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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-25 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council Work Session Minutes DATE: February 10, 2025 TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M. TIME ENDED: 6:32 P.M. LOCATION: Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Stoesz and Ruhland MEMBERS ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: Interim City Administrator Dave Pecchia, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Community Development Director Michael Grochala, City Planner Katie Larsen, City Engineer Diane Hankee, Environmental Coordinator Tom Hoffman, HR and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer, and Interim Public Safety Director Curt Boehme. 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 Interim City Administrator requested to add an Administrative Update to this and future Work Session agendas. The agenda was adopted as amended to include an Administrative Update. 3. Review Regular Agenda The HR and Communications Manager reported that with the 2025-2026 AFSCME labor agreement scheduled for this evening, all contract negotiations would be finalized. The HR and Communications Manager and Interim Public Safety Director provided an overview of the two police officer appointments recommended for approval this evening. It was noted that the different start dates for the two officers was based on the school schedule for the two different programs that the candidates attended. The City Engineer reviewed the Interim Use Permit proposed for Shuda Farms. The City Planner reviewed the Conditional Use Permits for the automobile repair business and associated outdoor storage for BRF Enterprises, LLC. The City Planner confirmed that the drawings would be updated by the applicant to reflect the required parking as part of the approval process. The Community Development Director reviewed the draft ordinance regarding cannabis businesses. He stated that this evening the Council would be asked to provide first Page 1 of 3 reading of the license regulation ordinance and that it would be brought back for second reading on February 24th. The Planning & Zoning Board is also reviewing the zoning element of the cannabis regulations and a first reading of the ordinance amending the zoning code would be brought back on February 24th for first reading, with second reading/adoption scheduled for March 2025. The City Engineer reviewed the decorative lighting plan for the CSAH 49/CRJ Roundabout Project. Noting that final payment is requested. The Council discussed that the roadway lighting is not uniform. They questioned options for city sign age/lighting. It was identified that the requirements of the county and limitations of the site require the different light styles and do not support sign age/lighting within the roundabout. The City Engineer stated that the 2025 Street Rehabilitation Project bids came back favorable. As a result, the bid alternatives are recommended for approval with the bid award this evening. This will advance the 2026 project list as well. It was noted that while the contractor has not worked in Lino Lakes before, the project manager has successfully managed projects in Lino Lakes for another company in the past. The Environmental Coordinator reviewed the North Oaks Company project, Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The next consideration is for the need for an environmental Impact Statement. He stated that it is recommended that the City Council make a negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement by the North Oaks Company, mixed use development project. 4. Administrative Update The Interim City Administrator reported the following staffing updates: The Public Services/Parks & Recreation Department has posted for the summer seasonal workers. A recycling intern has been hired within the Community Development Department. The Community Development Specialist position vacancy has been posted. The hiring process for the City Administrator is moving forward and a number of applications have been received to date with the closing date pending. The Public Services Administrative Assistant has been designated as back-up for the City Clerk position. The Interim City Administrator provided an overview of the Citygate report and action items to date. He reviewed the Emergency Management role and identified that this is a critical role and is planned to have a depth of three trained managers. The Fire Department is anticipated to hold the Emergency Management title, with Public Safety Page 2 of 3 and Public Services both trained and prepared for management of any responses requiring 24-hour staffing. The Interim City Administrator reported that the police department had an all staff meeting on February 5tn, held by the Interim Public Safety Director and the Interim Fire Chief is planning to hold a similar meeting for the Fire Department on February 18tn The Interim City Administrator stated that the Public Safety Department now has a flat organizational chart. He stated that it is planned to continue that way with final changes to the organizational chart, with the Citygate mid -point report recently presented and the final report pending. He stated that the Interim Public Safety Director is working on an organizational chart. The Council will be presented with options including costs, when the final Citygate report is presented. The Fire Department will also develop a three-year plan for staffing, including options with costs for the consideration of the Council at the time the Citygate final report is presented. He noted that because the city has a finite amount of money the costs will be presented with each staffing option. The Council asked about emergency management training. The Interim City Administrator stated that the City completed staff level training in 2024 on crisis communications. A consultant was contracted to provide the training. He stated that Anoka County has offered to assist the city with putting together an in-house training program for the City Council. He supported the development of an in-house training program. He stated that because emergency management is an important role, he wanted the Council to meet the appointed representative and to then move forward with the development of the training program. 5. Adjournment Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 6:32 p.m. These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on February 24, 2025. Roberta Colotti, CIVIC R b R ferty, City Clerk Mayor Page 3 of 3