HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2022 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : May 2, 2022
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 9:30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember 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; City Planner Katie Larsen;
12 Rookery Activity Center Manager Lisa Lamey; Director of Public Safety John Swenson;
13 Deputy Director of the Fire Division Dan L'Allier; Communications Specialist Andrea
14 Turner; City Clerk Julie Bartell
15 1. Anoka County Assessor—Preview for Board of Appeal and Equalization -
16 Alex Guggenberger, Anoka County Assessor, and staff from the Anoka County Auditor's
17 Office. Mr. Guggenberger utilized a PowerPoint presentation to update the council on
18 the status of property valuations and valuation process utilized by Anoka County. The
19 presentation included information on the following:
20 • Property Tax Timeline;
21 • Payment Options (credit card payments accepted);
22 • Values—How Did We Get Here—chart indicated largest increase in valuations in
23 2021 to 2022;
24 • Sales Impact on Assessments—all cites are up; Lino Lakes is up approximately
25 23%; industrial values have skyrocketed over the last 18 months;
26 • Comparison to Other Counties—all counties seeing increases;
27 • New Property Sales - are not qualified and not part of the equation used;
28 • Response from Property Owners—the number of contacts from property owners
29 to the county were noted; median value has risen in Lino Lakes to the point where
30 homestead credit can disappear and that created some inquiries; staff noted
31 contact from Circle K which was sent to many jurisdictions;
32 • Assessment Notice—Anoka County is using a new process to alert people when a
33 visit is planned; Councilmember Stoesz asked how the City can help spread
34 information so that people are aware; Councilmember Ruhland confirmed that if a
35 property owner denies access they can change their mind.
36 Mr. Guggenberger noted that some counties/cities have had large turnout at their board
37 meetings. He reported that Anoka County has done outreach to a greater extent and he
38 believes that has been helpful.
39 The Lino Lakes Board of Appeal and Equalization will be held May 9, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
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40 IA. Rookery Update—Rookery Activity Center Manager Lamey provided an update
41 on the Rookery facility and activities moving forward toward opening.
42
43 Ms. Lamey reported on the following elements of the project:
44 • men's and women's locker rooms are being assembled and possibly will be ready
45 for cleaning by Friday;
46 • the gymnasium floor has been completed and is being allowed to dry (new base
47 the was added);
48 • interior signage project planning is underway;
49 • parking lot renovation was approved by the council recently and planning is
50 underway;
51 • landscaping is under review and, with a proposal coming in over budget, they are
52 awaiting a lower proposal;
53 • emblems and murals are being created throughout the building, with some being
54 postponed due to budget considerations;
55 • an interpretive display telling the tale of a rookery is being explored with a
56 contractor and the project will be proposed to the council;
57 • a grant was received from SPAR of$1,000 (thanks to a referral by
58 Councilmember Stoesz);
59 • furniture has been planned with the help of a consultant;
60 • Anoka County has approved licensing for the pool so it is open but not to the
61 public just yet; there will be a slide improvement project that will close down the
62 pool for a couple days.
63
64 Councilmember Stoesz noted the IT element of the facility and asked for an update. Ms.
65 Laney explained that a software program was purchased and is in place. The link hasn't
66 been published yet because opening day for the center hasn't been announced. The
67 council discussed the conversion of memberships from Endurance to The Rookery.
68 There are 367 members (200 paying accounts) currently moving from Endurance.
69
70 On the matter of membership, Councilmember Lyden suggested utilizing the electronic
71 sign to communicate the opening and promote membership. Mayor Rafferty asked about
72 goals for membership by the end of the year and Ms. Lamey suggested 700 or 750 by the
73 end of the year and 1,000 beginning of next year. Communications Specialist Turner
74 explained that there have many requests for information through the City's social media
75 accounts.
76
77 Ms. Lamey continued her review:
78 • The job fair brought in people so that was a success. Was neat to see the
79 diversity of people interested and City staff is working very hard on hiring and
80 training. At present she believes they are at about 50% staffed. They will be
81 attending job fairs in the coming days. Full time staff is covering the front desk
82 (5 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and weekends) and that will continue until other staff is in
83 place.
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84 • recent photo shoots were undertaken successfully and those pictures are already
85 being used for marketing; photos will also be used as canvas shots for the
86 hallway.
87
88 Ms. Lamey thanked the many City staff members who are involved in the project for
89 their assistance. She recommends an opening date of May 23`d. She would expect an
90 open house just after that date and another push in the fall that would be more of a grand
91 opening.
92
93 The council concurred that staff could begin publicizing the opening. A press release
94 will be sent out. The council thanked staff for their hard work.
95
96 2. ARPA Spend Overview—Finance Director Lynch noted that the City is allocated
97 just over$2.4 million in ARPA funds. The funds may be used for the provision of
98 government services including the City's planned use of reopening the Rookery Activity
99 Center. She provided a financial overview of reopening expenses, noting that about $2.2
100 million is currently appropriated to the Rookery. The remainder could be a contingency
101 or spent for capital improvements and purchases. The overview gives the council an idea
102 of the financial situation with the ARPA funds.
103
104 Councilmember Lyden asked if there is anything missing that the council should know
105 about. Administrator Cotton remarked that this has been a moving target but it is coming
106 more into clarity; staff understands that there are unknowns such as membership and they
107 are working to stay on a budget without exhausting the contingency. The contingency
108 could also be available for other things if not needed for The Rookery.
109
110 Mayor Rafferty remarked that the renovation that is occurring at the Rookery has made so
111 much difference in the facility; the need was there.
112
113 Councilmember Ruhland asked about the average membership (rate) staff is seeing now.
114 Activity Center Manager Lamey explained the breakdown noting an average of about
115 $50; the May billing is about $4,500. Councilmember Ruhland asked about overhead
116 costs and staff noted that would be a difficult calculation at this point. Finance Director
117 Lynch noted that staff is developing a budget for the remainder of the year.
118
119 The council and staff discussed revenue from Silver Sneakers members, the projections
120 included in the original feasibility study, marketing efforts, revenue outlook and revenue
121 received from different age groups, other revenue sources from special classes and other
122 special activities, and the role of Endurance Fitness in promoting membership.
123
124 Mayor Rafferty thanked staff for the information.
125
126 3. Planning & Zoning Board Master Planning Recommendation—Community
127 Development Director Grochala noted the finalization of the Comprehensive Plan update
128 in the recent past and that it identified a goal of strengthening and maintaining the
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129 appearance of gateways and completion of certain master planning studies. Staff
130 followed up with the Planning and Zoning Board on these elements. The results analysis
131 is included in the staff report and includes development of gateway design guidelines. He
132 noted discussion of transportation projects in some of those gateway areas and updated
133 the council on projects planned. There is opportunity to incorporate some planning goals
134 into those transportation projects. Funding is something staff will work on.
135
136 Councilmember Lyden said he would like to move ahead on the idea of gateway signage
137 as soon as possible.
138
139 Councilmember Ruhland asked if sharing costs for the 49 and J area with cities that share
140 the intersection is a possibility.
141
142 Mayor Rafferty noted the Main Street area as it enters Hugo and that it can be a confusing
143 border; Mr. Grochala acknowledged that situation and staff will be looking for the best
144 gateway opportunities.
145
146 Staff is seeking council direction.
147
148 Councilmember Lyden remarked that gateway signs have been needed for a long time; to
149 move forward for a consistent design at all identified locations would be good.
150
151 Councilmember Stoesz noted the City logo lamp poles seen in the Town Center Parkway
152 area and suggested carrying that concept through to gateway areas.
153
154 The council directed staff to keep looking so that a plan can be identified for the future.
155
156 4. Aerial 11 Out of Service—Public Safety Director Swenson noted a recent
157 inspection finding the condition of Aerial 11 to be unusable. Staff checked on repair
158 options and found the damage to the vehicle is not repairable. The situation of losing that
159 engine creates issues in the area of needed pumper services. The Aerial was planned for
160 use into the future because of its pump use. It was planned that when the department's
161 two tender units were replaced, they would be specified to cover the pumping functions
162 of Aerial 11. He noted that Deputy Director L'Allier has researched the possibility of
163 repairing the apparatus and found that the frame is no longer available. That leaves two
164 options—looking at a short term fix by replacement with a used piece of apparatus
165 (including water transport needs) and the only thing located is just a pump which would
166 not cover water, or the other option of replacing equipment with new equipment, with a
167 30 to 36 month waiting period and at a cost of about $800,000 to $900,000.
168
169 Public Safety Director Swenson also noted the added element of the department's
170 equipment being planned for inspection this summer. The inspection will result in a
171 score or rating that could possibly impact insurance rates.
172
173 Deputy Director L'Allier noted that this is similar to the used car market right now—it's
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174 difficult to find what you need. The market is high and there's not much available.
175 There is one truck they are looking at that is somewhat newer than the current unit
176 (2004).
177
178 Councilmember Ruhland discussed the possibility of upgrading current equipment or any
179 other option for the needed pumping and water functions. Deputy Director L'Allier
180 remarked that it would make sense for the City to place orders for new tender equipment
181 for delivery in 30 to 36 months.
182
183 Mayor Rafferty noted that he has investigated the impact of the ISO rating on insurance
184 and has seen that the greatest impact is on commercial properties. He added that the
185 rating is only done every five years.
186
187 Councilmember Lyden asked which option staff would prefer. Director Swenson noted
188 that the tenders come with a big price tag but they need to be ordered because delivery is
189 out there; the current tenders are in good shape. Director Swenson said he is struggling
190 with the option of the used equipment because it is $200,000 spent for 36 months but it
191 does have an impact on the coming ISO rating.
192
193 Mayor Rafferty noted that the ISO rating period offers no chance to upgrade for five
194 years. The mayor remarked that there are areas in the City with no municipal water so
195 that makes having pumping capacity even more important. He asked the Finance
196 Director about the financing implications. Ms. Lynch noted the current tenders are
197 included in an existing ten year CIP and the new purchase would almost double that cost.
198 There's the option of stretching payments out over a number of years but with the cost
199 increasing significantly that would have to be explored, possibility through an equipment
200 levy. Councilmember Cavegn asked hypothetically, if the City was still in a JPA with
201 Centennial Fire District, would this look different. Director Swenson noted that some
202 communities have hydrants and don't need the same pumping functions.
203
204 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the budget impact on a$1.6 million spend and
205 Administrator Cotton suggested that staff will run some numbers and come back with a
206 plan and options. Director Swenson asked if the council is interested in purchasing the
207 used equipment. Mayor Rafferty said he is behind that purchase. Staff noted that there
208 will be a general fund surplus anticipated for 2021 ($700,000 but not all available for
209 expenditure). Director Swenson said staff will have the discussion on purchasing the
210 used equipment and also develop a specification sheet for new tenders for more clarity on
211 that cost.
212
213 Councilmember Lyden said he doesn't believe in cutting corners when it comes to police
214 and fire services.
215
216 The council concurred that staff will work on moving forward getting more information
217 to allow the new tender purchases and also work toward an expedient purchase of the
218 used equipment.
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219
220 Administrator Cotton asked what will happen to Aerial 11. Staff suggested there is some
221 parts value but it cannot be sold as a fire truck.
222
223 5. Q1 2022 Public Safety Update—Public Safety Director Swenson reviewed the
224 written report. The update report is on file.
225 • Medical Calls for Service—an increase from last year first quarter; they are
226 keeping an eye on it; the ambulance time is at about ten minutes and that will be
227 carefully watched; there is much state level discussion of the EMSRB that
228 monitors ambulance management;
229 • Fire Division—nothing substantial on data; mutual aid has been more active;
230 • Crime Data Reporting—Aligns with last year's figure to a large extent; solve rate
231 should consider the metric of crimes against people versus property crimes;
232 • Felony Case Files—some crimes involve arrest and solve in different years;
233 • Staffing Update—staffing and authorized strength for police, fire and
234 administration reviewed;
235 • Other Notable Item;
236 • 2022 Areas of Focus.
237
238 6. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions, City Council
239
240 There were none.
241
242 The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
243
244 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
245 May 23, 2022.
246
247
248
249
250 Ju idind Bartell, City 9erk Rob Rafferty, Mayor
251
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