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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/07/1994 Council Minutes1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES DATE : December 7, 1994 TIME STARTED : 5:10 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:00 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. INTRODUCTION OF KIM SULLIVAN, 20/20 FACILITATOR Mayor Reinert introduced Ms. Sullivan and noted that she is a resident of Lino Lakes. He explained that she will be offered the position which was to be filled by an intern. Mayor Reinert noted that two (2) candidates for the position live in Lino Lakes and are very qualified. Ms. Sullivan explained her educational and professional background. She said she was looking forward to the public forums in January and to bring the process to a successful conclusion. Mr. Schumacher said he felt that Lino Lakes is fortunate to have two (2) highly qualified professionals living in the community. SHORES OF MARSHAN TOWNHOMES, J. P. HOUCHINS Ms. Janet Lewis, 450 Forsham Lake Drive explained that she and several of her neighbors were present this evening to discuss their concerns regarding the proposed Townhomes of Marshan Lake subdivision which are to be constructed to the south of their subdivision. Their concerns related to traffic, density and loss of value of their property. The original proposal was for 250 townhome units with no direct access to Lake Drive (CSAH 23). She asked that direct access to Lake Drive be given consideration and also asked that the proposed townhome subdivision be given no direct access to their subdivision. Ms. Lewis said that her PAGE 1 4 r' COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 neighborhood would also like to see the value of each townhome unit be similar to the value of the homes in her subdivision. Ms. Lewis expressed concern regarding the proposed 250 units on a 24 acre parcel. She felt that these units should be scattered throughout the City. Ms. Lewis noted that the land is a wonderful piece of property that could support beautiful single family homes. A gentleman from the audience said that he fears that his neighborhood could become a neighborhood "on the wrong side of the tracks". .. A lady said that she felt that this is also an environmental issue since Marshan Lake is very shallow. Council Member Neal asked if the residents were told that this property is zoned R-4 for townhome construction. It was noted that some real estate agents did tell the purchasers and some did not. Mr. Jeffrey Houchins, 7484 Stagecoach Trail expressed concern because he was told that the townhomes would be "nice" construction like their homes. Mayor Reinert explained that the City Council suffers when new residents are told something this is not quite right. He noted that the value of the townhomes would be similar to the townhomes on the west side of Lake Drive. Council Member Kuether explained that those townhomes are valued similar to the single family homes bordering the townhome subdivision. Mr. Powell explained that the original townhome concept submitted by the developer has not been before the Planning and Zoning Board because of concerns raised by staff. He noted that there may be a proposal to separate the townhomes from the single family homes by a berm and he also noted that there is a proposal to provide a canoe launching area within the subdivision. A revised concept plan has not been submitted. Mr. Powell added that any access to Lake Drive from the proposed subdivision will not be easily accepted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). He explained that connecting Stage Coach Trail to Aqua Lane is a natural access. Mr. Powell noted that in the future, Stage Coach Trail may be extended through the Methodist Church property to the north. Mr. Powell said that staff is trying to eliminate most of the concerns before the preliminary plat goes to the Planning and Zoning Board. PAGE 2 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 Mr. Powell suggested that the neighborhood hold a meeting with the developer to express their concerns. Such meetings have been very successful in the past. Mr. Powell was told that the attorney for the homeowners has talked to the developers attorney, however no meetings have been held. Mayor Reinert said that the developer has purchased the land and he has the right to develop it as it is zoned. He felt that this could be a "win/win" situation for both the developer and the single family neighborhood if they would get together and discuss the concerns. A lady in the audience asked if the proposed density concerned the City Council. Mayor Reinert explained that townhome living is a lifestyle that must be recognized and made compatible with the single family lifestyle. Mr. Houchins said he did not fear the townhome lifestyle but feared that the area may be poorly designed and that the development may lessen the home values of the adjacent neighborhoods. A gentleman said that he was concerned about the access to the townhomes. Mayor Reinert explained that MnDOT has control of this matter however, it should be discussed with the developer. Mr. Houchins said he found that hard to understand. He noted that there are many private driveways on Lake Drive and there are two (2) accesses to the townhomes on the west side of Lake Drive. A lady in the audience asked if it is realistic to request that the townhome development be separated from the single family development. Mr. Powell explained that the entire townhome proposal is very preliminary and he has recommended that the developer contact MnDOT regarding access. Mr. Houchins asked what is the process for approval of the townhome development. Mayor Reinert explained and noted that final approval of the subdivision is far in the future. He said the best way to proceed on this matter is for the homeowners to contact the developer and work with him so that when the proposal goes through the process, everyone will be in agreement. Mr. Asleson explained that the concept plan was presented to the Park Board but no formal action was taken. Council Member Bergeson explained that the next concept submittal may look completely different from the original. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), JULIE PETERSON Ms. Peterson introduced herself to the City Council and explained PAGE 3 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 that she had been hired to prepare surveys and site evaluations of every municipal building in Lino Lakes. Mr. Asleson explained that originally Becky Dvorak had been hired to complete this project. However, due to personal problems she was unable to follow through. Mr. Asleson explained that Ms. Peterson is paid by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding as was Ms. Dvorak. Ms. Peterson explained that the City of Lino Lakes is required to adhere to all ADA regulations because grant dollars are used to enable the City to function. She.explained that her duties included looking at all the City buildings and determine which buildings and/or rooms require the highest public accessibility and then draft a plan to upgrade the buildings and/or rooms to meet ADA requirements. Ms. Peterson presented several documents to the City Council and described the information contained in the documents. These documents should be distributed to each department so that additional input can be obtained. Ms. Peterson explained that the final document is the transition plan which lays out items to be upgraded including the cost of the upgrading. She noted that the City Council has the opportunity to review the document and challenge any of its conclusions, if they so desire. Ms. Peterson detailed her examination of each City building including the Police Department building, Fire District building, Parks Department building and City Hall. Ms. Peterson explained that She will be back in January to discuss the documents with various department heads and make assignments so that the document can properly be used. Mayor Reinert referred to the citizen committee that was formed to assist the City in complying with ADA regulations. Mr. Asleson explained that this committee has not been active but he will be trying to re -activate it. Ms. Peterson explained that ADA requires that a citizen board be involved in the ADA compliance process. Council Member Bergeson asked if there was a deadline on this matter. Ms. Peterson explained that the national trend is that communities are lagging behind. Minnesota is very advanced in accessibility. Council Member Bergeson asked what the cost would be to implement all recommendations for this City. Ms. Peterson noted that all PAGE 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 recommendations do not have to be implemented. There are alternatives to some recommendations and there is no ADA inspector who will come and inspect the City buildings. She explained that it is Lino Lakes' choice as to what level of compliance there will be. Ms. Peterson explained that after the department heads have reviewed the documents, she will return and provide training. A public meeting will be held and then there will be a final meeting with the City Council. She anticipated that the meeting with the department heads will be in January, 1995 and the public meeting will be in February. The plan should be accepted by the City Council and certain forms such as grievance forms are then put in place. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL WASTEWATER SERVICES (MCWS) Mr. Bill Johnson and Mr. Mike Lench from MCWS were present to explain that the MCWS has calculated that the City of Lino Lakes will run out of sewer capacity in the fall of 1996. The MCWS has determined that another sewer main will have to be completed by that time. A study was made by the MCWS and it has been determined that the logical route for the new sewer main is from the lift station on Ware Road south to County Road J (Ash Street) and then west on the north side of County Road J through the Hodgson Road/County Road J intersection and then under County Road J to the south side of the street and then continue west to the interceptor on Lexington Avenue and County Road J. Mr. Johnson used the overhead projector and gave a brief history of sewer service in Lino Lakes beginning in 1976. The old Metropolitan Waste Control Commission (MWCC) worked through the 1980's and into 1990 to prepare a plan for providing additional service for Lino Lakes. The 1990 study recommended the new lift station which was installed on Ware Road. Mr. Johnson explained that the plan and route for the additional sewer main has been sent to various agencies for their approval. Both Ramsey County and Anoka County asked that alternate routes be pursued. The MCWS prepared information on alternate routes and outlined the routes for City Council review. All other alternate routes were eliminated because of problems, leaving the route outlined above. Mr. Powell explained that the sewer main will be a force main and there should be only a narrow area of disturbance. Mayor Reinert explained that there is anti-government sentiment in this portion of the City. Both Anoka County and Ramsey County spent thousands of dollars upgrading the roadway in 1993 and now PAGE 5 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 MCWS is proposing to disturb these residents again. said that the paved roadway will not be disturbed. trail on the south side of the road may be disturbed. At this time it is planned to use techniques that will not disturb the trail either. Mr. Johnson However a Mayor Reinert asked if the low area on the south side of County Road J can be used for the new sewer main. Mr. Johnson said yes, the construction for the new roadway was extended beyond the paved area providing a stable base for placement of the sewer main. Mr. Lench explained that the proposed site for the new sewer main is the most logical and MCWS will have to take a "brow beating" concerning why this was not done two (2) or three (3) years ago. Mayor Reinert noted that about seven (7) Lino Lakes residents will be impacted by the construction and they will not be happy. Council Member Neal asked that a sign be placed in the area describing the nature of the work and letting the public know who is doing the work. If residents do not understand who is doing the work, the City Council will "take the heat" for the disturbance. Mayor Reinert strongly suggested that the MCWS hold neighborhood meetings to let the residents know what is happening. Mr. Johnson said that the MCWS has held similar meetings in the past and although the residents are not happy about the construction, they understand the need for the improvement. Further details will be available at these meetings. Mr. Johnson explained that the final route will be selected by the end of December or early January, 1995. He said he felt that the neighborhood meetings will be held in late January or early February. Council Member Bergeson asked if driveways would be disturbed. Mr. Johnson said they would be torn up and reconstructed to their present condition. Mayor Reinert asked that the neighborhood be made fully aware that the roadway will not be torn up. Council Member Neal said that this project makes the MCWS look stupid. Mr. Johnson said it would have been nice to coordinate the project. He noted that this improvement will provide capacity for Lino Lakes for 60 to 80 years. Mr. Schumacher asked what the early sewer plans were for Lino Lakes. Mr. Lench explained that it was always planned that outlets for both Lino Lakes and Centerville would to the west to the Lexington interceptor. PAGE 6 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 Mayor Reinert asked that the MCWS stay in close contact with the City Engineer. The City Engineer will keep the City Council updated on this matter. BIRCH STREET/HODGSON ROAD INTERSECTION Mr. Powell explained that he started receiving letters regarding this intersection at the end of November, 1994. The letters urge installation of a three-way stop sign at the intersection. Mr. Powell said he has discussed this intersection with Police Chief Pecchia and the Anoka County Highway Department is aware of the concern. This intersection is not high on the Anoka County priority funding list. Mr. Powell will send copies of the letters to the Anoka County Highway Department to make the concerns of the Lino Lakes residents known. Mr. Powell will also draft a resolution for Council action on December 19, 1994. He noted that nothing is free and if Anoka County moves forward on this request, they will be looking at sharing the cost with the City. CONSIDERATION OF CHANGING THE JOB CLASSIFICATION FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY, BRIAN WESSEL Mr. Wessel explained he proposed that his 1995 Budget request remain at the same dollar amount as in 1994. However, he had proposed upgrading the part-time secretarial position to full- time Economic Development Assistant. Mr. Wessel proposed that since the department needs are different, the dollars that were spent in 1994 for promotion and promotion materials now be allocated to the full-time position. Council Member Kuether asked why this change was not reviewed and approved at the time the secretarial position was made full-time. Mr. Wessel said that this was his intention but apparently he was not explicit enough about the job description. He explained the need for a representative in the role of developing and evaluating prospects and to assist him during negotiations with the prospect. Mr. Wessel explained that people are now becoming aware of Lino Lakes and he proposed to find the leads and then the assistant would research the leads. Mr. Wessel further explained that the current secretary has a Bachelor of Arts Degree and is attending classes for her Masters Degree. She is the logical person for the position since she already is working in this area. Mayor Reinert asked Mr. Wessel what impact would this promotion have on his budget. Mr. Wessel said he assumed the dollars were in the budget since he had asked that the dollar amount of his budget remain at the 1994 level. Mr. Schumacher explained that the Economic Development budget contains funding for a full-time PAGE 7 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 secretarial position. Additional dollars would be needed to upgrade the position. Mr. Wessel said he understood that the upgraded position was already reflected in the budget. Council Member Bergeson asked if the additional dollars could come from the Salary Reserve Fund. Mr. Schumacher said yes, however, the Lino Lakes Management Association (LLMA) contract has not been settled. Mayor Reinert said he did not have a problem with the proposal providing the dollars are available to cover the salary. Council Member Neal referred to the Community Service Officer (CSO) and said if the Economic Development position can be upgraded, then why can't the CSO position be upgraded. Mayor Reinert explained that if the position is reclassified and a salary range is established for the new position, and if the person taking the new position is paid below the established salary range, then there will be an adjustment. Council Member Bergeson explained that when the 1995 Budget was discussed at Tautges, Redpath and Company, LTD., Mr. Wessel explained how he planned to reduce the promotional dollars and increase staff salaries. He recommended that enough dollars be moved to personnel so that the support staff could be full-time and increase the level of responsibility. He asked that this be researched in the minutes. Mr. Wessel explained that he felt he had explained the situation thoroughly at that time. He said he did not want to lose the present person and if the Council approves using her as he had just outlined, then he was sure that the current staff person would stay. Mayor Reinert asked Mr. Wessel to consult with the Assistant to the City Administrator and the Administrator and bring a proposal to the next work session. Mr. Wessel explained that he has already talked to the current support person, outlining her new duties and proposing a salary of $30,000.00 by midyear. Mr. Wessel noted that this person has other options. He also noted that she is well qualified for the new responsibilities and he would not want to lose her. ORGANIZED COLLECTION, JACKIE CONSTANT Ms. Constant explained that she is seeking the thoughts of the City Council regarding where the City should go from this point regarding organized collection. She noted that if the City Council is interested in going to organized collection, the process will take about 10 months to implement. Mayor Reinert felt that the City should be looking at organized PAGE 8 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 collection and noted that some of the haulers have contacted him and expressed an interest in cooperating with the City on this matter. Council Member Elliott felt that this could be an issue pursued during the 20/20 discussions. She noted that some residents have strong feelings on this matter. Council Member Bergeson asked if organized collection meant organizing the haulers or the City actually taking over collecting rubbish? Mr. Schumacher asked if other cities in this area have organized collection. Mayor Reinert asked that this matter be put on hold until it could be discussed as part of the 20/20 program. Mr. Powell noted that from an engineering standpoint, he could provide support for organized collection by documenting damage to roadway surfaces. Ms. Constant explained that the current system of licensing haulers and restricting the licenses to five (5) is going very well. At this time recycling is not offered to residents in the Wenzel Farms town homes. She is working to rectify the matter. ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS Ms. Anderson explained that an ad has been placed in the local newspaper requesting applications for the Park Board, Planning and Zoning Board and the Circle Pines Utility Commission. Council Member Bergeson asked if a short questionnaire could be prepared for each applicant. He noted that all candidates should be evaluated on the same basis and a questionnaire would refine the process. Mayor Reinert suggested that nothing be done until it is determined how many applications are received. Mr. Schumacher asked if the Council would be interested in a grading system. Council Member Bergeson said that he would not want someone eliminated because the Council was confused on an issue. The matter will be brought to the first work session in January. DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (DMH) Mayor Reinert explained that the Lino Lakes City Council remained neutral during the negotiations regarding the future of DMH. Now an advisory board has been established and there is no Lino Lakes representation on this board. He felt this situation was unfair since Lino Lakes has about 13,000 residents and contributes about $90,000.00 a year to the hospital district. Mayor Reinert has spoken to Mr. Dick Howard about the matter. Although Mr. Howard PAGE 9 4 4 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 assured him that a site for a new hospital has not been selected, Mayor Reinert asked if the City Council would meet with people from the hospital district to express dissatisfaction with the selection of the new board. Mayor Reinert noted that several Lino Lakes residents sent letters requesting appointment to the board, but none were appointed. Mayor Reinert felt that this matter was extremely important to Lino Lakes. He felt if the City cannot be represented on the board, then maybe the City should not be part of the hospital district. Council Member Bergeson asked if Lino Lakes could become a part of another hospital district. Mayor Reinert explained that state legislation would be needed to switch. Mayor Reinert will set a meeting with representatives from the hospital district and Mr. Schumacher will coordinate the meeting. SENIOR HOUSING Mr. Schumacher has received notification that tax credit allocation was received for 48 senior housing units. The developer of the senior housing proposal was required to provide additional information so that he could carry over his tax credit allocation. The information was submitted and the developer is in the process of making his financing work because interest rates have increased. The City has supplied all of the information the developer has requested for his request to carry over his tax credit allocation. Council Member Bergeson asked if the City subsidy is tied to a certain number of housing units. Mr. Schumacher explained that the original subsidy was at the rate of a single family home. The developer will not get the same subsidy he would have received if he developed 96 housing units. Mr. Schumacher explained that the exact subsidy will be formalized in the development agreement. AGENDA, DECEMBER 12, 1994 Mr. Schumacher reviewed the entire proposed agenda. Mr. Asleson explained that Living Waters Lutheran Church is requesting that the City review their park dedication requirement. He researched how other communities handle this matter and noted that some communities do not require park dedication from churches, other do. Council Member Bergeson referred to the trail that goes around a holding pond and comes very close to a residence. He asked if the trail could be moved to the other side of the pond. Mr. PAGE 10 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 7, 1994 Asleson said he would discuss this matter with the Church. Mr. Asleson will be presenting another park dedication proposal from the Church. Mr. Schumacher explained that he had just received word from Chief Pecchia that a small child had been hit by a car on Main Street west of City Hall. The child had been throwing snowballs. A squad car had observed the child throwing snowballs and made a "U" turn to approach the child. The child ran across the street and was hit by another car. Mayor Reinert asked that the matter be investigated. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular City Council meeting held on January 23, 1995. _ 1 /— Tl.CLZe iii MarilynlG. Anderson, Vernon F. Reinert, Clerk -Treasurer Mayor PAGE 11