2009.02.02 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Minutes for February 2, 2009 Page 5 of 7 Law passed last year which has created a financial hardship for rural property owners as well as encouraging development of open space; and the Watershed District Bill which would authorize the County Board to oversee levies proposed by the Watershed District Board. A town hall meeting will be scheduled at Hugo City Hall in the near future, and residents are encouraged to attend. Mayor Miron thanked Senator Ray Vandeveer, State Representative Bob Dettmer, and State Representative Matt Dean for the update and for all the things they do for the Citizens of Hugo and elsewhere. Discussion on Water Conservation and Water Usage Rates At its January 5, 2009 meeting, Hugo City Council listened to resident Joe Johnson who inquired as to what the City's water conservation measures were. Council agreed to research the issue with City staff and bring it back to the Council for a formal presentation and discussion. Council was provided with a detailed description of the City's waster and sewer rates adopted by Council in December 2004 which are posted on the City's website, as well as a copy of the City's flyer "How is Your Drinking Water" which is a requirement of the Minnesota Department of Health. This flyer is mailed to every municipal water user in the City, and it describes in detail the water restrictions and conservation tips adopted by the City on May 15, 2001. Finance Director Ron Otkin provided Council with a review of the City's water conservation measures and water usage rates. Ron explained rates are reviewed by the DNR, who is also the permitting authority for wells. The City uses a Block Rate Structure with a base rate for the first 15,000 gallons used. This structure provides for stable and sufficient revenues as well as contributes to the City's goal of full funding of accumulated depreciation of the City's public infrastructure. Resident Joe Johnson, 5430 134th Street North, suggested the City encourage conservation by using a meter system that charged for each gallon used. Haas made motion, Klein second, to direct staff to review and recommend a water rate structure that 1) changes the first 15,000 gallons of residential water usage from a flat fee to a per unit cost, 2) applies same methodology to the commercial/industrial rate structure, and 3) is revenue neutral. A friendly amendment was made by Haas to consider Joe Johnson's proposed rate structure as well as include himself and Councilmember Petryk in future meetings. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Revisions to the City's Sign Ordinance Over the past several months, the City's ordinance review committee has reviewed and made revisions to the City's sign ordinance which was in need of a major overhaul. As Council is aware, the goal of the committee was to complete the sign ordinance by the end of the year, but input from the business owners and Hugo Business Association was necessary in order to make modification and revisions to the sign ordinance to allow for the grandfathering of a number of current signs. At its December 11, 2008 meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the sign ordinance as proposed by staff to the City Council. At the January 5, 2009 Council meeting, Council tabled this item to allow staff to research some of the proposed sign requirements. Associate Planner Rachel Simone presented the Council with the revised ordinance, and the Council proposed further revisions to clarify the definition of "signs", change size requirements for signs associated with residential and agricultural uses, change wording on specific type of prohibited sign, and include an implementation date of June 1, 2009.