City Council Workshop

10801 Town Square Dr. City of Blaine Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final City Council Workshop *While this is a public meeting where interested persons are welcome to attend, it is a work session for Council and staff to discuss issues before them. It is not for the purpose of receiving public input. Thursday, August 14, 2014 6:30 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A Meeting Number 14-42 NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:30 p.m. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: Clark Arneson, City Manager, Patrick Sweeney, City Attorney; Bryan Schafer, Planning and Community Development Director; Bob Therres, Public Services Manager; Joe Huss, Finance Director; Chris Olson, Police Chief/Safety Services Manager; Roark Haver, Communications Technician; Al Thorp, Senior Engineering Technician; Catherine Sorensen, City Clerk and Recording Secretary Linda Dahlquist. Present: 7 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Bourke, Councilmember Kolb, and Councilmember Herbst 3 New Business City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final August 14, 2014 3-1 WS 14-37 NORTH ROAD LAND USE DISCUSSION Sponsors: Schafer Attachments: North Road Land Use Discussion - Map North Road Land Use - Attachments Planning and Community Development Director Schafer stated a builder is looking at a three acre in-fill parcel that is zoned R-1 on North Road for a detached townhome project. He stated the builder would like to use DF (Development Flex) and build on smaller lots. He noted that staff is reluctant to support a higher density project in this area. He gave an overview of three development options. He noted that the builder prefers option number 2. He stated options 1 and 2 would have a public street with a cul-de-sac and option 3 would have a private street. Councilmember Hovland asked where the ponding would be placed. Planning and Community Development Director Schafer replied ponding would be located in the rear yards or to possibly lose a lot. Councilmember Kolb arrived at 6:36 p.m. Councilmember Bourke commented he likes all three options. Councilmember Swanson commented he prefers option 2. Mayor Ryan commented the neighborhood has storm drainage issues. He commented he would prefer the option with the larger lots. Councilmember Clark commented the neighborhood is zoned R-1 and he prefers option 1 or option 2. Frank Feela stated the proposed units are on slab, one level rambler units; a story and a half units; and small two story units. Councilmember Herbst commented there is a line of trees that buffer the land to the north; the east has the apartments; and the south is North Road. He noted that the west side would need to be addressed. Councilmember Herbst asked about storm water drainage. Planning and Community Development Director Schafer replied the units will be on slabs so drainage should not be a problem. Councilmember Hovland questioned the square footage of the lots in option 2. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final August 14, 2014 Mayor Ryan commented he would like to hear the Planning Commission’s recommendations. Discussed 3-2 WS 14-38 116TH AVENUE AND RADISSON ROAD SURVEY RESULTS Sponsors: Therres Public Services Manager Therres stated 656 residents were notified by mail of the survey. He stated the results of the resident survey that had four options for the intersection of 116th Avenue and Radisson Road resulted in 260 responses; although after the survey was refined to one response per residence resulting in 211 responses which is a rate of 32%. He stated the residents’ response for first choice was for no change and second choice was install speed humps. He commented over 60% of respondent’s access 35W for their morning commute. He noted that all comments received from the residents were included in the Council’s handout. Councilmember Swanson asked if the City could finish the road to Lexington Avenue. Public Services Manager Therres replied yes, the Council could order a road project to finish the road. Councilmember Clark stated he is in favor of installing speed humps in the neighborhood. Councilmember Bourke stated he is in favor of speed humps. Councilmember Swanson asked when the City will purchase temporary speed humps. Public Services Manager Therres replied the purchase of temporary speed humps will be included in the 2015 budget. City Manager Arneson stated the Council needs to review the City’s speed hump policy. Councilmember Clark suggested signage to detour traffic. Councilmember Hovland commented he requested no truck signage and the sign ended up being too small to make a difference. City Manager Arneson stated the speed hump policy will be reviewed at the workshop on September 4, 2014. Councilmember Hovland suggested reviewing other traffic calming options. Mayor Ryan questioned the cost of $6,000 for permanent speed humps on a 30 foot road. Discussed City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final August 14, 2014 3-3 WS 14-39 2015 BUDGET UPDATE - PRELIMINARY BUDGET Sponsors: Huss Finance Director Huss stated the adoption of a preliminary budget and tax levy is done annually at the first Council meeting in September. He stated the Council will adopt the 2015 preliminary budget and tax levy at the September 4, 2014, Council meeting. He noted that the preliminary budget can be increased or decreased; although the preliminary tax levy can only be decreased. He noted that currently the budget appropriation requests exceed funding sources. Council discussion on sealcoating of roads. Finance Director Huss replied the City cannot bond for sealcoating roads because it is considered maintenance. Councilmember Swanson suggested developers be responsible for sealcoating new roads one year after installation. Finance Director Huss gave an overview of discretionary requests including salaries/wages, Council salaries, compensated absences, re-grade of assistant to city manager position, accountant position, reorganize/re-grade Utility Billing supervisor position, Lexington Area Complex (LAC) maintenance staffing, patrol officer, EDA, and HR compensation study. Councilmember Herbst asked about compensated absences. Finance Director Huss replied compensated absences fund is used when a City employee leaves. He stated in the past the City has paid up to $300,000 per year. He noted there is currently a gap in funding. He stated the City has carried a gap for over five years. Councilmember Bourke asked if the compensated absences gap affects the City’s audit or bonding. Finance Director Huss replied no the City can argue the gap. Councilmember Bourke left at 7:36 p.m. and returned at 7:37 p.m. Finance Director Huss continued with the overview of discretionary requests including Night to Unite program, Drug Task Force overtime, County PSD system, emergency management plan update, police department training, SBM Fire, increase in sealcoat program, and GIS aerial photos. Council discussion on SBM Fire proposed 2015 budget. City Manager Arneson suggested a Council meeting with Spring Lake Park and Mounds View to discuss SBM Fire’s proposed budget. Councilmember Hovland questioned the proposed budget for the Night to City of Blaine Page 4 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final August 14, 2014 Unite Program. Police Chief Olson replied the funds are used for supplies and wages for staff. City Manager Arneson commented building has a number of projects that will help the budget. Councilmember Clark commented the City needs more funding for salt and snow plowing. Mayor Ryan questioned the current amount of the residents’ assessment for the Pavement Management Program. Finance Director Huss replied that raising the residents’ assessment amount would help to fund the program. Public Services Manager Therres noted that the assessments include an inflator. Councilmember Clark asked about Park (LAC) and if the budgeted amount is for one staff person. Finance Director Huss replied no, the amount is to cover several park staff. City Manager Arneson commented the City is down one snow plow driver. Councilmember Herbst asked about the Police Department’s officer staffing. Police Chief Olson replied the Police Department has 59 officers and one vacancy. City Manager Arneson commented the City has 63,000 residents and the average for a city of this size would be 64 officers. City Manager Arneson stated the HR compensation study is necessary for 2015. Councilmember Kolb agreed the study is necessary. Finance Director Huss stated the proposed EDA 2015 tax levy of $692,150 and tax rate of 1.290%. He gave an overview of expenditures that include personal services, supplies, eight programs, general fund and administration fees. Councilmember Swanson suggested removing the business revolving loan program. Councilmember Swanson proposed reducing the EDA levy by $75,000 and redirecting this levy to the General Fund. There was general Council consensus directing staff to take make this change. Councilmember Clark questioned the cost and the value of Govdelivery. Councilmember Bourke commented the City should not be in the banking business. Councilmember Kolb commented the proposed budget is building the EDA City of Blaine Page 5 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final August 14, 2014 for the future. Council discussion on the proposed EDA budget. Council discussion on snowplowing and salt supplies. Discussed OTHER BUSINESS City Manager Arneson stated a Council meeting is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on August 15, 2014. City Manager Arneson stated a Council Closed EDA Session is scheduled for August 21, 2014. ADJOURN The Workshop adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Adjourned City of Blaine Page 6