HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.01.17 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2006
Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.
PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron
City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, Assistant City Attorney Tom Weidner, City
Engineer Jay Kennedy, PW Director Chris Petree, Senior Engineering Technician Scott Anderson, and
City Clerk Mark Ann Creager
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 2, 2006
Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the January 3, 2006 meeting as
presented.
All aye. Motion Carried.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Remove J.3 from discussion (Public Meeting Notice Requirement)
Add L.1 — January 16, 2006 Interviews for EDA/Parks Commission Vacancies
Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda for January 17, 2006 as amended.
All aye. Motion Carried.
MS. WASHINGTON COUNTY 2006 INTERNATIONAL (REBECCA NEAMY)
The City of Hugo has been contacted by Rebecca Neamy, who was recently named Ms. Washington
County 2006 International. As Council is aware, Rebecca was raised her in Hugo, and grew up on
"Down on the Farm" on Keystone Avenue. The Ms. International pageant recognizes young women for
their accomplishments in professional and community stewardship, emphasizing the virtues of elegance,
confidence, and intelligence. As Ms. Washington County, Rebecca plans to make appearances in and
around Washington County and the State of Minnesota in hopes to educate people about the difficulties,
stereotypes, and abilities of the disabled population. She currently works in the job development field
for TSE Company, a non-profit that supports disabled adults in community employment. Rebecca is
honored to represent Washington County and intends to use this title to promote the county and people
who live here. Mayor Fran Miron and Washington County Dennis Hegberg made an official
presentation of the Washington County 2006 International banner to Rebecca. Council publicly thanked
Rebecca for her community service to Washington County and her hometown of Hugo during her reign.
WETLAND VIOLATION NOTIFICATION PROCESS (DAN SEEMON, ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS)
Mr. Dan Seemon of the U.S. Arany Corps of Engineers and Jyneen Thatcher from Washington County
Soil and Conservation District, monitors of wetland violations in the City, discussed with Council
methods of continuing the City's commitment to communicate wetland management standards and
protocol with local residents, construction contractors, and other regulatory agencies. After a lengthy
discussion and questions by Council, Mayor Miron requested that the pertinent agencies provide a
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written violation procedure to the City, as well as a legal opinion how the procedure relates to
trespassing laws.
CONSENT AGENDA
Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda:
Approval of Claims
Approve Release of Letter of Credit for Grading (Diamond Point East)
Approve Acceptance of Public Improvements for the Fenway Place Development
All aye. Motion Carried.
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster for January 17, 2006 as presented.
APPROVE RELEASE OF LETTER OF CREDIT FOR GRADING (DIAMOND POINT EAST)
Emmerich Development made application to the City for the release of their letter of credit for the site
grading in the Diamond Point East residential development. Senior Engineering Technician Scott
Anderson reviewed the completion of the site grading and found it to be satisfactorily complete.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda released the letter of credit for the site grading at the Diamond Point
East subdivision.
APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FENWAY PLACE
DEVELOPMENT
Rich Kettler, developer, requested the City accept the newly constructed public improvements for in the
Fenway Place development. Acceptance of the improvements would begin a one-year warranty period.
At the end of one year, the project would be considered complete and maintenance activities would
become the responsibility of the City. The City would continue to hold the existing Letter of Credit
during the one-year warranty period. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved acceptance of the
public improvements for the Fenway Place development.
Pratt Investment applied for vacation of the existing drainage and utility easement located along the
common lot line of Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, Fable Hills 2"d Addition. The applicant would like to
combine these two lots for construction of a single family home. Staff determined that there are no
utilities planned for this easement and vacation of the drainage easement would not negatively impact
the development. Mayor Fran Miron opened the public hearing to consider vacation of the easement.
Cindy LaCasse supported the vacation but expressed concern that the developer had ignored her concern
of damage to trees at their common property line. Mayor Miron assured that the matter would be
resolved by City staff.
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Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the vacation of the drainage and utility easement
located along the common property line of Lot 1 and 2, Block 1, Fable Hills 2nd Addition.
All aye. Motion Carried.
APPROVE HOME OCCUPATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT (PUBLIC HEARING)
At its December 5, 2005 meeting, Council reviewed the proposed Home Occupation Ordinance.
Council directed staff to schedule a public hearing to discuss the ordinance at the January 17, 2006
meeting. Mayor Miron opened the public hearing for additional public comment. Ann Thompson,
13755 Elmcrest Avenue, stated that she is operating a business in an accessory building located in the R-
3 zoning district. She stated that she was in favor of the proposed ordinance, and would need to obtain a
CUP to legally continue to operate her business. She expressed concern that a compressor used in the
business might exceed the horsepower requirement for R-3 zoning district. Council member Frank
Puleo also requested that Subd. 8(A) be amended to add language allowing transfer of a CUP to another
a future land owner.
Puleo made motion, Petryk seconded, to table this issue until the Council meeting of February 6, 2006.
All aye. Motion Carried.
REQUEST FOR INSTALLATION OF NO PARKING SIGNS ON 145TH STREET FROM 4 PM
TO 6 PM
At its November 7, 2005 meeting, Council discussed a request from a resident for installation of no
parking signs on the south side of 145'' Street during "rush hour" traffic, citing safety concern for
pedestrians and vehicles during that time. Council voted to take no action on the request stating that the
new CSAH 8/14 project would take care of the problem in 2006. City staff was contacted by Planning
Commission Chair Dave Schumann, who was informed by another resident that they, too, would like to
see the Council make another request to Washington County for No Parking signs, during rush hour
traffic only.
Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing staff to contact Washington County requesting that
they review installing No Parking signs on the south side of 145'h Street, just west of TH61, between the
hours of 4pm and 6pm, Monday through Friday, to allow traffic movement due to heavy vehicular
traffic.
All aye. Motion Carried.
REVIEW DATE AND TIME OPTIONS FOR ANNUAL BOARD OF REVIEW ON APRIL 27,
2006
At its January 3, 2006 meeting, Council tabled selection of the date and time for its annual Board of
Review with City Assessor Frank Langer and Washington County and directed staff to explore a time of
the day which would make it more convenient residents. City staff contacted Washington County
officials and Frank Langer, and the option of an 8:30 am or 10:00 am meeting was offered.
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Miron made motion, Puleo seconded, to schedule Hugo's Board of Review for Thursday, April 27,
2006, from 8:30 am to 10:00 am.
All aye. Motion Carried.
2006 PROPOSED WORK PLAN FOR JD2 PROJECT
At its December 19, 2005 meeting, Council directed staff to develop a work plan for JD2 in 2006.
Water Resource Project Manager Phil Belfiori from WSB Engineers researched and developed a
proposed work plan for 2006. Phil provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining a background of JD2,
findings of his physical inspection of the ditch, and the next steps needed to be taken. Council discussed
the need to inspect the ditch located in Forest Lake and the previously noted obstructions located
adjacent to TH61.
Miron made motion, Haas seconded, directing staff to submit the 2006 proposed work plan for JD2 to
the RCWD for approval, inspect JD2 in Forest Lake, and work with State officials regarding TH61 ditch
obstructions.
All aye. Motion Carried.
APPROVE 2006 CITY EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
Included in its 2006 general fund budget and the capital improvement program was the purchase of
various pieces of equipment for the public works and building departments. Staff worked to identify the
respective needs for each department, and thoroughly researched each piece of equipment with the
assistance of Council member Mike Granger. All of the equipment will be purchased through either the
cooperative purchasing venture (CPV) on state contracts, or a competitive bidding process, assuring the
City of best pricing. Finance Director Ron Otkin identified the funding sources, as approved previously
by Council in the 2006 budget. The purchases will take approximately 30 to 150 days to receive, based
on the various pieces of equipment. Fire Chief Jim Compton was present and stated that the Fire
Department will present their request at the Council meeting of February 6, 2006.
Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the 2006 City equipment purchases for the public
works and building department, in the amount of $422,654.96.
All aye. Motion Carried.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR CHANGES TO CURRENT STATE LAW ON EMINENT
DOMAIN
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision regarding eminent domain laws for a city in the
State of Connecticut. As a result of the Supreme Court's decision, federal and state leaders have reacted
with proposed legislation to protect homeowners and property owners against municipalities seeking to
use eminent domain laws for economic development. Two state legislators have proposed legislation,
which would dramatically affect how cities proceed with public and private redevelopment projects, as
well as acquisition of private property. Laura Harris from the League of Minnesota Cities and Sarah
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Erickson from AMM presented Council with an overview of the topic outlining LMC's proposal to
legislators and encouraged Council to contact legislators with their concerns and ideas. No formal
Council action was taken.
2005 YEAR IN REVIEW
Each year, City staff presents Council with a year -in -review highlighting accomplishments of Council
with regard to City goals. City Administrator Mike Ericson will present Council with a PowerPoint
presentation, including City accomplishments, recap of staff achievements, and conclude with a
presentation by CD Director Bryan Bear of the City's record setting 2005 building report.
Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to table this issue until the Council meeting of February 6, 2006.
All aye. Motion Carried.
JANUARY 16, 2006 INTERVIEWS FOR EDA/PARKS COMMISSION VACANCIES
City Administrator Mike Ericson announced that Council completed its interviews of candidates for the
EDA and Parks and Recreation Commission and provided him the ballots, which were revealed publicly
on January 7, 2006.
Granger made motion, Puleo seconded, to appoint Tom Denaway to the Economic Development
Authority and Rachel Berger to the Parks Commission. Council thanked the other candidates for
applying.
All aye. Motion Carried.
JANUARY 18, 2006 OPEN HOUSE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
City staff publicly announced and invited all residents to attend an open house at Hugo City Hall on
Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at 7:00 pm, for a presentation of the City's redevelopment project, market
study as prepared by Maxfield Research, and tax increment financing information from Springsted, Inc.,
the City's financial advisor. No formal Council action was taken.
JANUARY 6, 2006 LAWSUIT HEARING WITH JUDGE CASS
On Friday, January 6, 2006, City Attorney Dave Snyder represented the City of Hugo at a hearing with
Judge Cass regarding the request of private property owners to intervene in the DNR lawsuit against the
RCWD and the City of Hugo. As of this date, Judge Cass had not made a ruling. No formal Council
was taken.
HUGO PTA FIRST ANNUAL GOLD PLATE DINNER
The Hugo Elementary School Parent Teacher Association's (PTA) first annual gold plate dinner will be
held on Friday, January 27, 2006, at the Hugo American Legion. This major fund raiser will be used by
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Page 6
the PTA to purchase playground for the Oneka Elementary School, as well as a variety of other needs.
Any and all residents are encouraged to attend. No formal Council action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to adjourn at 10:00 pm.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Mary Ann reager
City Clerk