Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-26 - City Council Special Meeting MinutesLINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATE: May 1, 2026 TIME STARTED: 9:00 AM TIME ENDED: 10:42 AM LOCATION: Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Lyden, Nelson and Rennaker EXCUSED ABSENT: Mayor Rafferty and Councilmember Ruhland Staff Members Present: City Administrator Karen Anderson, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Community Development Director Mike Grochala, Environmental Specialist Tom Hoffman, Chief of Police Curt Boehme and City Attorney Kristin Nierengarten. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL In accordance with City Code Section 202.04, Order of Business, the City Clerk called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Motion to appoint Councilmember Lyden as Temporary Chairperson in accordance with City Code Section 202.02, Presiding Officer — Appointment. RESULT: CARRIED [3-01 MOVER: Rennaker SECONDER: Nelson AYES: Lyden, Nelson and Rennaker NAYS: None SETTING THE AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None PUBLIC COMMENT Temporary Chairperson Lyden opened the public comment period at 9:00 a.m. Patty Miller, 476 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, requested that the City Council consider amending the City Code to allow for beekeeping in residential districts. She stated that she has a two -acre property and is requesting this amendment as an environmental matter and to support pollinators. The Community Development Director reviewed that the City Council has discussed amending the code to allow for beekeeping in residential areas, every so many years. He stated that Page 1 of 8 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes beekeeping is allowed in rural areas, on larger lots. He stated that both the zoning code and animal control section of the code would need to be amended in order to permit beekeeping in residential areas. Cminril Artinn Request by Councilmember Nelson and Seconded by Councilmember Rennaker to direct staff to schedule a discussion regarding beekeeping in residential areas for a future Council Work Session. Ms. Miller stated that she had a second topic and that is a request for information on the process to secure approval to build a pool house on her property. The Community Development Director advised that she speak with the City Planner regarding her project. He noted that if the proposed project was not in conformance with City Code she would need to seek a variance. Motion to close the public comment period at 9:07 a.m. RESULT: CARRIED [3-01 MOVER: Rennaker SECONDER: Nelson AYES: Lyden, Nelson and Rennaker NAYS: None 1. CONSENT AGENDA No Report 2. FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report 3. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report 4. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report 5. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report 6. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT No Report Page 2 of 8 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes 7. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT A. Great River Energy Easement Maintenance The Environmental Coordinator reported that the City Council requested a meeting to discuss the ongoing maintenance and tree removal along the Great River Energy (GRE) transmission line corridor. GRE owns easements and operates power lines throughout the City of Lino Lakes. They are currently undertaking maintenance operations that include an area west of Lake Drive. The easement agreement for this location was executed on October 3, 1968. The easement is granted to Rural Cooperative Power Association and its successors; Great River Energy (GRE) and runs in perpetuity. The easement documentation allows GRE the right to cut down, trim, and remove trees within the easement. In this location, the easement is 45' on either side of the transmission line. The language of the easement document grants the utility the right to cut down, trim, or in any manner eliminate all trees, shrubbery or brush within the easement and to cut down from time to time all other dead, weak, leaning, or dangerous trees that are tall enough to strike the wires in falling. The easement width varies along the corridor between a distance of 45' to 50' on either side of the electric transmission line. GRE has completed routine maintenance, trimming, and removals throughout the city over the course of many years along the transmission lines. The City was notified in early March by Carr Tree Service of the work that was proposed as part of normal maintenance operations within the city, which included land owned or managed by the city within the transmission easement. The City met with Carr and GRE in mid -March to go over proposed removals of trees and shrubs within the city owned and managed areas. City staff walked the corridor with GRE and spoke with several residents onsite during the site visit. Lino Lakes was notified by GRE that they would be completing additional removals throughout the corridor to bring the area into compliance with federal regulations. The corridor was to be staked to show easement locations and GRE would inventory and list trees that were proposed for removals. It is our understanding the GRE door knocked and communicated with residents prior to the staking as feasible. The City received a letter dated April 13th from GRE further outlining the work that was proposed within the city -managed parcels. The letter was specific to the area managed by the city and outlined the removal and work to be completed. It is our understanding that each impacted resident received a similar letter from GRE. Page 3 of 8 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes The City was concerned about erosion and sedimentation along the city stormwater pond and natural areas and reached out to GRE for a restoration plan. GRE and the city worked to complete a restoration plan for the city -maintained areas that would establish native vegetation where soil disturbance occurred and limit soil erosion and sedimentation. The Environmental Coordinator stated that staff will gather questions from the Council today to provide GRE. The City Attorney provided clarifying statements, before the meeting was open to public comment, that the GRE has the right to do maintenance. They have private lease agreements with the property owners. That the City does not have regulatory authority over GRE. Public Comment Bonnie Hermann, 7859 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that she did not believe GRE used the best method for notifying property owners, when they used a door hanger to provide notice, as they were out of town. A neighbor told them that the trees were marked and of the notice. Ms. Hermann questioned why the trees on her property were marked this year (2026) when GRE is now saying they will be taken down in 2028. Jon Hermann, 7859 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that the door hanger notice was from a private tree company not GRE. He stated that GRE has a list of property owners that could have been used to send a mailed notice. Mr. Hermann stated that he first met with GRE in 2003. However, the first extensive meeting with GRE was in 2014/2015 when they reviewed three removal/re-planting plans within the easement. He stated that the agreement for the re -planting was a verbal agreement and with the recent discussions, GRE has reported that a written agreement is required for any variance. He has not heard that the variance process has been discussed with the other property owners. Mr. Hermann stated that he did not want to be negative towards the company, as he has had a good working relationship with GRE. He stated that when his trees were marked this year, that a 90' easement for clear -cutting was listed as the plan. When he asked what had changed from the permitted shorter plantings in 2014/2015, he was told the clear -cutting was allowed by federal regulations. Page 4 of 8 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes Mr. Hermann stated that the trees that are marked for removal will not grow as tall as the previous trees that were in this location and that they were part of the verbal agreement/variance granted in the past. Mr. Hermann stated that his neighbor planted trees in the name of each person in their family and now those trees are marked for removal as well. He said that those trees are reported to be a foot over the line and they are marked for total removal vs. trimming. Mr. Hermann stated that he and his neighbors have been good stewards of the land. Mr. Hermann reviewed the change in contact people at GRE that he has worked with over the years and the changes in the policy for vegetation removal and maintenance. Mr. Hermann stated that his neighbor reported that they were told if GRE was to trim half the tree it would likely die and could land on the house. So, the neighbor chose to have the full tree removed. The Environmental Coordinator confirmed that if a tree is trimmed on one side it can be weakened structurally and can become a hazard. General practice is to remove the tree entirely to avoid potential safety issues. Mr. Hermann stated that there has not been a consistent message to the neighborhood regarding planting allowances, variances, and the level of fire danger created by having/ not removing the plantings. He stated that looking ahead GRE needs a document outlining the planting and land use regulations for the easement. Mr. Hermann stated that he has a copy of the deed/easement from 1968. He asked if GRE could change that easement if they want to expand the area. The City Attorney stated that GRE cannot unilaterally change the easement agreement between the property owner and them. That would need to be coordinated with the private property owner. There is language in the current easement that they can go outside that area if there is a hazard. She stated that private companies cannot use eminent domain. Jean Gobell, 7840 Lois Lane, stated that in 2003 when GRE cut down the tall trees along the easement on her property, she was told that she could plant trees less than 18' tall. She planted Arborvitae that met that qualification. She noted that they were also out of town when they received the door hanger notice regarding the planned removal. Page 5 of 8 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes Rick Gobell, 7840 Lois Lane, questioned if the trees and shelter building in the city park, within the easement, were going to be allowed to stand. The Environmental Coordinator stated that when GRE gets to that section of the project, the trees will likely be removed, and GRE would evaluate the structure at that time. He stated that the structure has been in that location since 1979 and GRE would have LiDAR information on the height. He noted that the original project that was completed for the structure is from 1979 and the project files would need to be reviewed for any further details on this matter. Kristi Jokela, 642 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that she was told by GRE that they want to increase the voltage of the transmission line and if they do they would look to buy her home and others. She stated that messaging has since changed. She would like to know from GRE what the future is regarding the possible need to purchase her home. She also questioned the impact of this on the value of her home if they do not buy it. Ms. Jokela stated that they were told by the tree contractor for GRE that two trees needed to be cut and her husband did that. Then GRE identified more trees and the fence for possible removal as a potential hazard. She stated that she had to share the tags for the dwarf lilacs within the easement with GRE, to keep them. She questioned how it was safe for her family if the transmission lines presented such a potential hazard if a tree causes them to arc. She questioned how her house was allowed to be built if the lines were that dangerous. Ms. Jokela stated that the stumps of the trees that were cut down were treated with an herbicide by the contractor for GRE. She reported that they did not receive advance notice that this was going to be applied and that they were told it would be safe (with caution that the dog should not chew on the bark) once dried in 15 minutes or so after application, however, it was not dry when they were outside that day. The Environmental Coordinator concurred that an herbicide would be safe once it was dry. That while he did not know the timing of the application, however, it could have been the tree weeping not that the herbicide was not yet dry. He noted that typically this type of herbicide is painted on as well to prevent any drift. Patty Miller 476 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that her home is one lot away from the transmission line easement. She noted that in the past GRE has used an herbicide spray that has drifted to her property. She said that she contacted GRE regarding why they were using herbicide when in the past they only cut the trees/shrubs to remove them from the easement. GRE has told her that the herbicide was safe, however, she still has environmental concerns with it's use. She said that GRE plans to remove all the greenery Page 6 of 8 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes in the easement and that she has a concern with the impact on the wildlife in the area of that. Council Summary Statements The City Councilmembers provided the following questions/summary statements to be forwarded by the Environmental Specialist to GRE. Councilmember Nelson • Request GRE to honor all previous agreements with property owners and to put that in writing • Request that GRE provide an annual mailed notice to the property owners with the current program and policies related to easement management. All impacted homeowners should be advised by GRE on what can and cannot be planted within the easement • GRE is requested to address the level of danger presented by the lines • GRE is requested to clarify if they are going to increase the voltage of the lines even if it is 20 years in the future • Would like GRE to bury the lines at their cost • Request for the name of the herbicide used with the most recent tree trimming • GRE is requested to outline their future plans for this easement and line • GRE is requested to outline the future impact on Lino Park trees and structures within the easement, including copies of any maps of future plans related to the park area • Clarification from GRE as to why they are clear -cutting the area within the easement vs. allowing for shorter and negotiated plantings. What does GRE envision for the future for a policy of clear -cutting or allowing limited plantings. Request copies of any maps showing future year plans. • GRE is asked to provide a timeline for future tree removal project areas within the easement Councilmember Lyden Stated that he wants to create a win -win for GRE and residents of the community. That any comments are not about GRE's right to do work within the easement. • Communication — Request that GRE improve communication with the property owners, possibly by having one designated representative • Planning for the future by GRE to be shared with property owners • Clarification of GRE corporate policy vs. federal policy (i.e. use of herbicide) Councilmember Rennaker • It's about being a good partner, collaborator and neighbor. Page 7 of 8 Lino Lakes City Council Minutes • Noted that there are multiple field representatives for GRE and then for the tree trimming company. The Environmental Coordinator stated that he would coordinate with the City Administrator to follow-up with GRE and share the comments and questions received today. He stated that ultimately it will have to be GRE that communicates with the residents. Councilmember Nelson asked how the City would follow up/communicate with the residents. The Community Development Director stated that staff will need to go back and see what items staff can review and which items are for GRE to respond to directly. The Environmental Coordinator stated that we have the contact information for those that spoke today to provide any individual question responses. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS No Report 9. NEW BUSINESS No Report 10. NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS None ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 p.m. RESULT: CARRIED [3-0] MOVER: Nelson SECONDER: Rennaker AYES: Lyden, Nelson and Rennaker NAYS: None These minutes were approved at the City Council Meeting on May 11, 2026. Roberta Colotti, CIVIC City Clerk J�:,4 R fferty, Mayor Page 8 of 8