HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2010 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 1,2010
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : February 1,2010
5 TIME STARTED : 5:40 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 9:30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell (6:15),
8 Rafferty,Roeser and Mayor Reinert(6:00)
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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12 Staff members present: Acting City Administrator Dan Tesch; Community Development
13 Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Safety&Police Chief Dave Pecchia; City
14 Engineer Jim Studenski; Finance Director Al Rolek; Director of Public Services Rick
15 DeGardner; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Clerk Julie Bartell.
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17 6. City Administrator Search—Acting Administrator Tesch reported that the search
18 process begun last year brought forward five finalists and he understands they are still
19 interested. He has been attempting to coordinate meetings for candidates to be
20 interviewed by the council. Regarding the interview process,he is researching questions
21 from past interviews and will share that information with council members as it comes
22 together. He confirmed that the two members new to the council (Roeser and Rafferty)
23 are no less informed on the process than other members.
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25 The council requested that Mr. Tesch get the meetings set up as soon as possible.
26
27 8. Update on establishing 501(c)3 for Lino Lakes Volunteers in Police Services
28 Organization - Chief Pecchia updated the council on the process underway to set up this
29 volunteer organization that will raise funds for police volunteer activities. He has spoken
30 with the League of Minnesota Cities and the city attorney about the organization and its
31 association with the city; they have given a"thumbs up". The appropriate paperwork will
32 be prepared by the group with police department staff Karen Anderson and then
33 submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.
34
35 Council Packet Item #3A,Advisory Board Appointments-Acting Administrator
36 Tesch recalled that the council had recently interviewed applicants for advisory board
37 appointments, had voted on those appointments and the results are presented for formal
38 council approval. He added that the council had also indicated they would like to offer
39 appointment to the Economic Development Advisory Committee to the two applicants
40 who were not selected for other openings;he will be contacting those individuals as to
41 their interest. Mr. Tesch also noted that of the three openings on the Park Board, one is a
42 partial term and he would like the council to indicate which applicant they chose for that
43 position. The council concurred that the incumbent applicants would be appointed to the
44 two full term positions and the new applicant to the partial term position.
45
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 1,2010
APPROVED
46 3. Environmental Board Goals for 2010—Environmental Coordinator Asleson
47 introduced Environmental Board Vice Chair Barbara Bor who reviewed the goals set by
48 the Board for 2010. The goals are fully set forth in Resolution No. 10-12.
49
50 1. Birch Street Corridor Study—Community Development Director Grochala
51 explained that the city is working with Anoka County on studying and planning for the
52 Birch Street corridor. Anoka County commissioned SRF Consulting Group to complete
53 a study on the corridor that responds to concerns expressed by residents and will assist in
54 coordinating future land use and transportation planning decisions. The findings of that
55 study will be presented.
56
57 Brian Shorten and John Hagen, SRF Consulting,presented the findings of the study.
58 Also present was Jack Corkle of Anoka County. Mr. Shorten reviewed the objectives of
59 the study—to improve safety, improve mobility and to coordinate transportation
60 improvements and land use decisions. He reviewed the study approach,public
61 involvement in the study process,the safety element as well as improvement concepts and
62 evaluation. He added comments about how much of the corridor traffic is generated
63 locally(over 60%),the impact on traffic if County Road J is improved(1,000 cars
64 estimated)and the possibility of staging improvements (over a 30 year period).
65
66 Mr. Hagen continued the presentation by discussing guidelines developed based on group
67 recommendations—when signals should be installed(when safety needs require it) and
68 possible use of painted medians prior to permanent. He discussed the following that
69 would be planned improvements: a signal and turn lane at Ware Road and Birch Street; a
70 signal at West Shadow Lake Drive; and turn lane improvements at the school. He
71 showed the council a large map that included staging possibilities. He discussed right of
72 way issues, noting that people generally don't want any or at most minimal
73 encroachment, as well as discussion of the speed concerns.
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75 The council confirmed that Spirit Hills mall businesses have been involved in the study.
76 A council member asked for discussion about using trees and other greenery instead of
77 concrete for medians. County Engineer Corkle responded that using greenery is a
78 possibility on the fringes but in the central median area, it can be a safety issue;
79 maintenance of greenery can also be an issue since it would fall to the city. The council
80 suggested that the median concept will require more discussion.
81
82 In finalizing the discussion,the council was told that the Plan will eventually be presented
83 for approval. The Anoka County engineer added that the Plan is already different in some
84 respects from the usual approach of doing larger projects all at once. She added that
85 safety on the roadway is of course the bottom line for the county.
86
87 2. 35W/County Road 14 Interchange Request(from 1-11-2010 council meeting)-
88 Community Development Director Grochala reported that Mr. James Landsberger, 7849
89 Main Street,presented a letter to the city council requesting improvements at the
L, 90 intersection of 35W and Main Street. Mr. Grochala reviewed the history of an
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 1,2010
APPROVED
91 interchange proposal at that intersection that dates back to the 1990's. That concept never
92 reached a funding stage. Rather a preferred alignment that reroutes Main Street further
93 north to tie into 80th Street emerged. Any improvements involving I35W would be a
94 major undertaking and would have to be justified up front by higher traffic volumes. He
95 estimates that improvements could be as far out as 30 years. Mr. Grochala did point out
96 that trail improvements on the current overpass and are on the radar screen for federal
97 funding in 2013 and 2014.
98
99 Mr. Landsberger spoke to the matter of traffic pattern increases at the overpass and also
100 the development of adjacent roadways. He asks that the city keep improvements to the
101 current overpass alive as a possibility.
102
103 The mayor explained to Mr. Landsberger that the city doesn't have jurisdiction over the
104 county/federal roadway planning process. Mr. Landsberger added that local support is a
105 key element, however. The council heard Mr. Landsberger's account of the history of the
106 city of Lino Lakes pulling its support for improvements to the intersection.
107
108 County Engineer Jack Corkle remarked that the county just recently redecked the bridge
109 and that is a sign that the bridge will be usable for at least 20 years ahead. She added that
110 the connection to the roadway going through the park reserve brings with it the additional
111 challenge of working in an environmentally sensitive area.
112
113 Mr. Landsberger remarked that if the growth/volume does come to the intersection of
114 Main Street and 35W instead of the proposed northerly alignment, he would like to know
115 that the city(council) will support improvements there.
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117 The council concurred that any decision about improvement appears to be well down the
118 road and most likely would be considered by a future council. The Mayor agreed to keep
119 an open forum on the matter.
120
121 4. 2011 Budget—Finance Director Rolek explained that staff is presenting no written
122 report on this item but is suggesting that the council continue their budget discussions by
123 setting a budget work session. This would allow the council and staff to discuss ideas
124 that have come up, strategic policies, funding, revenue generators and expenditure
125 controls. He believes that would be a health way to have conversations about the 2011
126 budget. The council concurred that such a meeting should be set up as soon as possible.
127 Acting Administrator Tesch suggested that he will work to set up a meeting,probably at
128 the end of March. A council member remarked that it is important to get to work on the
129 budget, noting that there are some outstanding issues and impacts grow the longer it takes
130 to settle them (such as labor contracts). The council would like to see budget projections
131 including those outstanding items as soon as possible. As well,the ideas submitted by
132 the council last year should be brought forward for discussion. A council member added
133 that he'd like to see budget considerations include discussion of building a fund for road
134 improvements.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 1, 2010
APPROVED
136 5. Chomonix Golf Course Liquor License—City Clerk Bartell reviewed her staff
\.., 137 report indicating that Anoka County has submitted an application for an on-sale liquor
138 license for Chomonix Golf Course. The course has long held a 3.2 on-sale license that
139 allows them to sell beer in the clubhouse and from a beverage cart going throughout the
140 course. The golf course has long been interested in obtaining a wine/strong beer license
141 but cannot qualify because of certain food requirements associated with a wine license.
142 After determining through the state liquor inspector that the course facilities qualify as a
143 restaurant,the county has decided to pursue the full liquor license although they indicate
144 that from a risk management standpoint they only intend to sell strong beer and wine for
145 at least the initial licensing period. Ms. Bartell's reviewed the information included in the
146 report on a survey that provided insight on other cities with golf courses licensed to sell
147 liquor or beer.
148
149 Ms. Bartell reported that the work on this license process also revealed a requirement in
150 the city's liquor code for a conditional use permit for any outdoor serving. Since the
151 zoning code doesn't address such a requirement, the city attorney has advised that the
152 language be removed from the liquor code. A zoning code amendment will be drafted
153 that will address a golf course/restaurant use.
154
155 Both the liquor license request and the liquor code amendment will be presented to the
156 council when the staff work on them is complete.
157
158 The council had no specific comments on the liquor license matter other than to suggest
159 that there should be a requirement that the golf course notify the city if they increase their
160 beverage service past that which is covered by their risk management(insurance).
161
162 7. Procedural Ideas (Mayor Reinert)—The mayor offered the following suggestions:
163
164 a) Advisory Boards-the council should meet with all the advisory boards;
165 b) Council directions—Staff should compile directions given by the council
166 (at work sessions and council meetings) and forward them to the council the day after the
167 meeting for concurrence;
168 c) Time and Action Report -Develop a system to follow ideas and
169 initiatives; staff should draft a format for this report/process;
170 d) Grant Challenge—Staff should be challenged to seek grants for assistance
171 to the city;there are grant assistance companies that could be brought in;
172 e) Council E-mail accounts—Council members should be able to have their
173 city e-mail address messages automatically forwarded to them (upon request); Further,
174 council e-mail addresses should be clearly accessible through the city's web site;
175 f. Marketing- The council should receive an update on current marketing
176 efforts at the next work session (including commercial and residential efforts); what have
177 the plans and effort been to this point? The mayor suggests that the city needs to be ready
178 to move when good development proposals come forward; he suggests having an
179 electronic package available to promote good development. He likes the idea of creating
L.., 180 activity by contact also;
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 1, 2010
APPROVED
181 g) Lino Lakes Post Office—why can't the city have its own post office; staff
182 should report on this question.
183
184 Review Regular Agenda - The council reviewed the agenda for the upcoming council
185 meeting(February 8).
186
187 Items 6B and 6C regarding the Zoning Code and home occupations and outdoor storage
188 were reviewed by City Planner Bengtson. He noted, relative to the home occupation
189 regulations, that council had previously reviewed them and suggestions received have
190 been incorporated. He explained the tier system that is being proposed and requirement s
191 and fees involved.
192
193 The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
194
195 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
196 February 22, 2010.
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201 _ _ O
201 Juli. • e Bartell, Ci Cler Je , ayor
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