HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-2019 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 1, 2019
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : April 1, 2019
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 9:30 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; City Planner Katie
13 Larsen; Finance Director Sarah Cotton; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; City
14 Engineer Diane Hankee; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Clerk Julie
15 Bartell
16 1. Preview for Board of Appeal and Equalization - Anoka County Assessor Alex
17 Guggenberger first updated the council on staff changes at the County Assessor's Office.
18
19 Mr. Guggenberger reviewed the Board report. Mayor Reinert asked that staff provide a
20 contact number that they can pass on to the residents (so they can discuss their case prior
21 to the board meeting).
22
23 Mr. Guggenberger explained how the assessment calculations are prepared: first using a
24 preliminary basis point (6.9% for Lino Lakes) and then using additional information from
25 there. He also explained how the Assessor calculates the value of municipal water and
26 sewer connection. He referenced the quintile map (indicating when they will be visiting
27 certain areas) included in the Board report that could be added to the City website.
28
29 Information reviewed included:
30 -How the average home price in Anoka County compares to other metro area
31 counties;
32 - Values by county have tracked closely among counties;
33 - Sales ratios — stay above 90%;
34 - How tightly correlated sales are to average;
35 - Aggregate value totals.
36
37 Mayor Reinert remarked that this will be the highest valuation that the City has
38 experienced.
39
40 The Board of Appeal for Lino Lakes will be held on May 6th at 6:00 p.m. Staff will work
41 on providing information for residents on when appraisers will be visiting in Lino Lakes
42 and information their credentials.
43 2. Access to Channel 16 —North Metro Television (NMTV) Executive Director
44 Heidi Arnson was present. Administrator Karlson noted that a resident complained about
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45 not being able to access Channel 16 without cable service. Ms. Arnson reviewed the
46 specific situation where a signal cannot get to someone who doesn't have a digital set up.
47 She noted that the government channel is now streamed and is available on the city's
48 website at any time. The agendas for meetings are now bookmarked for easy. Videos of
49 past meetings are archived for a period and are available as well through the City website.
50 Also they will begin offering the channel on Roku and other services television this
51 summer.
52
53 Mayor Reinert discussed the matter of viewership and heard that actual numbers aren't
54 available. Ms. Arnson noted that franchise renewal is just beginning for NMTV and she
55 anticipates that a view survey will be a part of that process.
56
57 Council Member Stoesz noted how the channel services are financed — fees through
58 Comcast accounts.
59 3. Lyngblomsten Financial Assistance Request - Mikaela Huot (Springsted), and
60 Community Development Director Grochala reported. Ms. Huot reviewed the estimated
61 project costs, including financing, site development, etc. The total cost of $77 million
62 would cover all elements including acquisition for the commercial.
63
64 Mr. Grochala reviewed the proposed sewer improvements, extending from the area to
65 serve future development.
66
57 Mr. Grochala remarked that staff is presenting a tax increment financial (TIF) proposal
68 from the developer for the council's review and to understand if the council has flexibility
69 in the matter of the TIF time period. Five to six years has been the standard for the City.
70
71 Ms. Huot reviewed a PowerPoint including information on:
72 - Application submitted to City for financial assistance in the amount of $5.3
73 million over 15 years;
74 - Total investment compared with requested assistance;
75 - The development area outside of the proposed district and tax that would be
76 generated;
77 - What housing would be designated to fulfill requirement for units (senior care
78 units of 198 units);
79 - Request is for pay-as-you-go assistance (financed up front by developer);
80 - Reasons why public financial assistance is being requested;
81 - Staff is in the process of the due diligence review of the application;
82 - Annual increment estimates.
83
84 Mayor Reinert remarked that use of tax increment financing exists in many cities. The
85 council should discuss TIF as a financing tool for this city, and how TIF fits into this
86 development proposed for in Lino Lakes. His preference would be to have it privately
87 developed completely; the development will bring additional costs to the city. He noted
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88 that there is a precedent for this tool in other city developments. He threw out the
89 possibility of cutting the requested period in half.
90
91 Community Development Director Grochala noted past use of TIF —Target Store (6
92 years); Distribution Alternatives (5.5 years) and a housing project many years ago.
93
94 Mayor Reinert asked if the council is interested in the possibility. Council Member
95 Stoesz said he is interested (perhaps a ten year period if necessary for a very difficult
96 corner); Council Member Maher thinks the project is worth the establishment of a district
97 (probably not more than 6 years); Council Member Rafferty said he likes the project but
98 he isn't comfortable at this point on the tax increment element; Council Member Manthey
99 said he would like to understand the numbers more but knows the corner will probably
100 need some help.
101
102 Mayor Reinert noted that there is more work ahead so it appears there will be more time
103 spent by the council on the subject. Community Development Director Grochala said he
104 sees the need for more work but he hears interest on the part of the council and some
105 flexibility in the time period.
106
107 A Lyngblomsten developer representative clarified that the townhome tax revenue would
108 not be included. Regarding the site selection, it's common knowledge that they've
109 looked at Arden Hills as well. He also noted that developers prefer to not include tax
110 increment in their project financing proposals but in this case it is necessary. There are
111 some right of way issues and extra costs and some high priced land. The project includes
112 a lot of costs and risk. He noted that there is a timing issue and commitments coming up
113 in the next week or so.
114
115 Mayor Reinert asked that the council educate themselves over the next week and then
116 hold a work session before next Monday's meeting to discuss the subject further.
117
118 The council requested that staff prepare a range of revenues based on the term of the
119 district.
120
121 The developer remarked that what they will need to hear in a week is that the council is
122 comfortable moving forward.
123
124 The council concurred to meet at a special session on Monday, April 8 at 6:00 p.m. to
125 discuss the matter.
126
127 City Planner Larsen reviewed her regular agenda item, 6A, also relating to the
128 Lyngblomsten project. There have been some changes to the plans which were
129 reviewed:
130 - Phasing was reviewed:
131 - At the NE corner of the development, there are changes from community garden
132 to stormwater pond to meet water management requirements;
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133 - In the cottage homes, Lot 49 shifted, still within requirements;
134 - Additional landscaping/screening;
135 - Path/trail development improvements, setback changed a bit.
136
137 The council will consider Item 6A at the regular council meeting on April 8'
138 4. Well No. 7 Test Well revisions, Greg Johnson (WSB) —Greg Johnson of WSB
139 and Associates presented information on testing that the City ordered for proposed Well
140 No. 7. Mr. Johnson reported on:
141 - project history (site at 509 Birch Street, an existing brick farmhouse that would be
142 converted to well house);
143 - what is included in a test project and the purpose (important information before
144 you invest in project);
145 - Types of test wells (bedrock and screened wells);
146 - Complication found in testing this well (bedrock test ended with a sand problem);
147 - Constructed a new test well with a screen;
148 - Estimated cost summary (extra cost for screened test);
149 - Options:. abandon site; construct screened test well at additional cost; do not
150 construct test well but proceed with construction of a municipal well to be dual
151 purposed as test and final well (comes with risk of not testing ahead of
152 commitment to project).
153
154 Community Development Director Grochala reviewed the options. He suggested that it
155 may be wise to invest the test money ahead to have more certainty moving ahead to the
156 full well. From his understanding, the screened well will work.
157
158 Mayor Reinert asked "if not at this site, where?" Ms. Hankee said the other area
159 discussed was Country Lakes Park which isn't far away and could have the same
160 problem. Mr. Grochala remarked that moving from the site would probably end the
161 possibility of saving the farmhouse.
162
163 Mayor Reinert suggested that the project is moving and his opinion is to finish the job
164 there. Council Member Manthey said he'd support moving on the screened test well.
165 5. Garbage Haulers -Mayor Reinert noted that the City currently allows four
166 haulers in the city. He understands that choice to residents is important but does result in
167 a lot of trucks on City streets each week (the number of trucks has gone up over the
168 years). He's suggesting, for discussion, maybe it's time to go to three haulers, through a
169 licensing attrition process.
170
171 Council Member Stoesz suggested looking at what other cities have in their code in this
172 area. The mayor concurred.
173
174 Environmental Coordinator Asleson remarked that using attrition could prove to take a
175 long time. There isn't a lot turn over.
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176
177 Council Member Manthey said he likes the idea of reduction.
178
179 The council would like more information on reducing the number of haulers.
180 6. Environmental Resource Inventory —Environmental Coordinator Asleson
181 remarked, with his pending retirement, he was asked to put together information on the
182 city's unique resources as well as his job duties.
183 The Lino Lakes Environmental Board did a study many years ago that resulted in
184 development of an initial resource inventory. He reviewed a PowerPoint that included
185 information on that initial inventory as well as how that information has grown:
186
187 - Creation of greenways became a goal (Clearwater Creek Development was first
188 wetland/conservation development exercise);
189 - Resource Management Plan (more developed land cover classification);
190 - End product is the greenway system which are the city's wetland preservation or
191 management corridors, that recognizes and protect some important resources;
192 - Identified high value wetlands, flood plains, soils;
193 - Have inventory of some plants;
194 - City has information available through the DNR (heritage system);
195 - Rare species such as the blanding turtle have been identified; Wollen's Park
196 wetland restoration project;
197 - Anoka County has developed a sand plane model for Lino Lakes;
198 - Wellhead protection program;
199 - City wide tree inventory;
200 - Blue Heron project.
201 7. Environmental Coordinator Salary Adjustment and Succession Planning —
202 Administrator Karlson reviewed the written report. Staff is recommending that the
203 position be filled based on duties but that Mr. Asleson participate in a phased retirement
204 option that allows him to stay while a replacement is found and trained. Staff is
205 suggesting that the salary be adjusted for the position after Mr. Asleson's retirement
206 based on market research.
207
208 Mayor Reinert remarked that this is a unique position and he thinks it warrants the
209 council learning more about it. The council concurred.
210
211 Community Development Director Grochala said he could provide more information but
212 position similar to this often have a variety of combined duties. He addressed a question
213 about overlap of duties with outsourced services from the engineering firm; there are
214 some functions that are outsourced but the cost is generally more expensive at $80 an
215 hour.
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216 8. Recreation Complex Discussion. Public Services Director eGardner read his
217 written report. The concept plan is included in his report and was presented on the
218 screen for the council.
219
220 Mayor Reinert asked if the council would like to authorize the funding now so that the
221 work could go ahead in conjunction with development of the water tower.
222 Mr. DeGardner said he is viewing this as an initial step of providing some new
223 recreational court facilities. Moving ahead he doesn't see any guarantee for future
224 development without community engagement. The Park Board is looking at this as being
225 a part of the vision for the city moving ahead. There is no urgency to make a decision
226 on this concept but he has heard the council ask him to bring it back. If the council
227 wants to move forward, it's a good time because there would be efficiencies involved if
228 done in conjunction with the water tower. Preliminary grading would begin in the fall so
229 there's still time for discussion.
230 9. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions —There were none.
231 10. Monthly Progress Report —Administrator Karlson provided a brief review of
232 the written report.
233 11. Review Regular Agenda —
234
235 Volunteer Recognition - Council Member Manthey suggested that the volunteers who
236 help with the herons on Peltier Island should receive recognition at some point.
237
238 Approval of Minutes (when member is absent) — Council Member Stoesz asked for
239 clarification on how the council will approve these minutes; there's been a bit of
240 confusion. The City Clerk and Administrator will research the matter and report back.
241 Personnel Policy Change -Administrator Karlson explained his proposal to change
242 language related to workers compensation, adding a ending time for certain
243 circumstances.
244 Police Department —City Code —Administrator Karlson reviewed the ordinances, as
245 updated. He has worked with the Mayor on some additional changes since first reading.
246 12. Adjourn
247 The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
248
249 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
25o April 22, 2019.
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April 11 2019
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255 Ju %di i Bartell, City 01erk
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