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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/21/1993 Council Minutes1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES 7 JULY 21, 1993 DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED • MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:: July 21', 19;9 5: 00 P.M. 7..:30 P.M. Reinert, Neal, Kuether, Elliott, Bergeson; None Staff members present: City Engineer, Darrell Schneider; Public Works Director, Don Volk; Police Officers, Bruce Keller and Bill Hammes; and Clerk -Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. Demonstration of New Squad Video Cameras Officer Keller outlined the program and explained that the equipment is working "great". He told of one (1) traffic stop and noted that because the incident was video taped, there was no argument from the person who was stopped. Officer Hammes showed a video tape of an actual incident. Mayor Reinert noted that this program is a. pilot program which will be in operation for three (3) months. He noted that the City Council will be updated on the progress of this program. Officer Hammes explained that video cameras in all squad cars will help make the job safer and should help reduce some of the time the officers spend in court. Review of Circle/Lex Police Department Memorandum Dated June 18, 1993 Council Member Neal read a portion of the above mentioned memorandum which was prepared by the Circle/Lex Police Chief and directed to all Circle/Lex Police Officers. One (1) paragraph states that if an officer is having trouble in the City of Centerville they should not call another squad car from Circle Pines but instead call a backup squad car from Lino Lakes. The purpose of this directive was to reduce expenses (gas) for the Circle/Lex Police Department. Council Member Neal explained that the Lino Lakes Police Department has responded to over 100 backup PAGE 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 21, 1993 calls in the City of Centerville already this year. Mayor Reinert asked if that police department refuses to honor their obligations, is the Lino Lakes Police Department bound to respond. Officer Keller said yes. Lino Lakes is part of the mutual aid pact and whoever is best able to respond must help. Council Member Kuether asked what would happen if the Lino Lakes officer was in Centerville responding to a backup call and an emergency occurs in Lino Lakes. Officer Keller said the Lino Lakes Police Officer should help the Lino Lakes citizen. Mayor Reinert noted that the level of relationship is good at the police officer level. The problem seems to occur at the higher level of policing. He expressed concern that the Lino Lakes Police Officers are filling in for something that the Circle/Lex Police Department should be handling. Council Member Neal said he felt that the Circle/Lex Police Department should have had the courtesy to discuss this situation with the Lino Lakes Police Department prior to sending out the memorandum. Mayor Reinert said he felt it was curious that this situation has come "on the heels" of the Common Ground Committee decision regarding police protection. Council Member Elliott felt that even if Lino Lakes feels "used", officer safety is still the first issue. Review of Campaign Contributions Draft Ordinance Mrs. Anderson explained that she has researched other metropolitan area cities to determine if they have ordinances regulating campaign contributions and require reporting of contributions beyond what is now required by state statute. Only the City of St. Paul and the City of Minneapolis have such ordinances. A copy of the St. Paul ordinance was obtained and used as a basis for drafting an ordinance for the City Council to consider. Mrs. Anderson gave a copy of the draft ordinance to each Council Member and briefly outlined the provisions of the ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to limit campaign contributions to $25.00 and to require that all contributions and/or expenditures over $25.00 be reported. It was decided that limiting campaign contributions was addressed in the new state legislation and the purpose of this ordinance should be to require the reporting of all contributions over $25.00. Mrs. Anderson will rewrite the ordinance and place it on PAGE 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 21, 1993 the July 26, 1993 agenda for the first reading. Update - Palmen Driveway Access This matter was discussed at the June 14, 1993 City Council meeting and staff was directed to research alternative methods of providing access to the Palmen property. Mr. Schneider has suggested that a 24 foot wide minimum maintenance street be constructed from the Palmen property east on the easement past the Lowell and Westbrock property to Bald Eagle Boulevard and that Mr. Palmen pay the entire cost of approximately $100,000.00. Mr. Palmen has requested that the matter be dropped for the present. He is disappointed but does understand that under the current City Charter provisions, the City can do nothing. It was noted that Mr. Palmen had requested that the same considerations be given to him as was given to Darla Lowell. He inferred that a variance had been granted for lot width. Mr. Schneider outlined City Council actions regarding the Lowell property. Mr. Schneider noted that Mr. Palmen has asked what it would take to develop an improvement project that would give him access to his property from some other direction. Mr. Schneider explained to Mr. Paimen that a consultant would be hired to develop this information and Mr. Palmen would have to establish an escrow account with the City to pay the costs. Mr. Paimen did mention that the City could start an eminent domain project, however, legal advice on this matter would have to be obtained from the city attorney prior to any action. Mr. Schneider told Mr. Palmen that he would report to the City Council. Mr. Palmen also requested that he not be in the MUSA boundary. Mr. Schneider will summarize the matter in a letter to Mr. Palmen and will give the City Council members a copy of the letter. New City Hall Sign Mr. Volk explained that he has received two (2) quotes for rebuilding the old Centennial High School sign for use as a city hall sign. Northland Signs said that they. could not rebuild the sign. Crosstown Signs quoted $2,475.00 and Juleen Signs quoted $2,265.00 for rebuilding the sign. There will be additional cost of $1,200.00 to $2,000.00 to provide electrical service to the sign after it is erected. The total cost of the sign could be $2,265.00. However, the cost of a similar new sign would be over $20,000.00. PAGE 3 10 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 21, 1993 Mr. Volk explained that.Juleen Signs could start rebuilding the sign immediately. When asked where the money would come from for this project, Mr. Volk said he did not know. Council Member Bergeson asked that this matter be placed on the July 26, 1993 Council agenda subject to determining a funding method. Council Member Bergeson noted that the new Business Park sign is now in place. However, it was erected on 2" x 4" posts and he felt steel posts would look more professional and stable. He also suggested that the sign be placed closer to Emtech, Inc. This matter will be referred to the Economic Development Authority Chairman. Ditch Cleaning Council Member Kuether noted that the recent heavy rains have made is apparent that some of the ditches in the City are not flowing properly. Mr. Volk explained that the ditches have not had any attention for more than 50 years. He has prepared a ditch cleaning plan, however funding the plan has not been established. Mr. Volk noted that if the ditches were properly maintained, Public Works would not be having all the drainage difficulties currently being experienced. Mayor Reinert asked if ditch maintenance fits into the overall water management plan. Mr. Schneider said• it could fit and explained that the Surface Water Management Plan should be completed by the first of the year and ditch maintenance should be part of that plan. Mr. Volk explained that a ditch maintenance program will take a long time simply because the permit process is lengthy. This problem should be resolved when the City becomes its own LGA. Mr. Schneider was asked if the culvert problem in the Lino Air Park was ever resolved. Mr. Schneider explained that he has been in contact with Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) on this matter and it should be resolved. He also explained that he will be bringing a proposal to share costs with RCWD for a hydrological study of the area to the City Council for approval. Mr. Volk commended the residents for their patience during the recent flooding. He also noted that the weather has caused neighbors to start talking again about water problems. lir. Volk also explained that his Public Works crews have lost three (3) weeks of scheduled work because they have devoted their attention to flooding full-time. PAGE 4 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 21/ 1993 Mayor Reinert commended the Public Works Department for their response to the flooding. Right -of -Way Encroachment Enforcement Mr. Volk informed the City Council that he will be enforcing the City policy regarding encroaching on City right-of-way. He noted that fences, shrubbery, decorative stones and etc. were being placed close to the curbs. This will cause a problem for snow storage during winter storms. Mr. Volk displayed pictures of particular problem areas and noted that residents will be mailed letters requesting the removal of items from the right-of-way. He noted that there will be some upset residents, however this action is necessary. Council Member Bergeson felt that public education was needed on this matter and asked that an article be placed in the next newsletter. It was suggested that something in writing be given to the new homeowner when an occupancy permit is issued regarding restrictions on the use of right-of-way and easements. Alleged Bill Hawkins Remark Regarding Boat Launch Council Member Neal explained that Ms. Ostergren has called him to tell him that Mr. Hawkins had talked to the attorney for the Reshanau Park Estates Homeowner's Association and indicated that the lawsuit being filed against the Association by the City is frivolous and that he is pursing the legal action only because he is the city attorney. Mayor Reinert asked that this matter be placed on the City Council Agenda. Information Regarding Lot on West Shadow Lake Drive Owned by 17 Landowners Council Member Neal referred to a lot on West Shadow Lake Drive that is owned by 17 different owners. It has been reported to him that campers have been parked on this lot and the lot is being used for launching boats and other recreational activities. Council Member Neal asked the Police Department and the Planning Department to check on this matter but nothing was found. Council Member Bergeson explained that thih particular lot is being confused with another lot further south on Reshanau Lake. The south lot is privately owned and the owner sometimes camps there and launches his own boat from the site. There is.nothing on the lot owned by 17 individuals. Council Member Neal asked if it is illegal for a private lot owner to keep a picnic table on his vacant lot and launch only his own boat from his lot. Mayor Reinert felt that the lot owned by the one individual should be PAGE 5 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 21, 1993 checked for any violations of the City Code and the information be given to Council Member Neal and Ms. Ostergren. Council Member Neal told Council Member Bergeson that since he lived in the West Shadow Lake Drive neighborhood and saw parties and other illegal activities on the vacant shore lots, he should do something about those activities. Council Member Bergeson explained that he was not elected for law enforcement and unless people or property were in jeopardy, he would not interfere. He felt a policy should be drafted for such matters. Ms. Ostergren, 6900 Black Duck Drive explained that she did not care what happened on these lots, however, if the owners were allowed to us them for recreation, the Home Owner's Association should also be able to use their vacant lots for recreation. Chomonix Golf Course - Closed Access from Sandpiper Drive Council Member Bergeson noted that the County has closed the access to the golf club from Sandpiper Drive and have made a provision for about 12 parking spaces off of Sandpiper Drive. However, sometimes there are more cars seeking parking space than what is available and they have been parking in private yards. The residents have contacted the Anoka County Parks Department regarding this matter, however, they may bring their concerns before the City Council. Mr. Volk said he, has talked to Mr. Torkildson about this matter and he was upset. Council Member Kuether noted that the sign on Lake Drive directing traffic to the entrance to Chomonix Golf Course is placed in a poor location. She asked that the sign be relocated. Regular Council Agenda for July 26, 1993 All items were addressed. The final plat for Quail Ridge was explained. Mr. Schneider noted that the trail design will be recorded on the plat and graded immediately so that when someone is considering the purchase of a lot, they will immediately see where the trail is located. Mayor Reinert said it appeared that the trail will end on a street. Mr. Schneider explained that there are plans for future extension of the trail. Charter Commission vacancies were discussed. It was decided to advertise the position and ask that letters of application be sent to the Charter Commission chairman or the City. Council Member Elliott explained that the Parks Director has been contacted by a Marine Squadron regarding doing some park improvements including surveying. The work requires the approval PAGE 6 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION J JULY 21, 1993 of the Building and Construction Trades Council. This groups has asked for documentation of the work. Council Member Elliott expressed her unhappiness with the Building and Construction Trades Council and said she would pursue the matter. Council Member Neal explained that the situation with the District Memorial Ambulance Service is still unresolved. It was noted that if Lino Lakes is considering changing its service area or going with Health One, a public hearing on the matter should be held. Mayor Reinert asked that Mr. Schumacher determine the status of the District Memorial Ambulance Service and update the City Council regarding how much taxpayers money from Lino Lakes supports this service and exactly what the service level is. It was noted that three (3) businesses in Lino Lakes have remodeled or moved to update establishments. Mayor Reinert asked that a letter be sent to each business congratulating them. Qualifications for the Chief of Police position was discussed. Council Member Neal noted that no one in the Lino Lakes Police Department would meet these qualifications. Mayor Reinert explained that there is no alternative to supervisory experience and all stated qualifications should remain in effect. He noted that a professional firm has established the standards and the City Council should not interfere with this process. Mayor Reinert noted that the top three (3) qualified candidates will be brought before the City Council for an interview. The work session adjourned at 7:30 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular meeting of the City Council on August 23, 1993. Marilyn G. Anderson, Vernon F. Reinert, Clerk -Treasurer Mayor PAGE 7