HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-2018 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 4, 2018
i CITY "r LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE September 4, 2018
5 TIME STARTED 6*00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 8:50 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Rafferty, Maher,
8 Manthey, Stoesz and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT None
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11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Safety Director John
12 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Katie
13 Larsen; Finance Director Sarah Cotton; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; City
14 Engineer Diane Hankee; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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16 1. Water Storage Siting Analysis — City Engineer Hankee and Greg Johnson, WSB
17 & Associates, reviewed a presentation that included the following information:
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19 - background on water tower siting discussion (including two sites);
20 - site evaluation (supporting recommendation for Birth and Centerville site);
21 - recommendation to move to final design for site.
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23 Ms. Hankee noted that additional water storage was originally planned for several years
24 earlier but has been delayed due to a slowdown in development. The cost has increased
25 over that period. The council reviewed storage options, including size, in 2017.
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27 The council concurred with the staff recommendation.
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29 Mayor Reinert noted recent discussions with Anoka County about land adjacent to Rice
30 Lake Elementary on which the oldest house in Lino Lakes is located (house is vacant).
31 The county had planned to raze the house but, working with city staff, there's possibly an
32 option to leave the house in place to be used as the City's next well house. Community
33 Development Director Grochala explained plans to meet with county staff to discover
34 what options are possible. Council Member Maher remarked that the plans should
35 include a plaque explaining the building's historical significance.
37 2. Cedar Street East and Elmcrest Avenue/2411 Avenue Paving —City Engineer
38 Hankee reviewed her written staff report. The cities of Lino Lakes and Hugo share
39 interest in these two roadways since they are at or near each city's border. City staff of
40 both cities have been discussing ways to work together on a joint project to improve the
41 roadway. The Cedar Street estimate is $1.6 million and $250,000 is the estimate for 24th
42 Avenue/Elmcrest. The Cedar Street improvement is higher mainly because of additional
43 infrastructure. Proposed funding for Cedar Street would be assessments previously
44 collected and also Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds.
45
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 4, 2018
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The council received an update on the status of the City's MSA funding. There is some
47 funding available for new projects.
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49 The mayor expressed some concern about the City paying for a large project while
50 Hugo's portion is much smaller. He's not convinced this would be the best use of the
51 City's state aid. The mayor suggested discussing the 24t` Street portion first; there may
52 not be a need (except for a quarter mile) to improve Cedar Street right now. He needs to
53 learn more about that section before it makes sense; he is committed to driving to and
54 viewing the area. City Engineer Hankee noted the number of complaints that are
55 received on that roadway and also the idea that improving this roadway would move
56 some of the problem traffic off of Tart Lake Road.
57.
58 Ms. Hankee explained that the next step would be to meet with Hugo staff for more
59 numbers development. Mayor Reinert said he will be looking more closely at the idea;
60 he's also curious about development that could be planned in the area.
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62 1 ADA Transition Plan — City Engineer Hankee reviewed a PowerPoint
63 presentation including information on:
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65 - Existence of the ADA and the City's requirement for a transition plan;
66 - The two components are facilities and public right -of --way;
67 - Staff has conducted an inventory and WSB has prepared a transition plan:
68 - The plan mirrors what the city currently requires in development plans;
69 - The plan for infrastructure improvements with estimated costs and a goal;
70 - The estimate is approximately $60,000 per year.
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72 Ms. Hankee said the plan will be placed on the next council agenda for council
73 consideration of acceptance. Mayor Reinert remarked that it would be appropriate to
74 look for the most important elements and budget for those first. Council Member Maher
75 asked about the cost to the City of preparing the report; Ms. Hankee said the cost was
76 under $5,000.
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78 4. 2018 Street Reconstruction Project Update —City Engineer Hankee reviewed
79 the written staff report. Bids that were received for both projects were reviewed,
80 including alternates considered for the West Shadow Lake. (WSL) project. She explained
81 the WSL project costs in excess of the City's bond authority and how that could be
82 covered. The maximum assessment amount is also exceeded by the project estimate and
83 possible financing coverage was explained. Staff is requesting council direction on the
84 project funding.
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86 The council reviewed the proposed sewer extension on a map.
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88 Council Member Maher asked if anyone is concerned that this project is about $1,000,000
89 more than anticipated (combination of WSL and LaMotte). She noted that her comments
90 aren't intended to infer she doesn't support the project. Mayor Reinert remarked that he
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 4, 2018
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91 hates that the project cost keeps rising but that's indicative of all construction costs now.
92 He remarked that if it isn't done now, it probably won't get done or will cost even more.
93 Council Member Maher said she isn't comfortable putting in facilities for properties that
94 aren't there yet. Director Grochala explained that the water looping isn't about future
95 development but for maintenance and service and would improve the system; the
96 infrastructure would serve one existing house and also be available to the park.
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98 Community Development Director Grochala explained that the LaMotte portion of the
99 project will be on the next council agenda to award the bid. The WSL project will next
100 be considered at the assessment hearing, with more to be worked out.
101
102 5. Council Compensation — City Administrator Karlson explained that staff has
103 conducted a salary survey regarding salaries for city council members and mayors (cities
104 of comparable size). Staff has found that Lino Lakes' elected officials are paid well
105 below the amounts seen in other cities of similar size. Staff has proposed an ordinance
106 changing salaries as of January 2020, and amending language relative to special meeting
107 pay.
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109 Mayor Reinert remarked that he isn't comfortable getting a larger percentage increase
110 than the council members; perhaps the raise could be an average of the two. In any case,
111 he won't accept any percentage that is larger than what council members receive.
112
113 Mayor Reinert suggested also looking ahead. He realizes that the council cannot legislate
114 raises infinitum but perhaps there could be language that ties future salary to other
115 numbers (i.e. staff compensation). Council Member Stoesz and Rafferty expressed
116 concern about that type of arrangement.
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118 The council and administrator discussed possible ways for future council salary
119 consideration.
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121 Council Member Manthey said he'd like to understand clearly that that the salaries noted
122 for other cities represent a similar amount of duties (i.e. number of meetings per month).
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124 Council Member Rafferty suggested increasing per meeting salary for the Economic
125 Development Authority (EDA) members to $40. The council concurred.
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127 The council concurred that they will consider an increase for the council members and
128 mayor of 39%.
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130 Mayor Reinert asked the administrator to do a recap of the discussion and forward to the
131 council. He wants to make sure everyone is in agreement; if not, he would prefer not to
132 do it.
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134 On the matter of future increases, Council Member Rafferty said he'd be comfortable
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September 4, 2018
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135 with an average of the increases approved for employees. The council could consider that
136 every two years, using that average as a foundation.
137
138 6. Code of Conduct — City Administrator Karlson reported that he is bringing back
139 this revision to the Code. The revisions serve to update the language. He is prepared for
140 questions and comments.
141
142 Mayor Reinert noted the deletion of a lot of language in the first page and he feels the
143 proposed language is less explanatory. He doesn't support all of those changes because
144 he recalls the original discussions about being specific. He would support the language
145 change to "standards".
146
147 The council reviewed the document and authorized specific changes. Administrator
148 Karlson will make the changes and bring the document forward for council consideration.
149
150 7. 2019 Budget — The council was not prepared for a full review this evening but
151 will discuss the budget again prior to the September 24th preliminary budget adoption
152 date.
153
154 Director Cotton noted the special events funding situation; that fund is operating in a
155 deficit and cannot continue to do so. For 2019, the council will need to identify a funding
156 source if the special event activities are to continue.
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158 Mayor Reinert indicated that he believes the council wants to continue those activities
159 and will identify a funding source.
160
161 The next budget discussion was tentatively planned for September 1 Oth, following the
162 regular council meeting, contingent upon Council Member Manthey's ability to attend
163 that evening.
164
165 8. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions, City Council
166
167 There were no updates.
168
169 9. Monthly Progress Report — City Administrator Karlson reviewed the written
170 report. He updated the council on labor negotiations.
171
172 10. Review Regular Agenda of September 10, 2018 —
173
174 Item 4A and 413 — Public Safety Director Swenson explained his recommendation to
175 amend the existing therapeutic massage regulations and to add regulations regarding
176 disorderly houses.
177
178 Item 6A —City Planner Larsen briefly reviewed a proposal for a mini self -storage facility
179 at 440 Park Court. This would require a conditional use permit. She pointed out berms
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 4, 2018
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180 and other buffering to provide privacy to area homes. A vacation of a drainage and utility
I81 easement is also included as Item 6B. Mayor Reinert asked why the city would want
182 industrial in that area of homes off Lake Drive. Ms. Larsen explained that the area of the
183 industrial development was platted as such. She added that the Planning and Zoning
184 Board held a public hearing and there were no comments heard.
185
186 Item 6C — Eastside Villas — City Planner Larsen briefly reviewed a proposed project of 32
187 single level villas. These would be fifty foot lots. There was a review of building types
188 proposed, including exterior products. She noted that there was one resident who
189 attended the Planning and Zoning Board meeting; she feels that the resident left with a
190 better understanding of the proposal and less concern about impact on his property. This
191 would be four units per acre, right at the low end of the zoning.
192 Item 61), LaMotte Area Street and Utility Improvements — The matter was discussed as
193 part of the work session agenda. Council Member Maher asked about the services being
194 provided by WSB &Associates and Ms. Hankee explained each of those elements. Staff
195 will be recommending acceptance of the base bid as well as the two alternates.
196
197 Item 6E, ADA Transition Plan — The matter was discussed as part of the work session
198 agenda. Staff directed to propose "acceptance" of the plan rather than approval.
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Item 6F, 2018 Trail and Maintenance Project —City Engineer Hankee explained the status
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
September 24, 2018.
u ' . e Bartell, C)1y ClerkJ
J�
Mayor
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