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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/1975 Council Minutes12.5 March 10, 1975 The regular meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 8:00 P.M. on March 10, 1975 by Mayor Bohjanen. Council men present: Jaworski, Marier, McLean. Absent: Zelinka. Mr. Locher and Mr. Gotwald were also present. Mr. Marier moved to approve the minutes of February 10, 1975 as written. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried. Mr. Marier moved to approve the minutes of February 24, 1975 as written and with the noted corrections made. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried. Mayor Bohjanen had received a letter from the Environmental Quality Council concerning a corridor designation for a high voltage transmission line from near Evelith to a connection with the NSP Company in St. Paul. There is a request for suggestions from this Council for members of this committee. Mr. Zelinka has volunteered to serve on this committee and this information along with a basic background report is to be sent to the Commission. All information received at the City Offices is to be forwarded to Mr. Zelinka. The Clerk reported on the following items: Mr. Robert Burman had forwarded a Resolution passed by the Anoka County Commissioners turning the County Ditches and their maintenance over to the Rice Creek Watershed District; All Councilmen have copies of the bills that were forwarded by Representative Neison. These will be discussed at the next Council meeting. Read a letter from Mr. Burman announcing that the County plans to upgrade County Road No. 23 from State Highway No. 49 North in order to bring this highway up to meet minimum state aid requirements. He asks the Council for suggestions and possible trouble points. The Council instructed Mr. Gotwald to consult with the County Engineer's on this. Mr. Marier so moved. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. One of the things to be inquired about is more street lighting. A letter of resignation from Mr. Vincent Lombardi had been received. He regrets that he does not have the time to devote to the Planning and Zoning that he feels is necessary to do a good job. Mr. Marier moved to accept the resignation with 'Thanks'. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried. The Cluck is to write a letter of thanks to Mr. Lombardi. Read Mr. Nelson's letter agreeing to the resolution against the proposed hunting ban. Read the letter announcing the Governor's conference on Natural Disasters to be held at the Hopkins House in Hopkins on March 12, 1975. Mayor Bohjanen and Mr. Cape plan to attend. Read the letter from the Anoka County Park Department agreeing to continue to operate the golf course in the Chain of Lakes Park for one more year. Mr. Beach, The Tree Inspector, was present to present his program for 1975 and to inform the Council of the necessary procedures of publication that is required by law. He is also preparing some forms that will get offers to / March 10, 1975 remove trees into the City Offices in order for the people to take advantage of bulk prices. He is also meeting with a State Forester and may be able to have some of the Oak trees removed free. He reviewed the control area for the Dutch Elm disease and said this description must be incorporated into the Ordinance before publication. Mr. Marier moved to accept the proposed program as presented by Mr. Beach. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. The position paper dealing with the Metropolitan Council, prepared by the Lino Lakes Council, was read at this time and a copy of the paper is attached to these minutes. Mr. Marier moved to adopt the Resolution adopting this position paper. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried unanimously. This paper is to be sent tolall State Representatives, All State Senators, each community within the seven county area, Governor's office, Representative Oberstar, Senators Humphrey and Mondale and local and metropolitan newspapers. Mayor Bohjanen continued the discussion of the actions of the Metropolitan Council saying that Lino Lakes has received no assistance from that orgina- zation only delays. He asked Mr. Jaworski for his thoughts on taking strong action to force the Metropolitan Council to deal with Lino Lakes fairly. Mr. Jaworski said that Lino Lakes has been frustrated by the Metroplitan Council action in so many areas. After careful consideration he had arrived at the conclusion that the only course of action for this City is to take legal action against the Metropolitan Council. He realized that this action will cost considerably but felt that if something isn't done, the cost incurred as a direct result of Metropolitan Council inaction would be much more. Mr. Jaworski moved to direct Mr. Locher to take the necessary steps to start legal action against the Metropolitan Council in three areas: 1) to define the position of this City in the Metro Area, 2) their failure to act on the City's sewer proposal and 3) discrimination in equal distribution of Federal Funds. Mr. Locher said that the Metropolitan Council was committed to provide an interceptor to this City and based on that committment, and relying on the installation of that interceptor, two developments have been started to the detriment of Lino Lakes. Mr. McLean asked Mr. Locher what the effect of such action would be. Mr. Locher said this action had never been taken before and it would be necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the Court that the City has been discriminated against. He felt that the position paper might provide some knowledgeable answers. Mr. Blackbird asked if this suit would cause a moratorium on building? He was told that the Metropolitan Council cannot issue such a moratorium, they do no have the power. Mr. Nelson said that this is the effect of their denial of approval of the Pines Vista plat since the control of FHA funds is designated to the Metor- politan Council discreation. 1 1 1 March 10, 1975 Mr. Marier asked Mr. Jaworski if on his motion to start legal action against the Metropolitan Council he would agree to wait thirty days until reaction to the position paper has time to get back to the Council in order to strengthen the City's position. Mr. Jaworski agreed. Mr. McLean seconded the motion with that stipulation. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Jaworski asked for a Legislative investigation of the activities, policies, and decision making of the Metropolitan Council. He felt that most Legislators do not have enough information on the activities of that body to vote on the bills presented by them for Legislative actions. Mr. McLean asked Senator Milton if he knew of the sub - committee that is auditing the Metropolitan Council's spending? Senator Milton said that he did. The report is to be presented to the Metro and Urban Affairs Committee but at the present time the report is not ready. Mayor Bohjanen asked Senator Milton if he was aware of the request by the Metropolitan Council for doubling the mill rate for that body? Senator Milton said, Yes, and this request would get a thorough going over. It may be that since some of the Federal Grants are being phased out, the Council is overstaffed in some areas. Mr. Locher felt that the hearings are packed by hand picked people and that any anti -metro forces cannot or will not be heard except by demand. Mr. Jaworski asked if the Development Framework Guide Policy does not have to be approved by the State Legislature before it can go into effect? and was told, Yes. Mr. Jaworski felt that all decision made by the Metro- politan Council in the field of housing and sewers in the last eight months have been based on that policy. Senator Milton disagreed that the Metropolitan Council was using this policy as a guideline. If the Metro Council is out of line, they will have to back off. Senator Milton said that he will send copies of all bills affecting Lino Lakes. Mr. Edward Karth, Chairman. „`sf the Planning and Zoning Board, felt that there is a credibility gap with the Metropolitan Council staff personnel - the agreed with this City Council while here and disagree when backat their offices. Mayor Bohjanen reported the Police Advisory Board had met this psst week and has asked for the Board to be expanded to include another citizen from Centerville. Mr. McLean asked what this would add to that Board? Mr. Jaworski felt this would give input from the local citizens, not just the Council. Mayor Bohjanen felt this would give more Public Relations to the Board. Mr. Jaworski moved to add one citizen from Centerville to the Police Advisory Board. Seconded by Mayor Bohjanen. Motion failed on a two to two vote. Mayor Bohjanen announced that the Operation Identification operation will be taken out of the Clerk's Office and put into the Police Office. The Board had also discussed a "ride- along” policy. Mayor Bohjanen felt it would be necessary to have some form for the riders to sign in order to allow this practice. 127 March 10, 1975 Mr. Locher felt that our present insurance would cover riders but he wants to consult with Mr. Ray on this. Mr. Marier asked that this information be presented at the next Council meeting. Mr. Jaworski had no report. Mr. Marier reported on the application from the St. Paul Water Dept. to pump water from Otter Lake. A letter had been written to Mr. Hickock, Engineers for the Rice Creek Watershed District, requesting this information. Under Chapter 9, page 18 of the Rice Creek Watershed District's charter they are charged to establish the water level in the lakes. Mr. Marier moved to deny the application of the St. Paul Water Department until a minimum water level is established. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. Mr. Marier asked Mr. Charles Nelson to get his soil test to Mrs. Opal Peterson. Mr. Nelson said that he had given copies to Mr. John Doyle last Thursday at the hearing and he had failed to pass them on to her. Mr. Nelson had called Mr. Doyle, and he, Mr. Nelson, will personally see that they get to Mrs. Peterson. Mr. McLean reported on the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee meeting for the Chain of Lakes Park. This was an informational meeting for explaining the areas covered and points in the Guideline Policy developed by the City's Open Space Commission and The Anoka County Park board. These were areas that some of the members were not aware of. Mr. McLean felt that there is a good year's work involved. There are about ten field trips planned. This will be time consuming but Mr. McLean felt worthwhile. Mr. Gotwald reported on an application for continued water pumping at the Youth Center. The well is an 8" well and is 515 feet deep; Mr. Gotwald felt there was no particular objection to this well. Mr. Marier moved to approve the application. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. There was also an application for the continued use of the sanitary facilities. Mr. Marier moved to recognize and approve application MN 0044423 for use of on -site sewer facilities at the Youth Center. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. There was information on the upgrading of County Road 23 and the Council asked Mr. Gotwald to contact the County Engineer for input to this project. Mr. Locher had received maps from HUD in connection with the Flood Insurance program. These were turned over to Mr. Gotwald for comparaision. Mr. Gotwald had attended a seminar on this subject and he felt that the maps are a problem because they are so out of date. Engineers have been hired to update these maps. Mr. Locher said the City has one year to accept this insurance or the City will be forced to accept. March 10, 1975 Mr. Jaworski thought this insurance had been turned down already.. Mr. Locher said that it had but without the Flood Insurance, builders cannot get Federal Funding for housing. Mr. Marier said he was doing a study on this and it Should be completed for the next Planning and Zoning Board Meeting. He will turn it over to the Chairman for study and will report back to the Council on the actions of the Board. Under Old Business, Mayor Bohjanen presented the name of John Juleen for Fire Marshall. Mr. Marier so moved. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. Senator Milton said the Legislature will be considering the appointments to the Metropolitan Council for confirmation.. Does this council have any objections to Mrs. Peterson? Or any other objections that he should know about. Mr. Marier said she felt that the area she serves Ls too large- some help in that area might be in order. Mayor Bohjanen thought that Mr. Weaver is also helpful for this area. There was no particular objections to any of the appointments. Mr. Jaworski asked if there had been any communications from the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission as to the Contract with the City for the hauling of the sewage. The Clerk said, No. She was instructed to contact Mr. Dougherty immediately and find out the hold up. Mr. Nelson asked about input from the City as to what Lino Lakes can do if the wells in the Pines Vista plat become polluted? Mr. Marier thought the most important thing now is that Mrs. Peterson get copies of the soils test. Mr. Jaworski asked Mr. Gotwald, if areas outside the seven county metropolitan area can apply for Federal Grants? Mr. Gotwald said, Yes. Mr. Jaworski,, said he didn't understand why those areas can apply and Lino Lakes because it is in the seven county area cannot. This is discriminatory. Mr. McLean said the outstate areas have A -95 Housing Review Powers. Mayor Bohjanen asked the Council how they wished to handle this overdraft at the bank. After some discussion, Mr. Marier moved to approve the payroll checks #2851 through and including #2871 and to ask for a draft from Anoka County to cover the payroll checks. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Mo +ion carried. The Clerk is to call the County Treasurer, take the necessary letter to that office and wait for the check. Mr. Marier moved to set a special meeting for Thursday, March 12, 1975 at 7:30 P.M. for the discussion of this problem. The Clerk is to get a report on the financial picture ready for that meeting. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. Mr. Marier moved to adjourn at 10:00 P.M. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Aye. f Clerk- Treasurer. These minutes were approved & corrected at the 3/25/75 Council Mtg. I 464 -5562 CilqeUiiiwLolzets 1189 Main Street Lino Lakes, Minnesota 55014 TO: Municipal Officials FROM: Council of the City of Lino Lakes SUBJECT Lino Lakes' Position on the Metropolitan Council as the Controlling Force in the Seven County Metropolitan Area. By Resolution duly passed, The Lino Lakes City Council has adopted the following position in regard to the Metropolitan Council as presently conceived and functioning: 1. The Metropolitan, Council must be restricted to the planning and advisory function related to State Government and Local Goernnt that it was originally created toprovi¢e. COMMENT - The al rnative is to allow the Metropolitan Council to continue I 1 4yce to, the Legislative process to the level of a super governmental knit with olic and sonde 'attan�w p y�maktnc,�`, bonding, taxing, powers that require cart ever - enlarging self per - petuatin staff to handle its,controll,in functions. COMMENT, 'he direct theMotropolitan Are ernnent gene ated by to the' 9ove mental loca toff" _ result of anon er level of government in acceptanc of addeadicosts of gov- th is ;unit plus IL "blackout" of focal input rpFess caused by the added level available p U olitanC9ncil must recognize and give equal ,i glht input m local government and citizenry. ' 1ENT - Our experience indicates that the Metropolitan Council ,`staff input is consistently weighed more heavily in the deci- *ions emanating from the Metropolitan Council than the collective /input of local governments, local government professional consul- / tants, and its citizens. COMMENT - Our experience, also indicates that the Metropolitan Council staff has the tendency of creating so many alternatives in the course of a given study that the original issue becomes clouded and the sheer volume of the study, outweighs reasonable local input, professional or otherwise. Lino Lakes Position Paper Page 2 During the past several years, the City of Lino Lakes has not been able to obtain a final, conclusive answer in any area involving our community. We ask you - -- ...How much has the Metropolitan Council aided You? ...What has the multitude of Metropolitan Council generated studies cost you? ... What have these studies provided you? ...Finally, has the Metropolitan Council helped or hampered your local decision making process? We, in Lino Lakes, determined at first to co- operate with the regional concept of aid to local government through the Metropolitan Council. However, in spite of a close working relationship, we nave been frustrated and delayed in efforts in sewer development, housing development, and transportation development. These delays exist despite our having pro- vided all the planning requirements embodied in a costly Metropolitap Council approved comprehensive land use plan covering land use, public utilities, transit, open space and transportation. Secondly, these delays exist despite our co- operation with the County of Anoka In establishment of a 2,500 acre regional park with its related community tax revenue loss and impact on local tax paying citizens who will be displaced. Again, our staff is continually frustrated by having to deal with rep- resentatives of the Metropolitan Council who are strong on social idealism but do not or have nor evidenced experience sufficient to provide basic answers to our situation. These people feel that what is proper for the majority who reside in the core city, must be accepted by the suburbs. The Metropolitan staff simply does not have the experience needed to meet the idealistic goals it has set for itself. Finally, the Metropolitan Council was formed to make basic studies and provide input to the State Legislature. Also, it was to aid local government in the seven county metro area in planning for land use and public utilities. Since we have a part time Legislature, the idea was sound, however, it was never intended that we would establish another policy making, operating level of government to be imposed on the tax paying population of the seven county Metropolitan Area for the obvious benefit of the core cities, and self - perpetuating beaurocracy; Therefore, we solicit, your support as to our position for advocating strengthening local government with consideration for the future and its citizens. We would appreciate your comments within the next thirty days. CC: Gov. Wendell Anderson - Senators Humphrey and Mondale Representative J. Oberstar Metropolitan Council Metropol itan - waste- Conin- I-CnmmtQs %un All State Senators and Representatives All Municipalities in the SevAr_ Cnunt_y:�M�Fropo.tite4p Area