2000 December Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEET HUGOFS NEW CITY OFFICIALS Fran Miren Frank Puleo mittees. He grew up in White Bear Lake, Mayor Council member, Turd 2 but spent a great deal of time visiting his grandparents who grew up in Hugo and Fran Miron,a dairy and crop farmer who Frank Puleo is a business owner who has raised eight children there. Granger and has lived in Hugo all his life, brings eight lived in Hugo for 14 years and currently his wife Beth have lived in Hugo for 6- years of City government experience to serves as chairperson of the Hugo 1/2 years and have two children, Michael his position as Mayor of Hugo, having Planning Commission. He and his wife Jr. ,who is a freshman in college, and served four years as a City Council mem- Dody have been married for 31 years and Kristina, a junior in high school. ber(1990-1994) and two terms as Mayor have four adult children and five grand- (1994-1998). He and his wife Mary Ann children. Granger sees growth as a big issue for the have been married for 22 years and have City. He states, "Hugo is going to grow, six children: the oldest is 19 and attends When asked about his election to the and I want to get involved in how we the University of Minnesota, and the City Council, Puleo replied, "I'm pleased grow. We need to manage the develop- youngest is in second grade. with the results of the election and appre- ment process. We need to drive the ciative of the fact that the citizens have development, not be driven by develop- As Mayor,Miron hopes to implement lis- confidence that I'll be able to fulfill my ers." Communication is another impor- tening sessions at least every other month duties. We have a city that is changing tant issue for Granger. He goes on to say, where he sits down with people from the and growing, and there are a lot of things "When I was running, an issue that the community and talks about their con- that we have to take care of in the next people were concerned about was com- cerns. "I think that will help to set goals few years. My goal is to try and achieve munication. We need to continue to and priorities for the City," he explains, these and still maintain the rural lifestyle improve on our dialogue between the cit- "and identify issues that need to be that Hugo desires." izens and the Council—to make sure we addressed. I'd like to begin this fairly know what the citizens need and want. soon because it's important that the new Michael Granger We also need to continue to utilize the Council sit down and do some long range At-large Council member newer vehicles of communication such as planning–identifying issues, goals,prior- the internet,make sure we have more fre- Michael Granger is the president of a traf- ities. That's something that I've believed fic control safety device company who is quent and more consistent newspaper in very strongly in the past and would like active in his church and has served on a coverage, and improve cable access by to continue to do–so we remain focused having the Council meetings broadcast at variety of professional boards and com- and maintain direction." different times throughout the day." Important issues identified during Miron's campaign include diversification BUILDING BLOCKS of Hugo's tax base,development of parks, Building department kept busy in 2000 and surface water management. He goes on to say, "I'm looking forward to work- As of October 31, 2000 over 300 building permits were issued for new single family ing with the new Council and the City's homes, setting a record for the City of Hugo. Building Official John Benson assures excellent staff, many of whom I've us that although the Building Department has been kept very busy, he and his staff worked with in the past. I'm really hop- have been able to keep up with all of the required inspections and plan checks. ing that members of the community will participate in the listening sessions and The City Council extended the current moratorium on new residential subdivisions participate in our meetings–I encourage until May,2001. However,according to Benson, it hasn't affected building activity in that so that we can maintain a close con- the City because the City had approved a number of large plats previous to the tact and stay in tune with what the com- . moratorium. "It hasn't slowed us down at all," Benson stated, "and we are anticipat- muniry wants. ing a lot more activity through next fall,with possibly double the number of permits issued next year."