HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-2019 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
i CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : October 7, 2019
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 7:00 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Rafferty, Maher,
8 Manthey, Stoesz and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT :None
10
11 Staff members present: Public Safety Director John Swenson; Community Development
12 Director Michael Grochala; Finance Director Sarah Cotton; Public Services Director Rick
13 DeGardner; City Planner Katie Larsen; City Clerk Julie Bartell
14
15 1. Introduction of Susan Vento, Metropolitan Council Board Member, District
16 11— Item 1 was removed from the agenda by the City Administrator previous to the
17 meeting.
18
19 2. Request for Temporary Speed Bumps on Elbe Street and 81st Street -
20 Finance Director Cotton reviewed Administrator Karlson's written report.
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22 Mary Schmidt - 8020 Elbe Street — She is not concerned about Waldoch's activities and
23 is not requesting speed bumps.
24
25 Unidentified area resident — concurred that speed bumps are not needed. There has been
26 no problem for the two weeks they have been open. They have lived with the former
27 Hay Days in the area (a much larger event).
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29 John, area resident, stated that this would mean 400 to 500 additional cars on a residential
30 street on a Saturday in October when residents will be out in their yards. There are no
31 sidewalks on the street so that creates a danger for pedestrians. Any way that the danger
32 could be mitigated would be the way to go. He asks the question, if there are 400
33 additional cars, does that make the street safer?
34
35 Mayor Reinert remarked that the council discussed allowing the use of Elbe Street as a
36 backup exit at the last council meeting. The intent was to see how it goes, learn from the
37 experience and move on from there. Mayor Reinert asked when Waldoch's actually
38 expect to utilize the street.
39
40 Doug Joyer, Waldoch Farms, showed on the monitor a picture of the gate and the safety
41 signs that they have installed. The use of Elbe Street is "as needed" and for a backup
42 situation from the main roadway (Lake Drive). They have not needed to use it yet. They
43 are trying to prevent issues. It could possibly be used one to four times at this point.
44
45 Mayor Reinert remarked that it is basically a safety valve for those times when it is
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
46 needed. Use is planned only for those times and probably not for whole days. He asked
47 Public Safety Director Swenson for his opinion on the street use.
48
49 Director Swenson said in terms of speed, while the business hasn't opened the gate to
5o Elbe Street yet, there have been no complaints about that. It is kind of a "wait and see"
51 situation. In terms of Lake Drive and the impact in the past, there hasn't been a problem.
52 Use of a controlled intersection instead of not makes some sense.
53
54 A resident of Danube and 8Pt Street noted additional traffic in the area (Lake Drive) due
55 to construction on the interstate. About ten years ago, he approached the Joyer's with a
56 paper signed by Governor Perpich about speed limits on rural versus city roads and
57 suggested they pursue a lowered speed limit. He's watched the speed increase and
58 increase on Lake Drive and there's some danger there. A lower speed limit would make
59 it safer for kids going to school as well as people wanting to drive into businesses.
60
61 Mayor Reinert said he doesn't disagree with the speed limit question but that is a separate
62 topic. He doesn't know if speed bumps are the best solution. It seems like the best may
63 be to allow this as a temporary use and find out the impact of that use. The permit is
64 only issued for this year.
65
66 The council and residents discussed notification to the neighborhood of the council's last
67 discussion and tonight's meeting. Council Member Manthey noted that he asked to have
68 this on the agenda tonight. He had understood that the whole neighborhood was notified
69 of that first meeting but now understands that only went to Elbe Street. After being
70 informed of the petition, he thought it would be best to bring people together to share
71 their concerns.
72
73 Mayor Reinert suggested allowing the gate to be used and see what happens. He is glad
74 to see the signage added. He isn't hearing any council members say they want to pull
75 back the permission.
76
77 Council Member Rafferty said the responsibility is falling to the Waldoch business to
78 decide when that gate is needed and he feels they will handle it appropriately.
79
80 An area resident noted rumors that the Joyers are going to develop townhomes in the area.
81
82 Council Member Manthey suggested that the bottom line with the council issuing
83 permission to use the street was that it is an annual situation. He wants to make sure
84 people feel that they are being heard.
85
86 Doug Joyer said they may never need to open the gate but they feel it's important to have
87 the opportunity.
88
89 Mayor Reinert remarked that it may be a good idea to lower the speed limit in front of the
90 Waldoch business.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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91
92 Jeff Joyer addressed the townhouse rumor. On both the north and east edge of the
93 neighborhood they are installing new fences for pony pastures. Even though the city
94 zoning would allow development, their long term plans are to provide for the livestock on
95 the farm.
96
97 Council Member Manthey remarked that all comments, even off of topic, are being heard
98 and will be followed up on by staff.
99
100 Mayor Reinert directed staff that when this matter comes up next year for review, all
101 residents in the neighborhood should be notified.
102
103 Doug Joyer noted that the easement that allows the use of the roadway for the event (as
104 allowed by the council) allows them (Waldoch Farms) to use the easement for themselves
105 anytime.
106
107 Council Member Maher told those present that the council wants people to be safe and
108 for people to work together and if this doesn't work this time around, it will not be
109 allowed again.
110
111 3. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions, City Council — There were no
112 updates.
113
114 4. Monthly Progress Report — Director Swenson clarified that the CSO position is
115 not yet closed.
116
117 There were no questions from the council.
118
119 NOT ON PRINTED AGENDA
120
121 Council Member Maher noted the proposed sod on West Shadow Lake Drive and asked if
122 there is an appropriate warranty on that considering the time of year? City Engineer
123 Hankee explained that the warranty requires replacement if the sod doesn't survive for
124 thirty days. There are appropriate warranties in place.
125
126 5. Review Regular Agenda
127
128 The agenda was reviewed.
129
130 Item 6A — St. Clair Estates. City Engineer Hankee explained that staff is attempting to
131 get project closure. The City has communicated numerous times with the developer but
132 at this point must move toward bringing in contractors to finish things like erosion, storm
133 sewer flushing, etc. There is one driveway where the repair is needed and Ms. Hankee
134 said she is getting a quote to get that work done.
135
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136 Mayor Reinert remarked that it is disturbing especially to him that these are new Lino
137 Lakes' residents that this is what they are first experiencing. He is glad that the work
138 will be done. City Engineer Hankee noted that some of the planting issues may have to
139 wait until spring for resolution.
140
141 Ms. Hankee reviewed the resolutions, each accepting quotes for necessary work. There is
142 one quote outstanding and that information will be provided in the Friday update.
143
144 Item 6B — Direct Bore Inc. — City Planner Larsen explained that this company is
145 interested in purchasing property for their business use. Certain actions are required for
146 their intended use. The Planning and Zoning Board recommendations will be discussed
147 at the council meeting.
148
149 Item 6C — Watermark — City Planner Larsen reviewed the staff report that proposes
15o amendments to the architectural standards related to the construction of three car garages
151 for the single level homes.
152
153 The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
154
155 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
156 October 28, 2019.
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161 Julianr� Bartell, City �lerk
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