HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-2021 Council Minutes (3)CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE August 23, 2021
5 TIME STARTED 5*58 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 6:26 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Councilmember Stoesz, Lyden,
8 Cavegn and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT Councilmember Ruhland
to Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah
11 Lynch; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Engineer Diane
12 Hankee; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; City Clerk Julie Bartell
13
14 1. (5:00 p.m.) Closed Session —Pending litigation regarding St. Clair Estates
15 (see separate minutes)
16 2. Lyngblomsten Development Update —Community Development Director
17 Grochala updated the council on the status of the development, including assistance that
18 was planned from the City. The development contract needs to be updated since it is two
19 years old and while that is more of an administrative process, the developer is now
20 requesting additional assistance in the amount of $500,000. Staff has looked at the
21 available budget in the tax increment district and feels the City can go up to $400,000
22 without having to modify the district. Anything over that amount would necessitate a
23 modification to the district as it is currently established and a process that would extend a
24 couple of months. Staff has provided the suggestion of $400,000 to the developer and
25 they are still asking if the City would be able to provide the remainder of the requesting
26 assistance ($100,000) in any other way. Mr. Grochala noted that this will be coming to
27 the council (Economic Development Authority) as soon as the council deems possible.
28
29 Councilmember Cavegn asked when the project was supposed to be completed and staff
3o said they were shooting for fall of 2019 for the start, however, the pandemic shut down
31 industry. Councilmember Cavegn asked if there is an additional funding possibility
32 they'd recommend. Mr. Grochala noted that the $400,000 is available through TIF but
33 above that he would probably have to look at roadway funding in conjunction with
34 improvements that will be occurring in the area.
35
36 Councilmember Stoesz remarked that there was discussion about the payback period and
37 wonders where that discussion stands. Community Development Director Grochala
38 updated the council on that schedule. Councilmember Stoesz asked if extending the TIF
39 timeframe would provide the additional funds and Mr. Grochala said yes, but that would
40 push the project ahead another year because an amendment process would be required.
41
42 Councilmember Lyden asked how much assistance was planned and Mr. Grochala said
43 $3.6 million; they are requesting an additional $500,000. When asked about the total
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
44 valuation at the end, Mr. Grochala suggested $33 million for the building, with land $45
45 million, and with all costs $65 million.
46
47 The council discussed options and directed staff to offer the $400,000. Staff will work
48 on a date for an Economic Development Agency (EDA) meeting (August 30"' or
49 September 7"'),
5o Administrator Cotton noted that the Minnesota Department of Health has been in contact
51 with her about using the former YMCA facility for COVID testing and that type of action
52 could possibly be coordinated together for a special meeting. Councilmember Stoesz
53 added that, should the City enter an agreement for a testing site, he'd like assurance that
54 cleaning will be included.
55 3. Review Regular Council Agenda of August 23, 2021 -
56
57 Item IA —Expenditure for newsletter. Mayor Rafferty asked how the new
58 Communications position will impact those costs and Administrator Cotton explained
59 that staff intends that the function of design be brought in house but mailing and printing
60 services will still be outsourced.
61 Item 3A —Mayor Rafferty remarked that there is energy to move ahead but he feels there
62 are questions remaining. It seems to make sense to look to ISG for more information.
63 Item 3B — Administrator Cotton explained that staff is recommending that the current
64 Human Resources Manager be appointed to a new position of Human Resources and
65 Communications Manager based on her new duties. The salary step recommended is the
66 same as where Ms. Sawyer is at on her current wage scale.
67 Mayor Rafferty asked if there is opportunity to downscale the position if perhaps the
68 communications position were to begin reporting to the City Administrator. Ms. Cotton
69 explained how the position and function have been designed to be a part of the Human
70 Resources Manager responsibilities.
71 Item 6A —Storm Water Utility —Second reading on the ordinance.
72 Item 6B — CRJ/CSAH 49 (Hodgson Road) Truck Utility Improvement Project —City
73 Engineer Hankee explained the pending project and how the improvements will impact
74 existing lines.
75
76 The meeting was adjourned at 6*26 p.m.
77
78 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
79 September 13, 2021.
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84 Julia e Bartell, Ci Cier c
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Rafferty, Mayor
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