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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/19/1992 Council Minutes1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 19, 1992 CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT : August >19, 1992 4:30 P.M. 7:00 P.M. Reinert, Neal, Ruether, Elliott, Bergeson None Staff members present: Police Chief, Dean Campbell; City Engineer, Darrell Schneider; City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk - Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. International Union of Operating Engineer's, Local 49 - Mr. Schumacher gave a brief update on this matter. He also handed each Council Member an outline of the proposed settlement and noted that this would be discussed in a closed session on Monday, August 24, 1992 at 6:00 P.M. Police Survey Results - A survey was prepared by the Council Police Liaison and given to each Police Department employee for completion. Mr. Schumacher gave each Council Member a handout listing the key areas from the survey. He noted that he has met with Chief Campbell and Council Member Neal and Chief Campbell has responded to some questions or concerns raised in the survey. Many areas of the Police Department were addressed in the survey; accountability, patrol time, attendance, vehicles, policy, moral, equipment and buildings. Chief Campbell explained that he felt some programs need better definition and noted that the Community Service Officer (CSO) position could be better defined as well. Chief Campbell discussed other issues such as equipment needs and budget constraints. He noted that job descriptions are being updated but there will not be a lot of changes. Chief Campbell noted that the CSO Kenow has done a "wonderful" job of coordinating programs. He also noted that the records department is working well. PAGE 1 19.1 - 192 COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 19, 1992 It was explained that since the Police Sergeant is back in a full time position, Officer Keller can now return to his normal duties and spend more time in a squad car. Chief Campbell explained that the Sergeant is also the night supervisor. He explained that there are more calls during the day and all officers on duty need to be out of the office more. The area of chain of command was discussed. Chief Campbell explained that this area needs more defining. He will make another report to the City Council after September on this matter. Council Member Neal asked if an additional CSO was being considered. Chief Campbell said he could use another police officer more. Council Member Bergeson asked who approves job descriptions and how many positions for the Police Department. Mr. Schumacher said that this is a City Council responsibility. Mayor Reinert explained that the City Council would accept recommendations from the Police Chief. Mayor Reinert asked that what has happened in the Police Department in the past be dropped and the Department should be focused on the future. Chief Campbell said he felt that the past was forgotten six (6) months ago. All will be back to normal at the beginning of October. Mayor Reinert explained that he has asked Mr. Schumacher to put together a questionnaire for the administrative staff. He also asked that the City Council be provided with a copy of the questionnaire. Mayor Reinert asked that all responses be directed to him either at his house or in his box in city hall. Council Member Kuether said that she felt that all Council Members should review the completed questionnaires. This could help curtail rumors so that things will not get out of control. The Council discussed a method of reviewing the completed administrative questionnaires. Council Member Bergeson noted that if the full Council reviews and addresses the questionnaires, this must be done in a public meeting. He asked if the Council was comfortable discussing some personnel and moral issues in public? Mayor Reinert said he felt that the matter of questionnaires had become greater in scope that what was intended. It was decided to discuss the completed questionnaires in an open meeting. Items of a confidential nature would be kept private. PAGE 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 19, 1992 Police Department Building - Council Member Kuether asked if the addition to the police building,had gone out for bids. Mr. Schumacher explained that state regulations require a certain type of blueprint for bidding construction over a certain dollar figure. Mr. Volk is in the process of having the plan broken into two (2) portions. Council Member Kuether asked why the plans were not drafted in- house. Mayor Reinert said that this is not a budgeted item. Mr. Schumacher noted that the City Council did authorize Mr. Volk to finish the siding on the building and blacktop the driveway. Council Member Kuether asked that the plans be broken into two (2) sections and that Mr. Volk obtain bids. Council Member Bergeson said he would like to know where the money would come from to complete the building as outlined in the blueprints. Consolidation Commission Public Hearing, August 20, 1992 - Mr. Schumacher reminded the Council of the public hearing. He explained that he would attend. The format for the public hearing was prepared at the last Consolidation Commission meeting. A seven (7) page summary of comparable issues will be presented. Questions from the audience will not be taken. Todd Smith, City Assessor will attend the meeting and other representatives will present material. Mayor Reinert asked that Mr. Schumacher not speak on behalf of the City Council. Budget Schedule - The first budget work session was set for Wednesday, September 2, 1992, 5:00 P.M. Summerfest - Mr. Schumacher explained that Mr. Asleson will have a full report on this matter in about a week. He noted that $2,500.00 is budgeted in the 1992 Budget for City promotions. The City did give $500.00 to the Lions Club for this event. Mr. Schumacher asked if the balance can be allocated to overtime salaries for that event. Several suggestions were given for next years event. Mayor Reinert asked that the role of the City be defined. Council Member Elliott asked that the planning begin much earlier than this year. Council Member Kuether asked that the City be more involved. Council Member Neal asked if it is planned as a community event, it should be open to the entire community not just the Lions Club. A professional coordinator was suggested. Ron Pulman Driveway - Mr. Pulman owns a parcel of land fronting on Otter Lake Road. The DNR has determined that it will not issue a permit for a driveway across the wetlands at the front portion of the parcel so that he can get access to his parcel and build a home. Mr. Pulman is suggesting allowing access to his property through an easement from 24th Avenue next to the Darla PAGE 3 193 194 COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 19, 1992 Lowell property. The Lowell's are hostile to this plan. However, the City Attorney has said that since the City has allowed the Lowell's and the Westbrock's to use the easement for access to their parcels, Mr. Pulman could pursue the matter further. The City Attorney has also suggested that the City allow Mr. Pulman to build a substandard road on the easement. Mayor Reinert said that the Lowell's had presented a similar proposal and the City denied it. He felt this set a precedent. Mr. Schumacher explained that the state legislature has passed a law saying that if a driveway is used by one (1) or two (2) residents a minimum maintenance road can be created. Mayor Reinert felt the ramifications of such a proposal could be very disturbing. Mr. Schneider suggested getting the Lowell's and the Westbrock's to sit down and agree to petition for a minimum maintenance road He also noted that standards for such a road must be developed and included in the City Code. Mr. Schneider felt a petition would be needed before the City could get involved in this matter. Alvin DeMotts, 6265 Holly Drive - Mrs. Anderson explained that she does not have enough election judges. Mr. DeMotts responded to her ad in the Quad Press and had taken the election judges training session. Mrs. Anderson wanted the City Council to be aware that Mr. DeMotts will be working as an election judge. Agenda - Items in the proposed agenda were discussed. Mr. Schumacher explained that a closed Council session would be held at 6:00 P.M. to discuss the proposed settlement for the 49er's union. Council Member Kuether asked if the persons operating the used car lot on Lake Drive in the former LaRocque building were licensed by the State of Minnesota. It was noted that special permits for this business are not needed from the City. Bob's Auto Ranch was also discussed. It was noted that the business had expanded without City Council approval. Mr. Schumacher will have both matters investigated. The work session adjourned at 7:00 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular Council meeting held on September 28, 1992. PAGE 4 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 19, 1992 /ntuL, o--;1,4-(1)1 Marily G. Anderson, Clerk - Treasurer Mayor Vernon F. Reinert, PAGE 5 195