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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.12.01 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 in. PRESENT: Klein, Petryk, Weidt ABSENT: Haas ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Pledge of Allegiance — Metzger Family Mayor Weidt introduced Kim and Jason Metzgar and their son Mike who is a National Guard Member and had just returned from basic training. Mike led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Minutes for November 17, 2014 Council Meeting Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the November 17, 2014 City Council meeting as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for November 25, 2014 HBA Showcase Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the November 25, 2014 Hugo Area Business Showcase held at Gator Signs with a correction on members shown as absent. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried Presentation of Donation to the Hugo Good Neighbor Food Shelf — Connexus Energy City Administrator Bryan Bear explained the Hugo Good Neighbor Food Shelf capital campaign as presented by HGNFS Board Member Darin Carlson at the City Council meeting on October 6, 2014. Darin announced that Connexus Energy was donating $25,000 to the Hugo Good Neighbor Food Shelf on behalf of Hugo resident, former Hugo Council Member, and Connexus Energy Board Member Jim Leroux who passed away in June of this year. Darin introduced HGNFS President Kris Emerson who talked about meeting the Leroux family, and she thanked Connexus for the donation in the honor of Jim. Samantha, Connexus Donations and Community Relations Director, stated that Jim was an Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 1, 2014 Page 2 of 6 integral part of the Board, and she was looking forward to working with Darin and the Food Shelf. Angela Libel, daughter of Jim Leroux, thanked Connexus and the Food Shelf for what she described as a symbolic gesture of what type of man her father was. She said he loved his community, and this is what he would have wanted to see done. The Council thanked Connexus and agreed it was a great way to kick off the capital campaign. They hope others will follow. Approval of the Consent Agenda Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda items: 1. Approval of Claims 2. Approve Resolution Approving 2015 Salary and Reimbursement Levels 3. Approve Resignation of Tyler Scott from the Hugo Fire Department 4. Approve Hiring of Tom Kaspszak, Ryan Nadeau, and Denise Jones as Probationary Firefighters 5. Approve Application for Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for St. Johns Church Raffle 6. Approve Purchase of 2015 Ford F 150 for the Public Works Department 7. Approve Property Line Adjustment for 9099 & 9139 170th Street North — Sullivan All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Resolution Approving 2015 Salary and Reimbursement Levels During the 2015 budget process, the City Council indicated its desire to adjust the City's salary matrix by 2% and grant step increases to employees who have not yet reached their pay grade maximums. Additionally, staff has included a $0.50 per hour increase for firefighters who have completed five or more years of service. These adjustments will continue to allow the City to be in compliance with Pay Equity Statutes. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2014-40 SETTING 2015 SALARIES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS. Approve Resignation of Tyler Scott from the Hugo Fire Department Firefighter Tyler Scott of the Hugo Fire Department has submitted his letter of resignation. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the letter of resignation effective November 12, 2014. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 1, 2014 Page 3 of 6 Approve Hiring of Tom Kaspszak, Ryan Nadeau, and Denise Jones as Probationary Firefighters Fire Chief Kevin Colvard requested Council approve the hiring of four individuals as probationary firefighters. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the hiring Tom Kaspszak, Ryan Nadeau, and Denise Jones as probationary firefighters. Approve Application for Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for St. Johns Church Raffle St. John's Men Club of St. Genevive's Church will be holding a raffle at their Fish Fry to be held at St. John's Church on Friday, March 27. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit to conduct raffles during this event. Approve Purchase of 2015 Ford F150 for the Public Works Department During budget discussions this past fall, the City Council gave preliminary approval for the purchase of a 1/2 ton pickup truck to be placed into the Public Works fleet. This truck would replace truck 101-12 that is currently being driven by the Public Works Director. Truck 101-12 would then be moved into the Fire Department fleet and used by the Deputy Fire Chief. Midway Ford has been awarded the contract with the State of Minnesota to supply %2 ton Ford pickup trucks. A price was quoted by Midway to supply a 2015 Ford F150 4x4 crew cab. This truck is very similar to the current 101-12 crew cab truck and priced at $27,609.67 as allowed through the Cooperative Purchasing Venture with the State of Minnesota. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the purchase of a 2015 Ford F-150 4x4 pickup truck from Midway Ford off the State of Minnesota contract for the Public Works Department and move truck 101-12 into the Fire Department fleet. Approve Property Line Adjustment for 9099 & 9139 17011 Street North — Sullivan Gerald and Randa Sullivan and Michael Sullivan had requested approval of a property line adjustment for properties located at 9099 170th Street and 9139 170th Street. Parcel A is 10.5 acres and Parcel B is 2.34 acres. The parcels will remain the same acres after the property line adjustment. There are existing homes on both of the properties. The property line adjustment meets the intent of the ordinance and criteria necessary to approve a property line adjustment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the resolution approving the property line adjustment. RESOLUTION 2014-41 APPROVING A PROPERTY LINE ADJUSTMENT FOR PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 9099 and 9139 170TH STREET NORTH. Presentation of 2015 City Budget and Tax Lew — Finance Director Ron Otkin Finance Director Ron Otkin explained that on September 15, 2014, the City Council adopted a preliminary 2015 tax levy of $5,717,021. Washington County has determined that the urban tax rate will decrease by 0.15% and the rural tax rate will decline by 0.33%. The Finance Department prepared resolutions based on this tax levy. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 1, 2014 Page 4 of 6 Otkin presented comparisons of Hugo's median house value and tax rate to other cities. The average City tax rate of all 853 Minnesota cities is 48.751%, and Hugo's urban tax rate is 36.374%, which results in a tax different of 34%. Also, Minnesota cities receive on average $567,093 in Local Government Aid, and Hugo receives none. Ron explained the desire of the Council has been to keep a flat tax rate. Property values increased for the first time since the housing bubble burst. Median homestead values increased 18.9% over last year; however, commercial values decreased, which has shifted the tax burden to residential property owners. Vern Voss, 15078 Glenbrook Avenue North, said his taxes have increased by 19.4%, which he said was excessive. He said he realized it wasn't all due to the City, and he acknowledged the city has done a good job. Jim Ness, 6391 150th Street North, stated that the value of his home had dropped 35 % and the tax rate only dropped 5%. Also, the cost of living has gone up 9.77% since 2008 but his taxes are going up 28%. Jim Barr, 7616 128th Street North, said he was at the meeting to learn more. He thanked Ron for the presentation. Jim talked about the increase in his house value, and his taxes increased 42%. Dan Peka, 5076 120' Street North, talked about the road project, which he voted against and cost him $10,000. There were no other comments, and Mayor Weidt closed the public hearing The Mayor talked about the City's steady commitment to keep a steady low taxes. Mayor Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded to approve RESOLUTION 2014-42 APPROVING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE 2015 FISCAL YEAR. Ayes: Petryk, Klein, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried Mayor Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2014-43 APPROVING FINAL TAX LEVY PAYABLE IN 2015. Ayes: Klein, Petryk, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried Finance Director Ron Otkin encouraged residents to see if they qualify for the property tax refund. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 1, 2014 Page 5 of 6 Update on Yellow Ribbon Network Council Member Phil Klein reported to Council on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. Klein gave a special thanks to Thompson Reuters, who sponsored hamburger night and sold 166 baskets. Another Welcome Home Pheasant Hunt will be held on December 6th at Wild Wings. The Pioneer Press had an article on the all -terrain wheel chair that is used by the disabled. The YRN will be recognizing all Hamburger Night sponsors at the next Hugo City Council meeting. The YRN is helping out a military family who recently lost their home to a fire. Five military families have been adopted for Secret Santa. Money raised at hamburger night helps fund these programs. Hugo Fire Department Toy Drive on Saturday, December 6, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed the Council that the Hugo Fire Department will be visiting neighborhoods on Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to collect new unwrapped toys for children in need. Residents are encouraged to donate toys or non- perishable food items, and say "Hello" to Santa. Donations can also be dropped off at the Hugo Fire Hall or City Hall. Rice Lake Meadows Neighborhood Meeting on Monday, December 8, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded the Council that another Rice Lake Meadows neighborhood meeting will be held on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 7 p.m. to discuss a potential road project in the Rice Lake Meadows neighborhood. A significant snowfall resulted in poor attendance at the November 10th meeting, and the Council had rescheduled the meeting to December 8th City Council Vacancy Interviews on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 The City of Hugo has received applications for the vacancy of the Council at Large seat on the City Council caused by the resignation of Tony Bronk. City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded the Council the interviews have been scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2014. Application deadline in Friday, December 5, 2014. HBA Business Showcase at DrvTech on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council that the December Hugo Area Business Association Showcase will be hosted by DrvTech Restoration and Construction Company located at 13483 Fenway Boulevard on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 11:30 — 1:30 p.m. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to schedule the HBA Showcase as a meeting of the Council on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 1, 2014 Page 6 of 6 Annual Holiday Party on Thursday, December 11, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council of the Annual Holiday party will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Hugo American Legion beginning with Social Hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. This party is held for Hugo's Commissions and Boards in appreciation for the volunteer work. Schwieters Company Open House on Thursday, December 18, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed the Council that Schwieters Company has invited the Council to attend their Open House scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. Schwieters is located at 13875 Fenway Boulevard North. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to schedule the Open House at Schwieters as a meeting of the Council on Thursday, December 18, 2014. All Ayes. Motion carried. Rush Line Corridor Open House on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed the Council that the Rush Line Corridor Task Force and the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority will hold an Open House on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at Hugo City Hall from 5-7 p.m. The purpose of the Open House is to receive feedback on the Rush Line Corridor Study being done to analyze bus and rail transit alternatives between Forest Lake and the Union Depot in St. Paul. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to schedule the Rush Line Corridor Open House as a meeting of the Council on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adjournment Klein made motion, seconded by Weidt to adjourn at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk