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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016.01.04 CC Minutes MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY,JAUNARY 4, 2016 Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Haas (via Skype), Klein, Miron, Petryk, Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Community Development Assistant Rachel Leitz, Administrative Intern Taylor Richter, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of Minutes for the December 21, 2015 City Council Meeting Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes for the December 21, 2105 City Council meeting as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the agenda as amended by adding Carter Johnson from the Citizen and Mary Santi from the League of Women Voters. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Withrow School- Stillwater School District Superintendent Denise Pontrelli City Administrator Bryan Bear explained that the City had recently learned of the Stillwater School District's decision to close three of the elementary schools in the district: Oak Park Heights, Marine on St. Croix, and Withrow Elementary. School Superintendent Denise Pontrelli was invited to the meeting to share information to the Council. Superintendent Pontrelli explained the B.O.L.D (Building Opportunities for Learning and Discovery)plan, and provided the time line for how they got to where they are. Pontrelli outlined the several studies and components that went into the decision to close the school, concluding that smaller schools were more expensive to run. Bob McDowell, Executive Director of Learning and Innovation, explained the financing budget for the school district and their attempt to find something sustainable into the future. He referred to the Metropolitan Council's study, which showed a decline in school aged children during the next 15 years. Miron stated he had attended the recent meeting at Withrow School and felt it was respectful and positive. He understood the community's interest in keeping the school open and the importance of maintaining a good working relationship with the district. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 2 of 9 Petryk asked about the future of the building, and Pontrelli explained that the fate of Withrow Elementary has not been determined,but the District will likely not need it. Petryk said she felt there would be more growth in the area than what was being projected. Bear added that they were likely correct in their demographic analysis since that area of Hugo was outside the MUSA. Petryk asked about the transition of sixth graders into middle school and ninth graders into high school. Pontrelli and McDowell explained that the community wanted students to have access to higher programing. Haas stated that the vitality of the schools is essential to communities, and he talked about how the City had supported Oneka Elementary School and Hugo Elementary School. Haas said the decision to close schools isn't clearly understood, and more public input was necessary. Weidt said he understood the tough spot the district was in to make the schools viable and financially feasible. His concern was that it has all had been done quickly, and the process should be slowed down to ensure the right decision is made. Pontrelli talked about the learning session that was held and how they have made communities aware of the process. They are happy to listen to alternatives in looking at the capacity district- wide. There will be a presentation on January 7 to share more information with the community and public forums on January 26, 27, 28 at 5 p.m. Weidt talked about how the decision affects the communities, and all options needed to be considered. He thanked them for attending and encouraged them to slow down the process. Bear recommended to Council that staff draft a resolution, not providing a formal recommendation, but on the process, value and impact on the community. Council agreed and asked it be available for them at the next meeting. Carter Johnson Carter Johnson, Publisher of Press Publications and The Citizen, provided a brief update of their last year and their mission to be the best source of information. He reminded everyone that the paper is available for anyone who wants to read it. He talked about the new layout and the great response they have had. He thanked the City, readers, advertisers, and supporters and stated that their distribution was up 3.5 percent, reaching over 8,000 people. League of Women Voters—Mary Santi Mary Santi explained that the White Bear League of Women Voters covers 30 cities from Arden Hills to the St. Croix River. She said most know them by their community forums,but they also work between elections to study issues and come to positions they lobby on. They are in their second year studying the open meetings laws and are visiting cities doing informal audits. The League will have their report ready at the end of this spring. i Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 3 of 9 Approval of the Consent Agenda Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: 1. Approval of Claims 2. Approve Appointment of Becky Petryk as Acting Mayor 3. Approve Appointment of WSB and Associates as City Engineer 4. Approve Appointment of Landform as City Planner 5. Approve Appointment of Johnson & Turner as City Attorney 6. Approve Appointment of Springsted, Inc. as Financial Advisor 7. Approve Appointment of Fire Chief Kevin Colvard Emergency Management Director 8. Approve Appointment of US Bank as Depository for City Funds 9. Approve Appointment of The Citizen as Official Newspaper 10. Approve Appointments to Hugo Firefighter Relief Association 11. Approve Appointment of Bronwen as Chair of the Planning Commission and Scott Arcand as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission 12. Approve Appointment of Tom Windisch as Chair of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission 13. Approve Appointment of Cynthia Schoonover as Chair of the Historical Commission 14. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt and Phil Klein as Council Representatives on the EDA 15. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt as the City Council Representative on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments 16. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Adjustments 17. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Pheasants Forever at Sal's Angus Grill on February 22, 2016 18. Approve Ordinance Review Committee to Work on Revision to Parking Ordinance 19. Approve Reduction in the Letter of Credit for DR Horton Clear Water Cove Phase 1 Development 20. Approve Animal Control Service Contracts with Companion Animal Control for 2016 21. Approve Replacement of 2006 Elgin Crosswinds Sweeper 22. Approve Renewal of Tobacco License for Ebacco, LLC, 14849 Forest Boulevard North All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 4 of 9 Approve Appointment of Becky Petryk as Acting Mayor Each year, the Council appoints a member of the Council for the position of Acting Mayor. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Council Member Becky Petryk as Acting Mayor for the year 2016. Approve Appointment of WSB and Associates as City Engineer WSB Engineers have been the City Engineer for the past 12 years. Jay Kennedy has handled the day-to-day civil engineering duties, and Pete Willenbring continues as the water resource engineer. WSB and Associates had requested to continue to provide this service to the City at a revised rate schedule. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of WSB Engineers and Jay Kennedy as the City Engineer for 2016. Approve Appointment of Landform as Citv Planner Kendra Lindahl from Landform has worked over the past 13 years as the City Planner. Landform had requested to continue to provide this service to the City at a revised rate. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Kendra Lindahl as the City Planner/Planning Consultant for the year 2016. Approve Appointment of Johnson & Turner as Citv Attorney City Attorney Dave Snyder has served the City with the law firm of Turner& Johnson for the three years. Turner&Johnson had requested to continue to provide this service to the City at the same rate as in the past. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of David K. Snyder and the Turner& Johnson Law Firm as the City Attorney for the year 2016. Approve Appointment of Springsted, Inc. as Financial Advisor Financial advisors Paul Steinman, Mikaela Huot, and Nick Dragisich and the other members of the Springsted, Inc. team have served the City very well over the years on a wide variety of projects. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Paul Steinman, Mikaela Huot, and Nick Dragisich, from Springsted, Inc., as the City's financial advisors for the year 2016. Approve Appointment of Fire Chief Kevin Colvard Emergency Management Director Each year, Council appoints a member of the City staff to serve in the role of Emergency Management Director. For the past decade, the Fire Chief has served in this position. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of the Fire Chief Kevin Colvard as the City's Emergency Management Director for 2016. Approve Appointment of US Bank as Depository for Citv Funds Each year, Council selects a depository/bank for the deposit of City funds. For many years, Council has selected the local Hugo branch of US Bank. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the approval of US Bank-Hugo as the official depository for City funds for 2016. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 5 of 9 Approve Appointment of The Citizen as Official Newspaper Each year, Council selects a newspaper as the official publication for all public notices and publishing of ordinances. For the past eight years, the City Council appointed The Citizen as the City's new official newspaper, and The Citizen would like to continue to provide this service at a slightly increased rate due to increased insurance costs. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved The Citizen as the City's official newspaper for 2016. Approve Appointments to Hugo Firefighter Relief Association Minnesota State Statute requires the official appointment of the ex-officio members of the Hugo Fire Department Relief Association Board. Council must appoint two elected or appointed members. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Mayor Tom Weidt with Councilmember Chuck Haas as his designee in his absence, and Finance Director Ron Otkin as ex- officio members of the Hugo Fire Department Relief Association Board. Approve Appointment of Bronwen Kleissler as Chair of the Planning Commission and Scott Arcand as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission Bronwen Kleissler has served on the Planning Commission since January, 1999 and was recently appointed Chair in August, 2015 after the resignation of Rick Gwynn. Scott Arcand began his service on the Commission in September, 2009. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Bronwen Kleissler as Chair of the Planning Commission and Scott Arcand as Vice Chair for 2016. Approve Appointment of Tom Windisch as Chair of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission Tom Windisch has served on the Parks Commission since February, 2010 and as Chair of the Parks Commission since May, 2014. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved reappointment of Commissioner Tom Windisch as Chair of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission for 2016. Approve Appointment of Cynthia Schoonover as Chair of the Historical Commission Annually, the City Council appoints a member of the Historical Commission to serve as the Chair of the Commission. Cynthia Schoonover was a founding member of the Commission since December, 2002 and took over as chair upon the resignation of Kitty Cheesbrow in July, 2015. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved reappointment of Cynthia Schoonover as the Chair of the Historical Commission for 2016. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt and Phil Klein as Council Representatives on the EDA Annually, Council appoints two representatives from the Hugo City Council to serve on the Economic Development Authority(EDA). Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved reappointment of Mayor Weidt and Council Member Klein to continue to serve as the Council representatives on the EDA for 2016. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 6 of 9 Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt as the City Council Representative on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments Annually, the Hugo City Council appoints a member of the Planning Commission, City Council, and a resident to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments. Tom Weidt has agreed to serve another year on the Board as the City Council Representative. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved reappointment of Tom Weidt to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments for 2016. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Adjustments Annually, Council approves the appointment of Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved reappointment of Board Member Tom Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Pheasants Forever at Sal's Angus Grill on February 22,2016 Pheasants Forever, Washington County Chapter 0671, has applied for a Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit to conduct raffles at their fundraiser on February 22, 2016 to be held at Sal's Angus Grill. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Pheasants Forever. Approve Ordinance Review Committee to Work on Revision to Parking Ordinance The Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) had reviewed several ordinance text amendments since 2004. Most recently the ORC completed text amendments to clean up inconsistencies within the Code and the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance. Over the next year the ORC will be reviewing and making recommendation on other zoning ordinance text amendments. Some of these include the Parking, Subdivision, and Planned Unit Development(PUD) ordinances. The next ordinance the ORC will be reviewing is the parking ordinance. Adoption of the Consent Agenda authorized zoning ordinance text amendment to be reviewed by the ORC and authorized notice of a public hearing on the text amendments when completed. Approve Reduction in the Letter of Credit for DR Horton Clear Water Cove Phase 1 Development DR Horton, developer, had requested the City reduce the letter of credit being held for the Clear Water Cove Phase 1 Development, Senior Engineering Technician Steve Duff has inspected the work and recommended approval. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reduction of the letter of credit being held for the constructed improvements in the Clear Water Cove Phasel Development be reduced to $1,473,058.75. This is a reduction of$885,515.63 of the original letter of credit $2,358,574.38. Approve Animal Control Service Contracts with Companion Animal Control for 2016 Since July 2013, Companion Animal Control has been providing animal control services to the City. This year, they are requesting a slight increase in fees, which staff finds acceptable. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 7 of 9 Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Companion Animal Control's revised contract to provide animal control services to the City in 2016. Approve Replacement of 2006 Elgin Crosswinds Sweeper Included in the City's Equipment Purchasing Fund is $225,000 for the replacement of the City's 2006 Elgin Crosswinds Sweeper. Staff requested to purchase a 2016 Tymco 50OX Roadway Sweeper through the Cooperative Purchasing Venture in order to receive the best price. Staff had negotiated a purchase price and trade-in value for the 2006 Crosswinds Sweeper. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the purchase of a 2016 Tymco 50OX Roadway Sweeper from Environmental Equipment and Services, Inc. for$202,925.00 plus tax. Approve Renewal of Tobacco License for Ebacco, LLC, 14849 Forest Blvd N Steve and Linda Krueger had applied for renewal of their Tobacco License to sell tobacco related products. Ebacco has held a license since November 2014, and their most recent license expired on December 31, 2015. Krueger's had not requested renewal prior to the end of the year due to uncertainty of their lease, which has since been renewed. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Tobacco License for Ebacco, LLC at 14849 Forest Blvd. N. effective January 5, 2016. Approve Receipt of$36,000 Grant from Met Council for Water Rebate Program Community Development Assistant Rachel Leitz talked about the process the City went through to organize a water rebate program for Hugo residents. The Met Council has offered a Water Efficiency Grant program that would allow the City to offer rebates for water efficient toilets, washing machines, and irrigation controller replacements. The City has been awarded $36,000 to put toward the rebate program. Leitz stated that these funds cannot be used for new construction, and she provided information on the different marketing that needed to be done. The City of Hugo Water Rebate Program is planned to be implemented on January 24, 2016. City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they initially talked about using $1,000 from the water fund for a rebates, and it is hoped there will be sustainability in this program. Council thanked staff for their work. Congressman Tom Emmer Congressman Emmer was not on the agenda but in the audience. Mayor Weidt invited him to speak. Emmer talked about the budget bill passed recently, stating he didn't vote for it because there was no strategy for dealing with the debt. He talked about the positive things included in the budget bill such as increased support for military, savings in the food stamp program, putting the EPA back to 2008 funding level, and over 1/2 trillion dollars in tax cuts for businesses. He spoke about the bill the President signed with two affordable care act funding mechanism being suspended. Major foreign policy issues on vetting will be coming up. The Congressman thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak. I Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 8 of 9 Approval of Solar Ordinance Community Development Assistant Rachel Leitz explained that throughout the past year, staff had been receiving many inquiries from solar companies and residents regarding the construction of solar projects. At its May 4, 2015 meeting, the City Council authorized the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) to create a solar ordinance to regulate future solar projects within the City. The solar ordinance is now completed and was recommend for approval by the Planning Commission at their December 7, 2015 meeting. Leitz explained there were two different ways solar panels can be installed: solar farms and accessory solar energy systems. Solar farms would be allowed by an Interim Use Permits and accessory solar energy systems would be approved by the Building Official, except commercial or industrial systems which would require approval by the Community Development Director or designee. City Administrator Bryan Bear commented that the ORC was very creative in that the Hugo ordinance does not match ordinances in other cities that usually guide solar for industrial areas. The Hugo ordinance will allow solar on less valuable lands such as floodplains. Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve ORDINANCE 2016-475 RELATING TO AND REGULATING ACCESSORY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND SOLAR FARMS. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on the Yellow Ribbon Network Council Member Chuck Haas and Phil Klein reported to Council on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. Haas talked about Fairview's buy-back program of Halloween candy that was dispersed to several units. Coffee was received and sent to the troops. Summer Camp will be held again this year at the Vets Camp on Big Marine for veterans and their families. January Burger Night will be hosted by Lake Area Bank, and they are still looking for more sponsors. Minnesota military radio host and YRN supporter Tom Lions received an award by General Nash. YRN volunteers helped an injured soldier by donating money and lawn work, but there was still a need for transportation with a handicapped van. Approve Cancellation of January 18, 2016 Meeting Due to the Martin Luther King Day Holiday Every year, the Martin Luther King Holiday falls on the same day as the Council's second monthly meeting in January. In the past, Council has cancelled or rescheduled this meeting for the following day. City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council there were no agenda items for this meeting and recommended Council cancel it. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to cancel the meeting on January 18, 2016 due to the Martin Luther King Holiday. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for January 4,2016 Page 9 of 9 Schedule Date for Northeast Metro Water Summit City Administrator Bryan Bear explained that the last NE Metro Water Summit was held on Thursday, July 16, 2015. At that time, there was discussion on formalizing the group and meeting again in September/October; however, there were too many conflicts in schedules. Bear recommended Council suggest a date on which to hold the next NE Metro Water Summit. Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to schedule the next Northeast Metro Water Summit for Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 7 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adiournment Klein made motion, Miron seconded to adjourn at 8:43 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk