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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003.09.02 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 2.2003 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Miron City Administrator Michael Ericson CD Director John Rask City Attorney Dave Snyder PW Director Chris Petree Finance Director Ron Otkin City Clerk Mary Ann Creager ABSENT: Frank Puleo CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FROM MEETING OF AUGUST 18.2003 Petryk made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the minutes for the August 18, 2003 City Council meeting as amended. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the agenda for September 2, 2003 as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. _.. CONSENT AGENDA Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approve Purchase of One -ton Truck from Low Bidder Approve Pay Request #1 from T.A. Schifsky for Work Completed to Date on BEIP 5d Addition Approve Pay Request #3 from Fyles Excavating for Work Completed to Date on West Oneka Lake Drainage Project Approve Annual Performance Review and Salary Matrix Adjustment for City Clerk (Mary Ann Creager) All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE PURCHASE OF ONE -TON TRUCK FROM LOW BIDDER At its August 18, 2003 meeting, the Council accepted staff s recommendation to purchase a one -ton truck to be used by the public works department for regular use and snowplowing during the winter. PW Director Chris Petree solicited bids from local truck dealerships and government pricing, and received three bids. Polar Chevrolet from WBL submitted the low bid for the 2004 44 one -ton diesel pickup in the amount of $28,657. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved purchase of the pickup from Polar Chevrolet and equips it with selected equipment, in the low bid amount of $36,990. City Council meeting of September 2, 2003 Page 2 T.A. Schifsky and Sons made application for approval of pay request #1 for work completed to date on the BEIP 5'" Addition. Project Manager Jay Kennedy from WSB Engineers reviewed the pay request and found it to be consistent with work completed to date on the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved payment to T.A. Schifsky in the amount of $252,897.89. APPROVE PAY REQUEST #3 FROM FYLES EXCAVATING FOR WORK COMPLETED TO DATE ON THE WEST ONEKA LAKE DRAINAGE PROJECT Fyles Excavating made application for approval of pay request #3 for work completed to date on the West Oneka Lake Drainage Project. Project Manager Pete Willenbring from WSB Engineers reviewed the pay request and found it to be consistent with work completed to date on the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved payment to Fyles Excavating in the amount of $15,620.94. APPROVE THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND SALARY MATRIX ADJUSTMENT FOR CITY CLERK (MARY ANN CREAGER) Mary Ann Creager was hired by the City on September 2, 1976. Over the past 27 years, Mary Ann originally worked part time, and now as the City's full-time city clerk. Mary Ann is responsible for assembling the City Council's agendas, coordinating all elections, as well as a wide variety of specific duties incumbent on a city clerk. Mary Ann is a conscientious and hard working City Hall employee whose zest for work is matched by her people -person personality and great sense of humor. As the City Hall historian, Mary Ann is the most valued member of the City Hall staff, whose filing and storage of City records is critical to the history of Hugo. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the performance review for City Clerk Mary Ann Creager and makes the adjustment in the employee salary matrix. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the claims for September 2, 2003 subject to staff reviewing the itemized invoice from SEH. All aye. Motion Carried. RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT BOB RUSSEK FROM ESG ARCHITECTS TO COMPLETE THE PW DEPARTMENT SPACE NEEDS STUDY AND MASTER PLAN FOR THE RICE LAKE PARK PROPERTY At its June 16, 2003 meeting, Council directed staff to solicit proposals for a public works facilities space needs study. The Council appointed Council members Mike Granger and Frank Puleo to serve on a Public Works Building Committee, along with PW Director Chris Petree and City Administrator Mike Ericson. Staff solicited and received six proposals for the project and interviewed four architectural firms for the work. The committee focused its location efforts on the Rice Lake Park property, and subsequently asked for an addendum to the proposal, which would allow for the master City Council meeting of September 2, 2003 Page 3 planning of the entire site, including an active use on the west side of the property for use as soccer fields. Council member Petryk requested that the City consider a possible money and labor donation from the WBL Fast Pitch Association. She has suggested that they attend a Parks Commission meeting to explain to their program and what they have to offer. Mayor Miron stated that the City will "leave open" its options as to the athletic use of the property. Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the appointment of Bob Russek from ESG Architects to complete the PW Department space needs study and master plan for the Rice Lake Park property at a cost of $3,780. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION FROM MAHMOOD HASSAN (THE END ZONE) On June 24, 2003, the City received a liquor license application from Mahmood Hassan, who has entered into a purchase agreement to buy the End Zone, and reopen it as a restaurant featuring Pakistani and Indian cuisine. A background investigation was completed by the Washington County Sheriff's Department, and it was forwarded to the City indicating that Mr. Hassan was a satisfactory applicant for a license. Additionally, there are a number of outstanding taxes and fees that have not been paid as well, and which need to be paid in advance of issuance of a license, according to City code. This issue was tabled by Council at its August 18, 2003 meeting, at the writtea.request of the applicant. Council directed staff to notify the applicant that he had until September 2, 2003 to resolve the clear title and ownership of the End Zone. City Attorney stated that the City had not received any new information that would change his recommendation to deny the liquor license application from Mahmood Hassan. Mr. Hassan did not make an appearance at the meeting. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-46 DENYING THE APPLICATION OF MAHMOOD HASSAN FOR A LIQUOR LICENSE AT 13891 FOREST BLVD. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Miron Motion Carried. CONSIDERATION OF REVOCATION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR SALVAGE YARD (NORMAN HORTON) At its August 18, 2003 meeting, Council considered renewal of the auto dismantling license submitted by Dan Stewart d/b/a ARK and its concerns over the SUP, which is held by the property owner Norman Horton. Council had concern regarding a number of issues of which Mr. Horton's SUP was in violation. Council directed staff to send a certified letter to Mr. Horton notifying him that he is in violation of the SUP and that a public hearing would be held to consider revocation of it. City Attorney Dave Snyder and CD Director John Rask prepared a resolution adopting Findings of Fact for revocation of the license, if Council felt it necessary. Mayor Miron opened the public hearing accepted public comment and provided the landowner an opportunity to show cause as to why the permit should not be revoked. Dan Rosen, an attorney representing Norman Horton and Dan Stewart, discussed what has been remedied to date, and stated his clients' willingness to work with the City to resolve the other City Council meeting of September 2, 2003 Page 4 issues as outlined in the CD Director's letter of August 19, 2003 to Norman Horton. Jeff Travis and Adam Frederik from Washington County were present at the meeting, with Mr. Frederik stating that he had made numerous inspections of the site in question and did not feel that there was an immediate and serious threat the public's health and safety. He stated that an environmental assessment would probably not be performed until there is a change in ownership or use of the property. Council member Haas requested that ARK implement MPCA's Best Management Practices as a part of their business operation. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to cancel the public hearing because of no immediate or serious threat to public health and welfare from the ARK auto dismantling operation. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing staff to continue to work with the applicant to resolve outstanding Special Use Permit issues and report to Council a timeline for completion of the fencing requirement. All aye. Motion Carried. Mixon made motion, Haas seconded, directing staff to issue the Auto Dismantling License to ARK to continue to operate on the site, subject to installation of fencing for screening. All aye. Motion Carried. REVIEW TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUES AT TH61 AND 170TH STREET Earlier this summer, Council discussed traffic safety concerns related to the TH61 and 170th Street intersection. Recent accidents have given Council concern and staff was directed to write letters to both MnDOT and Washington County asking for solutions. Wayne Sandberg, Traffic Engineer with Washington County, was in attendance to present a Power Point presentation regarding the analysis of the historical record of accidents at the intersection, and to share with Council traffic engineer - recommended solutions. Mr. Sandberg felt that the following improvements would help reduce accidents at the intersection: 1) removal of vegetation for site distance; 2) installation of larger stop signs; 3) placement of stop ahead signs; and 4) illuminated pavement messages. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, that the City Council supports Washington County's efforts to improve the safety condition of the intersection at TH61 and CR4. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE ORDINANCE ADOPTING NEW STATE BUILDING CODE Building Official John Benson and City Attorney Dave Snyder drafted a new ordinance, which allows for the adoption of the new 2001 State Building Code. This new code would replace the adoption of the 1997 code and install the new codes that have been changed since that time. City Council meeting of September 2, 2003 Page 5 Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE 2003 377 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE NEW 2001 STATE BUILDING CODE. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Miron Motion Carried. APPROVE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH SEH FOR ENGINEERING ON GOODVIEW AVENUE City Engineer Dave Mitchell submitted a supplemental agreement to the City for additional engineering work on Goodview Avenue, which would allow for its reconstruction and provide for the design construction of a complete replacement and reconstruction of Goodview Avenue for the new Diamond Point East/West housing subdivision. City staff recommended Council approve the supplemental agreement with SEH for additional engineering services on Goodview Avenue in an amount not to exceed $183,200. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to table this matter to allow staff to work with City Engineer Dave Mitchell and developer of the Diamond Point East/West project to determine allocation of engineering costs. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH WSB FOR ENGINEERING ON OUTLET TO EGG LAKE City Water Resource Engineer Pete Willenbring submitted a supplemental agreement to the City for additional engineering work on the outlet to Egg Lake, which would allow for the proper handling of stormwater for the new Diamond Point East/West housing subdivision. Water Resource Engineer Pete Willenbring discussed route options available for the outlet channel. Depending on the outlet choice, the City may petition the RCWD to abandon an existing channel. City staff recommended Council approve the supplemental agreement for additional engineering services on the outlet for Egg Lake in an amount not to exceed $7,250. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, directing the Water Resource Engineer Pete Willenbring of WSB Engineers to develop an outlet design for Egg Lake and prepare a permit application to the DNR, RCWD, and Corps of Engineers. This work will also include Pete Willenbring to meet with the developer and RCWD to further determine route options for the outlet channel and address potential abandonment of a branch of JD2 in this area, and prepare a technical memo for staff and Council summarizing the outcome of these activities. All aye. Motion Carried. WORKSHOP ON LGU AND WATERSHED ISSUES At its August 18, 2003 meeting, the Council tabled this issue, which was placed on the agenda by Council member Chuck Haas. Council member Haas would -like to explore the scheduling of a City Council meeting of September 2, 2003 Page 6 workshop to discuss the status of the City of Hugo becoming the local government unit for wetland and storm water management. This issue was identified as one of the Council's 2003 City goals and was expected to be accomplished sometime after the hire of the new senior engineering technician. Scott Anderson, and other City staff have met with Pete Willenbring from WSB Engineers to discuss the transition and implementation of the City takeover of this watershed responsibility. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing staff to schedule a workshop for sometime in October, on a Friday morning. All aye. Motion Carried. 2004 PROPOSED CITY TAX LEVY Minnesota State Statute specifies that a City must set its proposed tax levy before September 15th each year in order that the County Auditor has time to include this amount in the City's Truth in Taxation public hearing notices. City councils are allowed by law to lower this tax levy, but they cannot increase it. Finance Director Ron Otkin received, just last week, target financial projections from the state, which has allowed him to draft the proposed City tax levy for 2004. After receiving direction from Council at its June 2003 semi-annual budget workshop, Ron has prepared the tax levy to reflect Council's desire to levy back the 60% allowed by state statute from the 2003 state legislature. Ron reviewed with Council this proposed 2004 City tax levy, which is recommended for adoption by Council. Additionally, Council reviews a proposed budget, but due to the delay in the state sending out the financial data, this information will be presented to Council to its second meeting in October. Staff included for Council a mid -year review of the City's budget, which would reflect a target of being both expenditure guidelines, as well as an increase in projected revenues. In short, the financial picture for Hugo in 2004 is bright. There will be no increase in the urban tax rate in 2004. Haas made motion, Miron seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-47 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY PAYABLE IN 2004 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,659,983. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Pea* Miron Motion Carried JD2 CULVERT REPLACEMENT UPDATE At its August 4, 2003 meeting, City staff provided Council with a brief update on the JD2 culvert replacement project. Council again tabled reimbursement to RCWD for the work completed to date by Jay Brothers, and requested that additional information be provided as to the quality of the work and the desires of the RCWD to complete the work to the satisfaction of the City. Jodi Polzin from EOR, the project manager, was present to discuss this issue with Council. City Engineer Dave Mitchell presented a memo from SEH geotechnician Ron Farmer and himself, which outlined the repair options for Council to consider. Council did not have time to review the memo, which was presented at the meeting. Council directed the City Engineer to review the engineer's memo for accuracy and present a final draft for review at the September 2, 2003 City Council meeting. Brett Emmons from EOR was present to discuss the repairs and stated that the repairs will not change the hydraulic capacity or Council meeting of September 2, 2003 Page 7 increase costs to the City. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, that the City has no objection to suggested repairs of JD2 realignment project, as suggested. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to amend the previous motion requesting that the RCWD memorialize the RCWD's guaranteeing no change in hydraulic capacity or cost to the City. VOTE ON AMENDMENT: All aye. Motion Carried. VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: All aye. Motion Carried. PROPOSAL FOR CHARRETTE PROCESS FOR COMPLETION OF DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN (CAROLYN KRALL, LANDFORM) At its special meeting of August 8, 2003, the Council reviewed with staff its process to date on the development of the downtown redevelopment standards and site designs. Council agreed with the progress of staff and the Planning Commission to date, and directed staff to continue with its work. Staff is recommending a final "charrette process" to complete the downtown plan, taking into account the new CSAH 8 alignment. Staff has received a proposal from the City's planning consultant firm, Landform, and Carolyn Krall from Landform was present to discuss this proposal with Council. This final charrette process would be an opportunity to utilize the revisioning documents prepared by Mike Lamb and HGA and involve the significant number of business and land owners along TH61, from the End Zone to the Post Office, to complete the downtown planning process. City staff recommended Council give strong consideration to acceptance and authorization of the proposal to finalize this work, which has been identified as the City Council's #1 goal for 2003. Funds for the work are available in the City's 2003 budget for consulting services. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the proposal from Landform and Carolyn Krall for the charrette process to complete the downtown redevelopment plan, in the amount of $8,285, and upon approval from the City Attorney. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH HUGO INVESTMENTS LLC FOR STORAGE OF PW EQUIPMENT (OLD INTERSTATE LUMBER SITE) The Washington County Highway Department completed its agreement with the City of Hugo for storage of the City's two plow trucks after the 2002-2003 winter season. Since that time, the City has stored the plow trucks on the west side of the public works building, with the City's road grader stored in the Fire Hall, and the new plow truck stored in the City's new water tower. Over the past year, staff has sought warehouse space to store the City's public works equipment and to secure a sight for storage of a sand/salt pile. With the recent change in ownership of the Stock Lumber site, staff has worked with the new owner, who has agreed to lease the City 2,640 sq ft for the City's public works equipment and to utilize an area for the sand/salt pile. PW Director Chris Petree reviewed the Lease Agreement with City Assessor Frank Langer and found the lease rates to be better than the competitive market in the Washington County area City Council meeting of September 2, 2003 Page 8 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the Lease Agreement with Hugo Investments LLC and allow the City's public works department to lease 2,640 sq ft in the amount of $1,200 a month, for the City's public works equipment in the old Stock Lumber site, which will provide an excellent, secure location, and a rapid response time in the winter. All aye. Motion Carried. CONCEPT PLAN FOR SENIOR ASSISTED HOUSING BRIAN WINGUS) Staff was recently contacted by a Centerville business owner, who is interested in constructing senior assisted living housing in the City. Brian Wingus from Comforts of Home was present to discuss this concept plan with Council. Mr. Wingus is interested in the City's land immediately south of the Post Office. This parcel is approximately 1.5 acres in size and would accommodate a 24 -bed senior assisted living building. CD Director John Rask and City Administrator Mike Ericson have met with the developers, whose proposal would meet the City's need in providing life -cycle housing, particularly in the area of senior assisted housing. Council felt that this proposal was an ideal fit for the parcel. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing staff to continue to work with the developer in drafting a Purchase Agreement for the property and return to City Council for its review. All aye. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Granger made motion, Haas seconded, to adjourn at 10:00 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary reager City e i