HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2015 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
DATE
TIME STARTED
TIME ENDED
MEMBERS PRESENT
MEMBERS ABSENT
CITY OF LINO LAKES
MINUTES
September 8, 2015
: September 8, 2015
. 6:00 p.m.
. 8:10 p.m.
: Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman,
Rafferty (Acting Mayor), Roeser
: Mayor Reinert
Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; City Engineer Diane Hankee;
Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Public Safety Director John
Swenson; City Planner Katie Larsen; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson;
Environmental Intern Aubrey Fonfara; Finance Director Sarah Cotton; City Clerk Julie
Bartell
1. Blue Heron Days, Tavern on Main Concert — Public Safety Director Swenson
reviewed his written report outlining the council's previous consideration of the Tavern
on Main special event permit. Since the event was allowed to proceed without the
standard requirement of having two Lino Lakes' police officers present, staff was directed
to conduct a review post -event and report on any issues. There were no significant
public safety concerns that arose during the event. There were two public safety calls
relative to the event; one was parking related and the other an intoxicated person.
2. NE Drainage Study — Community Development Director Grochala and WSB &
Associates consultant Peter Willenbring reported. Study of drainage in this area has been
ongoing for a couple of years and involves 1400 acres in the northeastern area of the city.
A study was commissioned by the city and the results have been presented to the Rice
Creek Watershed District (RCWD), whose approval is required. Staff has met with
RCWD to review their comments on the plan, mainly related to mitigating any
downstream impacts that could be created by the proposed stormwater pipe. The
watershed district is requesting the additional information noted in the staff report in
order to move forward to the preliminary design process. That additional information
could be obtained through a feasibility study. Mr. Willenbring added that the watershed
district is just developing plans for this type of a project so it is a bit of a challenge to give
them exactly the information they need. He believes that continuing down a course of
planning by moving to a feasibility study is the best course to get the needed information.
Mr. Willenbring reviewed a map including a model of the proposed drainage system. He
noted the issue of a rise in the level of Peltier Lake should there be a 100 year water
event. To address that possibility the model proposes a gate that, with a 100 year event,
could close off runoff, store and control it to avert the rise. He believes that system
would be approved by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Council
Member Roeser asked who would manage the gate and Mr. Willenbring gave more
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 8, 2015
APPROVED
46 information about the gate system — it would be an electronic system that could be
47 automatically triggered to close when a certain level is reached in the lake. The system
48 would be under city control.
49
50 Council Member Roeser asked how the Mattamy proposal is involved in the project and
51 Mr. Willenbring explained that they are basically planning to build homes at a certain
52 level to manage what could be the highest possible level.
53
54 Council Member Rafferty discussed the design of the gates with staff. He discovered that
55 the stainless steel gates would be tested regularly. They would not be based on any new
56 technology. Council Member Rafferty discussed the look of a wier and difficulties that
57 could present. Mr. Willenbring concurred and added that the gates could be hidden if that
58 is the desire.
59
60 The council discussed with Mr. Willenbring how the pipe size is chosen and how it is
61 installed. They discussed safety concerns such as keeping humans and animals away
62 from the pipe.
63
64 Community Development Director Grochala discussed impacts on property owners. He
65 noted the cost of the project and suggested that staff will be looking at the Surface Water
66 Management Fund to determine if it can cover the cost of this project. It is possible to set
67 up a special district to charge benefiting properties. The council questioned if there
68 should be some funding involvement from the City of Hugo since the area would be
69 receiving water from that vicinity. Mr. Willenbring explained that cities generally
70 accommodate water from surrounding communities; further he doesn't see any benefit to
71 that city from this system.
72
73 Mr. Grochala noted the special work session scheduled by the watershed district board to
74 discuss the topic of the drainage plan. All council members are invited to attend. He is
75 recommending that the city move forward with the feasibility study to keep answers and
76 information coming. Mr. Willenbring suggested that the watershed work session should
77 bring some clarity from the board; staff has been dealing with watershed staff only up to
78 this point.
79
80 Council Member Rafferty asked if grant funding is a possibility and Mr. Grochala said
81 not for the structure. The city has invested about $50,000 at this point; the feasibility
82 study cost is estimated at $69,000.
83
84 Council Member Kusterrman asked how the question of growth fits into this plan. Mr.
85 Grochala noted that the city's comprehensive plan guides this area for development. In
86 fact it has been guided for development for the past forty years. It is not a new idea but it
87 is a plan to improve drainage for the area.
88
89 Mr. Willenbring noted that the feasibility study will include more informration on project
90 costs as well as funding options. The study would take about three months to complete.
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91
92 The council will formally consider authorization of the feasibility study at their next
93 regular meeting.
94
95 3. Recycling Free Store Proposal- Environmental Coordinator Asleson and
96 Environmental Intern Aubrey Fonfara reviewed their staff report proposing that the city
97 operate a "free store" website to allow city residents a way to offer items for reuse rather
98 than disposal. Mr. Asleson reported that the city's recycling intern (currently, Ms.
99 Fonfara) would be responsible for operating the website. He added that this isn't a new
100 concept and is one that is operating successfully in other areas. It's another positive way
101 that the city could promote recycling. Ms. Fonfara outlined how a website could be
102 used. The site can be operated for free or for a small fee with its own domain and no
103 advertising, posts would have to be approved, the city could keep track of use for its
104 weight calculations, and it would not be a platform for sales but would be limited to Lino
105 Lakes' goods. The site would include a disclaimer limiting city responsibility. It would
106 allow residents to participate in recycling even if they cannot utilize recycling day
107 services. Mr. Asleson added that staff is proposing the idea on a trial basis.
108
109 Council Member Stoesz noted concern about the possibility of a negative image to the
110 city. Also he's aware of other widely used resources such as Craigslist that serve the
111 purpose. Council Member Kusterman noted that he understands the effort would be
112 clearly limited to certain parameters. Administrator Karlson added that he has some
113 concern about future staffing since the intern position isn't permanent. Council Member
114 Roeser wondered if a "trash to treasures day" that is administered on-line would better
115 suit the bill and would allow more of a trial period. Council Member Stoesz pondered
116 the possibility of establishing a site at the recycling center where people could claim
117 reusable goods. Council Member Rafferty said he shares concern about future staffing
118 for an actual website.
119
120 4. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions-
121
122 VLAWMO — Council Member Rafferty noted that he missed the last meeting but he is
123 aware the group is discussing participation in Metro iNet.
124
125 North Metro TV — Council Member Stoesz noted that the board skips the summer
126 meeting. He is aware that Century Link is still interested in coming to the area.
127
128 5. Monthly Progress Report- Administrator Karlson reviewed his written report.
129 The report includes three items but there is nothing new to report.
130
131 Council Member Roeser requested that an item be added. He would like the council to
132 consider approval of a resolution designating an annual contribution to the Lino Lakes
133 Ambassadors Program.
134
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135 The council also requested an update on the matter of providing signs at the city's
136 borders.
137
138 6. Review Regular Agenda of September 14, 2015-
139
140 Item 1E — Revision to Section 6.2 of City's Personnel Policy - Administrator Karlson
141 noted the proposed change that would disallow the current ability to run out vacation over
142 a longer period and still collect vacation and sick time in the process.
143
144 Item 1A — Fire Expenditures - Council Member Stoesz noted funds expended by the
145 Centennial Fire District to purchase state fair tickets.
146
147 Item 6B — Earth Moving/Borrow Pit Excavation at 7860 Sunset Avenue - City Planner
148 Larsen reviewed the proposal for a borrow pit (requiring a conditional use permit) and
149 grading plan with agreement. The borrow pit would allow earth to be moved from one
150 property to another for use in the Century Faini development. The Planning and Zoning
151 Board recommends approval of the required conditional use permit for the 3-4 week
152 project. The area where the earth will be removed will be seeded upon completion and
153 traffic associated with the earth moving will be managed within the project area. The
154 area will be fenced during excavation. She briefly reviewed some terms included in the
155 grading agreement that provide security for the city.
156
157 Item 6C — Plans and Specifications and Advertisement for Bids for the Well No. 6
158 Pumphouse Project - Community Development Director Grochala noted that the process
159 will include an alternate for a steel roof and will include no additional storage area, as
160 requested by the council. Staff is looking at an August 1, 2016 completion date. The
161 well to be served is already in place and capped off pending construction of this facility.
162 Council Member Stoesz confimied that the driveway to the facility will conform to others
163 in the residential area. The funding source for the project was confirmed.
164
165 Item 6D — Update to AUAR for I -35E Corridor — Community Development Director
166 Grochala noted that the city is required to update this plan every five years. The update
167 was authorized in 2014 and has now reached the review stage. The update doesn't
168 include much change other than projects that have occurred since the last update. There
169 have been comments received but nothing substantive that would require a change. Staff
170 is requesting council adoption.
171
172 Item 6E — Agreement with WSB and Associates for Land Acquisition relating to the
173 Aqua Lane Wateiuiain Improvement Project — Community Development Director
174 Grochala explained the proposed project and the need for easements over 19 parcels and
175 the associated legal work. The city has received a proposal for services from WSB.
176
177 The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
178
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
September 8, 2015
179 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
180 September 28, 2015.
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184 1 t�
185 Juliann- Bartell, City • erk
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