HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-2015 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
DATE
TIME STARTED
TIME ENDED
MEMBERS PRESENT
MEMBERS ABSENT
CITY OF LINO LAKES
MINUTES
August 3, 2015
: August 3, 2014
. 6:00 p.m.
. 8:55 p.m.
: Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman,
Rafferty, and Mayor Reinert
: Council Member Roeser
Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development
Director Michael Grochala; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Public Services
Director Rick DeGardner; Environmental Coordinator Martin Asleson; City Planner
Katie Larsen; Streets and Stalin Water Supervisor Tim Payne; City Clerk Julie Bartell
1. Representative Linda Runbeck and Senator Roger Chamberlain — Ms. Runbeck
and Mr. Chamberlain updated the council on their work during the 2015 State Legislative
Session and efforts planned for the coming year. Noted were:
- License plate reader law;
- grant funding for public safety (sex trafficking investigations; alert system for missing
senior citizens);
- Stroke protocols for emergency medical service providers;
- State disaster declaration update;
- Purchase of firearms on behalf of an ineligible person becoming a gross misdemeanor;
Mr. Chamberlain reviewed his efforts working with cities and the League of Minnesota
Cities in reorganizing how the state manages and plans for water. It puts science ahead of
policy on water matters and eliminates unnecessary planning He also noted that he
worked with Anoka County Commissioner Sivarajah to get funding to redo Wargo
Nature Center included the state bonding bill.
Mayor Reinert noted his recent involvement with the regional water summit group. He
heard about the amount of water the Metropolitan Council uses from the aquifer to treat
waste water and he wonders why they couldn't just use the river water since their
facilities are located on river.
Council Member Stoesz noted his interest in the Governor's Task Force for Broadband
and asked if the legislators have any news from that area and benefits coming to the
region. Ms. Runbeck recalled funding requests this year and years past; questions remain
about who will pay for improvements.
There was discussion about a possible special session that may be called by the Governor
relative to the fishing situation on Lake Mille Lacs.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 3, 2015
APPROVED
46 1.5. Review Well House #6 Revised Design — Community Development Director
47 Grochala noted that the council received the most recent plans for the well house with the
48 last weekly update. Staff is looking for feedback on those plans so that the project can be
49 moved forward to the bid process. The project has been downsized and looks more like
50 the residential properties in the area.
51
52 Council Member Rafferty explained his work with staff to get the best possible product
53 for this community — he's satisfied with some adjustments from the original design and
54 the results. He was also concerned about the cost and confirmed that the change will
55 help in that area. He'd prefer that the project stay away from pastel type tones.
56
57 The council discussed the possibility of an add alternate for a metal roof instead of
58 asphalt.
59
60 Stantec Consultant Kurt Johnson was present and explained the advantage of scheduling
61 construction before spring.
62
63 2. Storm Damage Policy — Council Member Rafferty noted that he requested this
64 item be added to the agenda because of the number of questions he received about the
65 city's policy after a stoiiii. He didn't have enough information to answer those questions
66 and so it would be good for the council to better understand the city's policy. He added
67 that the work done after the storm by the city was good and he is thankful to staff.
68
69 Community Services Director DeGardner explained that every stouii is unique so staff
70 really looks at each incident in that manner, to determine the need to respond. People do
71 have an expectation that the city will pick up brush after a storm and, in this case, it was
72 appropriate to do so. That does mean pulling city crews off of their regular work. There
73 are cases where that wouldn't happen. Also there needs to be a deadline when the city
74 will end pickup and he asks the council to honor that so that the crews can move back to
75 their regular work.
76
77 The mayor suggested that an individual storm approach makes sense to him. He respects
78 that staff be allowed time to deal with situations before the council must act. He
79 wonders about having something like an informational "blast" letting residents know the
80 city's response.
81
82 3. American Legion Post 566 Boat/Car/Motorcycle Show — City Administrator
83 Karlson reviewed his report outlining a request of the American Legion to host a special
84 event (boat, motorcycle and car show) on the city property adjacent to their building.
85 Staff has worked with the Legion on matters such as security and protection of the
86 community gardens. Parking on the site is a question that has arisen; he is recommending
87 parking be allowed off the site only. Community Services Director DeGardner
88 confirmed that the site will be mowed in time for an event. Mayor Reinert suggested that
89 security tape around the gardens should be sufficient; he's heard that the Legion will have
90 two individuals monitoring the show also.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 3, 2015
APPROVED
91
92 Public Safety Director Swenson noted that he recommends parking off-site only; mixing
93 pedestrians and moving vehicles isn't a good idea. Mr. DeGardner said that parking on
94 77th Street (both sides) should be adequate.
95
96 4. Posting for Assistant City Administrator Position - Administrator Karlson
97 recalled that this position was reviewed and included in the budget for 2015. He is ready
98 to move forward on filling the position. He reviewed the job description and the projects
99 that would be assigned. He feels it is time to fill the position as it is very much needed.
100
101 Council Member Stoesz said he'd like to see a comparison of what this changes; what
102 will others in the Administration Division no longer be doing.
103
104 Mayor Reinert said he understands that the City Administrator is in need of help; to him
105 this is a matter of how much help. The council discussed the possibility of providing a
106 lower level human resources position. The police department explained what resources
107 they receive from the Administration Department. The council discussed the option of
108 hiring low and perhaps moving that person up to a higher level as appropriate.
109
110 Mayor Reinert said the council will be reviewing the 2016 budget next week and this is a
111 topic of discussion related to that. Council Member Kusterman said he understands the
112 need for a city the size of Lino Lakes to be properly staffed and also to have someone
113 ready to step into the administrator's duties if necessary. Council Member Stoesz said
114 he'd like the position to include some information technology duties also.
115
116 The mayor said the council will have to make a decision as they review the budget. He
117 added, regarding budget planning, that he has become aware that Anoka County is doing
118 things more creatively with their fund balance and is making more money as a result; he'd
119 like to investigate that. Mr. Karlson noted that he is preparing information for the budget
120 discussion and he added that the newly hired finance officer will be present.
121
122 5. Purchase of Fire Communication Equipment — Public Safety Director Swenson
123 reviewed his staff report. The report is informational as the council has previously
124 authorized staff to purchase fire communication equipment in 2015. The cost of the
125 equipment will be funded through the sale of bonds eventually and immediately through
126 the use of borrowing from fund reserve. He expects the cost of this element of the
127 equipment to be no more than $195,000 and he is working with others to perhaps buy
128 gross. He also noted possible future equipment purchases with the bond funds.
129
130 Mayor Reinert concurred and also gave an overview of the fire department budget, noting
131 that the city's fire budget isn't "apples to apples" with the Centennial Fire District budget
132 because the former didn't account for some line items that will be in the city budget.
133
134 6. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions —
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 3, 2015
APPROVED
135 Mayor Reinert recalled his attendance at the water summit meeting in Hugo. One
136 thing they discussed was giving the body voting authority; he doesn't support that concept
137 as he prefers that the individual councils retain control. The council concurred.
138
139 The Centennial Fire District Fire Steering Committee will be hiring a new chief
140 for the district.
141
142 Council Member Stoesz offered an update on his participation with the North
143 Metro Telecommunications Board.
144
145 7. Monthly Progress Report — Administrator Karlson reviewed his written report.
146
147 8. Review Regular Agenda — The council reviewed the regular agenda for the
148 council meeting of August 10, 2015. There were no changes to the agenda.
149
150 The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
151
152 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
153 August 24, 2015.
154
155
156
157
158 dal is e Bartell, City Clerk Jeff " einert, Mayor
159
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