HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-2024 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council
Work Session
Minutes
DATE: July 22, 2024
TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 6:17 P.M.
LOCATION: City Hall Community Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Stoesz and Ruhland
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Staff Members Present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Community
Development Director Michael Grochala, Human Resources/Communications Manager Meg
Sawyer, City Engineer Diane Hankee, Finance Director Hannah Lynch, and Public Safety Director
John Swenson
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Mayor Rafferty called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Setting the Agenda: Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items
The agenda was adopted as presented.
3. BS&A Software Conversion Update
The Finance Director reported that BS&A Software has been contracted to provide
software to serve the Finance, Community Development, and Human Resources
Departments. The original schedule for implementation was Fall 2025, however, they
have moved our project up on their schedule to December 2024.
The Finance Director reported that staff has started working with BS&A staff to
communicate current processes and procedures so it can be determined how to best
implement them in the new software. One process that will need to change is the
practice of credit card processing fees. Currently, with two different software's for the
building department and utility billing, credit card fees are passed on to the customer
for building but paid for by the City for utility billing. With the new software, all fees
need to be treated the same. Staff is proposing all fees be passed on to the customer
which would be a change for utility billing that would be communicated in advance.
Utility billing customers would still have the ability to avoid credit card fees by signing
up for auto -pay or by mailing in a check.
Councilmember Stoesz asked how many other cities absorb the cost of processing credit
cards.
The Finance Director stated that approximately 5% of cities were reported to cover the
cost.
There were no further questions or objection by the Council to the proposal to pass on
the credit card processing fees as presented.
4. Review the Regular Agenda
Mayor Rafferty noted that the Lino Lakes Ambassadors and Candidates would be
present at the Regular Meeting, during the Special Presentation portion of the meeting.
The Public Safety Director stated that the American Legion prepared the presentation
that would be given this evening at the Regular Meeting for the Police Officer and
Firefighter of the Year Awards.
Mayor Rafferty stated that the American Legion awards are prestigious, and it was
impressive that Lino Lakes Police and Fire Departments were both receiving an award
this year.
Councilmember Ruhland stated that he would like to pull Item 113, Consider Approval of
May 28, 2024 Work Session Minutes, from the Consent Agenda this evening as he has
proposed edits.
Councilmember Ruhland stated that he would also like to pull Item 1G, Consider
Resolution No. 24-101, Authorizing the Issuance of a Solicitor Permit to Sunburn
Construction (DBA Everlight Solar) as he would like to abstain from the vote due to a
conflict of interest.
The Human Resources/Communications Manager reported that current Lino Lakes
employee Jessica Crowe would be moving to the Investigative Assistant role with the
appointment recommended this evening. She also reported that the Public Works
Maintenance Worker has a proposed start date of July 23, 2024.
The City Administrator stated that the Public Works appointment would bring the
department to full strength.
The Council discussed the Fire Department staffing levels and recent promotions.
Mayor Rafferty stated that the City Attorney would be present this evening to render his
opinion regarding the petitions that were recently received by the City.
The City Engineer reported that the Pine Haven public hearing would be similar to the
project public hearing recently held by the Council. She noted that since that meeting
the City website has been updated to answer some of the questions that were brought
up at that meeting.
The Council discussed the appointment of a Government Buildings Custodial Work and
the Human Resources/Communications Manager noted that it has worked well and
been cost-effective to hire staff vs. contracting out this work.
The Council reviewed the order of business for the regular meeting in consideration of
anticipated attendance.
The City Engineer provided an overview of the proposed Ordinance No. 10-24, Vacating
Drainage & Utility Easement, Outlot C, Watermark 5th Addition.
Mayor Rafferty requested that the City Clerk provide notice of a possible quorum at the
Night to Unite event in August.
5. Adjournment
Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m.
These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 23, 2024.
Roberta Colotti, CMC Rob Rafferty,
City Clerk Mayor