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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.04.07 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Finance Director Ron Otkin, and City Clerk Michele Lindau APPROVAL OF I-35 W/E COALITION MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2008 Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to approve the minutes for the I-35 W/E Coalition meeting of March 13, 2008 as presented. APPROVAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2008 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of March 17, 2008 as presented. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the agenda for April 7, 2008 as amended by adding the following items: G.12 — Approval of Application for Charitable Gambling License for Hugo Auxiliary Unit 620 (American Legion) K.1 - Hugo Kidz `n Biz Event Held on April 6, 2008 at the Oneka Elementary School K.2 — Update on Technical Advisory Committee for CSAH 7-8-9 (TAC 7-8-9) K.3 — Discussion on Correspondence from Forest Lake Youth Service Bureau J.1 — Resident Concern Regarding the Comprehensive Plan Process All aye. Motion Carried. PRESENTATION OF GFOA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING - FINANCE DIRECTOR RON OTKIN Finance Director Ron Otkin has received notification from the Government Finance Officers Association of America that he has received his 14th GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. As Council is aware, this award is special and well earned by finance directors, like Ron Otkin, to recognize them for their excellence in financial reporting. Fewer than t/2 of one percent of finance directors receive this award. Mayor Fran Miron presented Ron with his engraved wooden plaque and publicly thanked him for his 19 years of dedicated service to the City of Hugo. City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 2 of 9 PRESENTATION OF COUNTY'S MAXFIELD STUDY ON HOUSING AND OVERVIEW OF COUNTY'S EFFORTS ON FORECLOSURES — BARBARA DACY, WASHINGTON COUNTY HRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Earlier this year, Council Member Chuck Haas informed the City Council he was aware there was a County wide housing study completed by Maxfield Research. Council directed staff to request a brief presentation from the Washington County HRA who originally requested the study in 2007. Additionally, Council included in its 2008 City Focus Goals a review of economic trends regarding rental housing issues related to foreclosures. Barbara Dacy, Washington County HRA Executive Director, made a presentation to Council on these two issues. Barbara reviewed the demographic findings of the Maxfield Study, growth projections, and housing demand comparisons with other cities in Washington County. She talked about the magnitude of the foreclosure problem and what the HRA was doing to mitigate the impacts of foreclosures. She informed the Council that the County was providing monthly reports on foreclosures on the County website. Community Development Director Bryan Bear explained to the Council how staff was working to identify properties that appeared to be foreclosed on, and making field visits to vacant sites to ensure properties were not unsightly or hazardous. PRESENTATION OF 2007 HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT — FIRE CHIEF JIM COMPTON Each year, Hugo Fire Chief Jim Compton makes a presentation to Council regarding calls for service, fire training exercise, and community involvement. Fire Chief Jim Compton and Deputy Fire Chief Jadon 011ila presented to the City Council the 2007 Hugo Fire Department Annual Report. They provided an eight-year comparison of Department duties, talked about department and training highlights of 2007 as well as their goals for 2008. They thanked KTK9 and the Hugo Business Association, who helped provide funding for their small animal training, and thanked the Hugo Fireflies and City Council for their continuous support. Mayor Fran Miron thanked Jim and Jadon for their leadership and professionalism on the Fire Department which is second to none. CONSENT AGENDA Granger made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Final Pay Request No. 5 for C.W. Houle for 129th Street Improvement Project Approve Hire of Brian Denaway as Communications Intern for Unpaid Internship Approve Resolution for Expansion and Site Plan for Industrial Painting Approve Temporary On -sale Liquor License for NSGR for July 4-6, 2008 at Dead Broke Saddle Club Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Department Receptionist Debi Close Approve Annual Performance Review for Finance Director Ron Otkin Approve Pay Request No. 5 from EnComm Midwest for Construction of Well House No. 5 Approve Ray Request No. 1 from Arnt Construction for Construction of Rice Lake Soccer Complex Approval of Resolution and Development Agreement Regarding Wagner Condemnation Approval of FEMA Grant Application for 2008-2009 Approval of Application for Charitable Gambling License for Hugo Auxiliary Unit 620 City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 3 of 9 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster as presented. APPROVE FINAL PAY REQUEST NO. 5 FOR C.W. HOULE FOR 1291H1 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT The City of Hugo has received the final pay request No. 5 from C.W. Houle for completion of the 129th Street Public Improvement Project. Senior Engineering Technician Scott Anderson has reviewed the pay request and found it to be consistent for work completed to date on the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the final pay request No. 5 in the amount of $14,105.73 for the final work completed on the 129th Street Public Improvement Project. APPROVE HIRE OF BRIAN DENAWAY AS COMMUNICATIONS INTERN FOR UNPAID INTERNSHIP The City of Hugo received a request for an unpaid internship from Hugo resident Brian Denaway, who seeks communications and marketing experience to gain valuable in -the - workplace experience. City Administrator Mike Ericson and Administrative Nate Ehalt interviewed Brian and found him to be an intelligent individual who is willing and eager to provide communications research and marketing duties. Brian most recently graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. Brian will work 24-32 hours a week with direction provided by the Community Development Director and City Administrator. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the hiring of Brian Denaway as a Communications Intern for a five month unpaid internship assisting the Community Development Department in economic development duties which include the staffing of the subcommittee for the business retention and expansion program. APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR EXPANSION AND SITE PLAN FOR INDUSTRIAL PAINTING The applicant is requesting site plan approval of a 21,000 square foot expansion of their current building, which is approximately 41,000 square feet, at 5858 152nd Street in the Peloquin Industrial Park. The expansion would make the total square footage of the building approximately 62,000. There is 3,600 square feet of office area in the building and the rest is used for painting industrial materials that include bridge components, propane tanks, and materials for Caterpillar, 3M, and Boeing. At their March 27, 2008 meeting, the Planning Commission considered the request for site plan and unanimously recommended approval of the application by resolution to the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2008-10 APPROVING A SITE PLAN FOR INDUSTRIAL PAINTING SPECIALIST IN THE GENERAL INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5858 152ND STREET NORTH. APPROVE TEMPORARY ON -SALE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR NSGR FOR JULY 4-6, 2008 AT DEAD BROKE SADDLE CLUB City of Hugo has received an application for a temporary on -sale liquor license for the North Star Gay Rodeo scheduled for July 4 - 6, 2008 at Dead Broke Saddle Club. Staff has reviewed the City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 4 of 9 application and finds it to be satisfactory along with the necessary liquor liability insurance. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the temporary on -sale liquor license for NSGR for July 4-6. 2008 at the Dead Broke Saddle Club. APPROVE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW FOR BUILDING DEPARTMENT RECEPTIONIST DEBI CLOSE Debi Close was hired as the City's new Building Department Receptionist on March 20, 2006. For the past two years, Debi has worked hard in performing her duties which involve an extensive amount of customer service duties both at the front counter and on the telephone scheduling inspections with contractors. Debi most recently took over all front counter duties due to the departure of Eileen Ottney, which has increased her work load yet she is providing an excellent level of customer service duties. Debi has a good work ethic with excellent people skills and the ability to multi -task very well. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Building Department Receptionist Debi Close. APPROVE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW FOR FINANCE DIRECTOR RON OTKIN Ron Otkin was hired as the City's Finance Director on April 3, 1989. For the last 19 years, Ron has provided an excellent level of duties related to the City's Finance Department which includes the annual preparation of the City's budget as well as financing of public improvement projects and accounts payable and accounts receivable. Earlier this evening, Ron was presented with his 14th GFOA Award of Excellence in Financial Reporting, which reflects public recognition of the most highest level of professional skills demonstrated by a finance director. Adoption of the Consent Agenda Approved the annual performance review for Finance Director Ron Otkin who just completed his 19th year of dedicated service to the City of Hugo. APPROVE PAY REQUEST NO. 5 FROM ENCOMM MIDWEST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WELL HOUSE NO.5 The City of Hugo has received pay request No. 5 from EnComm Midwest for the Construction of Well House No. 5 in the Water's Edge neighborhood. Public Works Director Chris Petree and Senior Engineering Technician Scott Anderson have reviewed the pay request and found it to be consistent for work completed to date on the new well house. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved pay request No. 5 in the amount of 47,861.17 for construction of Well House No. 5. APPROVE RAY REQUEST NO. 1 FROM ARNT CONSTRUCTION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RICE LAKE SOCCER COMPLEX The City of Hugo has received pay request No. 1 from Amt Construction for the construction of the Rice Lake Soccer Complex, which has involved primarily mobilization and tree removal. Senior Engineer Technician Scott Anderson has reviewed pay request No. 1 and found it to be satisfactory for work completed to date on the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved pay request No. 1 in the amount of $26,220.00 from Arnt Construction for work completed to date on the Rice Lake Soccer Complex. City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 5 of 9 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT REGARDING WAGNER CONDEMNATION Staff requests that the council authorize the signing of the enclosed resolution which authorizes signature of the development agreement between the City of Hugo and Wagner Greenhouses. This development agreement is the same as that earlier approved by the City Council (wherein the City agrees to provide some ponding opportunities to Wagner subject to payment by Wagner of the customary and usual fees) except that it deletes the obligation of the City to interpret its shoreland ordinance in a way which would ensure developability of shoreland buffer areas. The eminent domain action brought by Washington County is ended and Wagner's are to be paid the amounts awarded by the condemnation commissioners for the right-of-way acquisition related to the CSAH 8/14 project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2008-10 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK TO SIGN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF HUGO AND WAGNER PARTNERS, L.L.L.P. APPROVAL OF FEMA GRANT APPLICATION FOR 2008-2009 As part of the Hugo Fire Department goals for 2008 presented to Council in February of this year, the Hugo Fire department is requesting approval to submit the 2008-2009 Federal Emergency Management Fire Grant Application. The grant is for installation of a backup power generator for the fire station. The grant would provide 95 % of the needed funding to install the backup generator. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved submittal of the FEMA Grant Application for the funding of a backup power generator for the Hugo Fire Department. APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR CHARITABLE GAMBLING LICENSE FOR HUGO AUXILIARY UNIT 620 (AMERICAN LEGION) City Administrator Mike Ericson added this item to the Consent Agenda on behalf of the American Legion. City of Hugo has received an application for a charitable gambling license for the Hugo Auxiliary Unit 620 at 5383 140th Street North (Hugo American Legion). Staff has reviewed the application and finds it to be satisfactory. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the charitable gambling license for the Hugo Auxiliary Unit 620 at 5383 140th Street North. DISCUSSION ON MN DOT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FUNDING FOR TH61 AND 1301H- STREET AND TH61 AND 1471H- STREET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS At its March 17, 2008 meeting, Hugo City Council listened to a brief presentation from City Engineer Jay Kennedy who announced that he had just received notification from the MN Department of Transportation that the City had indeed received state funding for intersection improvements at TH61 and 130th Street and TH61 and 147th Street respectively. City Engineer Jay Kennedy presented Council with additional information regarding the MN DOT cooperative agreement funding for the intersection improvements. He informed the Council the funding would include $421,000 for turn lanes at TH61 and 130th Street, with the total project cost being $850,000, and $422,280 for turn lanes at TH61 and 147th Street, with the total project cost being $1,132,000. The funding for 147th Street did not include the traffic signal, and an additional $521,000 would be requested from MN Department of Transportation. The City would need to City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 6 of 9 respond by April 21, 2008. The design process would be done during 2008 and bidding and construction would take place in 2009. The City has until June 30, 2009 to remain eligible to receive the funding. Granger made motion, Petryk seconded, to direct staff to forward a letter to MN DOT accepting funding for the proposed improvements to intersections at TH61 and 147th Street North and TH61 and 130th All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON CITY HALL PLANT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS WITH TROPICAL PLANTS UNLIMITED For more than two years, Hugo City Hall has been decorated with tropical plants which had been donated and maintained for free by Ricardo Edelstein and his company Tropical Plants Unlimited. Tropical plants provide a beautification and enhancement of the Council Chambers, Oneka Room, and administrative offices. Ricardo is requesting approval of a maintenance agreement for the tropical plants for the Hugo City Hall. This issue was tabled by the Council at its March 17, 2008 meeting. Council Member Granger was still seeking additional information on the issue. Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to table the item until the next meeting. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON MARKET FEASIBILITY STUDY PROPOSAL FOR NORTHEAST YMCA COMMUNITY CENTER PROPOSAL At its March 3, 2008 meeting, Hugo City Council listened to a presentation from Northeast YMCA Executive Director Tom Holland who shared with Council the concept proposal for a new Northeast YMCA Community Center. This concept proposal would involve the cities of White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi, Hugo, and White Bear Township. It would also include a partnership with Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake School Districts respectively. Council included this topic in its 2008 City Focus Goals. City Administrator Mike Ericson recently attended a meeting with the YMCA Partners and listened to a presentation by a company who would provide a marketing feasibility study for the Northeast YMCA. The marketing feasibility study is necessary to determine the feasibility of memberships to the YMCA which would be located in the northeast metro area. Funding for the feasibility would be on a proportional basis exactly as the City provided funding for the focus group studies in the summer of 2007. The funding would be provided from the Park Dedication Fund. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the funding of the marketing feasibility study for the Northeast YMCA Community Center proposal in the amount of $2,000.00, which is the City's proportional share. All aye. Motion carried. City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 7 of 9 UPDATE ON IUP FOR JEREMY L'ALLIER FOR HOME OCCUPATION AT 1730 1771H- STREET NORTH More than six month ago, Hugo City Council discussed an interim use permit (IUP) application from Jeremy L'Allier for his business located at 1730 177th Street North. Council denied the IUP based on the fact that Jeremy did not reside at the address and directed Jeremy L'Allier to work with City Staff to address issues related to the operation of his business. Community Development Director Bryan Bear informed the Council that Jeremy has resubmitted his application for an IUP, and it would be reviewed by the Planning Commission sometime in May. No formal action was taken. DISCUSSION ON SIGN ORDINANCE For more than one year now, the code enforcement subcommittee has been working on a variety of issues relating to code compliance issues and the storage of RV's. Included in the City Council's 2008 City Focus Goals was a discussion on a need to make revisions to the City's sign ordinance. Community Development Director Bryan Bear informed the Council there were issues in the sign ordinance relating to setbacks, size and number of permitted signs, and other challenges faced by business owners. Bryan questioned who should be involved in serving on the sign ordinance committee. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to organize a subcommittee consisting of Council Members Puleo and Granger, Planning Commission Members Weidt and Rosenquist, and another Planning Commission volunteer should there be one. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON LEGISLATION FOR COMFORT LAKE FOREST LAKE WATERSHED DISTRICT Staff has received notification from Council Member Chuck Haas for an opportunity for Council to learn more about proposed legislation for the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District. Washington County Administrator Jim Schug has explained the propose legislation which would make provisions for the taxing authority of the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District. The Bill was included in the Senate's Tax Omnibus Bill which was passed by the Senate on April 2"d and will be heard by the House. Haas made motion, Miron seconded, to direct staff to send a letter of support of the proposed legislation and County budget to the County Commissioners. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON REOUEST FROM CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELE BACHMAN FOR FEDERAL FUNDING OF CITY PROJECTS City of Hugo recently received a letter from Congresswoman Michele Bachman in regard to the federal funding of local projects and specifically her support not to earmark bills which would include funding for special projects in her MN District. City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 8 of 9 Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to place this item on the next I-35 W/E Coalition meeting agenda. All aye. Motion carried. SCHEDULE COUNCIL WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS HOUSING ISSUES Included in its 2008 City Focus Goals, the Council agreed to schedule a workshop to discuss housing issues. City Administrator Mike Ericson requested Council select a date on which to schedule a workshop to discuss housing issues which include rental housing. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a workshop to discuss housing issues for Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. at Hugo City Hall. All aye. Motion carried. RESIDENT CONCERN REGARDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS Hugo Resident Phil Watkins, 13345 Homestead Avenue North, requested to speak at the meeting on concerns related to the Comprehensive Plan process. Community Development Director Bryan Bear provided Council with the background on where the plan was at in the process. Phil informed the Council there was a group of citizens who were concerned the process was not pure and letters had been sent out by the City to targeted individuals to try to change the course of the plan. He presented a petition to the Council signed by 260 people, representing 139 properties, stating they were against sewer and water in the rural area. Hass pointed out four other different letters had also been sent to property owners that would be directly affected by the proposed change in the land use. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to accept the petition and submit it to the Planning Commission. All aye. Motion carried. HUGO KIDZ `N BIZ EVENT HELD ON APRIL 6, 2008 AT THE ONEKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mayor Fran Miron requested this item be added to the agenda to provide the Council and citizens the outcome of the past Sunday's Kidz `n Biz Fest. This event was held to bring the community together and showcase local business as well as recognizing new local businesses. Over 1,500 people attended the Kidz `n Biz fest, which took place at the Oneka Elementary School, where funds were raised for their reading programs. The Mayor congratulated the Hugo Business Association which has grown and developed dramatically over the past year. UPDATE ON TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CSAH 7-8-9 (TAC 7-8-9) The Mayor added this item to the agenda. He had been contacted by a resident of the City of Grant indicating there were rumors the City of Hugo wanted the CSAH 7-8-9 road project City Council Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 9 of 9 because the City wanted to bring sewer and water to the area. The Mayor said Hugo has no interest in serving the area with sewer and water, and the Council talked about the costs that would be involved and what was realistic. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct staff to write a letter to the TAC 7-8-9 and County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg and inform them there was anxiety among residents regarding the project, and let them know the City supported the project for safety improvement but had no interest in including sewer and water. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON CORRESPONDENCE FROM FOREST LAKE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU The Mayor added this to the agenda. He noted he was not able to attend the Youth Service Bureau's (YSB) Annual Recognition Luncheon that was held on March 20, 2008. The YSB is dedicated to the well being of youth and their families and to the prevention of juvenile delinquency. The Mayor wanted the community to know the City does support this program. SCHEDULE CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW For the past eight years, the Hugo City Council has completed an annual performance review by scheduling a performance review meeting with the City Administrator and City Attorney David K. Snyder. City Administrator Mike Ericson requested the Council schedule City Administrator's annual performance review date and time which reflects the availability of the City Attorney. Granger made motion, Miron seconded, to schedule the City Administrator's annual performance review for May 20, 2008 to take place after the workshop scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at City Hall. All aye. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 9:29 p.m. All aye. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk