HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-2015 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 2, 2015
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
4 DATE : February 2, 2015
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:50 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development
12 Director Michael Grochala; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Finance Director Al
13 Rolek; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; Deputy Director of Public Safety Police
14 Division Kelly McCarthy; Deputy Director of Public Safety Fire Division Dan D'Allier,
15 City Engineer Diane Hankee; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Clerk Julie
16 Bartell
17
18 1. Environmental Board Goals -Environmental Coordinator Asleson introduced
19 Environmental Board members Barbara Bor (Chair) and Paula Andrzejewski who
20 reviewed the 2015 goals established by the Board. They noted that the assistance of
21 Environmental intern K.C. Kye has been most helpful this past six months; he has
22 brought much energy and improvement, especially in the area of recycling.
23 Regarding the work for blue herons on Peltier Island, the mayor suggested that the
24 council would consider additional funding for the work if the Board finds that is needed.
25 The board members suggested they would like to work even harder on Earth Day
26 activities and, in light, would like the council's support in advertising those events.
27 Council Member Stoesz remarked that the likes the idea of streaming work such as the
28 heron activity or Earth Day — it's a good way to keep people connected and engaged in
29 the activities. Council Member Roeser made suggestions in the areas of using people
30 involved in the CERT program, helping people get into the solar panel rebate program,
31 and utilizing land parcels for more community gardens (such as tax forfeited parcels).
32 The council discussed the inclusion of mattresses in recycling day and Council Member
33 Rafferty suggested that maybe the city shouldn't charge drop off fees because people are
34 already paying (grant funds are tax dollars), or utilize the revenue from the program to
' 35 further promote environmental goals rather than depositing funds into the General Fund.
36 Council Member Rafferty also mentioned that some cities do "clean up" activities where
37 people are allowed to stack their items on the curb and they are picked up.
38
39 The council will continue discussion at the next work session.
40
41 2. Purchase of Fire Apparatus — Public Safety Director Swenson, along with
42 Deputy Directors McCarthy and D'Allier, first reviewed what the city will be receiving as
43 part of the distribution of the Centennial Fire District equipment. After those items, the
44 new Lino Lakes Fire Division will still need some equipment and staff has researched the
45 market as to the purchase of new or used equipment. They have identified two fire trucks
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 2, 2015
APPROVED
46 that could be purchased from the City of Woodbury. They have negotiated a price down
47 from what was asked. The city would receive one truck in April of 2015 and the other
48 would be stored by Woodbury to be received later. He noted that having a truck in April
49 would allow staff to train with the equipment they would be using. He noted that the
50 trucks would not come with certain equipment that is required and a list is provided in the
51 staff report. The total cost of purchasing two trucks and equipment is less than the
52 $300,000 anticipated to purchase one new unit. Having two trucks that are identical also
53 provides for consistency when the equipment is utilized. Director Swenson said that if
54 the council is comfortable with the purchase proposed, he will add the matter to the
55 council agenda for official action. Staff is comfortable that this twenty year-old
56 equipment has been well maintained and is a good purchase for the city. Deputy
57 Director D'Alliar assured the council that the trucks will fit well into the city's fleet.
58 Director Swenson added that the numbers presented do not include radio or SCBA
59 equipment but the city is seeking a FEMA grant that could possibly fund those purchases.
60 That led into discussion of Item 3.
61
62 3. Fire Apparatus/Vehicle Capital Replacement Plan — Public Safety Director
63 Swenson explained that the staff report shows what the Centennial Fire District (CFD)
64 included in their capital plan as well as how the city proposes to plan for the same
65 equipment. The purchase of two trucks that was discussed as the previous item is
66 included. Mayor Reinert pointed out that the plan is a best estimate and will undoubtedly
67 change. Director Swenson added that it is a plan presented for discussion purposes only
68 but it is a piece of the puzzle that helps the council see a larger picture as it considers the
69 truck purchase. Mayor Reinert added that he can also see some benefit in joining the
70 two public safety departments — you don't need two of everything.
71
72 Council Member Roeser pointed out a recent article in the League of Minnesota Cities
73 magazine regarding fire extinguisher training — Mayor Reinert said it's a good thing to
74 keep people involved.
75
76 Council Member Kusterman said that the plan to purchase the two trucks sounds good
77 but he has some concern that the city would be retiring the trucks in ten years. Are there
78 any newer trucks available? Director Swenson explained that staff has looked at newer
79 vehicles but they are much more expensive; staff feels that the Woodbury vehicles are
80 solid with a very strong maintenance record.
81
82 4. 2015 Anoka County Recycling and Recycling Enhancement Grant- Environmental
83 Coordinator Asleson explained that staff is asking the council for authorization to accept
84 the annual fund grant from Anoka County to support residential recycling efforts. In
85 addition, enhancement funds are available for program activities such as drop-off
86 recycling, park and event recycling, curbside and multi -unit recycling. These grant funds
87 have been received for this year and have allowed staff to bring on an intern and include
88 program enhancements such as advertising and organic recycling.
89
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 2, 2015
APPROVED
90 Council Member Roeser asked Mr. Asleson to check on the possibility of adding a can
91 recycling container to the new Park and Ride facility.
92
93 5. Pavement Management Plan — 2015 Overlay and Sealcoat Projects- City Engineer
94 Hankee explained that staff has been working on updating the city's Pavement
95 Management Plan (PMP) in order to make recommendations for 2015. She reviewed a
96 PowerPoint presentation that included:
97 - funding considerations;
98 - what is used to create the PMP;
99 - the size of the city's roadway system;
loo - how pavement ratings are done;
101 - consideration of ratings (three categories);
102 - a map of roads as they are rated under the plan;
103 - a history of what's been done since 2005;
104 - how projects are priorities;
105 - the life cycle of paved roadways;
106 - additional maps showing overlay and sealcoat projects.
107
108 Council Member Rafferty said he'd like to see roadway projects (overlay and sealcoat)
109 begin earlier in the season so they don't run late into the fall. Community Development
110 Director Grochala said staff intends to begin the bidding process earlier in the year. City
111 Engineer Hankee indicated that the city does have to allow some schedule flexibility for
112 the contractors.
113
114 6. Annual Advisory Board Appointments — Administrator Karlson noted that the
115 council's advisory board appointment process is underway. He reviewed the outline of
116 applicants and noted that the Environmental Board now has three openings and three
117 applicants and the Park Board has gained one applicant.
118
119 Mayor Reinert suggested that the incumbents who are reapplying should be sent forward
120 for approval. He recommends readvertising for any openings that remain, that an
121 interview be set up for the applicant for the Park Board, and that the council approve the
122 three individuals who applied for the three openings on the Environmental Board. The
123 council concurred.
124
125 Council Member Roeser noted that he still likes the idea of doing a joint meeting with the
126 advisory boards, to join energies and do some networking. Mayor Reinert concurred
127 and asked staff to schedule a meeting.
128
129 7. Election Judge Salary Plan- City Clerk Bartell noted that the salary for the city's
130 election judges has not changed since the year 2000 and when compared with what other
131 cities in the county pay, the salary rate is on the low end. Staff would like the council to
132 consider increasing the salary to $10/hour for election judges and $11/hour for head
133 judges, effective for this fall's election. Ms. Bartell added that the state minimum wage
134 will be raised as of July 2016 to $9.50/hour.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 2, 2015
APPROVED
135
136 The matter will be added to the February 9 council agenda for council consideration.
137
138 8. Monthly Progress Report- Administrator Karlson reviewed the report updating the
139 council on the following: the city's digital scanning efforts; labor negotiations; the White
140 Bear Lake lawsuit; the efforts to obtain Legacy grant funding; and the lease with New
141 Creations Day Care Center at the civic facility.
142
143 Council Member Stoesz suggested that the council should also have time at each work
144 session to review their work on outside boards and commissions. The council concurred
145 so that item will be added to future work session agendas.
146
147 Review regular council agenda of February 9, 2015-
148
149 Item 3A) Non -Union Compensation Plan - Administrator Karlson reviewed the staff
150 report requesting an across the board salary adjustment and recommending an additional
151 upgrade to two salaries - Public Safety Director and Community Development Director.
152 Those two adjustments are based on an increase in duties and a previously determined
153 point value. The council discussed timing for raising the Community Development
154 Director salary and the mayor recommended an incremental increase. Council Member
155 Stoesz suggested it would be appropriate for the council to see a list of where people fall
156 on the salary table, for transparency; Administrator Karlson concurred.
157
158
159 The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
160
161 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
162 February 23, 2015.
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166
167 Juli Bartell, City C erk Jeff I(einteft,Mayor
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