HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-2004 Charter Packet C I T AJU .
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Memorandum
To: Charter Commission
From: Gordon Heitke
Dater July 8,2004
Re: Charter Commission Information
I am providing the following information, which may be of interest to the Charter
Commission.
No Street Project Referendum in 2004
After considerable discussion at its April 21, 2004 work session meeting, the City
Council decided not to propose a street improvement project to be voted on in November,
2004. The charter prohibits a defeated project to be proposed again within a year,
therefore the West Shadow Lake Drive improvement project could not be proposed again
in 2004. When considering other streets needing reconstruction, many of the areas
presently do not have sanitary sewer or water services. This situation poses the question
as to whether these utilities should be included in the engineering study along with the
street reconstruction. The construction of utilities would require a comprehensive plan
amendment in many cases.
Also, the 'preparation of the engineering feasibility studies are costly, therefore they
should be prepared for those projects which have a strong chance of being passed in an
election. It might be beneficial to have the pavement management plan (rating of
existing street conditions and recommended maintenance and reconstruction schedules)
completed and an established standard assessment policy in place prior to attempting
another street reconstruction project referendum. A city survey might also provide some
helpful information to the city in selecting a potential project. The council decided that
there would not be adequate time to select a new project, prepare the necessary
engineering studies and undertake an intensive public information program prior to the
general election in November,2004.
Pavement Management Report
City staff provided a preliminary overview of the pavement management study presently
being undertaken for the streets of Lino Lakes to the Charter Commission in April.
When completed, this report will identify the conditions of all streets within the City of
Lino Lakes and recommend appropriate maintenance to extend the life of the streets, or
the reconstruction of the street when its condition has deteriorated to the extent that
maintenance is no longer cost-effective.
It is planned to have the street condition ratings, recommended maintenance and
reconstruction schedules established by September. A financing plan for the needed
mainfenance and reconstruction will then be developed. It is anticipated that the plan will
be reviewed with the Charter Commission at its October meeting.
Five Year Financial Plan
As explained at the last Charter Commission meeting, the purpose of the Five year
Financial Plan, which is prepared by the City Council and provided to the Charter
Commission, should include among other things, a schedule of planned of improvements
and a plan for financing the improvements. Until such time that the Pavement
Management Report is completed and approved by the Council, and a viable financing
strategy is identified, it is not possible to complete a Five Year Financial Plan that has
much usefulness. It is anticipated that the Five Year financial Plan will be prepared in
late 2004 and will address the years 2005—2009, following the approval of the Pavement
Management Report.
Road Reconstruction Goal
The City Council recently engaged in a formal goals setting process in which seven goals
were determined to be the 2004-2005 goals of the Council. One of these goals is related
to the City's ability to reconstruct roads under the financing requirements of the charter.
The approved goal, objectives and actions are as follows:
GOAL:
Resolve the Charter Road Reconstruction Limitation provision with the City's
Charter Commission.
a. Calendar Year 2004:
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(1) Objective: Define a public improvement construction and
financing process that establishes a sound, fiscally responsible
method of maintaining the City's infrastructure while minimizing
impacts to Lino Lakes residents and businesses.
(2) Key Action Steps:
• Prepare Pavement Management Program
• Review and Approval by Council and Charter Commission
• `Identify implementation issues and determine need for any
Charter modifications
(3) Lead party and Key Contributors:
Lead party: City Staff
Key Contributors: TKDA
Springsted Inc.
City Council
Charter Commission
(4) Budget Guidelines: City staff time. Engineering included in 2004
- General Engineering Budget. Will need to identify costs for
Springsted involvement
b. Calendar Year 2005:
(1) Objective:Implement Pavement Management Program
(2) Key Action Steps:
• Resolve any potential conflicts with Charter
• Prepare Phase I improvement projects
(3) Lead party and Key Contributors:
Lead party: City staff
Key Contributors: City Council
Charter Commission
(4) Budget Guidelines: Dependent on scope of program.
Charter Commission Law
The 2004 Legislature passed legislation which was signed into law by the Governor
which amended existing law related to charter commissions. The law was changed to
address two issues.
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l.) allowing the charter to prohibit members of the governing body of the city from
serving on the charter commission; and
2.) removing the term limitation for commission members.
Stern Letter
There was some uncertainty at the last meeting as to whether there had been any follow-
up to the letter from Jamie and Sherry Stern regarding the failure of the street
referendum. These types of items are usually handled by staff. Staff informed me that
they were in communication with the Stem's on this issue.
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