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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.02.19 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 19, 2008 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, Assistant City Attorney Mark Vierling, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Public Works Director Chris Petree, and City Clerk Michele Lindau APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4, 2008 Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the minutes for the meeting of February 4, 2008 as presented. All aye. Motion carried. MOMENT OF SILENCE The Mayor asked for a moment of silence for the tragedy in Kirkwood, Missouri on February 8, 2008 where five people were killed by a gunman at a City Council meeting, and for the campus shooting at Northern Illinois University on February 14, 2008 that resulted in five dead and several injured. ANNOUNCEMENT OF BIRTH The Mayor announced the birth of Mackenzie Paige to Jennifer Nodes on February 18, 2008. Jennifer works with City Attorney Dave Snyder at the Eckberg, Lammers Law Office. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to direct staff to send a note to Jennifer to congratulate her on the birth of her daughter Mackenzie, on behalf of the City. All Aye. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Remove J.6 - Approve Resolution Amending Development Agreement for Nor -Lakes Property Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda for February 19, 2008 as amended. All aye. Motion Carried. CONSENT AGENDA Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Authorization to Advertise for Historical Commission Intern Approve Fire Training Exercise by the Hugo Fire Department at the Rice Lake Park Building Approve Gambling Permit for the Vadnais Heights Knights of Columbus Fund -Raising Raffle on City Council Meeting of February 19, 2008 Page 2 of 7 April 22, 2008 at the Hugo American Legion Approve Revisions to the City Policy on Minnesota Data Practice Procedure All Aye. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster for February 19, 2008 as presented. APPROVE AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR HISTORICAL COMMISSION INTERN Over the past two years, the Hugo Historical Commission has discussed the idea of hiring a temporary Historical Commission Intern to assist the Commission with its volunteer work in preserving the rich history of the City of Hugo. The Commission has done an excellent job over the past four years of preserving written, pictorial and verbal history of the City of Hugo through its long-time residents and business owners. There are some tasks the Commission would like to pay special attention to and utilize the expertise of a college student who specializes in preserving history. City staff has determined that there is a demonstrated need and has worked with Commission Chair Kitty Cheesebrow to determine the availability of students through the University of Minnesota. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the authorization for staff to advertise for an intern to work with the Historical Commission for a time frame not to exceed 100 hours at an hourly rate of $10.00 per hour. APPROVE FIRE TRAINING EXERCISE BY THE HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT AT THE RICE LAKE PARK BUILDING Included in its 2007 City Focus Goals, the Hugo City Council directed staff to form an implementation task force to proceed with the design, development, and construction of a soccer complex at the Rice Lake Park property. Staff has worked with Hosanna Lutheran Church for more than three years and more recently over the past year and a half to assist them in finding a new location for both Hosanna Lutheran Church and the Hugo Community Food Shelf. Staff has informed Hosanna Lutheran Church that it has until March 31, 2008 to relocate its church services to the newly remodeled Hugo Elementary School, and they have agreed. The fire training exercise at the Rice Lake Park Building is an opportunity to better train and educate firefighters. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the authorization for the Hugo Fire Department to hold a fire training exercise at the Rice Lake Park Building on April 12, 2008. APPROVE GAMBLING PERMIT FOR THE VADNAIS HEIGHTS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FUND-RAISING RAFFLE ON APRIL 22, 2008 AT THE HUGO AMERICAN LEGION Staff has received an application for a gambling permit from the Vadnais Heights Knights of Columbus for a fund-raising raffle on April 22, 2008 at the Hugo American Legion. Staff has reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactorily complete. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the gambling permit for the Vadnais Heights Knights of Columbus for its fund-raising raffle at the Hugo American Legion on April 22, 2008. APPROVE REVISIONS TO THE CITY POLICY ON MINNESOTA DATA PRACTICE City Council Meeting of February 19, 2008 Page 3 of 7 PROCEDURES In 2002, the Hugo City Council adopted a City Policy on MN Data Practices Procedures. That policy has remained in effect, thereby designating the City Clerk as the Data Practices Compliance Official for any request of public data. Beginning with Administrative Intern Matt Stemwedel in 2007 and with final work by Administrative Intern Nathan Ehalt, City staff has reviewed and revised the policy to ensure conformance with Minnesota Statute as well as to make it more user friendly. The proposed revisions to the City Policy on Minnesota Data Practices Procedure do not change the policy but merely make it more easier to comply with public requests for public data. Authorization of the Consent Agenda approved the revision to the City Policy on the Minnesota Data Practices Procedures. APPROVE RESOLUTION AMENDING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR NOR - LAKES PROPERTY City Administrator Mike Ericson removed this from the Consent Agenda at the request of City Attorney Dave Snyder. On December 14, 1999, the City of Hugo entered into a development agreement with Nor -Lakes Holding Co, LLC, for property located at 13615 Fenway Boulevard Court North in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park. The agreement, among other things, required Nor -Lakes to meet established wage and job goals and to guarantee the payment of tax increment to the City. Nor -Lakes desires to sell the subject property to an Alabama company called 4L, LLC. Since the property is in a TIF District, the development agreement needs to be reassigned to the new owner to ensure that their obligations under the TIF Plan continue to be met. Council directed staff to put this item on the March 3, 2008 agenda. AWARD OF BID FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE RICE LAKE SOCCER COMPLEX At its January 7, 2008 meeting the Hugo City Council authorized staff to advertise for bids for the construction of the new Rice Lake Park Soccer Complex. On February 13, 2008 the City opened bids for the construction of the Rice Lake Park Soccer Complex. There were a total of 20 bidders on the project reflecting an extremely competitive bidding climate. Public Works Director Chris Petree explained the project to the Council and informed the Council that the engineer's estimate on the project was 1.15 million. Chris recommended Council award the bid to Arnt Construction Company, Inc. with the low bid amount of $846,849.25. Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to award the bid for construction of the Rice Lake Soccer Complex to Arnt Construction Company, Inc., at the low bid amount of $846,849.25. Voting Aye: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Voting Nay: None Motion carried. AWARD OF BID FOR PAINTING INTERIOR WALLS OF HUGO FIRE HALL In anticipation of the 100 -year anniversary celebration of the Hugo Fire Department, the Department is requesting to paint the interior walls of the office and meeting areas of the Fire Hall. Fire Chief Jim Compton has secured three bids for the work to be done and recommended Council award the bid to Fiddle Company with the low bid amount of $3,030. Puleo questioned the reason for going out for bids versus obtaining quotes, and Granger questioned if there was City Council Meeting of February 19, 2008 Page 4 of 7 specified criteria for the project. Granger made motion, Puleo seconded, to table the award of bid until further information was obtained from Fire Chief Jim Compton. All Ayes. Motion carried. APPROVE 2008 CITY FOCUS GOALS On Monday, January 28, 2008 the Council held its annual goal setting session with City staff to determine the direction and goals for the City in 2008. Council considered the respective goals submitted by the City's various commission as well as the Hugo Fire Department's 2008 goals. After discussion and direction to staff, the Council selected focus goals in the areas of transportation planning, public safety, economic development, park projects, and the Comprehensive Plan update. City staff drafted and arranged the goals in a fashion consistent with previous goal setting sessions including Council's 2008 ongoing priorities. The Council added to those goals the County TAC 7-8-9 project, improvements at the CSAH 4 and TH61 intersection, identifying Phase 2 of the Rice Lake Park Soccer Complex project, and consideration of certifying the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District. Granger made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the 2008 City focus goals and ongoing priorities as discussed and amended. All Aye. Motion carried. UPDATE ON FEBRUARY 5 MEETING WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS ON GOODVIEW AVENUE SOUTH EXTENSION As Council is aware, City staff and City officials continue to discuss the needed improvements for the Goodview Avenue south extension into the City of Grant and White Bear Township. Recently, Council Member Chuck Haas and City staff met with county and city officials on February 5 to discuss the proposed improvements to Goodview Avenue. City Engineer Jay Kennedy explained the outcome of the meeting and the next steps on the project which were a joint powers agreement for the maintenance of Goodview Avenue until the paving project was completed, a joint powers agreement for the paving project, and continued discussions on the realignment of County Road 7. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to direct staff to continue working with White Bear Township, City of Grant, and Washington County on the joint powers agreement, and to continue to support the County in the realignment of County Road 7. All Ayes. Motion carried. SCHEDULE NEXT I-35 W/E COALITION MEETING FOR MARCH 13, 2008 At its February 4, 2008 meeting, Hugo City Council directed staff to schedule the next I-35 W/E Coalition meeting for Thursday, February 28 or Thursday, March 13, 2008. City staff has City Council Meeting of February 19, 2008 Page 5 of 7 contacted city and county officials and determined March 13 is the best available date for the next regularly scheduled meeting on the Coalition. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule the next I-35 W/E Coalition meeting for Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Oneka Room at Hugo City Hall. All Aye. Motion carried. APPROVE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PRELIMINARY PLAT — ENCHANTED WATERS City staff has received a letter of request from property owner Jim Bever for an extension for the preliminary plat for the Enchanted Waters subdivision, which approved the development of 12 homes on a 40 acre parcel of land owned by Jim and Karen Bever, and preserves 20 acres of open space. The specific request was for Council to consider a 2 1/2 year extension of the preliminary plat due to the downturn in the housing market. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded to approve the request for an extension of the preliminary plat for the development of Enchanted Waters with an expiration date to coincide with the expiration date granted for the Sunset Shores development, which is August 17, 2010. All Aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON TRAGEDY IN KIRKWOOD, MO AND COUNCIL CHAMBERS SECURITY On Thursday, February 7, 2008 five people were fatally shot and two others wounded by a man who opened fire at a City Council meeting in Kirkwood, MO. Kirkwood is a middle-class suburb of St. Louis with a population of 27,000. The issue of security and the safety of City officials is an issue of deep concern with the National League of Cities and the League of Minnesota Cities. The issue of public safety has changed dramatically in the United States with the tragedy on September 11, 2001 and with the numerous shootings that have occurred in public high schools throughout the state of Minnesota and the United States. While the City of Hugo acknowledges the freedom of free speech and First Amendment Rights, the safety of residents and public officials is a deep concern. Staff requested direction from Council as to its interest in increasing security measures in the Council Chambers and at Hugo City Hall. Petryk made motion, Granger seconded, to direct staff to begin discussions with the Washington County Sheriff Department, Hugo Fire Department, and other public safety officials, and should staff find there are enough issues that need to be addressed, a workshop with the City Council will be scheduled. All Ayes. Motion carried. REQUEST FROM MN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO RELEASE OF BONDS FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING IN MINNESOTA The Minnesota House of Republicans are actively working towards finding a long-term solution City Council Meeting of February 19, 2008 Page 6 of 7 for transportation funding. The 2008 Capital Investment Bill provides the necessary funds. The City has received a request from MN House Minority Leader Marty Seifert for City support for bridge funding in the bonding bill, which would help to ensure allocation of revenue for roads and bridges. City staff requested direction from Council as to its support for the resolution pertaining to the release of bonds for transportation funding in Minnesota. Staff had also provided the Council a copy of a resolution supported by the League of Minnesota Cities, which the Council felt was broader in scope and more acceptable. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to recommend approval of RESOLUTION 2008-6 REQUESTING COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING, with a little wordsmithing, and directed staff to send a letter to State Representative Marty Seifert letting him know of the Council's decision. All Aye. Motion carried. CARNELIAN -MARINE -ST. CROIX WATERSHED DISTRICT BOARD VACANCY City staff has been informed by Washington County of an advertised vacancy on the Carnelian - Marine -St. Croix Watershed District. State Statute provides that the county board may select watershed district managers from a list of nominees submitted by municipalities. City Administrator Mike Ericson announced that any citizen interested in serving as a manager on the Carnelian -Marine -St. Croix Watershed District Board should contact Washington County or the City of Hugo. TAC 7-8-9 OPEN HOUSE ON MARCH 5, 2008 AT THE RICE LAKE PARK CENTRE FROM 4 P.M. — 7 P.M. The Hugo City Council has been invited to attend Washington County's TAC 7-8-9 Open House to be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Rice Lake Park Centre from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. City Administrator Mike Ericson announced that any residents interested in the County's plans for County Roads 7-8-9 should plan to attend. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule March 5, 2008 as a public meeting for the purpose of attending the TAC 7-8-9 Open House at the Rice Lake Park Centre from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All Aye. Motion carried. STREET ASSESSMENT POLICY PUBLIC HEARING The Council was reminded of the Public Hearing on the Street Assessment Policy scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. ADJOURNMENT Granger made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 8:54 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. City Council Meeting of February 19, 2008 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk