HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2021 Council Work Session PacketCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA
CITY OF LINO LAKES
Monday, February 1, 2021
Council Chambers
6:00 P.M.
1. 2021 Park Board Recommendations, Rick DeGardner
2. YMCA Update, Michael Grochala
3. Smart Irrigation Controller Program, Andy Nelson
4. Fire Services, John Swenson
5. Charter Commission Expenditures, Sarah Cotton
6. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions, City Council
7. Review Regular Agenda
8. Adjourn
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT
Work Session Item No. 1
Date: February 1, 2021
To: City Council
From: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director
Re: 2021 Park Board Recommendations
Background
WS — Item 1
The Park Board has spent their past several meetings discussing potential parks and trails
projects for 2021. The following projects were unanimously recommended to be
forwarded to the City Council for consideration.
Renovate Lino Park — ($250, 000)
Lino Park is one of our most heavily utilized parks. In addition to hosting Blue Heron
Days and Recycling Days, youth soccer teams conduct games and practices. In addition,
a steady stream of residents enjoy the looped trail, playground equipment, and park
shelter throughout the day. The existing playground equipment was installed in 1998. The
open-air shelter was constructed in 1986.
Attached is the preferred concept plan. In addition to replacing the playground equipment
and park shelter, creating a landscaped buffer will provide improved separation from the
parking lot and the active park area.
Parks Department staff has the ability to perform many of the necessary functions
including removal of the playground equipment and fencing, tree removals, landscaping
installation, and concrete work. This will stretch the funding for this project beyond what
could be accomplished if everything was contracted out. Recommended funding is the
Park and Trail Fund.
Replace Clearwater Creek Park Playground Equipment - ($70, 000)
There are currently 13 playground structures throughout our parks system that are 18+
years old (Clearwater Creek playground was installed in 2002). After evaluating current
conditions of all playground structures, along with the amount of use, the consensus was
to recommend replacement of the playground equipment at Clearwater Creek Park.
Geographically, the Clearwater Creek Park project (east) would complement the
proposed improvements at Lino Park (west) and Birch Street/Centerville Road (central).
Recommended funding is the Park and Trail Fund.
Support the "Tower Park" Project
The Park Board fully supports the City Council's action to authorize the Preparation of
Plans and Specs for the four pickleball courts and two tennis courts adjacent to Fire
Station #2, via Resolution 20-150. We are hopeful the competitive bidding environment
allows this project to move forward in 2021.
Park Board Chair Pat Huelman, will present the above projects this evening.
Requested Council Direction
Determine 2021 Parks and Trails projects. Staff anticipates bringing this item to the
February 8, 2021 City Council meeting for consideration.
Attachments
Lino Park Preferred Concept Plan
Park and Trail Improvement Fund
K:\016678-000\Graphics\Concepts\016678_Lino Park Concept -Preferred Concept
EXISTING TRAIL
•
EXISTING ELECTRICAL
PEDESTAL
BENCH SEATING
NEW SHELTER ON
CONCRETE PLAZA
EXISTING ELECTRICAL
PEDESTAL
EXISTING FIELD
Lino Park - Preferred Concept
Lino Lakes, Minnesota
0' 10' 20'
-- ■
40'
80'
Scale in Feet
wsb
October 2, 2020 I WSB Project number: 016678-000
CITY
O F
RNOL KES
Park & Trail Improvement Fund (425)
Operating Transfers
2018 Budget Allocation
2019 Budget Allocation
2020 Budget Allocation
2020 MSA Transfer
2021 Budget Allocation
$ 500,000.00
$ 90,000.00
$ 90,000.00
$ 25,000.00
$ 60,000.00
$ 765, 000.00
Interest Earnings
2018 Allocation $ 6,280.23
2019 Allocation $ 14,665.62
$ 20,945.85
Completed Project (Total Park & Trail Fund Expenditures)
Birch Park Playground Improvements $ (30,000.00)
Lake Drive Trail Project $ (38,000.00)
Apollo Drive Trail (Lilac St to Lake Dr) $ (14,003.50)
Arena Acres Park Improvements $ (114,606.15)
Sunrise Park Playground Project $ (94,635.00)
12th Avenue Trail $ (144,109.17)
2020 Trail Maintenance Project $ (30,000.00)
$ (465,353.82)
Undesignated Fund Balance $320,592.03
Projects Under Consideration
Lino Park Renovation
Clearwater Creek Playground Replace
(250,000.00)
(70,000.00)
(320, 000.00)
1/27/2021
WS — Item 2
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT
Work Session Item No. 2
Date: February 1, 2021
To: City Council
From: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director
Re: YMCA Study Update
Background
The City was notified in July of 2020 that the YMCA would not be reopening the Lino
Lakes Facility. In November of 2020, the City retained Isaac Sports Group to evaluate
potential facility operation options for the City. On January 4, 2021, the YMCA formally
notified the City of their intent to convey the property back to the City by March 1, 2021.
Status
ISG has completed the majority of their background work. Outreach to City Council
members and several potential community partners has been ongoing over the past three
weeks. Additional marketing research is being completed and facility operating costs are
being generated. Staff should have a timeline for a preliminary report by next week.
Staff has also asked ISG to assist in evaluating equipment from the existing facility. The
YMCA has offered the City an option to assume existing leases or buy any YMCA
owned equipment if interested. The YMCA has asked for a decision by February 8,
2021. Given the unknown operation status of the facility, staff is not recommending to
assume any of the equipment leases at this time. However, there may be some facility
equipment, owned by the YMCA, which would be worth retaining. Staff is reviewing
equipment this week and waiting for pricing information from the YMCA. Additional
information will be available for consideration at the Monday work session.
Staff is also working with Kennedy & Graven, the City's development attorney, and the
YMCA's attorney on the required conveyance documents. This includes, but is not
limited to, a title commitment, list of warranties still in effect, and assignment of those
warranties.
Requested Council Direction
Staff is expecting to have more information regarding equipment by the Monday meeting
and will present a recommendation for Council consideration.
Attachments
None
WS — Item 3
Date:
To:
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT
Work Session Item No. 3
February 1st, 2021
City Council
From: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator
Jessica Eller, Community Development Intern
Re: Smart Irrigation Controller Program
Background
Fresh water is a finite resource. In our area, over 60% of water usage for a typical home
is used for outdoor irrigation during the growing season. Of that water use, roughly 50%
is wasted on overwatering, evaporation, and non -target watering. Wasted fresh water
could easily reach 150 gallons per house per day. One of the most powerful and easy to
implement options to improve our water conservation efforts in the City involves
increasing the efficiency of outdoor irrigation.
As part of the City's water conservation efforts, staff is proposing to implement a smart
irrigation controller purchase program. $20,000 was budgeted for this program in the
2021 Water Utility budget.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -certified WaterSense smart irrigation
controllers greatly reduce overwatering by tailoring irrigation system operation to local
weather, plant type, soil type, slopes, and other factors. We have the ability to purchase
around 100 Rachio 3 controllers using $20,000 from the Water Utility Fund. These
controllers usually cost $230, but the City will be able to purchase them for $190 at a
bulk -rate discount. Staff is proposing to offer these controllers to residents at a
discounted rate of $38 each (20% of our cost).
The Rachio 3 controllers were selected based on Wi-Fi compatibility, the quality of the
customer help -line, ease of installation, and ease of operation. The City of Woodbury
offered several controllers in their similar program and surveys returned by residents
showed the Rachio 3 as the clear choice. The City of Hugo also offers Rachio 3
controllers and they have received positive feedback as well.
This program could possibly be expanded in the future through acquisition of Met
Council Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment Grant funds, which would provide a
75% match and allow for the purchase of many more controllers. There is also the
possibility of including an ordinance in City Code requiring that all irrigation controllers
installed in new homes bear the EPA WaterSense certification to further bolster our water
conservation efforts.
Smart controllers have been found to reduce water use by up to 50%. Installation of 100
controllers could save up to 2.2 million gallons a year, representing approximately nearly
2 days of water use for the entire city.
Program Details:
1. The City will purchase 100 controllers using $20,000 from the Water Utility
Fund.
2. These controllers will be available to residents on a first -come first -served basis at
the discounted rate of $38 each.
3. We can compare water usage for properties that participate in the program to
measure the program's impact.
4. Program will only be available for water utility customers that have an existing
irrigation system.
The Environmental Board recommended implementation of the Smart Irrigation
Controller program at their January 27, 2021 meeting.
Requested Council Direction
Staff is requesting City Council direction to implement the Smart Irrigation Controller
program.
WS — Item 4
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT
Work Session Item 4
Date: February 1, 2021
To: City Council
From: John Swenson, Public Safety Director
Re: Fire Services
Background
As part of the City's effort to create a dependable fire service delivery model, we created
Police Officer / Firefighter and Sergeant / Firefighter positions. Staff has met with police
staff regarding these new positions throughout the summer and fall of 2020 regarding
these new positions.
The City negotiated labor contracts with the applicable labor groups and reached
agreements that include wages for these new positions. These contracts were ratified by
the labor group's membership and was adopted by the City Council last December.
On January 13, 2021, staff met with all police personnel to provide an update on the new
positions, address any questions, and provide detail on plans moving forward. As you
know, our current staff has the option to voluntarily transition to appropriate new
positons based on their current position. All personnel were required to make their
election on the new positions by Monday, February 1, 2021.
During the Work Session on February 1, 2021, staff will provide Council information on
the response received from police personnel.
Staff is seeking Council direction on this matter.
Attachments
None
WS — Item 5
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT
Work Session Item No. 5
Date: February 1, 2021
To: City Council
From: Sarah Cotton, City Administrator
Re: Charter Commission Expenditures
Background
Minnesota Statutes § 410.06 provides that cities shall pay for reasonable and necessary
charter commission expenses.
The 2021 City of Lino Lakes adopted budget includes line items of $1,500 for charter
commission direct expenses and $1,000 for expenses related to minute taking for
commissions meetings.
Effective August 1, 2020, Minnesota Statutes § 410.06 was amended to increase the limit
on annual charter commission expenses required to be reimbursed by the city. Under the
new law, the charter commission reimbursable expense limit is a sliding schedule
calculated as .07% of the city's current certified general property tax levy with a
minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $20,000. Prior to this law change the limit was
set at $1,500.
Under the new law and based on a 2021 General Operating Levy of $9,232,367, the
amount of charter commission expenses that would be required to be reimbursed by the
city is $6,462.66
The Lino Lakes Charter Commission is requesting council consideration of a budget
amendment to allocate $4,962.66 of contingency funds towards charter commission
direct expenditures. It should be noted that any funds allocated and not expended would
but reflected in the city's General Fund fund balance at year-end.
Requested Council Direction
Staff is seeking Council direction regarding the Charter Commission request.
Attachments
Minnesota Statutes § 410.06
Summary of MN Statutes, § 410.05 and § 410.06 amendment
2021 Charter Commission Budget
1
MINNESOTA STATUTES 2020 410.06
410.06 COMPENSATION; EXPENSES.
The members of the commission shall receive no compensation, but the commission may employ an
attorney and other personnel to assist in framing the charter, and any amendment or revision of it. When so
directed by the commission, the reasonable compensation of personnel, the cost of printing the charter or
any amendment or revision of it, and the cost of informing the citizens of a suggested charter or suggested
charter amendments or revisions, shall be paid by the city. The amount of reasonable and necessary charter
commission expenses that shall be paid by the city is the greater of .07 percent of the city's current certified
general property tax levy or $1,500, not to exceed $20,000 in any one year, but the council may authorize
such additional charter commission expenses the commission considers necessary. Other statutory and
charter provisions requiring budgeting of or limiting expenditures do not apply to charter commission
expenses. The council may levy a tax in excess of charter tax limitations to pay the expenses.
History: (1270) RL s 750; 1907 c 216 s 1; 1947 c 406 s 1; 1959 c 305 s 5; 1961 c 608 s 2; 1973 c 123
art 5s7; 1994 c 505 art 3 s 8; 2020 c 87 s 2
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
4
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Medical exception to Open Meeting Law
Chapter 74 (HF 4556*/SF 4462) is the omnibus COVID-
19 policy bill. Article 1, section 1 amends the interactive
TV provision of the Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. §
13D.02.The new law allows participation in meetings by
interactive TV (such as Skype or Zoom) without making
an elected official's location public when a health care pro-
fessional advises that elected official against being in public
due to personal or family medical reasons. This allowance
is only when a national security or peacetime emergency
has been declared under Minn. Stat. § 12.31 and can be
used up to 60 days after the emergency has been lifted An
elected official may only use this exception and the cur-
rent military exception for a total of three times in a cal-
endar year. Also, whenever the interactive TV exception is
generally used for meetings, votes must be conducted by
roll call and be recorded in the minutes Effective April 16,
2 02 0. (IK)
Charter commission appointments and spending
limit
Chapter 87 (HF 3483/SF 3298*) amends Minn. Stat. §
410.05 to modify the process of appointing new or reap-
pointing existing charter commission members by extend-
ing the timeframe for a chief district court judge to make
an appointment from 30 days to 60 days and removes the
option that a city council fill a vacancy if the chief district
court judge fails to appoint within the 60 days. Minn. Stat.
410.06 is also amended to increase the limit on annual
charter commission expenses required to be reimbursed by
the city, which was last raised for first-class cities in 1961
and for all other cities in 1947. Under current law, the limit
is $10,000 for the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth,
and Rochester and $1,500 for all other cities. Under the
new law, the charter commission reimbursable expense
limit is a sliding schedule calculated as .07% of the city's
current certified general property tax levy with a mini-
mum of $1,500 and a maximum of $20,000. A city retains
the authority to reimburse charter commission expenses in
excess of the calculated limit. Effective Aug. 1, 2020. (GC)
Expanded authority for electronic signatures during
COVID-19
Chapter 92 (HF 4605*/SF 4525) allows cities, counties,
and townships to accept certain documents, signatures,
or filings electronically, by mail, or facsimile during the
COVID-19 health pandemic regardless of any other law,
rule, or ordinance otherwise. This allowance is for:
• Planning and zoning applications and permits under
Minn. Stat. chs. 394 and 462;
• Land use documents under Minn. Stat. ch. 505;
• Documents requiring the signature of a licensed archi-
tect, licensed engineer, licensed land surveyor, licensed
landscape architect, licensed geoscientist, or certified
interior designer under Minn. Stat. § 326.03, subd. 3, and
Minn. Stat. § 326.12, subd. 3;
• Applications for birth and death certificates under Minn.
Stat § 144.225; and
• Recording a notary commission under Minn. Stat. §
359.061.
Effective May 17, 2020, and expires Jan. 6, 2021, or 60 days
after the peacetime public health emergency is terminated, which-
ever is earlier. (IK)
411€1. HEALTH
Prescription drug price transparency act
Chapter 78 (HF 1246/SF 1098*) requires drug manufac-
turers to report specified information on drug prices and
costs to the Commissioner of the Department of Health
for prescription drugs whose price increases exceed cer-
tain limits, and new prescription drugs and newly acquired
prescription drugs whose price exceeds certain dollar
thresholds beginning Oct. 1, 2021.The Commissioner is
also directed to post certain information on drug prices
and report annually by Jan. 15 each year, beginning Jan. 15,
2022, to the legislature on issues related to drug pricing
and spending. Effective July 1, 2020. (AL)
Raising the age for purchasing tobacco to 21
Chapter 88 (HF 331*/SF 463) adds charter schools to the
prohibition of tobacco in schools and increases the tobacco
sale age to 21 to conform to federal law. Penalties are also
modified for selling, providing, or furnishing these items,
and for purchasing or attempting to purchase these items
if under age 21 Alternative penalties are required to be
established for certain violations. Other changes are made
to the Clean Indoor Air Act and statutes governing the sale
of tobacco and related products.
• Tobacco products prohibited in public schools.
Section 1 amends Minn. Stat. § 144.4165 by removing
a reference to the term "tobacco product" and strikes
language that prohibits persons under 18 from possess-.
ing tobacco, tobacco products and electronic delivery
devices at public schools.
• Tobacco products shops. Section 2 amends Minn.
Stat. § 144.4167, subd. 4 to amend the definition of a
tobacco products shop that allows sampling of tobacco
products as a shop that a person under age 21 cannot
enter at any time.
• Suspension; illegal purchase of alcohol or tobacco.
Section 3 amends Minn. Stat. § 171.171 by striking
a clause referring to a petty misdemeanor penalty for
2020 Law Summaries
Page 11
Memorandum
To: Charter Commission
From: Julie Bartell, City Clerk
Date: January 8, 2021
Re: 2021 Charter Commission Budget
The following budget has been approved for the Lino Lakes Charter Commission for their
operations in 2021.
CHARTER ADMINISTRATION (101-405)
Actual
r 2018
CITY OF LINO LAKES
Actual Budget Adopted
r 2019 F 2020 r 2021 Budget Detail
Object
Description Code
OTHER SERVICES AND SUPPLIES
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
4300-000
426
325
1.000
1,000
TmeSavers- Minutes
PRCFSERVICES- CHARTERCOMM
4300-999
0
0
1.500
1,50D
CharlErCorrmisSIonDirected ENJenses
PRINTING&PUBLISHING
4340-000
73
0
0
0
499
325
2,500
2,500
TOTAL CHARTER ADMINISTRATION
499
325
2.500
2.500