HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-2011 Council Minutes (2) CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 3, 2011
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : October 3, 2011
5 TIME STARTED : 5:50 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 7:45 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; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; Public Services
14 Director Rick DeGardner; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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16 1. City Hall Skate Park Closure (from 9/26 Open Mike)—Public Services Director
17 DeGardner reviewed his memorandum outlining the reasons for closure of the skate park.
18 Problems, including incidents of vandalism, have occurred about the skate park and
19 despite efforts to curb problems and gain information on those involved, the problems
20 continued. Therefore the Park Board voted unanimously to close the facility. He
21 acknowledges that it could be a small percentage of the people using the facility that are
22 causing the damages however, unless they can be stopped he recommends that the facility
23 remain closed.
24 Mayor Reinert remarked that the skate park came to fruition when he was a member of
25 the Park Board and he's sad to see it go because it is the type of thing that kids really
26 want now.
27 Zac Hoppe, Lino Lakes resident, noted that he supports keeping the park open. He
28 suggested that graffiti is really a part of nature of a skate park and it's going to happen.
29 The City of Centerville has installed cameras to monitor their skate park facility. Mr.
30 DeGardner responded that graffiti isn't something that all park users can tolerate; the city
31 cannot tolerate $4,000 in damages as those done to the park facilities.
32 Mayor Reinert noted that the skate park equipment is mobile and he wonders if it could
33 be moved to a more visible location. He wouldn't recommend an area close to residences
34 but perhaps some place where it could be watched better. Mr. Hoppe concurred with that
35 suggestion.
36 A council member questioned if vandalism is always met with closing of facilities. He
37 also noted that he spoke with a skate boarding neighbor who explained that there is an
38 element of art/attitude involved with the sport. He concurs with the idea of finding
39 another location for the facility—without it, the skateboarders will find other less
40 appropriate spots to board. He suggests that staff take a look at what other cities are
41 doing as well as involving the skateboarders in the discussion. The mayor suggested that
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 3,2011
APPROVED
42 the council have more discussion on the matter at a future meeting; Mr. Hoppe should be
43 kept up to speed.
44 2. Maintenance of Island at Civic Complex—Administrator Karlson noted that
45 there have been comments from council members and city residents about the garden area
46 outside the front door of city hall in that it doesn't appear to be well kept as a city facility
47 should. The area immediately next to the building and entrances are planned for, and in
48 some cases have received, irrigation, plantings and mulch. There are some sidewalk
49 improvements planned that require a delay in working on the area directly adjacent to the
50 council chamber walls. He understands that the Environmental Board is not in favor of
51 changes to the island in the front.
52 Council and mayor comments included that it appears to be too much of the "prairie
53 look"that isn't really appropriate for the front of a government building; the city has
54 development standards and the current landscape may not meet them; perhaps the
55 community would like to decide how the area should be handled.
56 Community Development Director Grochala explained that the City facility was built
57 within a park and was intended to blend in and embrace the natural environment where it
58 was being located. As far as landscaping standards, native areas are allowed although
59 they tend to look different and that can generate concerns. There actually was a study
60 done previously (2003) for the center island; there was no decision made to go forward at
61 that time. It suggested a hybrid situation with some formal planting beds.
62 A council member suggested that the city facility is the "people's place" and he thinks it
63 should be a first class facility. He sees weeds thinks the landscaping should be done more
64 professionally, including the whole city hall area, not just the island. There is natural
65 environment surrounding the building.
66 The council suggested getting input from both the Environmental Board and residents.
67 Public Services Director DeGardner suggested that landscaping changes wouldn't be too
68 complex but he recommends moving quickly if the council wishes to make changes;
69 landscaping costs in the fall are far less costly than in the spring. As far as maintenance
70 of the whole area, this has been a difficult period and it will be addressed better next year.
71 He can put together some ideas for council review at the next work session.
72 3. Organized Solid Waste Collection -Administrator Karlson noted that the
73 council recently received a letter from a city resident requesting consideration of
74 organized waste collection. He has provided some research information on the issue; he
75 was involved somewhat when the same matter was considered in the City of Coon
76 Rapids. It tends to be a passionate issue fueled by the haulers and people's general
77 concern about loss of choice. Looking at the research, it appears there are some
78 advantages to an organized system that are laid out in the research.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 3,2011
APPROVED
79 The mayor recalled that the matter was put to the people many years ago. The right to
80 choose is a big factor. A council member noted concern about involving government in
81 this role.
82 The council heard about the city's current system of limiting services to four companies
83 and having zones for daily pickups.
84 City resident Robert Bening noted that he is in favor of having organized pick up because
85 of the benefit of reduced truck traffic. One of the things that can be done is zoning-
86 divide the city into areas and let haulers bid to keep the competitive element. He also
87 suggested the possibility of having just one company do recycling.
88 A council member suggested that the subject is an individual decision rather than one
89 belonging to government. The mayor suggested that the council keep the discussion
90 going to see if there is another way rather than an all or nothing change. A council
91 member suggested that encouraging businesses to act to be more efficient (less trucks)
92 and save money could be the answer.
93 4. Weekly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the report, indicating
94 that the list of items has grown since several items have been added during the course of
95 this meeting. There was discussion about the Early Childhood/Family Education Center
96 Lease and prospective tenants who could take that space when it is vacated.
97 The council briefly discussed the current Charter Commission appointment process. The
98 period for receiving applications for current openings will end on October 30. Also there
99 is one opening on the Planning and Zoning Board that will need to be filled.
100 5. Mayor and Council Salaries—Administrator Karlson noted that periodically the
101 council needs to review its salary level; the last time it was reviewed was 2007. In order
102 to consider a change, the council would have to adopt an ordinance (requiring two
103 readings) before the municipal election. The mayor suggested that an automatic
104 adjustment, perhaps tied to staff salary actions, would probably work best and be fair.
105 The City Administrator will work on an ordinance based on the council's discussion.
106 6. Review October 10 Council Agenda—Items on the agenda were reviewed.
107 There were no changes to the regular Council agenda.
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109 The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
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111 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
112 October 24, 2011. _
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117 Julia" e Bartell, City Clerk Jeff R•in-rt, Mayor
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