HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-2010 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 3,2010
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : May 3,2010
5 TIME STARTED : 6:06 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:50 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty,Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11
12 Staff members present: Acting Administrator Dan Tesch; City Attorney Joseph Langel;
13 City Engineer Jim Studenski; City Planner Jeff Smyser; Finance Director Al Rolek;
14 Director of Public Safety Dave Pecchia; City Clerk Julie Bartell.
15
16 Prior to the regular work session, the council convened in the council workroom at city
17 hall for the purpose of interviewing two applicants for a vacant position on the Centennial
18 Utilities Commission.
19
20 Acting Administrator Tesch announced that there was a meeting under way in the city
21 council chambers this evening relative to a possible Anoka County library.
22
23 1. Kathi Donnelly-Cohen,Comcast-Acting Administrator Tesch introduced Ms.
L. 24 Donnelly-Cohen, Director of Government Affairs for Comcast.
25
26 Ms. Donnelly-Cohan noted that she is aware that the council has received calls from some
27 Lino Lakes residents about their desire to have Comcast services available. She is happy
28 to report that some additional areas will be prepared for services in 2010, including Holly
29 Drive. She reviewed with the council the planned improvements in the system and the
30 criteria that Comcast uses to schedule expansion of service areas.
31
32 A council member noted the State's recent commitment to see high speed interne
33 services available to all Minnesota homes by 2015. It was pointed out that Comcast
34 would undoubtedly be a part of that goal since they provide much of those services across
35 the state already.
36
37 2. Discussion concerning Group Homes -Acting Administrator Tesch recalled that
38 Anoka County Human Services had recently sponsored a neighborhood meeting at city
39 hall to discuss the presence of a group home facility on Century Trail in Lino Lakes. A
40 legal representative from the state as well as a representative of Zumbro House also spoke
41 at that meeting. Mr. Tesch had provided to council members written background
42 information regarding group homes, local land use and the federal Fair Housing Act.
43
44 Mayor Reinert had attended the meeting and explained to the council that it was clear
45 from the presentation that federal law allows the current use in the city and does not
1
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 3,2010
APPROVED
46 require the city to be notified before the group home went in. Those presenting at the
L 47 meeting suggested that Lino Lakes' residents don't have anything to worry about. It was
48 clear to him that if there is any concern among citizens, it is about safety issues. He feels
49 there are still some unanswered questions such as what could this facility evolve into.
50 Mayor Reinert indicated that he intends to submit any and all questions and get answers.
51 It may be appropriate for the council to memorialize the information the city receives now
52 into a resolution or the like for the record and future reference. The council requested
53 that the city attorney and police chief comment on the legal and public safety aspects
54 (respectively) of the situation.
55
56 City Attorney Langel reported that the group home facility current located in Lino Lakes
57 is properly licensed and that limits the type of people it can serve(limited to
58 developmentally disabled persons). The specific records for the persons in the home are
59 private and thus are protected under law. He noted that this type of home is quite
60 common, with 114 of them located within Anoka County alone. As was indicated by the
61 county at the meeting, dealing with sex offenders is not allowed under the license for this
62 facility.
63
64 A member of the council discussed the possibility of a sex offender ending up at the
65 facility because of a low IQ or a disability. The council heard from the city attorney how
66 the term"sex offender"is defined by state statute. The council discussed the level of
67 supervision planned for the group home residents; it was reported at the meeting that
68 there will be 24-hour"awake" supervision as well as a guarantee that residents are not
Li 69 allowed to go anywhere outside the facility without supervision.
70
71 The council will submit their questions to be submitted to Anoka County for response.
72 Staff should bring responses to a future council work session. The city attorney informed
73 the council of the legal limitations of keeping out facilities. When asked about the
74 criteria for openings at the facility,the attorney remarked that he would assume the
75 criteria would be the same as for current residents.
76
77 3. Signal Justification Report update(Birch/Ware and Lake/Main intersections)-
78 City Engineer Studenski explained that upon the direction of the council,the process of
79 developing a signal justification study for each of the two intersections is underway. The
80 purpose of each study is to determine if signals are warranted using established criteria
81 such as traffic counts. The next step in the process would be a feasibility study for each
82 project. Mr. Studenski then indicated that, based on the traffic count data already in,the
83 Main St/Lake Dr intersection meets the justification criteria but the Ware Rd/Birch St
84 does not. Without meeting the standard criteria, he explained, Anoka County would not
85 be participating in the project, at least up front.
86
87 The council concurred that staff should continue to work with the county on both
88 intersections. It is a council priority to get a question on the ballot this fall; it may be
89 appropriate to discuss the matter with the charter commission also to keep them
90 informed.
2
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 3,2010
APPROVED
91
92 4. Pavement Management Update—City Engineer Studenski reviewed his written
93 report that provides a review and update of the City's Pavement Management Program
94 that was implemented in 2005 to serve as a guide and planning tool for the city's roadway
95 system. He reviewed the 2005 findings relative to roadway conditions,past and present
96 funding and the estimated current condition of the system. Mr. Studenski remarked that
97 the Plan has served the city well and he recommends continuing with it. The council
98 questioned the presence of unpaved streets in the city and Mr. Studenski indicated that
99 such roadways are difficult to deal with outside of when development occurs on them and
100 paving becomes a part of a larger project.
101
102 The council discussed the history of the city charter as it relates to road improvements. A
103 member indicated that there is benefit in coming to some agreement with the charter
104 commission and it may be helpful to look at the amendment proposal approved by the
105 charter commission a couple of years ago. Staff was directed to distribute that proposal
106 to the council for review and for discussion at the next work session.
107
108 5. Five-Year Financial Plan Update—Finance Director Rolek reviewed his report
109 on the Plan. The Plan was developed by compiling projected needs (as identified by
110 department directors) for the next five years, identifying projected changes in
111 expenditures and tax base and using that information to project a tax rate through 2014.
112 He reviewed those areas where increases were projected(pavement management, capital
113 equipment replacement and energy costs). He reminded the council that the Plan is a
114 guideline only—not a commitment but a look into the future based on assumptions.
115 When the assumption of including a storm water utility was discussed, a council member
116 requested that a schedule be developed and reviewed by the council that clearly indicates
117 what such a utility will fund. There was a short discussion about energy saving rebates
118 being offered by the federal government and a direction to staff to review the possibility
119 of rebates for work on city hall.
120
121 After a full review of the document, Mr. Rolek remarked that the bottom line becomes
122 the council's decisions on their priorities and that leads into the council's plans for an
123 organizational/strategic review. There was recognition amongst the council that the
124 charter calls for development of a five-year plan but it must be a meaningful attempt not
125 something put together for a deadline. Mr. Rolek also noted an upgrade in the city's bond
126 rating.
127
128 6. RFP for Organizational Review—The Mayor remarked that the city as a whole
129 and council as a group have not benefited from a complete review for some time. He
130 believes it is well time to proceed with a review and believes that to get the broadest and
131 best perspective it should be administered by a party with both public and private sector
132 experience. Two council members submitted information and/or names of possible
133 contractors. One council member noted concern about undergoing the exercise of an
134 organizational review without a city administrator in place. Since the process will
3
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 3, 2010
APPROVED
135 involve the full engagement of staff and bringing staff and the council together, it may not
136 be fully productive without the leadership of an administrator.
137
138 Staff will draft some possibilities for council review.
139
140 7. City Administrator Search Update—The council discussed where the current
141 process stands and their view of how to proceed. There was concurrence that the council
142 will continue to review the individuals currently under consideration. If an appropriate
143 individual is not identified, a new process will be undertaken.
144
145 Acting Administrator Tesch indicated that currently candidates are undergoing an
146 assessment process conducted by Personnel Decisions, Inc. (PDI). The results of that
147 process will of course be shared with the council.
148
149 Regular Agenda Items - The council reviewed the agenda for the upcoming council
150 meeting on Monday, May 10. There were no changes to the agenda
151
152 The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
153
154 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
155 June 14, 2010.
156
157
158
159 I/■ I
160 Julianne Ba ell, City Cle e einert, Mayor
161
4