2023.03.06 Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for February 6, 2023 Page 9 of 11 discussed the potential restructuring of the Public Works Department. He began by explaining Public Works had a total of 22 employees with two in leadership positions, himself and the lead worker. He proposed changes that would move the current lead worker position to a public works supervisor position and create new lead worker positions specifically directed to streets, utilities and parks. He said the benefits of having a lead worker position would be the ability to provide on site direction to crews in the field to achieve the goals of the department. This restructuring could be done without adding additional employees, and the pay structure was accounted for in the 2023 budget. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the staff proposed organizational chart and job descriptions and authorize staff to interview internal candidates. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve 2023 City Council Focus Goals and Ongoing Priorities City Administrator Bryan Bear provided a recap of the Council’s annual Goal Setting Workshop held on Monday, January 23, 2023. The purpose of the workshop was to establish the 2023 City Focus Goals and Ongoing Priorities. Some of the goals for 2023 focused on water conversation, economic develop (specifically the City owned property along TH61), solar energy projects, apartments and mix used development, and area planning on TH61. The City would also be working on updating the Assessment Policy. The Capital Improvement Project for 2023 was the Birch Tree Ponds area street reconstruction. Other goals included planning for the Northstar Wetland Bank, and the Parks Commission will be working on the Clearwater Creek Preserve area and planning for the Bernin Property. There were currently discussions happening on a fulltime fire chief, Hopkins schoolhouse renovation, and reorganization of the Public Works Department. The City will be planning for the use of ARPA funds, revamping the City website, and following legislation regarding THC and marijuana laws. Weidt made motion, Miron seconded, to approve goals for 2023. All Ayes. Motion carried. Consideration of Moratorium on Solar Farms Solar Energy Systems Community Development Director Rachel Juba talked about discussions at the Planning Commission and at the Council Goals Setting Session regarding policies on solar energy. Since there is increased interest in building solar in the City at this time, Juba recommended Council consider a moratorium on Solar Energy Systems while the ordinance was being reviewed. Juba explained a moratorium would be on solar farms, not accessory panels, and a moratorium would allow the City to temporarily suspend approval and consideration of those systems. If Council approved the resolution approving a moratorium, staff would schedule a workshop to further discuss. Council agreed that if the City was going to have more of these projects, Council needed to decide if there was anything in the ordinance they wanted to change.