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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/04/1996 Council Minutes• • • COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE September 4, 1996 TIME STARTED • 5:00 p.m. TIME ENDED 8:07 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT • Council Members Bergeson, Lyden, Neal and Mayor Landers MEMBERS ABSENT • Council Member Kuether Staff members present: City Administrator, Randy Schumacher; Assistant to the City Administrator, Dan Tesch; Community Development Director, Brian Wessel; Finance Director, Mary Vaske; Community Development Coordinator, Mary Alice Divine; Planning Consultant, Alan Brixius, NAC; Chief of Police, David Pecchia; Parks and Recreation Director, Marty Asleson; Planning Coordinator, Mary Kay Wyland and Clerk - Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. MAYOR'S COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD, MAY Mayor Landers asked Ms. Fran Kurk, a resident me to prepare criteria for the Mayor's Service Aw establishing a nominations committee. Counc Ms. Kurk to contact the League of Cit. about such awards. Council also s nominations committee. Waste Committee, s suggestions included d these suggestions and asked f they have other helpful ideas persons to be a part of the Council continued to di s ter. Staff was directed to contact a number of people to see if they wou in ted in becoming a part of the nominations committee. Ms. Kurk will keep ncil updated on this matter. CABLE COMMISSION ISSUES, DAN TESCH A. Transfer - At the Council meeting on Monday, Council will be asked to approve two (2) transfers. The Cable Commission's attorney will draft resolutions. B. Equipment - Mr. Tesch has an appointment to meet with Alpha Video to obtain quotations for new video equipment. He was directed to prepare a list of needed video equipment for Council to consider. C. Internet - Council will be involved in taking over the public access cable channel. The cable company will provide studios and equipment for member cities to use to prepare their own cable presentations. Currently, only a few member cities use the facilities. The Cable Commission is thinking that more cities will use the PAGE 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 facility if there is Internet accessibility. Currently many smaller cities cannot afford to develop their own web sites. The Cable Commission is looking at this issue. The Cable Commission is trying to determine the cost of establishing web sites. Although there is no money in the 1997 budget for a Lino Lakes web site, staff has determined that dollars would be shifted in the budget if establishing a Lino Lakes web site becomes possible. Council will be asked to approve the transfer of ownership at the regular Council meeting on September 9th. JOB RECLASSIFICATIONS, DAN TESCH The Council was given a handout regarding the classification of two (2) secretaries who are now performing the duties of office manager. The added responsibilities mean that a salary adjustment is warranted. The proposed salary adjustment wi ct the Pay Equity Plan and would be effective retroactive to January 1, 19 Included in the handout was a proposed salary adjustmen o ' : ing Inspector. This adjustment also will not affect the Pay Equity Plan s be . tive January 1, 1996. Council noted that although the job values fo equal, the salaries were very dispropo seminar shortly and further salary e three (3) positions are nearly 1 be attending a job classification ons will be brought to the Council. Council expressed dissati o the `- ntire Pay Equity Plan. Staff explained that additional steps should . . t e Plan. Staff will bring rec '' ns for revision of the Pay Equity Plan to Council at a future work session The reclassification of the three (3) employees mentioned about is on the agenda for Monday evening. HARASSMENT VIDEO, DAN TESCH A 20 -minute video regarding harassment in the work place has been reviewed by all of the staff. The video is available for Council viewing. UTILITY BILLINGS, COUNCIL MEMBER NEAL Council Member Neal suggested sending out the sewer and water utility bills on a monthly or bi-monthly basis rather than the current quarterly basis. He noted that the quarterly bills are too large for some customers. PAGE 2 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 • Council suggested that since a utility rate study is in process, a cost estimate for changing the utility billing system to a monthly system could also be studied. ZONING ORDINANCE REVIEW, AL BRIXIUS/MARY KAY WYLAND A draft revision of the Zoning Ordinance was given to the Council. Staff has been in the process of revising the current Zoning Ordinance for more than a year. Council was asked to review the draft and give their comments, questions and suggestions to Ms. Wyland. Staff presented a summary of the revisions noting that the format has been changed to make the document more "user friendly". The Economic Development Authority Advisory Board has reviewed the draft and has made some recommendations regarding building types. Staff noted that there is a lot of interest in "mother-in-law" apartments and asked Council if they wanted to consider this type of housing. Council asked that cluster housing be researched. Mr. Brixi ' ' i ouncil information regarding the Marine -on -the St. Croix cluste o ► g lex. Mr. Brixius also noted that cluster housing could be constructed . y using the Planned Development Overlay (PDO) process. Counci e.' if staff is proposing something new such as cluster housing, it sho be the zoning ordinance along with regulations for that type of zoning. Staff was directed to see that ber uether receives all the information that was presented this evenin WELLNESS PR AFETY COMMITTEE, CHIEF PECCHIA The Council was gi a andout outlining the 1996 Safety Committee goals. The goals, including a citywide saster drill, which will be held at the Correctional Facility on October 10th through October 12th, were reviewed by staff. Another goal proposed by the Safety Committee is the establishment of a Wellness Program. A Wellness Program reflects that the City is interested in the health and wellness of its employees and wants to reduce illness, medical insurance costs and accidents and stress in the workplace. A side benefit to the program is that healthy employees have fewer accidents thereby reducing the cost of worker's compensation. Staff is currently researching Wellness Programs used by other cities. If Council is interested in further pursuit of a Wellness Program, a resolution establishing an Employee Wellness Program Committee will be presented to the Council on Monday evening. PAGE 3 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 The Safety Committee will be meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the reaction of the Council to this proposal. If the reaction is positive, the Safety Committee will establish bylaws for the committee. Council noted that this Program, as outlined,'is intended to be voluntary. Normally younger employees are more interested in such programs. Council asked how the entire staff could be encouraged to participate. Chief Pecchia explained that participation would depend on the incentives offered to them. Council directed staff to prepare costs for implementing the proposed Program and bring this information to the next work session. BUDGET ISSUES, RANDY SCHUMACHER Council was given a 1997 Budget packet. The packet contain the following: 1. 1996 Budget Adjustment 2. 1997 Expenditure Detail 3. 1997 New Requests 4. 1997 Council Discussion Items 5. Net Tax Capacity Calculation 6. Property Tax Comparisons 7. 1997 Revenue Detail 8. Truth in Taxation Calendar Staff outlined the 1996 Budge :, - Threwill be approximately $80,620 in excess revenue for 1996. • ed u ng a portion of the excess revenue to purchase some items that are incl . _ ' •! the ' 97 proposed budget. A $15,000 excess revenue balance would be ne • " ' ms to be purchased include a mini -van for the Community Development Dep • years lease on Ford tractor and a 4/4 pickup truck with a V -plow. Staff outlined the 1997 General Fund Budget. The proposed budget includes a $50,000 reserve. It is a balanced budget with no proposed increase in property taxes. The 1997 General Fund proposed budget will be presented to Council on Monday evening. Council will be asked to adopt the proposed budget and proposed tax levy. Further detail of the budget will be given to Council during the next three (3) months. Council Member Kuether has talked to staff about several of her concerns. One concern involves the employee computer program. She also suggested using Community Development Block Grant funds for ADA upgrades at city hall. Council Member Kuether further suggested that the fax machine at the Police Department building be replaced. PAGE 4 • • COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 Council Member Lyden and Council Member Bergeson expressed concern regarding establishing a road reconstruction fund as suggested by the Charter Commission. However, it appears that there are not enough funds that could be cut out of the 1997 Budget to make an impact on a road reconstruction fund. Council Member Lyden and Council Member Bergeson noted that they would support a small increase (1/2 to 1%) in the levy provided the money would be designated for a road reconstruction fund. Staff was directed to contact the three (3) school districts and Anoka County to determine whether they expect to increase their levies. Council Discussion Items - 1. Bank Bids - The City Auditor is preparing a program for direct deposit by the City. Since it appears that a new bank will be locating in L. R staff suggested that the City wait a year before establishing r ep r t program. 2. Environmental Committee - $2,500 has been incl a9 7 Budget to fund start-up costs for this committee. 3. Septic System Replacement Fundin - `taff s gested that criteria be established for improvements on private p • suggested that the Area and Unit Fund be used to fund these s and then repaid by assessing the benefited property. 4. 4th of July Para i'f s ested that Earth Day activities be expanded rather than establ' g . citywide event. 5. Bald Eagle 1trol - Funding for this program was eliminated from the 1997 Budget since appears that the Lino Lakes residents do not benefit from the program. 6. Defibrillator Purchase for Police Department - The initial cost for this program would be $11,400 and on-going costs would be approximately $1,120 per year. 7. City Council Salary Adjustment - Staff conducted a Council salary survey of similar cities. A copy of the survey was given to Council for their review. 8. Vehicle Color - Council Member Kuether has asked that larger letters identifying the City be placed on all City vehicles. She has also asked that all new vehicles be painted the same color. This may be difficult since vehicles are purchased at various times of the year. PAGE 5 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 A resolution adopting the 1997 Proposed General Fund Levy and the proposed 1997 Budget will be on the Council agenda for Monday evening. CITY AUCTION, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1996, 4:21 P.M., RANDY SCHUMACHER An auction of excess City items is tentatively set for the date mentioned above. Surrounding cities have been contacted to see if they have items that they wish to sell. The auctioneer and the City will advertise the auction. A list of items to be auctioned will be prepared tomorrow. Council will be given a copy of that list. ANOKA COUNTY CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, RANDY SCHUMACHER Staff requested Council direction regarding preparation of a letter of support for this conference. Staff will draft the letter and Council will review it at their me : '�, + ay evening. AGENDA, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9,1996 Agenda Item No. 3A. - EDAAB is recomme to this committee. The proposal is to Jeffrey -Schwartz to the EDA 2) more members be added . Dean Tollefson and Ms. Julie Agenda Item No. 3B. - Theg fo a $220,000 grant from the Livable Communities pro : - n s req ' esting Council approval to apply for the grant. Agenda Item No. - •: lue Yonder Balloon Company contract will be expiring. Staff is rec • 'fes • i that the contract be renewed. Agenda Item No. 3 ► '- Council was given the latest revision of the Interim MUSA reserve criteria. Council discussed how to balance the residential and commercial/industrial development. Council Member Lyden suggested that residential development should be halted until a balance was achieved between commercial development and residential development. Staff explained that development cannot be halted, however, it can be controlled. Council Member Lyden stated that this issue is of "imperative" importance to him. He suggested that any designation of MUSA should be done after a notice of a public hearing is mailed to all residents in that specific area and a public hearing is held. Mayor Landers requested that Council Member Lyden prepare a list of his ideas and bring them to the Council meeting. PAGE 6 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 • CLOSED MEETING, RANDY SCHUMACHER A closed Council meeting was set for Monday, September 9, 1996, 6:00 p.m. to consider a letter of reprimand for a City employee. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a gular Council meeting on November 22, 1999. Ma.11aY l n G. Anderson, Clerk -Treasurer 11/24/99 • • • S ' llivan, Mayor PAGE 7