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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/14/1994 Council MinutesCOUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 14, 1994 DATE December 14, 1994 TIME STARTED 6:00 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:35 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Reinert, Neal, Kuether, Elliott,! Bergeson MEMBERS ABSENT None Staff members present: Acting City Engineer, John Powell, Community Development Director, Brian Wessel; Parks and Recreation Director, Marty Asleson, City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk -Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. 20/20 VISION UPDATE, KIM SULLIVAN Ms. Sullivan briefly reviewed her role as facilitator for the 20/20 Vision project. Her role will be the overall facilitator bringing citizens and businesses together to discuss the future of the City and prepare a document outlining a plan for the City. Ms. Sullivan briefly reviewed the work that she has completed this week. She is in the process of reviewing how other cities have prepared their "vision" documents. After all interviews have been completed and "vision" committees have completed their work, she will prepare the final documents and put together action items for the City Council to review. Ms. Sullivan said that she is enjoying the project. After the first of the year, a mailing will be prepared to City residents inviting them to participate in forums which are tentatively scheduled for late January. Council Member Bergeson explained that he is concerned because Ms. Sullivan is a City resident. It was his recollection that when the 20/20 Vision project was initiated, the Council had decided that no City resident including the City Council and City Boards and Commission would participate in the project so that there would be no possible bias. Council Member Bergeson said that he is not questioning Ms. Sullivan's work or credentials, however he felt that the matter should be discussed before any additional work is started. 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 14, 1994 Council Member Elliott said she has no problem since Ms. Sullivan is working within a frame that she has established. Council Member Kuether said that she would like to discuss the matter because she did not want the process "tainted". Mayor Reinert asked Council Member Kuether what would she suggest? He noted that the original plan was to hire an intern who would probably be in school. However, Ms. Sullivan and one other City resident responded to the ad. Both persons were very qualified to perform the work. He asked should a person in school without experience be hired when someone with experience and wonderful credentials applied for the position? Mayor Reinert said that he did not remember that it was stated that a facilitator who was a resident of Lino.Lakes would not be eligible for the position. Council Member Bergeson explained that he is not concerned that Ms. Sullivan would "taint" the issue. However, he felt that she could be perceived as already having a position because she lives in the City. Mayor Reinert said that he wanted 20/20 to be a "peoples program" and if it failed he would take the entire blame. However, if the program was successful, all of the City Council could take credit. Ms. Sullivan defined "facilitator". Council Member Bergeson felt that there is the possibility that someone in the community could say that since Ms. Sullivan lives in a new development, she would be pro -development. He suggested that City sewer services could be another issue. Since Ms. Sullivan lives in an area served by municipal services, she could be perceived as biased and believes that all of Lino Lakes should have such services. Mayor Reinert suggested that type of logic could also extend to a facilitator who lived in Duluth or Princeton and loved to hunt. That person could be against restricted hunting. Council Member Kuether asked how it could be proved that Ms. Sullivan is unbiased. Council Member Elliott asked how it could be proved that anyone is unbiased. Mrs. Scharpen who was in the audience explained that she had asked Mayor Reinert if Ms. Sullivan could be unbiased. Mayor Reinert said that he expected each Council Member to be unbiased and support issues that are good for the entire community, not just one area. Council Member Kuether felt that Ms. Sullivan is a professional and should not be discriminated against because she lives in the City. Mayor Reinert said he was open to any suggestion that would make the 20/20 project successful. Council Member Kuether said that she would suggest that the City hire a 1`) COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 14, 1994 facilitator that isnot a resident of Lino Lakes. Council Member Neal felt that the facilitiator should be a resident of the City since residents pay the bills. Council Member Elliott said she felt the 20/20 program would really be tainted if the Council decided to start the process over and delay the matter. The City Council would be seen as stalling or never getting the process completed. Council Member Neal noted that the City of Blaine is watching this 20/20 program and will try the same process if Lino Lakes is successful. Mayor Reinert said he did not see how Ms. Sullivan could steer anything anywhere. He felt a facilitator does not use their own thoughts, they reach out and bring in thoughts. Ms. Sullivan said that she plans to live in Lino Lakes a long time and wanted to see that the project was successful. Council Member Bergeson expressed concern that the Council has not communicated to the other Boards and Commissions that they should also stay out of the 20/20 process. He hoped that they would not come in with the own agendas and try to steer the process. Mayor Reinert said that they should only respond as resource persons. Mayor Reinert suggested that the 20/20 program may be misunderstood and asked each Council Member to write down their ideas of what the outcome should be. Council Member Bergeson expressed concern that persons with only negative ideas or suggestions would participate when the actual process is to determine in what direction the City should be going. Council Member Kuether said she felt that the project was a great idea and should make the work of the City Council easier. Mr. Schumacher explained that the introduction of Kim Sullivan, 20/20 Facilitator will be on the agenda for Monday evening. Mayor Reinert asked that the City Council continue this project with a positive attitude. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF DISCUSSION, BRIAN WESSEL Mr. Wessel explained that he is in the process of preparing an annual update for the City Administrator. He noted that UDOR, Inc. is now located in the Apollo Business Park and is making plans to add another building and build a park. The Glenn Rehbein building is occupied by a business that makes parts for the Saturn car. They are a metal fabricator leasing the building at present with option to buy. Mr. Wessel said that he would like to see them relocate in the Apollo Business Park. The future looks very busy. A business is making a decision tonight regarding their new location and Lino Lakes is one of their options. There are 12 solid projects for 1995 as well as 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 14, 1994 continuing the process with the land exchange with Anoka County Parks Department. Mr. Wessel explained that he was under the impression that the support position was settled. On October 25, 1994 he had met with the City Council in a budget work session and outlined his budget needs for 1995. At that time he explained that his budget was not increasing, however, he was reducing the dollars committed to promotion and advertising and putting those dollars into salaries. He had outlined the need to make the part-time support position full-time and reclassify the position to an Administrative Assistant position. Mr. Wessel explained that with the current momentum, there is a need to have a person on staff full-time to do the upfront work such as research and discovery and other duties to keep in constant contact with prospective new businesses. Although this position has been changed to full-time in the 1995 budget, the position has not been upgraded and reclassified. In addition, his budget has been reduced by nearly $5,000.00 from what he had originally requested. Mr. Wessel explained that the two (2) options are either to proceed with a full-time secretary position only or reclassify the position. He felt that it would be more effective to go with the second option and reclassify the position. If the position is not reclassified and the wage scale increased, the City will have to hire a new secretary. Council Member Kuether asked how his budget was cut. Mr. Wessel explained that the position was classified as secretarial and not reclassified. Council Member Bergeson explained that Mr. Wessel did present this situation to the City Council, however his request was not reflected in the 1995 budget. He felt that the City Council should take action on this request. Council Member Elliott asked where the dollars would come from to support the reclassification. Mr. Schumacher explained that the amount is approximately $3,500.00, which is not significant. Council Member Elliott asked what would be the consequence if the City did not reclassify the position and hired another secretary. Mr. Wessel said that with the current momentum, he needed a person with her experience and background. Council Member Kuether asked if this position is upgraded, will additional secretarial staff be needed. Mr. Wessel said no, he is viewing this as a "reshuffle" of the former budget. Council Member Neal asked how many secretaries are there at the same level as this person. Mr. Schumacher explained three (3) 21 2Z COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 14, 1994 including this person. Council Member Neal said he would probably vote against Mr. Wessel's request because if her salary is increased, the other two (2) secretaries salary should also be increased. Mr. Wessel explained that not only would the title be changed, but additional professional duties would be added to the position. Council Member Neal asked if the current staff person is trained for the additional duties. Mr. Wessel said yes this person has a Bachelors Degree and is studying for her Masters Degree. Council Member Neal asked if the City is paying her tuition. Mr. Wessel said no, the budget could not afford to pay her tuition. Mayor Reinert said he would encourage all employees to get better training. This request is to take the secretarial position and rewrite the position and re -assign it to a higher level. Council Member Neal said he felt that the current secretary should not be promoted until she gets her degree. Mr. Wessel said she already has her degree and 18 months of experience. She is working on her graduate degree. Mayor Reinert asked that the job description for the upgraded position and the salary request be placed on the agenda for Monday. Council Member Neal asked when this action is completed, will he see any difference when he walks into city hall. Mr. Schumacher explained that the position involves discovery and research. Mr. Wessel outlined additional responsibilities of the position. Council Member Neal said that the City Council just went through salary negotiations and did not want to do this again for this position. Mayor Reinert noted that staff persons get paid according to their level of qualifications, responsibilities and performance. Council Member Neal asked what are Michael's responsibilities. Mr. Schumacher explained that he works with Mr. Powell and does the inspections on improvement projects. Currently he is developing the maps needed for negotiations with the Metropolitan Council regarding MUSA expansion and will be involved with the pavement management project. Council Member Neal felt that the public has no idea what some employees do. He suggested that they be profiled in the newsletter. THERAPEUTIC RECREATION DISCUSSION, MARTY ASLESON Mr. Asleson updated the City Council regarding the current status of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) noting that the Ms. Dvorak is no longer working with the City in its effort to comply with the requirements of ADA. Originally Mr. Asleson had written the grant with parks and recreation specifically in mind. Ms. Dvorak's role was to work with residents of the community to develop programs specifically oriented to the disabled citizens of Lino Lakes. For personal reasons, Ms. Dvorak was unable to complete the work. The 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 14, 1994 programs are not completed and Mr. Asleson requested authority to hire a replacement for Ms. Dvorak to keep the momentum going and use the remaining funds to pay the salary. Mr. Asleson also noted that many communities are joining together in a consortium to plan and implement the programs mandated by ADA. He explained that several entities have expressed interest in joining with Lino Lakes to prepare and implement a program for the area. Mr. Schumacher asked if it would be possible to get a preliminary commitment from the other entities before committing additional resources toward the project. He suggested that Mr. Asleson ask these entities to adopt a resolution saying that they are willing to look into a program. Council Member Elliott explained that dollars do remain from the previous grant period. Mr. Asleson is asking that a person be hired to step in and continue what has been started. Council Member Bergeson asked Mr. Asleson if he was suggesting that a joint employee be hired at this time. Mr. Asleson said yes and noted that this person could be the coordinator in getting the consortium off the ground. This person could develop a resolution to be adopted by all the agencies that wanted to participate. Mr. Schumacher explained that the City Council did not have to worry about losing the funds already designated for this project and said he felt he would be more interested in how many other agencies are willing to adopt a resolution of participation. Mr. Asleson was asked to bring a resolution to the regular Council meeting on December 19, 1994. He was also asked to find out if this joint venture would impact the City's insurance. It was also suggested to contact the City of Shoreview and find out how they have proceeded regarding the ADA mandates. BALD EAGLE ICE FISHING REGULATIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER KUETHER Council Member Kuether explained that the final meeting of the group that was formed to find a solution to the pollution on Bald Eagle Lake by ice fishermen will be held on Thursday evening. A resolution is being drafted for affected entities to adopt agreeing to negotiate a contract with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department for patrol on the lake during the ice fishing season. The total cost of the contract will not exceed $5,000.00 and Lino Lakes will be asked to pay $1,000.00 of the cost. Council Member Kuether was asked to find out how the costs were allocated and how fines will be applied to the costs. 24 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 14, 1994 The resolution will be placed on the agenda for Monday evening. AGENDA, MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1994 The regular agenda was reviewed. Mr. Powell explained that he will be bringing a resolution before the City Council supporting placement of a traffic control device at the intersection of Highway 49 (Hodgson Road) and Birch Street (County Road 10). The resolution is in response to letters from the public and concerns raised at the Ware Road neighborhood meeting. Mr. Schumacher explained that a request for extending the 1993/1994 Community Development Block Grant for ACCAP will be on the agenda. This organization has not spent all of the funding allocated to them by the City Council. Mr. Schumacher explained that an ordinance is being prepared to amend the City Code eliminating the requirement for individual surety bonds and providing for the purchase of a blanket surety bond. The blanket bond will cover all employees that are required to be bonded. Mr. Schumacher noted that the legislature recently enacted legislation that covers this matter. Council Member Bergeson explained that this action will eliminate the possibility of not providing the surety coverage for a newly hired employee. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular Council meeting held on January 9, 1994. Marilyn G. Anderson, Clerk -Treasurer Vernon F. Reinert, Mayor 1 1 1