HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-2014 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 2, 2014
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : September 2, 2014
5 TIME STARTED : 6:05 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 9:15 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman,
8 Rafferty, Roeser (arr. @ 6:15 pm) and
9 Mayor Reinert
10 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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13 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Director Finance Al Rolek;
14 Director of Public Safety John Swenson; City Engineer Diane Hankee; City Planner Katie
15 Larsen; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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17 la. Noise Complaints during Blue Heron Days- A resident of Lois Lane addressed the
18 council regarding noise from the annual Tavern on Main (foiuierly Miller's on Main) tent
19 event. He lives approximately 1.1 miles from the Tavern and experiences noise
20 problems. He feels there is no reason that he should experience noise problems at 11:00
21 or 12:00 at night. He has discussed the problem before with the city council. Mayor
22 Reinert remarked that it seems like the noise situation with the event varies from year to
23 year. The council has ordered (through the Police Department) noise monitoring in the
24 past and when that was done the measurements showed the noise within legal levels. The
25 mayor suggested that the council talk more about the matter and ensure that the city is
26 doing what it can and that the event stays within regulations. The Lois Lane resident
27 added that his main concern is about the "bass "; he feels that the sound person at the
28 concert is keeping that part of the sound too high. He just wants this to be a reasonable
29 situation. The mayor said that the council will have the matter on a future agenda and
30 will discuss the event and issues.
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32 1. Sign Ordinance Amendment - City Planner Larsen reviewed the written staff report.
33 The council, city staff and the Planning and Zoning Board have been working on review
34 of the city's sign regulations for two years. Staff put together an ordinance including
35 changes to those regulations and the Planning and Zoning Board has discussed the
36 changes, received public comments through a hearing process and sent forward the
37 changes as drafted for council consideration. Ms. Larsen explained that the staff report
38 lays out the key areas of change. To respond to requests from area businesses for more
39 flexibility on the display of temporary advertising signs, staff proposes allowing display
40 of signs for up to 90 days annually, with a 30 -day limit on days in a row. In reviewing the
41 proposed changes, she noted that governmental flags would no longer be subject to any
42 sign regulation.
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44 The council discussed possible impacts of the proposed changes. Staff will review the
45 council's comments and bring an ordinance forward for council consideration.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 2, 2014
APPROVED
46 2. Taproom Sunday Sales - City Clerk Bartell explained that the State Legislature
47 changed liquor regulations this past session to allow brewery taprooms to remain open on
48 Sunday with local approval. The City has one taproom, Hammerheart Brewery, and they
49 have come forward requesting permission to sell on Sundays. In order to allow such a
50 change in the city, an ordinance amending the city's liquor regulations in the City Code
51 would be required.
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53 The council discussed the success of the local brewery, how the state regulates sales
54 hours, the selling of food at the taproom and asked if staff is aware of any concerns
55 relative to a license extension such as this. Public Safety Director Swenson said he
56 wouldn't have any special concern about this change; the hours and days would be
57 consistent with the other licensed establishments in the city. City Clerk Bartell noted
58 that her research didn't indicate other cities having concern about this type of change to
59 their liquor code.
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61 Staff will prepare an appropriate ordinance amendment for first reading at the next
62 regular council meeting.
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64 3. 2015 Budget Discussion — Finance Director Rolek distributed his most recent
65 information on the city's 2015 budget discussions /gap analysis. He reviewed updated
66 information in the area of the fire department and health insurance costs. The council
67 discussion included:
68 - The mayor is comfortable with including the estimated start -up costs for the fire
69 department but he wants to drill down on everything else;
70 - Revenue from the former ECFE site in the city complex be shown as revenue even if it's
71 dedicated for facility management;
72 - Cellular lease revenue and previous discussion about selling leasing rights;
73 - The current level of the city's fund reserves;
74 - A full accounting of the city's revenue is requested;
75 - North Metro Telecommunications funding; where will those funds available for
76 technical upgrades be recognized;
77 - Water and sewer infrastructure and depreciation was reviewed.
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79 Public Safety Director Swenson was asked to give an update on public safety personnel.
80 He distributed and reviewed information on the average cost per call for medical /rescue
81 for the Centennial Fire District in 2012 and 2013. He also discussed the duty officer
82 model and the engagement of city personnel for firefighting duties that is possible for the
83 Lino Lakes Public Safety Department. When the mayor asked if there would be an option
84 to have new personnel go on calls soon, the Police Chief said that would be positive for
85 trained personnel. Training would occur as soon as possible and, in the case of police
86 personnel that chose to participate, he promises there would be no reduction in police
87 coverage as a result. The hiring of new personnel will take some time but they should be
88 hired, trained and in place by January of 2016.
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CITY COUNCIL WORD. SESSION September 2, 2014
APPROVED
90 The council discussed a preliminary tax rate, including impacts that would move the
91 budget gap up or down. A maximum rate must be set at the council meeting.
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93 Review Regular Agenda of September 8, 2014 — the agenda was reviewed. The matter
94 of a new liquor license was moved from the consent agenda for discussion.
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97 The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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99 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
100 September 22, 2014.
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105 Juli
106
e Bartell, City Cler
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Jeff R in Mayor