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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/1994 Council Minutes (2)1 1 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES 133 SEPTEMBER 21, 1994 DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT September 2;1.x.1994 Reinert, Neal, Euether, Elliott, Bergeson None Staff members present: City Engineer, Darrell Schneider; Consulting Engineers, John Powell and Steve Heth; Utility Department Superintendent, Don Volk; Chief of Police, David Pecchia; City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk -Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. Setting the Agenda — Council Member Elliott asked to have Michelle Whitney garage request added to agenda, item No. 7. ORGANIZED COLLECTION, DON VOLK Mr. Volk reminded the Council that about a year ago, there was some discussion regarding organized garbage collection. Currently there are as many as five (5) different trucks on one City street. The previous Solid Waste Coordinator and the Solid Waste Committee recommended that the waste collection be left as is and allow each homeowner to select their own garbage removal hauler. It was felt that homeowners are very loyal to their rubbish haulers. A little more than a year ago, the City Council adopted an ordinance restricting the number of haulers in the City to five (5). These haulers are licensed by the City. Mr. Volk asked the City Council to consider establishing an organized removal system which could be handled in several different ways. One system would be to divided the City into zones and haulers would bid on each zone. This would reduce the number of haulers on any street to just one. Another method would be to restrict the City to one hauler. The haulers would bid on the entire City. PAGE 1 34 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 21, 1994 Mr. Volk noted that Jackie Constant has been hired as the new part-time Solid Waste Coordinator. She has had previous experience in this area and will start the program to organize collection in Lino Lakes. Mr. Volk explained that it will take approximately one year to get an organized program fully functional. Mayor Reinert asked if bidding will reduce costs to the homeowner. Mr. Volk said usually it does not but it does save wear and tear on the streets which saves tax dollars. Mayor Reinert said he felt that this was a priority item. Mr. Volk said that residents need to be involved in the process and felt there should be public hearings on the matter. Council Member Neal asked if the City should consider owning its own garbage system. Mr. Schumacher felt the insurance liability would be too much of a problem. WELL NO. 3, DON VOLK Mr. Heth noted that a need for a third municipal well was discussed with the City Council. He explained that three (3) sites have been selected along Birch Street for the location of the well. He asked the City Council to consider authorizing staff to start land acquisition proceedings. Mr. Heth described the three (3) sites as follows: the southeast corner of the Ernest Apitz property, east of Apitz Garage; the northwest corner of the Agnes LaMotte property and the northeast corner of the Agnes LaMotte property. The installation of the well will cost approximately $60,000.00, the pump house will cost approximately $180,000.00 and other related costs will be approximately 60,000.00. Land acquisition is expected to be approximately $10,000.00 to $15,000.00. Mr. Heth noted that all three (3) locations would allow easy access to the Birch Street watermain. Mr. Schneider explained that the current two (2) wells were able to handle the demand this summer with some assistance from the well at the prison. He noted that if one well were to fail, there would be big problems. Mayor Reinert asked when the well was expected to be operational. Mr. Heth said an aggressive schedule has been prepared so that the well could be operational by July, 1995. He did not that if land acquisition was not completed by negotiation and had to be acquired through condemnation, the well would be operational by September, 1995. PAGE 2 1 1 1 1 • j 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 21, 1994 Mr. Schneider explained that funding for the well would come from the Area and Unit Charge Fund. He also noted that the quality of water should be the same as the current wells'' This matter will be placed on the September 26, 1994 City Council agenda. WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT, BUILDING INSPECTIONS Mr. Schumacher explained that White Bear Township is in need of a building inspector. Since it is expected that new home construction in Lino Lakes will be less than last year, some time is available in the Lino Lakes Building Inspections Department. This would be a good source of added revenue. Mayor Reinert asked if one of our inspectors would be assigned to White Bear Township. Mr. Schumacher explained that Mr. Jackson would receive this assignment. Mr. Schumacher will work with White Bear Township in drafting the Joint Powers Agreement. MICHELLE WHITNEY, LAKE DRIVE Council Member Elliott explained that she had received a telephone call from Ms. Whitney asking her to be of assistance in obtaining a variance to build an addition to her garage. Ms. Whitney's home is located in the Neighborhood Business zone of the City and residential use in this zone is non -conforming. There is no provision in the City Code for allowing a non- conforming use to expand. Council Member Elliott told Ms. Whitney that her request would have to go before the Planning and Zoning Board and that the staff report accompanying her request would be negative. She also told Ms. Whitney that the City Council is not bound by the recommendation of the staff or the Planning and Zoning Board and that compassion from the City Council may be a possibility. Ms. Whitney would like to get some "feeling" from the City Council before she pays $250.00 for a variance request. Mr. Schumacher explained that granting a variance in this case would be defeating the reason for the zoning. Mayor Reinert said that he would want to hear what the Planning and Zoning Board says about the matter. Council Member Kuether suggested that Ms. Whitney appear under Open Mike at the Planning and Zoning Board to ask their opinion on the request. Ms. Wyland will ask Ms. Whitney to appear under Open Mike. PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 21, 1994 UTILITY TRACKING COMMITTEE Mayor Reinert expressed the need to "get rolling" on the gas franchise situation. He noted that there were many options to review. He suggested that a committee consisting of himself, Council Member Bergeson and Mr. Schumacher be appointed to keep this matter moving forward. Mr. Schumacher explained that issues to be addressed by this committee will be a gas franchise, MUSA expansion, street light utility and storm sewer utilities. A comprehensive look at the entire utility picture will be undertaken. This matter will be placed on the agenda for September 26, 1994. AGENDA, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 Mr. Schumacher explained that the consent agenda will not include consideration of disbursements since this item is often reviewed. The complete agenda was reviewed and set as amended. Council Member Neal noted that he has received information from Minnegasco that they are going to paint a home on Lois Lane. Minnegasco will supply the paint and the labor for the entire job. Minnegasco considers this project a community service effort. Mayor Reinert asked that a thank you letter be sent to Minnegasco when the project is completed. Council Member Neal noted that a young woman had come to City Hall asking if there was an organization in the City that would help her purchase a new hearing aid. She was referred to the Lino Lakes Lions Club who have donated a hearing aid to her. Mayor Reinert asked for an update regarding 20/20 Vision. Mr. Schumacher explained that three (3) consultants have submitted proposals and interviews will be conducted next week. He noted that one consultant is based in Colorado. A telephone conference will be held with this consultant. Mayor Reinert asked that the public forums be held next month. Mr. Schumacher explained that they will be held before Thanksgiving. The work session was adjourned at 5:55 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on October 24, 1994. PAGE 4 1 1 1 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Marilyn/ G. Anderson, Clerk -Treasurer PAGE 5 SEPTEMBER 21, 1994 Vernon F. Reinert, Mayor