HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-2017 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
September 5, 2017
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE September 5, 2017
5 TIME STARTED 6*35 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 9:40 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Rafferty, Kusterman,
8 Maher, Manthey and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT None
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Safety Director John
12 Swenson; Community Development Director Grochala; Finance Director Sarah Cotton;
13 Public Services Director DeGardner; City Clerk Julie Bartell.
14 1. Shoreview Public Works Tour —Depart City Hall at 5:30pm
15 2. West Shadow Lake and LaMotte Project Update- City Engineer Hankee
16 reviewed her written update. The project is moving forward with inspections and
17 planning for neighborhood meetings. Website updates will be available near the end of
18 the month. Staff has received a lot of calls from residents who are very happy that the
19 project is moving forward, on both streets.
20 2.5 Trunk Utility Connection Fee Report —City Engineer Hankee reviewed a
21 PowerPoint presentation outlining:
22
23 - how and why fees are currently charged;
24 - the types of connection charges (sewer and water);
25 - proposed connection fees;
26 - the option of splitting the fees, to be collected at different points (trunk and connection);
27 - the reduction represented by the recommended fee structure;
28
29 An example of a new commercial development and the fees they would be charged was
30 shown. Ms. Hankee pointed out that the study looked at what other communities charge
31 and the recommendation is more in line with those findings.
32
33 Mayor Reinert clarified that the new fee structure would reduce the burden for a new
34 business locating to an existing property in the city.
35
36 Community Development Director Grochala explained that, if the council concurs with
37 the new structure, staff intends to put the information into the city code; it's been
38 displayed in resolution to this point.
39 3. Police Body Worn Cameras —Public Safety Director Swenson reviewed his
40 written staff report. The Public Safety Department is in the process of establishing a
41 body camera process and policy for the department. State statute dictates some
42 requirements regarding the establishment of this policy. The report is provided for
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 5, 2017
APPROVED
43 informational purposes. The council discussed the use of forfeiture funds (related to the
44 assignment of an officer to the Drug Task Force) for certain capital purposes, including
45 the cameras. He explained that the force currently has squad cameras and so they are
46 attempting to match the platform of the new cameras with the current equipment.
47 4. Textile Recycling/Reuse -Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson and
48 Maddy Pelon, Recycling Intern introduced Paul Gardner, Waste Zero, the contractor who
49 would be involved in the proposed program. Mr. Asleson noted the amount of textiles
50 that are thrown into the garbage and that this program is a way to possibly put a dent in
51 that. Ms. Pelon explained how the program would work. Residents would have bags
52 accessible to them, they could fill them with unneeded textiles, and they would be picked
53 up on recycling day. It would cost the city nothing and the city would actually receive
54 funds. Mr. Gardner explained the demand for the materials, to thrift stores, overseas and
55 to grading facilities. Mr. Gardner noted that people are still throwing away 85% of their
56 used textiles and materials so there is a large market to tap.
57
58 Council Member Kusterman noted that accepting electronics could lead to people putting
59 too much junk on the street for pick up and you could have a garbage situation.
60
61 When Council Member Rafferty asked how the cost of mailings, etc, is covered, Mr.
62 Gardner said they are covered by Waste Zero as part of their program.
63
64 The action requested by staff is to have the city attorney look at a proposed agreement for
65 this program and then for staff to bring the contract forward for council authorization.
66
67 Council Member Maher said she's excited about the program; she clarified that this
68 would not involve another garbage truck cruising the neighborhood; the company uses a
69 transit van.
70
71 Mayor Reinert remarked that it's a neat program but it may have some undesirable
72 aspects. With the attorney looking at the contract, there will be time for the council to
73 think further. The council concurred to have the contract reviewed. Mayor Reinert
74 suggested that council members contact Mr. Gardner with any questions.
75
76 Council Member Manthey asked if the council could receive references/information from
77 other cities who are participating.
78 5. Proposed Asphalt Plant in City of Columbus- City Planner Larsen explained
79 that staff has pulled together some basic information since the council has requested more
w detail. This project is not located within the city so staff has limited data. Ms. Larsen
81 noted that a site plan was included in the council packet. She explained what the
82 company is requesting from the City of Columbus and what the project would entail.
83 Staff did receive a public hearing notice from Columbus and sent back comments on the
84 negative impacts to Lino Lakes. Ms. Larsen noted the petition that was submitted
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 5, 2017
APPROVED
85 requesting an environmental assessment. That element is currently under consideration.
86
87 Mayor Reinert remarked that these facilities obviously exist in the metro area. He asked
88 about the reality of fumes and particles mentioned by the resident who spoke at open
89 mike. Ms. Larsen said the environmental assessment would provide that type of
90 information.
91
92 Community Development Director Grochala said the project is basically on hold with the
93 City of Columbus until the environmental assessment question is answered.
94
95 Council Member Maher noted the proposed traffic and heard that the only access would
96 be 20t' Avenue. Staff remarked that some of the trucks, depending on their planned
97 destination, may be going through Lino Lakes. Community Development Director
98 Grochala remarked that the biggest concern for the city could be appearance, with it being
99 located at the gateway to Lino Lakes. City Planner Larsen added that Running Aces has
100 come out strongly in opposition to the project.
101
102 Mayor Reinert said he encourages the council to contact Columbus officials in
103 opposition.
104
105 6. Prepay General Obligation Improvement Note of 2009- Finance Director
106 Cotton reviewed the written report requesting authorization to prepay a general obligation
107 note associated with the 35W Interchange Project. The prepayment would save the city
1o8 about $100,000 in interest. She cannot think of a downside to moving forward. Mayor
109 Reinert asked where the benefit of $100,000 will show. Ms. Cotton explained that the
110 city's debt service obligation will decrease within the MSA account.
ill 6. City Hall Phone Coverage —Mayor Reinert said he brought this concern
112 forward and he asked Administrator Karlson to report. He recalls that there was a
113 mandate some years ago about people always getting a voice when they call.
114
115 Administrator Karlson said this comes down to coordinating schedules better, such as
116 with vacations and lunches. He explained that sometimes someone is busy and they put
117 on their "do not disturb" and that causes transferring. He is going to make sure that if
118 someone is gone, it will be covered. It's an important element of the services provided to
119 the public.
120 7. 2018 Budget &Tax Levy- Mayor Reinert first noted that you come to a certain
121 evolution as a city. Back in 2003, the city put together a road repair and maintenance
122 plan and the council has ramped that up to meet the need. He is now thinking about the
123 parks and maybe it is time to do that same kind of study (assets, age and replacement
124 need). That makes more sense than an uncoordinated approach.
125
126 Public Services Director DeGardner distributed data (Existing Playground Equipment
fel
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September 5, 2017
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127 Replacement Timeline). Mayor Reinert said he's maybe looking for more
128 comprehensive information. He is hearing that the council is unanimously dedicated to
129 funding in the 2018 budget; a plan could come forward in parallel with funding set aside.
130
131 Council Member Kusterman added that the Park Board should have a role as well.
132
133 Mayor Reinert remarked that the Public Services Director has much of the information
134 already and he could decide if he can put it (a plan) together or if he'd like to bring
135 someone in. The council concurred.
136
137 Finance Director Cotton reviewed the written report on the preliminary 2018 budget.
138 She noted the adjustments to the budget that have occurred based on past council
139 discussion. She has updated as well the calculation for fiscal disparities, anticipated
140 2017 surplus (Ms. Cotton has gone over the 2017 budget line by line and is confident in
141 the number presented).
142
143 Mayor Reinert noted that the general fund levy is increasing by 11 % and the overall levy
144 increase is lower but that is related to debt service payoffs.
145
146 City Administrator Karlson further noted that staff has included some suggestions to
147 utilize surplus funds.
148
149 Council Member Kusterman said his preference would be to set up contributions to
150 investments in the future rather than spending the surplus funds on one-time projects.
151
152 The council discussed the possibility of dedicating some of the $300,000 budget surplus
153 to the previously discussed park plan. Mayor Reinert said he'd be supportive but would
154 like to see the plan come forward first. Council Member Rafferty noted that the city plan
155 for paths is just as important as parks because they serve an element of the city's
156 population.
157
158 Council Member Kusterman noted that staff has mentioned the possibility of funding
159 development of the rec land and he'd like to hear more about that; he thinks that an area
160 that serves the city and is that large could be good for the future of the city and create
161 excitement for both the north and south side of the city.
162
163 Public Services Director DeGardner noted that, with recent discussion of the rec land as a
164 possible location of a new water tower, staff has been looking at a preliminary basic
165 master plan for the land so that if a tower project occurred, the city could take advantage
166 of grading and other work to plan for future park improvements.
167
168 Mayor Reinert pondered the possibility of self -bonding for an athletic complex and that
169 would allow other use of the surplus funding. Council Member Kustennan noted that
170 utilizing the surplus as debt service on a self -bonded project would leverage more capital.
171
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172 Mayor Reinert said he hears enough interest to keep the conversation going (amounts,
173 mechanisms, etc.) Council Member Manthey suggested that the possibility of the rec
174 land should be presented in the discussions with the school district.
175
176 Regarding the $300,000, the mayor feels there is momentum to utze those funds so the
177 budget can go forward.
178
179 The council discussed staff s suggestion for a levy to the Capital Equipment Replacement
18o fund and additional funding for municipal building maintenance (that is currently funded
181 through cell phone antennae lease revenue). After a full discussion of the benefit of
182 issuing certificates, the council heard from Director DeGardner that the building
183 maintenance fund is not adequate for current and future identified needs. Mayor Reinert
184 asked for more detailed information at the next meeting on those needs.
185
186 Based on the council ability to further discuss the budget until December, the mayor said
187 he feels the group is comfortable moving ahead with preliminary approval. He directed
188 staff to look further at self bonding. The preliminary levy rate will be 42.474.
189 8. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update -Community Development Director
190 Grochala reviewed his written report and outlined those areas that are under review. Lane
191 use is the topic being discussed with Planning and Zoning and they will move to
192 transportation in the coming month. Also surface water and natural resources will be
193 discussed ahead. Mayor Reinert asked about density and Mr. Grochala said the goal is
194 not moving on the density number. The few land use changes are mainly post 2040.
195 9. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions, City Council -There were no
196 updates.
197 10. Monthly Progress Report -Administrator Karlson updated the council. He
198 noted the recent decision on the White Bear Lake lawsuit.
199 11. Review Regular Agenda -The agenda for the next regular council meeting was
20o reviewed and there were no changes.
201
202 The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
203
204 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at
205 September 25, 2017.
206 � 1
207
208 Juli e Bartell, City
209
regular �ncil meeting held on
Jeff Rei/fidrt! Mayor
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