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Home My WebLink About08-03-26 - City Council Work Session MinutesLINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES DATE: August 3, 2026 TIME STARTED: 6:00 PM TIME ENDED: 7:36 PM LOCATION: Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Lyden, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: City Administrator Karen Anderson, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Community Development Director Mike Grochala, Public Service Director Rick DeGardner, Community Development Specialist Jessica Eller and Chief of Police Curt Boehme. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rafferty called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. SETTING THE AGENDA Councilmember Lyden requested to add an addendum to Item #3, Woods Edge Monument Signage. The agenda was adopted as amended to include the addendum to Item #3, Woods Edge Monument Signage. 3. WOODS EDGE MONUMENT SIGNAGE The Public Services Director reported that in 2023, the City Council initiated the Lino Lakes Gateway Design Plan to establish a consistent design standard for highlighting and identifying key gateway entrances throughout the City. The plan was completed in June 2024 and included a conceptual design for a monument sign at the Woods Edge/Civic Center entrance located at the intersection of Lake Drive and Town Center Parkway. The Public Services Director presented a design option and stated that the estimated construction cost is between $50,000 and $100,000. With identified funding through the Closed Bond Fund. He asked if the Council wanted to proceed with the sign project and if so, for feedback on the draft design of the proposed sign. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council not to move forward with the sign project at this time. Further discussion by the City Council included a review of the sign design. It was identified that any future sign constructed, when future development occurs should have more design elements, such as lighting, etc. Councilmember Lyden stated that his addendum to the discussion of this item is to consider a sign using a 1955 truck with a plaque recognizing that Lino Lakes was established in 1955. There is example of this type of sign that has a water feature incorporated. 4. HOUSING MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS The Community Development Director and Community Development Specialist co -presented a Housing Maintenance Assistance Program for the consideration of the City Council. It was noted that in 2026 the Lino Lakes Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) identified a Housing Maintenance Assistance Program as a strategic priority to encourage reinvestment in the City's existing housing stock and support long-term housing affordability. They reviewed the state and Metropolitan Council revenue sources for this program and defined the timelines for implementing a program. The two programs proposed this evening are a Home Improvement Grant Program and a Multi -Family Affordability Improvement Grant Program. Councilmember Ruhland stated that there are MN Housing Finance Agency programs that are similar to the programs proposed this evening, and if adopted he would like to see the City's programs line up with those programs. Mayor Rafferty confirmed that the proposed Home Improvement Grant Program would provide funds to Lino Lakes residents for septic system improvements, water/sewer connections, hazardous tree removal and home improvements. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to move forward with the establishment of the Housing Maintenance Assistance Program and bring this back for formal action. 5. POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE The Chief of Police presented the Police Department Mid -Year Report (January 2026 through June 2026). The report included an overview of the police department's staffing levels and organizational structure, operational activity and crime statistics, community engagement efforts, and fleet equipment. 6. RESOLUTION NO. 26-148, AUTHORIZING AN OFF -SITE GAMBLING PERMIT FOR THE CENTENNIAL FOOTBALL BOOSTERS The City Clerk reported that The Centennial Football Boosters are applying for an off -site gambling permit with the State of Minnesota, which requires a resolution of support from the City of Lino Lakes for their annual Kick -Off Event in August. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 26-148, Authorizing an Off -Site Gambling Permit for the Centennial Football Boosters. RESULT: Carried [5-0] MOVER: Nelson SECONDER: Rafferty AYES: Rafferty, Lyden, Nelson, Ruhland and Rennaker NAYS: None 7. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE The City Administrator provided the following updates: • The City received the 2027 tax information for use in preparing the annual budget, from Anoka County today. • The Q2 2026 Financial Report will be presented for filing at the August 10th City Council meeting. • Great River Energy provided a response to the City follow-up to the May 1" City Council meeting with residents. The response will be shared directly with the residents that attended the meeting. The City will also have the response on file at City Hall for review. • Blue Heron Days are scheduled for August 13th through the 16th • The City newsletter is expected to be received by residents next week. Highlights of this issue include: Blue Heron Days, the Lino Lakes Connect App, the new Rookery App, and information on the new City website design. • Night to Unite is Tuesday, August 4th • The Data Center discussion will be brought back in the fall. • The first budget meeting is scheduled for August 171h at 6 p.m. in the Community Room. • The installation of the new playground equipment at Shenandoah Park is scheduled for this fall. 8. NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS None 9. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m. These minutes were approved at the City Council Meeting on August 24, 2026. Roberta Colotti, CMC ob Rafferty, City Clerk Mayor