HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-2015 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 6, 2015
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE : April 6, 2015
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Rafferty, Roeser
8 and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : Council Member Kusterman
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development
12 Director Michael Grochala; City Engineer Diane Hankee; Finance Director Al Rolek;
13 Public Safety Director John Swenson; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City
14 Clerk Julie Bartell
15
16 1. Miss Lino Lakes Ambassador Float- The treasurer of the Lino Lakes Ambassadors
17 Program and another representative were present and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation
18 outlining the program (on file) as follows:
19 - what the program does;
20 - expenses and income;
21 - ambassador activities;
22 - candidate sponsorship.
23
24 They indicated that the council has discussed the possibility of providing some city funds
25 on a regular basis so they are providing some possible uses for that type of funding.
26
27 Mayor Reinert said the more he learns about the Ambassador's program, they more he is
28 impressed. Young women of the community are clearly benefiting from participating
29 and there is a scholarship element also. He knows that the city hasn't been really
30 involved in the program since the float was created with the help of the city. He
31 recognizes that this city council is frugal in its use of city funds but he thinks this program
32 is something that should receive some regular municipal funding. The council did
33 approve up to $6,000 for the float this year. When he asked for the bottom line on
34 annual costs, he was told it is about $12,000. Council Member Roeser suggested that the
35 group should also seek funds from the area tourism association, Twin Cities Gateway.
36 Mayor Reinert suggested that at the next council work session, there will be more review
37 of the organization's budget.
38
39 The council discussed how the city could appropriately be involved in the Ambassador's
40 program. Staff was directed to look at the possibility of the city taking ownership of the
41 float (so maintenance would then become a city responsibility). The council would also
42 like an overall expense rundown for the organization and directed staff to see if any
43 funding would be available through Twin Cities Gateway.
44
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 6, 2015
APPROVED
45 2. 2015 Board of Appeal and Equalization- Alex Guggenberger, Anoka County
46 Assessors Office, and two associates were present and Mr. Guggenberger reviewed the
47 assessment statistics included in the Pre -Board report (on file) for the upcoming Lino
48 Lakes Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting. He noted that the full board report will
49 be ready for the meeting on April 27.
50
51 Council Member Roeser noted an area of several properties where homes are located in
52 one county and a portion of the lot in another county. The city has followed that
53 situation and assisted in getting the property owners a fair deal; he wants to make sure
54 that continues for those property owners. Ms. Nordstrom of the Assessor's Office
55 ensured that staff will continue to follow that situation.
56
57 Mayor Reinert noted that property owners are seeing valuations rise and he wonders if
58 that is generating a lot of calls this year. County Assessor staff indicated that they've
59 probably received about ten calls so far and they've generally been questions and not
60 concerns. The county certainly works to correct any situations when it is appropriate.
61
62 The annual Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting will be held on April 27 at 6:00
63 p.m. and Anoka County staff will be present to assist with the meeting.
64
65 3. Special Legislation for Transferring Firefighter Pension Funds- Administrator
66 Karlson noted that staff has heard from the consultant who helped with this legislation.
67 While it is too late to make this a statewide effort for change, the city can still see an
68 individual bill considered. That bill would basically establish a period of time allowing
69 for the transfer of pension service credits and assets to the city fire pension fund.
70
71 Mayor Reinert noted that the City took the lead on getting this legislation and he's glad to
72 see it is moving along. The city has tried to help with the process of allowing firefighters
73 to come to the new department with their pension credits. The council has received
74 information from Chief Swenson and are aware of his desire to identify fire personnel by
75 September 1. The council could consider taking an action of support for the legislation
76 at the council meeting on April 13. He wants it to be known that the council supports
77 firefighter pensions; the slate of firefighters will be full soon though and candidates
78 wishing to transfer in would have to go through the regular hiring process.
79
80 The council concurred that they would consider an action supporting legislation at the
81 next regular meeting.
82
83 3a. Update on Recycling Saturday- Environmental Coordinator Asleson was present
84 with Barbara Bor of the Environmental Board and John Friemuth, a recycling contractor,
85 to discuss the most recent recycling Saturday when there were more large items than
86 could be taken. Mr. Asleson said that he takes responsibility for the problem. He added
87 that with expansion efforts occurring in the area of recycling, it is sometimes difficult to
88 estimate what will show up and what resources will be needed to handle it. The problem
89 occurred because the container provided for large items filled very quickly and there
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 6, 2015
APPROVED
90 wasn't a backup; as a result some people were sent away. Staff has since discussed how
91 to handle the situation in the future and will have a backup container. Mr. Friemuth
92 added that he has arranged for backup vehicles and he will make sure there is enough
93 capacity in the future. Mayor Reinert remarked that it was a problem to run out of truck
94 space and he knows the city has to be prepared because people count on the availability of
95 recycling when it is promised. Mr. Asleson added that Anoka County is also willing to
96 help and staff is discussing with them the possibility of a new program to take some items
97 for reuse. He added that the city's Public Works facility will be a backup also, just in
98 case. Council Member Rafferty noted that it did say "as available" on the flyer that the
99 city distributed. He wonders about the possibility of doing a curb -side spring clean-up
too effort because some people may have difficulty bringing items to a drop-off site.
1o1 Council Member Roeser suggested that volunteers such as boy scouts could help. Mr.
102 Asleson noted that one challenge with curbside is that the city needs to get credit for
103 tonnage. Barbara Bor added that she feels that recycling will continue to increase because
104 people are downsizing.
105
106 4. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions- Council Member Stoesz, who serves
107 on the North Metro Telecommunications Commission, noted that he had sent council
108 members an update on that group's activities.
109
110 4a. Charter Commission Request- Administrator Karlson explained that the Charter
111 Commission has requested that the City Attorney attend their next meeting in order to
112 advise them on a ward amendment for the city. As noted in his report the city attorney
113 reviewed a ward amendment submitted by the Commission in 2014 and prepared a
114 written opinion. Staff is seeking council direction on the Commission's request.
115
116 The council discussed the possibility of a conflict of interest in sending the city attorney
117 and the need for an engagement letter if he were to serve the commission. A member
118 suggested that the Commission should pay for their legal expenses from their budget.
119 The council indicated that discussion of the matter was tabled.
120
121 5. Monthly Progress Report- Administrator Karlson reviewed his written report.
122 The council discussed the need to upgrade the council chambers cameras and multi -media
123 equipment and directed staff to bring in an estimate and funding proposal.
124
125 Regarding the Centennial Fire District expenditure to ArcStone Consulting,
126 Administrator Karlson explained that he received additional information in that the
127 amount noted on the expenditure list was for the whole project and it was originally
128 approved by the fire steering committee; there will be an update on the project at the
129 committee. The project was accomplished through a low bid from a very reputable firm.
130
131 Council Member Roeser noted an item not on the progress report. He is still very
132 interested in receiving information on the history of union negotiations. Mayor Reinert
133 concurred that keeping track of what has been discussed in that area would be helpful to
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 6, 2015
APPROVED
134 new council members as they are asked to make labor decisions. Administrator Karlson
135 indicated he would provide an update as of the first of the year.
136
137 6. Review Regular Agenda of April 13, 2015 -
138
139 Item 6B) — Community Development Director Grochala explained that the request has to
140 do with the wetland bank credits being established in the Wollan Park area. The action
141 dedicates the wetland easement to the state.
142
143 Item 6C) — Community Development Director Grochala explained that the action
144 requested relates to permits through the watershed district for the site of the new fire
145 station.
146
147 Item 6D) — Community Development Director Grochala reviewed the small easement
148 related to the Saddle Club development, paid for by the developer.
149
150 Item 6E) — City Engineer Hankee updated the council on the improvements planned for
151 the Birch Street and Centerville Road area. Staff is recommending approval of the low
152 bid received for the project and she briefly reviewed the elements of the project. Council
153 Member Rafferty asked staff to ensure that there are no drainage issues caused by the
154 project.
155
156 Item 6F) — City Engineer Hankee reviewed the request to accept the low bid received for
157 the 2015 Shenandoah Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Project. The low bid is under
158 the engineer's estimate, engineering fees are under original projections and the project
159 will include a $25,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council. Staff will be providing
160 information on a regular basis through the city website.
161
162 Item 6G) — Community Development Director Grochala explained that the city owned
163 land originally purchased for a recreation center includes a small amount of land owned
164 by NSP. Staff has arranged to receive that land from NSP in exchange for a utility
165 easement.
166
167 Item 611) — Community Development Director Grochala noted the White Bear Lake
168 Restoration Association and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Settlement
169 Agreement. Staff is presenting a resolution for council consideration that was discussed
170 at the recent summit of area communities. The resolution disagrees with the settlement.
171 The council confirmed that the city attorney has reviewed the resolution.
172
173 The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
174
175 These minutes were considered, corrected and approv at the regul. ouncil meeting held on
176 Asri123, 2015.
177
178 `Juli. e Bartell, City Cl: rk Jeff ' ei -rt, Mayor
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