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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013.11.18 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: Bronk, Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Assistant City Attorney Josh Brekken, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Community Development Intern Eric Maass, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Moment of Silence for Former Washington County Sheriff James Trudeau Mayor Weidt called for a moment of silence in remembrance of former Washington County Sheriff James Trudeau. Minnesota National Guard Chaplain Winn led the group in prayer for the family of James Trudeau who passed away on November 16, 2013. James was 72 years old. November 4, 2013 Council Meeting Haas made motion, Bronk seconded, to approve the minutes for the November 4, 2013 Council meeting as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Weidt made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Yellow Ribbon Network (YRN) Update and Recognitions Council Members Haas and Klein provided an update on the YRN activities. The YRN mailed 114 care packages to troops overseas containing 2,444 pounds of wish list items. Haas thanked the Soaring Eagles, the Blue Star Mom's, and everyone who helped in the event. With the assistance of Minnesota National Guard Chaplain Winn, Haas presented certificates to all the sponsors of Hamburger night. Those sponsors were: Lake Area Bank, Bald Eagle Sportsman's Club, Arcand Family/Oneka Ridge Golf Course, Hugo Fire Department, Kim Metzgar, Mike Devine, Mark and Susan Schwope, Hugo Business Association, Galen Carlson/North Country Auto Body, Stomberg Real Estate Group/Jonas and Holly Stomberg, Business Networking Solutions, and Hugo American Legion Post 620. Also presented with Sponsor of the Year Awards were WSB in 2011, Mike Devine in 2012, and Oneka Ridge Golf Course in 2013. The YRN and Council thanked everyone for their support. The Mayor called for a short recess. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2013 Page 2 of 5 Approval of the Consent Agenda Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda items: Approval of Claims Approve Annual Snowmobile Trail Application for the Rice Creek Trail Association Approve Job Description for Engineers Position on the Hugo Fire Department Approve Pay Request No. 1 for the Rosemary Way Utility Extension Project Approve Deferment of Special Assessment for Edward Barrett -12071 Everton Ave. N. Approve Order for Property at 16813 Forest Boulevard North — ARK All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Snowmobile Trail Application for the Rice Creek Trail Association Each year, the Rice Creek Trail Snowmobile Club submits its trail application to the City for the purpose of providing public recreational snowmobile trails during the winter. City staff reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactorily complete along with a copy of the insurance. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the 2013-2014 annual trail application from the Rice Creek Trail Snowmobile Club. Approve Job Description for Engineers Position on the Hugo Fire Department Enclosed in the Council packet is a job description for the Engineers position on the Fire Department. This position is in the budget for 2014. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Engineers job description. Approve Pay Request No. 1 for the Rosemary Way Utility Extension Proiect C.W. Houle, Inc. had submitted Pay Request No. 1 for work done on the Rosemary Way Street and Utility Improvement Project. Staff reviewed the request and found it to be satisfactory for work done to date. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Pay Request to C.W. Houle in the amount of $66,353.83. Approve Deferment of Special Assessment for Edward Barrett -12071 Everton Ave. N. Edward C. Barrett had submitted an application for deferment of special assessments for property he owns at 12071 Everton Avenue. Edward was assessed for the South Ethan Avenue Street and Utility Project done in 2011. In 2006, the City Council passed a resolution establishing a program to defer payments of special assessments for senior citizens. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the deferment of the special assessment for Edward Barrett per the terms of the approved resolution. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2013 Page 3 of 5 Approve Order for Property at 16813 Forest Boulevard North - ARK At its November 4, 2013 meeting, the Council approved revocation of the Special Use Permit and the Auto Dismantling License for the business operating as Automotive Recycling Kompany, Inc. at 16813 Forest Boulevard North. As part of the revocation, Council also approved a draft order for cleanup of the property. Staff has finalized this order with the dates on which items will be removed from the property. Staff recommends Council approve the finalized Order Regarding Property at 16813 Forest Boulevard North. Approve Annual Snowmobile Trail Application for the Hugo Snowmobile Club The Hugo Snowmobile Club had submitted its trail application to the City for the purpose of providing public recreational snowmobile trails during the winter. City staff reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactorily complete. Mayor Weidt removed this from the Consent Agenda to talk with President of the Hugo Snowmobile Club John Udstuen. John stated that he was grateful to everyone who helped make the Hugo trails some of the best in Washington County. He talked about the work that went into maintaining the trail and the desire to increase membership. The Club is working on developing a website and the Council suggested they speak with Hugo's Parks Planner to promote the trail and increase members. Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the 2013-2014 annual trail application from the Hugo Snowmobile Club. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on 1651h Street North Neighborhood Meeting on November 14, 2013 On Thursday, November 14, 2013, residents in the 165th Street Neighborhood attended a meeting with Council and staff to discuss a proposed street project. City Engineer Jay Kennedy provided an update of that meeting. City Engineer Kennedy stated that residents talked about estimated project costs, funding, and the Assessment Policy. There was also some discussion on the curve at the intersection of 165th Street and Ingersoll Avenue and whether there should be a different configuration. It was mentioned that school busses use this intersection, and the school districts may have some input prior to design. Jay stated there was a general consensus that there was a need for a project and the City should explore adding a shoulder for the safety of bikers, horseback riders and pedestrians. The next steps would be to evaluate adding the shoulder, culvert replacement, and the 165th/Ingersoll Avenue intersection. Haas stated that he had heard comments regarding concern that people will drive faster once the road is fixed. Speed studies show that the fastest drivers are usually the ones living in the neighborhood. If there is an issue, it can be worked on with law enforcement. He also said that the culvert should be installed, and he would like to know the cost of the bike lane. Klein stated that water is an issue there and they needed to pay attention to the drainage. He welcomed more comments. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2013 Page 4 of 5 Kennedy stated that there would be a neighborhood open house in March, 2014 to discuss the plans. Klein made motion, Haas seconded, to move forward with a feasibility study on the 165th Street project. Ayes: Haas, Klein, Petryk, Bronk, Weidt. Nays: None Motion carried. Update on Water Conservation On November 13, 2013, a meeting was held at Hugo City Hall with Representative Linda Runbeck, Senator Roger Chamberlain, Representative Matt Dean, Mayor Tom Weidt, Council Member Chuck Haas, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, and City Administrator Bryan Bear to discuss water supply issues. Discussed at that meeting was the Metropolitan Council's Feasibility Study on alternative water resources and Hugo's water conservation measures to reduce reliance on pumping from the aquifer and possible assistance from the State for specific projects. Bryan talked about potential water reuse projects and using surface water for drinking. He requested Council authorize City Staff to work with the City Engineer on the cost of projects and come back to the Council with recommendations for implementation. Council Member Haas stated that the DNR's Ground Water Management Area was a big concern. He talked about Thrive 2040's and questioned whether the projects were science or politics to move the growing region away from groundwater to surface water. He questioned whether it was possible to have a regional storm water reuse project; it would be great for Hugo to take the lead. Council Member Klein agreed and stated that all government organizations need to work together and questioned how to get everyone to have this conversation. Haas talked about the $2 million spent on consultants to study this and how that money could have been put to better use on a project. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to prepare cost estimates for several projects that may reduce our reliance on groundwater. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Letter to DNR Regarding Well Drilling in Minneapolis Council member Haas had received information from the Water Supply Advisory Committee detailing a bonding proposal from the City of Minneapolis to request funding from the state legislature to drill a series of wells into the aquifer to supplement the City's water supply. The City is currently served by water from the Mississippi River. Haas stated that the project was estimated at $19 million and half of the funding would come from taxpayers. The Met Council was proposing to add Hugo into St. Paul's water system since St. Paul has extra water capacity. He questioned why Minneapolis would not connect with St. Paul; it made no sense. Haas Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2013 Page 5 of 5 recommended that a letter be sent to the DNR, signed by all Council Members, expressing the City's concern with this proposal. Council Member Klein suggested providing the letter to the local newspapers. Weidt made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to draft a letter to the DNR regarding well drilling in Minneapolis subject to review and approval by the Council. All Ayes. Motion carried. White Bear Lake Water Level Meeting Wednesday, November 20, 2013 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council of a meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at Century College to discuss the DNR's establishment of a ground water management area in the East Metro to address the water levels in the aquifers and White Bear Lake. Staff posted this as a meeting of the Council. Rice Creek Watershed District JD2 Public Hearing Wednesday, November 20, 2013 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council that the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss installing a weir on Washington County Judicial Ditch 2 (JD2) to impound waters in Rice Lake. This hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at Hugo City Hall. Legislative Reception Tuesday, November 26, 2013 City Administrator reminded Council of the Legislative Reception to be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at the White Bear Country Inn & Suites between 5:00-7:00pm. Rasmussen College and Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Hinckley are event sponsors. Council had attended last year's event, and it was scheduled as a meeting to attend this year's event. Adiournment Klein made motion, Haas seconded, to adjourn at 9:30p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk