HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2022 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE April 4,2022
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 8:48 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Councilmember Stoesz,Lyden, Ruhland,
8 Cavegn and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT
10 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Community Development
11 Director Michael Grochala; Activity Center Manager Lisa Lamey; Public Services
12 Director Rick DeGardner; City Engineer Diane Hankee; Human Resources and
13 Communications Manager Meg Sawyer; City Clerk Julie Bartell
14
15 1. Lakeview Area Storm Drainage Plan —City Engineer Hankee reviewed her
16 written report, including reviewing a map of the area with the council. This is an area
17 that traditionally has drainage issues, is scheduled for street reconstruction in 2027 and
18 has a storm drainage plan in place that dates back to 1987. Staff is recommending that
19 municipal utility improvements are called for and that the referenced 1987 plan be
20 updated to provide better information going forward.
21
22 Councilmember Stoesz asked if there has been interest in lot splits in the area and
23 Director Grochala remarked that, looking at the lots, he sees there is limited opportunity
24 for divisions.
25
26 Mayor Rafferty remarked that springtime is a perfect time to see the issues out there.
27 There may be even more of an urgency to getting this done.
28
29 Councilmember Cavegn asked if ponding would help and staff said plans will dictate the
30 best options and it may be a variety of approaches. There can be a proposal put together
31 and the council can decide from there.
32
33 2. Water Treatment Plant Next Steps—Community Development Director
34 Grochala reviewed his written report. He noted that the City recently received the results
35 of a water treatment plant feasibility study that recommended a conventional gravity
36 filtration system modified for biological filtration. Authorizing plans and specifications
37 to put the project together would be the next step. Mr. Grochala overviewed the schedule
38 going forward from there (as included in the written report).
39
40 The council expressed interest in touring a newer water treatment facility in another city.
41
42 Councilmember Stoesz asked if it would be wise to overbuild for the future. Mr.
43 Grochala remarked that current plans would include some room for the future and that's
44 probably as far as you'd want to go.
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45
46 The council directed staff to move forward on getting a proposal from WSB &
47 Associates. Councilmember Stoesz asked about the possibility of issuing an RFP or
48 getting another proposal. Councilmember Lyden suggested that looking for efficiency
49 will be important.
50
51 Mr. Grochala also discussed the implications of the White Bear Lake lawsuit;there
52 should be consideration of locations and limitations.
53
54 The council asked about impacts to the neighborhood and Mr. Grochala remarked that it
55 would be minimal and would include the same type of activities as one would see with
56 any construction project.
57
58 Staff also noted that there may be a grant opportunity at the state level.
59
60 2. Rookery Policies,Holiday Schedule, and Rental Fee Structure Discussion —
61 Activity Center Manager Lamey reviewed the written report. Staff is presenting a
62 proposed holiday schedule, rental fee schedule and policies and code of conduct. She
63 reviewed the information:
64
65 - Center hours and days of operation—holiday closures and reduced hours
66 reviewed; would identify certain days/periods of time for planned maintenance.
67 Councilmember Stoesz asked if there should be any special consideration for Blue
68 Heron Days. Councilmember Cavegn suggested looking at doing planned
69 maintenance on days when the facility is planned to be closed for holidays.
70 Councilmember Ruhland wondered about doing something special on New Year's
71 Eve; Ms. Lamey noted that in her experience special activities for kids are usually
72 scheduled early on that day.
73
74 - Rental Rates—birthday party rates are still being developed. When asked how
75 competitive the presented rates would be, Ms. Lamey suggested that the
76 recommended rates would fall around 70%to 80% of the going rates.
77 Councilmember Stoesz confirmed that people can make reservations on line. The
78 rooms will be available for staff meetings and other internal functions but that will
79 be a secondary use, with priority given to rental to outside parties. Mayor
80 Rafferty asked how senior activities will fall into place at the center and staff
81 explained that they see opportunities for senior space/use without making a
82 specific assignment of an area; Ms. Lamey suggested that she envisions eventually
83 looking at organized time based on popular senior functions. Director DeGardner
84 clarified that the non-resident rate is only different for the membership fee—they
85 would plan for other charges to be consistent for residents and non-residents.
86
87 Staff will bring an action forward for council consideration.
88
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89 Staff then handed out a Code of Conduct and Policies document. The council had not
90 reviewed the material so they would like time for review; they will revisit it at the work
91 session next Monday. Councilmember Stoesz asked that the council receive a copy of the
92 current Endurance Fitness policy. Councilmember Lyden suggested that the City
93 Attorney review the proposed document. Director DeGardner asked that the council
94 specifically look at the appeal process and decide if they would like for it to remain
95 extensive. Councilmember Stoesz asked to be informed about internet policy;
96 Administrator Cotton will take the lead on that inquiry.
97
98 3. Blue Heron Days Update—Public Services Director DeGardner reviewed the
99 written staff report and distributed a tentative schedule of events. Regarding the subject
100 of the parade location, Mayor Rafferty recalled previous discussion related to location and
101 the impact on City resources (i.e.public safety and public services personnel). Mr.
102 DeGardner remarked that Dorothy Rademacher is working on additional events that will
103 come forward as they are more firm. It was noted that one strong supporter of the
104 festival, the American Legion, has voiced support for keeping the parade location where
105 it has been. The other area discussed was the community green/Rookery area but there is
106 concern about the parade getting even shorter in length and the ability to attract people.
107 Ms. Rademacher added that there is a cost involved in signage and permits for the current
108 route. Mr. DeGardner noted that other parade routes (i.e. Elm Street, Birch Street) can
109 be explored for the future but it's too late for 2022.
110 Goons for Good—Ms. Rademacher said they are a non-profit that loves hockey and beer.
111 They set up hockey tournaments that bring people to town for games. Their involvement
112 in the festival would be a fundraiser and the benefactor is yet to be determined but there is
113 discussion about tying in The Rookery. Ms. Rademacher reviewed the schedule.
114 Councilmember Lyden offered his ideas: dog activities (police dog show), community
115 green space volleyball, horseshoes, kite flying, and food trucks.
116
117 4. Public Services Department Staffing Adjustments—Public Services Director
118 DeGardner reviewed his written report. He is requesting council consideration of filling
119 the budgeted .5 Recreation Coordinator position with a temporary part time Office
120 Assistant position. Currently, his assistant Kellie Schmidt is involved in the planning for
121 this year's Blue Heron Days festival. With the personnel change requested, Kellie would
122 be available for that planning work and the new position would provide the needed
123 assistance to back up her workload. The personnel change would provide for a budget
124 savings as well. The Office Assistant would be a seasonal position—29 hours per week
125 for 26 weeks.
126
127 Mr. DeGardner added that,with the creation of the Blue Heron Days Committee, he
128 anticipates much more planning participation from the community that will ultimately
129 reduce the amount of City staff time. The American Legion is planning to run the corn
130 roast that the City held in the past. There is a t-ball program evolving outside of City
131 staff.
132
133 The council concurred with the recommendation.
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134
135 5. Liquor License Fee Discussion —City Clerk Bartell noted that the City is
136 preparing for the renewal of liquor licenses because the next annual licensing period
137 commences on July 1, 2022. Ms. Bartell noted assistance provided to licensees in the
138 past two license periods in the form of fee refunds.
139
140 The mayor spoke in favor of providing additional help. He asked about the availability
141 of ARPA funds to supplement assistance. Administrator Cotton noted the regulations for
142 use of ARPA and suggested it would more likely be a loss of revenue to the budget
143 without that supplement. Mayor Rafferty remarked that permits fees in other areas are
144 up.
145
146 Councilmember Lyden remarked that he doesn't have the same facts that supported the
147 past assistance. Mayor Rafferty noted that restaurants are facing shorter hours; he's
148 concerned about businesses that are hurting and doesn't want to see doors closed.
149
150 When asked about the availability of contingency funds. Ms. Cotton explained the
151 budgeted amount.
152
153 The council discussed a partial or full waiver(partial as a way to ease away from
154 assistance).
155
156 Councilmembers remarked on the business friendly attitude that this City wants to put
157 forward. The council will consider an action to fully waive fees for the coming license
158 period.
159
160 6. Personnel Policy Revisions—Administrator Cotton noted something of a shift in
161 the type of workforce at the City. Therefore she is proposing revisions to the City's
162 personnel policy that would define part time employment and eligibility for benefits.
163
164 Councilmember Stoesz asked about leaving the language unchanged in the funeral leave
165 policy.
166
167 Councilmember Lyden noted Section 6.6, requiring documentation on first day back to
168 work after being out sick. The whole paragraph strikes him as needing more discussion.
169 Administrator Cotton explained that the language is there in case it is needed and it rarely
170 is.
171
172 Ms. Cotton explained that she utilized the League of Minnesota Cities personnel policy
173 guide to develop changes that are somewhat standard. She does expect there may be
174 additional changes needed in the future as things evolve but these are changes that staff
175 feel will work well now.
176
177 The mayor said that all council members should receive a copy of the Personnel Policy
178 whenever amendments are approved.
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179
180 7. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions, City Council
181
182 VLAWMO—Mayor Rafferty explained that the group continues doing good work; they
183 are currently looking at grant opportunities;
184
185 Other Discussion - Councilmember Lyden noted an electronic sign that has been placed
186 in a neighborhood announcing street sweeping and how nice it would be to add a kind
187 message.
188
189 Councilmember Lyden also noted the very troubling situation in Ukraine; are there any
190 ideas for what the City can do? Mayor Rafferty remarked that he agrees with the
191 sentiment but he doesn't think that the city council is the appropriate forum.
192
193 9. Adjourn
194
195 The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
196
197 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
198 April 25th, 2021.
199
200
201
202 " t iLt
203 Julianne Bartell, City C rk (:L3ob Rafferty, Mayor
204
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