2023.08.21 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for August 21, 2023 Page 3 of 5 Approve Proposal from WSB and Associates to Draft Construction Documents for Bernin Park At their meeting of August 16, 2023, the Parks Commission reviewed a proposal from WSB and Associates for final design and construction administration of Bernin Park. The Bernin Park master plan included a small parking lot, fishing pier, and paved and natural trails. The WSB proposal included design development, cost estimating, surveys, and preparation of construction documents. The Parks Commission intended to use this to apply for grants to help fund construction. The WSB proposal also included bidding, construction administration and surveying which may be needed at a later date. The Parks Commission recommended approval of the proposal. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the proposal from WSB for the Bernin Park final design and construction administration totaling $73,000. Approve Construction of a City Trail on CSAH The Council approved Rice Lake Reserve Third Addition at their meeting on May 1, 2023, which included a road connection and turn lanes on CSAH 8. Staff had been working with M/I Homes to include construction of a trail on the north side of CSAH 8 which would connect the development to Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. The developer had proposed to construct an 8’ bituminous trail at an estimated cost of $30,000-$35,000. The trail would connect to the west drive way to the WBLAS Maintenance Facility utilizing a trail easement that the city retained. In the future, the City could construct an additional trail within the park property for further pedestrian connectivity. At their meeting of August 16, 2023, the Parks Commission discussed the importance of the trail connection in Hugo’s trail system. They were supportive of using Special Park Funds to reimburse the developer to ensure its construction, but it was not included in their current Parks CIP. The Parks Commission recommended approval of the trail. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved construction of a City trail on CSAH 8 between Greystone Avenue North and Hanifl Fields Athletic Park and reimbursement to the developer for its construction. Approve Job Description and Advertisement for Full-Time Fire Chief At its July 10, 2023, Council meeting, staff was directed to create a full-time fire chief position and come back to Council with a position profile, job description, and salary wage. City Administrator Bryan Bear explained this would be the first full-time fire chief in Hugo to lead the paid-on-call department. The chief would serve as a first responder and perform all duties involved in running a fire department while maintaining the current culture of the department. Proposed minimum qualifications included a high school diploma, degree in fire science or demonstrated knowledge, minimum three years officer experience, completion of firefighter and officer training, and residency with a 20-mile radius of the department. He explained the qualifications were not as strict as other departments because it was intended to encourage a wide range of applicants, including internal candidates. The proposed salary ranged from $114,925-$149,716 with benefits that included the standard City benefits package. By state law, they would also be enrolled in the police and fire pension plan which would be an extra cost to the City, but there would be no social security deductions. He proposed a process to encourage internal candidates to apply and to also advertise for external qualified applicants. He said staff could do the first-round interviews with all qualified candidates, and the Council could participate with finalists’ interviews. If the entire Council