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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.12.05 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2011 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt, Miron ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Finance Director Ron Otkin, City Assessor Frank Langer, Accounting Clerk Anna Wobse, Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields, Parks Planner Shayla Syverson, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Moment of Silence for Rose "Jeanne" Weidt The Mayor called for a moment of silence in remembrance of Rose "Jeanne" Weidt, the mother of Council Member Tom Weidt, and in respect for all mothers. Rose passed away on December 1, 2011. She was 80 years old. Approval of Minutes for the November 21, 2011 Council Meeting Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the November 21, 2011 Council meeting as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda as amended: Add to Consent Agenda - Approve Hiring of Christopher Schwanke and Ross Hoernemann as Probationary Hugo Firefighters Add to Administrative Presentations — Identity Workshop on December 15, 2011 All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Consent Agenda Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Five -Year CIP Approve Resolution Approving 2012 Salary and Reimbursement Levels Approve Advertisement for Sale of 2001 Dodge Ram Dump Truck Approve Purchase of New 2012 GMC 1500 4X4 Public Works Pickup Truck Approve Hiring of Christopher Schwanke and Ross Hoernemann as Probationary Hugo Firefighters All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2011 Page 2 of 6 Approval of Claims Adoption of Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Five -Year CIP At its August 16, 2011 Mid -Year Budget Workshop, Finance Director Ron Otkin presented a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the years 2011-2015. Staff has identified each project and the corresponding revenue sources. Adoption of Consent Agenda approved the Five -Year CIP as presented. Approve Resolution Approving 2012 Salary and Reimbursement Levels During the 2012 budget process, the City Council indicated its desire to hold the City's salary matrix at the 2011 levels, with no cost of living adjustments, but to grant step increases to those employees who have not yet reached their pay grade maximums. These step adjustments will continue to allow the City to be in compliance with Pay Equity Statutes. Adoption of Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTUION 2011-40 SETTING 2012 SALARIES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS. Approve Advertisement for Sale of 2001 Dodge Ram Dump Truck The City recently purchased a new Ford 550 to replace the 2001 Dodge Ram truck that has been in the City's fleet since 2001. Staff would like to sell the 2001 truck through a sealed bid process. Adoption of Consent Agenda approved the sale of the 2001 Dodge Ram truck through the sealed bid process. Approve Purchase of New 2012 GMC 1500 4X4 Public Works Pickup Truck At its August 16, 2011 Mid -Year Budget Workshop, the Council gave preliminary approval for the purchase of a'/2 ton pickup truck. This truck would replace the truck being driven by the Public Works Director, which will be moved into the Hugo Fire Department Fleet and be driven by the Deputy Fire Chief. Adoption of Consent Agenda approved the purchase of a 2012 GMC 1/2 ton truck from Nelson Auto Center, and to move the truck currently being driven by the Public Works Director into the Fire Department Fleet. Approve Hiring of Christopher Schwanke and Ross Hoernemann as Probationary Hugo Firefighters Christopher Schwanke and Ross Hoernemann applied for a firefighter positions on the Hugo Fire Department. The hiring committee is recommending Council approve the hiring of Schwanke and Hoernemann as probationary firefighters subject to the standard criminal background check, medical physical, and drug screening. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Christopher Schwanke and Ross Hoernemann as probationary firefighters on the Hugo Fire Department Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2011 Page 3 of 6 Update on November 3, 2011 Firemen's Relief Association Meeting On October 19, 2011, the Council attended the meeting of the Hugo Fire Department Relief Association to discuss switching the financial advisor for the Association and consider a new investment strategy. Firefighters Kevin Colvard and Bob Bieniek agreed to meet with Don Schoeller of the North Star Resource Group to discuss investment options. The Fire Relief Association met on November 3, 2011 to discuss whether to change investment advisors. President of the Relief Association/Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Colvard and Treasurer of the Relief Association/Lieutenant Bob Bieniek provide the Council with an update of that meeting. The Board of Trustees did agree to change the investment advisor from Parr Financial Group to North Star Resource Group starting at the beginning of the year 2012. Staff will be working with the Association to determine the appropriate pension level and the need for voluntary contributions by the City. Deputy Colvard also talked about the toy and food drive for Toys for Tots and the Food Shelf respectively taking place Saturday, December 10, 2011 starting at 11:00 a.m. No formal action was taken. Discussion on Charitable Gambling At its September 6, 2011 meeting, Council discussed charitable gambling and proposed legislation to once again require gambling associations to receive city approval on renewals of the premise permits. Legislation in 2009 made these permits perpetual and only required city approval on the initial premise permit. Council Member Chuck Haas has been working with Metro Cities and the League of Minnesota Cities on legislation to eliminate the perpetual license and once again require a gambling organization to get approval annually from the City for the premise permit. Council also discussed drafting a gambling ordinance. Since then, Staff has met with Hugo based organizations that may be interested in conducting gambling at an establishment in Hugo, as well as the owner of Blue Heron Grill, where gambling is currently being conducted Centennial Hockey, and the owner of Sal's Angus Grill, where gambling is currently being conducted by the Bayport Legion. Owner of Sal's Angus Grill Jeff Fusco and owner of the Blue Heron Chad Wagner generally stated they have a long working relationship with the respective gambling organizations, which do a fantastic job. Jeff and Chad were unaware, until they met with staff, that requests from Hugo organizations were not being addressed. Since then, they have both spoke to the gambling managers who indicated they would be sure to do a better job of including Hugo when dispersing funds. Jeff Fusco indicated there are opportunities for non-profit organizations to make money by conducting the meat raffles at Sal's, which would be organized by the Bayport Legion. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to work with Council Member Chuck Haas to develop a policy on gambling, and provide the policy to Chad Wagner and Jeff Fusco for review prior to bringing it back to the Council for adoption. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on Demolition of Ricci's Building At its November 7, 2011 meeting, Council was informed that Central Bank would take care of the demolition of the Ricci's building without assessments from the City. The bank has completed the permitting process with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, including the Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2011 Page 4 of 6 10 -day waiting period. On November 22, 2011, a permit was issued by the City to PGM, Inc. for the demolition of the building. On November 30, 2011, work was done to remove the sign, parking lot, and water up to the curb stop, with the demolition of the building done on Thursday, December 1, 2011. City Administrator Bryan Bear showed some pictures of the demolition and stated the contractors were still working on removing piles of debris. The City will continue to work with the bank on getting a new business established on the property, which is approximately a 2/3 acre lot. No formal action was taken. Update on Irish Avenue Park Meeting on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 On Tuesday, November 29, 2011, the Irish Avenue Park Planning Committee held their second meeting to review the City of Hugo's Parks Plan and discuss the next steps in the development of the park on Irish Avenue. Parks Planner Shayla Syverson reported to Council that Gary Wilson and Dave Percival chose to no longer pursue the idea of a cross county course on the property; however, the Committee would like to continue to work on the development of the park. They proposed working with area school advisors and the local community in developing long term goals and interim uses that would be compatible with long term uses. Council Member Petryk suggested leaving sufficient room for softball fields on the property. The Council felt it was very important to work closely with the Parks Commission, and Shayla agreed to keep the Parks Commission involved in discussions relating to the park. The next meeting of the Committee will be in January 2012. No formal action was taken. Discussion on JD2 Minor Maintenance Proiect for 2012 For the past three years, Olson's Sewer Service has provided minor ditch maintenance on Judicial Ditch 2. City Engineer Jay Kennedy discussed with Council past, current, and future maintenance on JD2. In an agreement between the City and the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD), RCWD will provide $40,000 annually for projects completed with annual contracts. The 2011-2012 project includes removing sediment from culverts between 157th Street and 165th Street, and clearing brush adjacent to the ditches between 165th Street and 170th Street. The current process for maintenance projects includes small annual projects. City Engineer Jay Kennedy stated that working on a larger project would be more efficient because of unpredictable weather; more can be done in favorable conditions. Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to proceed with the 2011-2012 project and direct staff to discuss with the RCWD/ permitting agencies the possibility of combining the smaller projects into a larger, more efficient project. All Ayes. Motion carried. Presentation of 2012 City Budget and Tax Lew - Finance Director Ron Otkin On September 6, 2011, the City Council adopted a preliminary 2011 tax levy of $4,959,583. Based on staff estimates of tax capacity, this levy was intended to keep the urban tax rate at 34.236% of tax capacity. Finance Director Ron Otkin explained to Council changes made by the state by eliminating the Market Value Homestead Credit and replacing it with the Homestead Market Value Exclusion. Due to state changes to the homestead credit program, Washington County has determined that the tax rate will actually increase by 6.50 %. As a result, the tax on a median valued homestead will increase by $33.20. Finance Director reviewed the proposed Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2011 Page 5 of 6 budget which showed a 1 % reduction of spending partly due to the elimination of the Community Development Director position and change in employee health insurance. Ron concluded the presentation by saying the budget satisfies the funding priorities established by the City Council, and the budget is balanced with no transfers in. A Truth -in -Taxation hearing was scheduled for this evening, and City Assessor Frank Langer stated that he received less than 12 calls from residents regarding this hearing. Mayor Fran Miron opened the public hearing. There were no comments, and the Mayor closed the hearing. Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2011-41 APPROVING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE 2012 FISCAL YEAR. Ayes: Weidt, Haas, Petryk, Klein, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2011-42 APPROVING FINAL TAX LEVY PAYABLE IN 2012. Ayes: Haas, Petryk, Klein, Weidt, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Discussion on Tax Forfeited Land in Hugo The City received notification from Washington County of seven tax forfeited parcels within the City, parcels on which developers have not paid taxes.. Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields explained changes made by the 2010 Legislature narrowing the options for the City to acquire these parcels for free, but allows land to be sold to the City for less than its market value for certain public purposes. All of the parcels are in residential developments, which have been platted and developed. Staff had met with the representative of the Victor Gardens Home Owners Association (HOA) who requested conveyance to the HOA of three outlots located in Victor Gardens. Staff found one of the outlots in Beaver Ponds was to have been deeded to the City for a park, and another that would be in the City's best interest to acquire. Staff proposed the remaining two parcels be sold to adjacent property owners. Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields reviewed these parcels with the Council and requested direction from Council. Haas made motion, Weidt seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2011-43 APPROVING THE APPLICATION BY A GOVERNMENTAL SUBDIVISION FOR CONVEYANCE OF TAX - FORFEITED LANDS FOR AN AUTHORIZED PUBLIC USE FOR FOUR PARCELS, AND APPROVING THREE PARCELS FOR PRIVATE SALE TO AN ADJACENT LAND OWNER. Ayes: Petryk, Klein, Weidt, Haas, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2011 Page 6 of 6 Update on Yellow Ribbon Network Council Member Chuck Haas and Council Member Phil Klein reported to Council on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. Haas talked about the "Love From Minnesota" Event where the Blue Star Mothers, Hugo Yellow Ribbon Network, and the AmericInn Hotel and Suites joined together to send more than 2,500 packages to Minnesota Service Members. There were 20-30 volunteers to help repack care packages in order to save on postage. Money for postage is still needed. A local family is sponsoring the December Hamburger Night on December 28th in observance of Christmas giving. Burger Night sponsors lined up for 2012 are Lake Area Bank, Bald Eagle Sportsman Club, Boyd Promotion, and Wyoming Machine. Interviews for Vacancies on Board of Zoning Adiustments, Parks Commission, Planning Commission on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded the Council they will be conducting interviews for vacancies on the Board of Zoning Adjustments, Parks Commission, and Planning Commission. Interviews will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. Identity Workshop on December 15, 2011 The Hugo EDA and the Planning Commission have scheduled an Identity Workshop for December 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. The Hugo City Council has expressed a desire to attend this workshop. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to notice the Identity Workshop on December 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. as a Hugo City Council meeting to allow the attendance of the Council. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adiournment Haas made motion, Weidt seconded, to adjourn at 9:34 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk