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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/23/2003 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES APRIL 23, 2003 DATE : April 23, 2003 TIME STARTED : 5:35 p.m. TIME ENDED : 9:40 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Carlson, Dahl, O'Donnell, Reinert and Mayor Bergeson (5:53 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT : None Staff members present: City Administrator, Linda Waite Smith; City Engineer, Jim Studenski; Chief of Police, Dave Pecchia (part); Fire Chief, Milo Bennett (part); City Planner, Jeff Smyser; Community Development Director, Michael Grochala; Economic Development Assistant, Mary Divine; and City Clerk, Ann Blair (part) MILLER'S ON MAIN, SPECIAL EVENT DISCUSSION, CHAD WAGNER Mr. Chad Wagner, Miller's on Main, came forward and advised he had approached the City last year about a special event. He indicated he has discussed this issue with the Public Safety Department and was directed to attend a Council work session for further discussion. He stated he is trying to have a community function with various activities over a weekend. He stated he would like to set up an outdoor tent in his parking lot for outdoor entertainment. Parking issues have been addressed. The Chamber of Commerce would also be sponsoring other activities such as a carnival, 5K race, softball tournament and children's activities. The goal is to have the event annually. Mr. Bob Mullen, Manager from Bif 's, stated he has been involved in this type of event in Spring Lake Park for the past 14 years. He noted that the first year the event was held it was not very successful. The event has been fine-tuned over the years and there are very few complaints. The event is a family function. The bar business is down and something has to be done to create some excitement and draw business in. Acting Mayor Reinert asked if the City would sponsor the event. Mr. Wagner advised it is anticipated that the event would be an annual event. Hopefully, the City of Lino Lakes would eventually become involved. City Administrator Waite Smith advised the City would have to check on liability issues with the insurance company and the City Attorney. City Clerk Blair stated she would like to review other city ordinances regarding special events. Acting Mayor Reinert stated that the City can review the proposal as soon as all the details are worked out. 1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 23, 2003 APPROVED Mr. Wagner noted there would be residents at the Council meeting on Monday to address the banner ordinance. He indicated he would also have a representative present. Acting Mayor Reinert advised the banner ordinance needs to be discussed at a future Council work session. STATE BUILDING CODE ADOPTION, MICHAEL GROCHALA, MILO BENNETT Community Development Director Grochala advised the first reading of the ordinance adopting the State Building Code was held at the last Council meeting. There are some chapters of the code that are optional. Mayor Bergeson arrived at the meeting at 5:53 p.m. Community Development Director Grochala advised the chapters that are optional include Chapter 1306, Special Fire Protection Systems and Chapter 1335, Floodproofing Regulations. He reviewed the contents of both chapters noting Centennial Fire District would prefer option e(1) that requires sprinkling of multiple unit residential structures, including townhomes, if they are either three or more stories in height or the gross floor area (including garage and basement) exceeds 8,500 square feet. City staff is in agreement with Centennial Fire District on this issue. Staff is also recommending adoption of Chapter 1335, relating to Floodproofing Regulations. Fire Chief Bennett advised existing townhomes would not be subject to the new code unless they are being rebuilt. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, April 28, 2003, 6:30 p.m. SITE PLAN AND MARKET STUDY FOR I -35E CORRIDOR, MARCY ALICE DIVINE, MICHAEL GROCHALA Economic Development Assistant Divine advised in 2002 Anoka County prepared a report called "Working Together to Shape the Future of Anoka County," which endorsed a collaborative effort with cities to create more quality jobs, expand the tax base, and improve housing and transportation within the county. As a result of that report, the county has been promoting Anoka County's assets to the development community. That effort has included discussions with the Vikings regarding Anoka County as a potential site for a new stadium, along with the Vikings headquarters and summer training camp. As a part of this effort, Anoka County hired KKE Architects to complete a concept plan that included a stadium as just one component of a master planned development. The plan also incorporates commercial, industrial, corporate uses and housing. The county asked cities to identify areas of significant size that have the potential to accommodate this type of development. Four sites were considered good potential opportunities; one in Blaine, one in Columbus Township and two in Lino Lakes on the I -35E corridor. 2 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 23, 2003 APPROVED Anoka County has requested that Lino Lakes, Blaine and Columbus participate in the next phase of analysis by contributing $7,000 each to determine which site has the best potential to accommodate the concept plan. KKE Architects will look at each site in relation to the concept plan, and the McComb Group will conduct a market analysis to determine which site is best situated to attract high quality corporate headquarters, hotel conference centers, and the like. The I -35E corridor in Lino Lakes has been identified in the Comprehensive Plan for commercial and industrial land uses to take advantage of the area's visibility and accessibility from 35E. City zoning has established the Rural Business Reserve, which outlines the city's intention for staged expansion of industrial land uses into the area. Development interest is increasing in the area. This study will provide useful information for future planning, whether or not a Lino Lakes site is deemed the most suitable for this particular use. Approving an expenditure for the study does not commit the city to any development, however, not participating will indicate the city is not interested in pursuing this opportunity. Councilmember Reinert stated the study will give the City a lot of useful information but asked how long that information will be applicable. Economic Development Assistant Divine stated she believes the City has the momentum now for development. As things change any study will become outdated. Councilmember O'Donnell asked if Anoka County is participating in the cost. Economic Development Assistant Divine advised the County is anticipating the cost of the study at a minimum of $21,000. The County will fund any costs above that. Councilmember O'Donnell asked if there are funds in the economic development budget to fund the study. Economic Development Assistant Divine stated the funds are in the economic development budget to fund the study. Councilmember Carlson stated that the stadium may go into Blaine and she is concerned the City of Lino Lakes will get the additional traffic with no benefits. Mr. Rod Kukonen, Environmental Board, stated the stadium issue was discussed at the last Environmental Board meeting. One of the concerns is the critical habitat areas within Lino Lakes. He distributed and reviewed information and recommendations relating to the critical habitat area that was printed by the DNR. He stated the stadium would impact those areas. Community Development Director Grochala advised the first potential site is at the northwest intersection of Main and 35E. The other potential site is north of the creek on 80th Avenue. The majority of the area is cropland. If the City got to that point, significant environmental studies would be conducted. • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 23, 2003 APPROVED Councilmember O'Donnell suggested the City appoint a subcommittee of representatives • from each City board to look at this issue and the impacts if it looks like Lino Lakes will be the site. Community Development Director Grochala advised that if the City gets to that point, a subcommittee can be appointed. There would be a number of people involved from several different agencies. Ms. Amy Donlin, Environmental Board, stated the City should let Columbus or Blaine have the stadium. Residents have indicated they want the rural character to remain in the City of Lino Lakes. There is no benefit from the stadium. She stated she strongly objects to building a stadium in Lino Lakes and it would be devastating to the community. Mr. Kukonen stated the Environmental Board would like updates regarding this issue. Mr. Howard Juni, Economic Development Authority Committee (EDAC), stated this issue has been discussed with EDAC. EDAC is recommending the Council allocate $7,000 for the study. The amount is very small in comparison to what the City may find out about the area and what that site will support. The area will eventually be developed. Mr. Harvey Karth, EDAC, stated the study is an inexpensive way of having a very expensive study done. The study can be used for years to come even if it has to be updated. • This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, April 28, 2003, 6:30 p.m. QUAD CITIES POLICE DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL, LINDA WAITE SMITH City Administrator Waite Smith advised this issue was discussed at the last Council work session. The public hearing was held on April 14, with one person addressing the issue. Staff needs Council direction about moving forward and selecting representatives to sit on the committee. She recommended the representatives get all the main issues on the table right away. Appointing representatives does not commit the City to a Quad Cities Police Department. The Council determined the following issues are the main issues that need to be addressed: governance/funding formula, perpetual nature of it, walking away from it/losing your investment or if that is negotiable, finances, consistent cost savings, citizen participation, retaining employees, minimizing loss of current employees. Mayor Bergeson stated the evaluation of the benefits is also an issue. Chief Pecchia stated the City may want to have a labor attorney look at the proposal. It seems as though the proposal is legally a merger and there are legal issues related to keeping jobs. He recommended a facilitator or mediator be involved with the meetings. Councilmember Reinert advised he is ready to move forward and volunteered to be a . representative for the committee. • • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 23, 2003 APPROVED Councilmember Carlson stated she is concerned about sending the wrong message by moving forward. She stated she has not yet seen the numbers that she needs to determine whether or not to move forward. She advised she will make her decision by Monday night at the Council meeting. Councilmember Dahl stated she does not want to be locked in or backed into a corner. Councilmember O'Donnell indicated he is also ready to move forward with the selection of representatives for the committee. Chief Pecchia advised the City riskslosing some of its personnel the longer the proposal is on the table. Councilmember O'Donnell recommended Mayor Bergeson also be appointed to the committee. This item will be added to the regular Council agenda Monday, April 28, 2003, 6:30 p.m. CENTURY FARM NORTH, JEFF SMYSER City Planner Smyser advised the phasing plan for Century Farm North was discussed at the last Council work session. He distributed the proposed phasing plan that the Council had indicated would be acceptable noting this item will be on the regular agenda Monday night. Councilmember Reinert inquired about the park area. City Planner Smyser advised there is approximately 7 acres of useable park land. There are also areas of wetland and open space. The whole park area is approximately 22 acres. Councilmember Reinert stated the City needs approximately 9.5 acres to satisfy the park dedication requirement. City Planner Smyser advised staff is working on that detail. Some of the park dedication may have already been satisfied. Councilmember Reinert stated it would be beneficial to also get some park dedication dollars to help develop the park. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, April 28, 2003, 6:30 p.m. BRUEGGEMAN DEVELOPMENT UPDATE, JEFF SMYSER City Planner Smyser distributed and reviewed a copy of the current concept plan overlaid on an aerial photo. He noted the plan was reviewed at the last Planning and Zoning meeting. However, no application has been received for the townhomes. City Planner Smyser advised the Planning and Zoning Board determined limited business would be the best zoning for the site. The main concern is the gas station proposal and traffic issues. Design issues include lighting and noise that can be addressed with City CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 23, 2003 APPROVED ordinances. The water quality issue was also raised. Water quality will be monitored by • regulations specifically outlined for gas stations. • Community Development Director Grochala stated that as the concept plan was reviewed, the Planning and Zoning Board determined neighborhood business will not work on this parcel. Staff believes all the issues can be addressed that were raised in relation to the development of a gas station. The application is only for the rezoning and retail use on the site. Council direction is needed regarding the zoning issue. Mayor Bergeson stated he has concerns about the economic viability of the convenience store and gas station due to the proposed location. He also inquired about the proposed businesses on the site. City Planner Smyser stated the application is for the plat and site plan for the one retail building. What is shown on the plan is a day care, fast food restaurant and retail building. City Planner Smyser advised the majority of the Planning and Zoning Board were comfortable with moving forward with the design changes in accordance with limited business zoning. The developer would like some direction from the Council on the uses and zoning. Councilmember O'Donnell stated he does support neighborhood business within the City. His concern is the gas station. He stated that personally he does not have a big issue with a gas station. His concern is the economic viability of the plan. Councilmember Carlson stated she has been consistent about not wanting an excess of service stations within the City. The City does need neighborhood business and it is within the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Reinert stated he is not very excited about the concept plan. He stated he is not against development but does want nice development. Mayor Bergeson stated he believes the design and the look of the building is the most important. Uses will change with time. Conceptually, he does not have a problem with the plan for a service station. Councilmember Dahl stated she has also been consistent about not wanting another gas station. Councilmember Reinert stated he would prefer to be looking at both pieces of the plan, commerical and residential, at the same time. TWILIGHT ACRES PETITION FOR WATER, JIM STUDENSKI City Engineer Studenski advised staff has looked at the potential costs that would be incurred for installing water. Staff is estimating that cost to be $150,000. Staff does see the benefit of putting in the water main loop and believes many residents will connect. Staff is recommending the City move forward with the water main as a City project. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 23, 2003 APPROVED • Council directed staff to move forward with the water main project in Twilight Acres as a City project. • VILLAGE UPDATE, MICHAEL GROCHALA, MARY DIVINE Community Development Director Grochala advised the City has had developer interest and there is a purchase agreement with the Tagg's. The Hartford Group will be coming forward with a plan. They will be requesting some assistance from the City including TIF and infrastructure. Staff believes the City can establish a TIF redevelopment district on the Tagg property. Community Development Director Grochala stated the Harford Group would be present at the next work session. Staff would like to begin the EAW process and the traffic impact study, both of which will be paid for by the developer. Staff will be requesting Council authorization to begin both at the first Council meeting in May. Community Development Director Grochala advised staff would like to hire one engineering firm, SEH, to cover all components of the Village. Staff is waiting for a proposal from SEH. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, APRIL 28, 2003 There were no changes to the regular Council agenda. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on May 12, 2003. Ann B1i11, City Clerk John ergeon, Mayor Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 7