HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-2015 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 5, 2015
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : October 5, 2015
5 TIME STARTED : 6:05 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:05 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman,
8 Rafferty, Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : none
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12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Safety Director John
13 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Engineer Diane
14 Hankee; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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16 1. Renewal of City Prosecutor Contract- Public Safety Director Swenson
17 introduced City Prosecutor Robb Olson and Assistant City Prosecutor Heather Monnens.
18 He reviewed his staff report outlining the proposal to execute a five year contract with
19 Geck, Duea and Olson, PLLC, at a fixed monthly rate with no annual fee increases. The
20 firm has provided solid services and positive job perfoiivance for the Public Safety
21 Department.
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23 The council reviewed anticipated workload for the prosecutors and the proposed fee.
24 They concurred that authorization of the contract will be considered at the next regular
25 meeting.
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27 2. YMCA Board and Partnership Update- Bob Nelson, local YMCA Board
28 Member, said the board is interested in keeping in touch with the council and staying
29 involved in the city. Mayor Reinert explained that there is an effort just taking flight
30 toward making the city a Yellow Ribbon Community, a commitment to providing support
31 to veterans. Mr. Nelson indicated that the YMCA would like to be involved in that
32 effort.
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34 The council discussed with Mr. Nelson the activities of the YMCA in the city. They
35 heard that there are programs that reach out to community members offering scholarships
36 to the facilities, connecting people to YMCA programs and generally developing
37 relationships at all levels of the community. There was discussion about the use of city
38 hall meeting facilities.
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40 The mayor asked if the YMCA has any plans for expansion of the Lino Lakes facility and
41 Mr. Nelson questioned if there is land available. Community Development Director
42 Grochala explained the available areas, noting that parking tends to be the issue. There
43 will be a Forest Lake YMCA facility opening that will result in a move of some members.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 5, 2015
APPROVED
45 Mr. Nelson explained that the YMCA Board remains committed to working with the city;
46 if there are ideas and they can help, they want to hear them. The council mentioned the
47 rec center land — there's always interest in getting things going there that are low
48 maintenance (a dog park and hiking were mentioned). Also mentioned was the land
49 donated to the city on Rice Lake — the council would welcome energy and involvement in
50 finding a way to utilize that land. There is also the Legacy at Woods Edge land adjacent
51 to the YMCA facility — it's rough but there's room to run.
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53 3. County Highway 12 (109th Av NE/Apollo Drive) and County Road 53 (Sunset
54 Av) Intersection Improvements — City Engineer Hankee and Community Development
55 Director Grochala introduced Andrew Witter, Assistant Anoka County Engineer. Mr.
56 Grochala explained that city staff is working with both Anoka County and the City of
57 Blaine on this improvement project.
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59 Mr. Witter provided an overhead view of the intersection and vicinity. The current
60 situation at the intersection is undesirable and so possibilities for change have been
61 studied. A design has been sought that will minimize impact to the surrounding property
62 owners. The plan proposed uses mostly vacant land. Mayor Reinert expressed concern
63 that impact on property owners be minimized and City Engineer Hankee added that the
64 county did hold a public open house to provide information to people and address
65 concerns. Mr. Witter noted that there is a gas pipeline running through the area that
66 complicates somewhat. Drainage will be dealt with in the Meadow Court area. He
67 explained a proposed construction schedule that would begin in 2016. He also noted a
68 trail plan that will include walking areas around the round -about to facilitate movement
69 that they have found is already occurring but isn't necessarily safe. Looking ahead, there
70 is a regional trail that is planned to connect to the area. He noted an added right hand turn
71 lane to Meadow Court. When Council Member Rafferty asked if the schedule is realistic
72 considering that the Centerville Road project took much longer, Mr. Witter said this is a
73 much different project with better soil, less sewer issues and said he's confident that this
74 will not be a two year construction project.
75
76 The council discussed the funding plan with Mr. Witter. He explained that the funding
77 would follow the standard cost sharing between cities and the county; the county doesn't
78 actually have a cost sharing policy for round -abouts as yet. Mr. Grochala noted that the
79 city portion would be paid from the city's storm water and trail and lighting funds.
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81 Council Member Rafferty asked about what would be put in the middle of the round -
82 about and Mr. Witter said it would be some type of low maintenance landscaping.
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84 Mayor Reinert noted that the presentation to the council is informational at this point and
85 he is grateful to receive the information up front. He sees the proposal generally as a
86 good solution to a long-standing problem intersection.
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88 Mr. Witter clarified that the city will see a joint powers agreement for consideration in a
89 couple of months.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 5, 2015
APPROVED
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91 Council Member Kusterman asked if there will be any disruption to traffic during
92 construction and Mr. Witter said that staff is looking at a staging plan now and while it
93 can be tricky, he expects just minor road closure.
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95 4. Stormwater and Erosion and Sediment Control Code Update — Community
96 Development Director Grochala explained that staff has prepared an update to the city
97 code. The update is mostly for reorganization of information but there is some updating
98 also to coordinator with watershed standards and changes. The city is generally more
99 restrictive than the watershed. The changes are summarized within his staff report.
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101 Council Member Roeser noted a current situation where the rules have impacted a
102 snowmobile route (Bill's Superette area) and he wonders if there is a chance that could be
103 undone. Mr. Grochala explained that it would most likely be quite difficult and
104 expensive.
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106 The council concurred to consider the ordinance updating the code at the next regular
107 council meeting.
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109 5. Council Updates/Boards and Commissions —
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111 North Metro Board — Council Member Stoesz noted that the group will soon be
112 discussing Century Link and adding that franchise to the area.
113 Environmental — Council Member Roeser noted that there has been another full
114 container of cans emptied from the Fire Department collection point; that money
115 goes into the recreation center fund and it's growing slowly but surely
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117 New Business
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119 Council Member Roeser noted that he has received a communication from the Rice Creek
120 Trail Association and they'd like to address the council regarding a problem.
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122 Bill Prinsen, President of the Rice Creek Trail Association, showed a map indicating the
123 location of a new house being built off of Lake Drive. The driveway for that property
124 will be five feet higher than the trail, making trail passage impossible.
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126 Community Development Director Grochala noted that the property in question is located
127 on a county highway so Anoka County would be issuing the driveway permit. Staff can
128 help the association follow up with the county on the situation.
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130 The council directed staff to report back at the next work session.
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132 Council Member Roeser also noted the 35W pedestrian bridge (on Main Street) and the
133 issue of allowing snowmobiles passage on that bridge. He thinks that is an on-going
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 5, 2015
APPROVED
134 issue and may need some attention from the city. Public Safety Director Swenson was
135 directed to work with Anoka County on the issue.
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137 6. Monthly Progress Report - Administrator Karlson reviewed his written report.
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139 The matter of the 2015 Mill and Overlay Project was raised. A few issues have arisen
140 and City Engineer Hankee explained that she is working through them; she has created a
141 punch list and will be in discussions with the contractor.
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143 Community Development Director Grochala assured the council that staff is working on
144 the issues and will make sure that whatever is done is the best solution. The issues are
145 mostly cosmetic and don't involve the roadway itself. The mayor explained that the
146 situation is being handled and people notified where necessary.
147
148 7. Review Council Agenda for regular meeting of October 12, 2015 —
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150 City Expenditures - Council Member Rafferty noted an expenditure of $172,000+
151 to Anoka County. Chief Swenson explained that expenditure relates to the
152 purchase of portable radios for the fire department, the cost of which is financed
153 through bonding. He added that the city received notice that the grant request for
154 funding SCBA gear was not approved so the city will move forward on the
155 purchase of that also.
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157 Council Member Rafferty asked about an expenditure to Kuechle Underground
158 and staff explained that it relates to work for the NorthPointe development and the
159 cost will be paid by the developer through special assessments.
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161 - Item 3A, Annual Funding for Lino Lakes Ambassadors - It was requested that the
162 appropriation include the stipulation that the funds may not be used for gowns or
163 scholarships. The council also asked for more information on where the city float
164 will be stored. Language will be added to the action that clarifies that the funding
165 will be provided as long as the program is active, with the understanding that
166 future councils will have ultimate control of future appropriations. The council
167 wishes to have an update each year before the disbursement is made.
168
169 The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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171 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
172 October 26, 2015.
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177 7`ulia e Bartell, City •lerk
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