HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-2011 Council Minutes (3) •
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 26,2011
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : September 26, 2011
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 6:20 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 Karlson; Community Development
13 Director Michael Grochala; City Engineer Jason Wedel; Director of Public Safety John
14 Swenson; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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16 1) Fence at 1205 Buckthorn Lane—City Engineer Wedel noted that this is a discussion
17 continued from the last work session regarding an easement encroachment application for
18 a fence. The application was not approved by staff because of the presence of a utility
19 and drainage easement on the property. The property owners appealed that decision and
20 the council asked staff to look further at the city's regulations as well as similar
21 regulations in other cities. Mr. Wedel noted that his research did determine that the city's
22 ordinances do not contain language that restricts fences from being located within
23 drainage and utility easements that contain underground utilities (such as this case) but
24 rather the restriction is listed on the city's Easement Encroachment Agreement form.
25 Regarding his contact with other cities, he noted that three out of eleven cities are
26 consistent with Lino Lakes while the other eight cities allow fences subject to engineering
27 review. He added that the city's current ordinance does require that a fence owner would
28 be responsible for removing the fence if necessary. Mr. Wedel pointed out that
29 historically the city's easements were included with the original platting so the property
30 was acquired with the easements in place. If the city council were to move forward with
31 allowing this fence, conditions are recommended including full recording to the property
32 records, requirement of a gate and that ponds not be included.
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34 The council discussed the possibility of allowing the fence including the ability of the city
35 to charge for fence removal if necessary. The city engineer suggested that it would be
36 difficult to charge for the actual removal but the replacement and repair would clearly be
37 the responsibility of the property owner.
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39 The council concurred that the fence will be allowed under current regulations with
40 conditions determined by the city engineer.
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42 2) Review Regular Agenda
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44 Item 3A, Recommendation to reclassify one staff position and eliminate two staff
�..- 45 positions—Administrator Karlson reviewed his organizational assessment document.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 26,2011
APPROVED
46 The assessment included meeting with employees with a goal of identifying ways to be
47 more effective and efficient. He noted the list of recommendations made by employees
48 and that he agrees with what was brought forward. The report contains recommendations
49 regarding reclassification of some positions (some of which have already been approved
50 by the council) as well as the elimination of two positions— Senior Planner and Director
51 of Administration. The mayor commended the City Administrator on completing the
52 assessment; he recognizes the goals are good and they include no loss of services for the
53 residents.
54
55 Item 4A, Ordinance No. 19-11, Amending the City's Animal Control Regulations-
56 Public Safety Director Swenson noted that the city's regulations in this area have been
57 under review for some time (began previous to his arrival). A recent enforcement action
58 related to a dangerous animal brought to light the need to refine some areas of the
59 regulations. The changes include the elimination of any"potentially dangerous"
60 designation, with findings being that either an animal is dangerous or not. Staff is also
61 recommending a change in the area of the appeals process whereby appeals would be
62 handled by a hearing officer; assignment of that position will be done by the council
63 possibly with the annual appointments. The council concurred with the changes and
64 added that they would discuss the matter of appointing a hearing officer at a future work
65 session.
66
67 Item 4B, Ordinance No. 20-11, Amending the City's Unclaimed Property
68 Regulations—Public Safety Director Swenson explained that because the city's current
69 regulations require that unclaimed property be disposed of by a certain type of public
70 auction, the city is not getting maximum value and is also having to hold onto property
71 longer(thus resulting in come complaints about unsightly storage situations). He
72 recommends the changes as they will make for a better process.
73
74 Item 6A, Resolution No. 11-97, Calling for Hearing on Interchange Assessments-
75 Community Development Director Grochala explained that setting a public hearing
76 continues the process of assessments for the I35E/CSAH 14 Interchange Project. The
77 public hearing is proposed for October 24. All impacted property owners will be noticed
78 and given an opportunity to speak on the matter as well as appeal the assessments at the
79 hearing.
80
81 Item 6B, Resolution No. 11-98,Approving Letter of Understanding with the City of
82 Centerville for a 21st Av Park and Ride and Road Improvement Project-
83 Community Development Director Grochala explained that staff is working with the
84 Metropolitan Council and the City of Centerville on the addition of a park and ride
85 facility. The project would also require some road improvements. A preliminary
86 engineering study is called for and is being proposed by WSB. The resolution would
87 authorize execution of a Letter of Understanding with the City of Centerville regarding a
88 general understanding of the project at this point.
89
90 The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 26, 2011
APPROVED
91
92 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
93 October 10, 2011.
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9: . e Bartell, City,Cler Jeff 'ei,e , ' ayor
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