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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-25 - City Council MinutesLINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DATE: March 24, 2025 TIME STARTED: 6:30 PM TIME ENDED: 7:45 PM LOCATION: City Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz MEMBERS ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: Interim City Administrator Dave Pecchia, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer, Community Development Director Michael Grochala, City Engineer Diane Hankee, Interim Public Safety Director Curt Boehme, Interim Fire Chief Dan L'Allier, and Public Services/Parks & Recreation Director Rick DeGardner. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rafferty at 6:30 PM. Mayor Rafferty provided an overview of the Rules of Decorum. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Rafferty opened the public comment period. Chris Harvey, Oak Park Heights, requested that the City Council adopt an ordinance prohibiting panhandling similar to the Oak Park Heights ordinance. He reviewed his concerns with panhandling in the City of Lino Lakes. Mayor Rafferty closed the public comment period at 6:38 p.m. SETTING THE AGENDA The agenda was adopted as presented. iMV0]011-14►kreTclA01-P e Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Items #1A through 11 as presented. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Cavegn SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None 2. FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT None Page 1 of 7 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes 3. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT A. Appointment of Paid On -Call Firefighter Motion to appoint Seth Martenson to the Paid On -Call Firefighter position, as presented. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Cavegn SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None B. Appointment of Part -Time Firefighter Motion to appoint Alicia Zuhlsdorf to the Part -Time Firefighter position, as presented. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Cavegn SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None 4. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT None 5. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT A. Resolution No. 25-35 Behm's Park & Shenandoah Park Equipment Contract Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-35, Approving Contract with Northland Recreation, Inc. for Behm's Park and Shenandoah Park Playground Equipment, with the amendment that the amount listed is to be a "not to exceed" number. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Stoesz SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None 6. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT A. Resolution No..25-36, 2025 Street Reconstruction and Sewer and Water Extension, Pine Haven Mayor Rafferty Opened the Public Hearing at 6:54 p.m. for the 2025 Street Reconstruction and Sewer and water Extension, Pine Haven, Special Assessments Page 2 of 7 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes Dolly Carr, 954 815Y Street, Lino Lakes, stated that her neighbor had asked about the markings on the boulevard trees. They also asked how an ambulance can get to the property during the time of construction. The City Engineer stated that the trees are marked along the line for the water and sewer trench. The City Engineer stated that regarding access by an ambulance during construction, the contractor can cover the trench in an emergency. They will need to work with the homeowner during the time the cement is installed as that cannot be driven over, however, it can be installed in sections. Jesse Rodriguez, 8021 Danube Street, Lino Lakes, questioned the extra fee to connect to the sewer system and asked if he was required to connect if his septic system was out of compliance. The City Engineer stated that if the septic system is failing the property owner would need to connect to the sewer system. Motion to Close the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Stoesz SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-36, Adopting Special Assessments, 2025 Reconstruction and Sewer and Water Extension, Pine Haven. RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER: AYES: NAYS: CARRIED [5-0] Cavegn Stoesz Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz None B. Resolution 25-37, 2025 Street Reconstruction and Sewer and Water Extension, Colonial Woods, Special Assessments Mayor Rafferty Opened the Public Hearing on the 2025 Street Reconstruction and Sewer and Water Extension, Colonial Woods, Special Assessments at 7:05 p.m. Caesare and Mark Engstrom, 6250 Red Maple Lane, Lino Lakes, presented a written objection to the proposed assessments. Page 3 of 7 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes Caesare Engstrom stated that they installed a new septic system in 2019 and a new well and pump that was dug/installed in 2024. Now with this project they are faced with having to pay the assessment and will be forced to abandon their well and septic in the future, which they just spent money to install. Due to the unexpected expense of having to install a new well last year, this upcoming assessment will put a strong financial burden on them. When they purchased the home in 2019 the ability to have a well and septic was one of the reasons, they purchased the property, and with this project that will change. The proposed project will completely change the makeup of the neighborhood as well. Many of the trees are going to be removed which will affect their property value and the curb appeal around the neighborhood. She stated that given that they have a newer septic and well, the connection to the city sewer and water ultimately does not increase their property value, which then conflicts with MN Statue 429.051 Apportionment of Cost. She requested that the cost of the assessment be waived as they do not feel that it is fair or permissible to impose the costs as it serves no benefit or purpose to their property. Caesare Engstrom stated that she signed a petition against the proposed project and questioned why that was not being considered further. Dan Langanki, 6249 Red Maple Lane, Lino Lakes, questioned the cost difference between the Colonial Woods and Pine Haven projects. Jill and Steve Bushor, 6339 Red Maple Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that the proposed project does not benefit them as their septic system is fairly new. They questioned the number of trees being proposed to be removed. They stated that the planned stormwater drainage improvements are only fixing half the problem. That the stormwater plan will result in some of the pond area being drained which will reduce their property value. Cindy Langanki, 6249 Red Maple Lane, Lino Lakes, said that she too sees all of the trees that are marked for removal. She asked if there was any way to preserve more of the existing trees and/or what the plan for replanting was for those trees that would be taken down. Rick D., 6233 Red Maple Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that he has lived here for a long time and that residents in the area asked for the project 15+ years ago. New buyers had to put in a septic system with the purchase of their home and if the project had been done 15 years ago that wouldn't have been necessary. The City Engineer addressed the question of the petition against the project not moving forward. She stated that it was considered not valid because it did not achieve the 51% of property owners required to sign the petition. The City Engineer reviewed the costs and financing for the Pine Haven and Colonial Woods projects in response to the question about cost differences. The City Engineer stated that the trees marked for removal are within the right-of-way. The wetland pond is designed to clean stormwater. She noted that the plan for the ponding area was reviewed by the Rice Creek Watershed. Page 4 of 7 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes The City Engineer stated that some of the trees marked for removal are due to road and drainage system requirements. She stated that they could re-evaluate the trees along the roadway. They did review the tree plan with a tree expert and also looked at the health of the trees. Oak Wilt was identified in the area. Councilmember Lyden asked if there was anything the city could to regarding the half of the pond that was planned to be drained. The City Engineer stated that could be reviewed, however, there are multiple considerations already with the drainage plan, which is now adding water quality treatment. Half of the area could not tie in based on hydrology. Half is required by Rice Creek Watershed to benefit water quality. Councilmember Cavegn stated that the city requires developers to re -plant and asked if the city would consider re -planting in the project area. The City Engineer stated that she could review this with the Community Development Department. Motion to close the Public Hearing at 7:34 P.M. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Cavegn SECONDER: Lyden AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-27, Adopting Special Assessments, 2025 Street Reconstruction and Sewer and Water Extension, Colonial Woods. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Stoesz SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None C. 2025 Street Reconstruction and Sewer and Wate Extension Project Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-31, Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Cavegn AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None Page 5 of 7 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-30, Approving Construction Services Contract with WSB, LLC. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Cavegn SECONDER: Ruhland AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None D. Resolution No. 25-39 Bond Proceeds Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-39, Declare Intent to Reimburse Certain Expenditures from Bond Proceeds, 2025 Street Reconstruction and Sewer and Water Extension Project. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Lyden SECONDER: Stoesz AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None E. Resolution No. 25-40 — Bond Proceeds Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-40, Declare Intent to Reimburse Certain Expenditure from Bond Proceeds, 2025 Street Rehabilitation Project. RESULT: CARRIED [5-0] MOVER: Ruhland SECONDER: Cavegn AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz NAYS: None 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None 8. NEW BUSINESS None 9. NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS A. There will be a Special City Council meeting immediately following tonight's Regular Meeting, in the Community Room. The City Council will be meeting with DDA Human Resources regarding the City Administrator hiring process. The full agenda is posted on the website, and this meeting is open to the public. B. Environmental Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, March 26, 2025, at City Hall. Page 6 of 7 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. These minutes were approved at the City Council Meeting on April 14, 2025. Roberta Colotti, CIVIC R R ferty, City Clerk M or Page 7 of 7