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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-25 - City Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council Work Session Minutes DATE: September 2, 202S TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M. TIME ENDED: 9:05 P.M. LOCATION: Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty CounciImembers Ruh land, Lyden, Stoesz, and Cavegn ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: City Administrator Karen Anderson, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Interim Finance Director Kelly Horn, Finance Director Tracy Thoma, Community Development Director Mike Grochala, Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer, Chief of Police Curt Boehme, Fire Chief Dan L'Allier, Fire Lieutenant Brian Finke, Public Services Director Rick DeGardner, and Public Works Superintendent Justin Williams. 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. Public Works Building Design Update The Community Development Director introduced Dan Greuel from Oertel Architects. The City has retained Oertel's services to design a new public works building to replace the current building at the same site. Mr. Greuel presented the public works building site layout. He reviewed the site constraints, access, vehicle flow and exterior operations. The Public Works Superintendent stated that the building was being designed to meet current and future needs of the department. That the truck storage area cost the least and yet was the most important element of the plan. That the building included space to work on all types of city vehicles, a wash bay, vehicle storage, offices and a community meeting space that would be able to serve as an election polling location as the current building does. The Public Works Superintendent noted that there is a smaller building on -site and that during construction that space would be used by the department. After construction it would be demolished or used for cold storage. It was noted that there is a cost for each month of construction and so allowing the contractor to move forward in a timely manner was important. Page 1 of 4 The Community Development Director reviewed the impact on the adjacent recreation facilities including a ballfield, ice rink and playground. The Public Services Director stated that the Park Board would need to develop a new Master Park Plan for the area. 4. 2026 Preliminary Budget and Levy The Finance Director presented a summary of the changes made since the Budget Work Session on August 18th. The levy was proposed at $18,217,980 on August 18th and is now proposed at $18,186,218. The Interim Finance Director requested Council Direction on several items that were discussed at the last budget meeting. Council direction to remove the Flock/Axon License Plate Readers from the 2026 budget. Council direction to keep the Police K9 Unit, new expenses that were previously not budgeted, in the 2026 budget and to continue to accept donations as provided by local organizations. Council direction to keep the Public Services Department forklift in the 2026 budget. Council direction to remove the rescue/mud motorboat from the 2026 budget and to work with Anoka County to secure rescue equipment for Lino Lakes through coverage by the Anoka County Sheriff's Office. With the option to bring this item back as a future year consideration if needed. Council direction to staff to prepare a report related to the request for a min -excavator in 2026, to include the cost of contracting out work and the estimated maintenance costs and staff time costs if the excavator is purchased. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to move the proposed Preliminary 2026 Budget and Levy forward as presented with the amendments noted, for approval on September 22, 2025. Mayor Rafferty asked for a status update on the personnel policy amendments related to the Fire Fighter medical insurance required to allow the proposed scheduling program to move forward. Page 2 of 4 The Human Resources and Communications Manager reported that the personnel policy amendments are scheduled to be presented to the City Council for approval in September. That would allow for the shift schedule change to be effective October 5cn 5. Rookery Budget The Interim Finance Director presented the Rookery budget, highlighting the different revenue sources. The Public Services Director stated that to increase membership revenues, they are preparing a marketing campaign to increase awareness of the facility and the number of new members. He reviewed the contract with Endurance Fitness noting that it was proposed that the contract be re -negotiated to increase Endurance Fitness incentive to invest in the facility, programing and marketing and city benefit from the contract as well. Councilmember Stoesz requested that the ISG Report be sunset either formally or informally as it was no longer valid when preparing future reports for the Rookery operations. Mayor Rafferty requested that the Parks & Trails fund be increased by $90,000 in the current year (2025), with the planned future year increases to remain as proposed. The Interim Finance Director stated that a General Fund Adjustment in 2025 could be made to fund the Parks & Trails fund. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare a report for future approval, for a General Fund Adjustment in 2025, to transfer $90,000 to the Parks & Trails fund. 6. Water/Sewer/Storm Water Utility Enterprise Budgets The Interim Finance Director reviewed the costs and revenues associated with the Water & Sewer funds. The city water and sewer rates are proposed to be increased in 2026. The storm sewer rates are not proposed to be amended in 2026. 7. Financial Management Plan The Interim Finance Director presented the draft five-year financial outlook for the City. The projected tax rate increases from 43.358% to 46.523% in 2030. There is a projected 10% increase in 2027 in the General Fund due to a full -year Fire and Police Department implementations planned for only half -year impact in 2026 and a 5% increase in General Fund for subsequent years. Planned increase for other Operating Levies (Capital Equipment, Park and Trail, Pavement Management). Public Works Facility 2026 Planned Bonding, Otter Lake Road Extension 2026 Planned Bonding, 2027 Planned Bonding for Street Reconstruction, 2029 Planned Bonding for a Fire Pumper Truck. Page 3 of 4 8. 2026 Budget Next Steps The Interim Finance Director summarized the direction received this evening regarding the amendments to the 2026 Preliminary Budget and Levy. She stated that the next step would be the presentation of the Preliminary Budget and Levy for formal approval on September 22, 2025. The 2026 Preliminary Budget and Levy must be submitted to the county by the end of September. The 2026 Final Budget & Levy will be presented for approval at the December meeting and the levy can be reduced by not increased at that time. 9. White Bear Township/City of North Oaks, Water and Sanitary Sewer JPA Update The Community Development Director reported that the Wilkinson Waters development, located in the northwest quadrant of Centerville Road and County Road J, is proposed to be served by White Bear Township water and sanitary sewer utilities through the City of North Oaks. Staff have been working with both the Township and the City of North Oaks on a joint powers agreement (JPA) to secure access to these utilities since August of 2024. The Community Development Director reported that the City of Lino Lakes approved a grading agreement with the developer in June of 2025 which allowed the developer to proceed, at their own risk, with grading activities. However, little progress has been made on the JPA as White Bear Township and the City of North Oaks continue discussions to amend their existing master water and sewer JPA. That needs to be completed prior to the execution of a three party JPA. Additionally, the Metropolitan Council has determined that the City's CPA application is incomplete pending submittal of an approved JPA. The Community Development Director reported that the developer has since submitted a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Final Plan/Final Plat application for Phase 1 of the development. The application is scheduled for review by the Planning and Zoning Board in September. However, the CPA and JPA conditions will need to be completed prior to City Council consideration. At this time staff do not have an estimate of when these items will be addressed. This will continue to delay consideration of the Wilkinson Waters Plat. Staff is continuing to monitor discussions between White Bear Township and the City of North Oaks. Both communities have indicated their interest in working with Lino Lake and we are continuing to discuss agreement parameters. 10. Adjournment Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. These minutes /were approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 22, 2025. A0 1591 � - � � I'll LL�r Roberta Colotti, CIVIC ea fferty, City Clerk Page 4 of 4