HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-2009 Council Minutes (2) CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 2, 2009
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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5 DATE : November 2, 2009
6 TIME STARTED : 5:45 p.m.
7 TIME ENDED : 8:20 p.m.
8 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Members Gallup, O'Donnell
9 Reinert, and Mayor Bergeson
10 MEMBERS ABSENT : none
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13 Also Present: Acting City Administrator Dan Tesch; Director of Public Safety Dave Pecchia;
14 Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Paul Bengtson; City Attorney
15 Joseph Langel; Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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17 1. Ordinance language enabling reverse mortgages—City Attorney Langel reported that
18 he spoke with the bank involved about the situation with the DeHaven's reverse mortgage
19 request. While it was originally thought that they would need to split their lot, it has come to
20 light that rather than a split the bank's concern is now that the city has a restriction on the deed
21 and they want that removed.
22 Martha DeHaven, 1612 Birch Street, told the council that she and her husband went through a
23 lengthy process attempting to secure a second mortgage on their property. Three years later,the
24 market isn't making that possible but they now find themselves with a covenant on their property
25 that is causing a problem. Their attorney has suggested that they seek advice and assistance
26 from the city to have it removed.
27 Community Development Director Grochala remarked that the city has no need for the
28 declaration attached to the property so therefore would not have a problem if the DeHavens have
29 it removed.
30 The council concurred that the intent of helping the DeHavens has been to devise a system or a
31 trail that would be helpful to like residents who wish to stay in their homes. They directed the
32 city attorney to work with the DeHaven's attorney as necessary to assist in developing or defining
33 what is needed for the purpose of assisting with whatever the bank is now requiring for
34 financing.
35 2. Establishing 501(c)3 for Lino Lakes Volunteers in Police Services
36 Organization - Police Chief Pecchia noted that his department is in the process of exploring the
37 option of creating a non-profit organization (501c3) to serve as a fiscal resource to volunteer
38 groups that work with them. He reviewed information distributed showing the amount of
39 services and hours the volunteer organizations provide to the department. He noted the groups
40 involved, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Interns, Public Safety Citizens
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 2, 2009
APPROVED
41 Commission, Volunteers in Police Services, the chaplains, Police Explorers and Police Reserves.
42 Representatives of some groups spoke about their work.
43 Karen Anderson, Community Relations Coordinator for the Lino Lake Police Department, added
44 that the non-profit group would include representatives of all those volunteer organizations. The
45 non-profit status would allow them to raise funds for their efforts. This idea is being formulated
46 and the department wishes for the council to be aware at this early stage.
47 City Attorney Langel indicated that he sees no problem in the establishment of such a group.
48 A council member urged caution that, when funds are being raised, there should be no
49 implication that services are attached to donations.
50 3. Amending the Composition of the EDA—Economic Development Coordinator Divine
51 introduced Joe Stranik and Dave Roeser, members of the Economic Development Advisory
52 Committee (EDAC). She recalled that the city council and EDAC discussed the possibility of
53 adding a member or members of EDAC to the city's Economic Development Authority(EDA)
54 that is currently comprised of council members only, in order to provide a communication device
55 for EDAC as well as draw on their business expertise. She reviewed the information in her staff
56 report regarding how the city's EDA could be structured to include citizen members. The
57 concept had been researched by attorney Steve Bubul of Kennedy and Graven at the city's
58 request. Ms. Divine also reviewed the pros and cons of adding citizens members included in her
59 report. She reported on EDAC's comments on the legal review and noted their request for
60 information on how citizen members would be covered by the city's insurance. She is requesting
61 council direction on whether to proceed with a change process and, if so, what change.
62 Council members commented as follows:
63 - it makes sense to have a member of EDAC on the EDA but that shouldn't be a voting member
64 since they are not elected officials;
65 -No issues with a voting member from EDAC; it's more important to consider the EDA's
66 power;
67 - Don't like the idea of excluding a council member from the EDA to add a EDAC member;
68 - Good idea to bring in two EDAC members (let them decide who from their ranks) and no issue
69 with those members being allowed to vote with final council approval on actions;
70 EDAC Member Stranik suggested that, if there is EDAC membership, it should be two designees
71 to allow for coverage(absences). He suggested that the Committee will come back with their
72 position on the question of voting or non-voting member.
73 Ms. Divine added that they are looking at something beginning in January 2010. The attorney
74 will be asked to further opine on the question of appropriate terms.
75 4. Zoning Ordinance Amendment- Home Occupations, Residential Parking,
76 and Exterior Storage (Regular Agenda Item)—City Planner Bengtson noted that the council
77 discussed the question of changes to the home occupation language in the zoning ordinance when
78 they were reviewing the comprehensive plan update. Staff indicated they would be coming back
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 2, 2009
APPROVED
79 with some clarification to the definition of home occupation and exclusions. After much
80 discussion at the staff and Planning and Zoning Board level, the council is receiving a proposal
81 for a three-tiered system (replacing the current two-tiered system). Mr. Bengtson pointed out that
82 staff continues to recommend a permit fee for the top two tiers while the Planning and Zoning
83 Board recommended a fee for only tier three. The Board also recommended extending the hours
84 for tier three. The system includes registration that staff feels will be helpful in staying in touch
85 with businesses as well as making it clear what is allowed.
86 Mr. Bengtson noted that the report also includes some "clean-up" changes relating to parking and
87 exterior storage,with an analysis as well as recommendations in both of those areas
88 The council concurred that a low fee would be appropriate. Staff indicated there is no urgency to
89 approving the proposal and a council member requested more time to review the proposal. The
90 council requested: a) copies of the Planning and Zoning Board minutes; b)more discussion at the
91 next regular work session; and c)the current zoning code language.
92 5. (Low Impact Development) Bonestroo Professional Services Contract—Community
93 Development Director Grochala noted that the council has approved execution of a grant from
94 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for community conservation assistance. Staff
95 brought forward a contract for consulting services with Bonestroo and the council requested
96 further information. Mr. Grochala explained that the general goal of the low impact development
97 -a part of the city's overall goals—is to use a sensitive approach to storm water management.
98 The consultant in this case would assist in setting up the city's system to promote this type of
99 development consideration as developments are considered.
100 The council will consider the contract with Bonestroo at the next regular meeting.
101 6. Televising of City Meetings -Acting Administrator Tesch noted that the council
102 received a recommendation from the Charter Commission to televise all council meetings and
103 has considered and discussed this matter at several meetings. Regular council meetings held in
104 the council chambers are currently televised. Staff is presenting options for televising council
105 work sessions.
106 Council members commented on the options:
107 - It would seem possible to use the council chambers less formally for work sessions or to wait to
108 properly outfit the community room;
109 - Would recommend a pilot project using the chambers (it was acknowledged that the Park Board
110 meetings would be dislocated under this option);
111 - Would prefer to properly outfit the community room but the money to pay for that just isn't
112 available;
113 - On option to improve transparency is to put the "open mike" section of the council meeting on
114 camera; if that is done, it must be kept orderly with a sign-up sheet and rules and a limitation of
115 discussion to city business;
116 - There should be away for people to address the council off camera if that is their desire.
117 The council concurred to implement the change in "open mike" immediately.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 2, 2009
APPROVED
'18 Regular Council Agenda Review
119 The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
120 These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council meeting held on November
121 23, 2009.
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125 Julianne Bartell, City Clerk John ergeson, Mayor
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