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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-2024 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council Work Session Minutes DATE: July 1, 2024 TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M. TIME ENDED: 8:45 P.M. LOCATION: City Hall Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Lyden, Stoesz, Cavegn, and Ruhland MEMBERS ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Public Safety Director John Swenson, Community Development Director Michael Grochala, and City Planner Katie Larsen. 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Mayor Rafferty called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Setting the Agenda: Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items Motion by Councilmember Lyden and seconded by Councilmember Ruhland to table Item 3 — Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan, until a Master Plan is completed. The Community Development Director stated that while we now have a 4-1 vote in favor of a moratorium as part of the first reading of the ordinance, he asked the Council to no presume adoption of the proposed moratorium. He said that the Council has before it an active concept plan and it is requested that the Council provide non -binding comments. The Community Development Director stated that staff is requesting feedback from the City Council on the following: • Thoughts on PUD flexibility for lot widths, lot sizes, setbacks? • Should the applicant hold a neighborhood meeting prior to PUD Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat submittal? Councilmember Ruhland asked about the timeline for reviewing the concept plan. The City Planner reported it is 60-days (August 23, 2024). Mayor Rafferty stated that he is not in favor of tabling the matter. Councilmember Cavegn suggested that as the moratorium is not in place, there is no reason for the process not to move forward. Councilmember Stoesz said with the pending adoption of the moratorium he is in favor of tabling this item. Councilmember Ruhland stated that he watched the Environmental Board Meeting and asked for additional information regarding the timeline for the review process. The Community Development Director reviewed the timelines with and without a moratorium. He stated that it wouldn't hurt to hear from the developer this evening and to review the plan in context of the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Cavegn stated that the developer may benefit from Council feedback this evening so they can work on their plan. Councilmember Ruhland stated that since the Master Plan can change, then the Council feedback might change as well. Councilmember Lyden stated that any feedback today could be erroneous. Councilmember Ruhland said that he tried to avoid this situation of having a Concept Plan before a Master Plan is completed, however, at this point the Council could consider giving the developer credit for any staff time charged to the escrow. Mayor Rafferty reiterated that the Council has before it this evening a Concept Plan for review. Councilmember Ruhland said that he has attended the City committee meetings and so he has heard the presentation. If the full Council would like to hear the presentation that is ok, however, he is not going to comment on the plan. Councilmember Lyden questioned the timeline applicable to the motion to table the concept plan review. The Community Development Director stated that August 23, 2024 is when the concept plan review time ends and the second reading/adoption of the moratorium is scheduled for mid -August. Councilmember Lyden withdrew the motion to table Item 3 — Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan, until a Master Plan is completed, Councilmember Ruhland concurred. Motion by Councilmember Stoesz to table discussion of Item 3 — Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan until July 8, 2024, after the vote on the moratorium, and if the moratorium vote passes, then not to proceed. Councilmember Ruhland reaffirmed his desire to credit the developer for planning time. Councilmember Stoesz said consideration of any staff time credit could be handled administratively and did not need to be part of the motion. The Community Development Director stated that there is a waiting time following the adoption of an ordinance and as a result any moratorium adopted would not be effective on July 8tn Councilmember Ruhland discussed the timing of the review. The Community Development Director suggested that the City Council hear the concept plan, while recognizing that the Master Plan may change requirements. He noted that there are many elements to the concept plan. He overviewed the timeline for completing a review. Councilmember Stoesz amended his motion to table discussion of Item 3 — Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan until August 19, 2024, after the vote on the moratorium and if the moratorium vote passes, then not to proceed. The Council discussed the proposed Special Work Session date of August 19' and the Mayor noted he had a conflict with that date. Mayor Rafferty reaffirmed that he is in favor of hearing the concept plan presentation this evening. Motion to table discussion of Item 3 — Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan until August 19, 2024, after the vote on the moratorium, and if the moratorium vote passes, then not to proceed. RESULT: CARRIED [3-2] MOVER: Stoesz SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: Rafferty and Cavegn The July 1, 2024 Work Session agenda was adopted as amended. Mayor Rafferty provided an overview of the rules of decorum and noted that the Sergeant -at -Arms has been directed to remove anyone that is disorderly. 3. Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan — Item Tabled 4. EAB Update and Forestry Budget Amendment The Community Development Director reported that to continue management of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) this year, staff is proposing the following actions: a) Amend the Forestry Budget to increase contracted services by $50,000. b) Add an additional seasonal employee (4 months) at cost of $13,200. c) Delay replacement of boulevard trees. Tree replacement is generally completed concurrent with removals or the following year. This reduces funding for removals by approximately 60-70%. Under this scenario, a priority list would be created, and replacement would be completed when funding becomes available. The Community Development Director stated that with the proposed increase, staff would be able to target multiple high priority areas and complete additional removals in 2024. Staff is proposing to fund the changes through two avenues. Due to other unforeseen hiring priorities the Community Development Specialist position has not been filled as of July 1st. Staff is proposing to use unspent personnel funding in the Community Development Department for the Forestry adjustments. Any shortfall would be covered by reserves. uncil Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to move forward with the EAB funding and management plan as presented. Shenandoah Park Water Quality Improvement Project The Community Development Director provided a project overview. He reported that in 2022 the City Council authorized a partnership with the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) to identify potential water quality improvements to reduce volume and sediment/nutrient loading to Rice Lake. A private ditch system maintained by the City runs through the park, under Birch Street, and discharges into Rice Lake. Staff is of the opinion that opportunity exists for a restoration project that would enhance water quality and provide an improved greenway element to the park. The Community Development Director stated that due to the estimated cost of the projects, it was recommended that the City pursue grant funding through RCWD or other agencies. The City's 5-year Capital Improvement Plan identified this project for implementation in 2025. The Community Development Director reported that the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has established the Watershed Based Implementation Funding (WBIF) Grant Program. The grant program allocates funding to each watershed area for allocation in a collaborative local process. City staff and RCWD have proposed the Shenandoah project for funding through this program. Staff is currently researching funding that would include alternative selection and preparation of plans and specifications, estimated at $55,000. Once design is completed, the City and RCWD would pursue additional construction funding through the program. Depending on the alternative selected total project costs could range from $250,000 to $500,000. The Community Development Director stated that this evening staff is requesting City Council concurrence to pursue funding and to act as the lead party in cooperation with Rice Creek Watershed District for the project. The Council discussed trail design, water quality improvements anticipated with this project, possible design elements such as a nesting area for ducks, and environmental conditions. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to pursue funding and act as the lead party in cooperation with Rice Creek Watershed District for the Shenandoah Park Water Quality Improvement. 6. RCWD/VLAWMO Boundary Adjustments The Community Development Director reported that in 2022 the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) undertook a hydrologic boundary review within Ramsey, Anoka and Hennepin Counties. The purpose of the review was to align the jurisdictional boundary more closely to the hydrological boundary between the respective water management organizations. The process identified boundary discrepancies in need of modification. A total of 38 parcels, three (3) of which are owned by the City of Lino Lakes, will be impacted by the boundary adjustments. Twelve parcels will switch from RCWD to VLAWMO and the balance will revert to RCWD jurisdiction. The Community Development Director reported that State law requires that RCWD submit and petition for the change to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The petition must be accompanied by letters of concurrence from the individual local units of government. RCWD has requested a letter of concurrence by August 9, 2024. Public notice of the proposed boundary adjustment is provided by BWSR upon receipt of the petition from RCWD. The Community Development Director reported that VLAWMO is completing a final review and is anticipating consideration in August. Staff anticipates bringing the item for consideration by the City Council in late July or early August. The Community Development Director requested comments regarding the proposed adjustments at this time. Councilmember Stoesz suggested that a letter be sent to impacted property owners. Mayor Rafferty stated that he is a VLAWNO Board Member and he asked for an outline of the financial impact to the residents. The Community Development Director provided an overview of the different funding sources between the two watersheds including taxing authority, assessments and storm water utility. 7. Notices and Communications None 8. Closed Meeting Motion to Close the Meeting for Labor Negotiations, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §13D.03 at 7:04 p.m. RESULT: CARRIED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lynde, Ruhland and Stoesz Mayor Rafferty re -opened the meeting at 8:45 p.m. 9. Adjournment Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 9, 2024. Roberta Colotti, CIVIC Rob Offerty, City Clerk r