HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-2021 Council Special Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : December 13,2021
5 TIME STARTED : 7:19 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:40 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; Finance Director Hannah
11 Lynch; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Services
12 Rick DeGardner; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; Human Resources and
13 Communications Manager Meg Sawyer; City Clerk Julie Bartell
14
15 1) Activity Center Financial and Staffing Update—Finance Director Lynch
16 reviewed PowerPoint slides including information on:
17
18 Special Revenue fund—separate fund that stands on its own:
19 - Fund review;
20 - purchase of equipment;
21 - Testing site lease (revenue);
22 - Excel energy bill;
23 - Maintenance, supplies, etc.
24 - Consulting services (ISG, GameDay, DSGW)were funded through the General
25 Fund.
26
27 Rookery Budget
28 - Items approved by council;
29 - Revenue anticipated is ARPA funding ($1,458,716), prepaid memberships
30 from Endurance Fitness, and facility and program revenue;
31 - Staff would intend to come forward with big ticket items but want council
32 authorization to handle smaller items without council action; the council
33 concurred with a ceiling of$50,000 or items that staff identify—those should be
34 seen by the council.
35
36 Council asked if there is any view of actual project cost. Finance Director Lynch said
37 what staff has to work with is the ISG study which included estimates (chart shown).
38 Operating deficits are planned to be covered by ARPA funds.
39
40 - 2022 budget worksheet has been developed and is being updated regularly by
41 Ms. Lynch as hires, purchases, etc. occur.
42 - Ms. Cotton noted that most expenditures included in the Rookery budget sheet
43 were not included in the ISG estimate but staff has identified ARPA funding and
44 feels the improvements are needed;
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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
45 - Director DeGardner updated the council on some large ticket improvements
46 that are planned and possible costs; staff is already pulling back based on costs
47 and implications and trying to remain at the $900,000 funding mark(covered by
48 ARPA);
49
50 Councilmember Stoesz asked what other cities are using ARPA dollars for. Ms. Lynch
51 noted that this City is using it for lost revenue, water, sewer and broadband; the main
52 requirement is that it be spent on improvements and not used for debt service or a rainy
53 day fund. Ms. Cotton explained that use allowed under the lost revenue category is more
54 open; she is seeing some use in other cities for capital costs such as parks and trails.
55 Councilmember Stoesz asked if the City should consider spending some ARPA funds for
56 other needs and Ms. Cotton noted approximately$900,000 remaining.
57
58 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the role of the new position managing the facility—
59 would that person be presenting to the council? Ms. Cotton said she can foresee some
60 reporting but generally Mr. DeGardner will be reporting on the project and the activity
61 center to the council.
62
63 2. Public Services Department and Organizational Chart—City Administrator
64 Cotton reviewed an organizational chart for the Public Services Department. Staff is
65 proposing to add a Public Works Superintendent position which would oversee utilities,
66 streets and maintenance. The parks supervisor would remain separate. She reviewed
67 additional positions proposed for the future (see chart—green boxes). She provided
68 information on the general responsibilities foreseen for the Public Works Superintendent
69 Position. On paying for this new position, she presented a scenario that has an$87
70 impact to the General Fund.
71
72 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the title and how jobs get scored. Ms. Cotton said
73 the value of the position will ultimately be dictated by the tasks required.
74
75 Councilmember Cavegn said he understands the need to get additional staff but he wants
76 to understand the worst case scenario; Ms. Cotton said the numbers presented are that.
77
78 With approval, staff would further develop the position description, post it internally and
79 move forward with recruitment.
80
81 Councilmember Stoesz said he struggles with limiting it to internal candidates. Mayor
82 Rafferty said he stands in favor of the internal process because he sees talent there.
83 Councilmember Ruhland said he strongly believes in promoting from within.
84
85 Staff anticipates bringing forward a recommendation for council consideration on January
86 7, 2022.
87
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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
88 The council also discussed staff s question about substituting a senior citizen area instead
89 of child care area, noting that there are staffing issues with child care right now. The
90 council expressed varying opinions and there will be additional discussion on the matter.
91
92 The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
93
94 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
95 December 27, 2021.
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97
98
99 , L
100 e Bartell, ity Clerk ob Rafferty, Mayor
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