HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-2019 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE :December 2, 2019
5 TIME STARTED 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 8:32 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT :Council Member Rafferty, Maher,
8 Manthey, Stoesz and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT :None
to
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Safety Director John
12 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Finance Director Sarah
13 Cotton; City Engineer Diane Hankee; City Planner Katie Larsen; Public Services Director
14 Rick DeGardner; City Clerk Julie Bartell
15 1. Well No. 7 Feasibility Study —City Engineer Hankee introduced Greg Johnson
16 of WSB &Associates and Greg Oertel of Oertel Architects. Mr. Johnson presented a
17 PowerPoint that included information on the following:
18 - Location (repurposing an existing historic home);
19 - Photos and drawings of changes to existing structure (a building addition would
20 be necessary; some repurposing of bricks);
21 - First floor is all usable space; second floor attic will not be used;
22 - There are windows that would work well as venting (with louvers);
23 - Estimated construction costs; (and comparison to building a new structure);
24 - The current plans include a new foundation necessary to support heavy equipment
25 and for longevity;
26 - Future City Wells Trigger Chart;
27 - Test Well No. 7 (part of the study was construction of test well): test discovered
28 an abandoned cesspool that was removed by the County and two abandoned wells;
29 site is prepared. For testing, the second test well was successful.
30 - Well Capacity/Well Quality;
31 - Data on area wells testing; the aquafer looks very prolific;
32 - White Bear Lake Lawsuit Update;
33 - Recommendations for moving forward (decision needed by the council on the
34 structure, submit permit application to DNR; prepare bidding documents for
35 project);
36
37 Council questions/comments:
38 - Would there be cost savings in recreating the shell with the bricks in the correct
39 location rather than moving? (architect explained why he thinks it would not be a
40 cost savings);
41 - The extra cost of using the structure could be tied to saving the oldest structure in
42 Lino Lakes;
43 - What material would be considered for new construction? (it would be similar to
44 the last well building constructed);
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45 - Could the existing building be left not as a well house)? County representative
46 said it would probably come down to negotiations with the school district; he also
47 suggested that the county has invested in the building and so they will have to
48 consider any proposals. Community Development Director Grochala suggested
49 there is some consideration involved with work planned for Birch Street also.
50 Architect Oertel added that he suspects another use may be easier and possible;
51 the well use is a heavy and more complicated use;
52 - What would the City normally pay for land for a well house? Mr. Grochala said
53 it would normally be a per acre cost at about $50,000 acre;
54 - It's good to hear that this is a good site for a well in respect of the availability of
55 good quality water.
56
57 Community Development Director Grochala concurred that it appears to be a good site
58 for a well. The decision remains about utilizing the current structure and the risk that
59 presents.
60
61 Architect Oertel offered information on costs moving forward. They are not certain
62 about everything that could happen in moving a building and about the maintenance
63 needs of the older structure moving forward. There isn't really a way to compare an
64 1893 building to new construction. The council discussed the value of maintaining a
65 historic building — it can't be brought back once it's gone.
66
67 Mayor Reinert suggested it makes sense to move on an application for a permit with the
68 DNR. He thinks there will be more discussion about the structure. He recommends that
69 staff identify risks that can be mitigated and what remains; that's good information for the
70 council's decision making.
71
72 Council Member Manthey remarked that he likes the older structure but looking at the
73 costs, this needs to be a situation he can explain to the citizens.
74
75 Community Development Director Grochala gave information on the last well project.
76 That project, in about 2015, was about $900,000 with no land acquisition included.
77
78 Staff will continue working on the concept, refine risk exposure and return with a
79 stronger idea of what to expect.
80 2. CSAH 34 Birch Street Project Update —Community Development Director
81 Grochala and Anoka County Engineer Jason Orcutt presented information on the
82 following. Also present were project management members from WSB & Associates.
83 - Since the last presentation to the City Council, there has been a lot of community
84 outreach and they have obtained information they would like to bring forward;
85 - History bringing this project forward; elements included at initial discussion
86 stage;
87 - Project Design Phase — elements discussed;
88 - Project Outreach— school district, City, residents;
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89 - Roundabouts — benefits, one added at Old Birch St, solves safety and turn issues;
90
91 Council Questions/Comments:
92 - How are concerns about increasing traffic, speed and safety being addressed;
93 - How about roundabouts with pedestrian tunnels (water table is probably too high);
94 - Why not make the street the same width throughout (shoulder width is one issue,
95 less is more);
96 - Adding another roundabout is questionable;
97 - This is an artery street intended to move traffic;
98 - People who use this street use it because they must; it's one of a few
99 thoroughfares in the City;
100 - What City costs could be involved (some cost participation for trails and others);
101 - Roundabouts actually create more traffic because cars start off in the wrong
102 direction and double back;
103 - Will fire trucks get through the roundabouts efficiently; will the roundabouts
104 impact response time (some side streets are as challenging; the fire truck is large
105 and isn't moving that fast).
106
107 The council thanked staff for the additional information. County staff indicated there
108 will be an additional open house in the weeks ahead.
109 3. Pavement Management Update and 2020 Mill and Overlay Project —City
110 Engineer Hankee reviewed a PowerPoint presentation providing information on the
111 following:
112 - What is the plan, it's purpose and what's included;
113 - How is the plan developed (input on roadways);
114 - Current road condition index is 71.04, a high average due to the new roadways
115 that have been added; focus should be on marginal roadways to keep them from
116 slipping too far;
117 - Pavement Condition Map;
118 - History of Maintenance since 2005;
119 - City budget and funding for pavement management;
120 - MSA funding element;
121 - Recommended maintenance — problem streets to be rehabilitated (thin overlay
122 until full reconstruction is possible);
123 - 2021 and 2024 projects proposed; also problem streets that would receive thin
124 overlay as temporary;
125 - 2020 Street Rehabilitation Project — what's included;
126 - Project costs and funding.
127
128 Staff will be requesting some approvals at the December 9th council meeting.
129 4. Private Well City Code amendment — Community Development Director
13o Grochala noted that he has communicated with property owner Mr. Weigmann regarding
131 the parameters for moving forward on a well project for his home.
132
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133 Mayor Reinert asked for more staff review and discussion prior to bringing it forward.
134 The mayor also requested that, if an ordinance is developed, it should include language
135 directing that the well permission is granted to the property and not the owner.
136 5. Ambulance Service —Public Safety Director Swenson and Fire Division Director
137 D'Allier reported. As of today, the City has received communication from North
138 Memorial executing early termination on their lease at the fire stations. This relates to the
139 merger of Fairview and HealthEast to MHealth Fairview. In terms of the change coming
140 June Pt. staff has received very little information about what ambulance services will be
141 offered going forward. While MHealth is saying they will be providing ambulance
142 service as of June 1, they are not giving any details. Director Swenson added that he
143 feels that the City is receiving deficient service from the current ambulance provider,
144 perhaps due to the uncertainty of their situation.
145
146 Director Swenson also noted that back in January, the City passed a resolution that urged
147 the State Legislature to institute a law that would provide more power to the City in
148 regard to its ambulance services. The legislation wasn't given a hearing.
149
150 Director Swenson then reviewed the processes that may be involved in considering the
151 change. The reason for bringing this forward is to get any direction the council would
152 like to provide. The license to operate ambulance service is given through the state's
153 EMSRB and they will be considering the request of MHealth going forward. Director
154 Swenson would strongly advocate that the application of MHealth be considered as a new
155 application rather than just a change of name so that proper input can be received by the
156 board. He has listed other options for ambulance service in his written report. Basically,
157 the City could make application to become owner of the ambulance PSA in Lino Lakes or
158 to pursue a vendor that would provide good service.
159
160 Mayor Reinert remarked that the council is concerned about the service level that is
161 occurring and it seems to be a result of what is happening. He wonders if the City needs
162 to show intent to move on its own application. Would such a resolution carry any
163 weight?
164
165 Director Swenson said staff is seeking council direction on those
166 recommendations/options brought forward in his report: continue with the legislature,
167 continue with the EMSRB on our contention that this is not just a name change. The
168 idea of being clear that the City is seeking a new application could be helpful.
169
170 Mayor Reinert suggested that staff form an appropriate action for consideration at the
171 next city council meeting.
172 6. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions —Mayor Reinert remarked that there
173 was a special meeting of the Anoka County Fire Protection Council to change their
174 budget reporting structure.
175
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176 7. Monthly Progress Report — Administrator Karlson noted the reception planned
177 for outgoing council members on December 9d'. Whether there will be a meeting on
178 December 23rd was discussed but not determined.
179
180 8. Review Regular Agenda —
181
i 82 Finance Department — Finance Director Cotton reviewed the final 2020 budget actions
183 that will be presented for council consideration. Actions also include amendments to the
184 2019 budget and the Fee Schedule for 2020.
185
186 Item 6A — Elmcrest Agreement — City Engineer Hankee noted that an amendment will be
187 added to the request this week. She will also be adding an item to authorize rebidding.
188
189 Item 6B — Test Well Final Payment — City Engineer Hankee noted the amount
190 outstanding from the total cost.
191
192 Item 6C — 2019 Surface Water Project — City Engineer Hankee noted that good bids were
193 received for first project (Diane Street) and so are recommending a second project.
194
195 Item 6E - Anoka County Regional Economic Development Partnership Cost Sharing
196 Agreement — Community Development Director Grochala reviewed the annual budget
197 action requested, noting there was no increase proposed to the City's participation cost.
198
199 Item 6F — 2020 Street Rehabilitation Project — was discussed earlier in the meeting.
200
201 Adjourn
202
203 The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
204
205 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
206 December 23, 2019.
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209
210
211 J`uli�rme Bartell, Cit� Clerk'