HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/04/2007 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 4, 2007
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : June 4, 2007
5 TIME STARTED : 5:47 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 11:42 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Carlson, O'Donnell,
8 Reinert, Stoltz and Mayor Bergeson
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11
12 Staff members present: City Administrator, Gordon Heitke; City Engineer, Jim Studenski
13 (part); City Planner, Jeff Smyser (part); Economic Development Coordinator, Mary Alice
14 Divine (part); Finance Director, Al Rolek (part); Director of Public Safety, Dave Pecchia
15 (part); Community Development Director, Mike Grochala (part); Public Services
16 Director, Rick DeGardner (part); and City Clerk, Julie Bartell
17
18 HARDWOOD CREEK DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
19
20 Community Development Director Grochala explained that transportation and water
21 management have been the key areas of review during the past year. Traffic study and
22 modeling has resulted in Anoka County plans to design the intersection of County Road
23 14 and 21st Av as a signalized, full movement intersection. Discussion over the past six
24 months has centered on surface water management and they are slowly moving toward
25 assumptions in that area. The overall review process for this large site is being
26 established and will include several approval stages in a planned unit development
27 process. The overall build -out of the development is five to six years out. Per the current
28 market, commercial is moving ahead of residential.
29
30 Kendra Lindahl, Landform Development, noted that the work on traffic resulted in good
31 plans for that element. They (the developers) hope to submit a formal application for
32 development this summer. They are still looking at the same basic numbers and the
33 mixed-use and core concept remains in the plan; there could be some redefinition of
34 housing based on the market.
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36 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
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38 Ciara Schlichting and John Shardlow, consultants, reviewed the schedule and a process
39 chart for the comprehensive plan update project. Ms. Schlichting updated the Council on
40 the work of the advisory panel, including noting the written summary of their work, a
41 discussion of how elements fit together, how additional ideas were added and review of
42 draft goals by the advisory panel. The schedule for the project was reviewed.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 4, 2007
APPROVED
1 Mr. Shardlow noted that the process has pulled in many good people and the panel has
2 evolved into an excellent working group. The Council will receive regular updates as the
3 process continues.
4
5 Community Development Director Grochala added that there will be further work on
6 goals and actions and how best to use tools.
7
8 Council comments included:
9 high growth and high taxes are community concerns that don't appear to be
10 addressed in the plan; it was clarified that the Metropolitan Council is
11 recommending three units per acre.
12 the athletic complex was voted down solidly so it would seem the citizens have
13 already said "no" on that matter;
14 - the Council will get the last look at the document;
15 conservation development is a result of the last comp plan update process and
16 that's been very positive for the city and the 147 limit has been a tool to bring
17 about that type of development;
18 - regarding development, the City has offered incentives and at some point the
19 momentum is there and the incentives shouldn't be needed;
20 - the completed plan should be reviewed by the Council on a regular basis (the
21 consultant suggested building that requirement into the plan);
22
23 AUDIT REPORT
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25 Finance Director Rolek, and Darwin Viker and Brock Geyen of Larson, Allen, Weishair
26 & Company presented the 2006 Annual Financial Report and the accompanying auditor's
27 reports.
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29 Mr. Geyen gave a comprehensive review of the financial report and auditor's comments.
30 Fund balance was reviewed with a comparison to past years balance; the auditor
31 suggested that fund balance is at an appropriate level. Mr. Geyen reviewed internal
32 control over financial reports, compliance under the laws of the State of Minnesota,
33 reasonable national auditing requirements, accounting policies and estimates, proposed
34 audit adjustments, involvement of city management and other accountants.
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36 The report will be submitted for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
37 Financial Reporting.
38
39 PURCHASE AGREEMENT — ANDERSON BUILDERS
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41 Economic Development Coordinator Mary Alice Divine introduced Dave Anderson and
42 Greg Anderson of Anderson Builders, noting that they entered an agreement with the City
43 in January of 2007 allowing a period of time to investigate the development potential of
44 three acres of city -owned land on Lake Drive north of 77th Street. They are seeking a
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 4, 2007
APPROVED
• 1 purchase agreement and also the realignment of 77th Street. The property in question
2 was appraised at a higher value than is being offered.
3
4 Dave Anderson presented the development plans, noting that an attractive and
5 comprehensive development is desired with phasing to accomplish continuation of the
6 effort. The Anderson Builders proposal reflects a good, appropriate design. Regarding
7 the offered purchase price, the appraisal is based on comparables and does not consider
8 other goals such as continuing economic development and the highest and best use of the
9 land.
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11 Council comments included concern about lack of master planning for the area, city
12 contribution at the front of the project, value tied to the realignment of 77th Street and the
13 possible loss of leveraging other funds for the street work, recognition that there could be
14 value in the continuity of development rather than selling parcels separately. The Council
15 expressed an interest in extending the period of exclusive review for Anderson Builders if
16 it would assist them in bringing forward both phases and including a guarantee for the
17 77th Street realignment.
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19 Staff directed to continue to work with Anderson Builders and keep the Council updated;
20 development rights to continue if necessary.
21
22 The Council took a twenty minute recess at 8:40.
• 23
24 WATER EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PLAN
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26 Verne Jacobsen, TDKA, reported on the City of Lino Lakes Water Emergency and
27 Conservation Plan update, Department of Natural Resources required document due from
28 the City by October 15, 2007. The plan addresses supply and demand reduction
29 measures, allocation priorities and an emergency alternative source of water and the
30 update is used to show if the city is meeting required benchmarks and, if not, how they
31 will be achieved. Lino Lakes is meeting the benchmark in the area of unaccounted water
32 usebut not in the areas of residential gallons per capita and peak demand ratio. To work
33 toward meeting benchmarks, the city could look at its water rate structures, monitoring
34 plans and sustainability. There should be consideration of future growth in measures and
35 you must address wiser use of water.
36
37 The council suggested that educating youth (schools) would be a good way to reach the
38 next generation. The cost of water forces people to consider the issue. Staff was directed
39 to continue to work on a plan to meet all the benchmarks.
40
41 WATER TREATMENT PLANT FEASIBILITY STUDY
42
43 Verne Jacobsen, TKDA, reported that the council authorized a study in January of 2007
• 44 to plan for future water facilities. The study is in progress with all background data and
45 documents having been collected. The report will be submitted in September 2007 and
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 4, 2007
APPROVED
• 1 will include information on future water use, treatment needs, locations consideration,
2 costs and possible funding options.
3
4 UTILITY RATE STUDY
5
6 Finance Director Rolek noted that the city has considered a contract for preparation of a
7 comprehensive utility rate study that would consider all costs such as infrastructure, debt
8 financing, replacement, etc. The rates for Lino Lakes have not been adjusted since 2003.
9 Staff is recommending that Springsted, Inc. be requested to undertake the study that
10 would assist with the aforementioned Water Emergency and Conservation Plan update
11 requirements and consideration of a water treatment plan.
12
13 SILVERA MEMORIAL
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15 Economic Development Coordinator Divine reported that staff has researched the
16 elements involved in placing a memorial for Officer Shawn Silvera in the Woods Edge
17 Community Green. She reported on options for a memorial including a plaque, public art
18 through an established arts consulting group, a public art sculpture commissioned through
19 a local artist or creation of a seating element. The council reviewed photos and
20 renderings of possibilities.
21
22 The council directed staff to look further at the option of commissioning a piece through
• 23 a local artist, with a cost ceiling of $5,000.
24
25 REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
26
27 Item 6A - Consideration of Resolution No. 07-87, Granting a Conditional Use
28 Permit for to Allow Earth Material Storage and Excavation, (Birch and 12th
29 Avenue), LaMotte Property — After review of the proposed excavation plans and
30 discussion of public safety concerns, this item was pulled from the agenda.
31
32 2007 — 2008 COUNCIL GOALS
33
34 The Council elected to postpone discussion of the 2007 — 2008 Council goals.
35
36 WEST SHADOW LAKE TRAFFIC
37
38 Council Member Reinert explained that residents of West Shadow Lake have contacted
39 him with concerns about traffic on their streets. They are interested in traffic calming
40 measures such as signage, crosswalks, designating bike paths, etc.
41
42 Public Services Director DeGardner responded that the traffic concerns noted for Shadow
43 Lake are the same that exist in many areas of the city. Staff, including the Police
• 44 Department, are working to develop the best way to address specific problems. Signs and
45 bumps are not always an effective means to deal with traffic problems; enforcement of
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 4, 2007
APPROVED
S i existing regulations is key. Police Chief Pecchia will report back with recommendations
2 for West Shadow Lake.
3
4 VLAWMO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
5
6 Council Member Carlson, representing Lino Lakes on the VLAWMO Board, requested
7 the opportunity to update the council on the two JPA issues being discussed by the board
8 - the establishment of a storm water utility and budgeting authority. A meeting was
9 planned with an attorney and BWSR to discuss the issues but the meeting did not occur.
10 In the mean time, the VLAWMO Board did vote to send the JPA to local authorities. She
11 suggested that comments and/or action should probably wait for that legal review. When
12 asked if all costs would be covered by a storm water utility, there was not clarity in how
13 that would be budgeted since there is fluctuation. She asked for a council direction on
14 approval of the budget. The council concurred with the amount of $10,994.
15
16 COMPENSATION SYSTEM — UPDATE ON PAY EQUITY; 2008 SALARY
17 DISCUSSION (FROM COUNCIL 5-14 COUNCIL MEETING
18
19 WAGE POLICY FOR NON-UNION STAFF
20
21 A concern was raised about the process for recent consideration of wage adjustments for
22 non union staff; the process did not allow for respectful opposition.
• 23
24 There was discussion about whether a resolution made by a prior council to pay 65% of
25 the market for certain positions should be judged as existing policy or simply was a
26 suggestion made at a work session.
27
28 Administrator Heitke announced that a human resources consultant from Springsted, Inc.
29 has been scheduled to attend the next two council work sessions to assist in the council's
30 discussion of wages and provide more information on a performance review element.
31
32 The meeting was adjourned at 11:42 p.m.
33
34 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
35 June 25, 2007.
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40 Julianne Bartell, City,Cler John Bergeson, Mayor
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