HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-2023 Council Work Session Minutes LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
DATE: September 11, 2023
TIME STARTED: 6:00 PM
TIME ENDED: 6:27 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland, Cavegn, Mayor
Rafferty
Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah Lynch; Public
Safety Director John Swenson; City Engineer Diane Hankee; City Clerk Jolleen Chaika.
1. Public Safety Vehicle Purchase
Public Safety Director John Swenson sought clarification from Council on a previous
directive for public safety vehicles to be purchased only in the color white. He advised that
the current unmarked vehicle, not white in color, will be transitioning out of the fleet and
that staff has requested to replace that specific vehicle with a color other than white in
order to enhance the ability for police staff to address traffic safety concerns. He also
informed Council that if a base color other than white is selected, no additional costs will be
incurred.
Council concurred that the purchase of a non-white vehicle is important for traffic
enforcement and approved Public Safety to proceed with selecting another base color.
Mayor Rafferty then asked Director Swenson if a Tahoe is necessary for an admin vehicle as
he does not believe a V8 vehicle is needed and that a Dodge Durango would be more
appropriate.
Director Swenson advised Council that he has compared Duragnos to Tahoes for the
administrative vehicles (those driven by himself, the Deputy Director of Public Safety, and
the Police Captain); he believes a cost savings may be achieved by switching to Duragnos,
though the full savings is not known because the expense of the build-out (to convert to an
emergency vehicle) of a Durango is not known. He added that Chevrolet has not released
2024 Minnesota pricing yet.
Councilmember Lyden noted that he would like further considerations other than just
purchase price to be reviewed: resale, safety. He added that the Tahoe is a better platform
in safety features. Councilmember Cavegn then asked if there is any data related to cost of
ownership for both. Director Swenson noted that he does not have that data.
Mayor Rafferty stated he was in favor of moving forward with the purchase of three (3)
Durangos for admin vehicles.
Councilmember Lyden noted additional concerns, stating that there is a difference between
the price of the car and the cost of a car. Mayor Rafferty stated that if he moves in two
years, then (the purchase price) is a tax savings for his family; that he is not considering
resale. Councilmember Cavegn inquired if resale details are tracked; Director Swenson
confirmed that data is tracked but he did not have it available.
2. Review Regular Agenda
Due to time constraints, the regular agenda was not reviewed.
The work session concluded at 6:28 PM.
These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 11,
2023.
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Jo een Chaika, City Clerk Rob rty, Mayor