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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/1998 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 3,1998 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES DATE : June 3,1998 TIME STARTED : 4:57 p.m. TIME ENDED : 9:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Members Bergeson, Dahl, Lyden, Neal, Mayor Sullivan MEMBERS ABSENT : None Staff members present: Community Development Director, Brian Wessel, Consulting Engineer, John Powell; Planning Coordinator, Mary Kay Wyland; Consulting Planner, Al Brixius; City Engineer, Dave Ahrens; Building Official, Pete Kluegel; Assistant to the City Administrator, Dan Tesch; Parks and Recreation Director, Rick DeGardner; Environment Coordinator, Marty Asieson; Finance Director, Mary Vaske, Administrative Secretary, Jean Viger and Clerk -Treasurer Marilyn Anderson COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN UPDATE Mayor Sullivan noted that the purpose of this meeting and the next meeting on June 15th is to review the Plan, come to a consensus about the various elements and then make a commitment to the Plan. Al Brixius update the City Council regarding the status of the Comp Plan and answer questions that the City Council had. He noted that the Plan is a 10 year development plan. Al presented a packet of information regarding the draft Plan to each Council Member. He noted the packet contained the draft of the first chapters. Discussion of the land use category and specific descriptions of various planning districts will be discussed at the June 25, 1998 meeting. Al began his review of the draft Plan presented tonight. He discussed the development policy statement, the greenways which will be both public and private, the growth management element and noted that he has been asked to revisit forest areas. Chris asked Al to prepare a map of the current zoning districts and then prepare an overlay of what is being proposed in the new Plan. Al said he would try to do this. Chris explained that he had serious reservations about the proposed Comp Plan, however it has come a long way. He said he wanted to be part of the answer. Chris asked for Council permission to share with Al and discuss in detail his concerns. Kim said that she PAGE 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 3,1998 hoped all Council Members would do the same. Chris said his concerns involve growth, the MUSA bank and regulations. Kim asked Chris what it would take to convince him that the Plan represents what the people of Lino Lakes want. Chris said that he did not want mediocrity and wanted to preserve the present uniqueness in Lino Lakes. Kim explained that Chris needed to recognize what other people want and feel. She asked if he felt that the proposed Plan represents what the general citizen wants? Chris said no. Kim explained that the Council should make sure that the Plan follows what the Quality of Life survey generally outlined. She felt that the proposed draft follows what the 20/20 Vision project and Quality of Life survey asked for. Andy explained that one of his concerns is the senior citizen. He did not want to see low income rent properties in areas where senior citizens might live. He felt that this combination would leave the senior citizen feeling unsafe. Al will talk to Andy about this concern. John explained that the City Council had delegated the task of revising the Comp Plan to a group of citizens. He felt this group is a fair representation of the community. He said he would depend upon this group to process and prepare the Plan. John noted that this is primarily a land use plan and regulates what type of activities are going to happen in what part of town. He felt this group's main purpose was to determine land use and hoped they would keep the "big picture" in mind. John challenged Chris to identify areas of the Plan that he did not agree with and get on with the task of completing the Plan. Caroline, a member of the Comp Plan Task Force, explained that she had voted for low growth. Since this was not the consensus of the group, she is working to keep an open mind. She is committed to the Plan but believes more commercial growth has to occur faster than outlined in the Plan. Caroline also noted her support of cluster development and she wants to protect the rural areas. She explained that Brooklyn Park has prepared a map that any citizen can view to see what is planned for their area of the city. She hoped such a map could be prepared for Lino Lakes. Kim explained that the Council must make sure to keep on track and listen to what the other Task Force members have to say. She asked Council to take the draft Plan home and review it. The Plan will be brought back to the next work session. John said he knows of some changes in the property tax structure but is not sure he understands what the new structure is. Jamie Schaps, Planning and Zoning Chairman, said he felt it was unfair for any Council Member to make comments on the Plan until they have studied it. He felt that this is what the community has asked for and there has never been any attempt to keep anyone out of the process. Jamie said that if there are people out there who have further input, they should come forward now. A lot of work and a lot of meetings have been devoted to this PAGE 2 • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 3,1998 document. Jamie also noted that the Plan is just a land use tool, it is not a development plan. Don Dunn, Planning and Zoning Board & Charter Commission member felt it is difficult to summarize a document like this. He explained 100's of hours have been devoted to the drafting the Plan and said he firmly believes that this is what the citizens want. Did it answer everyone's need? No, it should operate on the basis of what's good for the community. Quality of life encompasses many things and means different things to different people. Don asked if the Plan goes a long way in recognizing the future of Lino Lakes? Yes, the Plan outlines the framework to manage the City. The Task Force looked for a balance and put aside their personal goals and wants to be as objective as possible. Don noted that once the Plan is adopted by the City Council, more work is needed to revise the City Ordinances and Policies. Chris explained that he heard a comment about increasing the population to meet the Met Council's forecasts. Chris was told that the Met Council's forecasts were never a part of the consideration of this Plan. Chris again said that the Citizens Survey said that the community wanted low growth. Kim told Chris that the Plan is a consensus and he should be a part of this consensus. Mike Trehus, Charter Commission and Planning and Zoning Board member explained that he had sent a memo to Kim regarding growth. He disagrees that all issues have been addressed. Kim asked Mike to prepare a presentation regarding what his thoughts are about the Plan. Paul Montain, Park Board member and Charter Commission Chairman said his opinion is that the City should have moderate to fast growth. He also noted that the document is a consensus and not cast in stone. Paul is not completely satisfied with the document but feels equally committed to the City. Paul said that he takes exception when he hears a person saying that they have the right view. J. P. Houchins, Task Force, Environmental Board and 20/20 member said that the Council should reread the 20/20 final report. He has prepared a list of items that he feels should be addressed. He also noted that the City cannot stand still. Guy Herr, Task Force member and former Planning and Zoning Board member said he agrees with Don. Metropolitan Council only predicts what the population of any community is going to be. That figure is not there desire or goal. J. P. noted that the reason he moved to Lino Lakes was the open spaces. If anyone of the Task Force is committed to the Plan it is him. Kim told Mike that he has done a good job of describing his concerns. Andre referred to page 24 of the draft and said he felt this goal was very low. Kim explained that this will require additional discussion. PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 3,1998 Caroline, Council member and Task Force member said that she did not want to vote for zero growth but did vote for about 100 new homes per year. She explained that Mark Lindblad could not be here tonight and asked her to present his views of the draft. Mark hoped that the Council would leave this meeting with a clear consensus that everyone including the City Council is "walking in the same direction". Kim asked the Council to write down their comments and submit them to the Task Force or Al Brixius. The Council will meet on June 15, 1998, 4:30 p.m. to "walk" through the entire draft. She asked the Council to be prepared to resolve this matter on June 25th. PARK BOARD REVIEW OF 1998 GOALS George Lindy, Park Board chairman, presented a summary of the Park Board goals and priorities. The handout named the parks, the description of the work to be completed, the dollar amount and which fund the money would be coming from. He also was pleased that the Parks Department is receiving money from the excess fund balance for playground equipment. George reported that the Parks Department and the Park Board are continuing to search for suitable land to build an athletic complex. He stated that forty to sixty acres would be ideal and that they are currently looking at five (5) or six (6) possible locations. CITY AUDITOR Rob Tautges presented a letter to Council outlining his proposal to increase the scope of the 1997 audit and the added cost. Mayor Sullivan asked Rob to make council aware of any other billing. John asked Mr. Tautges to carefully consider the additional charges and charge the City fairly. PDI, CITY ADMINISTRATOR SEARCH Harry Brul presented a list of publications in which the ad appeared for the new City Administrator. Harry reported that there are currently 67 candidates. PDI will cut the list to 23 and with additional information narrow down to six (6). He stressed the importance of discussing salary in the immediate future. He also reported that PDI did not receive a large number of applications from the local area and thought maybe that was because of the press Lino Lakes received in the last year and the current situation itself. Harry asked the Council to discuss moving expenses to accommodate someone from out of town. There will be four (4) interview panels - City Council, Management Team, Staff and Advisory Board Members. Mayor Sullivan pointed out that the interviews are open to the PAGE 4 • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 3,1998 public. Harry informed council that complete packets for the final six (6) candidates will be delivered before the interviews on June 15th. LEAGUE OF MN CITIES ANNUAL MEETING Kim asked if anyone besides Andy Neal and herself were attending the League of Cities annual conference. Dan replied that he would be attending. Brian stated that he attended the conference last year and noted the sessions relating to community development this year are similar to last year. Kim asked why no other department head was attending the conference. She was told there were some cost concerns. Kim replied that this annual conference has a lot of good sessions. In the future there should be discussion of who is to go and to which sessions. CODE OF CONDUCT Mayor Sullivan asked that the Code of Conduct be reviewed with each new employee and at each employee's annual review. This process will start July 1st. The Council will review the Code of Conduct and if any changes need to be made they will be made by January 1, 1999. She also stated that the City Council and all Boards will review the Code and sign off January 1st of each year. STORM UPDATE Dave reported that he is working to complete the storm damage assessment sheet to be sent to the state. Public Works is also working on a city map showing what is done and where they are working. Final clean up will begin June 8th. CONSIDER CHANGING DATE FOR NEXT COUNCIL WORK SESSION The next Council work session has been changed to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15th at the Centennial Middle School immediately following the interviews. CONSIDER HAY STUDY This matter was tabled until the next regular work session. REGULAR AGENDA, JUNE 8,1998 Mary Vaske explained Resolution 98-79 amending Resolutions 97-140 & 97-141 to reflect the modified fund number. Brian Wessel addressed item No. 4A to which Chris Lyden asked if it required a 4/5 vote. Brian replied that it did require a 4/5ths vote. PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 3, 1998 Dave Ahrens addressed item No. 6B, accept bids and award construction contract, West Shadow Lake Dr. culvert replacement; 6D Consideration of Resolution No. 98-85, approve plans and specifications and authorize advertisement for bids, Otter Lake Road realignment project; 6E Consideration of Resolution No. 98-86, approve joint powers agreement with Anoka County, Otter Lake Road realignment project. Dave did not have green sheets available but said they would be delivered on Friday. NEW BUSINESS Andy Neal suggested that all employees wear name tags so that a resident or customer will know who they are talking to when they approach someone from staff. Kim asked Dan to take this suggestion to staff and get some feedback or maybe other ideas. Mayor Sullivan polled the council to see whether they would like the work session agenda faxed to them prior to the work session. She also requested that, if possible, all work sessions be held in the senior center. John added that a note be included in each packet reminding Council what materials to bring to the meeting. Mayor Sullivan also requested the City buy a STURDY easel. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular me- 'ng of the City Council on June 22, 1998. Marilyn G.'Anderson, City Clerk Transcribed by: Jean Viger, Administrative Secretary Marilyn Anderson, Clerk -Treasurer PAGE 6