HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-2011 Council Minutes (2) CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 24,2011
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : October 24,2011
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 6:30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member 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; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Finance Director Al
14 Rolek; Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine; City Attorney Jay
15 Squires; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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17 REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS- CITY COUNCIL AGENDA OF
18 OCTOBER 24,2011
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20 4A) Resolution No. 11-111, Contract for Prosecution Services with Geck,Duea &
21 Olson,PLLC—Public Safety Director Swenson explained that staff has looked at the
22 city's contract for prosecution services to ensure that we are getting the best price. They
23 looked at three possibilities(outlined in staff report) and determined that Geck, Duea&
24 Olson has the best option. He added that staff did not review this because of poor services
25 on the part of the current provider but only to possibly save money. He introduced
26 Attorney Robb Olson who would be providing services to the city through his firm as of
27 January 1, 2012. Mr. Olson told the council that he has lived in Lino Lakes for 20 years,
28 he is currently serving the City of White Bear Lake as prosecutor and he feels that he has a
29 lot to offer to this city. He plans to bring an assistant on board to help with the additional
30 duties and he promises to do top level work at all times. He is interested in getting to
31 know the police officers to better provide representation. He asked that the council feel
32 free to contact him at any time with questions or concerns. A council member asked about
33 the possibility of service sharing with other area cities and Chief Swenson said he'd have
34 to check further on that possibility.
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36 4B) Resolution No. 11-112,Acceptance of grant funds from Citizen Corps Program—
37 Public Safety Director Swenson reviewed the staff letter noting that the council asked, in
38 their planning session this year,that staff seek addition grant money and encourage
39 additional volunteerism in the community. The opportunity for this grant funding has
40 arisen and it would not only provide for additional CERT training materials but could also
41 add hours to the time that department's Community Relations Coordinator can recruit and
42 use volunteers for the city. He reviewed the outcomes that are required for the grant. A
43 council member confirmed that the full time status of the department position is not
44 guaranteed in the future but is contingent upon this grant money. When the Mayor asked if
45 there is an optimum number of volunteers the city should seek, Chief Swenson suggested
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 24, 2011
APPROVED
46 that the volunteers themselves will let him know because, if they aren't engaged, they will
�. 47 stop showing up. He added that volunteers receive training through the city in areas like
48 disaster planning and reserve services and for those areas he feels you can never have
49 enough volunteers ready to step forward. The Explorer program is a great educational
50 device for young people interested in law enforcement and the office helpers are providing
51 great services. He thinks there are yet untapped resources out there though.
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53 6A) Resolution 11-105 Approving Twin City Gateway Budget for 2012—Economic
54 Development Coordinator Divine explained that the council must review the annual
55 budget of the area tourism bureau. She briefly reviewed the budget, noting in particular
56 the additional revenue to the city due to increased room nights.
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58 6B) Public Hearing and Resolution No. 11-108,Adopting Assessments, I-35E/CSAH
59 14 Interchange Improvements—Community Development Director Grochala noted that
60 the council will be holding a hearing this evening to consider the assessments proposed for
61 the interchange project. He noted that those assessed have the opportunity to reserve their
62 right to legal appeal of the assessments through this hearing process. He reviewed the
63 project cost and city assessment amount and Attorney Squires explained the assessment
64 process as it is defined by Minnesota Statutes and the city charter. The assessments have
65 been calculated on an area wide basis, therefore there are some properties proposed to be
66 assessed that do not directly abut the project. Based on the statute requirement that
67 assessment amounts must correlate with increased property value, he has worked with staff
68 who have worked with a professional appraiser to ensure the assessments are appropriate.
'-- 69 Deferments for the assessments are available under state law and city policy. Mr. Grochala
70 added that all those property owners who have written letters on the matter are eligible for
71 deferral. Attorney Squires added that letters from property owners are not unusual in this
72 type of proceeding since that is the vehicle to reserve the right of appeal. Staff is
73 recommending that the council move forward with the resolution as the appeal process
74 allows for further discussion if that is necessary. When a council member asked about what
75 funding source would cover deferrals, Mr. Grochala noted that staff would arrange for
76 interim funding through MSA (Municipal State Aid)money.
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78 6C) Zoning Ordinance Amendment—Accessory Outdoor Storage as Interim Use;
79 The City Council will consider one of the two following actions:
80 i. Consider Resolution Number 11-109, Denying the request to amend the
81 Zoning Ordinance.
82 ii. Consider 1st Reading of Ordinance No. 21-11, Amending
83 Section 8 of the Zoning Ordinance to Allow Exterior Storage
84 as an Accessory Use by Interim Use Permit in the Light Industrial zoning district.
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86 Community Development Director Grochala explained the history of this matter of a
87 request of Lakes Building Components, Inc.'s request that the city's zoning ordinance be
88 amended to allow outdoor storage as an accessory use within the Light Industrial Zoning
89 District. The amendment was considered by the Planning and Zoning Board and, after
90 much discussion, the Board remained deadlocked and therefore forwards the matter to the
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 24,2011
APPROVED
91 council without recommendation. The city's Economic Development Advisory
92 Committee voted favorably to support the amendment. Staff is recommending denial of
93 the amendment with the understanding and maintaining businesses in the city is important
94 but questioning whether or not it is proper location for the storage. When the council
95 asked what approval of the amendment would open the door to, staff explained that
96 others could come forward and request an interim use permit to store outdoors in the
97 same manner. The mayor remarked that he sees that the company is in need of some
98 leniency in order to keep operating and the council is not supportive of shutting them
99 down. The council suggested the possibility of allowing the use with a sunset period and
100 City Attorney Squires remarked that there may be a way to craft an ordinance narrowly.
101 The council concurred that the matter should be postponed at the council meeting in order
102 to allow more work session discussion by the council with the Mayor adding that
103 protecting the city's neighborhood also remains a priority.
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105 The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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107 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
108 November 14, 2011.
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113 Juli. e Bartell, City Clerk Jeff R-i -rt, Mayor
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