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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/22/1992 Council Minutes140 CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES Staff members present: City Engineer, Darrell Schneider; Consulting Engineer, Dan Boxrud; Public Works Director, Don Volk; Fire Chief, Milo Bennett; Police Chief, Dean Campbell; City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk- Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. Staff Response to Ed Vaughan's Concerns - Pheasant Hills Preserve Mr. Vaughan appeared at the June 17, 1992 Council Work Session and presented his concerns regarding his development, his working relationship with City Staff and other concerns. Mr. Vaughan was asked to put his concerns in writing and submit them to the City Administrator so that the City Council could review them. Mr. Vaughan has submitted his concerns in writing and the staff has reviewed them and has prepared a response to them. Mr. Schneider explained that he had reviewed Mr. Vaughan's concerns. He told the Council that he did not feel defensive about the situation, but wanted to show how the situation is from a staff prospective. Mr. Schneider said he would like this to be a win /win situation. Mr. Schneider gave the City Council a copy of his memorandum to Mr. Schumacher dated July 21, 1992 which was in response to Mr. Vaughan's packet dated June 17, 1992. Mr. Schneider explained that Mr. Vaughan appears to not be trying to cut costs but seems oriented around doing a good job with his development. He responded to Mr. Vaughan point by point. The Council discussed whether or not this matter should be followed up with Mr. Vaughan. Mr. Schneider felt a follow up was definitely needed. One of Mr. Vaughan's concerns was that the City was not flexible. However, Mr. Schneider felt Mr. Vaughan was not aware of how flexible the City has been with him. PAGE 1 1 1 1 1 It was decided that Mr. Schneider meet with Mr. Vaughan with Mayor Reinert present. Mr. Schneider will set this meeting. Consideration of Common Ground Letter to Circle Pines, Centerville and Lexington - Mr. Schumacher presented a draft of a letter he has prepared to be sent to the City of Circle Pines regarding the recent signing of a contract with the City of Centerville for police protection. Mayor Reinert felt that some of the language was too direct and strong. He said he did not want to close the door on other topics for Common Ground Committee discussion. Mayor Reinert said he had heard that the contract was opened ended. Mr. Schumacher was asked to send the letter to both the City of Centerville and the City of Circle Pines. Chief Campbell prepared a letter regarding the work he was involved with on the issue of police protection. According to this letter, the City of Centerville could have realized a considerable savings if they had waited and accumulated all the information available. Mayor Reinert said he was sad that the Common Ground Committee never really "got off the ground ". Underground Fuel Tanks - Chief Bennett explained that he had received a letter regarding the possibility of abandoned fuel tanks at a business in Lino Lakes. He noted that if the tanks have been abandoned more than two (2) years, he does have the authority to order them removed. Chief Bennett explained that he felt if the City Council wanted these tanks removed, the City should be consistent and order the removal of all tanks abandoned more than two (2) years. Chief Bennett was aware of approximately one half dozen such tanks and explained if the Council does wish to go forward in this matter, he would investigate and try to identify all buried fuel tanks. There was discussion regarding possible contamination from the abandoned fuel tanks, the cost of cleaning contaminated sites and the fact that there is some money in a super fund for funding at least a portion of the clean -up. Chief Bennett explained that he is not especially concerned about contamination from abandoned tanks especially if they were emptied before being abandoned. He express concern regarding contamination from tanks currently being used. Chief Bennett was asked to prepare an inventory of underground fuel tanks and report to the City Council in the next 30 days. Lino Lakes Summerfest Update - Council Member Elliott updated the City Council on this matter. The planning committee is proceeding very well but is experiencing problems regarding cash flow. The committee will be asking the City for a $500.00 donation. A memorandum from the Parks Director to Council Member Elliott outlining the expected revenue and expected expenses for PAGE 2 141 142 this event was given to all Council Members. Several Council Members expressed surprise regarding this event, especially the scope of the programs. Mr. Asleson explained how the event was being planned and noted that there are many very organized and very busy people working to bring this event together. Mr. Ray Johnson representing the Lino Lakes Lions Club explained that the City Council authorized participation in this event last year and appointed the Public Works Director to be chairman of the event. He noted that the Lions Club is working very hard on this event and it is their hope to continue this as a city celebration each year. Council Member Kuether said that compared to the program last year, this program is a real shocker. Mr. Johnson explained that the committee is very excited about the event and named representatives from different organizations who are participating. Mr. Volk explained the problem seems to be that there is no one (1) sponsoring agency to coordinate the event. This matter was discussed during last years budget session and the need for funding was also discussed. Police Chief Campbell explained that he has been contacted regarding crowd control especially during the dances planned for two (2) evenings. He will be committing extra personnel for the dates of the celebration. Mayor Reinert reminded the City Council of the discussion during budget time. The Council had discussed an event that would identify Lino Lakes. Council Member Elliott explained that a lot of people are working hard to produce the City celebration, the only problem is lack of money. She felt that this should have been addressed last year at the budget session. Mr. Schumacher asked if this is planned to be a money making project and if so who will be making the money? Mr. Asleson explained that the majority interest is in promoting the City and its businesses and providing a "get together ". If there is any profit made on any of the projects, this money will be used to help fund next years celebration. The beer proceeds will go to the Lions Club and the food proceeds will go to the Lioness's Club. This money will help fund on -going projects that benefit this community. Mayor Reinert asked Council Member Neal and Council Member Elliott to represent the City at the next committee meeting and update the City Council on the matter. Birch Street Underpass - Safety Concerns - Mr. Schneider explained since the bids for the underpass were rejected, the underpass was redesigned and is now ready to be placed out for bids again. He explained that the project will involve repairing PAGE 3 1 1 1 1 a broken storm sewer, a revised detour plan and other details not previously addressed. Mr. Schneider explained that Mr. Boxrud is working with the Centennial School officials to coordinate the project properly. The total cost is now estimated to be slightly over $80,000.00 and Lino Lakes share of the cost will be $40,600.00. Safety concerns were discussed. Chief Campbell prepared a letter addressing the lighting aspect of the project. Mr. Schneider explained that the lighting could be added to the project at any time. Council Member Bergeson felt that lighting should be included in the bid so that the school would participate in the cost. Mr. Boxrud explained that this would complicate the bids and noted that the school district will assume the cost for the lighting if it is needed. Street Overlay Program - OSM - It was noted that both TKDA and SEH are very busy and the summer is passing quickly and soon it will be to late to consider an overlay program. Mr. Schneider recommended that the City Council consider hiring Brian Bourassa at OSM to complete the study. Mr. Bourassa worked on the original overlay program while he was employed at TKDA and would be familiar with the program here in Lino Lakes. An agreement with OSM will be negotiated and added to the Council agenda. Building Inspection Department - Truck Purchase - Mayor Reinert asked Mr. Schumacher why the City Council was not informed of this capital outlay purchase. Mr. Schumacher explained that in the past the Building Official was given a used squad car to use during inspections. The car he was using was wrecked. Leasing or purchasing a car or a truck was investigated. The Hennepin County purchase option was investigated and the time frame for purchasing was running out. Mr. Schumacher said he made the decision to purchase through Hennepin County and put in the bid. He agreed he should have informed the City Council prior to placing the bid. Mayor Reinert explained that since this item was not in the 1992 Budget it would have been appropriate to check with the City Council by telephone prior to making the bid. Council Member Bergeson asked that some guidelines be drafted since it probably would not be appropriate to notify the City Council of every expenditure. Sewer and Water Improvements - Apollo Drive - Mr. Schneider explained that the good news on this project is that the County will go along with three (3) driveways instead of the original two (2) in the area of Marvy Street. He suggested that the drainage area be moved to save the trees. He also noted that Mr. Uhde is coordinating his development with Anoka County. PAGE 4 143 144 Additional information on this matter will be available at the Council meeting. Mr. Schneider explained that the plans incorporated the revised alignment of Apollo Drive. One concern is that utilities will have to be constructed along with the street. This has caused some rethinking on the project and it is now planned to be completed in two (2) stages. Financial information will be available at the Council meeting. The plans have been submitted to Anoka County and to the State Aid Division. The fence issue at the prison has been resolved. Extension of Apollo Drive north of Lilac Street was discussed. Mr. Schneider explained that MnDOT would like to do their portion of the improvement at this time, but they do not have the money. Agenda - All items on the agenda were discussed. The work session adjourned at 6:40 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and accepted at a regular Council meeting held on August 10, 1992. i n 1 (-& z 6LA 1--e2L Ma ily G. nderson, Clerk- Treasurer Vernon F. Reinert, Mayor PAGE 5