HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06-2020 Council Meeting Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : January 6,2020
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz,Lyden,Ruhland
8 and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson;Public Safety Director John
12 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Engineer Diane
13 Hankee; Finance Director Sarah Cotton; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner;
14 Utilities Supervisor Justin Williams; City Clerk Julie Bartell
15 Oath of Office—The Oath of Office was accepted by Rob Rafferty, Chris Lyden and
16 Mike Ruhland
17 1. Public Water System -Manganese Test Results (UCMR4)—Public Service
18 Director DeGardner explained that he is presenting information on recent findings of the
19 level of manganese in City municipal wells. He introduced Greg Johnson of WSB &
20 Associates to present technical information on the subject.
21 Mr. Johnson explained that manganese naturally exists in ground water. It's never been
22 considered a health issue until recent years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
23 releases new Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules (UCMR) every five years;
24 manganese appeared in the most recent release. Random wells were tested throughout
25 the state and as it turned out a couple were located in Lino Lakes. The testing showed
26 that some City wells have manganese levels above the Minnesota Department of Health's
27 recommended health guidelines. As soon as the City received notification,the wells with
28 the highest concentration were not used. As far as addressing the situation long term,
29 several options are listed in the written staff report.
30
31 Director DeGardner noted a letter to all residents of the City that will be mailed the next
32 day, as well as a City website that has been constructed to provide information on the
33 subject. Mr. DeGardner suggested that overall he feels it is a good thing that the City
34 was selected for testing because now we can be proactive in addressing the situation. He
35 noted that an informational meeting will be held in the City in January at which a
36 Minnesota Department of Health Representative will be present to provide information.
37 Staff's intent also is to provide to the City Council at an upcoming session a feasibility
38 update a municipal water treatment facility.
39 Mayor Rafferty asked staff to speak about the six wells in the City system (as well as a
40 new well that is planned). Why does the City need all the wells?
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41 Mr. Johnson explained that every community has a peaking factor equal to the most water
42 it will use during a year divided by average day consumptions. In Minnesota there is a
43 wide range in those factors, meaning there can a lot more water used in the summer than
44 winter.
45 Mayor Rafferty asked about long range plans for providing water to the current and future
46 population. Community Development Director Grochala said full build out is estimated
47 to require 12 to 13 wells.
48 Council Member Lyden asked about other cities that are facing this situation. Also how
49 can the City be assured that a future well wouldn't have the same issue? Mr. Johnson
50 noted that typically a test well is drilled in order to pretest water before a final well is
51 done. Other cities have acted in different manner; he's seen some be proactive
52 (Brooklyn Center recently built a water plant). Council Member Lyden asked if there is
53 any way to improve the"bad"wells and Mr. Johnson spoke to the source of water and
54 explained that in the northern metro there are certain limits to what water is accessible in
55 terms of aquafers.
56 Council Member Stoesz suggested that science has a way of reinterpreting guidelines
57 such as these. Are the Health Department's recommendations subjective? Mr. Johnson
58 suggested that the recommendations may be different state by state but they are generally
59 based on scientific research done by the EPA. Director DeGardner added that
60 manganese is an unregulated contaminant now and cities aren't required to test for it.
61 Mr. DeGardner added that there are a lot of factors to consider leading to discussion
62 about the long term approach; a large part of staffs current approach is to make residents
63 aware.
64 Mayor Rafferty stated that it is appropriate that the City is looking closely at the situation
65 and discussing how to address the situation.
66 Council Member Ruhland asked if there is a technique to utilize all wells but turn down
67 the amount for a balancing effect. Mr. Johnson said the City does have the ability to
68 adjust the flow.
69 Council Member Ruhland asked about the new well planned for Birch Street; how did
70 that test? Mr. Johnson said the test for that well came out with lower numbers but he did
71 suggest that amounts can change in the same vicinity.
72 The council and staff discussed the City's peak period use and how water use can be
73 restricted. Justin Williams, Utilities Supervisor, explained how the City is currently
74 blending water by monitoring the water tower levels.
75 Director DeGardner remarked that the City is doing what it can and is informing the
76 residents. He added that the City's water hasn't changed but again this is a newly
77 identified element that is measured.
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78 Council Member Stoesz asked about water reuse, such as with developments that plan to
79 take irrigation water from surface water sources. Is that monitored? Mr. Johnson
80 confirmed that the State Department of Health monitors that water as well. Council
81 Member Stoesz asked if animal consumption(on farms) is monitored also and Mr.
82 Johnson wasn't familiar with that.
83
84 Mayor Rafferty said that the Council will continue this discussion after the public
85 meeting at the end of the month.
86 2. Irrigation Controller Grant(Regular Agenda Item)—Community
87 Development Director Grochala and City Engineer Hankee noted their written report.
88 Mr. Grochala remarked that the matter was postponed at the last Council meeting. Last
89 year the City received a grant from the Rice Creek Watershed District to replace irrigation
90 monitors/sensors in City parks. The sensors would work to reduce water consumption by
91 50%annually. This project would assist in reducing consumption of water coming from
92 the ground, serve as a good example of the City being proactive, and provide a modern
93 system of monitoring certain elements of use. The grant provides up to 51% of the cost
94 of a system up to the cost of$41,000. Staff has been working toward implementation
95 since last year. Funding for the City share of the cost(one half of$76,500)would come
96 from the City's water utility.
97 Council Member Stoesz said he has been following this project and he expected the cost
98 would come in much lower. He has done more review and sees the costs are pretty clear;
99 but he still has sticker shock. He asked if funding this cost would impact funds available
10o for a treatment plant if that were a project in the future. Staff explained that this would
101 be funded from an operating account while the other(a treatment facility) would be trunk
102 funds.
103 Council Member Ruhland asked about the cost of the water saved? Mr. Grochala said the
104 savings would be about$16,000 annually assuming the fifty percent reduction. The
105 payoff considering the cost of the system would be about 4.6 years.
106 Council Member Stoesz said he still questions the need considering the cost. He noted
107 that the City does have staff that could manually turn off irrigation when appropriate.
108 Community Development Director Grochala added that the concept is something that
109 could be a model for the future and the community.
11 o The council and staff discussed the status of surface water reuse as part of addressing
111 future water needs.
112 Council Member Lyden noted that staff has pointed out the costs savings that cover the
113 cost in 4.6 years; he wonders if cost savings go past that time? Staff said yes.
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114 Mayor Rafferty noted that the council will be seeing a proposed action on this matter at
115 the regular meeting. Council should contact staff before then with questions as
116 necessary.
117 3. Consideration of Strategic Planning Meeting after Special Election-
118 Administrator Karlson explained that staff is proposing to administer a planning session
119 with the council. This would be somewhat different from the past where an outside
120 facilitator has been brought in. If the council concurs, staff would welcome ideas and
121 suggested areas of discussion. Staff is looking to schedule a special meeting the last
122 week of February and will provide possible dates after the newest council member is
123 elected.
124 4. Advisory Board Update-Administrator Karlson reviewed his written a report,
125 outlining vacancies and applications for the City's advisory boards.
126
127 Mayor Rafferty remarked that it may be wise to hold off on interviews until the new
128 council member is in place.
129
130 Council Member Ruhland remarked that could leave Planning and Zoning with just four
131 or five members until appointments occur. Community Development Director Grochala
132 remarked that he doesn't see any huge projects coming forward in that time period.
133
134 The council concurred that they would wait until the new member is in place. The
135 council members will then decide if they will interview all applicants (including
136 incumbents).
137 5. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions—There were no updates.
138 6. Review Regular Agenda—The agenda was reviewed with staff providing an
139 explanation of the items included on the agenda.
140
141 Item 3A—Annual Appointments-The following designations were made in regard to the
142 Annual Appointments
1. Acting Mayor Rob Rafferty Dale Stoesz
2. Legal Newspaper Quad Community Press Quad Community Press
Barna, Guzy& Steffen Barna, Guzy& Steffen
3. Legal Services Kennedy& Graven Kennedy& Graven
Rupp, Anderson, Squires, Rupp,Anderson, Squires,
& Waldspurger &Waldspurger
Geck, Duea&Olson Geck, Duea& Olson
Barna, Guzy& Steffen Barna, Guzy& Steffen
4. Labor Services Riley,Dettman&Kelsy Riley,Dettman&Kelsy
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Springsted, Inc. Baker Tilly
5. Fiscal Agent Springsted, Inc. Baker Tilly
6. Assessor Anoka County Anoka County
7. North Metro Dale Stoesz Dale Stoesz
Telecommunications Melissa Maher(Alternate)
Committee
8. Vadnais Lake Watershed Rob Rafferty Rob Rafferty
District
9. County Corrections Michael Manthey Chris Lyden
Program John Swenson John Swenson
10. Joint Law Enforcement Michael Manthey New council member
Council John Swenson John Swenson
11. Anoka County Fire New council member
Protection Dale Stoesz (alternate)
First Resource Bank First Resource Bank
12. City Depositories LMC 4M Fund LMC 4M Fund
Wells Fargo Securities Wells Fargo Securities
Wells Fargo Advisors Wells Fargo Advisors
US Bank US Bank
RBC Capital Markets RBC Capital Markets
Morgan Stanley Moreton Capital Markets
F&M Bank F&M Bank
Others as needed Others as needed
13. City Treasurer' Sarah Cotton Sarah Cotton
14. City Engineer WSB &Associates WSB &Associates
15. Data Practices Officer Julie Bartell Julie Bartell
16. City Auditor Redpath& Company Redpath& Company
Jeff Karlson
17. Twin Cities Gateway Jeff Karlson Dale Stoesz (alternate)
18. Anoka Co./Blaine
Airrport Advisory Council Dean Quimby Dean Quimby
John Swenson John Swenson
19. Hearing Officer Rick DeGardner(alternate) Rick DeGardner(alternate)
20. Local Board of Appeal Rob Rafferty
&Equalization Training Melissa Maher Mike Ruhland
21. Secretarial Services TimeSaver, Inc. TimeSaver, Inc.
143 Regarding Item 4A, Donation of Police and Fire Plaques—After Public Safety Director
144 Swenson described his request for authorization to accept wooden plaques recognizing
145 the Police and Fire divisions and donated by a city resident, Council Member Lyden
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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146 suggested that the council consider giving special recognition to those members of the
147 community who have made contributions. Mayor Rafferty concurred and added that
148 staff should be recognized also; he thinks that should be discussed as part of the future
149 planning session.
150 Regarding Item 6B, Sale of Wetland Credits, Community Development Director
151 Grochala reviewed the City's involvement in wetland banking and specifics on the
152 Wollan Park property and the status of selling credits associated with that project.
153
154 Council Member Stoesz asked if the credits can be reused and Mr. Grochala said once
155 they are sold they cannot be sold again. Director Grochala explained the availability of
156 banks in the area and added that the City also considers its future needs for wetland
157 credits.
158 NOT ON PRINTED AGENDA - Developer Jamie Jensen noted his development in the
159 city and that the project has faced some issues that he would like to discuss with the
160 council. He'd be willing to discuss the matter first with the City Administrator.
161 Mayor Rafferty suggested that since the matter wasn't on the agenda, he'd prefer to
162 discuss it first himself with the City Administrator and they will communicate with Mr.
163 Jensen afterward.
164
165 The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
166
167 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
168 January 27, 2020.
169
170
171 ft.' 12-4./41M*
172 <7
173 Julianne Bartell, City Clerk Rob Rafferty, Mayor
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