HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-2023 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL
2 WORK SESSION
3 MINUTES
4
5 DATE : March 6,2023
6 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
7 TIME ENDED : 9:26 p.m.
8 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Stoesz, Lyden, Cavegn, Mayor
9 Rafferty
1 o MEMBERS ABSENT : Councilmember Ruhland
11 Staff members present: City Planner Katie Larsen; City Clerk/Finance Director Hannah Lynch;
12 Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Safety John Swenson;
13 Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; Attorney Kristen Nierengarten of Rupp, Anderson,
14 Squires, Waldspurger, & Mace; Environmental Coordinator Andy Nelson; Activity Center
15 Manager, Lisa Lamey.
16 Item 1 —Sign Ordinance Amendment—Attorney Nierengarten gave an overview of revisions
17 proposed to the sign ordinance noting the City is addresseing a Supreme Court case that one
18 cannot regulate signs based on their content. She spoke about stripping out regulation, cleaning
19 up the ordinance, language consistencies, and what can and cannot be regulated regardings signs.
20 Mayor Rafferty asked if the City can have an ordinacne prohibiting billboards. Attorney
21 Nierengarten replied in the affirmative, the City can prohibit billboards due to safety and
22 aesthetics.
23 Mayor Rafferty asked what aesthetics might mean. Attorney Niergarten replied it could mean
24 that signs must be under a certain height, or regulations regarding the base of the sign.
25 Councilmember Lyden thinks it could be a little dicey in a legal sense as to who determines what
26 is aesthetically pleasing or not. Attorney Nierengarten noted this ordinance does not get that deep
27 and noted safety and aesthetics being the main drivers.
28 Councilmember Stoesz asked if Home Owners Associations (HOAs) have additional restrictions
29 on freedom of speech signs. Attorney Nierengarten replied that HOAs are self-governing and
30 can implement bylaws and that is within their association. As a private entity they are not subject
31 to the First Amendment and could say political signs are not allowed. Councilmember Stoesz
32 asked about signs inside commercial entities. Attorney Nierengarten replied the ordinance is
33 attempting to regulate signs that are reasonably viewable from off the property. Councilmember
34 Steosz asked if the State has sign regulations. Attorney Nierengarten noted the State has some
35 regulations that apply along highways, however on the whole, the State leaves sign regulation to
36 municipalities.
37 Mayor Rafferty asked what the City needs to be concerned about at the highest level?
38 Attorney Nierengarten shared about signs in election years where regulations are lifted regarding
39 the number of signs and the size of signs. She also noted signs are never allowed in the public
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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40 right-of-way with a few City exceptions regardless of an election season. Attorney Nierengarten
41 spoke about other regulations regarding temporary signs and substitution signs.
42 City Planner Larsen shared about dynamic signs and adjustments to the ordinance that the
43 Planning and Zoning Board is looking into, including allowance for bigger dynamic signs up to
44 32 square feet. She shared that Paul Selbitschka, owner of Precision Tune Auto Care has asked
45 the City for a larger dynamic sign. The City is also looking at including an eight-second hold
46 time.
47 Paul Selbitschka shared about a rule-of-thumb regarding signs,that for every mile-per-hour a
48 road is, there would be one square foot of signage. Therefore the speed gives enough time for
49 one to read the sign. The concern with a small sign is that people would be more focused on
50 trying to read the sign and must be closer to be able to read it.
51 Councilmember Cavegn asked Mr. Selbitschka if he would rather get a 32 square foot sign now
52 and then replace it if the City ever goes to 50 square feet, or to wait. Mr. Selbitschka noted the
53 cost of an upgrade at 15-20%and he would probably not replace the 32 square foot sign right
54 away due to the replacement cost.
55 Mayor Rafferty would be comfortable with adjusting 32 square feet today. City Planner Larsen
56 will make that change and bring it to the first reading of the ordinance.
57 Item 2—Villas on Vicky PUD Revised Concept Plan Review—City Planner Larsen gave a
58 summary of her written Staff Report noting the City has reviewed the five-acre parcel, which is
59 guided medium density. The applicant came back with a 15-unit plan with a private drive and
60 cul-de-sac. She shared about setbacks, tweaks to minor architectural standards, and meeting the
61 density. The City Council should look at whether they support rezoning to the PUD and to
62 amend the Comprehensive Plan to get to the correct density for 15-units. At the February
63 meeting,the Planning and Zoning Board was in support of the potential public benefit with this
64 development including
65 • Custom built homes are an innovation in home type and design
66 • The proposed single family detached homes in a single family detached neighborhood
67 is a creative use of land and infill
68 • Private road reduces development cost and public investment
69 • One level, single family detached homes provide life cycle housing
70 • Vicky Lane and Kelly Street realignment
71 Ms. Larsen noted overall, Planning and Zoning supported rezoning the PUD and amending the
72 Comprehensive Plan to lower the density. She shared about a 14-unit layout that is not included
73 in the packet.
74 Mayor Rafferty clarified this project meets the public safety needs.
75
76 Jon Blattman, Ranger Development, noted 14-units gives more flexibility on the design. Mayor
77 Rafferty asked about garage space. Mr. Blattman replied they will still have 22x22 garages and
78 spoke about the functionality of the layout of the units. He noted 22x22 will allow two cars with
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79 a garbage can. Mayor Rafferty asked if a full size pick-up will fit in the garage, Mr. Blattman
80 replied it will fit in the garage. Mayor Rafferty asked about the 6.5 feet on the side and asked
81 what would happen if he made it 7.5 feet. Mr. Blattman noted he would have to lose another lot
82 and he does not know if that would work financially. Almost one acre of the 4.5 acres has gone
83 to the alignment of Vicky Lane.
84 Councilmember Lyden shared his disappointment in losing the open space in the project. Mr.
85 Blattman agrees and noted a loop will not work here. Councilmember Lyden asked about
86 fencing. Mr. Blattman replied the fence is for privacy and to keep streetlights from shining into
87 the backyards of the properties. Councilmember Lyden asked about grading and the trail. Ms.
88 Larsen noted they are at concept level and if the project goes forward Mr. Blattman's team will
89 put full plans together that will address grading and the trail.
90 Councilmember Cavegn asked if there will be street parking on the private road. Mr. Blattman
91 replied parking would only be on one side of the road. Councilmember Cavegn asked who is
92 responsible for repair of the road if utilities need to be replaced. Staff replied the City will
93 typically retain a public utility easement and the City would be responsible for patching the road
94 after utility work. The Association would be responsible for reconstruction of the road.
95 Councilmember Stoesz cannot get over the garage size requirement, noting there is a way to have
96 a 28 foot garage. Mr. Blattman noted it is a different lifestyle for these units. Councilmember
97 Stoesz stated future owners will never be upset that their garage is too big. Mr. Blattman said it
98 comes down to cost for the people purchasing the house and going to 28 feet changes the interior
99 design of the house. Mayor Rafferty agrees with Councilmember Stoesz and asked Mr. Blattman
100 what he can do to make the 520 square feet garage work and meet City guidelines.
101 Planning and Zoning Board Member Michael Root spoke about garage sizes and the discussion
102 by the Board, noting he is still skeptical about the proposed garage size.
103 Mayor Rafferty thinks the 520 square feet makes sense for garage size as people use garages for
104 storage. He would like to see a plan with 520 square feet.
105 Councilmember Cavegn's biggest hang up is the 6.5 feet side setbacks.
106 Mayor Rafferty thinks the applicant has enough feedback and to work with the guidelines to
107 finish the plans.
108 Item 3—Playground Equipment Design in Neighborhood Parks—Public Services Director
109 DeGardner introduced Bill Johnson, owner and president of Northland Recreation who gave a
110 presentation on playground designs and accessibility.
111 Mr. Johnson spoke about what meets Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) requirements for a
112 park while showing examples. He shared ways to make a playground accessible through a
113 transfer deck or transfer structure, and ground-level events and access. He explained the
114 difference between these types of playsets and inclusive playsets with ramps which are a
115 different design and are more expensive due to the ramp design and rubber surfacing. He noted
116 one will spend about as much on the rubber surfacing as they would on the equipment.
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117 Mr. DeGardner stated many communities have neighborhood parks throughout the City with one
118 central park that has an inclusive playground and the City may spend $500,000 to $1,000,000 on
119 that.
120 Councilmember Lyden asked to show the Councilmembers a video from the Northland website
121 regarding inclusive playgrounds. His personal thought is that just being ADA compliant is a low-
122 bar and the City must rise some level above that. The video was shown to the Councilmembers.
123 Councilmember Cavegn asked if Mr. DeGardner would recommend having one major park with
124 full accessibility. Mr. DeGardner replied in the affirmative and noted perhaps even a second park
125 in the future.
126 Councilmember Stoesz asked Mr. Johnson about ballpark numbers for ramping up the inclusivity
127 at the City's parks. Mr. Johnson noted just adding a ramp with the inclusive slides and without
128 the surfacing, the City would go from $75,000 to approximately $125,000. Adding the rubber
129 surface would add another$100,000. Councilmember Stoesz clarified it would be about
130 $250,000 per park.
131 Councilmember Lyden asked about funding sources. Mr. DeGardner noted there are probably
132 grants the City could look at.
133 Mayor Rafferty noted in talking about the other inclusive playgrounds in cities such as Richfield,
134 Plymouth, and Woodbury, the populations of those cities dwarf that of Lino Lakes. He noted
135 Lino Lakes does not have the same type of funds to utilize when it comes to parks. He asked
136 Park Board Member Pat Huelman what conversations the Board has had on the matter.
137 Park Board Member Huelman noted all of the parks within the City were built on the back of a
138 development when it went in with no money left over for added features or replacements. At
139 some point, Lino Lakes decided to invest in small, neighborhood parks and did not invest in a
140 destination community park with those bigger features. He noted the Park Board has been so
141 limited in money that it has been a challenge to keep the small neighborhood parks funded
142 properly.
143 Councilmember Lyden thinks the standard for accessibility is the bare minimum, and if the
144 Council decides that this is a priority,they will do it.
145 Mayor Rafferty noted three parks are on the agenda for this summer that are on hold.
146 Mr. DeGardner agrees with Councilmember Lyden's comments that ADA compliance
147 requirements are probably not as stringent or high as some people want. He reiterated Staff's
148 perspective and in working with Mr. Johnson over the years, that the City exceeds those ADA
149 requirements and standards. For example regarding the Watermark project, the standard was to
150 have 9 elevated accessible components and the project has 12; they are required to have 7 ground
151 level components and the project has 20 components.
152 Councilmember Stoesz asked if the City is tapped into Anoka County resources and whether
153 they can push to add a regional park in the area. Mr. DeGardner replied if the City Council
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154 identified a priority in having a larger-scale inclusive park, Anoka County would be the City's
155 first phone call to talk about the project.
156 Councilmember Cavegn thinks in the short-term the City should move forward with the plans for
157 existing parks as they are in need of repair. As Councilmember Lyden mentioned, it is a shift in
158 philosophy for the City and more discussion needs to take place on a more long-term plan for
159 inclusivity.
160 Councilmember Stoesz does not want to move away from neighborhood parks and wants to
161 move forward with that. He noted they are exceeding ADA requirements right now and they
162 cannot exceed dollars allocated for this year.
163 Councilmember Lyden does not disagree with his fellow Councilmembers. He appreciates
164 having been heard and hopes to have a different direction with support and money for a
165 destination-type park. He would like to see more detail on the park plans and how accessible
166 they are. Mr. Johnson showed 3D renderings of the play equipment to the City Council.
167 Mayor Rafferty said tonight they are looking at whether they can take the ideas on paper and
168 move forward to get bids. The other question is a lengthier future discussion regarding how the
169 City can work on all of the parks and playgrounds in the future.
170 Mayor Rafferty stated the Council would take a break at 8:30 p.m. Mayor Rafferty
171 reopened the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
172 Item 4—Organics Enclosure Location—Environmental Coordinator Nelson gave a summary
173 of his written Staff report noting the City has signed the contract accepting the grant with Anoka
174 County and construction began in October 2022 at Sunrise Park. He shared examples of organics
175 sites at Vadnais Heights City Hall and White Bear Lake Public Works facility noting the County
176 has extended the grant for one year through December 2023. Mr. Nelson gave history and
177 information regarding composting organics and benefits that go along with composting them
178 rather than sending to the landfill. He shared what the City was looking for in finding alternate
179 locations, and walked the Council through various locations within the City including Marshan
180 Park, City Hall Park, and Lino Park.
181 Mayor Rafferty thinks utilizing Marshan Park would be good as the City would be improving the
182 organics enclosure and making it more hidden. He also would like to eliminate the trash cans
183 along Lino Park.
184 Councilmember Cavegn is in favor of Marshan but would like to leave it at Lino Park due to the
185 people in the area that use it, there have not been issues, they already do recycling days there,
186 and it is the least populated with homes around it.
187 Community Development Director Grochala noted that the City could start with Marshan and
188 next they could look at Lino Park.
189 Item 5—Rookery Summer Camp Staffing—Activity Center Manager Lamey gave a summary
190 of her written Staff report, stating the City will have a summer day camp and are in need of
191 hiring two (2) Summer Camp Coordinators and up to twenty(20) Summer Camp Counselors.
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192 The positions will have no impact to the budget as they will be funded from the 2023 Rookery
193 Budget. Ms. Lamey also shared about Rookery membership, updates on child watch, and spoke
194 about fitness classes.
195 Item 6—Council Updates on Boards/Commissions—Mayor Rafferty shared about a Vadnais
196 Lakes Area Water Management Organization(VLAWMO) water program with grants that the
197 City could look into for their parks.
198 Item 7—Discussion on Land Acquisition for Public Improvement Projects (closed meeting)
199 -The Work Session meeting went into closed session at 9:26 p.m.
200 The closed session was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
201
202 These minutes were considered, corrected, and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
203 March 27, 2023.
204
205
206 &AAktil\ 1\-
208 Hannah Lynch, City r Colipafferty, Mayor — \
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