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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-2023 Council Meeting Minutes LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DATE: November 13, 2023 TIME STARTED: 6:30 PM TIME ENDED: 7:20 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers, Lyden,Stoesz, Ruhland,Cavegn, Mayor Rafferty Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Katie Larsen; City Engineer Diane Hankee; City Clerk Jolleen Chaika. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rafferty at 6:30 PM. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment was opened at 6:31 PM. Ms. Catherine Decker, 614 Pine Street. Ms. Decker appeared before Council to advised that she is a concerned citizen and while she was not elected to serve on City Council, she is deeply committed to the community. She highlighted six actions she believes need the attention of Council. Ms. Decker implored the Council to change the status quo by collaborating with community members. Mr. Christopher Stowe, 426 Pine Street. Mr. Stowe congratulated re-elected members of Council and said that his candidacy was a test run and that he did not really campaign. He stated concerns with what he believes to be the open-checkbook policy of Council. Mr. Stowe also commented on discussion held during the 6:00 PM work session concerning a Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County for intersection improvements. Mr. Scott Featherstone, 631 Andall Street. Mr. Featherstone expressed concern about the Nature's Refuge North PUD and invited the Council and City staff to come out to the site to look at the property in its current state. He said it would go a long way to assure him that the City is aware of the issues he has with the development of the property. He implored Council to take a look at the property. 1. Motion to: Close Public Comment at 6:39 PM. RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Lyden, Stoesz Cavegn, Ruhland, Rafferty SETTING THE AGENDA 1. Motion to: Postpone Item 4A and move to December Work Session Agenda RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Ruhland, Stoesz, Lyden, Cavegn, Rafferty 1. CONSENT AGENDA A. Consider Approval of Expenditures for November 13, 2023(Check No. 119586 through 119713) in the Amount of$1,517,460.51 B. Consider Approval of October 2, 2023 Council Work Session Minutes C. Consider Approval of October 9, 2023 Council Work Session Minutes D. Consider Approval of October 9, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes E. Consider Approval of October 23, 2023 Council Work Session Minutes F. Consider Approval of October 23, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes G. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 23-118, Authorizing Certification of Delinquent Utility Charges H. Consider Approval of State of Minnesota Voting Operations, Technology and Election Resources (Voter) Account: County/Municipality Agreement I. Consider Approval of Resolution 23-119, Approving a New Cannabinoid License i. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Items 1A— 11 RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Stoesz SECONDER: Cavegn AYES: Stoesz, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland, Rafferty 2. FINANCE DEPARTMENT A. 2024 Fee Schedule i. Consider 2nd Reading of Ordinance 14-23, Adopting the 2024 Fee Schedule City Administrator Sarah Cotton presented the second reading of Ordinance 14-23, an ordinance to amend the City fee schedule for 2024. The first reading was considered and approved on October 23, 2023. She also noted that staff is also seeking approval of a summary publication of the ordinance. a. Motion to: Dispense of Full Reading of Ordinance 14-23 RESULT: CARRIED[UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Lyden, Ruhland, Stoesz Cavegn, Rafferty b. Motion to: Approve 2nd Reading of Ordinance 14-23 RESULT: CARRIED[4-1] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Cavegn AYES: Ruhland, Lyden, Cavegn, Rafferty NAYS: Stoesz ii. Consider Resolution No. 23-121, Approving Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 14-23 a. Motion to: Approve Resolution 23-121 RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Lyden, Cavegn, Stoesz, Rafferty 3. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT A. Consider Resolution No. 23-120, Amending the Compensation Plan for the Part-Time Firefighter Position Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer presented Resolution 23- 120 to amend the compensation plan for the part-time firefighter position, for Council Consideration. Manager Sawyer advised that the resolution encompasses Council direction following work session discussions in October and November. The proposed amendment reflects an adjustment from job grade 110 to job grade 130. She further advised that the proposed amendment to the compensation plan will result in a $53,340 budget impact; proposals by staff to account for the budget impact were included in her staff report. i. Motion to: Push budget discussion to the next work session and approve Resolution 23-120 DISCUSSION: Councilmember Cavegn inquired what this change will solve and added that he does not see a qualification for standard of pay for this position. He added that by passing this compensation amendment, the City will create a situation where other positions will request a similar review. Councilmember Cavegn proposed alternative motions: 1) Complete a wage study for all positions; 2) Complete a study of the fire department with the public safety aid funds. Mayor Rafferty inquired if Councilmember Stoesz wished to amend his motion; Councilmember Stoesz did not wish to amend his motion. Councilmember Ruhland inquired what changed on the job description to cause the change in grade? Manager Sawyer advised that there were not major changes to the core requirements for the position, only small tweaks were made. Councilmember Ruhland then suggested that the City contacts the consultant who completed the 2018 report related to the fire department and inquire if a discount could be given if the 2108 report was updated rather than completely redone. Councilmember Lyden stated that the focus cannot remain just on pay as the issue is greater than just that. He stated he provided a written statement to Council in August and asked that his statement again be included in the minutes as it still provides his views on this matter. He advised he supports Councilmember Cavegn's suggestions and position on this topic. The written statement of Councilmember Lyden is attached hereto for inclusion in the record. Councilmember Cavegn then suggested that consideration of this item be pushed out until after a study is conducted. He added that if a study shows support for this change, he would vote for it. RESULT: CARRIED [3-2] MOVER: Stoesz SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Ruhland, Stoesz, Rafferty NAYS Lyden, Cavegn 4. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT No report. 5. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT No report. 6. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT A. Consider Resolution No. 23-111, Approving Conditional Use Permit for Agritourism at 1415 Ash Street (Kavan Christmas Tree Farm City Planner Katie Larsen presented an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for agritourism at 1415 Ash Street. The applicant proposes a seasonal Christmas Tree Farm. Planner Larsen advised that the application has been reviewed and considered by the Planning and Zoning Board and a public hearing was held on October 11, 2023. The Planning and Zoming Board recommended approval with conditions as noted in Resolution 23-111 with a vote of 7-0. Planner Larsen reviewed the application analysis completed and staff recommendations for approval. The applicant, Mr. Steve Kavan, was present and answered questions from Councilmember Cavegn related to transport of pre-cut Christmas trees. i. Motion to: Approve Resolution 23-111 Approving a CUP for Agritourism at 1415 Ash Street RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Cavegn AYES: Ruhland, Cavegn, Lyden, Stoesz, Rafferty B. Consider Resolution No. 23-115,Approving Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 13- 23 City Planner Katie Larsen requested that Council consider and approve summary publication of Ordinance 13-23, which was approved by Council at the October 23, 2023 meeting. She advised that summary publication is recommended due to the expense which would be incurred to publish the ordinance in its entirety. i. Motion to: Approve Resolution 23-115 approving summary publication of Ordinance 13-23 RESULT: CARRIED[UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Lyden, Stoesz, Cavegn, Ruhland, Rafferty C. Consider Resolution No. 23-116,Accepting Quotes and Awarding a Construction Contract City Engineer Diane Hankee requested consideration and approval of Resolution 23-116 to accept quotes and award the construction contract for stormwater management outlet projects at two sites within the City. She noted that funding for this project is from the Street Reconstruction Bonds and the Surfacewater Management Fund. Two quotes were received and staff recommended acceptance of the lowest quote from Winberg Companies, LLC which came in at $44,424.54. i. Motion to: Approve Resolution 23-116 Accepting Quotes and Awarding Construction Contract for stormwater Outlet Management Project RESULT: CARRIED[UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Lyden AYES: Ruhland, Lyden, Cavegn, Stoesz, Rafferty D. Consider Resolution No. 23-117, Approving Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County for Improvements at the Intersection of CSAH 14(Main Street)and CR 53(Sunset Avenue) Community Development Director Michael Grochala presented Resolution 23-117, approving a Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County for improvements at the intersection of Main Street and Sunset Avenue. He noted that this intersection has been under review and studied for reconstruction for quite some time. Virtual open houses have been held by Anoka County and are still open for public comment. Director Grochala added that the total cost of the project is $2,157,278; however, a federal grant was awarded which will provide for $1,600,000 in federal funding. After application of the federal funds, the City's estimated costs are $61,850.59; funding will be through the Municipal State Aid account. Mayor Rafferty accepted comments from the audience: Mr. Christopher Stowe, 426 Pine Street, stated that he would rather this money be spent on part-time firefighter pay. He added that a roundabout is not good for pedestrian traffic. i. Motion to: Approve Resolution 23-117 to approve JPA with Anoka County for improvements at the intersection of main and sunset RESULT: CARRIED[UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Ruhland, Stoesz, Lyden, Cavegn, Rafferty 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. 8. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. Mayor Rafferty reviewed the community calendar. After confirming there were no additional business matters to attend to, Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 7:20 PM. These minutes were considered and approved at the Regular City Council Meeting on November 27, 2023. a • L t ' ; \JIB z i Jolleen Chaika, City Clerk Rob rty, Mayor I