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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.03.02 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. PRESENT: Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt, Miron ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, Assistant City Engineer Diane Hankee, City Attorney Dave Snyder, Associate Planner Rachel Simone, Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of Minutes for City Council Goal Setting Session of February 3, 2009 Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the February 3, 2009 Council Goal Setting Session as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for 4TH Annual Oneka PTA Gold Plate Dinner on February 6, 2009 Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the February 6, 2009 4th Annual PTA Gold Plate Dinner as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for Oakshore Park Grand Opening on February 7, 2009 Petryk made motion, Weidt seconded, to approve the minutes for the February 7, 2009 Oakshore Park Grand Opening as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for Firefighters Relief Association Annual Banquet on February 7, 2009 Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the February 7, 2009 Firefighters Relief Association Annual Banquet as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. City Council Meeting of February 17, 2009 Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for February 17, 2009 meeting as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Minutes for March 2, 2009 Page 2 of 8 Approval of the Agenda Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approved the agenda as amended: Add L.1 Discussion on Federal Funding for CSAH14/I-35E Interchange Add L.2 Discussion on Washington County Funding for 4-H Program Add L.3 Update on Legislative Town Hall Metings Add M.2 March 5, 2009 Hearing at the Capitol on House File 0016 (Tornado Reimbursement) Remove G.7 Approve Authorization to Advertise for Summer Seasonal Public Works Workers All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Consent Agenda Petryk made motion, Weidt seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Scheduling of Council Workshop for March 17, 2009 to Discuss State Funding Approve Memorandum of Agreement in Support of the White Bear Senior Chore Program Approve Resolution Congratulating the Washington County Historical Society on its 75th Anniversary Approve Reinstatement of Don Sames as Hugo Firefighter as of March 1, 2009 Approve Recommendation from Economic Development Authority to Co -Sponsor 2009 Hugo Kidz - n -Biz Fest on April 4, 2009 with Hugo Business Association All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Scheduling of Council Workshop for March 17, 2009 to Discuss State Funding At its February 17, 2009 meeting, the Hugo City Council discussed the unallotment of the Market Value Homestead Credit Funding (MVHC) by Governor Tim Pawlenty in December 2008 and requested that staff prepare a report to determine how the City will make up for the reduction in MVHC funds in 2008 and in 2009. Council agreed to schedule the Council workshop on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in order to allow Finance Director Ron Otkin and staff to share with Council how the City will address the reduction in State funds received by the City of Hugo Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the scheduling of the Council workshop for Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Approve Memorandum of Agreement in Support of the White Bear Senior Chore Program For the past two years, City Administrator Mike Ericson has attended meetings with the White Bear Lake Senior Focus Group in order to better understand issues affecting seniors. The group has determined that there are three basic areas that seniors need assistance with and they are: 1. Transportation; 2. Mental Health Issues; and 3. The Chore Program. The Chore program involves seniors who need assistance on a variety of issues including lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and companionship. Seniors are then assigned a volunteer to do the work for them. A Memorandum of Hugo City Council Minutes for March 2, 2009 Page 3 of 8 Agreement has been prepared by Washington County Senior Coordinator Barbara Green, which would enlist the public support of all communities who would be interested in receiving volunteer services for their seniors. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Memorandum of Agreement in support of the White Bear Senior Chore Program, and to share this information with the Hugo Senior Club. Approve Resolution Congratulating the Washington County Historical Society on its 75th Anniversary The City of Hugo has received a request from the director of the Washington County Historical Society enlisting public support from all cities in Washington County in recognition of 75 years of service. As Council is aware, the history of Washington County is rich and deep with more than 150 years of history. Staff prepared a resolution of support congratulating the Washington County Historical Society congratulating them on its 75th Anniversary. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved and adopted RESOLUTION 2009-8 CONGRATULATING THE WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON ITS 75' ANNIVERSARY. Approve Reinstatement of Don Sames as Hugo Firefighter as of March 1, 2009 In December 2008, the City of Hugo received a request from Hugo Firefighter Don Sames for a three-month leave of absence in order to allow him to attend to some personal issues. Fire Chief Jim Compton is pleased to report that Don Sames has completed the necessary work and wishes to be reinstated to a full-time status. Fire Chief Jim Compton recommended Council reinstate Don Sames as a full-time Hugo firefighter. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reinstatement of Don Sames as a full-time firefighter as of March 1, 2009. Approve Recommendation from Economic Development Authority to Co -Sponsor 2009 Hugo Kidz -n -Biz Fest on April 4, 2009 with Hugo Business Association For the past four years the Economic Development Authority (EDA) has co-sponsored the Hugo Kidz -n -Biz Fest with the Hugo Business Association in order to promote and market local businesses to residents and families. The 5th Annual Hugo Kidz -n -Biz Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Oneka Elementary School. As Council is aware, last year's event attracted more than 1,200 residents and family members as well as 40 Hugo businesses, which were very pleased to market their businesses to residents. At its February 23, 2009 meeting, the EDA voted unanimously to sponsor the 5th Annual Hugo Kidz -n -Biz Fest with the Hugo Business Association with a donation of $500. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the recommendation from the EDA to co-sponsor the 2009 Hugo Kidz -n -Biz Fest on April 4, 2009. Approve Authorization to Advertise for Summer Seasonal Public Works Workers Tom Weidt removed this from the Consent Agenda. Staff is requesting authorization to advertise for the hiring of five (5) seasonal employees for the public works department. In the 2009 General Fund Budget, Council approved the hiring of seven (7) seasonal employees 2009. With the budgetary constraints, the Public Works Department has re-evaluated its needs and has determined that it can continue the level of service expected utilizing a total of five (5) seasonal employees in 2009. Seasonal Public Works Employees assist with mowing, garbage/litter removal, park maintenance, boulevard maintenance and general public works maintenance. A starting hourly wage of $11.00/hour was approved in the 2009 General Fund Budget for these positions. Staff recommended Council approve the advertising for hiring of summer seasonal employees. Hugo City Council Minutes for March 2, 2009 Page 4 of 8 Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to table this item until after the March 17, 2009 City Council Budget Workshop. All Ayes. Motion carried. Public Hearing on Revisions to the City's Sign Ordinance Over the past several months, the City's ordinance review committee has reviewed and made revisions to the City's sign ordinance which was in need of a major overhaul. At its December 11, 2008 meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the sign ordinance as proposed by staff to the City Council. At the January 5, 2009 Council meeting, Associate Planner Rachel Simone presented Council with revisions to the City's sign ordinance along with a recommendation to approve the newly revised City sign ordinance. Council tabled this item to allow staff to research some of the proposed sign requirements. At its February 2, 2009 meeting, Hugo City Council discussed the proposed new City sign ordinance and, after discussion, agreed to schedule a public hearing in order to allow final public comment on the proposed new City sign ordinance. City staff scheduled the public hearing for this evening, and after a presentation from Associate Planner Rachel Simone who explained the most recent revisions to the ordinance, Mayor Fran Miron opened the public hearing. Elizabeth Herrmann, 5189 165th Street North, asked questioned about street addresses, fonts on signs, and signs on fences. No one else spoke at the hearing. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve adoption of ORDINANCE 2009-427 AMENDING CHAPTER 90, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 90-1 DEFINITIONS, subject to contextual review by the city attorney. Ayes: Weidt, Petryk, Haas, Klein, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve adoption of ORDINANCE 2009-428 AMENDING CHAPTER 90, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 90-265 SIGNS, with an implementation date of July 1, 2009 and subject to contextual review by the city attorney. Ayes: Petryk, Haas, Klein, Weidt, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Discussion on Sign Complaints Council tabled this item at its January 5, 2009 meeting and again on February 2, 2009 to allow revisions and a public hearing to be held on the revised sign ordinance. On July 7, 2008 the City Council directed staff to delay action on sign complaints until the new sign ordinance was adopted. With the public hearing held and the ordinance adopted at this meeting, staff discussed with Council the enforcement of the sign ordinance for the complaints. Council generally agreed that enforcement of the sign ordinance should remain to be complaint driven, and the ordinance should be published and letters sent informing certain residents and business of the revisions Hugo City Council Minutes for March 2, 2009 Page 5 of 8 Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to notify property and home owners with signs which are in violation of the current ordinance, but in compliance with the revised ordinance, that there has been an ordinance change. Also, notify those that are not in compliance with the current ordinance, and will still be out of compliance after the revised ordinance is adopted, that they are in violation. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule City Council Meeting for March 5, 2009 to Discuss Hugo Community Food Shelf In the February 18, 2009 issue of The Citizen newspaper, an article was written by Editor Deb Barnes regarding the Hugo Community Food Shelf and it included issues raised by the food shelf director and volunteers regarding the operation, donations, and use of the Global Gallery Gift Store. On Thursday, February 26, 2009, Hosanna Lutheran Church Pastor Michael Sparby and business manager Jim Allen, along with Mayor Fran Miron and City Administrator Mike Ericson, met to discuss the article. Mayor Miron stated he was concerned about the food shelf integrity at this time when food shelf services are needed the most. Mayor Miron had met with Pastor Sparby who indicated he wanted to have an open and transparent discussion on this issue. Mayor Fran Miron agreed to schedule a special Council meeting for Thursday, March 5, 2009 in order to allow public comment on the operation, and directed staff to invite pastors from all churches serving the City of Hugo as well as service organizations and all of the volunteers who have worked at the facility since it started. City Attorney Dave Snyder wanted it noted that the Food Shelf was not a City operation, but the City will be serving as a facilitator for a broader discussion by the community. The Council talked about the cost of this to taxpayers and agreed to wave their meeting stipend for this meeting. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to schedule Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. as a Council meeting, waving the Council's meeting stipend for this meeting. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule Phases of Disaster II Meeting at Oneka Elementary School on April 7, 2009 At its February 17, 2009 meeting, the Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee scheduled the 2nd Phases of Disaster meeting at Oneka Elementary School for Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from 5:45-8:15 p.m., and they requested the attendance of the Hugo City Council. City Administrator Mike Ericson explained the Phases of Disaster meeting is an opportunity for professional social service workers and psychologists to discuss with residents who survived the tornado the issues that they are facing. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to schedule a meeting for Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. at Oneka Elementary School to allow Council attendance at the Phases of Disaster II meeting. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on Housing Foreclosures and Rental Housing In Spring of 2008 the City of Hugo started receiving monthly updates from Washington County regarding the foreclosures located in Hugo. Staff started keeping records and tracking these properties to find the City's status on vacant and foreclosed homes. In May 2008, staff held a workshop with the Council to discuss foreclosures as well as rental housing. During the workshop, Hugo City Council Minutes for March 2, 2009 Page 6 of 8 staff asked for direction on how staff could monitor the properties, and Council had directed staff to meet with the Home Owners Associations (HOA) for feedback on the housing issues. Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields explained that staff uses information from the Washington County HRA, utility disconnection notifications, quarterly water billing , and neighborhood complaints to track properties that are vacant. Using this information, the City shut the water off to approximately 30 properties, significantly decreasing water damage to the homes caused by broken frozen pipes. Dennis and Rachel Simone met with several of the HOA's and received positive feedback on what the City was doing to monitor these properties. Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to continue to monitor foreclosures and continue meeting with the HOAs. All Ayes. Motion carried. City Attorney Dave Snyder stated that owners can legally rent their property, unless prohibited by an HOA or Development Agreement. The City can regulate rentals with different levels of registration of rental properties, some including fees and/or inspections. Associate Planner Rachel Simone discussed with Council a rental housing program that only included registration at this time. The program had been reviewed with the HOAs who indicated they want the City to be proactive and implement this program in Hugo. Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to publish the draft rental housing ordinance, schedule a public hearing, and provide Council with the associated costs to implement this ordinance. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on Floodplain Ordinance Throughout 2007 and 2008, the Hugo City Council and staff have been discussing the foodplain ordinance revisions. On January 8, 2008, the City Council held a workshop on the ordinance. There were revisions that were suggested at the meeting that included changes for the way permits are regulated in the floodplain, agricultural fences being allowed in the floodplain, and requiring permits for normal maintenance and repair. The Council directed staff to submit the revised ordinance to the MN DNR for their comments. Staff sent the revisions to the DNR in April, 2008. During that time, there was a change in staffing and another set of revisions were sent in June, 2008. Staff was contacted by the DNR in November to set up a meeting to discuss the revisions to the Floodplain ordinance. Staff then met with the DNR later that month. Staff received comments back from the DNR December 9, 2008. Since then, staff has been working with the DNR to work though the discrepancies that the DNR found that would not meet FEMA's floodplain regulations. Associate Planner Rachel Simone explained the City needed to meet this requriement to remain eligible for the Federal Floodplain Insurance Program, and she reviewd the revisions with the Council. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to direct staff to prepare the draft ordinance for review by the DNR, and if there were no significant changes schedule a public hearing at the Planning Commission for review. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Minutes for March 2, 2009 Page 7 of 8 Discussion on Underground Power Lines in the Downtown District Staff has had communication with the utility companies that will be affected by the 147th Street and Highway 61 improvement project. Xcel Energy will be required to relocate the overhead power lines along a portion of the road to accommodate the project. The power lines currently run north and south along the east side of Hwy 61. Xcel Energy intends to relocate the poles, so the lines will remain above ground. At its Monday, February 23 meeting, the EDA discussed the possibility of locating the power lines underground. Xcel has indicated that it could cost as much as $800,000 to relocate the power lines underground. The EDA recommended that the City spend $5,000 required by Xcel Energy to study this issue to determine a more precise cost. The Council discussed this issue and whether the cost of burying the power lines should be charged to the rate payers. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to research underground distribution lines. All Ayes. Motion carried. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to work towards locating the power lines underground at the ratepayers expense and bring the issue back at a later date. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Federal Funding for CSAH14/1-35E Interchange City Administrator Mike Ericson had received information from Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah that money from the stimulus package may be spent on a very large project to improve the I-494 and Highway169 interchange, overlooking smaller projects. Council discussed the efforts of the I-35W/E Coalition, including contributions from former Congressman Mark Kennedy, for the much needed improvements to the CSAH14 and I -35E interchange. Petryk made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to draft a letter, to be approved by the Mayor, in support of federal funding to be directed to the I -35E and CSAH14 interchange project. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Washington County Funding for 4-11 Program Mayor Fran Miron added this item to the agenda. Mayor Miron was informed the Washington County Board was proposing a reduction in funding to the 4-H Program, which provided $130,000 per year for staff to maintain the 4-H Program at Washington County. Residents have expressed to the Mayor concerns about the effect this would have on the kids, volunteer programs, and the rural character of the area among other concerns. The Mayor asked the Council to support a resolution to request the County continue funding the 4-H program for one year in hopes the 4-H Program will develop a means of becoming self supporting. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2009-9 REQUESTING WASHINGTON COUNTY CONTINUE FUNDING THE 4-H PROGRAM THROUGH 2009, and forward the resolution to Washington County. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Minutes for March 2, 2009 Page 8 of 8 Update on Legislative Town Hall meetings Councilmembers Tom Weidt and Becky Petryk provided Council an update of the meeting held on Tuesday February 24, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Hugo City Call with State Representative Bob Dettmer, State Representative Matt Dean, and Senator Ray Vandeveer to discuss the legislative session and state budget, and the meeting held on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Forest Lake City Hall held by state legislatures to seek input on State's proposed budget. Both meetings were well attended by residents who expressed concerns on the state budget, the burden it will put on children and grandchildren, and the reduction of social programs, to name a few. Appointment of Councilmember Chuck Haas as Chair of Metropolitan Council Park & Open Space Commission Councilmember Chuck Haas has been appointed to chair the Metropolitan Council's Parks & Open Space Commission, effective in April. The Commission assists the Met Council in developing a long -rang plan and an acquisition and development program that includes funding priorities for regional parks, as well as oversees a budget of $15 million. Chuck will be sworn in on March 3, 2009. Staff and Council congratulated Councilmember Haas on this appointment. March 5, 2009 Hearing at the Capitol on House File 0016 (Tornado Reimbursement) City Administrator Mike Ericson received notice that House File 0016 regarding the City of Hugo May 25, 2008 Tornado Reimbursement Bill will receive a hearing at the State Capitol on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. The Bill had been laid over to be considered as part of the ominous tax bill in the senate, and it is hoped the bill will get support from the House. Mayor Fran Miron, Councilmember Chuck Haas, and City Administrator Mike Ericson will attend this hearing. The Council discussed a letter received by the City of St. Peter that supported the City of Hugo in its efforts to gain assistance for recovery from the tornado. Council directed staff to request letters from other communities that have experienced disasters such as Browns Valley and the City of Rogers. Adjournment Haas made motion, Weidt seconded, to adjourn at 10:00 p.rn. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk