2001.04.03 CC Minutes - Council Workshop

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MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP OF APRIL 3, 2001 Mayor Fran Miron opened the Council workshop at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator, Michael Ericson Community Development Director, John Rask City Engineer, Dave Mitchell Public Works Director, Chris Petree Fire Chief, Joe McMahon Asst Fire Chief, Jim Compton MORATORIUM DEADLINE Community Development Director John Rask presented the staff report on issues related to the moratorium deadline. John outlined, basically, four options for the Council to consider, including a staff recommendation that the moratorium be extended to February 2002 with a staged -lifting in areas where the City can provide water service with sufficient pressure. John stated that the City Attorney has not presented his legal opinion regarding an ordinance that would allow a staged -lifting for the moratorium, but with direction from City Council, staff is prepared to work in drafting such an ordinance. City Council members asked a number of questions, to which staff responded. CONTROL SYSTEM MASTER PLAN Glen Eisenbrandt, an electrical engineer from SEH, presented a proposal to Council that would provide for electronic control system for the City's water and wastewater facilities. It would be intranet computer that would allow City staff to monitor the City's public utilities from a central location, like the new City Hall, at a cost estimate of $131,000 to $165,000, based on a combination of four options. Council agreed, due to two electrical outages that caused sanitary sewer backups in homes, that this would be a good proposal for the City to consider in the future. This proposal will be included in the City's CIP and considered at the April 12, 2001 CIP workshop. PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY Staff shared with Council the results of its second meeting with the Washington County Highway Department regarding the transfer of street maintenance repair and snow and ice removal duties first shared with the Council in March 2000. Staff stated that there are a number of combinations that are still being considered, including a growing Hugo Public Works Department, use of Washington County trucks and/or maintenance personnel, contracting with private sector companies that provide snow and ice removal services, and any combination thereof. Staff stated that it has contacted the City of Forest Lake to schedule a meeting with its public works department and city administrator to discuss how Forest Lake provided services for Forest Lake Township. Staff requested Council direction regarding a location for a new public works facility, including the Rice Lake Park Bldg. Council requested that focus be placed on the development of a public works personnel/services plan with consideration for this item some time in the future. Council informed staff that there may be legal restrictions on the use of the RLPB due to the deed restrictions placed on it when the City obtained the facility from a local gun club. City Attorney Dave Snyder will investigate this issue fiuther.