HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-2024 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council
Work Session
Minutes
DATE: August 5, 2024
TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 8:39 P.M.
LOCATION: City Hall Community Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Lyden, Stoesz, Cavegn, and Ruhland
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Staff Members Present: City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Finance Director Hannah Lynch, Public Safety
Director John Swenson, Deputy Public Safety Director/Police Kyle Leibel, Deputy Public Safety
Director/Fire Dan L'Allier, Public Services Director Rick DeGardner, and Community
Development Director Michael Grochala
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Mayor Rafferty called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
2. Setting the Agenda: Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items
The agenda was adopted as presented.
3. 35E/CR J Interchange Update
The Council received project updates from the Community Development Director and
provided general feedback, including on design aesthetics. The project is moving
forward.
4. RCWD/VLAWMO Boundary Adjustments
The Council received an update on boundary adjustments from the Community
Development Director. This project is continuing to move forward. The council discussed
the option of a city -coordinated public notice with the Watersheds to ensure impacted
property owners are aware of the change.
Main Street Corridor Master Plan Process Update
The council received an update from the Community Development Director. He
reported that five different firms' proposals have been reviewed and that the first of
September staff will be bringing back a recommendation. The Council discussed
community involvement, notification, process, and timeline.
6. Public Safety Consultant Committee Recommendation
The Public Safety Director provided an overview of the committee process and
recommendations.
The Council consensus was to support the selection of Citygate Associates, LLC, as the
consultant.
It was identified that there was a base price, and a survey could be added.
Formal action was scheduled for the August 12, 2024, Regular Council Meeting,
7. Sale of Fire Vehicle #621 (Engine 5)
The Deputy Public Safety Director -Fire presented the current purchase offer for Engine 5
(Vehicle #621).
The Council consensus was to provide direction to staff to present a counteroffer to
cover the City's costs for the commission associated with the sale.
Discussion centered on the option to keep the vehicle as an asset and to possibly bolster
the ISO rating. It was determined that the carrying costs and current public safety
coverage with the existing vehicles supported the sale.
This item will be brought back at a future regular meeting for formal action.
8. Staff Part -Time Firefighters on City -Observed Holidays
The Deputy Public Safety Director -Fire presented an overview of the proposed holiday
staffing structure for the fire division.
The City Council consensus was to support moving to a staffing structure for holidays
using part-time Duty Crew firefighters as presented.
This will be brought back for formal action at a future regular Council Meeting.
The Council discussed the timeline for implementation of this change and the Public
Safety Director explained it would be a personal policy change and then bidding in
reverse seniority.
The Finance Director responded to a request for a comparison between Public Works
employees' coverage of holidays and firefighter coverage as they relate to the
bargaining units.
9. Q2 Public Safety Update
The Public Safety Director presented the second quarter report for the Public Safety
Department. The hiring schedule was outlined, the department has requested a second
$50,000 grant to support the hiring of a second police cadet. It was noted that the
second cadet would need to attend Alexandria Technical College, and the housing costs
would be covered by the Police Training Budget otherwise there was not a local cost
match required for this grant. The Department also applied for a grant for 2025,
although a candidate has not been selected for that year. Also, the 2024 candidates
need to complete their background checks.
Councilmember Stoesz asked about the two-way radios and the Public Safety Director
reported that Anoka County may issue a Public Safety Bond to cover the cost and FEMA
funding may be available for the fire radios.
Mayor Rafferty expressed the City Council's appreciation for the work of the
department and the report. The reduced response times were a positive in the report.
10. Park and Trail Funding Discussion
Mayor Rafferty and Councilmember Stoesz presented the topic of park and trail funding
for the consideration of the full Council.
Council consensus to direct staff to prepare a report in 2025 (post-2024 audit
completion) of the budget surplus from 2024 and to identify 1/3 of that for
consideration for park funding. Furthermore, to prepare for a possible park bond
referendum in 2025.
The City Council also discussed other projects in need of funding such as the public
works building.
Councilmember Ruhland suggested there were new park improvements that could also
be considered such as improvements to the baseball fields, and adding a vendor stand
that could be rented for revenue.
Councilmember Stoesz suggested that the City seek donations for the park system
through an article in the city newsletter.
11. Notices and Communications, City Council
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) will hold a meeting to discuss a
potential land sale immediately following the conclusion of the City Council Work
Session. The meeting will be held in the Community Room.
12. Adjournment
Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 9, 2024.
Y
Roberta Colotti, CMC Ua
fferty,
City Clerk