Lino Lakes Ledger
Liquor License Hearing Held
The Lino Lakes City Council held a liquor license violation hearing on Monday, Sept. 10 to consider whether two businesses violated the Lino Lakes Code of Ordinances, Section 701.
According to the Lino Lakes Police Department, J&K Liquors failed a liquor compliance check held on May 29, 2007 by selling alcohol to an underage person. This was the second violation in a 12-month period:
council unanimously passed Resolution 07-138, instituting a $1,000 financial penalty and a 5-day suspension of license, which was stayed.
During the city-wide compliance check, Jason's Bobby & Steve's was also found to have sold alcohol to an underage person, its first violation.
The council voted to require that employees undergo training - according to Captain Kent Strege, this is a penalty consistent with past practice in the city.
Preliminary Tax Levy Certified
The Lino Lakes City Council adopted a preliminary 2007/08 tax levy in the amount of $8,866,956. The levy is based on a proposed 2008 general operating budget in the amount of $9,932,236, a 3.36% increase from the budget adopted for 2007. The council can reduce the final levy, but not increase it. See The Citizen's Oct. 3 issue for a full story.
First Reading On "Ultimate Fighting" Ordinance
The council held the first reading of Ordinance No. 12-07, which would add a new Chapter 509 related to "ultimate fighting" to the city's code of ordinances.
Chief Dave Pecchia said he had received several requests from elected officials and residents to look into ways of outlawing this activity. "We didn't want this activity displaced to Lino Lakes from Blaine," he said in a later interview. "Spring Lake Park and Fridley already have ordinances in place. We just wanted to be consistent with our neighbors."
The ordinance specifically exempts officially sanctioned activities such as martial arts, wrestling, regulated boxing and team sports "where physical contact is incidental to the primary purpose of the game."
The council approved the first reading 5-0.
In other action, the council:
. Canceled the debt service tax levy, collectible in 2008, associated with the city's general obligation tax increment financing bonds series 2007A. According to city Finance Director Al Rolek, tax increment financing revenue collections and MSA funding have satisfied the 2007-08 debt service levy for this particular bond issue.
. Approved a transient merchant license for TAP Enterprises for a tool and general merchandise sale at St. Joseph's Church, to be held Sept. 20.
. Approved a special event permit and temporary on sale liquor license for the American Legion Post 566 horseshoe tournament to be held Sept. 29-30.
. Approved a six-month peddler's license for Turco Construction, Inc. of Brooklyn Center for the purpose of selling roofing, siding and gutters door-to-door.
. Approved a six-month peddler's license for Minnesota Window and Siding Company of Golden Valley for the purpose of selling roofing, siding and gutters door-to-door.
. Set the 2007 Truth-in-Taxation hearing date for Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 at 6 p.m. with the hearing continuation slated for Monday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.
. Unanimously accepted and designated the $17,383 in residual funds allocated to the city following the 2006 dissolution of the Memorial Hospital District as follows: $6,613 to Alexandra House, $5,150 to Forest Lake Youth Services Bureau and $5,620 to the Blue Heron Days festival, all funding requests for 2008.
. Extended an offer of employment to Matthew Paulson as a part-time Community Service Officer.
. Extended an offer of employment for two police officer positions.
. Held the first reading on Ordinance No. 11-07 repealing Chapter 209 of the city code and adding a new Chapter 209, entitled "Emergency Management" in an effort to bring the current ordinance into compliance with state statutes and the city's new emergency management plan. Chief Dave Pecchia will serve as director of the city's Civil Defense Agency, which provides for the exercise of necessary powers during civil defense emergencies and for mutual aid assistance.
. Approved the ballot question for the West Shadow Lake Drive street improvement project. The question will seek voter approval to finance 51.5% of the project cost from special assessments to benefited property, with the remaining 48.5% from a property tax levy. Street and storm sewer reconstruction, sanitary sewer and water main is proposed to be a part of the project.
. Accepted the neighborhood petition against the proposed Shenandoah Area street improvement project.
. Awarded a construction contract to Peterson Companies, Inc. in the amount of $62,794.00 for the installation of median landscaping improvements on Main Street (CSAH 14) on the east side of I-35E.
. Approved a conditional use permit for Moon Marsh at Lino Lakes, a planned unit development along East Rondeau Lake Road. The 25.3-acre development within the I-35E Alternative Urban Areawide Review area includes four residential lots, including the existing home on the site. A private loop road and community sewage treatment system are proposed.
. Approved Change Orders 3-5 relative to Lunda Construction's work on the Lake Drive/I-35W Interchange project, including a change in the bridge concrete wearing course ($20,041.88) due to a delay in the placement date, a deduct for concrete that failed to meet specifications (-$869), and a unit price adjustment for concrete walk ($1,825).