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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/04/2000 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES : October 4, 2000 . 5:31 p.m. . 8:50 p.m. : Council Member Carlson, Dahl, O'Donnell, and Reinert : Mayor Bergeson Staff members present: City Administrator, Linda Waite Smith; Cit Engineer, John Powell; Community Development Director, Brian Wessel (part), c. c Development Assistant, Mary Divine (part); Finance Director, Al Rolek (p hieff Police, Dave Pecchia (part); and Public Services Director, Rick DeGar TOWN CENTER UPDATE, MARY ALICE DIVINE The Community Development Director revie Livable Communities Program noting the C plan. Staff advised they are committed to re presented to the City Council in Nov with property owners and developee contract. e of the timeline regarding the ently in the conceptual part of the plan. The revised plan will be ontinued discussions will be held pe of zeroing in on a development The Community Developreviewed the following Council concerns regarding the plan: Density Amount Housing Kind of ousing Rental Commitment Affordable Crime Risk Design Staff noted that 16-18 units per acre is the density target. Senior housing has been discussed. Rental, affordable and crime will be discussed further. The design will be reviewed. The Council must make a commitment to mixed use and what the City will further commit to. The Community Development Assistant added the commitment is to a density range and the commitment to passing a zoning ordinance for a traditional neighborhood development. 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 The Community Development Director reviewed the following objectives in Livable Communities Phase II proposal: • To remain competitive • To respond to input from the City Council, landowners, and developers • To present it as a preliminary concept proposal • To recognize the design standards as the basis for Livable Communities funding • To retain flexibility in putting a deal together • To keep options open for refinement per future Council action Staff reviewed Phase I and Phase II proposal noting that the City is acting as the development lead, not necessarily the developer. Staff reviewed the housing proposal relating to the application as developer. Staff advised they will work very hard to resolve the plan. The clarifying letter needs to be sent next week w reviewed a draft of the clarifying letter. sed by the cerns regarding tion. Staff Council Member Carlson asked if a special meeti is s 1 bei held on Friday, October 13, 2000. Staff advised a special meeting will behe s 1 ctober 13, 2000. Council Member Carlson expressed conce R.egardi g the City being the lead developer. She stated the City has $1.9 million in d; `. d and money is still owed on the property. The Council is willing to • . •ns regarding the plan but has not committed to buying the land. S e issue of timely information should be added to the list of Council concerns pre. ped concern regarding staff going in only one direction. She stated she n. facts before she can make a good decision. Council Member Car market study is done. lowered. the 75 units of senior housing could be lower after the ised it is possible that the senior housing units will be Council Member Carlson stated the Council wants to look at assisted living. She stated the Council had discussed specific numbers regarding townhomes and those figures have increased. The price of the townhomes is now lower than what was originally proposed. Staff reviewed the proposed clarifying letter. The City Administrator stated the Council has a problem with the letter stating that the City intends to use the funding for the acquisition of property. She suggested the letter omit the following statement: "to acquire the property". Council Member Reinert stated the options will diminish if the City purchases the property and it has to be developed quickly. 2 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 The City Administrator stated the Council needs to see a final signed copy of the letter and vote on it Monday night. Council Member Carlson inquired about the difference between using the funds for infrastructure or acquiring the property. She stated the City has a bargaining tool if it has funds for infrastructure. There are still serious questions that have to be answered. The Council needs more information. Council Member O'Donnell clarified that the City is taking a "but/for" position. He stated the project needs to make economic sense to everyone involved without the $1.5 million. If the funding is received, it should benefit everyone in the City. Council Member Reinert asked if staff has indicated that the plan will not happen without the $1.5 million. Staff advised the plan would not happen today without the funding. The plan would take some time to implement. Timing is an issue 4 the City needs to be competitive. Council Member Dahl asked if staff has indicated that th number of units per acre. Staff advised the committee City will receive fewer points for lower density. T - C design standards regarding density. Mrs. Elise Tagg, property owner, stated the stated she disagrees that the funding sh landowners. She stated she is givin Council Member O'Donnell cl the $1.5 million in funding. Council Member Rei rt refe o a past proposal regarding the Livable Communities Program noting the ho s were lower. Staff advised negotiations with the developer will take pla reg ding the number of housing units. ngent on a certain umber of issues. The ds to focus on the ould make economic sense. She enefit the developers and for e City. e plan needs to make economic sense without Council Member Reinert stated the process started with half as many units as the current plan has. Developers have indicated that 16-18 units per acre will work. Staff advised the developer has indicated those numbers will work conceptually. Council Member Reinert stated the Council needs good accurate information. Staff advised they are making assumptions and the plan is conceptual. Council clarified that the revisions in the plan should included 16-18 units per acre. The Finance Director came forward and stated he will answer any questions that the Council has. He stated that so far, he has not heard any financial questions. He stated the City can explore financial implications when the City knows which direction it will take. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 The plan is too conceptual at this point. The Council needs to determine how it will use the $1.5 million in funding. Mr. Jerry Shannon, financial consultant, stated the City has to define what is economically viable. The City has to determine costs that will depend highly on the design standards. A timeline regarding the project also has to be determined. There are many variables that have not yet been determined. The City needs to ask the following questions: 1. What will the City do if it does not get the grant? 2. What will the City do if it does get the grant? Council Member O'Donnell inquired about the point at which the City does look at specific scenarios and the impact those scenarios will have. The Financial Director stated it is not too early to look at numbers conceptually based on differe , enarios. There are many options that can be explored if the language in the applic .+ on is oad. Mr. Shannon stated that once decisions become more spe ork on different scenarios. Definitive scenarios will be looked at befo th;s an i F mplemented. Council Member Carlson stated Lino Lakes is a s The City does not have a lot .of population to spread the costs over. Finan` orma n is something the Council needs to determine if the City can be a deve•er. expressed concern regarding the costs to the City, information on the t ing, and an understanding of where the money will come from. She not ity as significant costs coming in the future. The Finance Director stated they •, s . `"variable need to be narrowed down before the impact can be explored te• '- each option. Mr. Shannon stated t City ' t. look at its debt, how the project will be financed, and how that will affect c ture bonds. Mr. Shannon reviewed the City's financial background. The Community Development Director stated a revised plan will be presented in November 2000 that will include preliminary numbers. A presentation will be made to the Metropolitan Council on October 26, 2000. No Council action will be needed before the revision is presented. The City Administrator asked how staff can assure the Council that the presentation is based on Council direction. Staff advised they will make a preliminary presentation to the Council at the next work session. Council Member Reinert asked if the City will receive the money physically or if it is kept in a bank. Staff advised it is unknown how the Metropolitan Council will dispense the money if the City receives the grant. It has been dispensed over time in the past. 4 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 Council Member Reinert inquired about the window for the funding. Staff advised the window is 18 months to two (2) years with the expectation that the City would apply for more funding. The Community Development Assistant noted the Metropolitan Council is looking for projects that can be implemented within a year. Council Member Reinert clarified that the City has an A-3 bond rating. He stated the City knows its financial obligations. He inquired about the ceiling to keep the current rating. He stated he would like to have that information as a basis to start. The Finance Director stated he can provide information regarding bonds and the bond agency criteria. Council Member O'Donnell stated he is looking for a recommend. regarding a responsible fiscal decision. Council Member Carlson inquired about the timing regar, Metropolitan Council. Staff advised a signed contrac is anticipated that a contract will be signed in Marc contract with the ) months in 1997. It Council Member Reinert asked how long the "• uld lay signing the contract. Staff advised through negotiation, the City may d ay the s gning 2-3 months. Council Member Carlson stated a bi property. She inquired about the they have been in touch with with the developers to mak made in approximately si e plan is the financing of the Tagg which that will be decided. Staff advised agg and the developers. Staff has to work to Mr. and Mrs. Tagg. Staff advised an offer will be Council Member Carl It is also a goal of the going in the wrong direc eeping the tax rate down is one of the Council's goals. p 'hensive Plan. She expressed concern regarding the City n. She noted the City if struggling financially now. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING TAX RATE, AL ROLEK Staff advised the Minnesota Legislature passed a law during the 1999 legislative session which requires local governments to hold a public hearing and adopt an authorizing resolution if the tax rate of the jurisdiction for general purposes, excluding general obligation debt, will increase for the coming year. This is calculated based on a formula prescribed by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The prescribed formula creates a "theoretical" tax rate for the previous year and does not allow for growth in the City's tax base; therefore, except in rare instances, any increase in general tax levy dollars will result in a tax rate increase for the coming year. 5 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 Even if the City Council reduces the tax levy to achieve no tax increase in the tax rate, as has been discussed, according to the prescribed formula, the tax rate for Lino Lakes will increase in 2001. Therefore, Council must adopt the authorizing resolution. Should Council not adopt the resolution, the tax rate will revert to the same theoretical rate as in 2000, which would leave the City in a serious financial shortfall situation for the 2001 budget year. Council clarified that adoption of Resolution No. 00 — 98, will not increase the tax rate for the year 2001. Council Member Carlson asked when Council will consider the staff recommendations regarding balancing the budget. Staff advised the recommendations will be reviewed at the October 13, 2000, meeting. The City Administrator suggested a handout be provided for resid that indicate the tax rate is not being increased for the year 2001. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Mo COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, LINDA A . E 2000, 6:30 p.m. Staff advised the next Comprehensive Plan -. is sc ` =`duled for Saturday, October 14, 2000, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Mr. Brixi has r" iewed the calculations and has prepared a response. Maps will go out e'da pdate. Council Member O'Donnell expr. special meeting. Staff advised Hopefully, the Council will regarding redoing the figures at the as included the figures and an explanation. e need to refigure the calculations. VICTOR GARDEN FO ' RLY WENZEL FARMS IN HUGO) UPDATE, JOHN POWELL Staff referred to a drawl _ of the Victor Gardens development. Staff advised the roadway, that was proposed earlier is much smoother than the current proposal. Staff advised the concern is the roadway connection. Washington County and the City of Hugo are setting the road alignment. The current plan is significantly different that the original proposal. Staff advised they have not yet had time to review the plan and speak to the Police and Fire Chief. Another update will be given to the Council after further review. Council Member Dahl asked if the Hugo City Council has agreed to the new proposal. Staff advised the amended plan will be reviewed in October 2000. The current plan is more of a village concept, which is why the plan changed. Staff advised they have no details regarding the trail. 6 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 CSAH 49 RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE, JOHN POWELL Staff inquired about any additional questions the Council may have to forward to the County. The County has provided a specific response to questions. Options for the project have not been explored. Council Member Reinert advised he would like to review options for the plan. Staff advised a letter will be sent to the County Engineer requesting possible options. The letter will indicate the options should be available for the November 8, 2000, meeting. Council Member Reinert suggested the City have a meeting with everyone involved with the project to come up with a solution. Council Member Carlson stated she has seen different plans from the County. The County has shown a 120' right-of-way with a path. The County's ...onse indicated the 120' did not include a path. She stated she needs clarity regar. g the • unty's proposal. Staff advised the trail can not be confined in a 100' right- -w iri ' areas of the roadway. Council Member Carlson stated she would like t =••ns and then be prepared to take a vote. The key point on their proposal ', . seme' t. Staff advised they will convey to the County what the Council is c. orta.. with and ask for a response. Council Member O'Donnell request • ation on the impact of all the properties along the roadway. Staff asked the Council for i e arding what they are looking for in the plan. Council Member Car . on stat a is waiting for the County's proposal. Staff clarified that the cn is looking for a proposal that minimizes the right-of-way and impact. The City of oreview is looking at shared turn lanes. Council Member O'Donnell advised he is willing to look at other options that don't included the median. Council Member Carlson asked if the County is willing to have three (3) lanes with shared turn lanes. Council Member Reinert asked if the roadway will have to be four (4) lanes immediately after construction. He suggested the four -(4) lanes be phased in over time. Council Member Carlson suggested the bridge be built wider than the roadway for future use. 7 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 Staff asked for Council direction regarding scheduling another meeting with the City of Shoreview. Council Member Carlson stated there is a meeting next week Council Members can attend. She suggested the City schedule another meeting with the City of Shoreview after a response from the County is received. Council directed staff to schedule a joint meeting with the City of Shoreview. in January 2001. The City Administrator advised she has prepared a draft of the minutes from the joint meeting. She asked for clarification regarding a number of issues. Council directed staff to prepare letters and bring them forward to Council for approval. Acting Mayor Dahl called for a short recess at 8:00 p.m. Acting Mayor Dahl reconvened the meeting at 8:10 p.m DISCUSS PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD, Acting Mayor Dahl advised the nomina Ms. Loretta Zarambo as the recipien has requested that the Quad Press e has voted on Mr. Art Hawkins and Community Service Award. The committee the award and recipients. Council directed staff to co uad Press regarding the award. Acting Mayor Dahl ed for a tion regarding a statement of each recipient. Council suggested the 1 of complishments, especially the accomplishments within the City of Lino Lakes, show be noted during the award presentation. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, October 9, 2000, 6:30 p.m. REGULAR AGENDA, OCTOBER 9, 2000 Item 7A, Presentation of EDAC Economic Development Plan — Council directed the City Administrator to confer with the City Attorney regarding a verbal acknowledgment or a formal vote. Item 3A, 2000 Community Service Award — Council directed staff to invite the people who made the nominations to the award presentation. 8 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 4, 2000 Community Calendar — A special Comprehensive Plan meeting Saturday, October 14, 2000, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., should be added to the community calendar. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on October 23, 2000. Vlaztatact Ry-Chel Gaustad, City Clerk Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. erg on, Mayor 9