City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council Workshop While this is a public meeting where interested persons are welcome to attend, it is a work session for City Council and staff to discuss issues before them. It is not for the purpose of receiving public input. Monday, April 18, 2022 6:00 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Sanders at 6:19PM. 2 Roll Call PRESENT: Mayor Tim Sanders, Councilmembers Wes Hovland, Chris Massoglia, Richard Paul, and Jess Robertson. PARK BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Ford, Kris Paulseth, Tonya Lizakowski, Kjrk Reyerson, and Tom Walsdorf. NATURAL RESOURCES CONVERSATION BOARD (NRCB) MEMBERS PRESENT: Gene Rafferty and Carolyn Panning. ABSENT: Councilmember Julie Jeppson. Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director Erik Thorvig; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Senior Parks and Recreation Manager Jerome Krieger; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Finance Director Joe Huss; City Engineer Dan Schluender; City Attorney Chris Nelson; Communications Manager Ben Hayle; Deputy Finance Director Ali Bong; Stormwater Coordinator Megan Hedstrom; Parks and Recreation Manager Nate Monahan; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 5 - Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Hovland, Massoglia, and Sanders Excused: 1 - Smith Absent: 1 - Councilmember Jeppson City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes April 18, 2022 3 New Business Motion by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Councilmember Robertson, to close the City Council workshop pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Blaine City Charter and Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3(b) at 6:20PM to discuss pending and threatened litigation. 3-1 Closed Session Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 13D.05, Subd. 3(b) to Discuss Pending and Threatened Litigation Arising out of the Lever Street Improvement Project The Council met in closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3(b) to discuss pending and threatened litigation arising out of the Lever Street Improvement Project. By motion the Council moved from closed session and reconvened the regular workshop agenda at 7:00PM. 30 Minute Discussion 3-2 Joint meeting with the City Council, Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), and Park Board (PB) Attachments: PowerPoint RES 22-015 - Adopt Park Development Budget RES 22-015 - Attachment - Parks Development Budget 2022.04.18 - 2022-2026 Park CIP - Proposed Mid-Year Changes 2022-2026 Park Development and Open Space - CIP_Revenue Corrected RES 21-218 - Adopt Neighborhood Park and Trails Budget RES 21-218 - Attachement - Neighborhood Parks Budget RES 21-219 - Adopt Open Space Budget RES 21-219 - Attachment - Open Space Budget RES 21-219 & RES 22-015 - 2022-2026 Park Development and Open Space - CIP_Approved Senior Parks and Recreation Manager Krieger stated staff would like to discuss with the Council, Park Board and NRCB the upcoming 2022-2023 park and open space projects along with their budgets. He commented on how rising prices were impacting park projects. Staff discussed the role of the two boards working with the Council moving forward and presented the Council, NRCB and Park Board with upcoming projects for 2022 and 2023. Councilmember Hovland stated it was his understanding funds generated by wetland credit sales were supposed to be used to help pay for improvements, including trails within The Wetland Sanctuary. He City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes April 18, 2022 asked if the proposed trail connections would be covered by these funds or by park dedication funds. Mr. Krieger stated these projects would be funded by the open space fund, which was made up of wetland credits. Councilmember Hovland discussed how park dedication fees would continue to shrink as the City builds out. Finance Director Huss reported staff was tracking individual funding sources and noted the sale of wetland credits was being used to fund improvements in the wetland sanctuary. He explained the other park dedication fees collected provide funding for other trails throughout the City and for improvements of open spaces. He commented on the measures that were in place to ensure these funds were not being intermingled. He noted staff was presenting several different projects tonight that had different funding sources. Councilmember Hovland stated he would like to see the Park Board more involved in addressing how to enhance the older parts of Blaine with trails and parks. Councilmember Robertson thanked the Park Board and NRCB members for their engagement with the community. She encouraged staff to pursue grant opportunities to assist with the upcoming park projects. She suggested action on the skate park be tabled to allow the City to focus on other priorities, especially given the fact prices were coming in higher than anticipated for projects. She stated she was proud of the number of parks per capita that Blaine has and wanted to continue to improve and enhance these parks but also wanted this to be done responsibly. NRCB Member Carolyn Panning stated she would like to see the City focus on connecting trails within all new housing developments for safety reasons. She suggested the City also consider how to connect older neighborhoods into the trail system. Mayor Sanders thanked the board members in attendance and explained the Council wants to have a working and collaborative relationship with its boards and commissions. He encouraged the members to reach out to the Council if they have comments or questions. 60 Minute Discussion 4 Other Business Mayor Sanders commented on the items on the Council agenda. He noted the meeting would begin by honoring SBM Fire Chief Smith. He reported applications were being accepted through April 20 for the vacated Council seat for Ward 1. He requested the Council forward their top three preferences by Friday and stated interviews would be held for City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes April 18, 2022 the top candidates on April 26 and possibly April 28. Public Works Director Haukaas provided the Council with an update on TH65. He noted a layout has been selected by MNDOT and MHWA. ADJOURN The Workshop was adjourned at 7:34PM. City of Blaine Page 4