HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-2009 Council Minutes (2) CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 24, 2009
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : August 24, 2009
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 6:30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council members Gallup, Reinert,
8 O'Donnell, and Stoltz
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : Mayor Bergeson
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12 Staff members present: Acting City Administrator, Dan Tesch; City Engineer, Jim
13 Studenski; Director of Public Safety, Dave Pecchia; Director of Community
14 Development, Michael Grochala; City Planner, Jeff Smyser; Economic Development
15 Coordinator, Mary Alice Divine; City Clerk, Julie Bartell.
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18 WORK SESSION ITEMS
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20 A. Retirement Incentive—Administrator Tesch explained that due to current budget
21 reduction objectives, staff is proposing that the city offer an early retirement incentive
22 program to help reduce staff levels. Mr. Tesch reviewed eligibility requirements for the
23 program, the actual incentives as well as other considerations such as deadlines. He
`- • 24 would like to be able to offer the incentive to employees as soon as possible. He also
25 noted that staff is considering the concept of another retirement incentive to reach the
26 "highly compensated employee" level also.
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28 The council agreed to add the item to the regular council agenda for consideration of
29 approval.
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31 B. Update on Charter Amendment (televising meetings)—City Clerk Bartell
32 updated the council on the current and pending process for consideration of a charter
33 amendment submitted by the Lino Lakes Charter Commission. The proposal is to amend
34 the city charter to require that all council meetings be televised. In addition to reviewing
35 the amendment process, staff pointed out that the city attorney had recommended a
36 language clarification to the amendment but the commission declined any change so the
37 amendment is going forward as proposed by the commission. The council received
38 information on the costs and logistics for implementing the amendment. Questions
39 remain relative to equipment and facilities so staff was directed to provide additional
40 information in those areas. The amendment ordinance will be before the council for
41 consideration of first reading at a special council meeting/public hearing on September 8,
42 2009.
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44 Charter Commissioner Connie Sutherland added that the intent of the commission in
45 bringing forward the amendment is more transparency for council meetings. That is the
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 24, 2009
APPROVED
I basic goal and they understand that may not include all the "bells and whistles" of the
2 current televising system.
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4 C. Anoka County Blaine Airport Advisory Commission—Acting
5 Administrator Tesch noted that this advisory group would like to know if the city is
6 interested in participating as a member of the commission. It could be an appointed
7 representative or an elected official.
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9 The council concurred that the city should have a seat at the table. The airport issue is
10 one of concern in the community so it makes sense to be involved. Mr. Tesch will begin
11 the process.
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13 REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
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15 The council added an Item 3A, Early Retirement Incentive Program, as previously
16 discussed.
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18 Item 6A, Approval of Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) 5-Year
19 Strategic Plan and 2010 Action Plan—Economic Development Coordinator Divine
20 explained that the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) has developed
21 both a one-year and five year plan. She fully reviewed both plans.
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23 The council indicated that they would prefer to "accept"the plans rather than"approve"
�- 24 them.
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26 The council recalled their recent joint meeting with the EDAC group; they are interested
27 in continuing the dialogue that began with that meeting.
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29 The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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31 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
32 September 14, 2009.
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35 4/141;P elfdr4°32
36 Julianne B rtell, City C rk John Bergeson, Mayor
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