HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-2010 Council Minutes (2) CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 23, 2010
APPROVED
l CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : August 23, 2010
5 TIME STARTED : 5:32 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 6:30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember 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; Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine;
14 City Engineer Jim Studenski; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Planner
15 Jeff Smyser; Police Captain Kent Strege; City Clerk Julie Bartell.
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17 Review of Regular Meeting Agenda
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19 Item 4A, Resolution No. 10-74 approving the Lino Lakes Police Department's
20 participation in the Safe and Sober project—Captain Strege explained that the
21 Minnesota Department of Public Safety is making grant funds available once again to
22 police departments wishing to participation in a joint safe and sober initiative. He is
23 supportive of participation in that it brings the resources of many departments together to
■.- 24 increase efforts. The police department is requesting permission to enter into a grant
25 agreement with the city of Coon Rapids, the lead agency for the grant. He added that the
26 grant funds will be used to cover the cost of officer time as well as administration.
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28 Item 6A, Resolution No. 10-65 denying a variance to allow the expansion of a non-
29 conforming structure and reduction of a front setback for a proposed entry addition
30 to the building at 909 Maple Street—Planner Smyser explained that the subject
31 property is currently an auto repair garage where the owner has requested permission to
32 add an auto sales lot as well as to be allowed to keep a door overhang that does not
33 conform to code and that was built without a building permit. The request for auto sales
34 has been denied by the council and the overhang question was further discussed at the last
35 council work session. To allow the overhang on the existing non-conforming structure
36 would require the issuance of a variance and the council has heard that the courts have
37 put in place stricter criteria to apply to variance requests. Mr. Smyser reviewed the
38 criteria and staff's determinations that generally do not support a variance.
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40 It was noted that the council has tried to find a workable solution that would allow the
41 overhang to remain but it has become apparent that it cannot be worked out. It was
42 confirmed that the applicant has been informed to that effect.
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44 Item 6B, First Reading of Ordinance No. 10-10 regulating discharges into the city
45 storm sewer system—Environmental Coordinator Asleson explained that the proposed
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 23,2010
APPROVED
46 ordinance would put into the city code some control measures related to illicit discharge.
47 Such control measures are a requirement for Lino Lakes as an operator of a small
48 municipal storm water and sewer system. The ordinance has been reviewed by the city's
49 Environmental Board and is forwarded for council consideration.
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51 The council indicated that they would like more time to review the ordinance before final
52 passage. They will consider first reading but would like more discussion on the impact of
53 these regulations at the September work session.
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55 Item 6C, 2010 Surface Water Management, accepting quotes and awarding a
56 contract for surface water maintenance projects and street drainage projects—City
57 Engineer Studenski reviewed the price quotes that were received for the two projects. He
58 noted that the project plans did have to be reduced because the quotes came in a little
59 higher than anticipated. As a result, three of the five projects were removed in order to
60 stay within the 2010 budget. He noted that all critical projects will go forward.
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62 The council discussed the impact of the reduction and confirmed that it will not cause
63 problems as far as long term plans. Staff indicated they would provide information on the
64 long term program as part of the 2011 budget discussions.
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66 Item 6D, Resolution No. 10-73, electing to continue participation in the Local
67 Housing Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan Livable Cities Act-
68 Planner Smyser noted that the pros and cons of continuing participation in this plan were
�— 69 discussed at the August 11 work session, adding that the city has been participating since
70 1995. The grant funds available are the positive side while the negative would be the
71 potential that the city wouldn't be able to meet the program criteria. He has been
72 informed by the Metropolitan Council that the tax increment financing in the Legacy at
73 Woods Edge project qualifies the city. Staff doesn't see a down side and is
74 recommending that the city continue to participate in the program.
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76 The mayor noted that the goals for the program may conflict with the comprehensive
77 plan. Perhaps the city could apply for the funding if the need arises only. He is
78 concerned about voting for this resolution.
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80 Planner Smyser noted that the deadline attached to participation is September 1; he isn't
81 certain how the goals could conflict with the comprehensive plan since the language is
82 taken from that document.
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84 Since additional time to review the resolution had been requested and the deadline wasn't
85 seen as firm, the council decided to pull the resolution from the council meeting agenda
86 and rather to discuss it further at the next regular work session.
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88 Presentation by International Motorsports Entertainment and Development
89 Corporation (IMEDC)—Corporation representatives Jim Farnum and Scott Quick made
90 a presentation (on file). The corporation was formed a few years back and has worked
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 23,2010
APPROVED
91 within the concept that the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is a good area for a motorsports
92 facility as it is not currently served and many corporate sponsors are located in the
93 vicinity. They have pursued an area that would work for a facility and have come full
94 circle back to the Lino Lakes area. A preliminary plan was reviewed. The representative
95 suggested that they are present simply to introduce themselves to the area. The whole
96 process is intended to be educational. The group is very experienced in the business and
97 recognizes the issues that come with this type of facility coming to a community.
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99 The issue of noise was raised by the council and the promoters discussed mitigation
100 techniques and assured the council that they recognize that noise and transportation are
101 two major issues that must be addressed. When asked about the number of races
102 anticipated for the facility initially and eventually, the representatives suggested 4 -5
103 major events on the oval track is required to sustain the facility. Other use such as testing
104 and other vehicle racing is also anticipated. Activities normally occur during the daylight
105 hours.
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107 The representatives wish to remain in a position to continue to provide information to the
108 city with the understanding that this is a very preliminary idea.
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110 The council is interested in economic development opportunities for the city but needs
111 more information about possible impacts.
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113 The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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115 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
116 September 13, 2010.
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121 ., . - Bartell, Cit, Clerk e einert, Mayor
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