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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/09/1989 Council Minutes (2)COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 9, 1989 Mayor Benson called a work sesion of the Lino Lakes City Council to order, Monday, January 9, 1989 at 6:00 P.M. Council. Members present: Bohjanen, Neal, Bisel, Reinert. Council Members absent: None. City Administrator, Randy Schumacher; City Engineer, Ron Stahlberg; TKDA representative, Jim Voyen and Clerk - Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present. City Attorney, Bill Hawkins arrived later in the Work Session. Mayor Benson explained the purpose of the Work Session is for consultant performance review. CITY ENGINEER - RON STAHLBERG Mayor Benson reviewed the December 27, 1988 Work Session regarding consultant evaluations and explained that the good and bad things regarding the City Engineer must be assessed. Mr. Schumacher explained that he had prepared a check type format for evaluation of the City Engineer and City Attorney. This format was briefly addressed at the December 27th meeting and Mr. Schumacher proceeded to go through the evaluation form and explained how he had prepared the form for the City Engineer. Mr. Schumacher explained that there is a long way for Mr. Stahlberg to go in the area of public relations because of sensitivity of the citizens. Mr. Neal noted a recent neighborhood meeting in which he felt Mr. Stahlberg had not answered the questions asked by some of the citizens. He felt that since Mr. Stahlberg is so knowledgeable in engineering matters he may have difficulty understanding that the citizens have no background in this area. In some instances Mr. St.ahlberg stopped in the middle of an explanation probably assuming that the citizens knew what he was trying to say. Mr. Neal referred to the communication problem that arose regarding the Rustic Lane situation. Surveyors were on private property and the staff at city hall did not know why they were there. Mr. Bohjanen noted that there is a policy that the Administrator is to direct the City Engineer to let the people and the staff know before he goes out to do field work. Mayor Benson rephrased the policy by saying that where there is to be on -site field work in areas where there PAGE 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 9, 1989 are homes, there is to be coordination between the engineering firm and the staff so all know why there are people in the field. Mr. Bisel told Mr. Stahlberg that he feels Mr. Stahlberg has done a lot of good for the City, good ideas, good plans, however he also felt that the Council does not get enough options on a particular project and referenced the 2nd Avenue project. He also noted that the Council did not get another option regarding the manner in which the Main Street improvement was assessed. He also referred to the location of the lift station on Lake Drive near Highway #49 and the crossing of Rice Creek as other examples. Regarding the Main Street assessment, Mayor Benson noted that everyone was assessed equally although some areas did not get curb or gutter. Another method of assessing this improvement could have made the residents more satisfied. Regarding the pipe line across Rice Creek, he said the Council should have looked at this more thoroughly. Mr. Stahlberg explained the testing process on that project and felt if he errored it was on the side of trying to save money. Mr. Bisel said that the engineering firm is hired to give the Council the best information or options and he felt that Mr. Stahlberg has not always given the Council all the options available. Mr. Stahlberg noted that two and one half years ago, the attitude of the Council was different, the Council was reluctant to do additional soils work that could not be billed to the developer. Mr. Voyen told the Council that what has occurred here is not much different than what happens in most developing communities.. As the community gains experience they look beyond the immediate project to detemine a broader effect. Mr. Bisel noted that Mr. Stahlberg is looking in this direction and noted the water management plan as an example. Mr. Bohjanen referred to the Main Street improvement and noted that the Council should have ordered that the entire length of the project be improved with curb and gutter. Mr. Reinert noted that was discussed but the matter failed in Council - action. Mr. Bisel said that the improvement project should have been stopped until it could be completed properly. Mr. Voyen said that he was speaking for the firm in saying that TKDA is extremely interested in the Lino Lakes' account. TKDA is desirous of providing what is needed for Lino Lakes and will make whatever adjustments this City PAGE 2 4or COUNCIL, WORK SESSION JANUARY 9, 1989 feels are necessary. Mayor Benson noted that there appears to be a problem at TKDA in that there is not enough time scheduled for Mr. Stahlberg to complete the matters the Council and staff have requested. He noted that. Lino Lakes will continue to grow and a great deal of time will have to be devoted to Lino Lakes. Mr. Schumacher also noted that Mr. Stahlberg appeared to be stretched too far. Also Mr. Schumacher noted that this City does not want to lose the inspector assigned to Lino Lakes. Mr. Schumacher noted that in the area of oral presentation, Mr. Stahlberg should keep his presentations simple and start by laying some ground work. Mr. Stahlberg noted that the question of costs comes up during the consideration of improvements. He explained that it is difficult to get a handle on costs unless more investigation or groundwork is completed. Mr. Schumacher suggested that he get together with Mr. Stahlberg and staff and put together a policy for Mr. Stahlberg to follow. The policy would include sending letters to the affected residents prior to a survey crew going into the field and establishing a specific time frame for sending notifications. Mr. Bisel explained that communications are very important. He stressed that Mr. Stahlberg work with the staff and the staff keep the Council informed.. He explained that if TKDA has a vehicle in Lino Lakes, be sure that the staff is aware of who it is and why they are there. Mayor Benson said that a procedure would be established for the City Engineer to follow. CITY ATTORNEY, BILL HAWKINS Mr. Schumacher explained that the same format was used for the City Attorney as was used for the City Engineer. Mr. Schumacher ran through the check form noting that there has not been a problem regarding prosecutions which are handled by Barry Robinson. He is firm and the police officers like this. Mr. Schumacher noted that costs have risen considerably in this area, however so has the activity in the Police Department. He explained some of the changes in the past couple of years that have had an influence on this matter. PAGE 3 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 9, 1989 Mr. Schumacher suggested that Mr. Hawkins present some legal issues at regular Council meetings and asked that he keep the Council up to date regarding legislative action and present other periodic reports on current appropriate matters. Mr. Hawkins explained that there has not been a lot of legal civil issues affecting this City but noted he could update if the Council so wishes. He noted that most of the legislative action is covered in the League Magazine. He also noted that the problems facing Lino Lakes are very similar to the problems facing other cities of similar size and location. There is nothing unique. Mayor Benson referred to the issue regarding the Centennial Fire District and suggested that Mr. Hawkins could have been helpful by guiding the Council as to what can be done. Mr. Hawkins explained that the Fire District is a unique situation and until the budget problem occurred, he did not know that there was a problem. He noted that the Joint Powers Agreement was a working document and was intended to be updated from time to time. Mr. Bohjanen said he expected that Mr. Hawkins would keep the Council abreast of legal actions affecting the City and its citizens. He referred to the Roland Ford matter. Mr. Bohjanen moved to adjourn at 6:58 P.M. Mr. Neal seconded the motion. Aye. PAGE 4 These minutes were considered and approved at a regular council meeting on January 23rd 1989. ARIL G. ANDERSON BE J.A IN G.—BEN ON Clrk- Treasurer