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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.03.06 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2006 Mayor Fran Miron called ,the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. PRESENT: Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, and City Clerk Mary Ann Creager ABSENT: Mike Granger CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBURARY 21, 2006 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the February 21, 2006 meeting as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Add the name of Debi Close to G.6 for appointment as new building department receptionist. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda for March 6, 2006 as amended. All aye. Motion Carried. DESIGN UPDATE ON I-35E/CSAH 14 INTERCHANGE (DOUG FISCHER. ANOKA COUNTY Anoka County Engineer Doug Fischer provided a PowerPoint presentation to Council regarding design updates on the I-35E/CSAH 14 interchange. As Council is aware, Congressman Mark Kennedy secured $800,000 in federal funding last year, coupled with $250,000 in 2004. These funds have been used by Anoka County for the preliminary design engineering for the new interchange. Doug shared with Council the efforts of Anoka County to make application for HPP federal funding for construction of the interchange, which is estimated to cost $15 million dollars. Mayor Fran Miron informed Doug that the City of Hugo had budgeted $100,000 in 2006 to help fund this project. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2006-6 SUPPORTING ANOKA COUNTY FEDERAL FUNDING APPLICATION FOR THE CSAH 14/1-35E INTERCHANGE. VOTING AYE: Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. CONSENT AGENDA Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Site Plan for Addition to Hugo Elementary School Approve Staff Review and Recommendation of City of Forest Lake Comprehensive Plan Amendment Approve Appointment of Debi Close as New Building Department Receptionist City Council meeting of March 6, 2006 Page 2 Approve City Distribution Policy for Hugo Rolling Walkers All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster for March 6, 2006 as presented. APPROVE SITE PLAN FOR ADDITION TO HUGO ELEMENTARY At its February 23, 2006 meeting, the Hugo Planning Commission discussed the application submitted on behalf of the WBL school district for an addition and improvements to the Hugo Elementary School. The Commission voted to recommend approval of the application subject to the conditions in the attached resolution. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Resolution 2006-7 approving the site plan for the addition to the Hugo Elementary School. APPROVE STAFF REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION OF CITY OF FOREST LAKE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT At its February 21, 2006 meeting, Council accepted staffs recommendation and directed CD Director Bryan Bear and his staff to review the comprehensive plan amendment submitted by the City of Forest Lake for development in the southern section of the city, next to the City of Hugo's northern border. City staff was directed to prepare a standard staff review of the comprehensive plan, which specifies under Minnesota Statute that adjacent communities have the opportunity to provide any and all comments as to any amendments to the city's comp plan. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the staff review of Forest Lake's comprehensive Plan and forwards it to the City of Forest Lake's community development director. APPROVE APPOINTMENT OF DEBI CLOSE AS NEW BUILDING DEPARTMENT RECEPTIONIST At its January 3, 2006 meeting, Council authorized staff to advertise for a new building department receptionist, which had included in the City's 2006 budget. City staff prepared a job advertisement, which was circulated and published in the normal media outlets, which in turn generated a total of 415 applicants for the position. Staff was very pleased with the quantity and quality of the applicants, interviewing 37 applicants in the first round, 12 in the second, and six in the third and final round. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved hiring of Debi Close as the City's new building department receptionist, subject to the standard preemployment physical and six month probationary period, at pay grade 3, 1 st step, at $15.50/hr. APPROVE CITY DISTRIBUTION POLICY FOR HUGO ROLLING WALKERS In October 2005, the City of Hugo and Hugo senior citizens were fortunate to receive the generous donation of sixteen Rolling Walkers and six canes from the Hugo Rolling Walker Company. The company also made a generous donation to the Hugo senior citizens, which could be used by seniors for senior activities. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the City Distribution Policy for Hugo Rolling Walkers: City Council meeting of March 6, 2006 Page 3 APPROVE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EMPLOYEE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM WITH ING City staff met with representatives from ING, an employee deferred compensation program. This program offers a higher level of service to employees as they plan for their future retirement. Two meetings were held with City employees after which there was interest expressed by employees as to the new program. Council member Haas expressed concern that employees would have to pay additional costs associated with variable annuities. This item was tabled at the Council meeting of February 21, 2006 in order to allow staff and Council members Chuck Haas and Frank Puleo the opportunity to meet with representatives from Wenzel & Associates to discuss the ING deferred compensation program and the issue of variable annuities. Council member Haas stated that he was satisfied with the information provided by Wenzel & Associates. Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to adopted RESOLUTION 2006-8 AUTHORIZING AN EMPLOYEE DEFERRED COMP PROGRAM WITH WENZEL & ASSOCIATES D/B/A ING. VOTING AYE: Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion carried. APPROVE APPLICATION FOR CUP FOR SHARED DRIVEWAY AT 9420 140'H STREET (CAMMACK) Malcolm and Elizabeth Cammack have applied for a Conditional Use Permit to share a driveway with Greg and Elizabeth Closmore, 9420 140th Street North to allow access to a land -locked parcel for construction of a single family home. Hugo City Code Chapter 320, Section 1195-220.1 DRIVEWAYS, states that driveways shared by two or more separate parcels or lots of land may only be permitted by Conditional Use Permit. The Planning Commission considered this application at its February 23, 2006 meeting and unanimously recommended approval. Council member Chuck Haas requested that staff make sure to attach the pertinent legal description to the resolution, as stated. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2006-9 APPROVING THE CUP FOR A SHARED DRIVEWAY AT 9420 140TH STREET NORTH. VOTING AYE: Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. APPROVE EDA RECOMMENDATION FOR SPONSORSHIP OF HUGO I IDZ `N BIZ FEST ON APRIL 30, 2006 At its February 21, 2006 meeting, the EDA discussed the second annual Kidz `n Biz Fest, which has been scheduled for April 30, 2006. Last year, the EDA recommended to Council a sponsorship in the amount of $500, which was shared with the sponsorship from the Hugo Business Association. The EDA unanimously recommended that the City's EDA again sponsor the Hugo Kidz `n Biz Fest in the amount of $500, with suggested locations for the event of the Hugo American Legion, Hugo PW facility, and Oneka Elementary School community gymnasium. Council member Frank Puleo questioned the legality of the City donating to the event. It was noted that the City sponsored the event last year after receipt of City Council meeting of March 6, 2006 Page 4 a legal opinion provided by the City Attorney Dave Snyder. Puleo made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the EDA recommendation and co-sponsor 2006 Hugo Kidz `n Biz Fest in the amount of $500, contingent on a legal opinion of approval by the City Attorney. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION OF DONATION TO HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS AND CREATION OF HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB Over the past several months, City staff has met with Hugo senior citizens to prepare the draft City distribution policy for Hugo Rolling Walkers and also to discuss the $500 donation made to the Hugo seniors by the Hugo Rolling Walker Company. Realizing the need to create a community awareness of the Hugo senior citizens, staff suggested the senior citizens consideration creation of a formal Hugo Senior Citizens Club in order to allow the City to partner with Hugo senior citizens in order to attract more members, provide any staff assistance to the club, channel charitable donations to the club, and assist in its role as a service club in the City. Staff has worked with long-time treasurer Vi Maslowski to open an account at Lake Area Bank for the Hugo senior citizens, in which the $500 donation would be deposited. City Administrator Mike Ericson, along with Vi Maslowski and Marvella Gamboni of the Hugo senior citizens, presented the creation of a formal City -recognized Hugo senior citizens club, and advertise creation of the club on the City's website and in the City Newsletter. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, that the City of Hugo recognizes the Hugo Senior Citizens Club and direct City staff to work with the club as needed. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR DEDICATED MOTOR VEHICLE SALES TAX The Association of Metropolitan Municipalities invited member cities to approve a resolution of support for a constitutional amendment, which would allow the dedication of all motor vehicle sales tax monies for public streets and roads in the State of Minnesota. Specifically, only 55% of the tax is allocated towards MnDOT roads, which are in dire need of additional funding. This constitutional amendment would allow the citizens of the State of Minnesota the opportunity to vote on this issue. City staff included a draft resolution of support for consideration by Council. This issue was tabled at the meeting of February 21, 2006 directing staff to submit a letter to local legislators soliciting their opinions regarding this matter. City Administrator Mike Ericson reported that state legislative leaders Michele Bachmann and Ray Vandeveer agree with the City in its apprehension of the amendment. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to table this matter and direct staff to invite a representative from AMM to appear before Council to discuss this matter. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of March 6, 2006 Page 5 REVIEW PUBLIC MEETING NOTICING REQUIREMENTS As planning applications have been submitted in the rural areas of the City, members of the staff, the Planning Commission, and the Council have questioned whether the current 350 -foot notification radius is sufficient for public hearings in the rural part of the City. Following a short presentation by Community Development Director Bryan Bear, Council was asked to discuss whether an ordinance amendment should be prepared for consideration by the Planning Commission. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, directing staff to prepare a draft ordinance amending the notification radius in the rural part of the City and direct the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing to consider the draft ordinance. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO CHANGES TO STATE LAWS ON EMINENT DOMAIN ` On Tuesday, February 28, 2006, City Administrator Mike Ericson and CD Director Bryan Bear attended an Association of Metropolitan Municipalities breakfast meeting at the Oakdale City Hall, where the topic of state legislative changes on eminent domain laws was discussed. Included in the 2006 City goals was a close monitoring of all legislation, including eminent domain laws. On Wednesday, March 1, 2006, City Administrator Mike Ericson attended a hearing of the eminent domain issue at a meeting of the civil law and elections committee, and he will report to Council on the first hearing of the new eminent domain legislation proposed by State Representative Jeff Johnson from Plymouth and State Senator Tom Bakk from Two Harbors. City staff will continue to keep Council apprised of the status of this proposed legislation. No formal Council action was taken. DISCUSSION ON HANSEN GRAVEL PIT ON IRISH AVENUE Council member Chuck Haas requested this issue be placed on the agenda for an update to Council on semi -truck traffic he has observed on Irish Avenue, and whether there is any relation to the Hansen gravel pit. CD Director Bryan Bear reported that he made an inspection of the pit and observed that there is no gravel mining operation in place. Bryan stated that at this time, Valley Paving has no legal or operational interest in the site and that the City is holding funds to complete the reclamation of the site. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, directing staff to meet with the operator/owners of the site and review reclamation requirements and report findings to the City Council. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR OAKSHORE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD As a resident of Oakshore Park, Council member Becky Petryk did not participate in discussion of this matter. For the past several months, City staff has worked closely with officers from the Oakshore Park Board of Directors. Last December 2005, Council directed City staff to prepare a feasibility study for providing public improvements to the neighborhood, as well as a formal petition to pave -streets in the City Council meeting of March 6, 2006 Page 6 neighborhood. On February 23, 2006, staff met with representatives from the Oakshore Park Association to discuss the draft of the feasibility study, which is being prepared by City Engineer Jay Kennedy. Jay provided Council with a PowerPoint presentation of the draft feasibility study, outlining project costs and funding sources. Haas made motion, Miron seconded, directing City staff schedule to a follow-up meeting with representatives from the Oakshore Homeowners Association, Mayor Fran Miron, Council member Frank Puleo, and City staff to finalize a funding proposal for the project. VOTING AYE: Haas, Puleo, Miron ABSTAINED: Becky Petryk Motion Carried. JUDGE CASS RULING ON JD2 LAWSUIT WITH MNDNR Mayor Fran Miron removed himself from discussion of this matter and passed the gavel to Acting Mayor Becky Petryk who conducted the meeting. City Attorney David Snyder updated Council on Judge Cass' ruling on intervention into the JD #2 lawsuit by affected property owners. Judge Cass' order directed the property owners to file a separate action and orders mediation of the lawsuit, if it is not otherwise settled by March 31, 2006. The Blue Ribbon Task Force is scheduled to meet on March 24, 2006. No formal Council action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to adjourn at 9:05 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary Ann Creager City Clerk