HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-02-2018 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
July 2, 2018
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : July 2, 2018
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 7:35 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Rafferty, Maher,
8 Manthey, Stoesz and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT :None
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Safety Director John
12 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Public Services Director
13 Rick DeGardner, City Planner Katie Larsen, City Clerk Julie Bartell.
14
15 1. Community Solar Gardens —Community Development Director Grochala
16 recalled that Lino Lakes Solar LLC has applied for a text amendment to the City's zoning
17 ordinance to allow community solar gardens. The process for a text amendment has
18 started and a hearing was held by the Planning and Zoning Board Itiswithin the -
19 Council's purview to deny the land use change. The council could direct staff to prepare
20 a proposed ordinance if they are interested in pursuing the amendment. If the council is
21 not interested in considering the requested text amendment, it would be appropriate to
22 make that direction now and take a formal action at the council meeting.
23
24 Mayor Reinert remarked that he asked for more information five weeks ago but just
25 received a large batch of information last Friday, too late for him to fully study the data.
26 Based on that, he is a no vote at this time. He feels it was disrespectful that the council
27 didn't receive the requested information.
28
29 Council Member Rafferty concurred.
30
31 Council Member Stoesz said he isn't in favor of the amendment based on his research.
32
33 Council Member Maher said she's in favor of the concept and would like more
34 information.
35
36 Community Development Director Grochala clarified that the information requested by
37 the council is included in the staff report. He added that there are different approaches to
38 the question of allowing community solar gardens in the city — will the City allow this
39 type of land use and also the discussion about whether the concept fits into this City. The
40 second matter perhaps a discussion item in the future.
41
42 The council will consider an action denying the request for text amendment.
43
44
1
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
July 2, 2018
45 2. 2018 Street Reconstruction Project Update (West Shadow Lake & LaMotte
46 Areas), Michael Grochala and Jim Stremel of WSB & Associates - Community
47 Development Director Grochala introduced Jim Stremmel, WSB & Associates project
48 manager for the West Shadow Lake Drive project. Mr. Stremmel noted the recent public
49 meeting for residents that was well attended and at which information on project design
50 was given. Staff will be bringing forward actions on this project (plan design,
51 specifications, bidding documents) at the second council meeting in July.
52
53 Regarding the LaMotte area project, Mr. Stremmel gave a status update; the project is
54 being modified in regard to soil and site access and will be ready for rebid on July 23,
55 2018.
56
57 Mr. Grochala reviewed a PowerPoint presentation regarding lot subdivision, which may
58 of interest to some property owners with the addition of public utilities. His presentation
59 included information on:
60 -Subdivision Location Map;
61 - Zoning and Subdivision - applicable regulations and requirements; planning for
62 possible subdivisions (examples identified by city engineer);
63 - How -will -the City handle subdivision requests that don't meet requirements but are
64 close;
65 -Should the City decide to "stub in" utilities where subdivision is possible (cost would be
66 significantly higher if done after road work), at a cost of approximately $35,000 for
67 identified areas; Mayor Reinert remarked that the best approach would probably be to use
68 good judgment on what lots could be subdivided or are close, and stub those in, knowing
69 that most of the costs will come back eventually;
70 - What is appropriate zoning to consider subdivision (council concurred to go with R-
71 1X).
72
73 Jamie Stern, 6820 West Shadow Lake Drive, addressed the council He provided an
74 aerial view map of his property. His property substantially meets the requirements for
75 subdivision except he is under the 20,000 requirement.
76
77 The council concurred with directions made during the presentation.
78 3. 80ih Street ROW, Snowmobile Club Use -Community Development Director
79 Grochala noted that the City has been approached by the Rice Creek Snowmobile Train
80 Association, a volunteer club that has created and maintains a large trail system that runs
81 through Lino Lakes. Mr. Grochala noted that the club uses public right of way as well as
82 permission of private property owners for the trail system. Due to a change in
83 ownership, they have lost a critical link in the corridor. There is, however, existing
84 public right of way in the vicinity. There is some encroachment onto that right of way by
85 an adjacent property owner (gardens, fences, etc.). Mr. Grochala said that, with the
86 council's permission, he'd like to contact that property owner about the situation, and
87 with a proper explanation, get a portion of that public right of way area open for the
2
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
July 2, 2018
88 snowmobile corridor.
89
90 Council Member Stoesz asked if signage is involved in the corridor and Mr. Grochala
91 remarked that he believes that the association handles that element.
92
93 Council Member Manthey remarked that it is an opportunity for people to understand
94 where the property becomes public.
95
96 The council concurred that staff will proceed with speaking to the property owner.
97 4. Comprehensive Parks and Trails System Capital Improvement PIan Update
98 — Public Services Director DeGardner noted the council's direction to come forward with
99 more information on this subject. He introduced Brian Bourassa, WSB & Associates,
100 who overviewed the data and map included in the staff report.
101
102 Mr. Bourassa explained that most cities do a regular assessment of parks and trails, using
103 a rating system. He is aware that Mr. DeGardner also uses an assessment process, using
104 a one to ten rating system.__ He is recommending, for a growing city like Lino lakes, that a--- ---
105 rolling five-year program would be best. That way you can plug in what you want in the
106 budget, but still be fluid as changes occur. Cities bundle the projects and staff comes up
107 with a program that keeps the level of service directed by the council.
108
109 Mayor Reinert noted that the council will begin the 2019 budget discussions next month.
110 He would like it to be understood that there are park facilities that won't be perfect
111 because they are in the middle of a natural life cycle. A plan going forward will allow
112 the City to understand where all the elements are on that life cycle. The council can then
113 compare needs with the funding that is coming in through development and that is
114 budgeted. Mayor Reinert said he spoke with Mr. DeGardner at length on this topic and
115 he is happy with the information coming forward.
116
117 Mr. Bourassa remarked that in his review he can see that staff has done a good job in new
118
trail construction, making the most of those investments.
119
121) Council Member Stoesz asked staff to explore the possibility of utilizing a program like
121 Google maps to make the plan information more interactive for residents.
122
123 Director DeGardner received confirmation that the level of detail provided is appropriate
124 for the council. He also noted that staff and the Park Board will be utilizing the plan as
125 they move forward. The Mayor said the council will continue to drill down the
126 information.
127
128 Council Member Stoesz and Mayor Reinert requested that the grid information be
129 provided in different format (other than PDF) to allow for manipulation.
130
131 Council Member Manthey asked if the City is moving on the identified 2018 projects.
3
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
July 212018
132 Director DeGardner said 2016 trail maintenance is going ahead as a budgeted item. The
133 future trails projects for 2018 (red section along Lake Drive and Century Farms North
134 trail) will go forward. Council Member Manthey remarked that it would be good to
135 provide that information on the city website so residents can become easily aware when
136 they see construction.
137
138 Mayor Reinert recalled that the recommendations coming forward from the Park Board
139 contain lots of trail work but he recalled that the council has had much discussion about
140 play structures and provided a budget that would get things done in that area. He really
141 needed additional information in order to see the sense of moving on trails. He sees the
142 opportunity now and has a clear vision of the economics.
143
144 Director DeGardner clarified that the only project that has been authorized at this time by
145 the council is the Birch Park project. But the Park Board has sent forward
146 recommendations for the rest of the budgeted funds. Staff will need further direction on
147 proceeding with other 2018 projects. Mayor Reinert concurred.
______ __148___ 5. Phase_LRecreation_Complex_Concept.Plan—Public Services -Director
149 DeGardner reviewed his written report. He is providing concept information (as
150 developed by WSB & Associates) on different possibilities. As far as costs, there is
151 information attached.
152
153 Mayor Reinert thanked staff for the information.
154 6. Anoka County Regional Economic Development Initiative —Community
155 Development Director Grochala noted this initiative to bring Anoka County to the front
156 on economic development. Initially the priorities of this initiative are identified as:
157 marketing, identifying sites (readiness), and roles. Mr. Grochala said he has been named
158 to the executive committee for the group and will look forward to bringing very up to
159 date information to the council. He feels it is an important time to "wet our toes" to see
160 how this evolves. The City is being asked to contribute $1,200, which he proposes to
161 come from the City's economic development budget. At this time he feels this is a good
162 initiative that will benefit the city.
163
164 Mayor Reinert asked if there is a specific vision and Mr. Grochala said that development
165 of that is underway, including looking at getting away from negative connotations and
166 promoting the area as a good place to do business.
167
168 Mr. Grochala explained how economic development considerations are processed now
169 and how that could be bettered.
170
171 Council Member Stoesz asked for the total budget at this point; Mr. Grochala said
172 $40,000.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
July 212018
173 7. 2019 City Budget — Administrator Karl son noted that the management team has
174 been working on the 2019 budget over the past few weeks. The Finance Director will be
175 using that information to develop a preliminary 2019 budget that will be presented to the
176 council. Staff is recommending that the council have a special session to review that
177 information sometime after the preliminary budget is distributed on July 23. He noted
178 the preliminary valuation increase reported by the county and the impact the increase
179 would have on the city's tax capacity.
180
181 The council concurred to meet on August 2nd at 6:00 p.m.
182 8. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions —There were no updates.
183 9. Monthly Progress Report —City Administrator Karlson reviewed the written
184 report, specifically:
185
186 - Labor Negotiations Update — meeting was held with Sergeants (mediation); there was
187 no agreement and they have filed for arbitration. Arbitration is scheduled with police in
188 August (he will be utilizing the services of the new city attorney firm);
189 - Employment Update — one vacant police officer position and the process is underway to
190 fill that position;
191 - Website Redesign — staff is working with the contractor and will begin the project.
192 10. Review Regular Agenda
193
194 Item 6A, Consider lst Reading of Ordinance No. 09-18, Parking Regulations for Outdoor
195 Dining - City Planner Larsen reviewed the written staff report asking that the council
196 consider certain text amendments to deal with the situation of restaurants who wish to
197 add outdoor seating but have a problem meeting parking requirements. The proposed
198 amendment would require less parking (about half than the current) and if the outdoor
199 seating is below a specific threshold, no additional parking would be required. Mayor
200 Reinert expressed support.
201
202 Council Member Stoesz asked if the SAC and WAC charges would be impacted; staff
203 explained that those charges are set by the Metropolitan Council although the city doesn't
204 normally charge those fees for outdoor seating.
205
206 Item 6B, Consider lst Reading of Ordinance No. 10-18, Regarding Commercial Kennel
207 and Commercial Stable Performance Standards — City Planner Larsen noted that the city
208 did receive a complaint from someone next to an existing stable. There are several
2o9 within the city. Currently, within the rural zoning district, there are limitations on animal
no units per parcel. Looking at commercial stables a little differently, and looking at other
211 communities, a recommendation is coming forward to change regulations. Ms. Larsen
212 reviewed the proposed changes.
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
229
230
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
July 2, 2018
Council Member Stoesz asked that the word "barn" be added to the definitions.
Mayor Reinert remarked that these regulations are being reviewed based on a complaint
and he suspects that is based on animal waste and this ordinance would deal with that
situation without requiring the operations to be shut down.
11. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
July 23, 2018.
Bartell, City
C