he offered thanks
173 to the group and to Council Member Roeser who brought up the concept of looking at the
174 properties. Ms. Divine added that the issue of underused or blighted properties is
175 somewhat isolated and all cities deal with them; there are no magic bullets to solve the
176 issues surrounding them. What the city can learn is that a redevelopment plan with a
177 funding source would be a key strategy to improvements.
178
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2, 2011
APPROVED
179 The council concurred to accept the report and request that the Planning and Zoning
180 Board pay particular attention to zoning as they review the zoning ordinances that could
181 helpful in light of improving the underuse of properties. The council recommended that
182 the report be available for strategic planning. Staff should return for more discussion on
183 options that move ahead with the recommendations.
184
185 7. On-Street Parking Regulations—Community Development Director Grochala
186 explained that he is responding to a resident's concern about a dump truck parking on a
187 residential street. At this time the city doesn't have any regulations on street parking that
188 would deal with this type of issue. Is the council interested in developing more
189 restrictions?
190
191 A council member noted that it can become a safety issue (due to blocking the street) and
192 it seems as if some other cities are dealing with the problem. The Police Chief said he
193 checked the location and doesn't feel the street is too narrow for emergency vehicles; he
194 wonders if a restriction on commercial vehicles may be more appropriate. Mr. Grochala
195 suggested that"commercial vehicles"may be too general; discussions with the city
196 attorney came back to size limitations. Staff will review options and report back.
197
198 8. Anoka County Fiber Project-Administrator Karlson noted that the council
199 requested additional information on this recently discussed county wide fiber connectivity
200 project. The council is receiving a chart comparing our current provider with the services
201 proposed through the new project.
202
203 9. Candidate Website Links—City Clerk Bartell noted that the council recently
204 discussed the subject of voter information and it was suggested that staff review the
205 possibility of placing candidate web site links on the city's web site for local elections.
206 The council is receiving some examples of what other cities are doing in this area and
207 staff is seeking council direction on what policy this city would like to follow in the area.
208
209 Council members concurred that they would like to provide web site links for the coming
210 elections; staff will work further on a policy to guide the web use, including a disclaimer
211 for content, and such elements as timing.
212
213 10. Charter Amendments relating to Elections—City Clerk Bartell noted recent
214 changes in the election calendar(state and federal) and staffs effort to review this city's
215 election regulations to ensure they are appropriate within the new schedule. Since the city
216 charter contains election provisions, it was reviewed and staff did identify a couple of
217 areas where changes are recommended. A calendar was distributed and Clerk Bartell
218 explained that a key date is when the city must submit its ballot language to the county
219 for ballot printing. Based on the current charter provisions,the period designed for
220 candidate filing would extend past that date of ballot submission to the county. Therefore
221 staff is recommending a change that simply indicates that the city will follow state law for
222 the filing period, thus covering any future changes also. Community Development
223 Director Grochala noted that City Charter Chapter 8 also has a timeline that is
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2, 2011
APPROVED
224 problematic with the ballot submission date moved up. The city attorney has
225 recommended language to address the change and also to clarify special election
226 references.
227
228 Ms. Bartell explained that the Charter Commission's regular meeting is coming up in July
229 and staff would like to present the proposed amendments to the commission. With a
230 positive recommendation from the Charter Commission, the amendments could be
231 approved with a unanimous affirmative vote of the council. The council concurred that
232 staff would forward the amendments to the commission.
233
234 11. Weekly Progress Report—There were no questions on the update as presented.
235 Staff will update the report to include the matter of the lease of the city facilities to the
236 school district (early childhood center).
237
238 Regular Council Agenda—There were no changes indicated to the council agenda as
239 presented. Administrator Karlson noted that he will be meeting with Washington and
240 Anoka County officials relative to the outstanding valuation question that will be
241 discussed at the continued Board of Appeal meeting before the regular council meeting.
242
243 The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
244
245 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
246 May 23, 2011.
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248
249
259. _
251 Julia e Bartell, City Jerk Jeff Reine , Mayor
252
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