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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/02/2002 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES : July 2, 2002 . 5:40 p.m. . 10:15 p.m. : Council Member Dahl, Carlson, Reinert (6:05 p.m.) and Mayor Bergeson : O'Donnell Staff members present: City Administrator, Linda Waite Smi' ommunity Development Director, Michael Grochala; City Engineer, Ji 'ski; City Planner, Jeff Smyser (part); Finance Director, Al Rolek (part); C ' • ' e, Dave Pecchia (part); and City Clerk, Ann Blair (part) PRESENT REVISED PROPOSAL FOR FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, AL ROLEK Finance Director Rolek distributed a memo r diri the Five -Year Plan adjustments noting the assumptions and factors used i ®rep the Plan that was presented. He stated that following the discussion at - 1. ork session, the Council directed staff to rework the draft Plan to reflect an ov . fir- se over the term of the plan to 30%-35%. Per this directive, the draft Plan for 6 has been adjusted to an overall increase over the five year period of 34.9' ¢ o - o accomplish this rate of increase all new proposed staff positions, with- ce tion • f those added in 2002, had to be eliminated from the Plan. In additio the re al of projected salaries and benefits, capital outlay, training, etc., for so el, other areas of the Plan were affected by this change. These areas inclu. anticipated revenues, such as COPS grants, that were reduced, and expenditures, s h as contractual engineering, that had to be reinstated as a result of adjusting the perso el. An amendment was also made to the Plan in the area of employee medical insurance costs. Expenditures were increased in this area over the term to reflect higher costs that have come to light since the draft was originally prepared. After reworking the Plan, the City tax rate in the Plan is scheduled to be reduced from 53.113% in 2002 to 41.041% in 2006. While Council's directive has been met in reducing the overall increase over the five year term to less than 35%, it is staff's opinion that the objective of the Plan has not been met. The elimination of all future staff additions in the wake of anticipated growth will not allow for the continuation of service delivery to taxpayers at the current levels. As new homes and businesses are built, roads, water, sewer and other infrastructure added, additional parks improved, among other needs, it will not be possible to maintain these growing systems at current levels with current staff. The amended Plan implies that 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 service levels in certain areas will be delivered at a lesser levels than they are now. If this is to be the case, then language should be added to the Plan that recognizes these diminishing levels of service, i.e. lengthened snow removal periods, fewer road repairs, slower emergency response times, etc. The City should be forthright to communicate that under this Plan the tradeoff for lowering the tax rate to this extent may be a decline in the level of service delivered to property owners. It is important that these concerns be addressed and included in the final draft of the Plan so that intentions are clearly communicated. It must also be recognized that this is a financial plan, not a budget. The City budget will continue to be prepared annually, and current needs will continue to be presented to Council on an annual basis. While it is Council's intention to be fiscally responsible, it is possible the future budgetary needs may be greater than is outlined in the Plan, resulting in a tax rate higher than anticipated in the Plan. Likewise, lan will be updated each year and needs reassessed at the time of renewal. Staff is seeking Council direction concerning the Plan s further discussions relative to the final draft. City Administrator Waite Smith stated the public continued and the Charter Commission will be meeting. Councilmember Carlson stated she did no indicated she is concerned about the r being taken off. She stated the othe should also be included. on the draft Plan should be the status after tonight's dress the expense side of the Plan. She and that it is only based on levy limits relating to revenue levy limits continuing Finance Director Rolek stated sta • amend the Plan and balance it so there are not deficits with levy limitsn * limits continue that is another matter and that can be addressed in them: .e t Ie ter. A Plan that includes different scenarios should not be presented. A different situations happen the City will respond to them. There is not current informat n on the levy limits changing. Councilmember Carlson stated the City can also be faced with expenses that it does not anticipate. The process has been very informative but the City needs to look at where the money will be coming from. Mayor Bergeson stated he believes there needs to be more discussion before the majority of the Council feels the Plan has the right amount of increases. He suggested the possibility of including a contingency budget if the levy limits do stay the same. Finance Director Rolek stated he did look at that scenario and can look at it again. Councilmember Reinert arrived at the meeting at 6:05 p.m. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 Councilmember Dahl stated she would also like to have more discussion regarding this issue. Finance Director Rolek stated he will not be present at the next work session. He suggested the Council continue the public hearing to the first meeting in August. This item will appear on the Council work session agenda Wednesday, August 7, 2002, 5:30 p.m. DISCUSS POSSIBLE CARL STREET EXTENSION, BEHM'S CENTURY FARM 6TH AND 7TH, JEFF SMYSER City Planner Smyser advised at the last meeting staff was directed to look at the possibility of connecting Carl Street. Staff worked with theeveloper and concluded that Carl Street can be extended. City Engineer Studenski distributed a map and drawings • ��� _ mg the extension of Carl Street. He referred to Exhibit 3 noting that is the p - ed connection of staff. He reviewed the details of the road connection noting it Carl Street. The extension would include an eight face to face roadway and a six foot buffer to the relocated to another Uhde parcel. The City is develop the minor collector roadway. A m through the subdivision. nd through the existing ail, six foot boulevard, a 34 foot e pond on the west would be o avoid lengthy cul-de-sacs and tor is meant to provide connections City Engineer Studenski stated staff ' • ending the City make the connection as presented. The timeline of that imp o - , is yet to be determined. Councilmember Reinert clarifi f • = dw." would be 40.5 feet from the Kolstad home. City Engineer Studensk' -d that fie. sured to the existing right-of-way. Councilmember Carlson in®aired about the pond and wetland mitigation. City Engineer Studenski stated staff does n feel that the pond is an issue and it can be dealt with. The wetlands would not allow adjacent parcels to the west of the Kolstad property to develop. Mr. John Johnson, Engineer for Gary Uhde, referred to a three year study that was conducted and explained why the wetland can now be developed when it could not be developed six years ago. Councilmember Carlson asked for a solution that will not affect Mr. Kolstad's property as much. City Planner Smyser stated a major constraint is the County ditch. City Engineer Studenski stated if the roadway went further to the north the City would have to acquire additional right-of-way and currently development is not scheduled in that area. The proposed connection needs to be made early in the development. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 Community Development Director Grochala stated staff did not pursue the option of making the road connection to the north because of the need for additional right-of-way. Mayor Bergeson asked if the developer supports the staff recommendation. Mr. Gary Uhde, Behm's Century Farms, stated the staff recommendation isnot their first option but the plan does work. Councilmember Carlson stated the width of the road is also going to be an issue. Mr. Jeff Kolstad, 296 Carl Street, distributed and reviewed a letter to the Council outlining his objections to the extension of Carl Street. He noted his lot was the last developable lot. The easement should have been negated because the land behind his house was deemed unbuildable six years ago. Mr. Uhde haoposed other options and to change the rules now would not be fair. Mr. Carl Johnson, 314 Carl Street, stated the end of the the City. He stated he is now hearing the City wants to someone else. There seems to be other options and extension would be better for the City. He stated ally beautiful spot in his neighborhood for be convinced that this is are needed. Councilmember Reinert asked if the City can : . ther options that make more sense. Mr. Dave Hunter, Representative for the to the runways. He stated they can no space is needed between the runway would like to see the City rethink Council to visit the Air Park to Air Park, stated safety is an issue relating e heights of the homes built there. More ea and the road connection. He stated he road should be developed. He invited the first hand. Mayor Bergeson stated � • ' su ting to the connection are whether or not the City will require it and if +,s pro . osed connection the appropriate design. City Engineer Studenski stat-' Mr. Uhde is working on other options but he would like to know if he should continue that work. Councilmember Carlson stated the issue is the connection. Traffic has to go somewhere. The developer can go through the City process with the preferred plan. Mr. Uhde stated there will be a public outcry at the public hearing. He stated he has presented different options and he does understand the concerns of residents and staff. The Council has to decide which way the connection should be made. Councilmember Reinert stated he needs to know if other options are viable. He noted the Council has only been presented one plan. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 Community Development Director Grochala stated the Carl Street option is the only option presented because it is the only one the City controls. Councilmember Carlson stated she can not give direction to the developer until the developer indicates which road option he is proposing. Councilmember Reinert stated he would like to see other options before he can give direction. Mr. Uhde stated he presented four options at the last meeting and was very clear about which option he preferred. He indicated he has to be sensitive to the City's needs and staff recommendations. He would prefer to run the street in the northern part of the project and stub in the sod field for a connection at some point in the future. Mayor Bergeson stated that he believes from a City's planni : . ective it is important to connect neighborhoods. He stated he favors a connection etwe a ' Carl Street and the neighborhood but does not feel the current plan addresse t moues. Councilmember Dahl stated the City has a process t and feels the Planning and Zoning Board is being circumvented. The C •f. needs the comments from the Planning and Zoning Board. The City has to w. . wit 'ghat it has so the road can not go under the power lines. An access needs to be round for the development and emergency vehicle access is also very imps , ws and rules do change but the City should try to help Mr. Kolstad if possible ' e stated she also believes neighborhoods should be connected and the road may a ' : ider if the City was not trying to work with everyone. She added the plan ids to :o through the City process. Mr. Uhde stated he will take thlan the anning and Zoning Board with a couple of options along with the staff reco City Planner Smyser outli` e e ity process noting the first possible meeting that a public hearing could be heli cif at the first meeting in August. Mayor Bergeson called for a short recess at 7:55 p.m. Mayor Bergeson reconvened the meeting at 8:03 p.m. CLEARWATER CREEK 5TH ADDITION, MUSA LOCATION, MIKE QUIGLEY Mr. Mike Quigley, Developer, Clearwater Creek, stated he wanted to get some dialogue going on the completion of Clearwater Creek. The last phase is contingent upon MUSA allocation. He stated he has been waiting for the Comprehensive Plan to be approved. He stated he is concerned with finishing the project, the incomplete trail system, open space management plan, maintenance issues, dead end streets as well as other issues. He asked for consideration to proceed based on those concerns. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 Mayor Bergeson asked if the City can refer to the Metropolitan Council regarding the additional MUSA. City Planner Smyser stated revisions can be done or an amendment made to the old Comprehensive Plan to obtain additional MUSA. That would involve a review and submittal to the Metropolitan Council and they make the final decision, which could take 2-3 months. The City Council has to determine if they want to pursue that option. Mr. Quigley stated he has not asked for a minor amendment in the past because he believed the City would receive approval of the Plan earlier this year. He stated that if the City feels confident the Plan will be approved in August he could proceed with installation of utilities. Community Development Director Grochala stated the riglk so the utilities are not on City property. He indicated staff w City Attorney regarding this issue. Mayor Bergeson directed staff to get a legal opinion an staff time estimate to work on the minor amendment. require Council approval. -way has not been platted ave to confer with the about a non-binding an amendment would Councilmember Carlson stated she is concerned tha e City will then be asked for other amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. Is CLEARWATER CREEK GRADIN SS KS, DONNA CARLSON Councilmember Carlson stated as been an ongoing issue since last year and it has to be taken care of. Mr. Quigley, Clearwater nd'c: + he was contacted last summer by the Kiefer's and noted this would not • is e if ` e City required "as built" surveys. The site was completely corrected last er and then the homeowners started landscaping that caused the drainage problem He stated he met with the homeowners last week and there are two options: install drain tiles or grade the lot to the existing plan. However, all the property owners have to agree on the preferred option. Councilmember Carlson stated she is concerned that calls from residents are not being returned by city staff, a possible as -built ordinance and this particular problem. Mr. Quigley stated the least intrusive way to solve the problem is to put drain tiles in. He stated he will be contacting the residents regarding this issue so it can be taken care of. Community Development Director Grochala noted that "as built" surveys are required effective July 1, 2002. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 CONSIDER SUNDAY MORNING ON -SALE LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENT POLICY, ANN BLAIR City Clerk Blair distributed information on this issue including a survey regarding neighboring communities and their policies, a letter from Mr. Dave Nathe, 49 Club, and a copy of the Minnesota Statutes. The City had a request to change the City's Sunday morning policy in regard to on -sale liquor establishments. The current policy states establishments can not serve alcohol until 12:00 noon. The Council could justify changing the policy or keep it as is. She explained the process the City would have to go through to change the policy. Councilmember Carlson stated she is willing to move ahead and set up the public hearing to receive input from residents. Council directed staff to move forward and schedule a publi regarding this issue. STONEYBROOK RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT s ' ROPOSED STREET WIDTHS, MICHAEL GROCHALA City Engineer Studenski stated the engineer for • ey ok has requested the City look at reducing the street width down to 29 feet bck. Community Development Director Groch` e. distributed a letter from Pioneer Engineering outlining a formal request as per a req : o ° & e Rice Creek Watershed District. The Council may permit variances from - Ci tandard. A narrower street will accommodate the traffic in this . the problems is that the City does not restrict parking, even on 32 -foot -wide ' - e needs to look at this type of request individually. The long term bene • p a narrower street are less impervious surface, lower maintenance and o 4. cti s - ts. Mayor Bergeson stated he h s no problem with reducing the width of some streets but does not want to start a parking program in this area or any other area within the City. Councilmember Dahl inquired about a possible trail and stated security and safety are an issue. Community Development Director Grochala stated there is not a proposed trail. Councilmember Reinert stated he is not in favor of 29 -foot -wide streets within the City. Community Development Director Grochala stated the City should start looking at sidewalks on certain through streets. Councilmember Carlson stated she would support a 29 -foot -wide roadway. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION,- JULY 2, 2002 Mayor Bergeson stated he would prefer a wider roadway in this project because of the winding streets. Community Development Director Grochala stated the plan will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board. Staff's recommendation is to approve the plan as presented. DISCUSS CSAH 49 RECONSTRUCTION, MICHAEL GROCHALA Community Development Director Grochala stated the City can submit a letter to the County regarding their proposal and there is no time limit. The County is not including the project in their Five -Year Capital Improvement Plan. The bridge and intersection reconstruction is planned for 2004-2005. City Administrator Waite Smith stated the Council should initial plan only included the bridge and intersection. She sta letter for the Council to review. Councilmember Carlson requested a copy of the letter fry th County regarding their final proposal. in mind that the County's e will distribute a draft MEMORIAL HOSPITAL DISTRICT BO ER, DONNA CARLSON Councilmember Carlson stated she was ap expiring. She is going to step down beca wants to avoid any possible perceptio from the Council for someone to Sylvia Marier be contacted. e Board and her term is now ew is purchasing the hospital and she ct of interest. She asked for suggestions ent the City of Lino Lakes. She suggested City Administrator Waite Smi sh will contact Sylvia Marier and have her call Councilmember Carlso ae wou ke more information on the position. TWILIGHT ACRES SE ` R, JOHN BERGESON Mayor Bergeson advised there are a couple of residents who have changed their mind about the Twilight Acres project and will not sign the required waiver. The City needs to do whatever it has to so the project can be done because it is a public safety issue. Community Development Director Grochala stated the reality is that the project will go through even without the signed waivers. The sanitary sewer line may have to be shifted at those properties. Council directed staff to move forward with the Twilight Acres sanitary sewer project. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 2, 2002 NADEAU PROPERTY, JOHN BERGESON Mayor Bergeson stated the property owner in question is moving his house across the street and wants City water. However, the cost is approximately $42,000. He stated it seems that the City's policy regarding hook up may counterproductive because the City should want residents to hook up to City services. Community Development Director Grochala stated he agrees that the City should push for hook ups in most instances. In this case the lines just have to be run for too long a distance pushing the costs up. City Engineer Studenski stated there are also a lot of costs to the City that are not included in the hook up to get this property owner set up. Mayor Bergeson advised this issue will be discussed further v ture Council work session. REGULAR AGENDA, JULY 8, 2002 The Thursday, July 11, 2002, Charter Commiss' ee g was added to the Community Calendar. There were no other changes to the regul The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 These minutes were considered approved at the regular Council meeting held on August 12, 2002. ty Clerk Jo : ergen, Mayor Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 9