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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/1991 Council Minutes93 COUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 DATE September 19, 1991 TIME STARTED : 3:30 P.M. TIME ENDED • 5:20 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bisel, Bohjanen, Kuether, Neal, Reinert MEMBERS ABSENT : None Staff members present: City Engineer, Darrell Schneider; Public Works Director, Don Volk; Acting Sergeant, Bruce Keller; City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk- Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANK, STEVE NEISEN Mr. Neisen presented a formal booklet to the Council outlining the organization of a bank to be known as the Northern Community Bank. The material in the booklet is private and confidential at this time. Mr. Neisen explained that the new bank is proposed to constructed at the southeast corner of I35W and Lake Drive. He also gave a brief background of what was required of his group to secure a bank charter from the State of Minnesota. Preliminary approval of the bank charter was secured on July 31, 1991 and the officers and directors of the bank are now offering sales of 100,000 shares in the bank. The purpose is to secure $2,000,000.00 worth of investment. The bank will be a full service, independent and locally owned bank. It is planned to be in full operation by no later than the second quarter of 1992. Council Member Bohjanen asked what would happen if a major bank offered to buy Northern Community Bank. Mr. Neisen said the sale would depend upon the decision of the share holders. Mr. Schumacher asked if securing the bank charter was dependent upon a formal study of the need for a bank in this area. Mr. Neisen explained that a study was prepared several years ago. This study indicated that there was a need for another bank. In addition, the attorneys for Northern Community Bank decided another study would be beneficial and the Maxfield group prepared the current study. Mayor Bisel asked that the information regarding the study be made public and Mr. Neisen said he would PAGE 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 give the Council a copy of the study. Mr. Neisen noted that the design of the new bank has not been determined. It is planned to open in the spring in a modular unit while the building is under construction. Mr. Neisen invited the Council to attend a presentation for potential investors scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 1991. He explained that these types of meetings and one (1) on one (1) meetings with other directors will be the primary method of selling stock in the new bank. The Council thanked Mr. Neisen for coming this afternoon. JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP FOR ACCOUNTING SERVICES r,. Mr. Schumacher gave a brief background on this matter starting with the Council authorization for the financing of a finance director in late 1990. He explained that because of the budget cuts, a wait and see attitude was taken until recently. Mr. Schumacher noted that approximately $15,000.00 per year outside of the normal audit is currently being spent for additional accounting services. Several examples of additional expenditures were outlined. He noted that although the auditors are doing a very good job, the dollars being spent could buy more services with the hiring of a part time finance director. Mr. Schumacher explained that the position would be for two (2) days per week or about 800 hours per year. Council Member Kuether explained that although $21,500.00 was budgeted in 1991, she thought that this money was to be used for either a finance director or another police officer. Mr. Schumacher explained that the money to pay for this position was coming from the balance the City now pays the auditor and the budgeted $21,500.00 will not be used for this position. Council Member Reinert asked about the position now held by Ms. Schloer. Mr. Schumacher explained that she will remain the "lead person" and her position will not change. She will not oversee the new position, but will work in conjunction with the finance director. Council Member Reinert asked if there would be any overlapping of duties in accounting. Mr. Schumacher said no. The new person will be responsible for all of the special reports and preparation currently being done by the City auditor. Ms. Schloer will continue to be responsible for her current duties. Council Member Kuether asked who will monitor the work of this new position. Mr. Schumacher explained that a monthly report PAGE 2 94 95 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 will be required and he will evaluate the monthly report. Mr. Schumacher said that if the Council did not see a major problem, he and Mr. Short from White Bear Township will prepare a preliminary Joint Powers Agreement for the Council to review. Council Member Reinert asked for a copy of Ms. Schloer's job description. REMODELING OF FIRE STATION FOR TEMPORARY POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADOUARTERS Mr. Schumacher explained that a plan for remodeling the current fire hall for police headquarters is being prepared. He noted that about a year and a half ago, a 10 year facilities plan was prepared for this City. The plan did not address the current fire hall. The first new building outlined in the facilities plan is a new fire hall. The Joint Powers Agreement with the Centennial Fire District had dictated that a new fire hall be constructed by the end of 1991. The new fire hall will be completed in about one (1) month and the old fire hall will be vacated at that time. Mr. Schumacher explained the crowded conditions at city hall and proposed that the Police Department be moved to the old fire hall on a temporary basis. He noted that although the Council has not taken final action on the facilities plan, this would be a temporary solution. Mr. Volk explained the planned renovation and cost of the old fire hall for the Police Department headquarters. Members of the Council questioned whether or not it was wise to spend money on a temporary facility. There was discussion regarding how long this building would be used by the Police Department. It was noted that it is planned to use the building for seven (7) to ten (10) years, the renovation should be more extensive. It was also noted that the building is located in an area planned for commercial development. The buildings in this area should reflect what the City plans for future commercial development. Officer Keller further explained the planned renovation. He noted that there is enough area for additional staff if needed. He also noted that there is an area for an investigator, sergeant, private CSO office and plenty of storage for crime watch materials. There will be room for breath testing and a multipurpose room for interviewing. There will be a secured room but not a holding cell. A squad room with the common support areas is also planned. Officer Keller noted that the current garage at the fire hall would have to be renovated into office space to include all of the spaces described above. He also said PAGE 3 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 that a new garage should be constructed at the same time to house squad cars that are now in use. Officer Keller noted that garage space at city hall is very limited and building additional garage space at the former fire hall will be beneficial to the Police Department. Mr. Volk explained that the current building is structural "decent ". It is well insulated and there is no proposal to alter the exterior of the building. Council Member Reinert said that he felt if the building is going to be used for an extensive period as a City facility, the exterior should also be upgraded. He noted that the City requires that other businesses go through the "paces" and the City should set the example. Mr. Volk noted that it will cost approximately $2~,000.00 to $27,000.00 to remodel the interior of the building. If a garage is added the total cost could be near $50,000.00 to $60,000.00. This would include approximately $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 for upgrading the exterior of the building. There was discussion regarding how much additional office space will be gained by remodeling the old fire hall. There was additional discussion regarding how long this building would be used as a police facility and if a new city hall would include space for the Police Department. Mr. Schumacher told the Council the first decision to be made is should the Police Department be moved to the old fire hall. The second decision is to what degree should that building be remodeled. The third decision is whether the renovation should be completed in stages. There was discussion regarding renting space for the Police Department. It was noted that the space must meet certain requirements and would not be much cheaper. After further discussion, the Council asked that firm estimates be prepared for both the interior and exterior remodeling of the old fire hall. PLANNING DEPARTMENT STATUS REPORT Mr. Schumacher explained that he had received an inquiry into the status of the City Planner. He noted that since the planning secretary had quit, there was additional money in the planning budget to be used for the Planner's salary. Mr. Schumacher said that since there is additional money and since there are a number of projects being handled by the Planner, he has continued as a full time employee. Mr. Schumacher will update the Council as this matter continues. PAGE 4 96 97 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 Council Member Reinert said that he felt it was critical that all areas of the city budget be monitored. He referred to the consulting engineer's and noted that if there was an engineer on staff, a lot more of these expenses could be charged back to the developers. Council Member Kuether noted that all areas of the budget will be reviewed carefully. NEWSLETTER UPDATE Mr. Schumacher explained that the third quarter newsletter has not been sent to the residents because the Mayor is featured on the first page. This newsletter has become controversial since the Mayor is running for election. Mr. Schumacher explained that over a year ago, the newsletter started featuring elected officials. All elected officials have been featured except for the Mayor. Mr. Schumacher said he felt it was impossible a year ago to know who would be running for election. Mayor Bisel explained that he answered questions to be included in the newsletter several months ago and these are the very same questions that were asked of all of the elected officials. Council Member Reinert asked how the system as to 'who was to be featured in each newsletter was established. It was noted that originally each elected official was to be featured by seniority. Council Member Reinert asked why the article announcing the election was moved to another page. Mr. Schumacher explained that all elected officials have now been featured in the newsletter and it is fair to do the same with the Mayor. He asked if the Mayors feature could run as printed and have an insert prepared with Council Member Reinert's newsletter feature. He also suggested that the feature on each Council Member be reprinted and added as an insert to the newsletter. Council Member Reinert said he had no objection to featuring each Council Member and the Mayor separately. He felt the timing of featuring the Mayor was terrible and asked why the sequence was altered. Council Member Bohjanen said he did not remember any policy being set as to the sequence of who was to be featured and when. Council Member Reinert said he felt a principle was being violated. Council Member Kuether said she did not feel that this was intentional. Council Member Reinert asked why an article announcing the election was taken from the front page and replaced by an article about the school district. Mayor Bisel said if the newsletter featuring him bothers the Council, the newsletter should not be sent out. Council Member Neal said that if the features on the other Council Members running for election is reprinted for the newsletter, he felt articles regarding other non - elected officials should also be included. Council Member Kuether said that would be having the City pay for the campaign PAGE 5 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 of all candidates. After further discussion, Council Member Bohjanen and Mayor Bisel left the council chambers at 5:20 P.M. Mr. Schumacher asked that a decision be made in this matter. After further discussion, Mr. Schumacher said he would contact the County Attorney regarding this matter. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular meeting the Lino Lakes City Council on October 28, 1991. iilyn 46&/ ) Harold L. Bisel, ayor , tA :1'1 Anderson, Clerk- Treasurer PAGE 6 r,. 98