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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.12.01 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2008 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Finance Director Ron Otkin, Public Works Director Scott Anderson, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, and City Clerk Michele Lindau City Council Meeting of November 17, 2008 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the November 17, 2008 meeting as presented. Approval of the Agenda Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approved the agenda as amended. Add L.1 State Recount Add L.2 Reminder of City Hall Holiday Party All ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Consent Agenda Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Leave of Absence for HFD Firefighter Don Sames Approve Appointment of Steve Duff as Senior Engineering Technician Approve Variance for 12582 Ingersoll Avenue for Septic System — Dan and Ranell Tennyson Approve Snowmobile Trail Application for Hugo Snowmobile Club Approve Snowmobile Trail Application for Rice Creek Snowmobile Association Approve Lawful Gambling Permit for Hugo PTA at Hugo American Legion on February 6, 2009 Approve Lawful Gambling Permit for Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation at Hugo American Legion on December 14, 2008 Approve Membership Renewal and Letter of Agreement with Community Volunteer Service and Senior Centers All ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Hugo City Council Minutes for December 1, 2008 Page 2 of 6 Approve Leave of Absence for HFD Firefighter Don Sames Fire Chief Jim Compton met recently with Firefighter Don Sames to discuss a leave of absence which he respectfully requests to address some personal matters. Fire Chief Compton agrees that a leave of absence is essential to allow Don time to address personal issues which are in conflict with his firefighter duties. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved a three-month leave of absence for Firefighter Don Sames until March 1, 2009. Approve Appointment of Steve Duff as Senior Engineering Technician At its October 6, 2008 meeting, the Hugo City Council approved the revised job description for the Senior Engineering Technician position and authorized staff to advertise for the position vacated by Scott Anderson who was promoted to the Public Works Director position. The City of Hugo received a total of 32 applications for the position of which 10 were selected for interviews. On November 13, 2008, City staff conducted interviews of the applicants with the interview team consisting of Public Works Director Scott Anderson, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, and City Administrator Mike Ericson with final first round interviews conducted on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. After thoroughly reviewing the scoring of the applicants, staff unanimously agreed that the candidate who scored the highest is the clear choice, and second round interviews were not required. The successful candidate has more than 25 years of public service with both the Cities of White Bear Lake and Chisago City with many years as a senior engineering technician with a primary role as project manager for street reconstruction projects. The successful candidate was also one of three finalists interviewed by the City of Hugo five years ago when the position was first created. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved appointment of Steve Duff as the new Senior Engineering Technician subject to the standard pre-employment physical and six-month probationary period at Pay Grade 7, Step 4. Approve Variance for 12582 Ingersoll Avenue for Septic System — Dan and Ranell Tennyson Dan and Ranell Tennyson, 12582 Ingersoll Avenue North, are requesting a variance to locate a septic system 45 feet from the ordinary high water (OHW) mark of Sunset Lake where 75 feet is required by ordinance. Hugo City Code, Chapter 90, Section 90-137, classifies Sunset Lake as a Recreational Development Lake and requires a 75 foot setback for all septic systems located on the lake. At its November 13, 2008 meeting the Board of Zoning considered the variance request of Dan and Ranell Tennyson at a public hearing. There was no one that spoke on the request at the public hearing. Staff recommended approval of the application to the Board. The Board unanimously recommended approval of the variance request to the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2008-52 APPROVING VARIANCES FOR DANIEL AND RANELL TENNYSON IN THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 12582 INGERSOLL AVENUE NORTH. Approve Snowmobile Trail Application for Hugo Snowmobile Club Each year, the Hugo Snowmobile Club submits its trail application to the City for the purpose of providing public recreational snowmobile trails during the winter. The application is for the public trails outside of the popular Hardwood Creek Trail. City staff reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactory complete along with a copy of the insurance policy naming the City of Hugo as additionally insured. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the 2008-2009 annual trail application from the Hugo Snowmobile Club. Hugo City Council Minutes for December 1, 2008 Page 3 of 6 Approve Snowmobile Trail Application for Rice Creek Snowmobile Association Each year, the Rice Creek Trail Snowmobile Club submits its trail application to the City for the purpose of providing public recreational snowmobile trails during the winter. City staff reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactory complete along with a copy of the insurance policy naming the City of Hugo as additionally insured. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the 2008-2009 annual trail application for the Rice Creek Trail Snowmobile Club. Approve Lawful Gambling Permit for Hugo PTA at Hugo American Legion on February 6, 2009 The City of Hugo has received a Lawful Gambling Permit application from the Hugo PTA for it's annual Gold Plate Dinner at the Hugo American Legion on February 6, 2008. As Council is aware, this annual event is the PTA's primary fundraiser to raise funds which help Oneka Elementary School students defray costs of field trips, visiting lecturers and motivational speakers for the school children. City staff has reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactory complete. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Permit for the Hugo PTA to hold its annual Gold Plate Dinner at the Hugo American Legion on February 6, 2009. Approve Lawful Gambling Permit for Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation at Hugo American Legion on December 14, 2008 City staff has received an application for a Lawful Gambling Permit from the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation to hold its annual fundraising event at the Hugo American Legion on December 14, 2008. This annual fundraising event is an opportunity for the Foundation to raise funds for worthwhile educational opportunities for both facility and students. Staff has reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactory complete. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Permit for the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation to hold its annual fundraiser at the Hugo American Legion on December 14, 2008. Approve Membership Renewal and Letter of Agreement with Community Volunteer Service and Senior Centers The City of Hugo has been a partner with the Community Volunteer Service group for the past three years engaging in volunteer opportunities for Hugo resident to help out their community. This partnership is a great opportunity for the City of Hugo to work with volunteers and seniors making the City of Hugo a great place to live and work. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual membership renewal and letter of agreement with the Community Volunteer Service and Senior Centers to continue to promote service to Hugo residents. Public Hearing on the Proposed 2009 City Budget — Finance Director Ron Otkin At its September 2, 2008 meeting, Hugo City Council set the City of Hugo's preliminary tax levy of $5,329,096 for the proposed 2009 City Budget. The City Council also selected Monday, December 1, 2008 as the City's annual Truth -in -Taxation public hearing. For the past couple of months, the Hugo City Council held workshops at which they reviewed the proposed 2009 City Budget with Finance Director Ron Otkin and City staff. As Council is aware, the Truth -in -Taxation public hearing is an opportunity for residents and property owners to share their public comments on the proposed 2009 City Budget. Finance Director Ron Otkin provided a budget presentation and explained that the City of Hugo has a 34.941 % tax rate, which is a decrease on residential parcels for the sixth consecutive year. Hugo City Council Minutes for December 1, 2008 Page 4 of 6 Ron noted that Hugo does not receive any LGA money that would be used to reduce property taxes, which reflects positively on the Moody's Rating. The Council had questions on details regarding the Hugo Firefighter's Relief Association. Mayor Fran Miron opened the public hearing, and there was no one from the public who spoke. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to direct staff to prepare the 2009 City Budget and Tax Levy resolutions to be approved at the next meeting, provide a review of the Hugo Firefighter's Relief Fund pension requirements, and schedule a workshop on the Hugo Firefighter's Relief Fund after the first of the year. All ayes. Motion carried. Report on November 18, 2008 Phases of Disaster Neighborhood Meeting at Oneka Elementary School On November 18, 2008, a neighborhood meeting was held at Oneka Elementary School with residents affective by the May 25th tornado disaster. Cindy Johnson from Lutheran Social Services facilitated the evening's meeting with assistance from registered psychologists as well as Committee Chair Jim Gondek and members of the Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee. City Administrator Mike Ericson reported the meeting involved an excellent exchange of information as well as small group meetings with agreement to hold another neighborhood meeting in January, 2008. Mayor Fran Miron and Council Member Chuck Haas were in attendance and expressed appreciation to the Oneka Elementary School, all agencies who have continued providing their assistance to the residents affected by the tornado, and to Subway who provided the food for the event with a donation from the Hugo Lions Club. Mayor Miron reminded all residents with unmet needs to come forward by dialing 211 which will connect them directly to the United Way for help. Discussion on Two Remaining Foundations in Tornado Disaster Neighborhood 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. At its November 17, 2008, the Council directed City staff to send a letter to the property owners of the two existing foundation located at 5051 1591h Street North and 15830 Farnham Avenue North requesting action by December 1, 2008. City staff has since spoke to Alpine Capital who provided information on ownership of these parcels and requested to appear before Council to discuss the Council's decision. Tim Goalie from Alpine Capital was present with his attorney Mike Brutlay to discuss each parcel. The property at 15830 Farnham Avenue North was owned by Alpine Capital, and they requested to leave the foundation because they intended to build on it. They proposed to provide a more secure fence, install floor joist and plywood that would be the first floor of the new home, and fix the blocks and short wall segments of the foundation. Granger made motion, Petryk seconded, to allow Alpine Capital until January 15, 2009 to cap the foundation, clear the site and secure fencing, and submit a building permit by May 1, 2009 for construction of a new home to be ready for occupancy by November 1, 2009. Hugo City Council Minutes for December 1, 2008 Page 5 of 6 All ayes. Motion carried. The property at 5051 1591h Street North was a model home destroyed by the tornado and owned by Distinct Custom Homes Builders. Distinct Homes was working with their insurance company who had agreed to pay for all destroyed, but not the foundation. This property was likely to be foreclosed on, in which case ownership would be returned to Alpine Capital. Alpine Capital intended to build on the existing foundation if/when this happened. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to direct staff to send a letter to Distinct Custom Home Builders informing them they are in violation and suggest they work with Alpine Capital to cap the foundation and secure the site by January 15, 2009 or the City can, and will, remove the foundation and charge it to the owner. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to amend the motion to include direction to staff to review the issue and bring it back to the Council within a reasonable time. Vote on amendment: All ayes. Motion carried. Vote on motion as amended: All ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Closing Date for Proposed Water Tower and Well Site on 125th Street On November 25, 2008, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Public Works Director Scott Anderson, and Community Development Director Bryan Bear met with Mayor Fran Miron and Council Member Chuck Haas to discuss the draft purchase agreement to acquire property for a future water tower and well site on 125th Street North. As Council is aware, a closing date has been scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2009. City Engineer Jay Kennedy reported on the test well findings which showed the site was suitable for a well and a 1.5 million gallon tower. Finance Director Ron Otkin explained there were sufficient funds in the water construction fund to construct a well and possibly the tower, but the fund was not likely to be replenished soon due to the lack of development. The Council agreed the fund balance should not be jeopardized and the building of the tower should occur only when plat activity resumes. Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to close on the property on December 5, 2008 and authorize the design of the production well drilling to begin in January. All ayes. Motion carried. State Senate Recount Council Member Chuck Haas thanked City Clerk Michele Lindau for participating in the State Recount for the Norm Coleman and Al Franken United State Senate race, which took place at the Washington County Government Center November 19-21, 2008. Reminder of City Hall Holiday Party Council Member Frank Puleo reminded the Council and public of the City Hall Holiday Party to be held at the Hugo American Legion on Thursday, December 4, 2008. Anyone interested in attending should contact Hugo City Hall. Hugo City Council Minutes for December 1, 2008 Page 6 of 6 December 6, 2008 Breakfast With Santa at Kidz Place Childcare Center City Administrator Mike Ericson informed the Council and public that on Saturday, December 6, 2008, the Kidz Place daycare will hold a breakfast with Santa inviting all Hugo children to attend. Kidz Place owner Deanna Hudella has invited the entire community to attend and meet Santa who has free photos with the kids with a donation of a new toy requested. The event is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All are invited to attend. Adjournment Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to adjourn at 9:22 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk