HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-01-2010 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 1,2010
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : November 1,2010
5 TIME STARTED : 5:35 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 10:00 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development Director
12 Mike Grochala; City Engineer Jim Studenski; Finance Director Al Rolek; City Planner Jeff
13 Smyser; City Planner Paul Bengtson; Director of Public Safety Kent Strege
14
15 1. Minnesota Metro North Tourism Update and Budget Review—Steve Markuson,
16 Executive Director of Minnesota Metro North Tourism reviewed the established 2011 budget
17 for the group. The bureau is funded by a 3 percent hotel tax charged within its established
18 district.
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20 Mr. Markuson thanked the city for its participation in the organization. He explained that the
21 group is changing its name to Twin Cities Gateway to better represent the area. The tourism
22 industry generates billions of dollars nationally and the overall goal of the bureau is to bring
23 some of that revenue to the area. They also have a goal of keeping operating expenses very
L 24 low. Some of the direct benefits possible for the city are grant funds for community signature
25 events, regional grants for marketing, and marketing services. The group's website is up and
26 running and is very user friendly.
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28 The council reviewed the budget and concurred to add it to the upcoming council agenda for
29 approval.
30
31 1.1. Presentation from Fire Chief Jerry Streich—Chief Streich explained a new
32 training program for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). The district recently began
33 doing in-house training to save money and now finds that it can offer the training outside
34 with possible revenue of$30,000. He is also instituting a duty crew program in order to staff
35 the fire station on weekends and holidays.
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37 The council applauded the chief's work on the programs; it represents the kind of efficiencies
38 and innovation they are seeking through city operations.
39
40 1.2 Building Repairs at Fire Station#2 - Chief Streich stated that the fire stations of
41 Centennial Fire District are actually owned by the cities in which they located and those cities
42 are responsible for maintenance of the facilities. There are repairs needed at the Lino Lakes
43 facility(he presented photos of several windows and doors) and discussed the problems that
44 are occurring.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 1,2010
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46 The council reviewed the capital needs of the facility and discussed the concept of
47 establishing capital fund that could receive budgeted funds. They discussed the possibility of
48 utilizing energy grants and rebates as a tool also. The council concurred that Chief Streich
49 should obtain bids on window and door replacements. They may want to tour the facility
50 soon.
51
52 2. Weekly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the items on the list.
53
54 3. IMEDC Motorsports Facility Proposal—Community Development Director
55 Grochala introduced Jim Farnum and Tom Gump representing the International Motorsports
56 Entertainment Development Company(IMEDC). The group visited the council in August to
57 introduce a proposal for a motorsports facility in Lino Lakes. They wish to present additional
58 information to the council.
59
60 Mr. Farnum recalled the previous presentation to the council and reiterated their interest in
61 developing a facility in the city. Since their presentation in August they have provided
62 additional information to city staff on noise analyses. They were also asked to provide more
63 information on the project plans and that is being presented now. They attended the city's
64 Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) meeting recently and heard from them
65 that the proposal merits further discovery. They are seeking a resolution of support from the
66 council.
67
68 Community Development Director Grochala explained that staff would have concern about
L 69 offering a concept approval at this time since there hasn't been a process leading to that. He
70 understands that the developers are looking for some indication of the council's interest level.
71 Mr. Grochala added that the project itself would require an environmental assessment
72 worksheet(EAW) and then an environmental impact statement (EIS), items that would
73 provide a lot of answers about impacts related to the proposal. In addition, the project would
74 require a comprehensive plan amendment, zoning amendment and rezoning of the area. He
75 reviewed the options presented to the council in the staff report, adding that this type of
76 project would involve a lot of big decisions on things such a infrastructure, not that they
77 couldn't be accommodated with a correct pro-forma.
78
79 A council member remarked that an EIS would be an expensive undertaking for the
80 developers and pondered if there is something that the council should be considering at this
81 time that would stop the deal? Mr. Grochala responded that an EIS doesn't provide any
82 approval and added that the project would actually be multi jurisdictional and that too poses
83 questions about the approvals that would be necessary.
84
85 A council member confirmed with the representatives that the events proposed would be
86 viable in consideration of the economy. Mr. Farnum pointed out other less obvious revenue
87 to the facility such as provision of meeting facilities.
88
89 Noise was noted by the council as a big concern and they wondered if an EIS would
90 adequately cover that subject. With that issue unresolved and unanswered, concept approval
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 1, 2010
APPROVED
91 isn't possible. Other questions remain also, such as a clear explanation of the financial
92 resources needed to build such a facility.
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94 Mr. Farnum noted some noise studies they already have in place. Mr. Grochala remarked
95 that those studies are probably not to the level that the city would require. The most useful
96 noise study would be directed with city input at developer cost.
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98 Council members noted that this proposal has generated comments both pro and con from
99 city residents. At this point, it is simply information gathering. One member suggested that
100 the council should reject the proposal now if there is never going to be a way to move
101 forward with it.
102
103 Staff will put together the noise analysis information already in place for the council's review
104 at their work session on November 22.
105
106 4. Council Code of Conduct—This agenda item was requested by Council Member
107 O'Donnell and one other member. Mr. O'Donnell explained that the current code of conduct
108 approved by the council is limited in its focus(to city council activities). Is the council
109 interested in reviewing the code? The charter commission has mentioned some gaps in the
110 code relative to conflicts of interest; does the council want to deal with that?
111
112 Staff was directed to make a recommendation that would include conflict of interest language
113 in the council's code of conduct.
114
115 5. Comprehensive Plan—Community Development Director Grochala reported that
116 staff is seeking to place this on the council agenda for approval. He reviewed the history of
117 the council's consideration and changes to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
118
119 There was discussion about the types of housing desirable and comments by Mr. Grochala
120 that the city cannot directly control types of housing but can decide about providing funding
121 for housing and can also set regulations impacting housing. It is best to look for certain
122 basics that can be requirements for this city's housing.
123
124 The council concurred to add approval of the Plan to the next city council agenda.
125
126 Mike Trehus, Lino Lakes resident, addressed the council. He distributed information
127 regarding residential development density that he had produced through research. He
128 explained that certain flexibility in the proposed Plan drives up the high density housing. He
129 has calculated that by changing certain levels of the net density per acre in the Plan, the
130 density could actually be reduced in the next twenty years. The recent city survey clearly
131 showed that residents like the way the city is now. He believes that what he is presenting
132 meets the Metropolitan Council's requirements.
133
134 Community Development Grochala explained that it is basically a numbers game (with the
135 density figures),meaning if you change one end, it impacts the other. If the city lowers the
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136 lowest number, the density would have to increase in other areas. He reminded the council
137 that there has been much discussion in developing the Plan about keeping the low end low.
138 He informed the council of the density figures for existing developments in the city. Mr.
139 Grochala noted that a change to the figures would impact plan elements such as the land use
140 plan and require amendments so you're essentially redoing the Plan.
141
142 Mr. Trehus' proposal was discussed at length and the council directed staff to review the
143 numbers presented so the council can further consider the matter.
144
145 6. Home Occupations—Planner Bengtson reported that the city adopted changes to
146 home occupation regulations in February of this year. The regulations included language
147 prohibiting retail sale of anything produced off site. Staff's intent was not to prohibit mail
148 order business or those that include delivery service or even events conducted by invitation
149 but rather to prohibit direct sales to customers on site. Therefore staff suggests that a change
150 to the regulations may be order. He has included sample language for change in the staff
151 report before the council that would open the regulations. He is requesting direction on what
152 the council would consider appropriate for change (specific questions posed in staff report).
153 The Planning& Zoning Board did consider the matter and recommends adding a clause that
154 allows direct sales of items produced on site (for craftsmen type businesses).
155
156 The general direction of the council was that the regulations should allow people to start
157 businesses in their homes and move out as that business grows or, if they need to stay,to
158 minimize intrusion caused by the business. The council concurred that they generally
L 159 support allowing limited sales incidental to services already provided on site and if conducted
160 by invitation. They will have to discuss further the concept of how you can allow a retail
161 business to operate on any residential site;there has to be a balance and some control.
162
163 Mr. Bengtson added that a resident speaking before the council at open mike addressed this
164 issue. He was specifically concerned about the regulations in a residential area. One of the
165 reasons that the regulations were updated were to protect the residential character of
166 neighborhoods (traffic to site).
167
168 Resident David Gessner, was in the audience and expressed concerns about the city's home
169 occupation regulations. What about people who are doing mainly deliveries? There are
170 limitations in the regulations that he doesn't question(two customers for Level B business)
171 because they do provide limitations that minimize the disruption to the neighborhood. His
172 concern is about the regulation that doesn't allow sales if the product isn't made on site.
173 Areas of concern expressed by the council were traffic that could occur(number of people on
174 site) and hours of operation allowed, Staff suggested that it may be appropriate to consider
175 a limit on the number of invitation sales.
176
177 Staff will return to the Planning and Zoning Board with the council's comments and then
178 bring some language forward to the council.
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180 7. Century Farms North 5th Addition PUD amendment-Planner Smyser recalled
181 that the Century Farms North development was planned with and includes several types of
182 housing. The homes that haven't been built there under the original plans are some detached
183 townhomes(included in an association). The developer would like to convert those lots into
184 single family(no association). Mr. Smyser reviewed the re-plating proposal. There would
185 be no increase in the number of dwelling units. There are some technical/legal issues that
186 would have to be worked out and, if that can occur, staff and the Planning and Zoning Board
187 do not have a problem with the change; council's opinion is sought.
188
189 Gary Uhde, developer,responded to the council's questions. The basic design and density
190 would remain the same. He sees this as the way to go with the economy.
191
192 The council recognized the difficulty of selling townhomes in the current market. The
193 council generally concurs that it is a good idea to move on the request if it is
194 technically/legally possible. Staff will also make sure the owner's association involved is
195 aware of the proposal.
196
197 Review Regular Agenda—The council reviewed the process anticipated for the dangerous
198 dog hearing. The council requested that staff check with the League of Minnesota Cities(the
199 city's insurance carrier) on liability.
200
201 Other- Council Member Roeser urged other council members to sign up to receive their
202 Public Safety Department newsletter on line.
203
204 The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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206 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
207 November 22, 2010.
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212 I •.1 = Bartell, City erk Jeff ' i - Mayor
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