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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
DATE
TIME STARTED
TIME ENDED
MEMBERS PRESENT
MEMBERS ABSENT
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
MINUTES
August 6, 2007
: August 6, 2007
. 5:40 p.m.
. 9:50 p.m.
: Councilmember Carlson, O'Donnell,
Reinert, Stoltz and Mayor Bergeson
: None
Staff members present: Director of Administration, Dan Tesch; Community Development
Director, Mike Grochala; Economic Development Coordinator, Mary Alice Divine (part);
Director of Finance, Al Rolek (part); City Engineer, Jim Studenski; Director of Public
Safety, Dave Pecchia; and City Clerk, Julie Bartell
ANOKA COUNTY HRA/EDA — Community Development Manager and Assistant HRA
Director of Anoka County Karen Skepper explained that the county HRA was recently
granted powers of an economic development authority (EDA) and is interested in
providing services at the city level. She noted written information that had been presented
to the council on the new initiative and explained that cities may opt in by resolution. She
discussed the EDA's involvement in a feasibility study for high speed internet access.
The council requested a copy of the full Anoka County report and directed staff to follow
up with the county.
SPIRIT HILLS PARKING - Community Development Director Grochala noted that the
council has heard from some tenants at the Spirit Hills Center about parking concerns.
Staff has evaluated all the elements including spaces, tenants, etc. and has not found a
violation. Shopping centers have flux; this center is not currently fully leased but if it
were, twenty additional parking spaces would be required. The parking study that was
conducted by staff wasn't done to determine legality but as a way to provide information to
the tenants. Regarding the question of on -street parking, it does occasionally occur but in
areas where it is allowed and not to an extent where it could be seen as "over parking".
Staff will evaluate the parking situation as new tenants come in to the center.
President of Spirit Hills Commercial, Inc. Rocky Goertz asked the council if other
shopping areas in the city will receive the same scrutiny as Spirit Hills. The city's
instructions were followed when the center was developed and now he has been forced to
expend funds to justify the situation. Further, he challenges that the city is using the
correct square footage and number of employees in the case of some businesses.
Mark Winey and wife, owners of Snap Fitness, 6511 Ware Road (Spirit Hills Center),
addressed the council regarding the city's charge that they are using more pieces of
equipment than is allowed at their facility. They do not wish to move any equipment and
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 6, 2007
APPROVED
46 contest both the machine count and the business layout submitted by staff. They have
47 never had a customer complain about parking nor have they ever seen every space in the lot
48 occupied.
49
50 The council responded that the city's review is an attempt to respond to concerns. The
51 city's role is to follow and enforce the code of ordinances and there is compliance at this
52 time. The situation should be reviewed if there are additional tenants.
53
54 LAND ACQUISITION, ANDERSON BUILDERS — Economic Development Director
55 Divine noted the two matters tabled by the council regarding the Anderson Builder's
56 commercial development proposal for Lake Drive near 77th Street. Staff is responding to
57 council concern about tenant language in the development agreement by presenting
58 Anderson's agreement to remove language from Section 35(a). In response to council
59 concern about varying appraisals of the city -owned property, staff is presenting an opinion
60 from Attorney Steve Bubul of Kennedy and Graven indicating the validity of the second
61 appraisal. The realignment of 77th Street is still proposed with the necessary purchase
62 agreements in place and a feasibility study due in mid-September.
63
64 Dave Anderson, Anderson Builders, announced that they are most interested in keeping
65 this proposal moving along and they have worked hard to that end. He warned that the
66 purchase agreements for the 77th Street property will soon lapse.
67
68 COMPENSATION STUDY PROPOSAL — Ann Antonsen, Springsted, Inc., reviewed
69 her proposal for review of the city's compensation system, including consideration of
70 alternative systems. The job description and classification system has been kept up to date
71 and should not require review. Development of a "pay philosophy" should be a part of any
72 study. Regarding a performance element, part of that pay philosophy can be based on how
73 fast employees move through a range, or the city could make performance an added level
74 of consideration with a good evaluation tool a requirement. A full study would take four to
75 six months.
76
77 The council wants the system to be based on evaluation linked to compensation. Goals and
78 objectives should be reviewed for year to year progress. It would be appropriate to issue a
79 request for proposals to compare services and costs. Springsted will prepare an addendum
80 to their proposal to include performance measures.
81
82 WATER SYSTEM PLANS/STUDIES UPDATE
83 Water Emergency and Conservation Plan — Bernie Bullert, TKDA consultant to the
84 project, noted that the city's Water Emergency and Conservation Plan is due to the state by
85 October 15, 2007. A city plan is required to address the following state benchmarks that
86 are not being met: residential gallons per capita and peak demands. To address the per
87 capita use, the consultant proposes public education, contact with consumers including
88 high volume consumers, and incentive programs to encourage conservation. To address
89 the peak demand issue, public education regarding odd/even day lawn watering regulations
90 to discourage over watering isn't the result as well as education on the best time of day to
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 6, 2007
APPROVED
• 91 water. Also the city should consider water conservation measures in new developments,
92 sensor requirements for automatic sprinkler systems and an appropriate water rate
93 structure.
94
95 The council indicated that staff should continue to prepare plans to communicate with the
96 citizens on this matter. The council should be kept informed and involved. They advise
97 that citizens should be brought into this process as much as possible.
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99 Water Treatment Plant Feasibility Study — Bernie Bullert, TKDA Consultant to the
100 project, presented his report to the council. Current health requirements and resident
101 complaints don't warrant water treatment, however, the process of developing a plant is
102 complex and future planning necessary. The study addresses water quality, future water
103 demands, site selection, plant floor plans, future infrastructure needs and financing/funding
104 alternatives.
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106 City Engineer Studenski added that the city's current wells are pretty much being run at
107 maximum.
108
109 The council confirmed that future needs are being planned for in the city's five year capital
110 improvement plan, with the exception of a treatment plant that would be planned beyond
111 the five year threshold.
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113 Update on Utility Rate Study- Finance Director Rolek explained that a utility rate study is
114 currently being done by Springsted, Inc. with input being provided by the city. The report
115 will be presented in September or October of this year.
116
117 PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT/STREET RECONSTRUCTION
118 PROJECTS
119 Process and Timeline - City Clerk Bartell provided the council with a timeline relative to
120 the proposed charter amendment (regarding local improvements). The amendment was
121 proposed by the Citizen's Task Force to Review Charter Provisions for Local
122 Improvements, presented in ordinance form to the council, approved for first reading and
123 referred to the Charter Commission. The Commission may chose to act upon the
124 ordinance within 60 days, allowing the council to place the matter on the ballot in
125 November, or the commission may request a 90 day extension by which the amendment
126 could not be included on the fall ballot.
127
128 The timeline for the staff proposed Shenandoah and West Shadow Lake Drive
129 Improvement Projects was reviewed. Feasibility studies for both projects are in place,
130 neighborhood meetings have been held and the projects are currently in a 60 day waiting
131 period during which petitions for or against may be received. Based on what occurs during
132 the 60 days, a referendum question for the fall ballot could be considered by the council at
133 the September 10 council meeting.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 6, 2007
APPROVED
135 Charter Commission Funding Request — The Charter Commission submitted a request
136 for additional funding in 2007 at the last council work session. The council had requested
137 a more specific request but no additional information on the request was received.
138
139 The council requested a breakdown of the city's expenses related to the Citizen's Task
140 Force to Review Charter Provisions for Local Improvements.
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142 Public Information — The Charter Commission had submitted a request to include an
143 article in the city's fall newsletter at the last council work session. The council directed
144 staff to work with the commission to develop an informational article on the role of the
145 charter commission as well as open appointments. City Clerk Bartell informed the council
146 that Charter Commission Chair Cori Duffy had worked with newsletter coordinator Mary
147 Alice Divine.
148
149 2007-2008 COUNCIL GOALS — 2007-2008 goals and performance objectives were
150 established by the council on March 28, 2007. The goals are presented to the council with
151 proposed actions steps, lead parties and funding sources for consideration of approval at a
152 future council meeting.
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154 Some council members expressed concern that the goals should be considered earlier in the
155 year. Goal #4A2 was found to be redundant was stricken from the document.
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157 Staff directed to include the goals on the upcoming council agenda. The goals should be
158 brought forward earlier next year and the action on the goals should include a quarterly
159 review process by the council.
160
161 DISTRIBUTION/DESIGNATION OF REMAINING FUNDS — MEMORIAL
162 HOSPITAL DISTRICT 6 — Finance Director Rolek explained that the Memorial Hospital
163 District dissolved in 2006 and distributed their remaining funds on a pro -rata basis to the
164 cities involved in the district. Staff is seeking council direction on how the funds should be
165 utilized.
166
167 The council suggested that use of the funds be considered during the budget process. The
168 council could pass a resolution at that time indicating an appropriate use.
169
170 BUDGET PROCESS — REQUESTS FROM OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS — Finance
171 Director Rolek reviewed the list of funding requests received from outside entities for the
172 2007 and 2008 budget years.
173
174 Director of Public Safety Pecchia noted that if funding requests are to be considered, the
175 Forest Lake Youth Service Bureau and the Bureau of Mediation Services should be added
176 to the list.
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178 The council did not commit to consider outside funding requests but discussed the
179 possibility of formulating criteria to consider requests.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 6, 2007
APPROVED
180
181 LINO LAKES AMBASSADOR PROGRAM — REQUEST FOR USE OF CITY
182 VEHICLE — Regarding the request of the Blue Heron Days Committee and Lino Lakes
183 Ambassador Program for the city to provide a city vehicle for the parade float, the council
184 authorized a vehicle and the establishment of a volunteer driver program on a one-year trial
185 basis. Insurance requirements must be met.
186
187 VLAWMO BUDGET/JPA AGREEMENT — Council Member Carlson, city
188 representative on the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO),
189 updated the council. Regarding the joint powers agreement issue, the new language
190 proposed clearly gives budget approval authority to VLAWMO. She wouldn't recommend
191 that but will bring back the message of this council.
192
193 The council expressed concern about granting unlimited authority and recommended
194 negotiating a two year limit on the agreement.
195
196 The council reviewed a VLAWMO budget document; Council Member Carlson had
197 denoted areas of increase.
198
199 REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
200
201 There were no changes to the regular Council agenda.
202
203 The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
204
205 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
206 August 27, 2007.
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211 Ju i. - Bartell, City ler John Bergeson, Mayor
212
PAP4r4ov
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