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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/1986 Council Minutes1 1 1 SPI_:JAL COUNCIL M February 18, 1986 1. i A special meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order by Mayor'Ben_son at 7:30 P.M. Council members present: Bisel, Marier. Mr. Reinert arrived several minutes later. Mr. Bohjanen was absent. Assistant Administrator, Dan Tesch and Clerk - Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present. Mayor Benson explained the purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Circle Pines /Lino Lakes gas franchise and to draw together some ideas from all the Council members on putting together a committee that will negotiate a new gas franchise with Circle Pines. The committee will be given guidelines by this Council and will report back to the Council. Mayor Benson referred to the 'letter dated 2/14/86 drafted by him- self and Mr. Schumacher. This letter outlines some ideas to use as a starting point in forming the negotiating committee. The key ideas of the letter are suggestions for representation and reasons for the representives. Representation suggested: 1) representive from the City Council; 2) City Attorney, Hawkins; 3) City Administrator; 4) an outside gas utilities consultant; 5) two lay persons from the City. hhec,e two icpresentatives would follow the negotiation process from start to finish and they would continue on with the Commission once the franchise has been established. 'sir. Marier asked which Council member would serve on this committee. Mayor Benson said he would suggest Mr. Marier since he is the liaison to the Utilities Commission. Mr. Marier said he agreed with the suggested representation on the committee and recommended that the Council select two lay people who have had past experience on this issue and named Al Ross. He also named Andy Neal who is retired and has the time to commit to this matter. He also suggested that the utility consultant be selected by Mr. Schumacher and Mayor Benson. Mr. Bisel noted this would give Lino Lakes six members on the negotiating committee whereas Circle Pines has appointed four members. Mayor Benson did not feel that would be a problem since the legal counsel and utility consultant would not be at every meeting. Mr. Reinert said he had no problem with the suggested committee but would like to have some time to select the two lay people. He was concerned that the utilities consultant be an unbiased person and suggested that the consultant be retained from the American Gas Association or the Minnesota Utilities Association. Mr. Marier stated that this committee needs lay people who can dedicate their time throughout the day hours as well as the evening hours and come to a conclusion without biased opinion as well as people who would be accepted by Circle Pines. The end result of this negotiation should be of benefit for both Circle Pines and Lino Lakes. 296 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING February 18, 1986 Page Two Mayor Benson said he is considering several persons for this committe and felt the lay representative should have some experience in budget- ing and finances and not just public relations. He also suggested the candidatescome before the Council to answer questions and give their views on this issue before their appointment. Mr. Bisel asked if this commitee will be determing if Lino Lakes will have a position on the Utilities Commission, if Lino Lakes wishes to continue the franchise, or make revisions to the franchise. Mayor Benson said this commitee will also determine the future makeup of the Commission as well as the fluctuation of members and how this will be determined and better accounting practices. Mr. Bisel said that the end Pesult will be this commiteee will be a recommending body to both Councils. Mr. Marier suggested that each Council member submit their concerns to the committee. He also was concerned that there be a compatible group and an understanding will be reached that will profit both cities. He also noted that what this Council does now can be undone by a future Council. He suggested the end result be solidified. MOTION: Mr. Marier moved to set a committee of three lay people, City Administrator, Utility Consultant as needed, Legal Counsel as needed, Council liaison and Mayor Benson. The legal consultant, u tility consultant and Maydr Benson would not be active members of the negotiating committee but would provide their expertise. Mr. Bisel seconded the motion. There was discussion regarding the number of lay persons on the committee. Mr. Reinert felt it might be difficult to find three people who could dedicate their time. Mr. Bisel suggested consider- ing one of the three as an alternative. Mayor Benson said that this City deserves two members on the eventual Gas Utilities Commission and felt the Commission should be seven members. He also noted that the eventual Gas Utility Commission should be comprised of a majority of Circle Pines members but did envision a time when the majority could be Lino Lakes members. It was his thought that the two lay people appointed to the negotiating committee would then become Lino Lakes representatives on the new Gas Utilities Commission. Mr. Bisel was concerned that if Lino Lakes appoints three people to the negotiating team, Circle Pines may be uptight. Mayor Benson did not think this would be a problem since Lino Lakes is trying to get a few citizens knowledgeable about the gas franchise. Voting on the motion, motion carried unanimously. Directive for the committee Mr. Reinert stated the objectives of the committee should be to determine: 1 1 1 297 SPECIAL COUNCIL MF:I := G February 18, 1986 1). Whether Lino Lakes should be a part of the Circle Pines Gas Utility. 2). How Lino Lakes should be a part of the Circle Pines Gas Ut- ility 3). Form our own gas utility However, Mr. Reinert felt that forming a Lino Lakes gas utility was not feasible and the committee should exhaust all efforts to try and build on what we have. This would be building on the theory of shared services. Mr. Reinert moved that the negotiating committee take a look at whether or not Lino Lakes should continue to be a part of the Circle Pines Gas Utility and exhaust all effort to try to build on the strengths of the existing utility that is serving Lino Lakes. In the event of a stale- mate, the committee should reconvene and look at other alternatives. Mr. Marier seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. There was discussion regarding the lay members of the committee. Mr. Marier was confortable with the names he had submitted. Mr. Reinert said in keeping with the past spirit of this Council by soliciting input from the community he suggested placing a notice in the papers. IMr. Marier moved to advertise or place a notice in the paper for three members for the gas negotiating committee. Mr. Reinert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Benson asked that the persons responding to this ad appear before the Council on March 10, 1986 and the appointments be made at that time. The negotiating committee will then set their meeting dates. The Council members should submit their list of concerns to the committee before the end of March. Mr. Marier moved to adjourn at 8:35 P.M. Mr. Reinert seconded the motion. Aye. These minutes were considered and approved by a regular Council meeting on March 10, 1986. Marilyn G. Anderson, City Clerk Benjamin G. Benson, Mayor