Lino Lakes Ledger
Fee Schedule Revisited
On Nov. 27, the Lino Lakes City Council approved the first reading establishing the 2007 Fee Schedule.
The changes included increases and consolidation of fees in order to accommodate needed increases in fees, create a clearer fee schedule, and meet state law requirements.
"We looked at fee schedules for other cities of similar sizes and we didn't see any drastic differences," said Julie Bartell, city clerk.
The fee for burning permits will increase from $10 to $30. Burning permits are needed for large fi res, not the traditional bonfire.
"Our other partners in the Centennial Fire District are higher, one is as $30, one is at $50," said Gordon Heitke, city administrator.
"We are an urbanizing community and a fire is a significant event," he added. "The fire chief indicated to me that about ten percent of the permits issued, result in fire calls. So we're just suggesting we get closer in line with the other communities."
Most of the fees that changed were in the area of planning and development.
"Some of these are cleanup items. Some of them are new fees, and some of them we just readjusted how we're accounting for them," said Michael Grochala, community development director.
A new fee relates to requests for zoning confi rmation by letter. This service will now cost $25. Land use application fees have doubled from $50 to $100 for each submittal.
The largest changes are refl ected in increased escrow deposit fees, which include escrows for conditional use permits, interim use permits, variances, rezoning, site plan reviews, and subdivisions. Escrows are funds that applicants deposit with the city, against which staff time is charged during the review process. Remaining funds are generally returned to the applicant.
The second reading was scheduled for the council meeting of December 11 after press time.
Ordinance Reconveying Land Approved
In other action, the council approved an ordinance reconveying a city-owned parcel of land back to the state of Minnesota to be offered in a private sale to surrounding landowners.
The city charter requires the city dispose of property by ordinance. The land is described as Outlot F, D Erickson 2nd Addition.
The parcel, which went tax-forfeit in 2004, was obtained by the city of Lino Lakes with the potential for use as a city well site. The site was not used for that purpose. Following an inquiry by a resident into the availability of the parcel for purchase, the city commenced action to reconvey the parcel to the state so it can be sold. Anoka County will notify surrounding landowners of the land sale.