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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.10.16 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 2006 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, and City Clerk Mary Ann Creager I-35 W/E COALITION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the I-35 W/E Coalition meeting held on September 28, 2006, as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2006 Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the minutes for the October 2, 2006 meeting as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP OF OCTOBER 3, 2006 Petryk made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the minutes for the October 3, 2006 budget workshop as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Add K.1— Update on Rural and Open Space Preservation Ordinance Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda for October 16, 2006 as amended. All aye. Motion Carried. FOREST LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM (VOTE YES CAMPAIGN) Forest Lake Superintendent Lynn Steenblock and Laurie Kumerow, representing the Vote Yes Campaign for the Forest Lake School District, addressed Council regarding their efforts to support the levy referendum. Mayor Miron and Council voiced their support for the levy referendum citing the need to support public education. APPROVE PROCLAMATION DECLAREDING OCTOBER 23-27,2006 AS MINNESOTA MANUFACTURER'S WEEK IN THE CITY OF HUGO The State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) notified the City that the week of October 23-27, 2006 is Minnesota Manufacturers Week. City staff prepared the a City Council meeting of October 16, 2006 Page 2 Proclamation, which highlights the impact of manufacturers, as well as the millions of dollars and thousands of jobs that are created by manufacturers in the State of Minnesota. Council was provided a list of manufacturers in the City of Hugo, including those in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park, Peloquin Industrial Park, and other locations. Clarice Olson and Cheryl Beaumier from DEED addressed the Council and thanked the City for the active support and sponsorship. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the Proclamation declaring the week of October 23- 27, 2006 as Minnesota Manufacturers Week in the City of Hugo. All aye. Motion Carried. CONSENT AGENDA Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Department Receptionist Eileen Ottney Approve Completion of Probationary Period and Appointment to Full -Time Employee Status for Building Department Receptionist Debi Close Approve Extension of Part -Time Seasonal Public Works Employee (Ryan McCullough) Approve Charitable Gambling License for Hugo PTA to Hold Raffle at Hugo American Legion Approve Resolution for Metropolitan Council Comprehensive Plan Loan Approve Payment to Pulte Homes for Work Completed to Date on Oneka Parkway All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster for October 16, 2006 as presented. APPROVE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW FOR BUILDING DPEARTMENT RECEPTIONIST EILEEN OTTNEY Eileen Ottney was hired as the new building department receptionist on October 18, 2004. Over the past two years, Eileen has worked hard to learn all the duties of building department receptionist. She demonstrates an excellent work ethic, with excellent customer service skills, and an attentive eye to detail. She greets customers both on the telephone and the front counter, to personally make sure that their needs are taken care of. Eileen is a valued and trusted member of the City Hall team. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for building department receptionist Eileen Ottney. APPROVE COMPLETION OF PROBATIONARY PERIOD AND APPOINTMENT TO FULL- TIME EMPLOYEE STATUS FOR BLDG DEPT RECEPTIONIST DEBI CLOSE Debi Close was hired as the City's new building department receptionist on March 20, 2006. Over the past six months, Debi has worked very hard to learn the duties of the building department receptionist City Council meeting of October 16, 2006 Page 3 and has performed them well. Debi has a "can do" attitude and has excellent organization and customer service skills. She has quickly learned the Permit Works software and helped reorganize the City's building department filing system. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the six month probationary period for Debi and appointed her to regular full-time employee status. APPROVE EXTENSION OF PART-TIME SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE RYAN MCCULLOUGH Ryan McCullough was hired by the City in the summer of 2005 as one of the summer seasonal public works employees. Ryan returned this year after completing the Truck Driver Training program at Dakota County Technical College and has continued working on developing his professional skills with the public works department. At its October 3, 2006 budget workshop, Council listened to a presentation from PW Director Chris Petree as he outlined the public works apprenticeship program. Ryan McCullough is an internal candidate for the position budgeted to begin in January 2007. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the extension of the part-time seasonal position for public works employee Ryan McCullough through the end of the year allowing Ryan to continue working for the City of Hugo and preparing for his transition into the apprenticeship program APPROVE CHARITABLE GAMBLING LICENSE FOR HUGO PTA TO HOLD RAFFLE AT HUGO AMERICAN LEGION The Hugo PTA made application to the City for a charitable gambling license in order to hold a raffle at the Hugo American Legion. As Council is aware, the Hugo PTA is a group of parent volunteers, who work to raise funds for projects, programs, and activities that otherwise, are not funded by the WBL school district. The casino night is scheduled for February 22, 2007. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the charitable gambling license for the Hugo PTA in order to hold a raffle and casino night at the Hugo American Legion on February 22, 2007. APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR MET COUNCIL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LOAN At the October 3, 2006 budget workshop, Council expressed concerns related to the amount of expenditures that were included in the preliminary 2007 budget related to the City's Comprehensive Plan update. The update is mandated by the Metropolitan Council and must be completed by 2008. The City staff has prepared an application for a planning assistance loan from the Metropolitan Council. If approved, the loan application will allow the City to enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Council for a 2 -year, no interest, $40,000 loan. Although the Metropolitan Council is not offering any grant money for communities, it will allow the City to spread the cost of updating the comprehensive plan over several budget years. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Resolution 2006-60 authorizing the application to be filed. APPROVE PAYMENT TO PULTE HOMES FOR WORK COMPLETED TO DATE ON ONEKA PARKWAY As Council is aware, Pulte Homes completed construction of the section of Oneka Parkway, immediately south of the Waters Edge neighborhood to CSAH 8. The agreement between the City and Pulte Homes included reimbursement from the City for that portion of the work outside the scope of the City Council meeting of October 16, 2006 Page 4 standard construction activities. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved payment to Pulte Homes in the amount of $162,630.12 for work completed to date on Oneka Parkway. REPORT ON DEMOLITION OF OLD END ZONE MOTEL AND HOUSE On Monday, October 9, 2006, Griffin Company, a demolition contractor from Blaine, MN, commenced demolition of the old End Zone motel buildings and old house. As of Tuesday, October 10, 2006, City staff has visually inspected the work and found it to be satisfactorily complete. City staff reported to Council that the work completed is consistent with that requested of the City's building official and Council. There was formal action taken by Council. DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM Earlier this year, Council accepted the resignation from long-time member of the Hugo Fire Department, Greg Burmeister, who had put in 16 years with the City's fire department, serving most recently as the Assistant Fire Chief. At the request of Fire Chief Jim Compton, Council directed staff to research and prepare a draft employee recognition program, which would provide the City with a formal process in which to appropriately recognize both new and long-term employees. Administrative intern Matt Stemwedel thoroughly researched the issue and prepared a draft employee recognition program, which allows Council and staff to publicly recognize employees who have provided excellent and dedicated service to the City. City staff requested direction from Council as to its review and approval of the attached Hugo Employee Recognition Program, which would recognize employees beginning with five years of service. Fire Chief Jim Compton also included a draft employee recognition program for the HFD firefighters that he would like Council to consider. Council member Mike Granger requested that staff revise the program to incorporate all departments of the City under one program. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to table this issue to allow staff to amend program to include all employees. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON WITHDRAWL OF SWPPP TO MPCA FOR JD2 MAINTENANCE At its October 2, 2006 meeting, Council listened to Lisa Thorvig and Tim Larson from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as they explained the issues raised from the City's SWPPP application to complete routine maintenance of JD2. Council agreed that the water quality of Hardwood Creek and Lake Peltier is a very important issue, since they have been declared impaired waters by the State. Council accepted the explanation of the TMDL work completed to date and agreed to be an active participant in the remaining work. Lisa Thorvig requested the City officially withdraw the SWPPP application filed three weeks ago by staff. Granger made motion, Puleo seconded, to table until November 6, 2006 for final opinion from City Attorney Dave Snyder for his opinion regarding the possible exemption for minor maintenance on JD2. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of October 16, 2006 Page 5 DISCUSSION ON NATIONAL RECYCLING INC. AND REQUEST FROM WCSO FOR ASSISTANCE IN TRACING STOLEN COPPER AND ALUMINUM The Washington County Sheriffs Department notified the City that there had been a marked increase in stolen copper in the City, particularly around residential construction sites. The significant increase in copper and aluminum prices has pushed thieves to steal from contractors, copper tubing, electrical wire, and even aluminum concrete forms. There has been some stolen aluminum and copper brought to National Recycling Inc (NRI) and identified later by the WCSO as stolen merchandise. This issue is a big concern for the WCSO, who seeks assistance from the City or the Washington County Board, for the drafting of an ordinance that would direct recyclers, like NRI, to track incoming material much the same way as pawn shops are directed to do so, according to state statute. On Friday, October 13, 2006, City staff made a site inspection visit with the Washington County Sheriffs Department of the NRI facility, with owner Rick Mark. Washington County Deputy Sergeant Brad Marquardt reported to Council the discussion of issues related to the facility and its operation in the collection and salvaging of copper and aluminum, as well as new procedures that will be taken by NRI to document customers with driver's license and vehicle license and the WCSO's ability to track possible stolen property. Rick and Melissa Mark have cooperated with the City are already implementing the new recordkeeping procedure. No official Council action was taken. APPROVE DATE FOR CITY OF HUGO COUNCIL, COMMISSIONS. AND STAFF HOLIDAY GATHERING Each year, Council, along with City commissions and City staff, gathers together to celebrate the holiday season. City staff recommended Council select a date to hold the annual City Hall Christmas gathering, which has been held at the Hugo American Legion for the past two years. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to hold the holiday gathering on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at the Hugo American Legion. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE OCTOBER 23.2006 GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY AT POSTAL CREDIT UNION The Hugo City Council received an invitation from the president of the Postal Credit Union to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on October 23, 2006 for the construction of its new facility. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to schedule a public meeting on October 23, 2006 at 10:30 am on the site of the new Postal Credit Union building located adjacent to the Festival Foods grocery store. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE COUNCIL BOARD OF CANVASS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006 After the general election on November 7, 2006, Council must meet as the Canvass Board to canvass the votes. City staff requested Council direction as to a time to meet on November 8, 2006. City Council meeting of October 16, 2006 Page 6 Haas made motion, Granger seconded, that Council meet as the Board of Canvass on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, at 8:30 am. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON RURAL & OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE CD Director Bryan Bear provided Council with an update on Planning Commission discussions regarding the rural and open space preservation ordinance and that the PC is not close to making a recommendation to Council with any recommended changes. At its last meeting, a commissioner suggested that a representative from Met Council be invited to a meeting to discuss a possible conflict between the ordinance and the Met Council System Statement and general planning policy. Council member Puleo stated that if someone from Met Council attends a meeting that Council should also be in attendance for a workshop situation. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing City staff to schedule a joint Council/Planning Commission workshop, along with a representative from the Metropolitan Council, to continue discussion on the rural and open space preservation ordinance. All aye. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to adjourn at 8:34 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary reager r� City C 2k'