HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-2019 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Mav 28, 2019
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE May 28, 2019
5 TIME STARTED 6*00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 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; Human Resources
13 Manager Karissa Bartholomew; City Engineer Diane Hankee; City Clerk Julie Bartell
14
15 Review Regular Council Agenda of May 28, 2019 —
l6
17 Items on the agenda were reviewed.
18
19 Item IA, Expenditures — Council Member Rafferty noted that a check for the Rice Lake
20 Elementary playground project seems to be going directly to the school district; he
21 thought that wasn't going to occur. Administrator Karlson explained that the school
22 district will handle the business end of the project.
23
24 Item 3A, Amendment to JPA with VLAWMO —Administrator Karlson explained that
25 VLAWMO is attempting to change some insurance related language thus requiring the
26 execution of an amendment to the agreement. The change will meet the requirements of
27 the League of Minnesota Cities.
28
29 Item 3B and 3C, Appointment of Employees —Human Resources Manager Bartholomew
3o reviewed the staff recommendations to hire Yelena Brook and Samantha Bergeron for the
31 respective positions.
32
33 Item 5A, Well House No. 1 Rehabilitation Project — City Engineer Hankee reviewed
34 staff s recommendation to order the project, approve the plans and specifications and
35 authorize advertisement for bids. She explained the operations of the well and the
36 elements of the proposed rehabilitation project. The council requested additional
37 information on lighting and siding.
38
39 Item 6A, NE Lino Lakes Drainage Improvement Project — Community Development
40 Director Grochala reported on the two actions requested: approve plans and
41 specifications for submission to outside agencies for permitting; and move forward with
42 eminent domain process. He noted that the City would continue discussions with the
43 property owners.
44
1
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 28, 2029
APPROVED
45 The mayor asked for more details on why the acquisition of land situation hasn't settled.
46 He noted that there is apparently an offer coming forward. Shouldn't the City know all
47 the information before moving on eminent domain? Community Development Director
48 Grochala suggested that discussions with the property owners will continue as the process
49 moves forward. Staff will be examining a counter offer further as this moves forward
50 also. One of the property owners has someone speaking on their behalf, that property is
51 on the market. Council Member Maher suggested that perhaps the property owner is
52 hoping to sell the whole property so the next owner can deal with it.
53
54 City Attorney Jay Squires noted that the longest part of the process is a 90 day notice
55 required to property owners; working backwards, now is the time the City must act in
56 order to preserve a fall construction schedule for the drainage project. As noted, there
57 will be plenty of opportunity for continuing dialogue with the property owners. The
58 process can lend itself to having more productive discussions.
59
60 Council Member Stoesz asked if a property owner who was selling would have to
61 disclose this situation if they were to sell the land. Attorney Squires explained that the
62 law requires notification of anything that would impact the property.
63
64 The mayor asked how eminent domain would impact the prices that have already been
65 offered. Attorney Squires explained that the current offers have been rejected and he
66 explained how the process will unfold to determine a sale price.
67
68 The mayor wondered, since Lennar (a developer) needs this drainage, why aren't they
69 negotiating this? Community Development Director Grochala said they (Lennar) is not
70 in a position to force the purchase; the City has broader authority. Lennar does have an
71 agreement with surface water management funding behind it that supports the project.
72
73 Council Member Manthey suggested that keeping the negotiating process going is key to
74 moving forward with this action.
75
76 Council Member Maher asked if the council is tied to acquiring the property with this
77 resolution. City Attorney said there will be opportunities to pull down the process, as
78 discussions continue.
79
80 The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
81
82 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
83 June 11, 2019.
88 Julianryl✓ Bartell, City�lerk �'
89
F7