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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-26 - CC Work Session MinutesLINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES DATE: September 8, 2026 TIME STARTED: 6:00 PM TIME ENDED: 8:56 PM LOCATION: Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Lyden, Ruhland, Nelson and Rennaker ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: City Administrator Karen Anderson, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Community Development Director Michael Grochala, City Planner Katie Larsen, Finance Director TracyThoma, Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer, Public Services Director Rick DeGardner, Public Works Superintendent Justin Williams, Fire Chief Dan UAllier and Police Chief Curt Boehme. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rafferty called the meetingto order at 6:00 p.m. 2. SETTING THE AGENDA The agenda was adopted as presented. 3. ROBINSON SOUTH PUD CONCEPT PLAN/CONCEPT PLAN The City Planner presented the Robinson South Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concept Plan. She stated that this is a high-level view of the project and the Preliminary Plan will be refined and include all of the project specifications. The City Planner reported that the applicant, TCLD Land Holdings, LLC, submitted a land use application for Robinson South PUD Concept Plan/Concept Plan ("Concept Plan"). They are proposing a master planned development in the southeast quadrant of Main Street and Sunset Avenue. The development contains approximately 153 gross acres and consists of a mix of 389 housing units and a private K-12 school. The City Council reviewed the concept plan and provided feedback for the developer in preparing the Preliminary Plan. The developer will be responsible for hosting a neighborhood meeting as part of the planning review process. Page 1 of 4 4. WILKINSON WATERS PUD AMENDMENT#1 -SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS The City Planner reported that the applicant, Charles Cudd Co, submitted a Land Use Application for Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment #1. They are requesting an amendment to the PUD Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat to construct 13 single-family lots west of Wilkinson Way instead of the approved 20 townhomes lots. The City Council reviewed the standard set -back requirements and requested flexibility afforded through the Planned Unit Development regulations. They reviewed the unique conditions of this property including the utilities that cut through the development. The Council was in favor of the project as presented given the unique conditions of the site and application of the Planned Unit Development regulations. The City Planner stated thatthis application would be brought forward at the September 14, 2026 meeting for formal approval. 5. 135E CORRIDOR COOPERATION AGREEMENT-24TH AVENUE/ ELMCREST CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY The Community Development Director provided a project update. He reported that in November 2025, the City entered into a Cooperation Agreement with the cities of Columbus, Forest Lake, and Hugo, alongwith Anoka and Washington counties to collaborate on a transportation infrastructure assessment of the 24th Avenue/Elmcrest corridor from Main Street in Lino Lakes to Trunk Highway 97 in the City of Columbus. The purpose of the studywill be to develop a shared transportation vision for the corridor to include functional classification, minimum design requirements, and future interchange locations. The partnership group selected WSB LLC., to complete the study. The total cost is $110,000. Lino Lake's share is $13,500.00, which is funded from the Engineering and Economic Development professional services budgets. The 24th Avenue/Elmcrest Corridor is the principal access for all future industrial and commercial development north of Main Street and east of 1-35E. Coordination will be required for anyfuture development north of the existing Otter Lake Road Extension project Limits. The corridor study and cooperation between jurisdictions will also be a critical component of any future state and federal infrastructure grant applications. The study is estimated to be completed by early 2027. 6. PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT UPDATE The Community Development Director stated that he will be providing regular updates at the first Work Session of the month on the Public Works Facility project. He reviewed the cost over/under elements and noted that overall, the project is trending slightly below the total budget at this point. Page 2 of 4 The project is progressing both with construction and environmental review. He reported that a trailer is being rented for city staff to use while the building is under construction and that was a reduced cost to the original relocation plan. The present goal is to get the asphalt in so that the salt/sand storage area can be used this winter season. 7.2027 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION The Finance Director reviewed the proposed 2027 Preliminary Budget and Levy. She reported that following the City Council's direction at the August budget work sessions, staff has reduced the budget to support a nearly flat tax rate for 2027 (slightly decreased) —proposed at 43.245%, compared to 43.266% in 2026. The proposed levy is $18,881,218 compared to $18,069,665 in 2026, representing a 4.49% change. For the median -value home, this is projected to result in an annual increase of approximately $35, or about $2.92 per month. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to move forward with the 2027 Preliminary Budget as presented. Mayor Rafferty stated that the Preliminary Budget and Levy adopted at the September 14th meeting can be reduced but not increased at the time of the final adoption of the budget and levy following the December 14th Truth -In -Taxation Public Hearing. The Finance Director stated that at the August 24th Special Work Session a Public Services Department Public Works reorganization plan was presented for 2027. It was requested that the City Council provide direction on the proposed Public Works re -organization plan. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to move forward with the 2027 Public Services Department Public Works reorganization plan as presented at the August 24, 2026 Special Work Session. The Public Services Director requested Council approval to begin the purchasing process for the Rookery HVAC unit replacement in the 2027 CIR He stated that the replacement is critical and the process is lengthy, estimating to take about six months, so it would be spring 2027 by the time it would be installed. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to authorize the Public Services Director to begin the purchasing process for the Rookery pool HVAC unit replacement. Page 3 of 4 8. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT The City Administrator stated that the American Legion has offered to donate flags to the Fire Department. In addition, the Fire Department has received invitations to attend upcoming memorial services by state and national organizations. The Fire Chief reported that the American Legion had flown the American Flag on the fire truck for the Ride for 2 Joes event, after which they offered to donate American and POW flags to the department. Donations are to be formally accepted by the City Council, and it is requested that the Council consider this donation at the September 141h meeting. Prior to that time, there will be a 9/11 remembrance, and the department will partner with the American Legion to display the flag. Council Consensus The City Council expressed their appreciation to the American Legion and scheduled the formal acceptance of the donation of flags to the Fire Department for the September 14, 2026, City Council meeting. The Fire Chief stated that there were two memorial events coming up, one on September 191h for the MN Firefighters Memorial in Breezy Pointe and the other on September 27th at the State Capitol recognizing firefighter Tim Bertz. He requested Council approval to have afire truck at these events and representation by the Fire Department. He noted that there was a national event in Colorado that they are not requesting to attend this year. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to support the Fire Department representation at the memorial events on September 19th and 27th as presented. 9. NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS None ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m. These minutes were approved at the City Council Meeting on September 28, 2026. Roberta Colotti, CIVIC ob fferty, City Clerk Mayor Page 4 of 4