2010.05.03 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes for May 3, 2010 Page 7 of 8 Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to award the bid to Arnt Construction in the amount of $737,873.50. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Revisions to the City's Shooting Ordinance At it's April 5, 2010 meeting, the City Council scheduled a public hearing on the proposed Shooting Ordinance. Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields provided a recap of work to date on the revisions to the City's Shooting Ordinance, and he presented a map showing three possible scenarios for the 500 foot rule. Mayor Fran Miron opened the public hearing. Michael Clyne, 14540 Geneva Avenue North, and son Nicholas presented a petition to the Council signed by 41 Hugo residents stating support for the "rural" less restrictive designation of the land surrounding Egg Lake as it applies to the proposed shooting ordinance. Michael stated that most of the hunters on Egg Lake were youths, and pointed out how Egg Lake was different from Bald Eagle Lake. Nicholas spoke about the tradition of hunting on Egg Lake and was excited to be getting his license this year. Jim Leroux, 4360 165th Street North, said in his experience, hunting is intrusive on rights but shotguns have not caused problems in Hugo. He acknowledge there are problems with uncontrolled target practice. Jim wants to maintain his right to shoot varmints on his farm and thinks stricter rules than what the DNR allows could be confusing. He said permission should be required from a neighbor closer than 500 feet, and also believes in property rights. Alex Gutierrex, DNR Conservation Officer, talked about DNR regulations regarding the negligent discharge of firearms, and stated he could not see the reasoning or the enforceability of the ordinance as proposed. He stated that conservation officers could respond to calls but could not enforce City ordinances. He pointed out the very large area he covered and said Washington County Sheriffs Department would be able to respond faster. Tom Raster, 15227 Geneva Avenue North, said he lives next to the MN DNR boat landing on Oneka Lake and the only traffic on the lake during hunting season is hunters. He was opposed to anything that prevented the current use of the land. There were no other comments, and Mayor Fran Miron closed the public hearing. Discussion on the Shooting Ordinance was interrupted to discuss a public hearing on lease revenue bond refinancing. Set Public Hearing on Lease Revenue Bond Refinancing Plan The Finance Department has researched the possibility of refinancing two lease revenue bonds that were issued by the Economic Development Authority to finance construction of the fire hall and city hall. The plan involves replacing this debt with general obligation bonds that can save considerable interest over the remaining life of the bonds and thus reduce the City's future tax levies. A public hearing is required as a part of the refinancing process.