HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/04/2008 Council Minutes•
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APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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5 DATE : August 4, 2008
6 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
7 TIME ENDED : 9:05 p.m.
8 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Members O'Donnell, Reinert, Gallup
9 and Mayor Bergeson
10 MEMBERS ABSENT : Council Member Stoltz,
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13 Staff members present: City Administrator, Gordon Heitke; Community Development
14 Director, Mike Grochala; Director of Public Safety, Dave Pecchia; Finance Director, Al
15 Rolek; Economic Development Coordinator, Mary Alice Divine; City Engineer, Jim
16 Studenski; City Clerk, Julie Bartell
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18 1. Charter Commission Update on Proposed Charter Amendment - Cori Duffy,
19 Chair of the Charter Commission, reported. On July 18, 2008 the council received a letter
20 from the commission officially rejecting the council's second proposed amendment with
21 the exception of recommending approval of the repeal of Section 8.07 of Chapter 8 of the
22 City Charter (Special Provisions — exempt zones) as an ordinance.
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24 Ms. Duffy also presented the council with the commission's budget request for 2009. The
25 commission requests additional funding for 2009 in the amount of $7,500.
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27 The council discussed the implications and timing considerations of moving forward on
28 either of the amendments (the amendment by ordinance repealing Section 8.07 and/or the
29 council's second proposed amendment). The council recognized that there is agreement
30 with the charter commission in one area and that is valuable, however, there remains a
31 problem with getting roads fixed in the city.
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33 The council thanked the commission for their efforts and the extra time they put in on the
34 amendment issue.
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36 City Clerk Bartell reviewed the statute mandated process that would dictate a schedule if
37 the council wants to proceed with the amendment by ordinance.
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39 The council discussed the question of benefit to the city of passing the amendment
40 proposed by ordinance.
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42 The council suggested that they did not want to vote on this ordinance this evening. They
43 would like to first understand how the two ordinances can or cannot move forward
44 together.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -2- August 4, 2008
APPROVED
46 2. Communication Consultant Proposal - Terri Heaton, Springsted, Inc. reviewed
47 the written report before the council. Springsted is responding to the council's request for
48 a proposal to assist the council with the proposed referendum regarding the current process
49 for bonding for road improvements that are partially assessed. They propose to partner in
50 the effort with a communications specialist (Dustin Deets) with referendum experience.
51 Springsted understands that they would have to remain flexible while the council discusses
52 the options. They could begin work immediately on preliminary items such research on
53 key considerations, analyzing plan components and some development. They see the role
54 of the communications plan as unbiased education for voters — providing the facts so the
55 voters can make an informed decision. They would like to have a key contact person at the
56 city with whom they would work. Regarding fees, they have laid out their hourly charges.
57 They would anticipate a not to exceed amount at some time in the process but are willing
58 to trust that will come together as the program unfolds.
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60 A question was posed on whether Springsted could work with "both camps" since there are
61 obviously different points of views. The goal is voter education to give the citizens the
62 opportunity to make an educated decision. Ms. Heaton responded that they absolutely
63 would intend to provide unbiased information. They would prefer to have one group (such
64 as the council) directing the program however.
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66 While the council sees the process evolving around the presentation of ideas and reasoning
67 from both (all) sides; there are some indisputable fact that there hasn't been a road
68 improvement in 30+ years. There is also the information provided in the professionally
69 produced Pavement Management Plan (PMP).
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71 Ms. Heaton suggested that they (Springsted) could proceed at this point with a not to
72 exceed amount of $5,000 with the understanding there will be more information/discussion
73 soon. The Pavement Management Plan (PMP) would be the starting point for their work.
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75 The council discussed that funding for the program would have to come from the
76 contingency fund. The council consensus was that something needs to move.
77 What elements would commence immediately?
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79 Ms. Heaton suggested that 1) development of the question that the council wants to ask;
80 2) work with legal counsel on drafting language; 3) information provided to the
81 communication consultant.
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83 It was clarified that the council can only put their current amendment proposal on the
84 ballot.
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86 Administrator Heitke noted that the Charter Commission has a communication process in
87 place. Does the council want to offer the services of the consultant also?
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89 A council member suggested that staff offer to the charter commission that there is a
90 professional communication service available to the commission and ask if they want to
91 participate in a process to objectively explain the charter language and proposals.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -3- August 4, 2008
APPROVED
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93 Ms. Heaton suggested that if they (Springsted) are to actively participate in meetings such
94 as the charter commission, that will be time consuming and it will increase the cost
95 estimate.
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97 It was suggested that framing the background information and proceed from that point it
98 should help.
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100 Council concurred that Springsted should move ahead on the preliminary work and keep in
101 touch with staff so the council can be kept up to date. Authorization to proceed with the
102 arrangement with Springsted will be added to the council agenda for Monday, August 11.
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104 3. Town Center Update - Finance Director Rolek noted reviewed the previous
105 discussions about the Town Center financing situation (assessment delinquencies).
106 Options discussed have been utilizing an interfund loan, general tax levy or a bond
107 refunding strategy. He introduced the city's financial advisor, Terri Heaton of Springsted,
108 to discuss refunding options.
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110 Ms. Heaton, Springsted, Inc. explained that the bonds that the council is looking at are
111 assessment related so; ultimately, they will be paid. She distributed a chart indicating
112 possible refunding options. The council should consider what to do until the payments
113 come in. Three options were presented — a fixed advance through 2011 where there is a
114 balloon payment in 2011 and then regular payment resume; a full advance through 2013;
115 and a change to a variable rate. The information presented for council review — a decision
116 does not need to be made this evening.
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118 A council member commented that one consideration in the decision could be that
119 allowing more time allows the city to stay within the original plans for the development
120 area.
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122 Finance Director Rolek suggested that the council should make a decision this fall. To
123 preserve future options, a refunding is the preferred option.
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125 The council confirmed that the bonds will be marketable if offered.
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127 There was discussion about who actually owns the property in question (the land is held by
128 Marshall — representing all the banks involved).
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130 There was concerned expressed that a variable rate would be more risky with the public
131 dollar.
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133 The council asked for more information on "interest rate swapping" and Ms. Heaton
134 suggested that she will review that possibility.
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136 Staff will return next month with a recommendation.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -4- August 4, 2008
APPROVED
138 4. Prosecution Legal Services Proposals — Police Chief Pecchia reported that he has
139 reviewed the proposals submitted and has had discussions with the City Administrator. He
140 is recommending a contract with Sweeney, Borer & Sweeney, and P.A. Benefits are
141 savings ($24,000 per year) and experience. The firm has a long standing reputation and
142 good relationship with the City of Blaine and Anoka County legal system. When Scott
143 Baumgartner took over for Mr. Hawkins, there was a diminishment in experience but not
144 in charges. The $10,000 per month proposal with the experience of Sweeney and Borer is
145 favorable.
146 Staff will bring the recommendation of a contract with Sweeney, Borer. & Sweeney, and
147 P.A. at an appropriate time in the future.
148 5. Liquor Ordinance — Due to time constraints, there was no discussion of this item.
149 6. Regular Meeting Agenda — The regular council agenda for the meeting of August
150 11, 2008 was reviewed; there were no changes to the agenda.
151 7. Interview Questions for Prospective Law Firms
152 8. Interview Law Firms
153 7:30 p.m. Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. — Attorneys Joseph Langel and
154 Jay Squires were interviewed on behalf of the firm.
155 7:50 p.m. Kennedy & Graven, Chartered — Attorneys Michael Norton and
• 156 Corrine Heine were interviewed on behalf of the firm.
157 8:10 p.m. Campbell Knutson, P.A. — Attorneys Andrea Poehler and Tom
158 Scott were interviewed on behalf of the firm.
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160 The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
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162 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting
163 held on August 25, 2008.
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165 W__4667)211"2
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e Bartell, Cit Clerk Jo Bergeson, Mayor
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