HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.08.07 CC Minutes - Paul Hugo Farms WMAMeeting Minutes
Paul Hugo Farm WMA Advisory Team — Landowners Meeting
City of Hugo City Council Meeting
Rice Lake Community Center
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:00pm
PRESENT: Petryk, Puleo, Miron
ABSENT: Granger, Haas
STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director
Bryan Bear, and Administrative Intern Nate Ehalt
PAUL HUGO FARMS WMA TASK FORCE MEMBERS:
Bryan Bear, City of Hugo Community Development Director
Tim Bremicker, DNR Regional Wildlife Manager
Mike Ericson, City of Hugo Administrator
Barbara Haake, Rice Creek Watershed District
Emmett Mullin, Minnesota DNR Regional Planner
Jason Naber, Emmons & Olivier Resources (EOR)
Lynda Peterson, Board of Water and Soil Resources
Frank Puleo, Hugo City Council
Paul Rice, Retired DNR Regional Enforcement Supervisor
Dave Schumann, Hugo Planning Commission
Jeff Schoenbauer, Brauer and Associates, Land Use Planning and Design
Bob Welsh, DNR Assistant Regional Wildlife Manager
This special City Council meeting was called to update Hugo Landowners, who live near
the Paul Hugo Farms Wildlife Management Area (WMA), regarding the Advisory
Team's efforts, allowing time for questions and discussion.
As an adjacent property owner, Mayor Fran Miron did not participate in these
discussions.
OVERVIEW OF PLANNING PROCESS TO DATE
City Administrator Mike Ericson gave a brief overview of the process to date. Included
in the overview was the progress made by the Advisory Team thus far, the involvement
of all agencies to work with the City of Hugo and adjacent land owners to develop Paul
Hugo Farm WMA master plan.
DRAFT HUGO MANAGEMENT PLAN PRESENTATION
Community Development Director Bryan Bear discussed the 2008 comprehensive plan
planning process and invited community members to take part as it will guide the
development of the City for the next ten years. Within the current comprehensive plan is
the desire to continue forward with a development plan for the Paul Hugo Fane WMA.
City Council meeting of August 7, 2007
Page 2
Emmett Mullin and Bob Welsh from the MN DNR gave a presentation describing the
WMA in terms of its importance from a habitat standpoint for local wildlife. They also
covered the current uses for the WMA such as hunting and bird watching. Bob described
a future plan for Rice Lake and the outlet of JD2 as important for reestablishing habitat
vital to the success of migratory birds. He laid out a draft plan for the audience present.
He also talked about potential acquisition plans and areas.
STRATEGY OPTIONS — TRADITIONAL AND COLLABORATIVE
APPROACHES
Jeff Schoenbauer from Brauer and Associates laid out a plan for the DNR, RCWD, and
land owners to follow which would continue to open up dialogue between all parties in
order to reach a solution. He described the currently used Traditional Approach as one
that uses opposing forces and the court system to solve issues. Mr. Schoenbauer would
like to use a Collaborative Approach for a final solution. This would bring all the parties,
including land owners, to the table to discuss solutions without the need for the court
system.
DISCUSSION WITH STAKEHOLDERS
During the last part of the meeting there were several questions and concerns of the
residents, mainly dealing with the weir, its elevation, and attachment to private property.
Some also had concerns about the controlling of the water level. A few residents raised
concerns about hunters on the WMA not obeying the law. Some residents expressed
their desire to work together for the good of future generations.
City Administrator Mike Ericson thanked the residents for attending and stated another
meeting will be scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Puleo made motion to adjourn. Councilmember Petryk seconded
motion. Mayor Miron adjourned the meeting at 9:10PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Ericson
City Administrator