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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/18/2003 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 18, 2003 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : June 18, 2003 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m. TIME ENDED : 7:34 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember O'Donnell, Reinert and Mayor Bergeson MEMBERS ABSENT : Carlson and Dahl Staff members present: Finance Director, Al Rolek; Community Development Director, Michael Grochala; City Engineer, Jim Studenski; Economic Development Assistant, Mary Alice Divine: Police Sergeant, Steve Mortenson (part); City Planner, Jeff Smyser; and City Clerk, Ann Blair (part) VICTOR GARDENS, JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT, MICHAEL GROCHALA Community Development Director Grochala advised the City previously entered into a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for water service in Victor Gardens, a development in Hugo. The agreement states the City of Lino Lakes will provide water to the development until water is available from the City of Hugo. The City is looking at a second interconnect along Main Street. There have been some water flow issues, but staff believes those issues have been resolved. Staff also believes there will be a benefit for the City to loop the system on the north side. The extension will also set the City up to extend the utilities further north along Main Street. Community Development Director Grochala advised as part of the Victor Gardens project there is a small retail development. The JPA states no uses other than residential will be allowed to hook up to the water system. The developer of Victor Gardens is requesting that the small retail development also be allowed to hook up for water services from the City. Staff feels there is not an issue with that request. Staff does not feel that what is developed there will be in direct competition with what is ultimately developed in Lino Lakes. The City of Hugo eventually will service the retail development also. Councilmember Reinert asked why the limitation regarding retail development was included in the JPA. Community Development Director Grochala advised the JPA was put in place before he came to the City. He stated he believes the issue was competition and not a capacity issue. Mayor Bergeson stated he believes the retail use will not be that large and it is temporary. Mr. Pratt, Developer for Victor Gardens, stated the water tower in Hugo is up and in place. There was a delay due to the question of where the County road would be extended. He thanked the City for the water in the Victor Gardens development. He 1 • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 18, 2003 APPROVED stated he is developing a village type commercial center that includes residential style retail shops. Mayor Bergeson inquired about the size of the retail development. Mr. Pratt referred to a drawing pointing out a small convenience store, small office building and car wash. He stated he believes the development will have access to water from the City of Hugo in 2005. The retail development will be done in 2004 or possibly late this year. Councilmember Reinert asked if the City has the capacity to handle the retail development. Community Development Director Grochala advised staff believes the usage will not be a problem for the City's system. The developer will pay for the extension. Allowing the retail development to hook up to the City's system will not commit the City to any more commercial hook ups. Mayor Bergeson requested staff to check with the City Attorney to make sure the City can approve this on a case-by-case basis. Community Development Director Grochala advised staff will handle the request by amending the current JPA. Councilmember O'Donnell requested staff confirm the City of Hugo's schedule regarding their water service. DISCUSSION REGARDING 2 A.M. CLOSING TIME LAW, AND GUNS AT CITY HALL, STEVE MORTENSON Sergeant Mortenson advised the new closing time for bars goes into effect July 1, 2003. Each establishment has to be approved by the City via a permit and fees. The City has not received any calls from establishments within the City regarding this issue. Staff can contact the establishments and inform them of the requirements to stay open until 2 a.m. The City will have to change the current ordinance. The Police Department does not have a recommendation on this change. At this point, the Department does not see the later closing time as a huge problem for the City. Sergeant Mortenson advised the posting of signs banning firearms was discussed at a previous work session. The School District will be posting signs at the Early Childhood Facility. The City can post signs at the entrances of City Hall also. The Police Department does not have a recommendation regarding the posting of signs. The posting of signs is a Council decision. The Early Childhood Facility would like the signs posted at City Hall also. However, according to the law, someone also needs to verbally inform people entering the building that firearms are prohibited. Mayor Bergeson stated the City has to respond to the School District's request. This issue needs to be added to the Council agenda for action. He stated he believes the City • should have at least limited posting. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 18, 2003 APPROVED Councilmember O'Donnell asked how the School District is handing the verbal declaration on the signs. Sergeant Mortenson advised staff would find out about the verbal declaration and the School District's time frame for the signs. Council directed staff to add this item to the regular Council agenda Monday, June 23, 2003, 6:30 p.m. RACINO PROJECT, MARY ALICE DIVINE Economic Development Assistant Divine advised Southwest Casino has spoken to staff regarding a harness race track and card room within the City of Lino Lakes on 35E. Southwest Casino is present this evening to discuss the project with the City Council. Mr. Jim Druck, President of Southwest Casino, gave the background of Southwest Casino and Hotel Corp. noting they would like to develop a project in Minnesota. The first phase would include a horse track. The second phase would include a racino. He stated he believes a racino will eventually be approved by the legislature. Southwest Casino is looking for a home in Anoka County. He stated he does have a site in Columbus Township and he believes they are welcome there. However, the site does have building challenges due to wetlands. The Rehbine parcel in Lino Lakes would be a preferred site. He stated he would like to know if the City is interested in Southwest Casino pursuing this project in Lino Lakes. Mr. Druck continued with a power point presentation noting the facility would provide harness racing 50 days during the months of May through September. He reviewed the specifics of the facility noting the grand stand would have a capacity of 1,400. There would also be a restaurant and card room. Mr. Druck distributed a site plan of phase 1 along with a handout of the power point presentation. The question is whether or not Southwest Casino should pursue the project in Lino Lakes. He stated he is not looking to shortcut the City process but would like a sense of how the City feels about this type of project. Mayor Bergeson stated traffic would be a huge issue. The Comprehensive Plan has that site divided into commercial/industrial with a buffer to the neighborhoods. There is a proposal for a church close to that site that caused a lot of controversy. Councilmember Reinert stated he would like to learn more about the effect on the community with this type of project. Mr. Druck stated the major negative effects include traffic issues, lights at night, and the public perception. Mayor Bergeson inquired about the economic viability of this type of project. Mr. Druck stated the facility would be modestly sized and would make a profit. He stated he would share the numbers with the City Council. He stated Anoka County has been left out of entertainment development. The County has welcomed Southwest Casino. The site 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 18, 2003 APPROVED • location will not have an adverse effect on Canterbury Downs. Studies show the customer base will drive 20-30 miles to get to this type of facility. • Councilmember O'Donnell stated the company's headquarters are in Minnesota but this is the first proposed project in Minnesota. He asked why the project is being proposed now. Mr. Druck stated Southwest Casino did expect to run the card room in Canterbury and were very disappointed it was not approved. Also, Southwest Casino has been very busy with other projects. Southwest Casino believes the time is right to proceed with a project in Minnesota. Mayor Bergeson stated the City has had an interest in the development of a sports stadium. He advised he is not sure the City Council has come to a consensus about whether or not a major entertainment complex should be developed within the City. Councilmember Reinert requested more information on the effects to the community in relation to this type of facility. Mr. Druck stated he could give staff the name of contacts in other communities. Councilmember Reinert stated he also wants written data regarding the impact of a major facility. Councilmember O'Donnell stated projects that are successful within the City have gotten the neighborhoods and residents involved very early in the process. He suggested Southwest Casino schedule a neighborhood meeting. He stated he would be open to listening to the proposal. Mayor Bergeson asked Southwest Casino to work with staff to update the two Councilmembers that are not present this evening. The Council will think about the information that has been presented and will discuss it at a future meeting. ELM STREET RECONSTRUCTION, JIM STUDENSKI, MICHAEL GROCHALA City Engineer Studenski advised the next step in the process for the reconstruction of Elm Street is to declare the costs to be assessed and call for a public hearing on July 14, 2003. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, June 23, 2003, 6:30 p.m. 62ND STREET RECONSTRUCTION, JIM STUDENSKI, MICHAEL GROCHALA City Engineer Studenski advised the process for the reconstruction of 62°d Street needs to get moving again. The options for this project were reviewed at a previous work session. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 18, 2003 APPROVED Community Development Director Grochala stated that if the utilities are extended a major Comprehensive Plan amendment will be necessary. The City needs to rebuild the street and construct a water main loop. There is flexibility with the sanitary sewer. Sanitary sewer can be provided for the Stage 1 growth areas. The City can also construct the sanitary sewer to allow for future connections in the Stage 2 growth areas. Community Development Director Grochala advised the City has received numerous petitions from residents in the area. Residents have come up with another option. The residents have indicated they are willing to pay the assessments but will agree not to hook up until 2010. Staff did confer with the City Attorney regarding that option. The City Attorney indicated a waiver would have to be signed by all the residents. Community Development Director Grochala asked for Council direction on how to proceed with this project. Staff will then schedule a neighborhood meeting. Councilmember O'Donnell stated the City needs to keep the barricade up until 62" Street is reconstructed or there is Council consensus to remove it. Councilmember Reinert stated the City needs to determine what the Council's intent was with the barricade and follow through with that intent. Community Development Director Grochala stated the 62nd Street reconstruction project should be a 2004 project. Staff wants to verify the plans and specifications now for spring construction. He referred to a map pointing out the properties that will be provided with sanitary sewer. Residents on 62" Street would not be assessed for sanitary sewer. Residents have also petitioned out of the road reconstruction assessments. Council directed staff to move forward with the 62" Street reconstruction project. REGULAR AGENDA, JUNE 23, 2003 Item 5B, Posting of Firearms Signs at City Hall — this item was added to the regular Council agenda. There were no other changes to the regular agenda. Mayor Bergeson stated the Committee for the proposed joint police department does have a list of the Council's major issues. Staff will be working on a draft proposal for the governance of the Quad Cities Police Department that will be presented at the next joint meeting. Another option is the contract option. That option has not yet been discussed at the joint meetings. Community Development Director Grochala advised Anoka County has eliminated the Lake Drive/35W project from their Five -Year Capital Improvement Plan. Staff will be discussing this issue with the County at some point in the future. IIIThe meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. • • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 18, 2003 APPROVED These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on July 14, 2003. (L4 AL Ann Blair, C. Clerk Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 6