HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/05/2004 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 5, 2004
APPROVED
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3 CITY OF LINO LAKES
4 MINUTES
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8 DATE : May 5, 2004
9 TIME STARTED : 5:35 p.m.
10 TIME ENDED 9:58 p.m.
11 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Carlson, Dahl, Reinert,
12 and Mayor Bergeson
13 MEMBERS ABSENT Stoltz
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15 Staff members present: City Administrator, Gordon Heitke; Community Development
16 Director, Michael Grochala; City Engineer, Jim Studenski; City Planner, Jeff Smyser;
17 Public Services Director, Rick DeGardner (part); Economic Development Assistant,
18 Mary Alice Divine (part); and Police Chief, Dave Pecchia (part)
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21 SPEISER SUBDIVISION UPDATE, JEFF SMYSER
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23 City Planner Smyser advised Mr. and Mrs. Speiser requested a subdivision of their
24 property at the last City Council meeting during Open Mike. Staff met with Mr. and Mrs.
25 Speiser last week to discuss the issue.
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27 City Planner Smyser distributed a letter written to the Speisers indicating staff believes
28 there is a way to create a new residential lot without violating the growth management
29 policy. He reviewed the facts and conclusions that came from the meeting in regards to
30 subdividing the property. He noted Mrs. Speiser received the letter yesterday and it
31 appears the subdivision will occur.
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33 HOLLY DRIVE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATE, JIM STUDENSKI
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35 City Engineer Studenski advised a second neighborhood meeting was held on April 28,
36 2004 to further discuss the project and receive additional feedback from the residents
37 regarding the improvements. Concerns continued to be raised by several residents
38 regarding the tree loss and the buffer loss that will occur by installing the trail along the
39 east side of Holly Drive between Cripple Creek Pass and South Trappers Crossing.
40 Following the meeting, staff received concerns from other residents who don't want the
41 trail to be eliminated.
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City Engineer Studenski advised staff's review of eliminating this portion of the trail
system still has generally the same impacts to the trees that currently exist in the right-of-
way due to the grading necessary for the road construction and drainage issues. Staff has
been able to adjust the street and trail design to almost completely eliminate any grading
activity outside of the right-of-way. These changes will allow for preservation of some
existing trees previously identified for removal.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 5, 2004
APPROVED
1 City Engineer Studenski stated the City Environmentalist has reviewed the area and
2 found most of the trees affected by the improvements to be of minimal value. Public
3 Services Director DeGardner supports following the City's Park and Trail System Plan,
4 which shows the trail following Holly Drive. Rick doesn't support using the subdivision
5 streets as the route for the trail system. Public Services has also proposed additional
6 landscaping (tree replacement) and boulevard maintenance along the trail corridor.
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8 City Engineer Studenski distributed a packet of information that included a timeline for
9 the project and copies of all correspondence relating to the trail. He indicated it is staff's
10 recommendation to leave the trail system along Holly Drive and to continue to try to
11 minimize the tree loss from the improvements. It is staff's intent to bring the plans and
12 specifications to advertise for bids to the Council at the May 24, 2004 City Council
13 meeting. He noted most of the correspondence included in the packet indicated support
14 for the trail.
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16 Councilmember Carlson inquired about the grading issue and how many trees will be
17 saved. City Engineer Studenski stated the project would be matching in at the bottom of
18 the hills. The road elevation would be followed very closely. The property line along
19 Holly would be marked to indicate the limits of the construction area. The Tree
20 replacement plan will include planting additional trees through the homeowners. That
21 will be determined when the City knows how many trees will actually be lost.
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23 Mr. John Meyerhoffer, resident, indicated he is in favor of the trail. He presented forty
24 signatures showing support for the trail due to safety concerns.
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26 Ms. Sue Walseth, resident, presented another forty signatures showing support for the
27 trail. She stated it makes sense to construct a trail and there is a safety issue.
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29 Mr. Scott Moses, resident, stated he is also in favor of the trail and presented references
30 in regard to recommendations where trails should be constructed.
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32 Mr. Joe Kuehl, resident, stated he is in favor of the trail because there is a safety issue.
33 He stated it would be beneficial to separate pedestrians and cars.
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35 Mr. Art Mills, resident, stated he is in favor of the trail. The City would save money
36 because the Police Department won't have to come to his house as often due to his wife
37" walking the dogs.
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39 Ms. Mary Harmon, resident, stated she is in favor of the trail due to safety issue. She
40 suggested speed bumps also be used on the roadway.
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42 Mr. Rick Johnson, resident, stated he is also in favor of the trail due to safety issue.
43 Mr. Steve Arndofer, resident, stated he is in favor of the trail also. He indicated he is
44 confused as to why the project is staring in the middle as opposed to either end. He
45 indicated that being aware of the start dates for the other phases would allow residents a
46 head start on the additional plantings.
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48 This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, May 24, 2004, 6:30 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
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MAY 5, 2004
2 PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE, DAVE PECCHIA
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4 Public Safety Grants - Chief Pecchia advised the Lino Lakes Police Department
5 constantly monitors grant programs and submits applications in those cases where the
6 grant resources would benefit the Police Department operations and the City. A grant has
7 been applied for to fund three additional officers and a volunteer coordinator from two
8 grant programs. The City has recently been informed that both applications for the police
9 officers and volunteer coordinator have been approved.
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11 Chief Pecchia stated the first grant is the COPS Universal Hiring Program Grant. The
12 U.S. Department of Justice has awarded the City an estimated $225,000 to be used within
13 a three-year period for the hiring of three full-time officers. The additional officers would
14 be used to further the department's community policing initiatives and address homeland
15 security issues within the City. The second grant is the Citizens Corps Grant. The
16 Minnesota Department of Public Safety has awarded the City $54,000 to hire a Volunteer
17 Coordinator. The primary responsibility of this position would be to assist the Police
18 Department in the coordination of Public Safety Citizen's Committee's activities.
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20 Chief Pecchia advised the acceptance of the COPS UHP grant would provide an
21 estimated $225,000 for the period 2004-2005 for personnel -related costs for three
22 additional officers. It is estimated that the City would need to provide approximately
23 $67,721 of local funds during this period to support unfunded and ineligible expenditures.
24 The unfunded costs of $8,070 in 2004 will be accommodated within the existing budget,
25 however $59,651 will need to be budgeted in 2005. It is the expectation of the granting
26 agency that these three positions will be retained and locally funded following the grant
27 period. The estimated costs of supporting these three positions following the grant period
28 is $218,019 in 2006, increasing to approximately $300,00 by 2009.
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30 Chief Pecchia stated the Citizen Corps Grant will provide $54,000 for coordinator
31 personnel -related costs and volunteer uniforms in 2004 and 2005. There will be no local
32 funds required in 2004 and an estimated $28,505 will be required in 2005. Beginning in
33 2006, after grant funds are expended, the annual cost of maintaining this position and
34 uniforms will be approximately $39,000, increasing to $42,000 by 2009.
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36 As the City grows in population and amount of development and value of property to
37` serve and protect, and increases miles of streets and utilities, and acres of park to
38 maintain, there will obviously be the need to increase staff resources to maintain a level
39 of service acceptable to the public. Within the Five Year Financial Plan future staffing
40 needs were identified. Staff has since identified additional positions needed by 2009, as
41 an initial step to update the plan. It needs to be recognized that the 2003 — 2007 staffing
42 plans were reduced from the original cited needs in response to concerns related to
43 declining state aid revenues, and are therefore conservative numbers.
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45 Chief Pecchia stated the growth of the community has and will continue to require
46 additional staff resources in order to maintain, at a minimum, the present level of
47 services. The Police Department, as well as all other departments presently have or will
48 have staffing needs in the near future, which will need to be accommodated within future
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 5, 2004
APPROVED
1 budgets. The recent 16% annual increase in taxable market value represents new revenue
2 to fund necessary additional staff positions. The decision on accepting these grants and
3 committing to hire additional staff needs to be made in context of the future growth, other
4 staffing needs within the organization, and increased future revenues from an increasing
5 tax base.
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7 Chief Pecchia added Lino Lakes Elementary School has indicated they were interested in
8 helping fund the COPS in Schools Grant Program. That grant is still under consideration.
9 The Federal Government will be asking for City commitment before any of the grants are
10 awarded.
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12 City Administrator Heitke stated this is a long-term commitment. Staff will be asking the
13 City to fund the positions when the grant money has been used. He referred to a graph of
14 the City of Lino Lakes Taxable Market Value 1999-2004. The City is seeing growth in
15 population so more staff is needed in all departments to maintain the current levels of
16 service. However, as the population grows the City also receives additional revenue.
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18 Councilmember Reinert asked if the grants are all or nothing for the three officers. Chief
19 Pecchia stated that is the way the department is approaching it. If the City turns down
20 one of the grants, the City would in all likelihood not receive any more grants.
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22 Councilmember Reinert stated the Council needs to look at the needs of the entire staff.
23 He suggested a more gradual approach be taken in terms of adding additional staff.
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25 Councilmember Dahl clarified that the grants are obtained for new personnel only. Chief
26 Pecchia stated the City has received many grants and still will continue to pursue grants.
27 Hopefully there will be grants in the future to help pay for officers. The department has
28 been told that federal funding for these types of grants is going to be cut by 60%.
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30 Mayor Bergeson stated that in 3-4 years, the City will have a quarter of a million dollars
31 that needs to be put into the budget. He believes the City should accept the grant but it is
32 a commitment that is a permanent one. It is the Council's responsibility to provide
33 resources for all departments and that should be equitable. If the City moves forward
34 with the grants, it needs to be clear that it is a long-term commitment and there is a
35 responsibility to other department within the City as well.
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3'r It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to proceed with the Public Safety
38 Grants. Council also directed staff to provide additional information regarding staffing
39 needs in other departments.
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41 Promotion of Reserve Officer — Chief Pecchia advised the department would now have
42 three sergeants and a lieutenant. There will be a ceremony with the presentation of
43 plaques and recognition from the City Council at a future Council meeting.
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45 HUGO - ELMCREST AVENUE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, MICHAEL
46 GROCHALA
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
MAY 5, 2004
1 Community Development Director Grochala advised the City of Hugo is currently
2 considering the approval of a 333 lot residential development, proposed by Centex
3 Homes and Pratt Investments, located adjacent to Elmcrest Avenue (24th Avenue)
4 approximately i/2 mile north of Main Street.
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6 The specific concern for Lino Lakes is the impact of traffic on Elmcrest Avenue.
7 Elmcrest is a gravel road that straddles the Lino Lakes and Hugo border. There are
8 currently no plans to upgrade the road from its current status, but development in either
9 Lino Lakes or Hugo would require the developer to upgrade the road.
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11 Community Development Director Grochala advised the City's 2001 Comprehensive
12 Plan guides the land west of Elmcrest for future Commercial and Industrial development.
13 Ultimately, it is anticipated that Otter Lake Road will be extended northeasterly from
14 Main Street and connect with Elmcrest at a point north of Main Street. This roadway will
15 serve as a collector route for both Hugo and Lino Lakes.
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17 City staff has begun preliminary discussions with the City of Hugo to prepare an overall
18 concept for improving the street as development occurs. As an interim measure the City
19 of Hugo is requiring the developer to pave Elmcrest Avenue from Main Street to the
20 north boundary of the subject property. Staff has evaluated this proposal and believes it
21 is an acceptable interim measure. The City Engineer will be reviewing the proposed
22 improvements with the City of Hugo to insure a suitable design. Staff will discuss
23 concerns with the City of Hugo such as dust control and timing of paving, quality of
24 construction, turn lanes, access and the speed limit. He noted the City of Hugo would be
25 requesting a speed study.
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27 Community Development Director Grochala advised the City of Hugo is also trying to
28 determine how to obtain dollars from developers for the interchange reconstruction.
29 There are some legal issues. The coalition is also working on obtaining funds for the
30 interchange project.
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32 Councilmember Carlson inquired about where the money would come from in 8-10 years
33 when the roadway needs to be reconstructed. Community Development Director
34 Grochala stated staff would ensure the quality on the interim measure so it will last for
35 quite some time. Elmcrest could qualify for state aid funds and those costs could be split
36 with the City of Hugo. Also, dollars will be put into escrow for road improvements at
37 some point in the future.
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39 EAST LINO LAKES MASTER PLANNING PROCESS UPDATE, MICHAEL
40 GROCHALA
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42 Community Development Director Grochala advised John Feges of Benchmark
43 Community Builder Collaborative met with the City Council and Citizen Advisory
44 Boards at a special work session on April 29 regarding the 360 -acre site north of County
45 Road 14 and west of 35E. His goal at that meeting was to explain his approach to master
46 planning the site by involving all interested stakeholders in "a community planning
47 process.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 5, 2004
APPROVED
1 At its April meeting, EDAC recommended that the City move forward with this type of
2 planning process. It is staff's sense that those attending last week's meeting were also in
3 favor of this planning approach. Staff is seeking direction from the Council regarding
4 whether they should move ahead with Mr. Feges on this process.
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6 The next step would entail Benchmark Community Builder Collaborative working with
7 City staff to brainstorm all of the many stakeholders and identify all key audiences. From
8 there, an action plan will be created to seek input and buy -in from these groups. This
9 input is likely to come from a combination of face-to-face meeting with individuals,
10 focus groups, charettes, written surveys, task forces and listening sessions.
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12 If the Council directs staff to move forward, the City can apply for a Metropolitan
13 Council Opportunity Grant to enlarge the scope of this master planning process to include
14 the greater 35E corridor within Lino Lakes. These funds are available for preparing
15 master plans, conducting design workshops, developing zoning and land use
16 implementation tools, environmental review, etc. Because the City has already been
17 collaborating with neighboring cities and the counties on transportation planning, the City
18 could submit a strong application. The application deadline is June 2, 2004.
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20 Councilmember Dahl inquired about the amount of the grant. Economic Development
21 Assistant Divine stated the grant money would be between $30,000 - $75,000.< There is
22 $200,000 available this year.
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24 Councilmember Carlson expressed concerti regarding the cost of the infrastructure to the
25 citizens and how the plan fits into the Comprehensive Plan. She stated the plan in
26 Ramsey showed much more housing than what the Comprehensive Plan shows for that
27 area.
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29 Community Development Director Grochala stated the intent is to work through a
30 process to get input for a possible plan for development.
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32 Councilmember Carlson stated she would want a City-wide survey included in the public
33 input process.
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35 Councilmember Reinert stated the process is the right idea if it is the right plan. He
36 indicated he believes the City should move forward with the process.
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38 Councilmember Carlson asked at what point would the City be committed legally. She
39 expressed concern about misleading the developer or getting a plan that is very different
40 from the Comprehensive Plan.
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42 Community Development Director Grochala stated the City would not be legally
43 committed to the plan. The City would be making a commitment to go through the
44 process. Trust between the City and developer would be established through the process.
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46 Councilmember Dahl stated she would be very cautious throughout the process.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 5, 2004
APPROVED
1 Mayor Bergeson suggested the Council have a meeting with the Ramsey City Council to
2 get their feedback on the process.
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4 Council directed staff to schedule a meeting with the Ramsey City Council. Staff
5 indicated they would request an action plan from the developer.
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7 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS, MICHAEL GROCHALA
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9 Community Development Director Grochala advised at the April 22, 2004 City Council
10 work session staff suggested setting a date for a joint City Council/Planning & Zoning
11 Board meeting to review the status of the City's 2001 Comprehensive Plan. Staff has
12 previously indicated to the Council that there are elements of the existing plan that need
13 to be reexamined. Specifically, staff is concerned over conflicts between the plan
14 elements such as land use, sanitary sewer, transportation, etc. as well as conflicting goal
15 and policy statements and consequences created by the growth management ordinance.
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17 Community Development Director Grochala stated to address these issues staff is
18 recommending a process that involves a review of the existing plan elements as well as
19 the Goals & Policies set forth in the plan and the Growth Management Ordinance. It is
20 staff's intent to provide a written summary of the plan purpose, plan elements, policy
21 implications, and identified conflicts for presentation to the City Council and Planning &
22 Zoning Board. This review would provide the basis for discussions on the plan to
23 determine what, if any, revisions to the plan should be examined further. If it is
24 determined that the City should examine possible revisions to the plan a separate
25 participatory process would be developed.
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27 Staff is requesting Council direction on how to proceed, as well as a timeline for
28 completion of the review. Staff can complete the review documents by the first week in
29 June. Staff is recommending that a special work session be held to allow the appropriate
30 time for the presentation and discussion. Staff would prefer to present the information at
31 a joint meeting with the Planning & Zoning Board and City Council. However, staff
32 could review the information with the Planning & Zoning Board first and forward
33 comments and/or recommendations to the City Council in late June or early July.
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35 Councilmember Reinert suggested staff work through the Planning & Zoning Board to
36 obtain their input before bringing it to the Council.
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38 Councilmember Carlson distributed and read an article from the Lino Lakes News
39 regarding the Comprehensive Plan and how the City's future is dictated by the desires of
40 the Lino Lakes residents. She stated the City needs to go to the citizens first. If the City
41 does not go to the citizens first she would feel as though she is betraying their trust.
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43 Councilmember Reinert stated he believes the issues need to be identified first. Then the
44 Council can determine what should be done, if anything. The public would be included if
45 the Comprehensive Plan is amended.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 5, 2004
APPROVED
Mayor Bergeson stated the Council needs to hear about the implementation problems
within the Comprehensive Plan. Then the Council can determine if action should be
taken.
Councilmember Reinert indicated the presentation should be made at a joint City
Council/Planning & Zoning Board meeting.
Councilmember Carlson stated she would prefer the meeting not be a joint meeting with
the Planning & Zoning Board.
Mayor Bergeson stated he believes the presentation should include the Planning &
Zoning Board.
Councilmember Dahl stated she would prefer the presentation be made to the Council
first. If not, the Planning & Zoning Board could be included in the presentation. Then
the Council can decide if any action should be taken.
The Council gave no direction to staff regarding a joint meeting with the Planning &
Zoning Board.
PROPOSED REVISIONS TO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES, GORDON HEITKE
City Administrator Heitke advised there are some recommended changes to the April 7,
April 8 and April 12, 2004 Council minutes. Another set of minutes will be coming for
approval. He suggested the Council wait until the other set of minutes are ready for
approval before any changes are made. He noted staff would also be bringing a
recommendation to the Council regarding the meeting minutes.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, MAY 10, 2004
Item 6E, Public Hearing, Consider 1St Reading of Ordinance No. 13-04, Vacating Public
Road Easement (adjacent to Karth Road) — Council directed staff to draft a resolution
denying the request for vacating public road easement adjacent to Karth Road.
There were no other changes to the regular agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
May 24, 2004.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
Transcribed by:
2 Kim Points
3 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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MAY 5, 2004