Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.04.06 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009 Mayor Fran Mixon 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, Finance Director Ron Otkin, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, City Attorney Dave Snyder, Associate Planner Rachel Simone, Public Works Director Scott Anderson, Senior Engineering Technician Steve Duff, City Assessor Frank Langer, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Observe Moment of Silence for Teddy Peltier On March 19, 2009, long-time resident Teddy Peltier passed away at the age of 92. Teddy was honored by the City Council in January of 2004 for her 44 years of public service beginning as the Town Clerk in 1959. After the merger of the Village of Hugo and Oneka Township in 1972, Teddy was one of three women elected to Hugo's first five -member Council and served through 1984. She remained active in City government by being appointed to the Planning Commission and served as a Commission member through 2003. Teddy was a big contributor to the City and will be missed. Mayor Fran Miron declared a moment of silence to remember Teddy Peltier. Approval of Minutes for City Council Meeting of March 16, 2009 Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the March 16, 2009 meeting as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for City Council Budget Workshop of March 17, 2009 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, approve the minutes for the March 17, 2009 Budget Workshop meeting as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approved the agenda as amended. Add. L.1 Discussion on Senate File 1110 Add K.1 Miscellaneous Questions - John Arcand All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 2 of 13 Recognition of Severe Weather Awareness Week in the State of Minnesota Annually, the MN Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management holds it's Severe Weather Awareness Week campaign. This year, Severe Weather Awareness Week for 2009 is scheduled for April 19-25 with Tornado Drill Day scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 1:45 p.m. This campaign helps teach Minnesotans about weather hazards and provides resources to minimize the risks associated with severe weather. Everyone is encouraged to make a plan, build an emergency kit and practice drills. In consideration of the May 25, 2008 tornado that struck Hugo, City Administrator Mike Ericson recognized Severe Weather Week for April 20-24, and specifically Tornado Drill Day on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Severe Weather Awareness Presentation on April 15, 2009 with Sven Sundgaard, KARE 11 Meteorologist On behalf of the Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee, Administrative Intern Shelly Clausen has been successful in scheduling a severe weather awareness presentation on April 15, 2009 from 6-8:00 p.m. with KARE 11 Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard at Hugo City Hall. City staff has notified members of the committee and flyers have been distributed to school children at the local schools. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to schedule Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. as a Council meeting to allow Council attendance at the Severe Weather Awareness Presentation. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Consent Agenda Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Recognition of Completion of Firefighter II Training for Firefighters Jim Fordham and David Jensen Approve Letter of Support for the 2010 Labor/HHS Appropriations Bill Approve Resignation of Anthony Angell from the Hugo Fire Department Approve Grant from Suburban Community Channels for "That's Hugo, Today" Cable Access Show Approve One -Year Leave of Absence for Kitty Cheesebrow from the Historical Commission Approve Authorization to Advertise and Hire Summer Seasonal Public Works Workers Approve Application for Water Surface Use Permit on Sunset Lake Approve Reinstatement of Bryan Lund as Hugo Firefighter as of April 6, 2009 Approve Advertisement of Bid for 2009 Seal Coating and Crack Filling Projects Approve Advertisement of Bid for 2009 Graveling Project Approve Advertisement of Bid for 2009 Dust Control Project Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 3 of 13 Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Recognition of Completion of Firefighter II Training for Firefighters Jim Fordham and David Jensen Jim Fordham and David Jensen were hired by the City of Hugo as new probationary firefighters on December 17, 2007. Over that past year, Jim and David have worked hard and have just recently completed all class work necessary for the Firefighter II Training certification. Adoption of the Consent Agenda recognized Firefighters Jim Fordham and David Jensen for completion of their Firefighter II Training as part of their probationary firefighter education for future appointment as a regular firefighter. Approve Letter of Support for the 2010 Labor/HHS Appropriations Bill The City of Hugo was contacted by St. John's Hospital in Maplewood with a request for public support for federal legislation which would provide funding for construction of emergency department expansion projects for HealthEast St. John's, St. Joseph's, and Woodwinds Hospitals through the 2010 Labor/Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill. As a not-for-profit hospital, the mission of HealthEast is to provide care for all who enter the facility regardless of their ability to pay. HealthEast has implemented an extensive master facility plan which would allow the emergency department to increase in size and provide state-of-the-art technology and electronic health records. Staff contacted Mayor Miron regarding this request and he agreed to quickly support it on behalf of the Hugo City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the letter of support for the 2010 Labor/HHH Appropriations Bill for emergency department expansion projects for HealthEast St. John's, St. Joseph's, and Woodwinds Hospitals. Approve Resignation of Anthony Angell from the Hugo Fire Department Firefighter Anthony Angell has submitted his letter of resignation to Fire Chief Jim Compton due to a change in his personal life. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the resignation of Anthony Angell from the Hugo Fire Department and publicly thank him for his 1 3/4 years of dedicated public service to the citizens of Hugo. Approve Grant from Suburban Community Channels for "That's Hugo, Today" Cable Access Show As Council is aware, the City of Hugo's cable access show "That's Hugo, Today" is taped at the Suburban Community Channel (SCC) Studios in White Bear Lake. For more than two years now, the award winning cable access show uses furniture and equipment provided by SCC on a set constructed in Studio B. Producers Rachel Simone and Shelly Clausen determined that use of different chairs would make the set more professional and inviting. Staff submitted a grant to SCC for two new chairs and DVD Pro tapes. Staff is pleased to announce that the grant has been awarded by SCC to the City of Hugo to purchase new chairs and DVD Pro tapes. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the $910 grant from the Suburban Community Channel for use on the City's cable access show "That's Hugo, Today". Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 4 of 13 Approve One -Year Leave of Absence for Kitty Cheesebrow from the Historical Commission Kitty Cheesebrow was appointed as a charter member of the Hugo Historical Commission when it was created by the Hugo City Council in 2003. For more than five years now, Kitty has provided a level of community service second to none while serving as the Chair of the Commission since its infancy. Due to a change in family obligations, Kitty has requested a one- year leave of absence from the Historical Commission, which would allow her to provide the necessary attention to a number of family obligations. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved a one-year leave of absence for Kitty Cheesebrow from the Historical Commission and promoted Kathy Brevig to a regular commission member from her associate commission member status for this one-year time period. Approve Authorization to Advertise and Hire Summer Seasonal Public Works Workers At it's March 17, 2009 Budget Workshop, the Hugo City Council discussed with Public Works Director Scott Anderson the hiring of five summer seasonal employees rather than the seven summer seasonal employees, which was included in the City's 2009 Budget. After discussion, Council agreed that it would not include the purchase and maintenance of hanging flower baskets on the County Road 8 Corridor as well and would support the reduction to five summer seasonal employees hired by the City of Hugo for the Public Works Department to do a variety of park maintenance duties. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the authorization to advertise and hire five summer seasonal employees, which would include the return of three employees from last year. Approve Application for Water Surface Use Permit on Sunset Lake Each year, homeowners on Sunset Lake make application to the City of Hugo for a water surface use permit for a slalom water ski course. Washington County Sheriff's Department has provided an application form that has been completed by Dave Strub on behalf of the residents on Sunset Lake. City staff has reviewed the application and found it be satisfactory complete. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the application for a water surface use permit on Sunset Lake for the homeowners to hold water skiing events on the slalom course. Approve Reinstatement of Bryan Lund as Hugo Firefighter as of April 6, 2009 In January of 2009, the City of Hugo received a request from Hugo Firefighter Bryan Lund for a three-month leave of absence due to the birth of his third child. Bryan continued with mandatory drills and Emergency Management Training to ensure there were no laps in qualifications during his absence. Fire Chief Jim Compton is pleased to report that Bryn Lund wishes to be reinstated to a full-time status. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved reinstatement of Bryan Lund as a full-time Hugo firefighter as of April 6, 2009. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 5 of 13 Approve Advertisement of Bid for 2009 Seal Coating and Crack Filling Proiects Each year, the City of Hugo seal coats and crack fills a portion of its bituminous roads. Staff seeks authorization from the City Council to advertise for the 2009 seal coating & crack filling projects. Bids would then be awarded in May 2009 and work would take place during the month of June. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved authorization for advertisement of bid for the 2009 seal coating & crack filling projects. Approve Advertisement of Bid for 2009 Graveling Proiect Each year, the City of Hugo re -gravels a portion of its gravel roads. Staff seeks authorization from the City Council to advertise for the 2009 graveling project. Bids would then be awarded in May 2009 and work would take place during the month of July. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved authorization for advertisement of bid for the 2009 graveling project. Approve Advertisement of Bid for 2009 Dust Control Project The City of Hugo currently applies dust control to approximately 23 miles of gravel roads located within its municipal boundaries. The City has budgeted $117,000 for the dust control project in 2009. Following City Council approval, staff will advertise and solicit bids through our City newspaper and will hold a bid opening on Friday, May 15, 2009 at 1:OOpm. This will be followed by the Council awarding bids at its first meeting in June. The dust control/stabilization would be applied in two separate applications, once in early June and again in early to mid-August. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved authorization for advertisement of bid for the 2009 dust control project. Approve Site Plan and Variances for Carpenters on the Lake Restaurant Redevelopment Plan Chuck Haas removed this item from the Consent Agenda for discussion. The applicant is requesting approval of a site plan and variances for Carpenters Restaurant located at 14559 Forest Boulevard North. The site plan includes a 8,008 square foot single story restaurant building and parking lot for the restaurant. The existing buildings on site, including the restaurant building and the vacant building to the north, will be demolished with construction of the new restaurant. The site plan shows the restaurant on the applicant's 1.43 acre property as well as some parking on the .83 acre City owned property to the north. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the request for the site plan and variances at their March 12, 2009 meeting. Staff recommended approval of the site plan and variances the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission generally liked the plan and thought it was a good start to downtown redevelopment. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval to the City Council of the site plan and variances. Associate Planner presented the plan to the Council. Owner of Carpenters, Mike Anderson, was in attendance and stated his family had owned the restaurant for 40 years. He said was currently working on the TIP application and was eager to get started on the new restaurant. Councilmember Haas had concerns over the shared parking to be located on the City property to the north and wanted the agreement to be finalized prior to approval, along with other development related issues. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 6 of 13 Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2009-10 APPROVING A SITE PLAN AND VARIANCES FOR MIKE ANDERSON IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 14559 FOREST BOULEVARD NORTH. Ayes: Petryk, Weidt, Klein, Miron Abstain: Haas Motion carried. Approve Donation of Equipment from the Hugo Firefighters Relief Association to the Hugo Fire Department Councilmember Haas requested this item be removed from the Consent Agenda. On behalf of the Hugo Firefighters Relief Association, and for the second time this year, Tony Bronk would like to present to the City of Hugo two items that will become property of the City of Hugo. The Relief Association has purchased a North Star stationary pressure washer for use of cleaning apparatus and hoses at a value of $4,000 as well as two child mannequins for teaching CPR to Hugo residents and staff at a value of $1,800. These donations come from the Relief Association fund raising activities which include the Good Neighbor Days celebration, the HFD calendar, and the pop can collection bin. The total of the donation to the City of Hugo's Fire Department to date in 2009 totals $16,774. Councilmember Haas highlighted that the Hugo Firefighters Relief Association and the Hugo Fire Department were two separate organizations. Haas made motion, Weidt seconded, to approve the donation of equipment from the Hugo Firefighters Relief Association to the Hugo Fire Department and the City of Hugo. All Ayes. Motion carried. Public Assessment Hearing for 2009 Street Reconstruction Proiect At its February 17, 2009 meeting, the Council scheduled a public hearing for the 2009 street reconstruction project, which involves City streets in and around the Hugo Elementary School. The improvements will include removal of existing pavement, repairs to the existing utility infrastructure, sidewalks, storm drainage improvements, and reconstructing the roadway to an urban section roadway. City Engineer Jay Kennedy provided the Council information on the project status. Arcon Construction was the low bidder on the project, and a preconstruction conference will he held on April 9, 2009. The total project cost will be $1,822,700 with $501,795 of it assessed. Mayor Miron 1 opened the public hearing to take any and all comment. Angie Thompson, 6070 Oneka Lake Boulevard, said she realized the roads needed repair; however, she accesses her property off Oneka Lake Boulevard and does not use the side road she would be assessed for. There were no other comments. Jay Kennedy stated there had been six or more special meeting with the residents on this project. The Mayor closed the public hearing. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 7 of 13 Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2009 -11 ADOPTING ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FONDANT AVENUE, FOXHILL AVENUE, FRANCESCA AVENUE, FREELAND AVENUE, GENEVA AVENUE, LOWER 147TH STREET NORTH, 148TH STREET NORTH, AND 150TH STREET NORTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Ayes: Weidt, Haas, Klein, Petryk, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Public Hearing on Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easements for Carpenter's on the Lake Restaurant Redevelopment Plan Mike Anderson from Carpenters is requesting the vacation of all drainage and utility easements over all of Lot 10, Lot 11, Lot 12, Lot 13, and Lot 14 of County Auditors Plat Number 7. The lots are owned by the applicant and the City. The vacation of the existing easements is necessary because existing sewer and water lines are being relocated. New easements will be dedicated over the proposed new sewer and water lines, and stormwater ponds. The proposed redevelopment site plan will include an approximately 8,000 square foot restaurant building and parking lot on City property. Associate Planner Rachel Simone noted on the plan where the existing and proposed easements are located, and explained that the proposed development will manage all storm water on site through ponding, and new drainage and utility easements will be created over the stormwater ponds as well as the sewer and waterlines. Haas made motion, Klein second, to approve the Notice of Completion of Vacation Proceedings for the vacation of the drainage and utility easements over properties located on the future Carpenter's on the Lake Restaurant property and City owned property to the north. All Ayes. Motion carried. Report on Met Council Water Supply Advisory Board and Water Appropriation Permit At its March 16, 2009 meeting, Councilmember Chuck Haas addressed the Hugo City Council regarding issues related to the Met Council Water Supply Advisory Committee on which he serves. Chuck and City Engineer Jay Kennedy have been working with the Advisory Committee and the DNR regarding issues related to the City of Hugo's application for a water appropriations permit to construct a new well in the south central section of the City, and they provided the City Council with an update on the progress. The Water Supply Plan was intended to streamline the permit process; however many DNR requirements are vague and go above and beyond what is required by the Water Supply Advisory Board. A draft of the plan was approved for a six-month period and cities will report back in six months on the status of their appropriation permits; meanwhile, the DNR will be reviewing their requirements. The Met Council is very supportive of the cities' position and follow-up meetings are expected. Councilmember Haas and City Engineer Jay Kennedy will keep the Council apprised of this issue. No formal action was taken. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 8 of 13 Update on March 23 and April 2, 2009 Food Shelf Meetings On March 23 and April 2, 2009, meetings were held with volunteers who wish to pursue the development of a new food shelf in the City of Hugo. The meetings have been attended by more than 25 people including City staff members, local church members, and former food shelf volunteers. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the reestablishment of the current food shelf operations including a new location for the food shelf and their interest in establishing a 501C3 non-profit organization. City Administrator Mike Ericson provided Council with an update on the action items related to the two food shelf meetings held since the last City Council meeting. The food shelf will be named "Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf' and will be located in the garage located in Lions Park, owned by the City and currently used as the youth garage. With approval by Katie Riopel and the Hugo Lions, the youth center will be relocated to the Hugo Lions building on the property. The food shelf is in the process of filing for the 5010 status and establishing a Board of Directors to consist of 11 members. The Council has been asked to be the appointing body to get the board started. Miron made motion, Weidt seconded, to prepare a lease agreement for the food shelf to use the youth garage. All ayes, motion carried. Haas made motion, Klein seconded to invite participation of residents and business of Hugo to make application to be on the Board of Directors, with the Council to review and make recommendations to the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to amend the motion to choose two individuals from the City Council. Vote on amendment: All Ayes. Motion carried. Vote on original motion as amended: All Ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Miron and Councilmember Weidt were chosen to work with the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf on establishment of their charter Board of Directors. Update on 130th Street and Highway 61 Intersection At its March 16, 2009 meeting, the Hugo City Council listened to an update from City Engineer Jay Kennedy regarding issues related to construction and funding of the intersection improvement at TH61 and 130th Street. Council directed the City Engineer to continue to explore funding from MN DOT for a traffic signal as well as to explore any and all funding options, which would not include assessments. City Engineer Jay Kennedy provided Council with an update on continued discussions he has had with MN DOT Officials regarding both the traffic signal and railroad improvements. Jay informed Council that the rail authority would not require an active warning devise, and the City and railroad would continue to discuss ways of making the crossing safer. Jay explained there was no further information from MN DOT on the installation of the signal. Finance Director Ron Otkin shared with Council a funding plan for all three projects in the City: 2009 street reconstruction project around the Hugo Elementary School Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 9 of 13 neighborhood, and intersection improvements at 147ti'/ TH61 and 130' /TH61. Council and staff will continue working with MN DOT and other policy makers in the community for their support. No formal action was taken. Update on Rice Lake Park Complex -Phase 2 For the past several month, the Rice Lake Park Athletic Complex subcommittee has met with resident Sharon Hanifl-Lee to discuss her family foundation's interest in providing funding to the Phase 2 construction of the parks shelter and pavilion at the Rice Lake Park Athletic Complex. On Friday, April 13, 2009, Mayor Fran Miron, City Administrator Mike Ericson, and Public Works Director Scott Anderson met with Sharon Hanifl and her parents, Paul and Susan, at the Rice Lake Park Athletic Complex to discuss the project as well as the interest of the family foundation to participate. City Planner Kendra Lindahl introduced Theresa Forsberg from Landform, who will be architect on the Rice Lake Park shelter project. Theresa talked about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Green Building Certification, which will put the City at a better level when applying for grants and tax incentives. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded to approve the scope of services agreement with Landform to provide concept and preliminary construction designs for the development of a 2,000 square foot park shelter and pavilion at a cost not to exceed $35,000. All Ayes. Motion carried. Establishment of Ordinance Review Committee For the past year, the City Council had established a code enforcement committee that was assigned the task of reviewing ordinances and proposing revisions to those ordinances. The committee had worked on the nuisance ordinance, junk vehicle ordinance, large recreation vehicle ordinance, and most recently, the sign ordinance. On that committee was Councilmembers Becky Petryk and Tom Weidt and former Councilmember Frank Puleo. Planning Commissioner Bob Rosenquist, Adam Moore, and Doug Galler have volunteered to be a part of a new ordinance review committee. City staff recommended Council formerly create the ordinance review committee and choose two members of the Hugo City Council to be members on this committee. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to table this item until the next regularly scheduled Council meeting due to the lack of time. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Washington County Sheriffs Grant for COPS Hiring Recovery Program City staff was contacted by representatives of the Washington County Sheriffs Department regarding the City's interest in participating in a grant application to the federal government for the new COPS hiring recovery program which would be funded through federal stimulus dollars. Specifically, the Washington County Sheriffs Department would submit an application to the federal government for grant dollars to fund all costs related to hiring a deputy for the City of Hugo for a period of three years. This COPS grant is familiar to the Hugo City Council in that it Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 10 of 13 is very similar to the Clinton COPS Grant Program in the mid 1990's. The obligation after the three-year period would be for the City of Hugo to budget for the additional deputy sheriff who would begin patrolling the City of Hugo as soon as the County receives notification of approval of the grant by the federal government. Washington County Sheriffs Department Commander Mary Stutz and Chief Deputy Mike Johnson discussed this grant with the Council. Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to support to the Washington County Sheriff's Department in their application for the COPS Grant. All Ayes. Motion carried. Appoint Councilmember to the Rush Line Corridor Task Force As Council is aware, former Councilmember Mike Granger served as the City of Hugo's appointee to the Rush Line Corridor during his tenure on the Hugo City Council. The Rush Line Corridor by-laws require an elected officials to be appointed to the task force which recently held its first meeting of the year at which City staff attended. The Task Force meets every other month, typically on the third Thursday of the month at White Bear Lake City Hall. The next scheduled meeting is set for Thursday, May 21, 2009. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to appoint Weidt as the elected official to serve on the Rush Line Corridor Task Force. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Northeast Community Partners Proiect to Remodel the Existing Northeast Family YMCA On April 7, 2008, the Council approved a market feasibility study to determine whether a new regional community center managed by the YMCA could be sustained in the northeast suburbs. The independent market research firm of Anderson, Niebuhr & Associates, Inc. was retained to conduct this research. Tom Holland attended the meeting along with Angelica Bonacci from Anderson, Niebuhr & Associates, who explained the results of this research in detail. She provided the results of the survey conducted with current YMCA members and residents living in Hugo, Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, and their respective school districts. Based on the results, a community center located at the current Northeast Family YMCA site would produce greater membership and revenue than one built in Hugo. For the past several month, members of the YMCA continued to meet to discuss the next steps. City Administrator Mike Ericson provided an update on the meeting he attended on March 12, 2009 with the Northeast YMCA Partnership at which it presented a proposal to remodel the existing facility. Miron made motion, Weidt seconded, to continue supporting in every way, other than financially, the proposed improvements to the existing Northeast YMCA. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 11 of 13 Discussion on Improvements to Goodview Avenue South into City of Grant City staff was contacted by Councilmember Chuck Haas who was contacted by residents living on or near Goodview Avenue South who are interested and supportive of improvements to the gravel road which has been posted as a minimum maintenance road by the City of Grant. Staff provided the Council a copy of an article written by reporter Aaron Rupar in the April 1, 2009 issue of The Citizen newspaper describing a petition that has been circulated by both White Bear Township and Hugo residents which formally requests that the City of Grant turn over maintenance and control of the road to Washington County. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to table the discussion until the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting due to the lack of time. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Yellow Ribbon Community Status to support National Guard Service Men and Women Councilmember Chuck Haas recently attended a meeting regarding the Yellow Ribbon Community program, which is a consorted effort to have community support to publicly support the National Guard men and women who are serving abroad. City staff provided Council a copy of the brochure that has been circulating in an effort to build a networking of support for the service members and their families throughout their deployment cycle. Councilmember Haas and County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg explained the services provided by the Yellow Ribbon Community network were to support those deployed to Iraq as well as the friends and families left behind by assisting military families in many different areas. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to support the City of Hugo's participation in the Yellow Ribbon Community with Councilmember Haas as the liaison. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on New State Legislative Changes Regarding Horse Boarding and Classifying Horses as Livestock During 2008, Washington County reviewed the operations of all horse boarding and/or training operations within the county. Information was gathered related to the specifics of each operation, for example the number of horses boarded, number of personal horses, training facilities, and the total acres used as part of the operation. The information gathered was used to make classification decisions for the 2009 assessment. House File No. 797 has been presented to the MN House of Representatives and deals with the classification of livestock. City Assessor Frank Langer was in attendance who explained the Washington County Assessor's Office changed the classification of several parcels containing horse operations from agricultural to commercial. Dan Ramberg, owner of Woodloch Stables at 5676 170th Street was concerned about the increase in his property tax as a result of this reclassification. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 12 of 13 Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to work with Dan Ramberg and other horse boarding operators in supporting legislation regarding horses. All Ayes. Motion carried. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a meeting with horse boarding operators and notice it as a City Council meeting. All Ayes. Motion carried. RCWD Public Hearing on Bald Eagle Lake on April 16, 2009 City Administrator Mike Ericson announced the Rice Creek Watershed District has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in order to take public comments on a proposed water quality improvement program for Bald Eagle Lake. They have requested the use of the Hugo City Hall and Council Chambers in order to provide a forum in which to allow residents to provide public comment. This meeting has been scheduled as a Council meeting to allow their attendance. Hugo Fire Department Personnel to Moorhead for Flooding City Administrator Mike Ericson announced he was informed by Fire Chief Jim Compton that there were five Hugo Firefighters who participated in providing assistance for the major flooding in the Moorhead/Fargo area. Staff is pleased to announce that the following firefighters took time away from their families, jobs, and friends and drove up to the area to provide assistance to the local city and federal officials on March 26-27, 2009. The Council publicly thanked firefighters Tony Bronk, Jim Compton Jr., Roland Guareschi, Jim Fordam, and Bob Bieniek. April 14, 2009 HBA Meeting on BR& E - Presentation by University of Minnesota City Administrator Mike Ericson announced that at the April 14, 2009 HBA meeting, City Staff will be discussing Business Retention and Expansion with business owners. Liz Templin from U of M Extension Services will be there to give a presentation on the program they offer to communities. A notice of the meeting went out to the business in the City. City Council members are encouraged to attend the meeting. Letter to TAB (Transportation Advisory Board) Requesting Support City staff drafted a letter to TAB requesting they publicly support the use of the Federal Stimulus Funding for the I-35 E/CSAH 14 interchange. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the letter to TAB. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Minutes for April 6, 2009 Page 13 of 13 Discussion on Senate File 1110 Mayor Miron added this item to the agenda for discussion. It will be discussed at the next meeting Miscellaneous Questions - John Arcand Hugo property owner John Arcand requested to ask questions of the Council, and the Mayor added him to the agenda. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to table the above two items until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council due to the lack of time. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adiournment Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to adjourn at 10:00 p.m.