2003 February Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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[Year in Review:Continued from Page 11 Bernin Property Acquired for Future Park liquor License Referendum Passed A purchase agreement was finalized and approved Voters demonstrated their support fr allowing in May 2002 for the City's purchase of the Bernin new restaurant development in Hugo when property,a 21-acre site located on Oneka Lake. approximately 60%voted in-favor of a referen- The purchase pr]cQ.,of$752,_000 was funded in dum in the No 2002 general election to part by a grant of$305,000 acquired by the City allow six new liquor licenses to be issued in the from the Minnesota Department of Natural City. City Administrator Mike;°Ericson described Resources(DNR),with the balance being paid this as an important economic development issue, from the City's park fund. The City's future plans and Mayor Fran Miron assured residents that the for this land are to establish a natural open space City Council will use its best judgment when park-like setting. The property's 1,500 feet of issuing the new liquor licenses. shoreline would provide public access to Oneka Lake and could allow for expansion of the DNR Mayor and ON Council Members boat access facility. The former owners,Bruce Re-elected Unopposed and Ginni Bernin,will continue to live on the All three City officials running for re-election in Mayor Miron accepts State property and operate their Christmas tree farm for the November 5,2402 election.—Mayor Fran grant for Bernin Park. up to 10 years. Miron,Ward 1 Council Member Becky Petryk, Residential Building Moratorium Lifted and Ward 3 Council Member Chuck Haas—were unopposed. According to City Clerk Mary Ann The residential building moratorium, in effect in Creager,this has never happened before in Hugo. Hugo since August 1999,was lifted on February After the election Mayor Fran Miron commented, 19,2002 and allowed property:owners to once "I believe that our recent election demonstrated again be able to subdivide and develop their prop- residents' confidence in our leadership and in the erty. Although state law required the moratorium way we have handled the important issues facing to be lifted at that time, Community Development Hugo." Director John Rask noted that the City was suc- Tlt residential cessful in addressing the situations responsible-for the moratorium, including improvements to the Comprehensive Plan Completed The Comprehensive Plan sets forth the policy and building City's water system,updating the City's zoning goals for growth of the community and land ordinance and development regulations,and the preservation. The plan was submitted to the moratorium, in hiring of additional staff to manage growth and Metropolitan Council,the regional planning meet the increased demand for City services. effect in Hugo agency in the Twin Cities area,for its review and since August American Legion Fire and Rreceived final approval in December 2002. ebuilding The home of Hugo's American Legion Post 620 Public Works Department Expanded 1999 was lifted since 1962,located at 5736 147th Street North, Following the opening of the new City Hall,the was destroyed in a fire that began on the evening former City Hall building became the new home of Monday,July 15,2002 and rekindled early the of the Public Works Dgpartment. A Public Works on February 19, following morning. On-July 22,a special meeting was called by the City Council,where the Building Committee was formed by the City 2002. American Legion Building Committee was Council in November 2002 to find a site and determine the needs for a new Public Works facil- formed to assist the Legion in its rebuilding ity. Two full-time Public Works workers began efforts. In September,the Council authorized a with the department in August,bringing the total purchase agreement to sell one acre of land in the work force to four full-time and two part-time Bald Eagle Industrial Park to Post 620 to be used employees. The list of equipment grew to include as a site for a new building. Groundbreaking for used snow plowing trucks and a refurbished the new 7,500 square foot building, located at motor grader for maintaining the nearly 33 miles 5383 140th Street North and include banquet of gravel roads in Hugo. The phasing out of road facilities for up to 300 people,took maintenance services performed by Washington place on November 10,2002. County began with the first snowfall of the 2002- 2003 season,when the department took over the majority of the snow plowing in the City. [Year in Review:Continued on Page 71