HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-24 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council
Work Session
Minutes
DATE: December 2, 2024
TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 9:49 P.M.
LOCATION: Community Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Stoesz and Ruhland
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Staff Members Present: City Administrator Dave Pecchia, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Deputy
Public Safety Director Kyle Leibel, Police Captain William Owens, Deputy Director/Fire Dan
L'Allier, Community Development Director Michael Grochala, City Planner Katie Larson, and
Public Services Director Rick DeGardner.
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. Spargur Estates Variances and Preliminary Plat
The City Planner provided an overview of the Spargur Estates application which will be
presented for formal action on December 91h. She stated that the applicant, Mespargur
Inc. submitted a land use application for variances and preliminary plant for Spargur
Estates. The applicant proposes to subdivide the existing parcel located at 559 Lois Lane
into three single family lots for the purpose of constructing two new single family
detached dwellings.
The Council reviewed the requested setback and area utilities. The City Planner
confirmed that the 2024 rate for park dedication fees would be applied to this property
as they completed the Preliminary Plat in 2024.
Council Consensus
The City Council was in support of the project as presented.
4. Lyngblomsten PUD Concept Plan #2
The City Planner stated that Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes, LLC, submitted a Land Use
Application for Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concept Plan #2. They are requesting
an amendment to the PUD Development Stage Plan and PUD Final Plan to change the
planned 2-story skilled nursing home to a three-story building. The property address is
6070 Blanchard Blvd. This is a concept plan review only. If the Planning & Zoning Board
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and City Council support the proposed amendment, the applicant will formally submit
an amendment to the PUD Plan.
The City Planner stated that this project will have the same number of units, a smaller
footprint with three vs. two levels, and increased parking.
The applicant was present to speak to the proposed project modification. The applicant
reviewed the State of MN requirements related to skilled nursing homes. The interest in
creating a better view for residents with the modification to a three-story building and
the comparison to the existing building which is three stories. They stated that they
expect to hire 150-175 employees with this project. With Nursing Assistants as the main
job category, with a pay range of $22-$24 per hour, and Nurses as the second largest job
category, at an approximate pay rate of $40 per hour. They expect to begin construction
in the fall of 2025 with a 10-month construction timeline.
In response to the Council question regarding the commercial development project
identified at this site, the representative stated that they have begun marketing the site
to service orientated retail developers. They have been receiving a positive response to
this effort. They anticipate construction in 2025.
Councilmember Lyden stated that he was recently at the current Lyngblomsten building
and the quality of the facility was commendable.
Council Consensus
The City Council was in support of the project as presented.
5. 2025 Municipal Election
The Clerk presented information on the 2025 Municipal Election. She reported that
there were 15,322 registered voters as of 7 a.m. on the day of the November 2024
General Election and a voter turnout of 14,135 voters for the General Election. For
comparison the last municipal election, held in 2023, had a voter turnout of 1,785
voters. She reviewed the budgeted costs for the 2025 election.
The City Clerk presented three items for the consideration of the City Council. The first
being to move to even year elections, the second to combine polling locations for the
2025 municipal election, and the third to designate Anoka County as the site for
absentee voting for 2025. It was noted that Anoka County provided all absentee mailed
ballot processing in 2024 and provided in -person absentee voting that was replicated at
City Hall in 2024. There would be no additional cost to designating Anoka County as the
single site in 2025 for absentee voting.
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Council Consensus
• It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to research the legal steps
and considerations to move to an even year election for municipal officers, for
future consideration of the Charter Commission and/or City Council as
appropriate.
• It was the consensus of the Council to designate all seven polling locations that
were used in 2024 for the 2025 Municipal Election and to designate Anoka
County as the absentee voting site for 2025.
The City Clerk stated that the research question regarding odd/even year elections
would be brought back at a future meeting once completed. The resolution setting the
polling and absentee voting locations would be brought back for formal action at the
December 9, 2024 meeting, as there is as December 31St deadline designating polling
locations.
6. 2025 State Licensing of Cannabis Sales and Associated City Registration Regulations
Police Captain Owens reported that the State of Minnesota, Office of Cannabis
Management is working on rules to begin licensing business under several different
categories after January 1, 2025, when the new state licensing laws go in to affect. The
City of Lino Lakes will be asked to register the businesses under the state licensing rules.
The City can adopt an ordinance further regulating the businesses but must allow for a
minimum number of businesses under state law. The minimum is one per 12,500
people. So, Lino Lakes would be required to allow two businesses at this time. There is
also a County minimum which the City could cross-reference in any adopted ordinance.
Captain Owens asked if the Council was interested in drafting an ordinance to further
regulate business operations. Specific regulations for the consideration of the Council
include limiting the number of businesses, creating buffer zones between the businesses
and other uses (i.e. schools), and hours of operation. He suggested modeling the license
requirements after the current liquor licensing regulations adopted by the City. He
noted that there are sample ordinances and information from the State and League of
Minnesota Cities that can be used in drafting an ordinance. He confirmed that the City
can charge a fee for the registration.
The Community Development Director stated that the timeline for drafting an ordinance
would include presenting the land use ordinance amendments to the Planning & Zoning
Board. It is anticipated that a draft could be prepared for consideration in January with
final approval by the end of the first quarter.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to draft an ordinance regulating
cannabis sales and setting a fee for license registration for consideration by the City
Council at a future meeting.
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7. Response to 11/12/24 City Council Meeting, Public Comment Regarding Panhandling
Police Captain Owens provided background information related to the November 12,
2024 Council Meeting, public comment period, request to adopt an ordinance limiting
panhandling to areas set away from daycares and schools. He stated that panhandling is
a legal activity and can not be prohibited by ordinance. However, the person that is
panhandling cannot have disorderly conduct, impede traffic and must leave when asked
if panhandling on private property. He stated that the site that was identified at public
comment, Birch & Hodgson has had 20 police calls since November 3rd and before that
there were two calls in the last two years. He stated that other than that site, there is
one other site that has had a couple of calls. He noted that the person that is
panhandling at Birch & Hodgson is not disorderly, does not impede traffic and is not on
private property. So, while they have offered resource information to the individual, he
is not breaking any laws.
Captain Owens shared the City of Woodbury information regarding panhandling, posted
on their website. The website identifies that panhandling is a legal activity and asks
residents to contribute to local resource centers to best help people. He said that a
further option would be to install signs regarding panhandling and directing readers to
contribute to local resource centers. He stated that although there are examples of
other cities that have signs, that is not immediately recommended for Lino Lakes.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to monitor the calls for service and direct the
Public Safety Department to report back, if call numbers remain high after 30-days.
8. 3rd Quarter Public Safety Update
Deputy Public Safety Director Leibel provided the 3rd Quarter Public Safety Update. The
police and fire divisions reviewed future reporting changes that will impact the titles and
data sources for future reports, noting that may impact the comparison of calls for
service and other numbers.
Police Captain Owens reviewed the details of the police department calls for service by
type. He reviewed response times. He reviewed current and projected staffing levels
and the hiring process.
Deputy Public Safety Director/Fire Dan L'Allier reviewed the fire department total
number of calls for 3rd Quarter-24 and YTD. He reviewed the number of medical calls. He
presented response times. He provided an overview of the duty crew responsibilities.
The Council discussed the ambulance service in the area and regulations for operating
an ambulance service.
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The Mayor discussed the current study by Citygate and their use of the numbers, noting
that accuracy of the numbers will be important for that study.
Councilmember Ruhland requested additional future report details such as a breakdown
of the average response times by fire station and a percent change column on the police
department Group A & B crimes report. He also requested a report on the prosecution
conviction rate compared to submitted felony cases, from past years,(i.e. 2022).
Police Captain Owens cautioned that when reviewing a report of conviction rates that
the Lino Lakes public safety department works to ensure a strong case before
submitting, however, once submitted, felony cases are then outside their control as far
as decisions/convictions by the court system.
Deputy Public Safety Director Leibel highlighted the many community events the
department participated in during the 3rd Quarter.
Deputy Public Safety Director Leibel reviewed the status of the fleet and requested to
swap vehicle #315 with #302 on the replacement schedule. He stated that there would
be not impact on the budget with this change.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus authorize exchanging public safety vehicle #315 with #302 on the
replacement schedule, as requested.
9. Public Works Facility Project — Design Review Committee
Mayor Rafferty asked the Council's interest in establishing a Design Review Committee
for the Public Works Facility project. He stated that the purpose of the committee would
be to review and report back to the full Council on the project. Also, to work with the
selected architect to review design samples, etc.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to create a Design Review Committee for the
Public Works Facility project and to appoint Mayor Rafferty and Council Member
Ruhland to the committee.
10. Future Meeting Schedule
The City Clerk reported that staff was surveyed regarding pending matters for the
December 23rd Council Meeting and January 6th Work Session and there were items that
required reviewed in January but that the second meeting in December could be
cancelled without impacting any projects.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to cancel the regularly scheduled, December 23,
2024 Work Session (6 PM) and Regular Meeting (6:30 PM).
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11. Notices and Communications
Councilmember Stoesz reported that North Metro TV has not held any further
discussion on the proposed merger with another cable consortium.
Councilmember Ruhland reported that Anoka County has invited him to serve on the
2025 Board of Appeals.
12. Closed Session
Mayor Rafferty stated that pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.05, subdivision
3(c)(3), the meeting will be closed to discuss offers for the purchase of real property by
the City Council, the property is located at 7473 24th Avenue.
Motion to close the meeting at 9:15 p.m. pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section
13D.05, subdivision 3(c)(3), to discuss offers for the purchase of real property by the
City Council, the property is located at 7473 24th Avenue.
RESULT:
CARRIED [5-0]
MOVER:
Cavegn
SECONDER:
Stoesz
AYES:
Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz
NAYS:
None
Roll Call Vote
Mayor Rafferty reconvened the Work Session at 9:48 p.m.
The Community Development Director provided a re -cap of the Closed Meeting. He
reported that the Council provided direction on the proposed offer for the purchase of
7473 24th Avenue and that formal action is anticipated to be taken at a regular meeting
in January 2025.
13. Adjournment
Mayor Rafferty adjourned meeting at 9:49 p.m.
These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on December 9, 2024.
Roberta Colotti, CMC b R fferty,
City Clerk Mayo,
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