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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/1987 Council MinutesSPECIAL MEETING January 26, 1987 A special meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was opened by Mayor Benson at 6:15 PM. Council members present were: Marier, Bisel, Bohjanen, Reinert. City Administrator Randy Schumacher and Clerk - Treasurer Marilyn Anderson were also present. The purpose of the special meeting was to discuss the actions of the Planning and Zoning Board. Mr. Bisel explained that he was very frustrated by the actions of the Planning and Zoning Board. He felt people were coming before the Board and do not get a lot of satisfaction. He questioned if the Council could originate a proposal or must all items for consideration originate at the P & Z level. He referred to the Ross' Liquor application and the proposed Central Business District Code Amendment. Originally, Ross asked for a variance for side yard set back and the P & Z felt this request did not meet the criteria. The attorney suggested a code amendment and the City Planner did not agree with the idea. Mr. Schumacher and the Planner prepared an ordinance establishing a Central Business (CB) District and the P & Z Board did not like this proposal, so they acted on the variance. In the mean time, no action had been taken on the request for site and plan approval. He outlined the actions of the Council on January 12, 1987, and the actions of the P & Z Board on the 14th and 21st. Mr. Bisel felt this was a very poor way to handle this matter. He would like to see better communications and coordination of ideas and better routing of materials. Mr. Reinert asked if the Council was not giving clear enough leadership. Where is the breakdown between Council and P & Z? Mr. Bisel said he feels this organization does not operate as one body but rather two completely separate operations and he feels P & Z resents the idea of Council sending some- thing to them. Mr. Reinert said he had a feeling that in some cases one person on the P & Z Board tries to direct the Board too much. He creates an element of fracturing or aleinates people. Mr. Bisel felt the problem went beyond this. There has not been strong enough leadership and at times a couple of the members are quite intimidating. However, he thought Mr. Cody was showing some leadership. Mayor Benson suggested the Council may have been at fault for not giving clear enough directions to all Boards. He suggested sitting down with each Board and saying "here is where we are going as a Council" and then give them some 1 1 1 1 1 SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 1987 Page Two guidance. He also suggested appointing staff members as well as liason to attend all Board meetings. Mr. Bisel asked if objectives were defined enough. The Boards are the right arm of the Council, they recommend but should not antagonize the public. Mr. Marier told the Council that the P & Z Board is not comfort- able with creating another district until they can digest the effect of this district. He suggested that when Council acts to return an item to the P & Z that a letter be sent to each member. There is a breakdown in communications. He felt there was strong, knowledgeable leadership on the Board. Mayor Benson said not only do some residents who appear before the Board feel intimidated, but also some Board members. The Board needs to be reminded that they and the Council are here to serve the City. Personal feelings cannot enter into a decision, actions must be based on the ordinances. Mr. Marier felt the Council was not giving the P & Z the strength they needed, the Council does not back them. These people are volunteering their time, Mr. Schumacher explained that the Council can originate actions. The Code does not say all items must be taken to the P & Z first. Mayor Benson said the P & Z Board tends to want too much infor- mation from the Planner and Engineer and try to be perfect. This is not good in all circumstances. Mr. Bohjanen asked that the procedure be streamlined so there will not be delays. Make every step clear. There was discussion of how items get to the P & Z Board by following a procedure set out in writing. There was a suggestion that if the P & Z Board members have questions, they should clear them up before the Board meeting. Mr. Reinert suggested using a format for each item before the Board. Start by outlining the issue and lay out the P & Z responsibilities or what is required. The staff should focus for the P & Z. Mr. Marier said the Planner and Engineer have been at every meeting. This is not necessary. These people can put their comments in writing and if a P & Z member has a question they can call them. Mr. Bisel was not sure that the situation could be corrected until personalities were changed. Mr. Marier said he would 097 SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 1987 Page Three not get involved with that. Mayor Benson felt the Council owed them a chance and should sit down with them and inform them of this discussion. There was discussion regarding a person coming under Open Mike tonight, Carl Cadotti. Mr. Marier said it appeared he had applied for a building permit and disregarded the instructions. Mayor Benson asked that a meeting with the P & Z Board be called and that they get a copy of these minutes. Mayor Benson asked how the Council felt about Council and staff liasons: Mr. Marier, need both; Mr. Reinert, need a good staff person to guide them, a Council person is just a public relations person; Mr. Bohjanen, need both; Mr. Bisel, did not want to give the entire responsibility to staff, Boards are part of the Council's responsibility. Mayor Benson asked how the Council felt about the number of members on each board: Mr. Bisel sometimes number unwield- ing, hard to control, five would. be a closer knit group; Mr. Marier, seven members; Mr. Reinert, try five; Mr. Bohjanen said five. The Council retired to the Council chambers at 7:05 PM. 1 1