2002.12.05 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council meeting of December 5, 2002 Page 3 APPROVE HFD EQUIPMENT SIGN OUT AND RESCUE GEAR POLICY Fire Chief Jim Compton and officers from the Hugo Fire Department drafted an equipment sign out and rescue gear policy. City Attorney Dave Snyder reviewed the policy and made changes that were agreed to by the department. The policy allows the HFD to better control the inventory of personnel equipment and to also identify firefighters when making fire service and/or medical calls. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the HFD sign out sheet and rescue gear policy and that it be incorporated into the Fire Department's standard operating guidelines and the City's personnel policy. CARL NORDOUIST'S HOUSE (a, 14701 FOREST BLVD OFFERED TO CITY OF HUGO At its November 18, 2002 meeting, the Council discussed the purchase of a house owned by Carl and Gayle Nordquist located at 14701 Forest Blvd, who have expressed interest in selling it to the City. After much discussion by Council, staff was directed to proceed with further negotiations to define a purchase price for the house. Staff met three times with Mr. Nordquist since the Council meeting and has finalized negotiations. Mr. Nordquist has agreed to sell his house and property to the City for the amount of $178,500. The purchase agreement is subject to customary buyer/seller agreement, including a relaxed deadline to allow the Nordquists to remove final belongings from the house in spring 2003. City Administrator Michael Ericson informed the Council that should they consider a Purchase Agreement where the City could: 1) pay 50% down, with a 3 -5 -year note on the balance; or make payment in full from reserve money set aside to purchase the Granger property. A lengthy discussion followed about the use of general funds and parkland dedication funds to purchase homes. Council members Granger and Puleo felt that the City should not use general funds to make these purchases. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, directing staff to draft a Purchase Agreement for the Nordquist residence at 14701 Forest Boulevard for $178,500 from the City's parkland dedication fund and bring options back to Council. Staff was also directed to include in the downtown redevelopment plan for the Council's 2003 goals. VOTING AYE: Haas, Puleo, Munn VOTING NAY: Granger Motion Carried. BID AWARD FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL (7u, TH61 AND 140TH STREET On October 4, 2002 the City received bids for the construction of the traffic signal at TH61 and 140th Street North. On October 7, MN/DOT did not provide final approval of the plans as a result of an outstanding easement from BNSF Railroad. On October 7, Council authorized the use of eminent domain to obtain an easement from BNSF Railroad. At that time Council was aware that an easement might not be available until February 2003. Action on awarding the bid was tabled with the understanding that bids may be rejected if MN/DOT approval was not received prior to December 3. City Attorney Dave Snyder successfully negotiated an easement agreement with BNSF in the amount of $6,800 thus avoiding the need to use eminent domain. MN/DOTs policy is that bids cannot be awarded until final approval is granted. The City's 60 -day window to consider award of the bids received on October 4 expired on December 3, 2002. For these reasons, staff cannot recommend that Council award the construction contract to Jay Bros., Inc. at this time. Therefore, City Engineer Dave Mitchell and City