HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-25 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council
Work Session
Minutes
DATE: June 2, 2025
TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 8:39 P.M.
LOCATION: Community Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Staff Members Present: Interim City Administrator Dave Pecchia, Karen Anderson, City Clerk
Roberta Colotti, Interim Finance Director Kelly Horn, Senior Accountant Tracy Thoma,
Community Development Director Michael Grochala, City Planner Katie Larsen, Chief of Police
Curt Boehme, and Fire Chief Dan L'Allier.
Also Attending: Planning & Zoning Board Member Michael Root.
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. 2024 Audit Presentation
The Interim Finance Director introduced Andy Hering of Redpath and Company, who
was present to review the City's 2024 Annual Audit.
Mr. Hering reported that the field work for the 2024 audit was completed in April of this
year. He presented the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, 2024 Governance
Letter, 2024 Internal Control Report and 2024 Legal Compliance Report.
Mr. Hering stated that they are providing a clean opinion dated May 22, 2025. He noted
that the City received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and
Canada for its 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, The City has received this
award each year since 1995, and it is believed that the report issued for 2024 continues
to uphold the high standards of reporting excellence that this award represents.
Mr. Hering fielded questions from the Council regarding the report, city finances and
county tax payments.
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Mayor Rafferty thanked Mr. Hering and the Finance Department staff for their work on
the 2024 audit. It was noted that this item will be presented at the June 9, 2025 Council
meeting as a Consent Agenda item for formal acceptance of the 2024 Audit Report.
4. Java Lino Lakes 2nd Addition Preliminary Plat
The City Planner provided an overview of the Java Lino Lakes 2nd Addition Preliminary
Plat. The applicant, Java Companies, Inc., has submitted a land use application to
subdivide Lot 2, Block 1, Java Lino Lakes into two separate lots. This is a further
subdivision of a recently subdivided property. The planned commercial uses include an
O'Reilly Auto Parts, Pacific Dental and Chipotle restaurant. The Planning & Zoning Board
held a public hearing on May 14, 2025. The City Council is scheduled to take formal
action on the Preliminary Plat application at the June 9, 2025 Council meeting.
5. Clearwater Commons Preliminary Plat
The City Planner reported that Capital Real Estate, Inc, submitted a land use application
for Clearwater Commons, Preliminary Plat and Vacation -Permanent Utility and Drainage
Easement. The Preliminary Plat is for three commercial lots, north of CSAH 14 (Main
Street), west of 9-35E, east of 215t Avenue North and south of the park and ride. There is
also a stand-alone Chipotle restaurant is proposed on Lot 1. The Planning & Zoning
Board held the public hearing on May 14, 2025 for the Preliminary Plat. The City Council
will hold a hearing on the Vacation -Permanent Utility and Drainage Easement and take
formal action on the Preliminary Plat application at the June 9, 2025 Council meeting.
6. Nelson Rehbein PUD Concept Plan
The City Planner stated that the applicant, Twin Cities Land Holding, LLC, is proposing a
residential development in the southwest quadrant of CSAH 54 (20th Ave. S.) and Cedar
Avenue. The development contains three parcels totaling approximately 25 gross acres
and 90 housing units. They are proposing 38 single family homes, 52 townhomes, and
three Outlots.
The City Planner stated that the project could be developed under the R-2 and R-3
zoning districts and while the applicant considered a PUD zoning request for the
townhomes, staff recommends R-3 zoning for the townhome portion of the
development. There was general City Council support for R-3 zoning for the townhomes
vs. the PUD zoning option.
The City Planner reviewed the proposed public roadways, future connection points and
possible private roads through the townhome development. It was noted that public
roads may be preferred at certain points to allow for future connections.
The City Planner noted that the project is going to be contingent on additional
water/municipal well capacity.
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The City Planner stated that this project is at the Concept Plan stage and as a result a
meeting date has not been identified for formal action.
7. Water & Sewer 1PA w/ White Bear Township
The Community Development Director stated 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 utilities. Staff has been working with both the
Township and the City of North Oaks on a joint powers agreement (JPA) to secure access
to these utilities. He reviewed the elements of the proposed agreement. He noted that
the City of Lino Lakes would provide utility billing and the rates, will require a different
scheduled based on the actual costs of providing services from While Bear Township
and maintenance from the City of North Oaks.
8. Public Works Building, Construction Manager Update
The Community Development Director reported that staff has solicited proposals from
qualified firms to provide Construction Management as agent (CMa) services for the
proposed Public Works Building. The scope of work includes Pre -Construction Activities,
Procurement Activities, Construction Phase and Closeout. The City received four quality
proposals. Based on the information received through the proposals and interview
process staff is recommending the selection of RJM Construction. This item is scheduled
for formal action at the June 9, 202S Council meeting.
9. VLAWMO, IPA Amendment
The Community Development Director stated that the Vadnais Lakes Area Water
Management Organization (VLAWMO), which covers a portion of southeastern Lino
Lakes is working to update its Joint Powers Agreement in conjunction with its work to
develop the 2027-2036 Watershed Plan. He stated that the City Attorney reviewed the
proposed agreement and in coordination with staff and several items were requested
for amendment including that capital improvement projects continue to require a super
majority 2/3 vote of all Directors. Clarification of the lead time for any assessments. The
agreement is requested to be 10 years not longer as presented in the first draft. Finally,
Section 6.1(e) SSU Charger Certification to reference both the Anoka and Ramsey
County Auditors. The watershed has indicated that they are willing to incorporate these
changes and will be taking formal action at the end of the month to adopt the contract.
The contract to begin in 2026.
10. City Council Rules of Decorum
The City Clerk presented a draft amendment to the Rules of Decorum for the review of
the City Council. The draft provided clarification on the receipt and review of written
public comment, handouts presented during the public comment period, display of
signs, and apparel with messaging applicable to current city business. This item will be
brought back to a regular meeting in June for formal action.
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11. Municipal Cannabis Store
The Interim City Administrator stated that in follow-up to the Council direction to
prepare a list of available consultants to advise on the market viability of a Municipal
Cannabis Retail Store, he had located nine firms that do market analysis. He stated that
the cities of Lexington, Centerville, and Blaine are researching the topic. The cities of
Circle Pines and White Bear Lake are not pursing the matter. He said the City of St.
Anthony Village is moving forward with plans and that the consultant used for the
project planning had a fee of approximately $10,000. He stated that the City of Buffalo is
not actively pursuing the matter, but did complete the necessary research and the
consultant used had an approximate fee of $8,000.
The Interim City Administrator stated that the City of Wyoming hired a consultant that is
available to assist the City of Lino Lakes and has offered to begin with a basic analysis for
approximately $2,500. He stated that there are companies that can provide a range of
services, including setting up and running the operations. He asked the Council if they
were interested in scheduling a meeting with the consultant for the June 9, 2025 Work
Session,
Councilmember Stoesz stated that as presented at the last work session, he would
continue to vote against the development of a Municipal Cannabis Retail Store.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the Council to schedule time on the June 9, 2025 Work Session
agenda to meet with the Municipal Cannabis Retail Store consultant, as presented.
(Councilmember Stoesz opposed.)
12. Administration Update
The Interim City Administrator provided the following updates.
• Staff has been working on the draft amendments to the Rules of Decorum.
• Staff met with Councilmembers Lyden and Cavegn last week and provided a re-
cap presentation of the Police and Fire Department Strategic Implementation
Plan proposals that were originally presented on May 14cn
• This Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the City Council will be holding a Closed Meeting
to review the Police Department union contract.
• The City Council will also be holding a Special Work Session on Wednesday, June
4, 2025, to review the implementation of the Police and Fire Department
Strategic Implementation Plan. The Finance Department is working on final
numbers for personnel and equipment as they relate to the recommendations.
• Consultants have been identified to complete the Strategic Plan. Craig Waldron
is one of the consultants that has been identified, and he indicated that
community input could be received by contacting area athletic associations, the
Chamber of Commerce, etc. and that the citizen survey does not need to be
completed in advance of this Strategic Planning process. The 5-Year Strategic
Plan would be prepared in coordination with the budget.
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• Working on a new initiative under which the Council would pause and evaluate
in response to markers on a matrix. For example, if two employees resigned
from a department within a month, the City Council would stop and review with
the City Administrator, Human Resources, and Department Manager. This would
not include seasonal employees. Or another example would be a grant that
keeps coming back before the Council, that could be a time to pause and review.
With this matrix the City Council would avoid being blindsided. Currently working
on the matrix and the trigger points for stopping and reviewing different issues.
Mayor Rafferty asked about the Police Department training programs through Hennepin
Technical College and Alexandra Technical & Community College.
The Chief of Police stated that the City received two grants and had three cadets. Two have
completed the training. Of those two, one stayed on with Lino Lakes Police Department and
one did not. He reviewed that there is another program available Pathways to Policing,
however, the City does not have any candidates in that program at this time.
Mayor Rafferty asked about the current police department staffing levels.
The Chief of Police said that they are two officers short of full staffing and staff will be
presenting a plan for staffing levels at the June 4th Work Session.
Mayor Rafferty commended the new Chief of Police and Fire Chief on the job they are
doing. He stated that the communication with the Council has been appreciated.
Councilmember Lyden stated that upon further consideration of the Nelson Rehbein PUD
Concept Plan he would prefer R-2 zoning (single-family homes) for the full project, and to
eliminate the R-3 zoning (townhomes).
The Community Development Director reviewed the Metropolitan Council requirements for
density and the adopted Comprehensive Plan goals for density.
13. Notices and Communications, City Council
Councilmember Stoesz reported that he will be attending the League of Minnesota
Cities (LMC) Annual Conference at the end of June.
The City Administrator reported that the Anoka County Elected Officials meeting was
recently held.
Mayor Rafferty announced that there is as Closed Meeting on June 4, 2025 at 6 p.m.
followed by a Special Work Session at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
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These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on June 9, 2025.
•
Roberta Colotti, CMC Rob Rafferty,
City Clerk Mayor
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