Laserfiche WebLink
City Council meeting of September 19, 2005 <br />Page 5 <br />City Engineer Jay Kennedy stated that 2009 construction cost is estimated at $5 million dollars, with <br />Hugo's share estimated at $350,000. Jay also informed Council that the City would bear the cost of <br />right-of-way acquisition estimated at $250,000. Jay will continue to work with Washington County on <br />this project, and obtain additional information about "softening" some of the curves on the roadway. No <br />formal Council action was taken. <br />DISCUSSION ON DEMOLITION OF WATER TOWER #1 <br />At its August 7, 2005 meeting, Council directed staff to solicit bids for the demolition of water tower # 1, <br />and solicit bids for repainting the tower should it remain. PW Director Chris Petree received bids for <br />both the demolition ($20,526) and repainting ($28,950) water tower #1. Chris stated that the Historical <br />Commission had no interest on saving the tower and the Lions Club would like to have it removed to <br />allow for expansion of their facility. Council discussed the potential to generate revenue from rental of <br />the tower by cellular companies. Council concurred that they had very little feedback from residents, <br />one way or the other, and Mayor Miron suggested that a survey be included in City utility bills, as well <br />as solicitation of interest on the City's website and local newspapers. <br />Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing staff to survey residents regarding their opinion about <br />keeping the water tower through utility billing/local newspaper and return results to Council for review. <br />All aye. Motion Carried. <br />REVIEW OF COUNCIL/COMMISSIONS WORKSHOP REGARDING OPEN MEETING LAW <br />REQUIREMENTS AND OFFICIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST <br />At its special workshop on September 7, 2005, Council and all City Commissions heard a presentation <br />from Kevin Frazell from the League of Minnesota Cities and City Attorney Dave Snyder regarding <br />Minnesota open meeting law and conflicts of interest. Dave presented Council with a recap of the <br />workshop, which was well received by Council and Commission members. No formal Council action <br />was taken. <br />RCWD ORDER FROM MNDNR FOR WEIR IN JD2 FOR RICE LAKE WATER LEVEL AND <br />PERMIT FROM CITY <br />Prior to discussion of this matter, and as an affected landowner, Mayor Fran Miron handed the gavel to <br />Acting Mayor Becky Petryk to eliminate any possible perceived conflict of interest. At its September 6, <br />2005 meeting, Council approved the five -point process plan drafted by Water Resource Engineer Pete <br />Willenbring from WSB Engineers for procedures for the RCWD, City of Hugo, and the MNDNR for the <br />follow-through process of voluntary acquisition of easements in and around Rice Lake, and proposed <br />installation of a weir in JD2 to restore the lake level back to Rice Lake. On September 8, 2005, the <br />RCWD was served with a Cease and Desist Order from the MNDNR ordering them to install the control <br />structure/weir in JD2 by October 1, 2005. On Monday, September 12, 2005, Pete Willenbring met with <br />Steve Hobbs from the RCWD and officials from the MNDNR to review the five -point process plan and <br />the need for a permit from the City of Hugo. Pete provided Council the results of the meeting, which <br />followed the direction from Council to propose the process and plan for restoring the lake level in Rice <br />Lake, as well as the need to implement the voluntary easement acquisition program. Pete explained the <br />