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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004.03.15 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 15.2004 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator Michael Ericson; City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy; City Planner Kendra Lindahl; Finance Director Ron Otkin; PW Director Chris Petree; Fire Chief Jim Compton; and City Clerk Mary Ann Creager APPROVE COUNCIL MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 13.2004 (CD DIRECTOR INTERVIEWS) Puleo made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the February 13, 2004 meeting as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE MINUTES FOR JOINT COUNCH./PC MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23.2004 Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the minutes for the joint meeting of the City Council/Planning Commission on February 23, 2004 as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE COUNCIL MINUTES FOR MARCH 1. 2004 Petryk made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the minutes for the March 1, 2004 meeting as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to adopt the agenda for March 15, 2004 as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. RECOGNIZE HUGO FIREFIGHTERS WHO HAVE COMPLETE]? IV & MEDICATION VARIANCE TRAINING Regions Hospital notified the HFD that several members of the department have completed their IV & Medication Variance Training. As Council is aware, Fire Chief Jim Compton's proposal to the Council was accepted, thereby authorizing firefighters to dispense five additional medications. Mayor Miron and the City Council publicly recognized the following members of the HFD, who have completed IV Variance Training: James Christiansen; Kevin Colvard; Jim Compton Jr.; Jim Compton Sr; Roger Dirks; Paul Fladeboe; Russ Frantum; Ron Gray; Jodie Guareschi; Bryan Lund; Jadon 011ila; Penny Owen; Scott Peterson; and Martin Schwartz. Additionally, Mayor Miron and Council publicly recognized members of the HFD, who have completed the medication variance training: James Christiansen; Kevin Colvard; Jim Compton Jr.; Jim Compton Sr; Roger Dirks; Russ Frantum; Ron City Council meeting of March 15, 2004 Page 2 Gray; Jodie Guareschi; Bryan Lund; Jadon 011ila; Penny Owen; Scott Peterson; and Martin Schwartz. As per the Regions Hospital EMS Medical Director, these firefighters are now permitted to use their skills and training for patient care. Fire Chief Jim Compton stated that the next step in the future for the HFD would be to provide the community with a Basic Life Support ambulance service. Mayor Fran Miron publicly congratulated the members of the HFD on their significant accomplishment. PRESENTATION OF 2003 HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT Hugo Fire Chief Jim Compton and Assistant Fire Chief Jadon 011ila provided Council with a Power Point presentation of the 2003 HFD annual report. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to accept the 2003 HFD annual report. All aye. Motion Carried. KEN FIERECK (CANDIDATE FOR CONNEXUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS) Ken Fiereck, a candidate for the Connexus Energy Board of Directors, introduced himself to Council and encouraged all residents to vote in the upcoming election. CONSENT AGENDA Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Minor Subdivision for William St. Sauver for Property Located at 14665 Jeffrey Avenue Approve Amendment to City's Fiscal Policy Approve Draft RFP for Classification and Compensation Study All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster for March 15, 2004. APPROVE MINOR SUBDIVISION FOR WILLIAM ST. SAUVER FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON JEFFREY AVENUE William St. Sauver requested approval of a minor subdivision to create two lots from one existing lot for property located on Jeffrey Avenue, north of 152nd Street. The St. Sauver parcel is 69.34 acres in size and the proposal is to create one 10 -acre parcel and one 59.34 -acre parcel. A public hearing on this request was held on February 12, 2004 and the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of this request. The City Council tabled this item at the March 1 s` meeting to allow the applicant to revise the lot boundaries. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the minor subdivision for William St. Sauver. City Council meeting of March 15, 2004 Page 3 APPROVE AMENDMENT TO CITY'S FISCAL POLICY Finance Director Ron Otkin reviewed the City's fiscal policy as it relates to general fund balances. In review of the City's last bond issuance, Moody's recommended that the City maintain a higher general fund balance to allow the City the opportunity to fund its operational costs from the period of time the City receives property taxes from the county. Ron discussed this issue with the City's financial advisor, Springsted, and recommended Council change this policy for the maintaining of 50% of general fund reserves over the current 30%. Adoption of the Consent Agenda adopted Resolution 2004-13, which amended the City's fiscal policy and changed the general fund reserves to 50% from the current 30%. APPROVE DRAFT RFP FOR CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY At its January 12, 2004 goal setting session, Council adopted as one its top ten goals for 2004, a review of the City's employee salary matrix. City staff prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new classification and compensation study, taking into account both public and private sector salary data. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the draft RFP for a classification and compensation study, and to fiuther directed staff to solicit interest from a multitude of firms that provide this service. Staff recommended that Council set a 30 -day timeline for submittal of the RFP's to the City. In cooperation with the DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Application, a minimum of one public hearing must be held to obtain citizen input on the proposed improvements to the Oneka Lake Park. The hearing must be held prior to the submittal of the application. Public Works Director Chris Petree has worked with parks consultant Laurie McRostie and the Parks Commission, in preparation of plans and specifications for the new park improvements at the Oneka Ponds Park. Chris provided Council with an overview of the plans for the Oneka Lake Park and how it will tie in with the Bernin park property. Mayor Miron called the public hearing to order at 8:15 pm, and let the record show that there were no oral or written comments submitted to Council. Mayor Miron then closed the public hearing. Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2004-12 AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF HUGO TO ACT AS LEGAL SPONSOR THE PROJECT CONTAINED IN THE OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION TO BE SUBMITTED ON 31-03-04 AND THAT CHRIS PETREE, PW DIRECTOR, IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO APPLY TO THE DNR FOR FUNDING OF THIS PROJECT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF HUGO. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. AWARD OF ALTERNATE #2 FOR COMMUNITY ROOM IN NEW PW FACILITY At its March 1, 2004 meeting, Council awarded the contract for the new public works facility to Parkos Construction. Council also awarded Parkos Construction Alternate #1 for the construction 3,200 additional square feet in the equipment garage. Council tabled discussion on the award of Alternate #2 for City Council meeting of March 15, 2004 Page 4 a period not to exceed 30 days to allow Council members Mike Granger and Frank Puleo to attend the Parks Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 2004. City staff recommended Council take into consideration discussion and recommendations from the Parks Commissioners, as well as a possible diversion from the City's Parks Master Plan, which calls for a passive use of the park. The bid submitted by Parkos Construction for Alternate #2 was $294,300. Council had a lengthy discussion on varied uses of the property, but before the bid for Alternate #2 was awarded, they wanted assurance that the community room would not become an extension of the public works facility, but be a part of a legitimate park program. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to award the bid for Alternate #2 to Parkos Construction in the amount of $294,300, and direct the Parks Commission to begin the public process to develop the Rice Lake Park in a more active way. All aye. Motion Carried. MARCH im MEETING W/REP RAY VANDEVEER & MCES MEETING ON MARCH 25.2004 Staff was notified by a legislative aide with State Representative Ray Vandeveer of a meeting on Monday, March 8, 2004, at which the Representative had invited representatives from the City of Forest Lake and the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES). Mayor Fran Miron was in attendance with City Engineer Jay Kennedy, PW Director Chris Petree, and Senior Engineering Technician Scott Anderson. MCES officials discussed with City officials issues related to the December 17, 2003 MCES meeting held at Hugo City Hall. City staff met with Council members Frank Puleo and Chuck Haas on Friday, March 12, 2004 to discuss this information in more detail. The City of Hugo submitted its Comprehensive Plan in 1998, a Plan which was later amended several times, and finally approved by the Metropolitan Council in December 2002. MCES officials have scheduled another follow-up meeting for Thursday, March 25, 2004, at which they want to meet with local government officials to share new information. City Administrator Mike Ericson stated that MCES officials have agreed to move up their schedule for the CII' and begin the design for a parallel sewer interceptor next to the one in Hugo. MCES also stated that they will modify their operations to address capacity issues. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to notice the MCES meeting of March 25, 2004, 7:00 pm, in the Oneka Room, as a City Council meeting, to allow full Council participation. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR POSITION UPDATE At its March 1, 2004 meeting, City staffprovided Council with an update on video conference interviews that were held with the two out-of-state candidates for the position of Community Development Director. Staff was directed to schedule interviews with the two candidates, consistent with Council's calendar. Staff reviewed this issue with both candidates and the City Council, and recommended that Council schedule Friday, April 2, 2004 for interviews for the two new candidates. A quorum of the Council will be present, along with Planning Commission Chair Dave Schumann. A City Hall and community -wide tour will take place after completion of the interviews, which will be scheduled for 9:00 am. City Council meeting of March 15, 2004 Page 5 Puleo made motion, Miron seconded, to schedule a special meeting of the City Council for Friday, April 2, 2004, 9:00 am, to conduct interviews for the Community Development Director position. All aye. Motion Carried. LOCATION OF CSAH 8 TOUCHDOWN POINT ON TH61 A special meeting of the CSAH 8/14 PMT team was held on March 4, 2004 to discuss the final touchdown point for the CSAH 8/14 project at TH61. Consistent with meetings held with Washington County HRA officials and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, staff has concurred that the best location for the touchdown point would be at the southern entrance into the church parking lot. Consistent with that location, the Muller Manor entrance road would be eliminated and combined with this multiple -use entrance. City Engineer Jay Kennedy reviewed the options with Council, and Council requested Jay to make sure that the church is provided an access to their property, which is south of the new road. No formal City Council action was taken. CHANGE ORDER FROM LAMETTI & SONS FOR PELOOUIN INDUSTRIAL PARK PROJECT On Friday, March 12, 2004, Mayor Fran Miron, Council member Mike Granger, and City Administrator Mike Ericson met with Fred Chase from Lametti & Sons to discuss the Change Order for the work completed on the Peloquin Industrial Project. As Council is aware, this Change Order was necessitated to allow for the micro tunneling under TH61 to connect the sanitary sewer pipe from the east side to the west side in the Creekview Preserve subdivision. City Attorney Dave Snyder requested that this matter be placed on the Council agenda for the meeting of April 5, 2004 for executive session. No formal City Council action was taken. OAKSHORE PARK ASSOCIATION PARKLAND SALE PROPOSAL City staff met recently with the new Board of Directors for the Oakshore Park Association. The February 17, 2004 meeting was attended by former president Ken Strauss and new members, including Dave Black, new president Steve Koeppen, Parks Commission Chair Robyn LaCasse, PW Director Chris Petree, and City Administrator Mike Ericson. City officials listened to the Association's members, who shared their strong interest in wanting to sell the land to the City of Hugo for a public park. The Oakshore Park property is identified in the City's Master Park Plan as a location for a neighborhood park. Theypresented a draft Purchase Agreement prepared by them, which is similar to the Benin Purchase Agreement. The Association members stated that they had three big issues that they would not like to see: traffic; lights; and noise. They assured City staff that they have support of 75% of the Association's voting members to approve the sale. City staffrevised the draft Purchase Agreement to reflect a more consistent and easy -to - understand Agreement for Council to consider. The Purchase Agreement includes their sale price of $525,000, which the Association members stated was the price included in an appraisal they had on the property. City staff met recently with City Assessor Frank Langer, who agreed that an appraisal of $525,000 could be acceptable number, but certain discounts would have to be taken on the property: its proximity between two neighborhoods; its current use as a private park; seven acres of upland and three acres of wetland; and a number of restricted uses suggested by the Oakshore Park Association. City Assessor Frank Langer suggested a purchase price of $350,000, taking into account these discounts. City City Council meeting of March 15, 2004 Page 6 staff estimated park improvements costs at a minimum of $200,000. The parks dedication fund has, to date, an amount of $642,936. As members of the Oakshore Park Association, Council members Petryk and Granger did not participate in Council discussion. Council reviewed the three options for proceeding as outlined in stars report, and agreed that Option B should be pursued by the City. This option would proceed with the making of an offer to the HOA on the property. Steve Koeppen, President of the Association, appeared before Council to answer questions and express the wishes of the Association. Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, that the City make an offer to the Oakshore Homeowner's Association for the purchase of their property and identify the uses/limitations for public use of the park. All aye. Motion Carried. GRAVEL ROAD PAVING POLICY From time -to -time, the City is approached by residents requesting that the City pave the gravel roadway adjacent to their residences. This is most common in the non-MUSA portion of the City, but does occur from time -to -time within the MUSA area as well. City staff recently received two such requests: the paving of 132od Street (by the residents); and Elmcrest Avenue (by developer Len Pratt). City Staffwill be meeting with the residents affected by both projects (Elmcrest Avenue for the 2°d time), in the near future to discuss the paving of these two roadways. Earlier this year, the City Council was approached by developer Len Pratt with his offer to provide a bituminous road into the Fable Hill residential subdivision. Len has agreed to pay for the cost of a bituminous overlay on Elmcrest Avenue, south of CSAH 8 into the subdivision. In preparation for the neighborhood meetings, City staffwould like to discuss amendments to the City's gravel roadway paving policy. City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Public Works Director Chris Petree, and Senior Engineering Technician Scott Anderson have developed the proposed amendments. Jay provided an overview of the suggestions. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, directing staff to move forward with the next steps to address issues, schedule neighborhood meetings, and formulate a method to prioritize paving requests. All aye. Motion Carried. J.1 PUBLIC WORKS TREE TRIMMING AND BRUSHING SCHEDULE J.2 REQUEST FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO CRT'S Because of the lateness of the meeting: Puleo made motion, Petryk seconded, to table agenda items J.1 and J.2 until the Council meeting of April 5, 2004. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of March 15, 2004 Page 7 NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NAMING COMMITTEE REPORT On March 3, 2004, the new elementary school naming committee completed its work in regard to public notification for the process for naming the new elementary school and the renaming of the Hugo Elementary School. A public contest will be held with the 15 schools in the WBL school district, as well as through communities of WBL, Hugo, and Vadnais Heights. Word of this public contest will take place in the form of local articles in the White Bear Press, Quad Press, and the City Newsletter. Residents and individuals may make a nomination by using the WBL school district website, link through the City's website, and public flyers that have been placed throughout the community, at local City Halls, and businesses. Council members Mike Granger and Becky Petryk currently serve on the naming committee, along with City Administrator Mike Ericson, and collectively, they will make a report and public announcement on this exciting opportunity for Hugo residents to be involved in the naming of the new elementary school and the renaming of the Hugo Elementary School. Two $200 savings bonds will be awarded to individuals, who suggest the names that will officially be selected by the WBL School Board. No formal City Council action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 10:00 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary reager City il