Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.11.17 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2008 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron ABSENT: Granger ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Public Works Director Scott Anderson, Administrative Intern Shelly Clausen and City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of Minutes for the City Council Meeting of November 3, 2008 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the November 3, 2008 meeting as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the City Council Board of Canvass Meeting on November 6, 2008 Petryk made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the minutes for the November 6, 2008 Board of Canvass meeting as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Add K.1 Visitor Presentation — Discussion on Storm Shelters Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approved the agenda as amended. All ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Consent Agenda Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Lawful Gambling Permit for Pheasants Forever at Sal's Angus Grill Approve Auto Dismantling License for Automotive Recycling Kompany (ARK) — Dan Stewart Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Inspector Chuck Preisler All ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Hugo City Council Minutes for November 17, 2008 Page 2 of 6 Approve Lawful Gambling Permit for Pheasants Forever at Sal's Angus Grill The City has received an application from Ramsey/Washington County Pheasants Forever for a MN Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for their event on December 18, 2008 at Sal's Angus Grill. This permit will allow Pheasants Forever to conduct a raffle at the event. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Pheasants Forever to conduct a raffle at their event on December 8, 2008 at Sal's Angus Grill Approve Auto Dismantling License for Automotive Recycling Kompany (ARK) — Dan Stewart The City of Hugo has received an application for the bi-annual Auto Dismantling License from Dan Stewart, dba Auto Recycling Kompany (ARK). As a requirement of the license, City staff makes an annual inspection of the auto dismantling company for compliance with city, county, and state code. On Wednesday, November 12, 2008, Hugo City staff completed an inspection of ARK and found it to be in compliance with City Code as well as County regulations. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the bi-annual Auto Dismantling License for ARK, which will expire in 2010. Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Inspector Chuck Preisler Chuck Preisler was hired by the City of Hugo as the new Building Inspector on November 29, 2004. Over the past four years, Chuck has worked hard and demonstrated an excellent work ethic in completing his day-to-day building inspection duties. Chuck is an excellent communicator who delivers a high quality of customer service with the builders and trades -people he works with on a daily basis. Chuck is well known and well respected in the City of Hugo for both residential and commercial building inspection services. Chuck's plan review is thorough and detailed, and he provides excellent advice in department meetings. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Building Inspector Chuck Preisler. Public Hearing on the Proposed 129Lh Street Utility Improvement District At its September 2, 2008 meeting, the Hugo City Council directed City staff to schedule a public hearing for the proposed 129' Street Utility Improvement District in order to take public comment and allow discussion on the proposed utility improvement district. City Staff scheduled a hearing for Monday, November 17, 2008, at or after 7:00 p.m. in order to allow public comment. City Engineer Jay Kennedy provided an overview of the proposed 1291h Street Utility Improvement District. The project was initiated by the residents, and the system was designed to serve the area beyond the project, specifically the lift station. Jay explained the funding options for the remaining $205,650 for the project which would be directly assessed to those who could benefit from it in the future, or a Utility Improvement District could be created where a connection fee would be calculated and collected at the time a property was subdivided or connected to the system. Mayor Fran Miron opened the public hearing. Bill Crouch, 13387 Elmcrest Avenue North, asked about when they would need to connect if utilities should become available. Ordinance requires residents to connect to sewer services within a year of availability. He commended the Mayor and Council for holding the neighborhood meetings on the proposed district. There were no other comments and the Mayor closed the public hearing. Hugo City Council Minutes for November 17, 2008 Page 3 of 6 Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE 2008-425 ESTABLISHING THE 129TH STREET LIFT STATION SANITARY SEWER UTILITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1. Ayes: Puleo, Petryk, Haas, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2008-49 ADOPTING A SCHEDULE OF FEES RELATING TO THE 129TH STREET LIFT STATION SANITARY SEWER UTILITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 Ayes: Petryk, Haas, Puleo, Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Hugo Tornado Disaster Toy Drive - Pete Pederse and Sandy Niemczyk As Council was informed at its November 3, 2008 by Administrative Intern Shelly Clausen, the Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee suggested working with the Hugo Fire Department for a collection of toys during the annual toy drive and make them available to the families that were affected by the May 25, 2008 tornado disaster. Chair of the Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee Jim Gondek publicly thanked St. Johns Church, Salvation Army, United Way, Hugo Lions Club, Lino Lakes Lions Club, and all others who contributed to the recovery fund, and he reiterated that the City of Hugo was not involved with the distribution of those funds except providing an intern to provide administrative support to the committee. He explained the next meeting would be the following morning and the public was invited to attend. Meetings were expected to be less frequent, only once a month during December, January, and February, with plans to dissolve the committee by June 1, 2009. Should there still be money in the fund, he anticipated that notices would be sent out to the affected residents. He encouraged continued donations to the fund as well as to the Christmas Decoration Drive and Hugo Toy Drive. Jim thanked the various service organizations that had come forward to make these events happen. Hugo Lions Member Pete Pedersen and member of the Women's Auxiliary Sandy Niemczyk explained the Hugo Tornado Toy Drive would soon begin and encouraged donations of toys, food, and money. Toys would be distributed by invitation to nearly 75 children on December 13, 14, and 15 at the Rice Lake Centre Community Room with any remaining toys to be donated to the Hugo Food Shelf to fulfill their needs, and toys still remaining would be donated to Toys for Tots. Checks should be made payable to Hugo Tornado Toy Drive or the Women's Auxiliary, and there would be 15-18 drop off sites around the City with City Hall being one of the locations. Petition for Closure of Goodview Avenue South into Grant — Washington County Engineer Don Theisen Early in October 2008, the City of Hugo received a copy of a petition from White Bear Township that residents living along Goodview Avenue south into the City of Grant had submitted both to the City of Grant and White Bear Township for the proposed closure of Goodview Avenue. Residents signing the petition were from both the City of Grant and White Bear Township who did not want to see the hundreds of vehicle trips a day on the gravel road in front of their homes. White Bear Township officials considered the petition at a meeting late October and were interested in resolving this issue. Hugo City Council Minutes for November 17, 2008 Page 4 of 6 City staff and City Engineer Jay Kennedy have been working with Washington County Engineer officials, and Jay explained the road had been posted as a minimum maintenance road, and he showed pictures of that portion of Goodview Avenue, which handles between 500-600 vehicle trips per day. Washington County Engineer Don Theisen and County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg were at the meeting and agreed the road needed to be updated for safety and public service reasons, and committed to participate in discussions with the City of Grant after the first of the year to find a solution. Council would discuss this as a goal during their upcoming 2009 Goal Setting Session. There was discussion about the need to do minor maintenance to the road prior to the winter season. Public Works Director Scott Anderson said they would be grading roads in the next few days and could include that portion of Goodview. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to direct the staff to work with the City of Grant for Hugo Public Works Department to do minor maintenance to Goodview Avenue south into Grant. All ayes. Motion carried. Approve Resolution Supporting Changes to the Green Acres Law by Minnesota State Legislature At its November 3, 2008 meeting the Hugo City Council discussed the resolution adopted by the City of Scandia requesting the State Legislature take actions to modify the Green Acres Legislation adopted in the 2008 Minnesota Legislature session. Council agreed that the resolution is a formal method by which to officially acknowledge the failings of the Green Acres Legislation as well as to make a formal request to area legislatures to propose changes in the 2009 Legislative Session. City staff prepared a resolution for the Council to consider and forward to area legislatures requesting formal action in the 2009 session. County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg explained there was much discussion on the County Board level, and it was agreed that there were many unresolved issues. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2008-50 REQUESTING THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE RECONSIDER OR DELAY CHANGES IN THE MINNESOTA "GREEN ACRES" LAW Ayes: Haas, Puleo, Petryk Miron Nays: None Motion carried. Discussion on Remaining Foundations in Tornado Disaster Area For the past four months, City staff has informed the Hugo City Council about actions by residents, mortgage companies, and banks regarding the open house foundations in the tornado disaster neighborhood, which have not received timely action. The City of Hugo sent homeowners and mortgage companies letters requesting that foundations be secured by winter in order to protect property owners and neighbors. Administrative Intern Shelly Clausen and Community Development Director Bryan Bear reviewed the three remaining properties with the Council. Shelly explained properties located at 5051 159th Street North and 15830 Farnham Avenue North, owned by Alpine Capital and vacant at the time of the tornado, had only foundations remaining. Those foundations had been filled partially with hay and covered with a tarp. The Council could see from the photos shown that there was still much debris left on the property and, though the foundations were surrounded by a snow fences, the fences were in disrepair and properties were deemed a public safety hazard under Minnesota State Hugo City Council Minutes for November 17, 2008 Page 5 of 6 Building Code 1300.0180 UNSAFE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES. Hass made motion, Miron seconded, to request staff notify the property owner that the properties were deemed a safety hazard under Minnesota State Building Code, and they had two weeks to excavate the foundation, fill it with approved soils, install silt fence, and grade and hydro -seed the property. If they failed to complete the work, the City would do so and access the cost against the property. All ayes. Motion carried. The Council considered the property at 5581 Finley Bay North with a single family home on it that required significant repairs. Shelly informed the Council she was told the home was in foreclosure and nearing the Sheriff's Sale. Damage to the houses included a leaking roof, collapsed siding, boarded doors and windows and broken glass on the lawn. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to contact the property owner and have them clean up the glass and keep the City of Hugo apprised of any changes due to the Sheriff's Sale. All ayes. Motion carried. Review of Conditional Use Permit for Woodloch Stables Woodloch Stables has a conditional use permit to allow the operation of rodeos, overnight camping in association with the rodeos, and operation of a tack shop on property located at 5676 170th St N. The conditional use permit was approved on June 5, 2000 and subject to renewal/review on June 2, 2005. On August 30, 2008 there was an event held at Woodloch Stables for a Latin-American/ Mexican Rodeo. During this event there were several violations of the conditional use permit. Staff discussed with owner of the property Dan Ramberg methods which may prevent such issues in the future. The solution that staff and Dan had agreed upon was an application/agreement for anyone who rents the property in the future. This agreement would inform the applicant of certain terms and conditions in which they would be responsible, as well as upholding the conditions stated in the conditional use permit. Dan asked the Council for forgiveness for the poorly managed rodeo on August 30 and informed the Council the Latin-American/Mexican Rodeo would not be allowed back. He explained the Dead Broke Saddle Club raised funds through the rodeos held on the property, and the Saddle Club contributed to the community. Miron made motion, Puleo seconded, to accept the review of the Conditional Use Permit for Woodloch Stables and allow for the continued operation of the Rodeo Arena. All ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Federal Government Fund for Economic Development Stimulus Package City Engineer Jay Kennedy shared with Council information he received in regards to proposed federal government funds that will be issued for public improvement projects in the form of funding economic development stimulus package, which may provide a funding opportunity for the City of Hugo to consider. He explained the economic stimulus package would be looking for projects that would begin within 90 days and the two intersection projects in Hugo on Highway 61 could be considered. If the stimulus package was approved, there would be an application process. City Engineer Jay Kennedy Hugo City Council Minutes for November 17, 2008 Page 6 of 6 would be the Council informed on this issue. No formal action was taken. Approve Site Plan and Variance for 6375 165Lh Street North — Puleo Jody Puleo was requesting approval of a site plan and a variance to allow a temporary trailer to be located on the property. The trailer is 24 feet by 56 feet for a total of 1,344 square feet. The site plan is required for the location of the trailer and the variance is from the commercial and industrial construction standards. The property is split into two zoning districts which are General Commercial (C- 2) and Single Family Detached Residential (R-3). The applicant owns a flower shop and garden center on the western portion of the property and lives in a house on the eastern portion of the property. Council Member Frank Puleo excused himself from the dias and sat in the audience. Community Development Director Bryan Bear informed the Council the Planning Commission had considered the request at a public hearing at their November 13, 2008 meeting and unanimously recommended approval. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2008-51 APPROVING A SITE PLAN AND VARIANCE FOR FRANK AND JODY PULEO IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6375 165TH STREET NORTH. Ayes: Haas, Petryk, Miron Abstain: Puleo Motion carried. Visitor Presentation — Discussion on Storm Shelters Resident Betty Zuettel, 5164 158th Street North, requested this item be added to the agenda. Betty had concerns over the lack of storm shelters in the neighborhoods where there were homes with no basements. She lives in the Waters Edge Development where the tornado struck on May 25, 2008. Although her home was not destroyed by the tornado, she wondered where a safe place would have been, and if there could be restrictions on builders to provide safe rooms in the future. City Administrator Mike Ericson explained the City would be looking at that as well as other building issues that the City has been made aware of since the tornado. The Mayor thanked her for attending the meeting and keeping the issue in the forefront. Adjournment Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 9:40 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk