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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-24-2024 - Council Meeting MinutesLINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DATE: June 24, 2024 TIME STARTED: 6:30 PM TIME ENDED: 10:05 PM LOCATION: City Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz MEMBERS ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Public Safety Director John Swenson, Deputy Public Safety Director/Fire Dan L'Allier, Community Development Director Michael Grochala and City Attorney Jay Squires The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rafferty at 6:30 PM. Mayor Rafferty provided an overview of the Rules of Decorum for Public Comment. He provided first notice to those in attendance that the Sergeant -at -Arms has been instructed to remove anyone who is disorderly. blic Comment Asad Zaman, 1608 Como Avenue, St. Paul, stated his objection to the City Council changing the rules for attendees from allowing signs, to allowing signs only at the beginning of the meeting, to requiring signs be kept down during the meeting, then allowing t-shirts with similar messaging as the signs. He highlighted that the rules changed each time those opposed to the project used that method and at the time supporters of the project began to use the same messaging methods. Mr. Zaman also called out that the rules for public comment were permissive in allowing vicious attacks against his community by those opposed to the development project and now they are being told they can not speak about the opposition as frankly. He read five statements from past meetings as examples of hate speech that was made during public comment. Angella Coil, 7672 Sunset Ave, Lino Lakes, requested that the City Council adopt regulations requiring that developers have background checks as part of the development approval process. She stated that developers are coming into the community and developing structures that will be in place for years, if not decades. As a result, she would like to know why each developer doesn't have to demonstrate that they have extensive experience and can operate with a certain level of integrity. Howard Dotson, Minneapolis, stated that he has been to 31 countries and seen the refugee crisis. He stated there are 120 million refugees. Syrian refugees have been in camps for 12 years. There was a four-year Muslim ban during the Trump administration, and we still have not righted that wrong. He is concerned about how things locally connect to things globally. Council Minutes -2- June 24, 2024 Mr. Dotson stated that he was a Presbyterian Minister for 12 years. He stated that part of the Judeo-Christian foundation is hospitality and many of his Muslim friends are living the same American dream his grandma was living when she came here from Finland. He stated that we are the leaders of freedom and democracy in our world. That has to be at every longitude, every latitude. Chris Stowe, 426 Pine Street, Lino Lakes, presented his concerns about flooding on his property now and in the future as it relates to the sod farm drainage. He outlined several of the area construction projects including the round -a -about that are also impacting stormwater flow. He said that he has been in contact with the Rice Creek Watershed about the water flow in the area as well. Mr. Stowe stated that he is opposed to having a Public Safety Director position and would like to see only a Police Chief and Fire Chief position for the city. Motion to close the public comment period. RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Lyden AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz Setting the Agenda The agenda was accepted as presented. 1. CONSENT AGENDA Motion to approve consent agenda Items IA -IC and 1E-1J as presented. RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz 2. FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report 3. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report Council Minutes -3- June 24, 2024 4. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT A. Agreement with City of Orono for Lease of Tender 2 #610 Motion to approve the agreement with the City of Orono for the Lease of Fire Department Tender 2 (Vehicle #610), with direction to continue marketing the sale of the vehicle with an available date as of the end of the lease term as currently presented and as may be amended. RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz 5. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report 6. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT A. Water Treatment Plant Project The Community Development Director provided an overview of the Water Treatment Plant Project including the project timeline. The City Council expressed their appreciation to the State Legislative leaders who worked on behalf of the City of Lino Lakes to secure grant funding for this project. i. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-83 Accepting Bids, Awarding a Construction Contract RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz ii. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-84 Approving Construction Servies Contract with WSB, LLC RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz Council Minutes -4- June 24, 2024 iii. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-85 Declaring the Official Intent to Reimburse Certain Expenditures from the Proceeds of a Note from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Lyden AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 11-24 — Interim Ordinance Prohibiting Subdivision of Land for Residential Purposes The Community Development Director stated that the proposed interim ordinance creating a moratorium on the subdivision of land for residential uses, covers approximately 980 acres in the northwest quadrant of the city to complete a Master Plan for the area. The suggested study area would encompass the area between 4th Avenue on the east, Sunset Avenue to the west, Pine Street on the north, and Carl Street/Century Trail on the south. The Community Development Director stated that the Council is also asked to consider the inclusion of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) study with the Master Planning process. He stated that the AUAR is an environmental review document that would allow more in-depth analysis and provide a mitigation document for implementation. The AUAR would eliminate the need for any further environmental review by individual development proposals, provided development is within the parameters studied. The Community Development Director reported that the Planning and Zoning Board reviewed this land use matter at their June 17, 2024 meeting. Their recommendation is to adopt the interim moratorium to prepare a Master Plan, to support the project boundaries as presented, and to authorize an AUAR study. The Community Development Director stated there are three decision points for the Council: • Consider the adoption of an interim ordinance establishing a moratorium to prepare a Master Plan for the Main Street Corridor. • Define the project boundaries. • Consider including an AUAR study as part of a Master Plan. The City Attorney reviewed that the City has statutory authority to adopt a moratorium if a study is needed. He stated that Lino Lakes has adopted a moratorium in the past, and the courts have upheld moratoriums. The City Attorney stated that he wanted to review a couple of items as well to maybe draw focus on public comments and council discussions so we can get to the real task at hand those three questions that the Community Development Director outlined at the end. The City Attorney stated that he wanted to clarify that the nature of the moratorium is that it applies to the subdivision of land for residential purposes. He stated that there were several public comments last week at the Planning and Zoning Board, referencing that the moratorium Council Minutes -5- June 24, 2024 would prohibit religious uses and that's not true. It applies to residential uses. It doesn't apply to religious land uses. It does not apply to commercial uses. The City Attorney stated that the scope of the moratorium applies to a geographic area. There were several comments at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting suggesting that the Madinah Lakes project was being singled out. He stated that's not true as the moratorium applies to that property as well as property the Pulte Group has interest in for development and it applies to every other parcel in that study area. All those parcels would be subject to the moratorium and would not be allowed to subdivide for residential purposes until the moratorium expires and the study is completed. The City Attorney stated that what's before the council is the moratorium, the preparation of a Master Plan as recommended by the City's Comprehensive Plan and the possible inclusion of an AUAR. He further clarified that the development history of a developer, the criminal history of a developer, or the details of the Madinah Lakes proposal is not germane to whether from a policy and planning perspective, a moratorium should be adopted. Mayor Rafferty opened the floor to Council Comments. Councilmember Lyden asked why the commercial element was not included in the proposed moratorium. The Community Development Director stated that the moratorium is focused on residential as the area does not have commercial/industrial uses. Those are focused on highway districts. Mayor Rafferty requested and received clarification on the land use area being considered. Councilmember Cavegn asked if a moratorium was needed in order to prepare a Master Plan. The City Attorney stated that it was not required but was permitted if there was a need for a moratorium as it relates to providing a pause to prepare a Master Plan. Councilmember Cavegn stated that if the water supply issue is a valid concern, that the study should include the entire city. He questioned what has changed since the 2030 and 2040 Comprehensive Plans were prepared and that we now need a Master Plan. The Community Development Director reviewed the planning process for the 2030 and 2040 Comp Plans. Councilmember Ruhland clarified the need to conduct a Master Plan now due to development interest from two massive developments and the Comp Plan calling for a Master Plan. Councilmember Ruhland asked for background information on the Watermark Development AUAR. The Council reviewed the planning steps related to the Master Plan and AUAR. They reviewed the different elements of land use planning and the possible need to study other areas of town to prepare for future development. The Council also discussed the role of the Planning and Zoning Board. i. Public Hearing Mayor Rafferty opened the Public Hearing at 8 p.m. Council Minutes -6- June 24, 2024 The City Administrator read into the record a letter from Scott Robinson, 817 941h Avenue Lino Lakes. The letter stated I regret that I cannot attend tonight's council meeting. I am spending a short week backpacking with two of my grandsons and my son. I hope and pray in the future I will be allowed to do more of it. As I ponder the reasons for a moratorium, I can find no logical one. The Planning and Zoning Board and the Council have worked diligently for decades to ensure that the growth of Lino Lakes has been thoughtful and purposeful. The Council can and should decide to have an AUAR performed in the area proposed, to aid in Master Planning the approximate 900 acres encompassed in the area recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board at its June 17, 2024 meeting. The letter continued, I encourage all the property owners encompassed in the area to be involved in the process affecting their property and the future allowed uses and restrictions the AUAR and subsequent Master Plan will impose on their properties. There does not need to be a moratorium in place to do so. I have confidence in the skills of our city staff to coordinate with landowners, potential developers, and related government agencies, boards, and councils. I need to hear from city staff that they are overwhelmed with residential development in an area that does not have residential development. Currently, there is not one new construction or obvious remodel occurring in the proposed area. This is a perfect time to coordinate with the developers who are at the table right now on the properties they have contracts to purchase. This Council has precedence in doing exactly that. At the October 2, 2006 meeting, this Council approved moving forward with Master Planning the approximately 655 acres proposed by Bancor Group without instituting a moratorium. The consensus is recorded in the approved minutes of that meeting on page 3, lines nine and ten. You will need to read from page 2, line 12, but the action and intention are clear. I attended that meeting, I remember a vote. Councilmember Carlson voted against, all others for. The minutes do not reflect the voice vote. That is why when you vote on this issue, I request a roll call vote so there will be no mistake as to how and who voted. I think Lino Lakes voters deserve to know where the council and mayor stand on issues. The letter concluded, just one final thought, What is one year of your life worth to you? I turn 63 this fall. My wife and my family want to start a new chapter in our lives, but we are being held hostage to those who just scoffed. I asked you how patient you would be if you were in our shoes. 1990, the City has been kicking this can down the road since 1990. Enough of the hand -wringing, vote for the AUAR and no on a moratorium. Sincerely, Scott Robinson. Councilmember Ruhland asked for some time to address the Council and began by expressing his sincere appreciation for everyone in attendance. For those who have voiced their opinions and for the community engagement we have witnessed, this really showcases the passion and dedication our citizens have for the future of our great City of Lino Lakes. He clarified that at this moment he is speaking for himself as an individual council member. He stated that what brings a lot of people here tonight was several weeks ago, he proposed a moratorium on new residential development in the northwest quadrant of the city. He asked for the opportunity to clarify the essence and intent behind this proposal. He stated that in his last speech, he thought he made it clear what his intentions are by suggesting this interim ordinance, but he realizes some may not have been in attendance. He said he has been quoted several times on his initial thought process, and he would encourage any outside groups or interests that are in Council Minutes -7- June 24, 2024 attendance tonight, that prior to making any unfounded accusations regarding his or the Council's prerogative they research the initial meeting and subsequent meetings. It's all either tape-recorded or videotaped, and there are minutes to summarize the meetings as well. Councilmember Ruhland stated that the moratorium is not, nor never has been an attempt to block any development in our city. Instead, it's a strategic pause to ensure that we plan responsibly and thoughtfully for the future growth of our community. He stated his proposal is deeply rooted in principles of careful urban planning. He referenced that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan explicitly designates this area for a Master Plan. This is a significant step that requires us to consider the long-term impact of developing over 400 acres of land and potentially adding close to 1,000 homes, if not more. This area is one of four gateway entrances to our city, out of over 100 miles of roadway within our city making a crucial point of development that demands meticulous planning. We have already initiated a high-level look at this area with projects like the planned roundabout at sunset, which is which is central to these developments and currently underway. Councilmember Ruhland stated that proper planning is not just about building, it's about shaping the landscape of our city in a way that benefits all residents. Careful and deliberate planning is something the taxpayers of our great city want. And that means it's his job to provide them with the means to do so. A moratorium is a perfect vehicle for that and one example of exactly what they're used for. Over the last three years, we have done two other moratoriums in Lino Lakes. The moratorium he proposed reflects the City's long-standing tradition of being slow, methodical, and intentional with how we approach development. It is a temporary measure designed to give us the necessary time to develop a Comprehensive Master Plan that aligns with our Comp Plan, incorporates public input and ensures that we are making decisions that will benefit our community for generations to come. Councilmember Ruhland stated that he understands that this proposal has raised concerns and sparked significant discussion within our community, and he wants to address some of these concerns directly, particularly those voiced by members of CAIR-MN as well as the Madinah Lakes project developer. He noted that he has not heard anything from the other developer that would be impacted by this proposed moratorium. He said let me state unequivocally that this moratorium is not and has never been about discrimination. The suggestion that is a mask for Islamophobia, or discrimination in general is completely unfounded and contrary to the values of inclusivity and equality that we uphold in Lino Lakes. He stated that our city is home to a diverse population, and we are committed to ensuring that all residents feel welcome and valued. The moratorium is solely about responsible urban planning and prudent development of our City's resources. Councilmember Ruhland stated that he would also like to set the record straight for those that have been providing erroneous information at various open mic opportunities. He stated that he really hopes this is not the case, but it seems there are those slinging accusations of ill intent to speculatively obtain media attention with the potential goal of pressuring this Council into making decisions that sidestep taxpayer equity and input in such planning. Again, trying to accomplish this by attempting to paint a narrative that is not based on any of the facts. Council Minutes -8- June 24, 2024 Councilmember Ruhland stated that he has been asked if the Council toured the Pulte Del Web development. He reported that they did to learn more about a development that had appeared before the Council with development interest in Lino Lakes. He stated that if the Madinah Lakes developer has another development, they would like the Council to tour he would encourage them to let the Council know where it is. And they can provide public notice as they did with Del Webb and schedule that tour. Councilmember Ruhland stated that part of the facts is the timeline. The same day they toured Del Webb, a video went viral about another development across the street, the Madinah Lakes project. He stated that at least he saw the video for the first time that day, as the Council was touring Del Webb. That project was an additional 156 acres, across the street of where the very development they touring was proposed, resulting in two massive developments at a gateway entrance which will change the entire look and feel of that important area. Councilmember Ruhland stated that it has been asked why now? and why not when other developments are coming forward? He stated that he cannot speak for prior Councils or other Councilmembers on our current Council, only for himself. Having reviewed the last proposed development on this parcel, the answer is because there was only one development, it was also far from finalized. Today both of these developments are poised to come in right around the exact same time. That is what set off the alarm bells for him and why he started looking further into that area and ultimately concluded that a moratorium is the right call. It's been said that there is no Pulte development coming. They are not under contract for the land adjacent to this development. He stated that while he doesn't know why the Pulte development hasn't taken the next step, he would believe it could be because they are waiting to see what direction the Council takes with the planning process before investing money in submitting plans. Similarly, he does not know why the Madinah Lakes developer hurried to submit a plan when they knew the Council was considering a moratorium. He said in his original motion to start the discussion of a moratorium, he identified that development is expensive. A developer can be 10s of 1,000s of dollars invested in a project just to find out if it can move forward or not. At the time he had said he would hate to see developments come forward, invest a ton of money into it, and find out we cannot support the homes for the developments. Where there needs to be Comp Plan changes, etc., that would make a development, once thought to work, no longer meet the economic expectations of the developer. He said that at the time he said this as a heads up to the two developers, as he didn't want them to spend money without knowing all the facts of a potential change in the outcome of a proposed development. Councilmember Ruhland stated that the City Council has heard from many citizens who are concerned about the pace of growth in Lino Lakes. These voices reflected a desire to ensure that our City's expansion is manageable and sustainable. The interim ordinance is intended to provide transparency and invite public participation in shaping the future of this critical area. It is about aligning our development efforts with a Comprehensive Plan ensuring that we have a Master Plan that incorporates the needs and desires of our taxpayers and neighboring communities. This is an opportunity to gather input from stakeholders through public hearings and other means. A development now will be what an area looks like for likely the next 100 years maybe more. Let's do it right. Council Minutes -9- June 24, 2024 Councilmember Ruhland stated that it is important to remember that this is a temporary measure and is not designed to hold development indefinitely, but to provide a structured and thoughtful approach to how we proceed. By taking this pause we can avoid rushing into development without a clear plan, which could lead to costly revisions and unintended consequences in the future. Councilmember Ruhland stated that in conclusion he would urge everyone to look at the broader picture and understand the long-term benefits of this moratorium. It is about ensuring that we develop this crucial gateway to our city in a manner that is thoughtful, inclusive and beneficial for all. He asked that we take this opportunity to come together as a community to engage in constructive dialogue. And to contribute to a Master Plan that reflects our shared vision for the future of Lino Lakes. Clark Robinson, 5 Main Street, Lino Lakes, stated that he owns the property in the Northwest corner of Lino Lakes, identified for the moratorium. So, he is here to speak about the proposed moratorium. The Northwest corner of the city has had a few developers interested in the past and they have been waiting patiently for an opportunity like the Pulte retirement community to come along and it is now at their doorstep. As the Community Development Director mentioned, as a city, we've had growth spurts and small declines within our city over the past 20 years. The proposed retirement community Pulte is looking to construct on his property is nowhere near the amount of growth the city experienced in the early 2000s. Mr. Robinson stated that a development like this will take several years to be completed, through the normal building process. It is not necessary to extend the length of time it will take to build a community of this scope, as there are already enough built-in time constraints that will give more than enough time to complete a Master Plan. Just look all along the east side of the city has been built out with that process, you can see firsthand that development takes time. It has been close to 10 years, and it's still not completely done. Mr. Robinson stated, as the mayor noted earlier you'll have more than enough time to receive input needed to create a well -thought-out retirement community that you can be proud of. With our aging community and the lack of senior housing within Lino Lakes, this development would be a great addition to our beautiful city. The fact is elderly people drive less, volunteer more, and don't have small children to add to a burden to our public school system. The homes they will live in will also generate considerable tax revenue. If this isn't a beneficial development to our community, what would be then, by choosing to implement an unneeded moratorium, you're increasing the likelihood of pushing Pulte away from our city, forcing them to find a community more willing to work with them through the development process. As the mayor mentioned, we already have ups and downs in our economy, we already have an economy that has natural moratoriums built into it. Therefore, he doesn't feel like we had to have to add another one. Mr. Robbinson said that here now you have an opportunity to be a part of a drastically needed retirement community by voting no to the moratorium, we will be able to continue to work with Pulte to design a senior community that only a few cities across the nation can say that they have. As Councilmember Cavegn had mentioned, we need to be shovel -ready. Council Minutes -10- June 24, 2024 Mr. Robbinson said, in closing the questions that he would like answered, if a moratorium was not put in place, and an AUAR is done, how soon would Pulte be ready to split up any lots anyways? It would be already passed the 12-month proposed moratorium. Can an AUAR be done without putting a moratorium in place? He found out that the answer is yes. When you do the AUAR how many scenarios will be included? He believes that doing an AUAR without implementing a moratorium is the right thing to do. Faraaz Yussuf, Zikar Holding Developer, 12724 Leyte Street NE, Blaine, stated that his focus is on the future. He stated that he is a realist and knows that this moratorium will pass. And while he still disagrees with it, he willing to embrace the decision. Many on the Council have argued that this is the one shot to do this right. So, let's go ahead and masterplan the northwest quadrant. Let's do an AUAR. His only request is to allow him and any other potential applicant developer in this area to be actively involved, making sure this process is conducted so all voices feel they've been heard. He stated that while he may not be an experienced developer like Pulte, he does have a vested interest in making this development more successful. He stated that he plans to be a future resident of this development and of this great city. He said that he will be standing here at the end of this moratorium, not by forcing anyone's hand. But by rolling his sleeves up and working with the city to find the best solution and development plan for this area, which preserves its unique character. Mr. Yussuf made a request to have approximately 100 screenshots of racist and Islamophobic online comments documented into the public record. Jameel Ahmed, 12142 Bataan Street NE, Blaine, stated that he is here to support the Madinah Lakes development and here to support the City of Lino Lakes. He stated that he understands the need for master planning. While he disagrees that a moratorium is necessary for this to happen. He has chosen to embrace any decision this Council makes as long as the Council allows the Madinah Lakes developer the opportunity to play a role in in partnering with the city. He stated that in the master planning and the AUAR process, the Madinah Lakes is the only current applicant affected by this decision. He stated they want to work with the City Council to retain the character and identity of Lino Lakes as a quiet suburb with great families, schools, forest reserves and sanctuaries for wildlife. He stated that as a resident of Blaine, he too is fond of quiet suburbs and good schools. He will not infringe upon anyone's quality of life or desire for peace and quiet. We all want the same thing a home to call our own, where we can safely and comfortably raise our families, the American dream. Mr. Ahmed implored the City Council and residents of Lino Lakes, to decide based not on hearsay rumors or bigotry, but based on the merits of the project, its potential for opportunity and development, and above all, based on our shared experience as citizens of this great city of this great country. He said the decision made here will impact lives for years to come. Dean Dovolis, Madinah Lakes Project Architect, 333 Washington Avenue N., Minneapolis, stated that moratorium is not necessary. It's an overly aggressive layer that doesn't need to happen. He agreed with preparing a Master Plan and an AUAR study, along with all the related traffic studies. He said those will accomplish all the goals that this Council is trying to proceed with, and the goals the residents of Lino Lakes are looking for. Council Minutes -11- June 24, 2024 Mr. Dovolis said that as the Council has seen from previous meetings, Madinah Lakes is a quality development with plans that exceed the standards of the community, so they are very proud of what they are proposing. He said they want to work with the city, using the tools the city has ready. There is no need for the excess ordinance that's been recommended at this moment, because the foundation which it covers is already in place. Matt Duffy, 7760 France Avenue S., Bloomington, requested that the letter he submitted to the Community Development Director be entered into the public record. He stated that he has been part of AUAR planning processes in the past. He believes involving those interested in development projects in the process is most effective. He noted that it will take two construction seasons to complete the project as it is and if a moratorium is implemented it will take four seasons. Sarah Shahid, 12724 Leyte Street NE, Blaine, stated that the moratorium is unfair, unjust and highly targeted. The Robertson sod farm has utility staging at the southern property line. It's slated for development in 2025, and the entrance out from Blaine on the main street is already planned by Anoka County. She stated that the Master Plan and the AUAR are not excuses for a moratorium. It has been reported by city staff that while water is a concern, this proposed development can still be supported, especially due to the lower -than -expected development over the last few years in Lino Lakes. She noted that 434 units don't go up overnight. It usually takes three to four years to do that once the construction starts. Resident of 1304 Vera Cruz, Brooklyn Park, stated that he is a former Lino Lakes resident and that he is also speaking on behalf of friends that live in Lino Lakes, noting that they are also business owners. He said that placing a moratorium on this project means that you don't want to welcome new people want to move to Lino Lakes. In 2016, the City approved a Planned Unit Development with 871 Single Family units, and two other developers presented this in 2016 through 2022 and it didn't face opposition or moratorium. So, a common misconception people think that Madinah Lakes is only for the Muslims. It's not it is for people of all races, beliefs, backgrounds. Asad Zaman, 1608 Como Avenue, St. Paul, stated that he has a few questions relevant to this moratorium. One, if water is one of the two reasons for this moratorium, then why are you not including all residential construction in the whole city? Question number two, he searched for the words master plan in the 2040 Comp Plan. And it came up with 51 instances of those words being used. If Master Planning is one of the two reasons for this moratorium, please tell us how many times a Master Plan has been produced on a piece of land in the city. And how many of those times was a moratorium imposed? Furthermore, does the city intend to impose a moratorium for every future Master Plan mentioned in this Comp Plan. How many times has the AUAR process been conducted, and how many of them were accompanied by a moratorium? He stated that his community would appreciate answers to these questions, because that will help them decide if this moratorium is fair or if it's unfairly targeting their community. Zaman stated that when the public comment was opened the topics considered germane to the discussion were reviewed, however, Councilmember Ruhland was allowed to speak to those issues. He said that he was willing to take the Council at face value that the moratorium is not Council Minutes -12- June 24, 2024 fueled by bias. All the City Council would have to do is publicly condemn the people who have made those vicious statements that are in the packet that has been submitted for documentation this evening. Abdul Basit, 12457 National Street, Blaine, stated that he lives along the border of Lino Lakes where the project is proposed. He discussed the diversity of the community now and in the future. He referenced that staff had indicated the water level was fine for development and therefore questioned why a moratorium would be needed to study that as development will not occur overnight. He referenced that the City Attorney said that a moratorium was not legally required. He expressed his support for the project and opposition to the moratorium. Jaylani Hussein, CAIR-MN Executive Director, 2511 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, questioned why this particular area is being discussed for a moratorium. He noted that in the past two development project processes a Master Plan and AUAR were not required. He noted that the discussion of a moratorium came up after the developer presented their plans. He said the City Attorney has confirmed that a moratorium is not required to prepare a Master Plan or AUAR. He believes it is unfair to impose a moratorium. He noted that the City has reports completed for water, traffic and environmental considerations. Aaron Nash, 87 Lilac Street, Lino Lakes, stated that he is in favor of the moratorium. He provided an overview of the 2040 lawsuit, an article in Minnesota Lawyer magazine from June 2022. A lack of coordination between the Met Council and the city to plan infrastructure more cohesively with density was at the core of the lawsuit. This is why we need this interim ordinance to do Master Planning, because everyone keeps focusing on the actual development of the housing development. But this has to do with infrastructure. It is not the responsibility of the developer, to deal with infrastructure. That's what we have counties, we have cities, it is their job to figure out what we need, and then tell the developer, you're going to pay for this, this road needs to be this big, etc. Bonnie Herman 7859 Loise Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that she supports the moratorium, because she loves our way of life. She stated that she supports the moratorium because she is old enough to live in that senior facility if it goes in with the Pulte development, but she wants space and wildlife. Patti Miller 476 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, said that she has lived there since it was a dirt road. She said she has watched a lot of changes in the city. She asked that the Council take the time provided with the moratorium and make a plan. She highlighted current traffic issues. She said that she believes we need to take serious look at the traffic patterns as well as the water usage and all the other infrastructure issues. She stated that she is supporting the moratorium just for the planning. She said that she would like to hope that during that planning, any developers interested can be part of it so that we make a good plan that everybody likes Ashley Johnson, 7839 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, said that three years ago, she was at a Council meeting, speaking regarding the speeding that was occurring in her neighborhood. She asked today that the Council vote in favor of the moratorium. She cited safety, law enforcement and emergency services impacts. She stated that adding more people without planning isn't right. Council Minutes -13- June 24, 2024 Randy Rennaker, 379 Carl Street, Lino Lakes, stated that he is a property owner in the subject area in the northwest quadrant. So, he has a vested interest in this conversation about future development and a potential moratorium. He stated that he supports the moratorium. He cited the recent Judge's decision on the White Bear Lake water ban and questioned the impact of the decision on future wells that are going to be constructed within the city. He asked if the city is going to take the opportunity during this moratorium to investigate these water issues related to the White Bear Lake lawsuit. Coral Digatono, 471 Andall St, Lino Lakes, stated that to reduce the number of redundant speeches tonight, she has been asked to speak on behalf of 1,000's of Lino Lakes residents, who strongly support the proposed moratorium as it exercises the City's stated right as laid out in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan to Master Plan the Main Street gateway to our city. Given the size and scope of these proposed developments moving slowly and prudently protects both the city and all developers involved. Dr. Abdirashid Shire, 2150 Watermark Way, Lino Lakes, said that their home is in the new Watermark development. He called out that an AUAR should have been done not at the time of development but in anticipating of development. He stated that he is in favor of the Madinah Lakes project and opposed to the moratorium. He highlighted the Community Development Directors comments that we did not achieve the level of development we want to see in our city. So here now we have this wonderful opportunity that will make our city grow and more. He does not see why we need to stop that or prevent that from happening. Hara Zarhad, 3116 28th Avenue NE, Blaine, said that a one-year moratorium is not properly justified. No other applicants are applying to develop in this area. He questioned if water supply issues were a concern, why wasn't the entire city being considered. If a moratorium was needed to prepare a Master Plan, why was a full year needed to complete that. He said that other reasons he has heard for adopting a moratorium are open space, wildlife, and keeping a way of life as it is right now. He asked what is the real reason for adopting a moratorium. Nasiruddin Muhammad, 10514 Hawthorn Trail, Woodbury, said that he has come a long way here to address Mayor Rafferty and members of the council. He said that he is here to express his support for the Madinah Lakes project and to oppose the moratorium. He stated that we all desire to live in an area that is underdeveloped, less developed, pristine, and we all want literally to kind of lock the door after we get into a certain space. But when we live in a large metropolitan area, growth is going to happen. The only question is how do we manage and control the growth? He stated other cities have tried to stop growth. He said Lake Elmo fought all the way to the State Supreme Court. They lost because the Met Council wanted to develop higher density in Lake Elmo, but the city didn't want to. So, it's not possible to stop growth. The question then becomes how we manage the growth and the moratorium is just putting up a sign and saying, we don't want any growth here. It's just another way of trying to stop growth, what you really want to do is, you know, go through the planning process, because all of those issues can be addressed as part of the planning process. There's nothing here that has been brought up that cannot be addressed during the regular planning process. He requested to stop the moratorium and stated if you're going to do the moratorium anyway, then make sure that Council Minutes -14- June 24, 2024 the developers are involved in that so that they can provide their input. He said let's not make this a way to push away the developers rights. Kay Lucy, 6644 River Birch Place, Lino Lakes stated that she has lived in Lino Lakes since 1980. She has enjoyed waking up to nature and everything that Lino Lakes has to offer in a small-town feel. She stated that she is in favor of the moratorium for several reasons. The first one is that we need to understand what the limitation is of that land. We don't need housing that's going to threaten the water supply or challenge the infrastructure or crowd our academic institutions. Ms. Lucy stated that the city needs time to revisit and develop a new Master Plan. She said the city needs to listen to what the citizens want. She said they don't want these overpopulated cities, and that they like things the way they are. She said residents need to understand how they're going to be impacted because all of this is going to create a price tag. Whether it's remodeling or rebuilding or moving schools, road upgrades, finding additional teachers, city personnel, emergency services, the residents need to be part of any of the decision making that goes on with any building development. She stated that she understands we want to get the developers in on the discussions, but the city residents need to be included in this as well because they are the ones that are affected by it. She stated the city needs to evaluate the potential future revenues. We continue to talk about housing, adding more housing and she asked what about adding more businesses. Sarnia Alley, 139 Morgan Lane, Blaine, stated that they are opposed to the moratorium because it is unjust. Salat Tuke, 14171 Drake Street NW, Andover, stated that he wanted to first congratulate city employees on obtaining a grant from the state. He stated that he hopes the grant is used for one of many city projects, however, he hopes it will not be used to continue the moratorium. He stated that he is opposed to the moratorium. He asked that the City Council be fair in making this decision. He questioned why a mortarium was being considered now and he stated that that he is hearing excuses for the moratorium. Abdullah Lim, 4780128 Circle NE, Blaine, stated that he would like to share two gentle reminders before sharing his opinion. The first one is the beginning of the meeting we recited the pledge of allegiance. So, we pledge it ourself to one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, equality for all, regardless of background is the principle this country was founded on. Our first amendment in the Constitution outlines freedom of religion and the expression of religion. Some of the very first people to come to this country were those seeking the freedom of religion. The second reminder is in God's master plan, he put us on this test and he's watching and hearing our outward words and actions. So, these past few weeks have been intense as the City of Lino Lakes has been tasked to decide under pressure. He recognized how much hard work has been done by the city to reach this stage. Stating that we all know that it is critical to recognize that there is more work to do. We need to come together both the city and the developer to come up with an outcome that serves the community in the best way possible. He reported that he spoke to the Madinah Lakes development team and they said they are very positive, optimistic and looking forward to working with the city. He stated that he hopes misunderstanding about this development will be dispelled through dialogue and education. Council Minutes -15- June 24, 2024 Luke Walter, Love Lino Lakes Group Representative, 7800 Maryland Drive, Lino Lakes stated that he is here to speak in favor of the moratorium, for many reasons, not which the complexity of the site development is significant. The fact it is a gateway corridor to the city. The fact that citizens are deeply concerned and want their voices heard. Mr. Walter said that 1,000 residents of Lino Lakes signed a petition, as authorized under our City Charter rights to reduce growth in this city. He said the City Council is going to be presented with 1,000 signatures to put that on the ballot. He said the citizens deserve to be heard. Growth in this city needs to be considered, well managed, environmentally sound, with quality developers and well -thought-out plans. He said that 1,000s of residents are petitioning the City Council to listen and they want the moratorium. He said if the developers feel they should have a voice at the table, then the citizens represented by him tonight should also have a voice at the table as wekk. Randy Kaufman, 2750 Alamo Lane, Lino Lakes, said that he and his wife moved to Lino Lakes five years ago. He said that he is a physician and that the analogy he would like to use tonight is that both the City Council and he take a pledge. He takes a pledge as a physician to take care of the people in his charge, and the City Council takes a pledge to look after the people of our community. He said when he prepares to do a procedure, he does it with all the information he can possibly have. By the same token, this moratorium will allow the City Council to gain more information to make a wise decision. Chris Grimes 7906 Henry Lane, Lino Lakes, provided a comparison of growth and development in a quadrant of Lino Lakes and Blaine. He reviewed the school expansions over the years. He discussed infrastructure planning and water demand. He asked that the Lino Lakes City Council learn from the past mistakes made in Blaine and create a solid plan moving forward that works. Ali Say, 10973 Fillmore Street, Blaine, stated that he has been attending city meetings for the past two months. He questioned why he would waste his time if the Council has already made its decision on the moratorium. He said the moratorium is a "slow the growth" proposal. He said it is against business development. He said the City will lose its best employees to other cities if it does not grow as other cities will be able to pay more. It is socialist if the City does not allow the property owner to sell their property. Resident at 234 White Pine Road, Lino Lakes, stated that he has been a Lino Lakes resident since 1983 and has lived on the northern corner and now at Pine Road. He said that he lived by the sod farm and that he supports the moratorium as he doesn't want to see any more high - density development. James Baker, 7810 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, said that part of what he thinks has been glossed over is that we're looking at a very small subset of the developmental acres. If we extrapolate that to the entire area that's under consideration. We're looking at 2,800 potential units based on what the currently proposed density is. Previous people have mentioned there has been prior environmental and traffic studies. Those are all perfectly applicable to the smaller and very focused developments, but they don't take into consideration the entire scope. He stated that he believes that knowing what the traffic impacts are on even something as far back as Lake Street or Pine Street. He said that he could see this exact same conversation being had 10 years Council Minutes -16- June 24, 2024 down the line when the next parcel needs to be developed. Is it fair for that developer to shoulder the financial responsibility and burden to expand some of these infrastructures or for the city to have to impose eminent domain and say, well, now we're at this stage, this thing now needs to be bigger. Those are considerations that we can handle now. Javed Mohammed, 4631 1311t Avenue NE, Blaine, stated that when the City put the Comprehensive Plan together, there was thought that went into it. The City's Comprehensive Plan was reported as adopted in November of 2020. The Comprehensive Plan forecasted growth of 1,600 units between 2020 and 2030, and an additional 2,000 units between 2030 and 2040. Just as anybody who develops a plan, they try to take a look at the progress of that plan. Average actual growth was reported as 118 units. As the attorney has said, rather than going through the process of moratorium, there are other tools in the toolbox, please use those tools. Review the Comprehensive Plan and look at the other tools that are in place. Use those tools rather than putting a moratorium on the development. Sherrie Honeycutt, 6564 Gauge Lane, Lino Lakes, said that she built her home in 1988. She said her neighborhood lots are all three (3) to 10 acre lots is because there's a marsh in the middle of it; almost all of our lands have some marshland on them. We've all been told that we can't do anything with it, which is fine. She said that she loves all our wildlife in Lino Lakes. She reviewed the impact on traffic and schools as a result of the development since 1988. She stated that she supports the moratorium. Steve Anderson, 7795 Clydesdale Circle, Lino Lakes, stated that he supports the moratorium. He commented that several people have said that there has never been an objection to a development in this particular area. He said that is inaccurate, there have been a lot of objections to various developers trying to develop this particular property. He said that he lives just downstream from the area proposed for development and he had received a citation from the city to correct a drainage system that had previously been approved by the city and he had to pay for the fix to the water problem. He said now this upstream problem that is potentially going to flood him out again, is going to cause him even more nightmares. He said if the City paves over this area and put all these houses in here, you're going to have a hydrology nightmare. And the ones downstream are going to be having to deal with it. You have the Carlos Avery downstream the Rice Lake Watershed. The sod farm is a major water sink right now. He suggested that this moratorium be a time for the City to consider alternatives such as a large green space. Elliot 613 129th Avenue, Blaine, stated that he is opposed to the moratorium. He stated that the development will be a multi -year project and he requested that the City not adopt a moratorium, in order to keep the process moving forward. Johan 12124 Baton Street NE, Blaine, said that he watched the entire last City Council meeting online. He said he discussed the meeting with his family and the negativity they heard in the meeting and the comments made online. Mr. Hussain, 11357 Lincoln Court NE, Blaine, said that he stands before the Council this evening to express his strong opposition to the proposed moratorium. He urged the Council to vote against the moratorium as the City already possesses a comprehensive toolkit to guide growth Council Minutes -17- June 24, 2024 and development, making a moratorium unnecessary. He stated that implementing a moratorium would not only halt progress but also create unnecessary division within our community. By utilizing our existing tools, we can ensure thoughtful development that benefits our community and maintains our City's character. He asked the Council to please vote no to the moratorium and to move forward with a collaborative and constructive approach. Chris Stowe, 426 Pine Street, Lino Lakes, said that Stowe is for slow the grow. He reviewed his professional experience as a plumber as it relates to planning for water. He said that he is in favor of the proposed moratorium. Motion to Close the Public Hearing at 10:02 p.m. RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Cavegn AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz Motion to dispense with the full reading of Ordinance No. 11-24. RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Lyden AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz Motion to approve 15Y Reading of Ordinance No. 11-24. RESULT: CARRIED [4-1] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Lyden AYES: Rafferty, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: Cavegn 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None 8. NEW BUSINESS None 9. NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Rafferty announced that the next City Council Work Session will be July 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Council Minutes -18- June 24, 2024 �I�L�I1 :: ►J��1►�il�l►�ii Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m. These minutes were considered an approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 9, 2024. e -A �,'_� Roberta Colotti, CIVIC Rob aff rty, City Clerk Mays r