HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2009 Council Minutes (2) CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 27, 2009
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : July 27, 2009
5 TIME STARTED : 5:33 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 6:40 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council members Gallup,Reinert,
8 O'Donnell, Stoltz and Mayor Bergeson
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : none
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12 Staff members present: Director of Public Safety, Dave Pecchia; Director of Community
13 Development, Michael Grochala; Director of Finance, Al Rolek; City Planner, Jeff,
14 Smyser; City Engineer, Jim Studenski; Environmental Coordinator, Marty Asleson; City
15 Clerk, Julie Bartell.
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17 Mayor Bergeson noted that the previous Friday the council received a letter from the Lino
18 Lakes Charter Commission asking that their request for additional funding be heard at
19 this meeting. Council Members Reinert and O'Donnell agreed to add the item to the
20 evening's agenda.
21
22 REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
23
.. 24 There were no changes to the regular council agenda.
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26 Item 6B, a public hearing regarding the I-35E/CSAH Interchange Improvement Project,
27 was briefly reviewed. There was a discussion about how special assessments may be
28 deferred and that interest is charged when payment is deferred. The interest rate would be
29 determined when the assessments are finalized. The council discussed the cost of the
30 project to the benefited property owners, acknowledging that the project is desirable but
31 also that there must be consideration of the current economy and people's ability to pay.
32 Community Development Director Grochala explained that the council is being asked
33 only to hold a public hearing this evening.
34
35 Item 6D was reviewed by City Planner Smyser. This agenda item is first reading of an
36 ordinance amending the zoning code to allow public, educational and religious buildings
37 as conditional uses in general business and limited business zoning districts in the city,
38 and amending the liquor code so that separation distance for liquor licenses shall not
39 apply for a school or church in said zoning districts. When the city received an
40 application from a church wishing to acquire the former VFW site (in a business district),
41 it led to a review of uses in business districts. In consideration that similar uses should be
42 allowed in zoning districts, Mr. Smyser pointed out similarities between private
43 lodge/club use (currently allowed in business district as a conditional use) and church use
44 (not currently allowed in business district). Mr. Smyser then explained a federal law
45 prohibiting discrimination against churches (for land use) and pointed out that there have
..- 46 been court cases that have found church uses similar to lodge/club use. He also pointed
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 27, 2009
APPROVED
1 out the current standards/conditions that apply to all conditional uses in the city as well as
2 the specific conditions for specific uses that apply to the "public, educational and
3 religious buildings" use. Based on analysis, staff is recommending the zoning ordinance
4 amendment that is included in the ordinance that will accomplish the allowance of
5 churches in business districts as a conditional use and make the liquor code change to
6 recognize that churches and liquor uses will be occurring in the same district. The
7 Planning and Zoning board held a public hearing on the application and unanimously
8 recommended approval of the proposed ordinance amendments.
9
10 The council commented:
11 - it was clarified that a conditional use permit is not required for churches in all
12 zoning districts;
13 - couldn't the request relative to the VFW be considered as something like a
14 one-time variance (staff replied no since the law doesn't allow the city to
15 permit a use that isn't allowed in a zoning district);
16
17 Community Development Director Grochala noted that an application has been submitted
18 so there is a legal requirement to act within a specified time period.
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20 CHARTER COMMISSION FUNDING REQUEST
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22 Regarding the letter submitted by the Lino Lakes Charter Commission requesting
23 additional funding for 2009, Commission Chairperson Caroline Dahl reported. Ms. Dahl
24 suggested that based on the commission's vote to go with a charter amendment this fall
25 they are requesting additional funding in the amount of$4,000 for legal assistance in
26 preparing one amendment (or possibly more). The funding requested is based on an
27 estimate she obtained from the commission's attorney. The commission is very careful
28 with their budget.
29
30 Charter Commissioner Connie Sutherland was also present and was introduced as the
31 chair of the subcommittee that reported to the Commission at their last meeting on a
32 possible amendment. The amendment under discussion relates to limiting property tax
33 increases. Several other cities have this type of language in their charter.
34
35 A council member asked if it would make more sense to take a different approach? A
36 general question could be posed to the public and then,with a basis of public support,
37 spend money to prepare an amendment.
38
39 A council member suggested that the Commission confer with the city finance director to
40 look at budget information that could be helpful in preparing a proposal.
41
42 Commissioner Sutherland suggested that they are looking at the history of the tax levy for
43 the city and,knowing that the state imposed levy limits may end soon, want to protect the
44 citizens against unchecked increases. They need to know if they will be able to secure
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 27, 2009
APPROVED
1 funding for legal assistance; there is a time constraint to get something on the ballot for
2 this fall.
3
4 A council member noted that the council will be entering some very difficult budget
5 decisions as they look at the 2010 budget. This request for additional funding shouldn't
6 be considered outside the realm of those discussions that will begin on August 10.
7
8 The council directed staff to add the Commission's budget request to the city council
9 work session of August 4, 2009.
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11 The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
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13 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
14 August 10, 2009.
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17 L . I •� =�
18 Julianne B ell, City Cl k //hn Be eson, M.' or
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