HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07-2009 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 7, 2009
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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5 DATE : December 7, 2009
6 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
7 TIME ENDED : 9:20p.m.
8 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Members Gallup, O'Donnell,Reinert,
9 Roeser, 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; Economic Development Coordinator
15 Mary Alice Divine; Finance Director Al Rolek; City Engineer Jim Studenski; City Clerk Julie
16 Bartell
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18 1. I-35W Noise Wall Discussion—Community Development Director Grochala recalled
19 that the city council received a petition from area residents requesting installation of a noise wall
20 on the south side of I-35W (across from the wall that was installed in 2009 on the north side of
21 the highway). He introduced staff present from the Minnesota Department of Transportation
22 (MnDOT): Mark Lindeberg,North Area Engineer and Peter Wasco,Noise Abatement
23 Supervisor. Mr. Lindeberg reviewed the history of MnDOT's Noise Abatement (Noise Wall)
24 program. Program activities are guided by studies conducted in the area and findings in those
25 studies that include recommendations based on methodologies for the best and most effective
26 approach to noise abatement. He noted that the study materials used right now, however, only
27 apply to development through 1998. Based on study information, a priority list of projects has
28 been developed. The criteria used for ranking is basically possible decibel reduction and density
29 of homes. He also noted that there are generally two types of projects—those classified as Type
30 1 (noise abatement as part of a larger project) and Type 2 (individual projects). He indicated that
31 the area in question this evening is ranked 105 on the Type 2 priority list.
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33 The council discussed cost and funding resources. MnDOT staff estimated the cost at
34 approximately$5 million. State funding for Type 2 projects allows for only about 2-3 projects
35 per year. Other options would be government dollars other than the state or assessment of costs.
36 When the council asked if the availability of a portion of the necessary funding would move a
37 project up the priority list,Mr. Lindeberg replied that there is not a process that would allow that.
38 There has, however,been a general program change requiring local government to contribute
39 10%to the project. Mr. Wasco did point out that the priority list is actually somewhat in flux
40 since projects do sometimes drop off. He added that if the city were to provide funding for the
41 project, MnDOT would provide design and contract administration services.
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43 When asked if the installation of a noise wall can increase noise on the side of the road opposite
44 the wall, the MnDOT representatives replied that they have not found a case where any increase
45 can be determined. They recognize that in Lino Lakes, residents are reporting an increase in
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 7, 2009
APPROVED
46 noise. The council discussed other possible forms of abatement, such as berms or plantings. The
47 council requested that the MnDOT representatives forward a best estimate for the cost of the
48 noise wall requested by the petition.
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50 Chris Schneider, 23 Elm Street, addressed the council. Ms. Schneider indicated that she
51 supports the petition (signed it) and thanked other area residents in attendance at the meeting.
52 She spoke of the traffic increase since she moved to the area 11 years ago and indicated that the
53 traffic will continue to increase as development grows in the direction of Lino Lakes. She is also
54 concerned about the number of deer that move unrestrained through the highway area. She
55 suggested that the priority list seems to ignore proximity since some of the homes in the area in
56 question are less than 100 feet from the roadway. Also, there should be some consideration of
57 the schools on the opposite side from the prison complex. She is thankful that the council is
58 giving the residents this opportunity and is interested in working with MnDOT.
59 Ken Johnson, 87 Elm Street, told the council that he has experience with noise having lived in
60 Grand Rapids adjacent to a paper mill. He can report that there is no relief provided by plantings.
61 He questioned the portion of the staff report that notes that noise levels were lower in 2002 than
62 in 2009. He feels that wall placement is a key matter.
63 The council directed staff to get an estimate of the cost of the wall, research noise abatement
64 alternatives and report back at a future work session.
65 2. Affordable Housing Presentation -Economic Development Coordinator Divine
66 introduced consultants Cathy Bennett, Bennett Community Consulting, and Colleen Carey, the
67 Cornerstone Group,who presented and reviewed a PowerPoint informational report on housing
68 choice and diversity focusing on affordable housing. A written copy of the presentation is on
69 file.
70 The council discussed affordable housing in regard to the current economy, developing housing
71 based on goals and needs, demographic trends and how they affect this city, and meeting the
72 culture of the city as well. The council concurred that a process to develop housing must be
73 strategically planned with a good and controlled result. The consultants pointed out that their
74 experience in the field shows that a city's investment in housing is generally viewed as a good
75 investment, that affordable housing cannot be built without some type of subsidy, and also that it
76 is key that any affordable housing element have the same quality standards as market rate.
77 3. 2010 Council Calendar—City Clerk Bartell noted that the 2010 council calendar has
78 been prepared using the current work session schedule of the first Monday and 4`t'Monday of the
79 month. Regular council meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of each month based
80 on the requirements of the City Code.
81 The council concurred with the calendar as presented and directed the city clerk to proceed with
82 distribution.
83 4. Regular Agenda Items—There were no changes to the regular council agenda.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 7, 2009
APPROVED
84 5. 2010 Budget—At the last 2010 budget discussion, the council had indicated that they
85 would individually submit budget ideas to Acting Administrator Tesch. Mr. Tesch had received
86 those communications and had forwarded via email a compilation of ideas to the council
87 members. Mr. Tesch had also sent an email to council members outlining current proposed
88 personnel reductions, indicating that an additional $130,000 is available due to those reductions,
89 and reporting on the questions raised by Council Member Elect Rafferty regarding health care
90 budgeting. Finance Director Rolek explained that the health care budgeting calculations have
91 historically been based on the highest coverage costs for each employee, to allow for changes and
92 rising costs. To recalculate that portion of the budget to fund current service levels would save
93 an additional $180,000.
94 The council discussed use of the$310,000 that had become available. There was interest in
95 increasing the contingency as well as increasing the street maintenance budget and the equipment
96 replacement budget. It was noted that the council has had a long term goal of funding equipment
97 replacement on a yearly basis rather than having to finance large purchases, thereby saving on the
98 cost of borrowing the money. The annual target for that program was $200,000 however in
99 recent years the funding has dropped to zero. Funding street maintenance is a good investment to
100 save money in the long term. There was not concurrence to consider a change in the personnel
101 outlook.
102 In view of the proposed change in how the city budgets for employee health insurance, the
103 council reviewed the city's program. It was clarified that employees can change their coverage
104 during the year based on a qualifying life event. With the change to budget at the current
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05 coverage level, it was suggested that adding funding to the general contingency fund could help
106 provide for unexpected funding needs in the health care area. The council requested additional
107 information on the type of coverage the city offers to its employees; staff reminded the council
108 that the employee contribution is a negotiated item (for union employees).
109 The following proposal for the unbudgeted funds was suggested by a council member:
110 Add$37,500 to the street maintenance budget;
111 Do not use reserve funds in the amount of$93,377 as originally proposed;
112 Fund equipment replacement in the amount of$110,000;
113 Designate any remaining to the contingency.
114 The council discussed whether or not to include the proposed two-week employee furloughs in
115 the budget. It was pointed out that the furloughs are one-time savings, they are directly in
116 conflict with the concept of investing in people, and there are also pension implications. The
117 council decided to leave the two-week furlough in the budget but with the understanding that
118 employees should take no more than one week in the first half of 2010 and that the council is
119 committed to making removal of the second week the first action if other budget cutting methods
120 are determined.
121 The council will continue consideration of the 2010 budget immediately in January. Staff is
122 encouraged to begin reviewing any and all ideas (staff and council) for budget savings as soon as
,23 possible.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 7, 2009
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124 The council also concurred that they will pass a resolution that reduces their 2010 salary to the
x.25 2007 level.
126 The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
127 These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council meeting held on December
128 28, 2009.
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132 Julianne Bartell, City Clerk ohn geson, ayor
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