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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.01.16 CC MintuesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 2007 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Planner Kendra Lindahl, and City Clerk Mary Ann Creager CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 2, 2007 Petryk made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the minutes for the January 2, 2007 meeting as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2007 (PARK COMMISSIONER INTERVIEWS) Puleo made motion, Grange seconded, to approve the minutes for the January 8, 2007 meeting at which Council interviewed applicants for the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Add F.3 — Discussion of Benefit for Injured Soldier Sgt. John Kriesel Table J.3 — Discussion on Public Transportation for Hugo Add L.1— Discussion on Property Tax Workshop Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda for January 16, 2007 as amended. All aye. Motion Carried. INTRODUCTION OF CUB SCOUT TROOP 151 (DEN MOTHER LISA OCHSENDORF AND DAN GRANGER) Dan Granger notified City staff that he would like to bring his Cub Scout troop to a City Council meeting. As Council is aware, one of the requirements for obtaining a community citizenship patch is to attend a City Council meeting in order to observe and better understand how a city operates. Den Mother Lisa Ochsendorf and Troop Leader Dan Granger were in attendance, along with Cut Scout Troop 151, to allow the fourth grade boys an opportunity to see the Hugo City Council in action. Mayor Fran Miron publicly recognized the den mother and troop leader and had them introduce the members of the pack. The scouts led Council, staff, and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mayor Miron invited the scouts to the Council dais to sit in Council chairs. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO DON WOLKERSTORFER UPON RETIREMENT FROM THE HUGO FRE DEPARTMENT At its January 2, 2007 meeting, Council accepted the letter of resignation from firefighter Don Wolkerstorfer, who had served on the HFD for the last eight years. Don and his family were present and City Council meeting of January 16, 2007 Page 2 Mayor Fran Miron presented him with a framed Certificate of Appreciation, thanking him and his family for their willingness to serve the City of Hugo. SGT. JOHN KRIESEL BENEFIT The Hugo American Legion will host a benefit for injured local soldier Sgt. John Kriesel on Friday, January 19, 2007, between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Mayor Fran Miron encouraged all residents to support this charitable effort to help John and his family in their time of need. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to post it as a special meeting to allow Council attendance at this benefit. All aye. Motion Carried. CONSENT AGENDA Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Appointment of City Attorney David K. Snyder as Assistant County Attorney for Wagner Greenhouse Condemnation Appeal Approve Adoption of Bylaws for Hugo Firefighters Relief Association Approve Amendment to City Ordinance for Adjustment of Term Expiration for Parks Commissioners Approve Appointment of Russ Schmidt and Melissa Parker as New Parks and Recreation Commissioners Approve Scope of Service Contracts from Landform and WSB Engineers for 2008 Comprehensive Plan Approve Lawful Gambling Permit for Centerville Lions Club Cadillac Dinner Approve Request for Tuition Reimbursement for PW Workers Paul Christianson and Jeff Maas Approve Charitable Gambling Permit for Hugo American Legion Post 620 for Kriesel Benefit All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster for January 16, 2007 as presented. APPROVE APPOINTMENT OF CITY ATTORNEY DAVE SNYDER TO ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR WAGNER GREENHOUSE CONDEMNATION APPEAL As Council is aware, Scott Wagner and Wagner Greenhouses appealed the Board of Commissioners ruling on the valuation of land set by the Board late last year, in regard to the CSAH8 road construction project. Mr. Wagner appealed the Board's ruling, which has presented the need for more involvement from City Attorney Dave Snyder. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed City Attorney Dave Snyder as Assistant County Attorney for the condemnation appeal filed by Scott Wagner from Wagner Greenhouses. City Council meeting of January 16, 2007 Page 3 APPROVE ADOPTION OF BYLAWS FOR HUGO FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSN. Over the past several months, members of the Hugo Firefighters Relief Association have reviewed the current bylaws for any necessary modifications or changes. There were a few non -substantive changes to the bylaws that have recommended for approval by the Relief Association and its President Tony Bronk. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the adoption of the revised bylaws for the Hugo Firefighters Relief Association. APPROVE AMENDMENT TO CITY ORDINANCE FOR ADJUSTMENT OF TERM EXPIRATION FOR PARKS COMMISSIONERS At its December 4, 2006 meeting, Council listened to a presentation from City staff in regard to the term expiration date for commissioners serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission. When the board was first formed in the late 1990's, Council set the expiration date for March 3151, of each respective year for the commissioners. All other City commissions have an expiration date of December 3151 of each respective year. Council directed staff to prepare an amendment to the City ordinance under which the description and terms of parks commissioners were set. Adoption of the Consent Agenda adopted Ordinance 2007-407 setting the new expiration date for parks commissioner's terms to December 315` of each respective year. APPROVE APPOINTMENT OF RUSS SCHMIDT AND MELISSA PARKER AS NEW PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONERS On Monday, January 8, 2007, Council conducted interviews of applicants for the two vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Commission created by the resignations of Kitty Cheesebrow and Charles Kirk. Council conducted interviews of two of the applicants and considered the application and questionnaire submitted another applicant, who was unable to attend the interviews. After discussion, Council agreed to submit the names of Russ Schmidt and Melissa Parker as the new commissioners on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Russ Schmidt and Melissa Parker as the new commissioners on the Parks and Recreation Commission, and to further send a letter of thanks to the other applicant and encourage him to be involved as a volunteer on the commission. APPROVE SCOPE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS FROM LANDFORM AND WSB ENGINEERS FOR 2008 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN At its December 4, 2006 meeting, Council listened to a presentation from CD Director Bryan Bear as he outlined the processes and public meetings that will be conducted by the City as part of the review of the City's 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Included in the City budget for 2007, City staff included funding for professional services from the City Engineer Jay Kennedy at WSB Engineers and Kendra Lindahl at Landform. Both Kendra and Jay have prepared a Scope of Services Agreement under which they would provide the City with professional planning and engineering services for work on the City's comprehensive plan for 2008. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Scope of Services Contracts from Landform and WSB Engineers for professional planning and engineering services for work on the City's comprehensive plan for 2008. City Council meeting of January 16, 2007 Page 4 APPROVE LAWFUL GAMBLING PERMIT FROM CENTERVILLE LIONS FOR CADILLAC DINNER AT THE HUGO AMERICAN LEGION The Centerville Lions has made application to the City for a lawful gambling permit in order to hold a Cadillac Dinner at the Hugo American Legion. City staff reviewed the application and found it to be satisfactorily complete. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the permit from the Centerville Lions to hold its Cadillac Dinner at the Hugo American Legion on March 24, 2007. APPROVE REQUEST FOR TUITION REIMBURSEMENT FOR PW WORKERS PAUL CHRISTIANSON AND JEFF MAAS Paul Christianson and Jeff Maas have requested permission from PW Director Chris Petree to take a Welding Technology class at Century College. This course covers all aspects of welding and gives these employees valuable training that can be used regularly as employees of the Hugo Public Works Department. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the tuition reimbursement for public works workers Paul Christianson and Jeff Maas to take a welding technology class at Century College. APPROVE CHARITABLE GAMBLING PERMIT FOR HUGO AMERICAN LEGION 620 The Hugo American Legion Post 620 made application to the City for a charitable gambling license to conduct a raffle on January 19, 2007 to benefit Sgt. John Kriesel, who was seriously injured in Iraq. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the charitable gambling license for the Hugo American Legion Post 620 to conduct a raffle to benefit Sgt. Kriesel. VACATION OF DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT IN VICTOR GARDENS EAST A public hearing was scheduled for January 16, 2007 on or after 7:00 pm, to take public comment regarding the proposed vacation of the drainage and utility easement in Victor Gardens East development. The proposed vacation of the easement is identical to those that have been requested and approved by Council at past Council meetings. Mayor Fran Miron opened the public hearing for any and all comment in regard to the proposed vacation of the drainage and utility easement in the Victor Gardens East development. There were no oral comments but a letter was sent by a father, on behalf of his son who is in the military. Dave Hemple from CPDC was present to clarify concerns raised by the resident, stating that no wetlands would be drained as a result of this easement vacation. City staff stated that residents' easement vacation notices will be changed to eliminate unnecessary concern. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the vacation of the drainage and utility easement in the Victor Gardens East development. All aye. Motion Carried. Council member Haas requested that this issue be discussed after the public hearing to vacate the easement in Victor Gardens East. POA -Scherer, LLC, applied for approval of a final plat and City Council meeting of January 16, 2007 Page 5 development agreement for "Victor Gardens East and Addition' located generally south of Garden Way and east and west of Val Jean Boulevard. The plat consists of three single-family lots and one outlot on the 24.83 -acre site. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2007-4 APPROVING FINAL PLAT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR VICTOR GARDENS EAST San ADDITION. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON 2007 BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS At its December 18, 2006 meeting, Council discussed the appointments to the Hugo Board of Zoning Appeals after staff was informed that the three members did not wish reappointment in 2007. Council member Frank Puleo agreed to continue his service on the Board until such time his service was no longer needed. Council agreed to table discussion on this issue and the options available to Council in regard to providing this level of service to residents seeking a variance for the construction of homes, home additions, fences, and out buildings. CD Director Bryan Bear provided Council with a PowerPoint presentation outlining additional options to consider for providing Board of Zoning Appeals services for Hugo citizens. At its January 2, 2007 meeting, Council discussed the 2007 Board of Zoning Appeals and agreed to direct staff to prepare a policy change under which City staff would be allowed to make non -substantive administrative approval of requests for a variance. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to reappoint Frank Puleo, Dave Schumann, and Bernard Brunotte to the Board of Zoning Appeals and continue to work with the Board on the policy change. All aye. Motion Carried. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR DOWNTOWN TIF DISTRICT Over the past year, City staff has held meetings with the TIF subcommittee, which is made up of members from the EDA and City Council, who have continued to work on the creation of a downtown tax increment financing district. On January 9, 2007, the TIF subcommittee held another meeting in regard to issues related to the proposed downtown TIF district. CD Director Bryan Bear presented the proposed downtown TIF district and guidelines, policies regulating the district, and a recommendation from City staff to schedule a public hearing to take public comment in regard to creation of the downtown TIF district. Miron made motion, Puleo seconded, to schedule a public hearing for March 19, 2007, 7:00 pm, for the establishment of the TIF district. All aye. Motion Carried. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a joint Council/EDA meeting for February 20, 2007, at 9:30 am, to discuss the downtown TIF district. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of January 16, 2007 Page 6 UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN DESIGN GUIDELINES CD Director Bryan Bear presented Council a revised land use plan for the property at the southwest corner of TH61 and CSAH 8, which consisted of office condos. The original concept plan had proposed housing. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, directing staff to incorporate the revised land use plan for the southwest corner of TH61 and CSAH 8 into the downtown design guidelines for formal approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON AUAR FOR EVERTON AVENUE The Everton Avenue Neighborhood study area is approximately 2.3 square miles and is located near the western border of the City of Hugo, bounded by 165d' Street on the north, Highway 61 (TH 61) on the east, CSAH 8 on the south, and Elmcrest Avenue on the west. The City adopted the Everton Avenue Neighborhood Final Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) in January 2002. Since that time, development within the study area has occurred. Pursuant to Minnesota Rules 4410.3610 Subd. 7, for the AUAR to remain valid as the environmental review document for the area, the document needs to be updated every five years until all development in the study area has received final approval. Since not all of areas have been approved for development and the AUAR will expire in January 2007, an AUAR Update report has been prepared pursuant to Minnesota Rules. Andi Moffatt from WSB & Associates provided a brief review of the AUAR update. Puleo made motion, Haas seconded, authorizing distribution of the AUAR Update for the required 10 - day comment period. The new document would be good until 2012. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE $40,000 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL LOAN AGREEMENT With Council direction, City staff applied for and received approval of a loan agreement with the Metropolitan Council for work on the 2008 comprehensive plan update. The no -interest loan must be paid by December 31, 2008 and will allow the City to spread costs related to the comprehensive plan update across more than one year. Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to accept the $40,000 Metropolitan Council loan agreement for work on the 2008 comprehensive plan update. All aye. Motion Carried. INTRODUCTION OF 800 MHZ COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND SITE LOCATION FOR TOWER (CAPTAIN STEVE POTT) As Council is aware, Washington County and the WCSO have been working for the past decade on the City Council meeting of January 16, 2007 Page 7 creation of an 800 MHz communication system for public safety and public works officials in cities and townships in Washington County. At its January 2, 2007 meeting, Council listened to a presentation from Fire Chief Jim Compton and Assistant Chief Jadon 011ila, as they explained that Washington County received a $1.2 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for 800 MHz communications equipment. Captain Pott was at the Council meeting to formally present a request from Washington County for the location of a communication tower on the City -owned Rice Lake Park property. Captain Pott provided a PowerPoint presentation to Council explaining why the location is necessary, funding of the tower and possible revenue sources, along with options for Council to consider in regard for the construction and maintenance of a 250' communications tower. Council was in general support of the tower, since its focus was on public safety communication. Captain Pott was thanked for his presentation and he was informed that a public hearing will need to be held at the Planning Commission, along with Council approval, before the tower can be constructed. No formal Council action was taken. COUNCIL MEMBER HAAS LEFT THE MEETING AT 8:45 PM. DISCUSSION ON SNOWMOBILE TRAIL APPLICATION FROM THE RICE CREEK SNOWMOBILE CLUB At its January 2, 2007 meeting, Council listened to Mayor Fran Miron as he explained to them that he had received a snowmobile complaint from a resident living on Elmcrest Avenue. A member of the Rice Creek Snowmobile Club was in attendance at the Council meeting and explained that there were issues raised in regard to snowmobiles driving on the Elmcrest Avenue right-of-way, as well as the placement of tree logs in the right-of-way by a property owner. Council agreed to direct staff to schedule a meeting with the snowmobile club and the local resident to discuss the issue. The meeting was held on Friday, January 5, 2007, at which representatives from the snowmobile club, as well as resident Ron Hugger and City staff, were in attendance. A letter had been sent to Mr. Hugger directing him to immediately remove the tree stumps, and upon receipt of the letter, Mr. Hugger did comply and removed them from the right-of-way easement from Elmcrest Avenue. Staff learned that the Rice Creek Snowmobile Club has maintained, along with support from the MnDNR, a trail from Anoka County through Hugo, in and around Elmcrest Avenue near CR4, for more than 20 years. This was the first time that City staff had learned that there was a designated trail in the City at this location. Staff informed the snowmobile club that they must make an application to the City for a snowmobile trail as per City code, which was provided. Doug Koppy and Bill Prinsen from the Rice Creek Snowmobile Club were present to answer Council questions. Mr. Hugger addressed Council with issues about speed, riding on private property, and concerns over his dog being run over by a snowmobile. Council encouraged the club to pursue use of the vacant property west of Elmcrest Avenue to help the situation. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the Rice Creek Snowmobile Club's application for a trail extension through the City of Hugo, and direct staff to work with the snowmobile club and the Hugo resident to resolve issues for next year trails. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON PUBLIC TRANSIT/BUS SERVICE IN CITY Mayor Fran Miron had been contacted by Roger and Joyce Amundson, Hugo residents, who have inquired as to why the City does not receive bus service. Because of illness, the residents were unable to attend the meeting. City Council meeting of January 16, 2007 Page 8 Petryk made motion, Granger seconded, to table until February 5, 2007. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON 2006 PLANNING COMMISSIONBUILDING DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT Each year, CD Director Bryan Bear presents Council with an annual report for the Planning Commission/building department and its activities over the previous year. Bryan provided a PowerPoint presentation focusing on the building department and its involvement and activities for 2006. Bryan stated that due to the lack of current building activity, the City was overstaffed in the building department. Council thanked staff for acknowledging the staffing situation rather than "creating" work for the employee. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, directing staff to administratively reduce the building department by one full-time building inspector. All aye. Motion Carried. FEBRUARY 5.2007 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL STATE OF THE REGION ADDRESS BY CHAIR PETER BELL City Administrator Mike Ericson informed Council that a Metropolitan Council State of the Region address will be held by Chair Peter Bell on Monday, February 5, 2007 at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. No formal Council was taken. PROPERTY TAX WORKSHOP A property tax workshop will be held in the Washington County Board room on Thursday, February 8, 2007, at 6:00 pm. Puleo made motion, Granger seconded, to post the workshop meeting date to allow Council attendance. All aye. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 9:52 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. e Maryreager City Cl