HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-25 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council
Work Session
Minutes
DATE: July 28, 2025
TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 6:25 P.M.
LOCATION: Community Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty Councilmembers Ruhland, Lyden and Stoesz
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Cavegn
Staff Members Present: City Administrator Karen Anderson, City Clerk Roberta Colotti,
Community Development Director Mike Grochala, City Planner Katie Larsen, Chief of Police Curt
Boehme, Fire Chief Dan L'Allier and City Attorney Jay Squires.
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 City Clerk requested to add two items to the agenda: Establishment of a Budget
Work Session Meeting Date and Review of the Order of Business for the Regular
Meeting.
The Agenda was adopted as amended to include the two items as presented.
3. 2026 Budget Work Session Meeting
The City Council reviewed the September 2025 date for submitting the 2026 Preliminary
Budget and Levy, and December timeline for submitting the 2026 Final Budget and Levy.
It was requested that the Council establish a Special Work Session to provide first review
of the proposed 2026 Preliminary Budget and Levy.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to call a Special Work Session on Monday,
August 18th at 6:00 p.m. for the primary purpose of discussing the 2026 Preliminary
Budget and Levy.
4. Review Order of Business
The City Clerk requested that the Order of Business for the Regular Meeting be
amended to hold the Public Comment period after the Special Presentations, noting
that there are three special presentations scheduled.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to amend the regular agenda to move the Public
Comment period to after Special Presentations.
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5. Water Appropriation Permit Contested Case Appeal
The Community Development Director reported that on August 30, 2017, the Ramsey
County District Court issued a judgement regarding the groundwater management of
White Bear Lake and the Prairie Du Chien -Jordan Aquifer. As a result, the City's
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Water Appropriation Permit 1985-
6168 was amended to include the following requirements:
• PREPARE A PLAN TO CONVERT TO SURFACE WATER SOURCE
• ENACT AND ENFORCE A RESIDENTIAL IRRIGATION BAN WHEN WHITE BEAR LAKE
DROPS BELOW 923.5
• PREPARE AN ENFORCEABLE PLAN TO LIMIT PER CAPITA WATER USE (75 GPD FOR
RESIDENTIAL AND 90 GPD TOTAL)
• REPORT ANNUALLY ON COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH NE COMMUNITIES TO MEET
THE PER CAPITA REQUIREMENTS
The City, along with multiple other communities, appealed three of the four
amendments and a contested case hearing was held in 2023 before an Administrative
Law Judge (AU). The AU struck the irrigation ban requirement but left the other
amendments in place. Both the White Bear Lake Restoration Association and White Bear
Lake Homeowners Association appealed the decision. The six communities involved
appealed as well.
In July the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled on the appeals and reversed the decision
of the AU and remanded for further review.
The City Attorney recommended that the City ask the Supreme Court to review the
decision. Under the Rules any party to a Court of Appeals matter can ask the Supreme
Court to exercise its discretionary review power. The Supreme Court does not have to
do so. A request is in the form of a Petition for Review, which is a short document
highlighting the importance of the case.
The Community Development Director requested that the Council place "Authorize the
Filing of the Petition for Review" on the July 28, 2025 regular agenda.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to place "Authorize the Filing of the Petition for
Review" as part of the Consent Agenda, on the July 28, 2025 Regular Meeting agenda.
6. City Attorney Notice of Retirement
City Attorney Jay Squires provided notice to the City Council that he would be retiring in
October of this year. He stated that the City contract is with his firm. He stated that the
firm has 20 attorneys and that he has been working with the assigned attorneys to get
them up to speed, so they will not miss a step when they become the key contact, after
his retirement.
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Mayor Rafferty and the Council thanked City Attorney Jay Squires for his years of
service.
Review Regular Agenda
The City Council reviewed the regular agenda.
The City Planner provided an overview of the Erickson Property zoning ordinance
amendment scheduled for second reading/adoption tonight.
The Community Development Director reviewed the fee schedule amendment proposed
for special connection fees. This item is scheduled for first reading of the ordinance
amendment tonight.
S. Adjournment
Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on August 11, 2025.
Roberta Colotti, CMC RoV
rty,
City Clerk Ma
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