HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-2023 Council Work Session Minutes LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
DATE: September 5, 2023
TIME STARTED: 6:03 PM
TIME ENDED: 7:55 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland, Mayor Rafferty
Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah Lynch; City
Engineer Diane Hankee; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Deputy Directors of Public Safety
Kyle Leibel and Dan L'Allier; Police Captain William Owens; Director of Public Services Rick
DeGardner; City Clerk Jolleen Chaika.
1. Tart Lake Road
City Engineer Diane Hankee and Police Captain William Owens, representing the Traffic Safety
Committee, spoke of complaints that have been received related to vehicles on Tart Lake
Road, specifically complaints regarding speeding. It was noted that multiple traffic/speed
studies have been conducted in the area; these studies showed speed data within range, no
indicative of an issue with excessive speeding. Public Safety Director John Swenson added
that there is not necessarily a statistical problem with traffic in the vicinity; rather, a
perception problem. He suggested that Council consider the fact that making all residents
happy is an unattainable goal. Several options to address potential, actual traffic concerns
were proposed and a proposal by WSB of $16,500 to evaluate data and other alternatives
was discussed.
Staff sought direction from Council on next steps regarding further engagement of WSB.
Council held discussion on the matter, including the number of complaints received, options
for additional signage, and enforcement efforts. Following discussion, it was the consensus
of Council to not take any action at this time, but to focus on the possible future purchase of
a movable driver feedback unit to increase driver awareness and to allow for additional
monitoring of the area by staff.
2. Fire Services Follow-Up
Finance Director Hannah Lynch and Public Safety Director John Swenson updated Council
on information gathered on consulting related to fire services as a follow-up to Council's
direction provided at the August Work Session. Director Swenson highlighted the RFP by the
City of Hopkins for fire service consulting and stated that the scope of work under that RFP
would give an idea of what costs may be. Director Swenson further noted that although he
was not present at the work session when this subject was initially discussed where a
question was raised was if he'd be in favor of using public safety dollars for the purpose of
exploring fire service options, that he believes it allocating those dollars may be beneficial if
used for a consultant to evaluate fire service models and pull together a summary of the
current costs of fire service.
Directors Lynch and Swenson confirmed they would anticipate consultant costs to come in at
approximately$100,000.
Mayor Rafferty commented on his review of 2014 staff reports related to fire services analysis
and the models highlighted at that time: hybrid and/or standalone departments. He said that
he is not presently in favor of any additional analysis by a paid consultant.
Councilmember Lyden commented that he believes ignoring the issue (fire services) will not
resolve it and he would like Council to get a big-picture view of the situation for the long-
term.
Councilmember Ruhland added that reviewing what neighboring communities are paying
paid-on-call firefighters (POC), including pensions, would be beneficial.
Brief discussion was held on the model in neighboring communities serviced by the SBM
Fire Department.
Future discussion will be held of this topic as no consensus was reached.
3. Draft Budget and Tax Levy
Finance Director Hannah Lynch provided a recap of the budget work sessions held on
August 14 and August 28, noting no changes were made to the proposed budget since since
the work sessions. She requested Council's direction as to any needed changes prior to
preliminary levy consideration on September 25 and highlighted that staff is proposing a
$1M increase to the levy which includes increasing Rookery tax levy to $500,000. She added
that increases to the capital equipment fund may include potentially off-set with public
safety aid dollars for some of the purchases.
Director Lynch noted that at a recent meeting of local finance directors, the average
increase in levy in local communities was 9.8%.
Council discussed capital purchases, including vehicle orders for public safety and possible
early approval of orders to ensure timely delivery.
Council provided direction to staff to prepare a proposal for consideration at the September
11 regular meeting for certain 2024 Public Safety capital purchases.
Council concurred with the increased preliminary level numbers related to the Rookery and
noted that reductions can be made before finalizing the levy in the coming months.
4. Adjourn
The Work Session was adjourned at 7:55 PM.
These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 11,
2023.
Jolleen Chaika, City Clerk Re • Ra erty, Mayor