Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/2000 Council Minutes• • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 22, 2000 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE March 22, 2000 �. TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m. TIME ENDED : 7:45 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Carlson, Dahl, Reinert, O'Donnell and Mayor Bergeson : None MEMBERS ABSENT Staff members present: City Administrator, Linda Waite Smith; Administration Director, Dan Tesch; City Engineer, John Powell; City Planner, Jeff Smyser (part); Community Development Director, Brian Wessel; Economic Devel • t Assistant, Mary Alice Divine (part); Public Services Director, Rick DeGar' n � • f Police, Dave Pecchia (part), City Clerk, Ry-Chel Gaustad (part) STADIUM UPDATE WITH THE CENTERVIL � Y�, CIL, BRIAN WESSEL Mayor Bergeson welcomed the City of ncil Members. He advised the purpose of the meeting is to get an u. s _ e proposed stadium project. Staff read the official statemen indicated no formal app respond to. The stateme not Statement (EIS). y regarding the project. The statement een made. Therefore, the City has nothing to that law requires an Environmental Impact Mr. Michael Vincen B Burnett Commercial, came forward and stated he is the agent for Mr. Babaccas. He stated it is his intent to slow down the project and come to an understanding of what is necessary to get the project accomplished. He noted Mr. Babaccas has not yet met with either City Council. Mr. Babaccas will be in town next week and intends to meet with both City Councils. Mr. Vincent continued stating he has been involved in getting a development team together. The intent is to have a first class project that is done right and is part of the community. He noted the Star Dome would be the largest dome in the world. Mr. Vincent advised the team has developed a preliminary concept plan. All plans and additional information will come before the City of Lino Lakes first. • Staff advised the first step in the project is an Environmental Impact Statement. The EIS would take approximately 15 months and cost approximately $500,000. The cost for the • • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 22, 2000 EIS is borne by the developer. Consultants at the State level may prepare the study. The EIS would determine environmental impacts and well as impact on nearby housing, traffic and land use. Staff continued stating other steps necessary in the City process include amending the Comprehensive Plan, rezoning and roadway and utility improvements. Staff noted no decisions can be made until the EIS is completed. Staff distributed a preliminary analysis of impacts to the City Council members from Centerville. Staff noted the analysis is a very broad range scope based on very few assumptions. The most positive aspect of the project is the economic development possibilities for both cities. Council Member Reinert inquired about the possibility of other locations. Mr. Vincent advised they do have another land option in another City. Lino Lakes is the preferred site. Council Member O'Donnell stated he would like to see mo e r g the project. He asked when more information will be available. Mr. Vincent advised a member of the develop to complete some information. He advised th before an application is submitted. Hee decisions off of preliminary info sked for a few more weeks have complete information rn regarding people making Mr. Tom Wilharber, Mays c ville, asked if a stadium presentation is being made at the Forest Lake V 000. Mr. Vincent advis e` .tion will not be made at the VFW. Mr. Babaccas is holding a dinner at i e. He stressed that the City of Lino Lakes will receive all additional informati first. Mayor Wilharber inquired about the length of the project. Mr. Vincent advised the project is anticipated to take approximately 24 months after all approvals are obtained. Mayor Wilharber advised it would be helpful if the media could be toned down relating to the project. Mr. Vincent advised he is trying to control the media. The project is a great project that can be good for the community. Council Member Reinert inquired about the biggest hurdle regarding the project. Mr. Vincent advised he sees the biggest hurdle as the learning curve. He stated this is a huge project that has a lot of components. • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 22, 2000 Ms. Mari Nelson, Council Member for the City of Centerville, stated the project is a bit confusing because of the lack of information. She stated that it seems the developer has a clear picture but it is not being shared with either City. She asked if there are definite plans for the project and if funds have been spent. She also stated she would like clearer, crisper information. Mr. Vincent advised funds have been spent. There is a preliminary concept plan but it would be premature to distribute it. A development team with certain expertise has been put together. He noted the project will be similar to the Georgia Dome. Council Member Nelson inquired about the application fee. Mr. Vincent advised the application fee is the first step with the City of Lino Lakes. The application will be submitted in approximately three (3) weeks. Mayor Bergeson inquired about the progress being made with the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. Mr. Vincent advised they are now in discussions with the relationship may occur with the Minnesota Vikings. He want to be a part of the project. However, it is only A leasing es both teams e one team. Mayor Bergeson advised the project would h. a h impact on both communities. He stated the City of Lino Lakes will kee t erville fully informed. Mayor Wilharber thanked the oui cil for the invitation to the meeting. He also thanked staff for all t d in rmation. Mayor Bergeson c ort recess at 6:13 p.m. Mayor Bergeson re' • e "- d the meeting at 6:30 p.m. TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT UPDATE, BRIAN WESSEL/JEFF SMYSER Staff advised discussions regarding the Master Planning and Design Standards are continuing. The Planning and Zoning Board has one more special meeting. A public hearing has been scheduled for April 12, 2000. A presentation will be made to the City Council mid -year. Staff advised they are requesting a detailed discussion at the next work session regarding the economic development piece of the Town Center. Three (3) projects including the hotel/restaurant, YMCA and grocery store need to be discussed. Staff noted the McDonald's store will be under construction soon. • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 22, 2000 Staff advised there has been interest in the housing piece of the Town Center. Staff stated they are working with the landowners and will be looking at different option. This item will appear on the Council work session agenda April 5, 2000, 5:30 p.m. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, BRIAN WESSEL/JEFF SMYSER Staff advised there is no new information regarding the proposed Comprehensive Plan. A tentative Comprehensive Plan Council work session has been scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Council will determine if staff should be present. I35 OVERLAY PROJECT, JOHN POWELL Staff advised the bituminous work on I35 was done last year. This year Stage 2, concrete overlay, will be done. The work will occur west of Sunset to the I35E/I35W junction. Staff advised the work will involve complete closure of the north o�3ound lane. Work will begin on the southbound lane and that lane will be c e: ou s ound ramps on Lake Drive will be closed completely. Once completed, r it on the northbound lane. Staff continued stating work will begin in mid- working id-working days which includes Saturdays. Earl weekend. Staff advised they anticipat Department is aware of the projec Staff advised Shafer Cont approved by the Count property. SALE OF LOTS tract that allows for 61 letion is prior to the 4th of July -July. Staff noted the Police a raffic due to the project. talling a temporary driveway that has been One of the contractors is storing materials on City DHILL DRIVE, RICK DEGARDNER Staff referred to Sandhill Drive in the Rice Lake Estates area. The City was dedicated two (2) lots for park purposes. However, the park was developed behind the well house last year with playground equipment, basketball court, and trail connecting to Baldwin Park. The City is looking sell the lots for $36,900. The two (2) lots will be combined into one lot. Staff advised there are soil concerns on the lot. A soil study has been conducted and is available to potential buyers. Staff advised if the lot is purchased, an ordinance will be necessary to sell the lot. Council Member O'Donnell expressed concern regarding the residents who are expecting the lots to be used as park area. • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 22, 2000 Staff advised the residents are very happy with the park area behind the well house. Council agreed the two (2) lots can be combined into one and sold. UTILITY BILLS, RICK DEGARDNER Staff distributed a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Nelson regarding a recent utility bill. Staff also distributed a handout that included background information relating to water meter readers that have been changed. Staff reviewed the information in detail. Staff advised the undercharging is limited to the 63 homes that had a generator style remote reading device that was available to the city in the early 80's. The replacement of the generator style remote reading device has resulted in undercharging residents since these old devices readings slow down over time. This creates a discrepancy with the actual water meter that is located inside the house. Most of those residents have been billed for the error. Staff noted a flyer was sent out when the meters were changed. The flyer that indicated the new meter was a radio read. That informati • ncorrect. Staff advised they broke down the undercharge for Mr. and them for 60% of the undercharge. An offer has been ma interest. Council Member Carlson advised she spoke residents that the mistake applied to. S sent out. The flyer indicated that res Council did not discuss chargi limit be set on back usage Council Member mistake. aff then billed ents with no els n. She stated there are few ncern regarding the flyer that was be charged back for any mistakes. foe City's mistake. She suggested a $100 she oes not feel it is right to charge the residents for the Council Member 0' yF, nnell pointed out the under billing took place in prior budget years. The mistake will have no impact on this year's budget. He suggested not billing residents anything for the back usage. Mayor Bergeson advised the City must make it very clear that not having to pay for the back usage is only for this specific meter problem. Council Member O'Donnell suggested this be tied into and used as leverage to get into homes that has not yet changed to the new meter. Council directed staff to not charge residents retroactively to homes that have the meter discrepancy between the old meter and new device by a certain date. Refunds will go to residents who have already paid for the discrepancy. Residents do not have to pay for the discrepancy specifically because the flyer was sent out stating they would not have to. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 22, 2000 • UPDATE ON ADMINISTRATION FUNCTION, LINDA WAITE SMITH Staff advised the Financial position has been filled. Because of that, Mr. Tesch will be expanding his duties to cover the entire City. All new employees within the Police Department will now come through the Administration Department. CITY SPOKESPERSON ORDINANCE, COUNCIL MEMBER DAHL Council Member Dahl advised the previous Council had discussions regarding who the spokesperson for the City is. She stated she called other cities and most often it is the City Administrator or the Police Chief. The City Administrator was appointed the spokesperson through the election. She asked if the City must pass an ordinance to formally appoint the City Administrator as spokesperson. Council Member O'Donnell inquired about what the City Charter says about the spokesperson. Staff advised there is a section in the Charter regar ' y spokesperson and the Mayor's role. Council Member Carlson suggested Council review the t e t�particular meeting regarding the City spokesperson. Council Member O'Donnell asked for clarific on r ding the roles of a City spokesperson. Mayor Bergeson added it is o wants the ordinance word of the City Administrat hen an opinion is asked for. He stated he pok person is the City Administrator or designee Council directed st v the tapes and minutes from the Council meeting regarding this issue. This item will appear on the work session agenda Wednesday, April 5, 2000, 5:30 p.m. REGULAR AGENDA, MARCH 27, 2000 Item 9I, Special Council Work Session, Wednesday, April 8, 2000, 5:30 p.m., was added to the Community Calendar The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on April 10, 2000. 6 • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Ry -Cel Gaustad, City Clerk Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. MARCH 22, 2000 7