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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/1993 Council Minutes1 Council Work Session CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES October 20, 1993 Staff Members Present: City Engineer Schneider; Planning Coordinator Wyland; Engineering Consultant Powell, TKDA; EDAAB Chairman Wessel; City Administrator Schumacher. Resident Guide: Copies of the new Resident Guide were provided for Council review and information. They will be sent to all residents some time this week. Additional copies will be provided to new residents as occupancy occurs and a supply kept on hand at City Hall. It was suggested that copies be placed at the libraries and possibly service stations. Living Waters Church: City Engineer Schneider gave a brief history of this project and advised Council that installation of the sewer pipe to serve the church property has been delayed due to complications with the adjoining plat and permits from the RCWD. This sewer pipe installation is an important link to the trunk sewer system. The delay is due to a discrepancy between the wetland delineation done for the plat and the RCWD wetland determination. The area of discrepancy is the ditch. The plat of Country Lakes Estates could be in jeopardy, however, the Administrator for the RCWD indicated that resolution may be possible through mitigation. Mr. Schneider explained that the church could be connected to sewer on the north/east side of the site through the Black Duck Estates lift station, however, this is a more costly option ($45,000 compared to $20,000) and not preferred by staff or the church. If the pipe for the sewer line could be laid through the church property now - then the church could proceed with their site improvements (lighting, paving, parking areas, etc.), continue using the existing holding tank, and hopefully connect to the Country Lakes Estates sewer in the near future. This would be accomplished provided RCWD approves the plat. There is some risk 1 2 4 ?4 Council Work Session October 20, 1993 in this option, however, Mr. Schneider indicated he spoke with Kate Drewry of the RCWD just before the work session and she seemed to think a solution was workable. Mr. Schneider explained that there are two options 1). wait until the outcome of the project is clear or 2). install the pipe at this time. The church is of the opinion that their site work can be completed if the pipe is installed immediately. If not they are concerned there will be additional delays and costs and weather conditions will not permit completion. After some discussion Mayor Reinert stated that the pipe should be put in. John Powell will meet with the church's contractor on Thursday to see if they can bid on the work. Other bids have been solicited, however, most contractors are quite busy at this time of year. Bids will be reviewed at the Council meeting on Monday. Pastor Kendrick asked if costs are increased could the City consider some type of assistance - such as a rebate of permit fees. Mayor Reinert explained that if this happens - we would have to consult the City Attorney. Office Space Needs Update Mr. Schumacher explained that the City is looking at remodeling the Forjay Building to house the recreation department. Preliminary estimates are $45,000 for a temporary fix. More information will be provided at the next work session. Hugo/Lino Lakes Meeting Update Mr. Schumacher reported that the joint meeting with Hugo was a success. Three members attended representing Hugo. A variety of issues were discussed along with a joint project for planning on 135E and Main/Co. Rd. 14. Hugo is in the process of completing their comprehensive plan and then would like to work on a master plan for that intersection. The State of Mn. may have some grant funds available for such a project. It was further suggested that a standing committee be formed to work on this and to continue to have periodic meetings between the two communities. Lake Drive/Hwy 49 Intersection Update Mr. Schneider explained that the public hearing on assessments for this project is scheduled for Monday night. The assessments involve only one property owner and amount to approximately $430,000. Rather than have this property owner object to the assessment and thereby kill the project, staff has suggested the hearing be opened and then continued until the following meeting to allow additional time to meet with the property owner. A compromise is being worked out for the property owner that would allow the project to proceed with a reduced assessment and possible 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Council Work Session October 20, 1993 TIF funds - however, the details have not been completely worked out. This is an important project especially due to the fact that the State of MN has allocated approximately $800,000 for the project that would be lost if it is not constructed next year. Councilmember Kuether stated that this is another prime example of the Charter screwing up a project. We have funding available and may not be able to use it. Mayor Reinert stated that the point is the Charter is in place so we must deal with it. Council agreed that this is a very important intersection that the City has been working on improving for quite some time - if continuing the public hearing will help - lets do it. Ross' Corner Update Mr. Schumacher explained that the underground tanks at Ross' corner were removed on October 11, 1993. There were four (4) tanks - no sign of ground contamination was apparent and soil samples were taken. Literature Charging Violation of City Charter Mayor Reinert stated that some literature has been distributed by his opponent for Mayor charging violations to the City Charter in the Apollo Drive Improvement Project. He asked if the City Attorney could bring an opinion back to the next Council meeting regarding whether or not there has been a violation of the Charter. Some personal charges were also made in this literature, however, Mayor Reinert indicated that he would deal with those charges. Councilmember Bergerson stated that maybe there should be some guidelines when the attorney is called upon to check accusations made in campaign literature. It was suggested that any accusations would need to be in writing or made at a public meeting. Council agreed that the Attorney should check into the charges made that the Charter was violated. Regional Transit Board Planning Coordinator Wyland reported that a public meeting is being held this evening at the Circle Pines City Hall to discuss proposed changes to the North Suburban Bus Line route serving western Lino Lakes to Downtown St. Paul. The change would involve service ending at the Northway Shopping Center rather then traveling down Sunset to the Correctional Facility. It was explained that if this change goes into effect there would be some tax rebate in 1995 for the reduced service. Agenda 25 October 1993 Councilmember Neal questioned the Youth Resource Bureau on the 3 2 4') 25u Council Work Session October 20, 1993 agenda because last year he had worked with them to get someone into the Rice Lake School -- nothing came of it and he felt that they just served Washington County. Randy Schumacher explained that they will be coming to provide information on their service. Mayor Reinert requested that a gas franchise plan be brought to the Council before the end of the year - this item will be added to agenda. The work session adjourned at 6:45 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on , 1993. MarilyniG. Anderson, Clerk -Treasurer 4 Vernon F. Reinert, Mayor