HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-2020 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE October 5, 2020
5 TIME STARTED 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 8:25 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland,
8 Cavegn and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT None
10 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Community Development
11 Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; City Planner Katie
12 Larsen; City Engineer Diane Hankee; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; and City
13 Clerk Julie Bartell
14 1. Burque Property PUD Concept Plan —City Planner Larsen reviewed a
15 PowerPoint presentation (on file) including information on the following:
16 -This is a concept plan — no formal action is required but council feedback is
17 requested;
18 - Site location and aerial map;
19 - High level review of site conditions (map);
20 - 152 units proposed;
21 - Proposed lot sizes reviewed as well as front and back set back;
22 - NorthPointe 5th Addition Outlot (approving resolution called for age restrictions,
23 etc);
24 - Land use and density;
25 - Propose to take some density from NorthPointe Outlot to Burque property (chart
26 shown);
27 - Zoning (rezoning required); Additional public benefit needs to be shown;
28 - PUD comparison to R-2;
29 - Building design standards (photos submitted do not meet City standards);
30 - Implications of Subdivision Ordinance;
31 - Review of streets;
32 - Staff comments, stormwater management; utilities, parks and trails;
33 - Planning and Zoning comments; Public Safety comments; Anoka County
34 comments;
35 - Planning and Zoning Board (generally not supportive).
36 Councilmember Ruhland said he spoke with area residents and hears that Birch Street
37 gets very busy at certain times. He wonders if a traffic study has been done recently.
38 Ms. Larsen said a traffic study would certainly be a part of this project if it went forward.
39 Councilmember Ruhland received more information on setbacks proposed.
40 Councilmember Lyden said he is glad to have the interested developer(s) present. He has
41 concern about the set back of five feet. He suggested that seeing the minutes of the
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42 Planning and Zoning Board prior to this meeting would be helpful to him but generally
43 the timing doesn't allow that. Generally though he is concerned for the same reasons
44 he's heard from staff and the Planning & Zoning Board.
45 Councilmember Stoesz remarked that although this would be a PUD, he thinks mirroring
46 the R-2 district as they've done at NorthPointe is a positive. This doesn't appear to go in
47 that direction.
48 Councilmember Cavegn concurred that the 40 foot lot is not what the City is looking for.
49 Mayor Rafferty asked what is the public benefit to allowing a PUD in this case? He
50 doesn't like any of the concept plan presented.
51 Councilmember Lyden discussed the utility element and Ms. Larsen explained
52 improvements that would be required.
53 Steve Soltau, concept plan applicant, said they are here to listen. They have seen the
54 success of NorthPointe and are interested in extending that. They came up with the idea
55 of shifting density and have heard that the Planning and Zoning Board is not supportive.
56 They are wondering now if the council would be supportive of a compliant project. They
57 would like to look at options for the parcel they control. They have all but given up on
58 the 40 foot lots but any development will present challenges. They would still be looking
59 at a PUD but certainly with less sticking points.
60 Councilmember Stoesz remarked that the idea of apartments that aren't senior oriented
61 doesn't appeal to him and isn't what he envisioned.
62 Councilmember Lyden said he likes the idea of the senior element but also thinks mixed
63 age groups could be a positive.
64 Mayor Rafferty said he isn't big on the idea of an apartment complex either —doesn't fit
65 in that area. He's concerned out, getting away from 80 lots.
66 Community Development Director Grochala noted that there are different types of land
67 and guidance in the City. NorthPointe was all guided for medium -density. The
68 development came in 2011-12 and they wanted townhomes but with the recession they
69 originally pitched single family that would be R-2 under the City's requirements.
70 NorthPointe and the PUD was a compromise to the change from townhouses.
71 Councilmember Cavegn spoke to the limitations that he is seeing and while he's not very
72 familiar with the comp plan amendment process, the other stumbling blocks are
73 concerning.
74 The council and the mayor offered cormnents.
75- Larger lots areaway of life in Lino Lakes but also NorthPointe has been popular so the
76 mayor said he recognizes that is also what people want;
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77 The council wants to see a properly placed development that will be an asset to the
78 community. Mayor Rafferty would also like to see other developments this group has
79 done.
80 Councilmember Lyden remarked that it would be interesting to understand more (through
81 a survey perhaps) about what is working for residents.
82 2. NE Drainage Improvement Project —City Engineer Hankee showed a picture of
83 the drainage area. The goal of the project is to drain a land locked area that is currently
84 served by old drain tiles. The area is prone to flooding. The proposed project will
85 improve water quality through best management practices going with the project and
86 through planning with the Rice Creek Watershed Management Area. She reviewed the
87 elements of the project, including storm water management and installation of a pipe
88 including through property under acquisition work. Ms. Hankee reviewed the proposed
89 project schedule as it is included in the staff report. Permits are in place and staff is
90 excited to begin going out for bids. A formal council action will be requested on the bid
91 process at the upcoming council meeting. Final completion is planned for November
92 2021.
93 Community Development Director Grochala noted that the council may be called upon to
94 hold a special closed meeting to deal with land acquisition matters. This project goes
95 back to development of McDonald's restaurant in the area.
96
97 Mayor Rafferty remarked that there's been a long process that has included much work
98 with the property owners in the area.
99 Councilmember Stoesz remarked that there's clearly a benefit to the City of Hugo and he
100 wonders about any way to assess the value appropriately.
101
102 The council discussed the process of going under the freeway. Ms. Hankee explained that
103 it will be an interesting process putting the necessary large pipe under the roadway.
104 3. 2020 Pavement Management and 2021 Street Improvement Projects —City
105 Engineer Hankee reviewed a presentation that included a review of the City's Pavement
106 Management Program and the Street Improvement Program moving ahead (the full
107 presentation is included in the council packet). She noted that much information is
108 provided through the City website.
109 Councilmember Lyden remarked that the City seems to be doing better than "treading
110 water" on keeping up with roadway work. Ms. Hankee remarked that, in comparison to
ill what other cities are doing, she feels the City has a reasonable program. Also
112 Councilmember Lyden wonders if the public good factors into what roads are included
113 and Ms. Hankee said they do consider traffic volumes. He also mentioned his concern
114 that there's too much money being spent on engineering hours. Ms. Hankee said there's
115 a certain amount of time required to get projects together and she feels that they follow a
116 slim plan.
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117 Mayor Rafferty suggested that the council really pay attention to this program; this is an
118 important element of what the City does. He recommends looking at before and after to
119 see the benefit.
120 4. Police Division Fleet —Public Safety Director Swenson first noted that there will
121 be a more comprehensive review of the fleet as the council reviews the capital budget in
122 November. He remarked that the information he's providing is an overview and there is
123 no council action requested. Data on the current police fleet and mileage was included in
124 his presentation. He noted one squad with higher mileage due to it having a trial storage
125 bay (for fire equipment). He noted the average mileage per month (total and per
126 vehicle). He reviewed a breakdown of how the vehicles are assigned (including special
127 use vehicles such as snowmobile and Ranger Crew) and utilized by shifts.
128
129 Councilmember Stoesz asked if Director Swenson sees the department utilizing any
130 drones in the next ten years; Director Swenson said yes, he sees that drones can play a
131 role and added that the County already utilizes them effectively.
132 5. Employee Wellness —City Administrator Cotton noted that the current Personnel
133 Policy allows employees to convert some of their sick leave or PTO to pay for health club
134 dues. Due to COVID, those memberships have declined and staff is asking for
135 permission to be able to utilize the program for virtual memberships. She is supportive
136 and sees the connection.
137
138 The council was supportive. Staff intends to make the change effective immediately but
139 will bring to council at a later date as the policy is updated further.
140 6. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions -
141
142 VLAWMO — Rafferty noted the new administrator who's doing a good job and sharing
143 lots of information.
144
145 Board of Appeal (County) - Ruhland noted that the board heard six appeals and
146 agreement was reached on all.
147
148 North Metro TV — Elections is a focus.
149 7. Monthly Progress Report — There was no new information.
150 8. Review Regular Agenda —The agenda was reviewed and there were no changes.
151 The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
152 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
153 October 26, 2020.
154
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155
156
157
158 Julianne Bartell, City Clerk
159
Rob Rafferty, Mayor