2018.12.17 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 17,2018 Page 8 of 9 additional challenges when repairing. Trees and brush need to be removed to provide an access corridor for continued maintenance, which accounts for most of the cost. There is heavy vegetation in the channels and substantial amounts of sediments in the ditches. Discussions needed to be had with landowners about the removal of trees and placement of spoiled dirt removed from the ditches. Areas would be smoothed and seeded, and herbicides would be used to prevent tree regrowth. It was the RCWD's recommendation to leave native grasses and not mow, but if landowners wanted to replace turf grass,they would have to do so on their own. The RCWD also needed to discourage landowners from placing objects such as fences and sheds in the drainage system easement. It was their goal to work with the land owners to preserve trees, prevent damage to structures, and still be able to maintain the corridor. Belfiori stated that the RCWD is putting a lot of resources into communicating with landowners and there will be public meetings held during the winter of 2019. It was anticipated construction would begin in 2020. He added that this will be the largest and most costly repair the RCWD has done to date. Council asked about the north end of Bald Eagle Lake, funding for the project, and strategies for keeping the ditch in the repaired condition. Otterness explained there was a gap between the Bald Eagle Lake outlet and the drainage ditch. The DNR has jurisdiction of that public water course, and this creates challenges for completing work there with no right of access. Belfiori explained there was an alternative authority that would allow the district to fund repairs through ad valorem tax money, rather than direct assessment to benefitting landowners, that would require concurrence from the City prior to the District Board of Managers ordering the repair. This would be discussed at a future meeting. Belfiori talked about maintenance of the ditch saying the Board has made sure there was ample resources to inventory and assess the ditch systems, and equipment has been purchased to maintain it. Weidt acknowledged it was an important but painful project for the City, and he stressed the importance of notifying the landowners and working with them. Update on the Yellow Ribbon Network Council Member Phil Klein reported to Council on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. He talked about Red Friday and how volunteers remembered the soldiers by shipping care packages. They have so far shipped over 8,000 pounds in care packages. He showed pictures of the Welcome Troops Pheasant Hunt field sponsors. There were 16 Secret Santa volunteers, and he recognized Excel Energy for helping them receive a grant for $ 4,000. The YRN receive a$400 donation from MN builders Association. Survivor Outreach Services requested funds for a mother and child to travel. Help was requested by a soldier who needed legal representation and a soldier who needed a new bed due to injuries. There will be no Burger Night in December, and he thanked everyone who has helped support the organization. Cancel January 21, 2019 Regular Council Meeting City Administrator Bryan Bear explained the Council's second meeting in January falls on January 21St, which is the Martin Luther King Holiday, and offices would be closed. Miron made motion, Klein second, to cancel the meeting on January 21, 2019. All Ayes. Motion carried.