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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/27/1988 Council Minutes (2)1134 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 27, 1988 Mayor Benson called a work session of the Lino Lakes City Council to order, Tuesday, December 27, 1988 at 5:45 P.M. Council Members present: Neal, Reinert. Council Members absent: Bohjanen, Bisel. City Admnistrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk - Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present. Mayor Benson explained that the purpose of the work session was to review the evaluation report for the City Engineer and the City Attorney and the 1989 Work Plan. CITY ATTORNEY Mr. Schumacher has prepared a Consultant Evaluation for Mr. Hawkins, City Attorney. He reviewed his evaluation for the Council noting that he used a check list system of evaluation. Mr. Schumacher explained that the criminal prosecutions are handled by Barry Robinson in Mr. Hawkins office. Mr. Schumacher has talked to the Chief of Police and he has noted that his office is extremely satisfied with the services from Mr. Hawkins firm. The turn around time is good and there were nothing but positive comments regarding Mr. Robinsons preformance. There was discussion regarding the need for a more pro - active program to address issues by the City Attorney. Mr. Reinert felt that Mr. Hawkins attention to this City's need was only average and felt that he should be working more closely with the staff on projects and procedures. Mr. Reinert felt that he should anticipate some of what has to be done and get the work done on time. Mr. Neal asked if Mr. Schumacher was suggesting that this City is going to need it's own attorney. Mr. Reinert said no, however the Attorney will have to spend more time on City issues and set time in his schedule -to work with the staff. Mr. Reinert noted that Mr. Hawkins rarely has a report for the Council. He felt Mr. Hawkins could be keeping the Council abreast of current issues and give the Council ideas that could make some issues easier to deal with. He noted PAGE 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 27, 1988 that Mr. Hawkins must hear of other matters that other cities deal with that would help Lino Lakes. Mayor Benson agreed with Mr. Reinert and questioned the system Mr. Schumacher used to evaluate Mr. Hawkins. He asked if he used a scale system or a "gut feeling ". Mr. Schumacher explained that he used the effectiveness of his work and the work of his staff. Mr. Neal asked a question regarding how a situation would be handled if a person were arrested in Lino Lakes and the officer inadvertently listed Centerville as the location of the incident. Mr. Schumacher explained. Mr. Neal also noted that when the new juvenile center is constructed there will be a court located in that building. Mr. Schumacher exlained that this may not have any bearing on where offenders in Lino Lakes will have to appear. Mayor Benson explained that he felt that the City Attorney should spend more time with the City and also noted that there is the option to use other consultants. CITY ENGINEER Mr. Schumacher explained that he used the same criteria in evaluating the City Engineer. He noted that Mr. Stahlberg is doing an excellent job in taking care of the City's needs. He noted a concern in that Mr. Stahlberg is over worked and he has talked to Mr. Stahlberg and Mr. Davidson about getting materials in a timely manner. Mayor Benson asked how this Council can impress on TKDA that more time is needed for Lino Lakes issues. Mr. Schumacher noted that TKDA did hire another young engineer. Mr. Neal noted a concern in that Mr. Stahlberg does not seem to finish answering questions from the public or finish a statement. Mr. Schumacher explained that Mr. Stahlberg thinks that it is not necessary because he feels we know what he is talking about. Mr. Schumachaer felt that a lot of City Engineers are that way because they are more analytical. He noted that he has explained this problem to Mr. Stahlberg and plans to work with him 'in this area. Mayor Benson explained that the Council recognizes that they must give support to the staff and tell them how to approach some of the matters in question. Mr. Reinert felt that the City should not be changing engineers in the middle of the stream. Mr. Neal referred -to the Rustic Lane - 2nd Avenue PAGE 258. r5 136 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 27, 1988 problem. Mayor Benson said it was not handled well but TKDA got direction from the Council. He felt this Council should tell TKDA what the City wants and what the time frame is. Mayor Benson referred to the evaluation form, Effectiveness of Presentation. He noted that visual aids do help but noted that Mr. Stahlberg should work on his presentation and put it in laymen's terms. Mayor Benson also felt that all consultants should present at least a quarterly report before the Council. Mayor Benson referred to the evaluation form, Performance Against Schedule. He felt the Council should be aware of the requests of the City Engineer and be realistic. In addition the City Engineer should let the Council know if the request will be difficult to fulfill. Reference was made to some of the concerns of Mr. Bisel. Mayor Benson said he felt some items were handled badly by the City and felt the City was as much to blame as Mr. Stahlberg. Mayor Benson noted that the staff is having meetings with landowners in regard to the possible extension of utility services all the way to the north border of Lino Lakes. He asked if the City is looking to far in advance. There was discussion regarding establishing a long range plan in regard to utilities. Mr. Reinert noted that the greatest upheavel is caused by the element of surprise. If the citizens know what the future plans are, there is less unrest. Mr. Reinert asked how far the City is committed on the extension of sewer and water to the north. Mr. Schumacher explained up to the Lino Industrial Park. Mr. Reinert felt that maybe this was far enough until the economy can be evaluated in the spring. A 6:00 P.M. meeting was set for January 9, 1989 to sit down with each of the consultants to give them direction and procedure examples. 1989 Work Plan Mr. Schumacher explained that this plan consists of a department by department list of issues and should be addressed in the coming year. Mayor Benson asked who was responsible to oversee each department. Mr. Schumacher PAGE 259 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 27, 1988 explained. Mr. Reinert said he thought that this was to be a 1989 Plan for Mr. Schumacher personally. He asked where does focus go back to, who is the head? Mayor Benson noted an important area that is not addressed and that is public relations. He felt that dealing with people is a very key area and something should be done in the area of generating a positive atmosphere. He suggested preparing public relations guidelines. He asked how will the development at Highway No. 49 and Lake Drive be handled? He also said he would like Mr. Schumacher to meet with local businessmen on a one to one basis. He suggested how this could be handled. Mayor Benson felt that the Administrator should let local businessmen know that the Council is concerned about them. Mr. Reinert said he would like the 1989 Work Plan to be more specific. He suggested setting goals and trying to meet one or two each month. Mr. Schumacher explained that he meets with local businessmen every other month on Friday. Mr. Reinert asked that Mr. Schumacher share this information with the Council. Mayor Benson referred to communications and said that an annual newsletter is not enough. He suggested a quarterly newsletter. Mr. Bisel arrived at 6:45 P.M. Mayor Benson asked Mr. Schumacher to be more specific in the 1989 Work Plan. He asked that Mr. Schumacher address his time schedule, when he arrives at the office, how he lets the staff know where he is or is going, his standard work hours, his monthly calendar, indicate meetings he attends in the morning before arriving at City Hall. This will help the staff know when Mr. Schumacher is out of the office. Mayor Benson asked that this be continued since the purpose was to set up criteria for Mr. Schumacher to work against so that the Council can evaluate him. Mr. Reinert moved to adjourn at 6:58 P.M. Mr. Neal seconded the motion. Aye. PAGE 260 137