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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-2011 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7,2011 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES 2 MINUTES 3 4 DATE : November 7, 2011 5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m. 6 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Gallup, O'Donnell, 7 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert 8 MEMBERS ABSENT : None 9 10 11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development 12 Director Michael Grochala; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Finance Director Al 13 Rolek; City Clerk Julie Bartell 14 1. Temporary Signage (Planning& Zoning Board Members invited to Attend) 15 -Community Development Director Grochala noted the history of the council sending 16 the matter of the city's sign regulations to the Planning&Zoning Board for review and 17 the Board's response of no further action. Mayor Reinert attended that Board meeting 18 and received questions from the members about the city's enforcement policy and process 19 for the current regulations. Members of the Planning and Zoning Board were present 20 this evening and Board Chair Paul Tralle noted that he's been in touch with the local 21 businessman who brought up the issue of business signage. The basis of that person's 22 concern is that he feels he is being treated unfairly on his signs and, even though the 23 system is complaint driven, the city should be enforcing the regulations fairly. The 24 Mayor concurred that enforcement needs to be even. The council acknowledged that the 25 Board put much time and effort into developing the current regulations. Board Member 26 Mike Hyden recalled that the Board worked hard on regulations that would be fair and 27 workable for business owners, recognizing that it would be impossible to make everyone 28 happy. 29 Community Development Director Grochala explained the city's current enforcement. 30 Typically signs that are left on the right/of/way are picked up and, if contact with the sign 31 owner is possible, that is done. Temporary signs on a premises aren't normally dealt with 32 unless there is a complaint. Last spring,he explained, the city did send out an 33 information letter that included sign requirements and included information on obtaining 34 sign permits. When there is a violation,the city allows time for compliance but does not 35 remove signs from private property for non-compliance. Signs inside of windows are not 36 regulated. Mr. Grochala suggested that sign violations are a long standing problem for 37 cities and violations are present pretty much anytime you want to go look for them. 38 The council discussed the concept of how restrictive the city should become. Mr. Tralle 39 noted that he is comfortable with some of the current regulations but feels some could be 40 reviewed, adding that the Board's process of consideration did not include a lot of 41 business input due to businesses not coming forward during the public hearing process. 42 The mayor suggested that the discussion should be about enforcement and fairness. A 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7, 2011 APPROVED 43 council member suggested a fine be attached right away so that people will think about 44 the regulations. Mr. Tralle remarked that the city's not known as particularly business 45 friendly and improving that situation was on the mind of the Board as the regulations 46 were developed. Mr. Grochala added that he doesn't believe that the city's current 47 regulations are overly restrictive. A council member suggested that the city should 48 develop more of a relationship with businesses on the sign process and regulations and 49 Mr. Tralle added that he doesn't see this as a situation calling for review of the ordinance 50 as much as for the process around the regulations; if businesses want to request a review 51 of the regulations, that is fair but he doesn't think there is much change of opinion 52 currently on the Board. The Mayor added that he believes that businesses do know what 53 the regulations are but a reminder about them may help; a council member added that 54 perhaps having the businesses sign off on a review would be helpful. Staff will follow 55 up with an educational piece to businesses. 56 2. Accessory Outdoor Storage As Interim Use—Options (from 10/24 council 57 meeting)—Community Development Director Grochala reminded the council of 58 previous discussion about this outdoor storage issue. Most recently the council asked 59 staff to look at the possibility of allowing an interim use but with a sunset clause. Staff 60 and the city attorney agree that such a planwould be ill advised. Rather, staff sees that if 61 the council wishes to amend the ordinance to allow the storage with an interim use 62 permit, staff could then take the time to thoroughly review the issue and make more 63 permanent recommendations. That would make outdoor storage available to businesses 64 as an interim use. Staff's concern is that the city is backing away and relaxing the 65 intended standards a bit but perhaps the situation calls for a comprehensive look at 66 industrial districts. The council reviewed the Superl/Lakes Building situation to ensure 67 that unintended impacts won't occur. The attorney for the business in question added that 68 the business owner is still working to minimize the situation by seeking fire department 69 approval to move certain things indoors as well as intent to follow buffering 70 recommendations. 71 3. Jason's Bobby & Steve's Auto World Access Issues (from 10/24 council meeting) 72 -Community Development Director Grochala reviewed his written report that outlines 73 the history of access to and from the Auto World business. The property has been 74 impacted by the Main Street Reconstruction Project and the 135E/CSAH 14 Interchange 75 Improvement Project and the owner of the business is seeking potential access 76 alternatives. Mr. Grochala further explained that the business location has faced some 77 challenges all along,this being the third owner. There is some anticipation for 78 improvement in the future with the probable development of some type of major retail in 79 quadrant of the business. The council discussed the long-term approach of getting some 80 physical road changes through the county and a shorter term approach of directional 81 signage. Any approach should be about the entire vicinity and not just one business 82 though. Staff will continue to work on the long and short term approaches and report 83 back to the council. 2 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7, 2011 APPROVED 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES 2 MINUTES 3 4 DATE : November 7,2011 5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m. 6 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Gallup, O'Donnell, 7 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert 8 MEMBERS ABSENT : None 9 10 11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development 12 Director Michael Grochala; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Finance Director Al 13 Rolek; City Clerk Julie Bartell 14 1. Temporary Signage(Planning& Zoning Board Members invited to Attend) 15 -Community Development Director Grochala noted the history of the council sending 16 the matter of the city's sign regulations to the Planning&Zoning Board for review and 17 the Board's response of no further action. Mayor Reinert attended that Board meeting 18 and received questions from the members about the city's enforcement policy and process 19 for the current regulations. Members of the Planning and Zoning Board were present 20 this evening and Board Chair Paul Tralle noted that he's been in touch with the local 21 businessman who brought up the issue of business signage. The basis of that person's 22 concern is that he feels he is being treated unfairly on his signs and, even though the 23 system is complaint driven,the city should be enforcing the regulations fairly. The 24 Mayor concurred that enforcement needs to be even. The council acknowledged that the 25 Board put much time and effort into developing the current regulations. Board Member 26 Mike Hyden recalled that the Board worked hard on regulations that would be fair and 27 workable for business owners, recognizing that it would be impossible to make everyone 28 happy. 29 Community Development Director Grochala explained the city's current enforcement. 30 Typically signs that are left on the right/of/way are picked up and, if contact with the sign 31 owner is possible,that is done. Temporary signs on a premises aren't normally dealt with 32 unless there is a complaint. Last spring, he explained,the city did send out an 33 information letter that included sign requirements and included information on obtaining 34 sign permits. When there is a violation,the city allows time for compliance but does not 35 remove signs from private property for non-compliance. Signs inside of windows are not 36 regulated. Mr. Grochala suggested that sign violations are a long standing problem for 37 cities and violations are present pretty much anytime you want to go look for them. 38 The council discussed the concept of how restrictive the city should become. Mr. Tralle 39 noted that he is comfortable with some of the current regulations but feels some could be 40 reviewed, adding that the Board's process of consideration did not include a lot of 41 business input due to businesses not coming forward during the public hearing process. 42 The mayor suggested that the discussion should be about enforcement and fairness. A 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7,2011 APPROVED 84 4. Tap Room License Ordinance Discussion—Community Development Director 85 Grochala reviewed the staff report noting that the council has directed staff to bring 86 forward information on amending city regulations to allow beer sales in conjunction with 87 breweries. The report lays out the council actions necessary (in the Liquor Code and 88 Zoning Code)to allow for a situation such as a tap room attached to a brewery as 89 proposed by Surly Brewing Company. City Clerk Bartell explained that state law has 90 recently been changed to allow cities to establish a licensing process and fee for a 91 brewery tap room license and she reviewed the criteria outlined in state law to allow for 92 such a license. The Mayor noted that he has taken a brewery tour and heard the reasons 93 why micro-breweries are popular and acceptable in city settings. Mr. Grochala then 94 explained that an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance would also be necessary, such as 95 adding a tap room type use to certain zoning districts. The council directed staff to bring 96 the necessary ordinances forward for council consideration. 97 5. Five-Year Financial Plan Discussion—Finance Director Rolek noted that the 98 council has received this preliminary document that it has been put together using 99 estimates from staff. The Plan contains certain assumptions on such things as tax base, 100 inflation, and expenditures. The Plan assumes increases in the area of personnel, 101 pavement management, capital equipment replacement and energy costs. It begins 102 budgeting for street reconstruction over five years but includes no park development 103 plans. When the Mayor asked about assumptions for future development, residential and 104 otherwise, and Mr. Rolek explained that assumptions are included under General Fund 105 Revenue and that they are negative assumptions until 2014 and a zero percent after that. 106 The council discussed the concept of a projected approximate $2 million gap to maintain 107 the tax rate. Mr. Rolek noted that the city would need about $600 million more in tax 108 base to generate $2 million in tax capacity. When the Mayor asked about next steps, Mr. 109 Rolek remarked that would probably be taking a look at service adjustments with council 110 direction. Administrator Karlson added that staff intends to continually evaluate staff 111 levels and services and will return with ideas on prioritizing services (strategic planning). 112 The Mayor remarked that the Plan is a guess and the council can also chose to be 113 optimistic. Mr. Rolek suggested that the council should plan on adopting something by 114 March for future planning use and, in the meantime, he will continue to work on it. 115 6. Newly Elected Officials Orientation—Administrator Karlson explained that staff is 116 putting together information to be used to orientate newly elected officials. He's 117 interested in the council's feedback, perhaps based on their experience coming into 118 office. What do they see as the most important details? Council Members recalled that 119 generally they came to city hall, received a binder of information that was then reviewed 120 by staff and then did a walk through; a council member recommended that information on 121 the police department is particularly helpful. 122 7. Weekly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the items on the 123 report. Regarding the ECFE leased space,he reviewed the steps being taken to promote 124 the leasing of that soon to be vacated area in the city complex. Regarding Charter 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7,2011 APPROVED 125 Commission appointments, City Clerk Bartell distributed the letter that was sent to the 126 District Court Judge that listed all the applicants for the eight positions on the 127 Commission. The council discussed the appointment process. The other items on the list 128 were briefly reviewed. 129 8. Health Insurance Renewal - Administrator Karlson provided a spreadsheet 130 comparing and indicating current and proposed health care costs. He reported that the 131 city is being offered a proposal for a 5%reduction in premium costs and that equates to a 132 savings of about $40,000 of budgeted costs for 2012. 133 Regular Council Agenda—The council agenda was reviewed. The council 134 elected to remove a resolution supporting the continuance of fiscal disparities that was 135 passed by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners. The council would like to learn 136 more about fiscal disparities so as to give future consideration to a position on the matter. 137 The meeting was adjourned. 138 139 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on 140 November 28, 2011. 141 142 1 143 145 Tu i. ne Bartell, City Clerk Jeff R: n- ayor 146 4 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7, 2011 APPROVED --. 84 4. Tap Room License Ordinance Discussion—Community Development Director 85 Grochala reviewed the staff report noting that the council has directed staff to bring 86 forward information on amending city regulations to allow beer sales in conjunction with 87 breweries. The report lays out the council actions necessary(in the Liquor Code and 88 Zoning Code) to allow for a situation such as a tap room attached to a brewery as 89 proposed by Surly Brewing Company. City Clerk Bartell explained that state law has 90 recently been changed to allow cities to establish a licensing process and fee for a 91 brewery tap room license and she reviewed the criteria outlined in state law to allow for 92 such a license. The Mayor noted that he has taken a brewery tour and heard the reasons 93 why micro-breweries are popular and acceptable in city settings. Mr. Grochala then 94 explained that an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance would also be necessary, such as 95 adding a tap room type use to certain zoning districts. The council directed staff to bring 96 the necessary ordinances forward for council consideration. 97 5. Five-Year Financial Plan Discussion—Finance Director Rolek noted that the 98 council has received this preliminary document that it has been put together using 99 estimates from staff The Plan contains certain assumptions on such things as tax base, 100 inflation, and expenditures. The Plan assumes increases in the area of personnel, 101 pavement management, capital equipment replacement and energy costs. It begins 102 budgeting for street reconstruction over five years but includes no park development 103 plans. When the Mayor asked about assumptions for future development, residential and 104 otherwise, and Mr. Rolek explained that assumptions are included under General Fund 105 Revenue and that they are negative assumptions until 2014 and a zero percent after that. 106 The council discussed the concept of a projected approximate $2 million gap to maintain 107 the tax rate. Mr. Rolek noted that the city would need about $600 million more in tax 108 base to generate $2 million in tax capacity. When the Mayor asked about next steps, Mr. 109 Rolek remarked that would probably be taking a look at service adjustments with council 110 direction. Administrator Karlson added that staff intends to continually evaluate staff 111 levels and services and will return with ideas on prioritizing services (strategic planning). 112 The Mayor remarked that the Plan is a guess and the council can also chose to be 113 optimistic. Mr. Rolek suggested that the council should plan on adopting something by 114 March for future planning use and, in the meantime, he will continue to work on it. 115 6. Newly Elected Officials Orientation—Administrator Karlson explained that staff is 116 putting together information to be used to orientate newly elected officials. He's 117 interested in the council's feedback, perhaps based on their experience coming into 118 office. What do they see as the most important details? Council Members recalled that 119 generally they came to city hall, received a binder of information that was then reviewed 120 by staff and then did a walk through; a council member recommended that information on 121 the police department is particularly helpful. 122 7. Weekly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the items on the 123 report. Regarding the ECFE leased space, he reviewed the steps being taken to promote 124 the leasing of that soon to be vacated area in the city complex. Regarding Charter 3