HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-26 - City Council Meeting MinutesLINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
DATE: February 23, 2026
TIME STARTED: 6:30 PM
TIME ENDED: 7:15 PM
LOCATION: City Council Chambers
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty Councilmembers Lyden, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Staff Members Present: City Administrator Karen Anderson, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, HR &
Communications Manager Meg Sawyer, Community Development Director Mike Grochala, City
Planner Katie Larsen, City Engineer Diane Hankee, and Police Sgt. William Owens.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rafferty at 6:30 PM.
SETTING THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Rafferty opened the public comment period at 6:32 p.m.
Delight DeMulling, 875 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that the City of Lino Lake Police & Fire
Department maintains public statements regarding immigration enforcement on the City
website. She wanted to acknowledge and express appreciation for these statements and for the
City's commitment to protecting immigrant neighbors. She presented a draft Resolution
"Affirming Community Safety, Civil Rights, and Limits on City Involvement in Civil Immigration
Enforcement" for the consideration of the City Council. She stated that the proposed resolution
sets lawful limits, protects access, guides staff and provides consistency. She stated that the
resolution does not block federal immigration enforcement, does not interfere with valid court
orders or warrants does not change federal law and does not require City staff to obstruct federal
agents. She stated that this resolution would improve public safety because residents are more
likely to call 911 when they trust local authorities and crimes are more likely to be reported. City
staff and officers are not placed in legally uncertain situation, and clear policy reduces fear,
confusion, and misinformation.
Mayor Rafferty closed the public comment period at 6:35 p.m.
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Lino Lakes City Council Minutes
1. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Expenditures for February 23, 2026 (Check No. 124464 through 124536)
in the Amount of $1,410,324.31.
B. Approval of Exempt Gambling Permit, Ducks Unlimited.
C. Hiring of Part -Time Staff for the Rookery Activity Center.
D. Approval of February 9, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes.
E. Approval of February 9, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Items 1A through 1E as presented.
RESULT:
CARRIED [5-0]
MOVER:
Rennaker
SECONDER:
Nelson
AYES:
Rafferty, Lyden, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
None
2. FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT
No Report
3. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT
A. Appointment of Police Records Technician
Motion to appoint Aria Christ to the Police Records Technician position, at Step 4 of
the Police Records Technician wage scale, with a start date of March 9, 2026.
RESULT:
CARRIED [5-0]
MOVER:
Lyden
SECONDER:
Ruhland
AYES:
Rafferty, Lyden, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
None
B. Appointment of Police Records Technician
Motion to appoint Chad Lunas to the Police Records Technician position, at Step 4 of
the Police Records Technician wage scale, with a start date of March 9, 2026.
RESULT:
CARRIED [5-0]
MOVER:
Ruhland
SECONDER:
Rennaker
AYES:
Rafferty, Lyden, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
None
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Lino Lakes City Council Minutes
4. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
No Report
5. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
No Report
6. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT
No Report
7. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
A. Peltier Ponds
L Resolution No. 26-05, Approving Comprehensive Plan Amendment Related to
Peltier Ponds.
Motion to adopt Resolution 26-05, Approving Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Related to Peltier Ponds.
RESULT: Failed [3-2] 4/5th Vote Required to Pass
MOVER: Ruhland
SECONDER: Rennaker
AYES: Rafferty, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS: Lyden and Nelson
The Community Development Director provided additional explanation on the
requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment. He stated that the developer could bring
the project back with similar density and building styles but would be required to meet
the existing Comprehensive Plan requirements which would likely result in a less
desirable streetscape and neighborhood design. As a result, he asked that the Council
reconsider the request presented this evening.
Motion to reconsider Resolution 26-05, Approving Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Related to Peltier Ponds.
RESULT:
CARRIED [4-1]
MOVER:
Nelson
SECONDER:
Ruhland
AYES:
Rafferty, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
Lyden
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Lino Lakes City Council Minutes
Motion to adopt Resolution 26-05, Approving Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Related to Peltier Ponds
RESULT:
CARRIED [4-1] 4/5th Vote Required
MOVER:
Nelson
SECONDER:
Ruhland
AYES:
Rafferty, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
Lyden
ii. Approval of 1st Reading of Ordinance No. 01-26 Rezoning Property from R, Rural
to PUD, Planned Unit Development
Motion to Provide First Reading of Ordinance No. 01-26, Rezoning Property from R,
Rural to PUD, Planned Unit Development.
RESULT:
CARRIED [4-1]
MOVER:
Ruhland
SECONDER:
Rennaker
AYES:
Rafferty, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
Lyden
iii. Approval of Resolution No. 26-06 for Opening Utility Staging Area and PUD
Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 26-06 for Opening Utility Staging Area and PUD
Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat.
RESULT:
CARRIED [4-1]
MOVER:
Ruhland
SECONDER:
Rennaker
AYES:
Rafferty, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
Lyden
B. Resolution No. 26-20, Authorize the Preparation of Plans and Specs, 2026 Public
Works Utility Extension Project.
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Lino Lakes City Council Minutes
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 26-20, Authorize the Preparation of Plans and Specs,
2026 Public Works Utility Extension Project.
RESULT:
CARRIED [5-01
MOVER:
Rennaker
SECONDER:
Ruhland
AYES:
Rafferty, Lyden, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker
NAYS:
None
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No Report
9. NEW BUSINESS
No Report
10. NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Environmental Board Meeting on February 25th at 6:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
These minutes were approved at the City Council Meeting on March 9, 2026.
�s .�I tt�- 5 � t.
Roberta Colotti, CIVIC R R erty,
City Clerk Mayor
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