Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003.11.03 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 3.2003 Mayor Fran Miron opened the meeting at 7:05 pm. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator Michael Ericson CD Director John Rask Assistant City Attorney Mark Vierling City Engineer Dave Mitchell Public Works Director Chris Petree Fire Chief Jim Compton City Clerk Mary Ann Creager CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 20.2003 Granger made motion, Puleo seconded, to approve the minutes for the October 20, 2003 meeting as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP OF OCTOBER 24.2003 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the October 24, 2003 Council budget workshop as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVA OF AGENDA Add F.3 — Presentation of African Art from Mr. Bundi to Hugo City Council Add L.3 — November 4'" Council Gathering with WBL School Officials Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda for November 3, 2003 as amended. All aye. Motion Carried. GEORGIE HILKER (MET COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE FOR HUGO AREA) Georgie Hilker, WBL resident, was recently appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty as the new Metropolitan Council representative for District 11, replacing Chris Georgacas, due to redistricting. CD Director John Rask had an opportunity to discuss with Ms. Hilker the excitement in Hugo due to the multitude of changes occurring over the past three years. Ms. Hilker appeared before Council to introduce herself and share with the Council some of the recent happenings at the Metropolitan Council. She stated she had heard good things about Hugo and is eager to work with the City. AWARD SALE OF EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATES (PAUL STEINMAN, SPRINGSTED INC.) At its September 2, 2003 meeting, Council directed Finance Director Ron Otkin to begin preparation for the sale of equipment certificates, which would be used to purchase public works and fire City Council meeting of November 3, 2003 Page 2 department vehicles and equipment. Ron worked with the Paul Steinman of Springsted Inc, the City's financial advisors, to prepare the necessary documentation for the sale of the equipment certificates. Paul appeared before Council to present the results of the 11:00 am, November 3, 2003 sale and recommended that Cronin & Company be awarded the sale of equipment certificates at an interest rate of 1.9488%. Council members were very pleased with the excellent interest rate. Petryk made motion, Granger seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-58 AWARDING THE SALE OF $875,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATES TO CRONIN & COMPANY AT AN INTEREST RATE OF 1.9488%. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. PRESENTATION OF AFRICAN ART On behalf of Mr. Bundi, a cultural exchange teacher from Kenya, Mayor Miron presented his art work depicting a replica of a gazelle, which was made from leave of a banana tree. It was Mr. Bundi's way of expressing his appreciation to the City Council for the warm welcome he received during his stay in the City and during his two weeks at the Hugo Elementary School. The art work will be displayed prominently at Hugo City Hall. CONSENT AGENDA Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approve Purchase of Chevrolet 1/2 -Ton Truck for Engineering Department Accept Donation from National Ataxia Foundation for the Hugo Fire Department Accept Donation from Dead Broke Saddle Club for the Hugo Fire Department Approve Hire of Probationary Firefighters for Hugo Fire Department (Tad Roemeling, Mark Koll, Tim Lorinser, and Todd Jones) Approve Ordinance Approving Increase in Liquor License Fees for 2004 Approve Minor Subdivision for Karen Nelson at 6831 137" Street Approve Rezoning from Agriculture to Long -Term Agriculture Preserve (Ed Tschida) Approve Resolution Authorizing Application for RR Crossing at TH61 and 1428d Street Approve Final Pay Request from Hardrives Inc for Work Completed on Traffic Signal at TH61 @ 140P Street All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims roster for November 3, 2003 as presented. City Council meeting of November 3, 2003 Page 3 APPROVE PURCHASE OF CHEVROLET V2 -TON TRUCK FOR ENGINEERING DEPT. At its October 20, 2003 meeting, Council discussed the reassignment of the 2000 red 3/ -ton Chevrolet pickup truck to the HFD for use with the new hazmat/decontamination trailer, which was awarded to the City as part of the U.S. Homeland Security Dept. Council directed staff to bring back a recommendation as to the replacement for the truck. Public Works Director Chris Petree worked with Finance Director Ron Otkin and recommended that the City purchase a 1/2 -ton pickup truck, which would be used by the City's new senior engineering technician, Scott Anderson. Scott would use this vehicle to provide engineering inspections for projects throughout the City and it would be stored on City Hall property. Chris secured the purchase of the truck through the State of Minnesota cooperative purchasing program, which allows the City to buy the vehicle in an already negotiated low price. Adoption of the Consent Agenda authorized the public works department to order the 2003 Chevrolet Ski -ton 4x4 from Polar Chevrolet at a total price of $26,613.41, with funding paid for out of the City's 2003 general fund budget, as recommended by Finance Director Ron Otkin. ACCEPT DONATION FROM THE NATIONAL ATAXIA FOUNDATION FOR THE HID At its October 8, 2003 meeting, the National Ataxia Foundation Board of Directors approved the HFD's request for a donation. This disease is commonly known to Minnesotans as the Bob Allison disease and charitable gambling funds have been used to learn more about the disease. They have the awarded the HFD a $1,000 donation. Adoption of the Consent Agenda accepted the $1,000 donation from the National Ataxia Foundation to the HFD. ACCEPT DONATION FROM THE DEAD BROKE SADDLE CLUB FOR THE HFD The HFD has continued its community efforts to provide firefighting and rescue services for the Dead Broke Saddle Club for many years. On behalf of the club, the HFD was awarded a donation of $2,500. Adoption of the Consent Agenda accepted the donation of $2,500 from the Dead Broke Saddle Club for the HFD and Mayor Miron publicly thanked them for their generosity. APPROVE HIRE OF PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHERS FOR HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT At the Council's June 2003 budget workshop, the HFD received authorization from Council to prepare for the hiring of two, but not more than four, members to replace firefighters who had left the department. A total of nine applicants were interviewed through the new hiring process. Fire Chief Jim Compton recommended that four new members be hired by the City, contingent on a standard preemployment physical: Tad Roemeling, Mark Koll, Tim Lorinser, and Todd Jones. Each applicant will be placed on the standard Fire Department two-year probationary period. Both Tad and Mark are available during the daytime, which was the greatest need for the department. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the hire of Tad Roemeling, Mark Koll, Tim Lorinser, and Todd Jones on the Hugo Fire Department. APPROVE ORDINANCE APPROVING INCREASE IN LIQUOR LICENSE FEES FOR 2004 As part of its 2003 budget workshop in December 2002, Council accepted staff's recommendation to consider fee increases for the liquor licenses in 2004. A public hearing was held on February 3, 2003, City Council meeting of November 3, 2003. Page 4 at which public comment was taken regarding the proposed increase. Council agreed to leave liquor license fees the same for 2003, but directed staff to provide for the increase and further directed the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance to allow for such. Adoption of the Consent Agenda adopted ORDINANCE 2003-380 to provide for the increase in liquor license fees for 2004. APPROVE MINOR SUBDIVISION (KAREN NELSON) Karen Nelson of 6831 137" Street requested a lot split to subdivide her 20 -acre parcel into two 10 -acre parcels. Both lots would receive access from 137" Street (CSAH 8), with the westerly lot containing the existing home and the new lot being sold for a future home site. The Planning Commission reviewed the application on October 23, 2003 and recommended approval by a unanimous vote. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the minor subdivision for Karen Nelson, as recommended by the Planning Commission. APPROVE REZONING FROM AG TO LONG-TERM AG PRESERVE (ED TSCHIDA) Edmund Tschida of 9822 152nd Street requested a rezoning from Agricultural to Long -Term Agricultural. The rezoning would allow the property to be included in the Metropolitan Agricultural Preservation Program, which provides tax relief and other benefits to the landowner. The Planning Commission reviewed the application on October 23, 2003 and recommended approval by a unanimous vote. By rezoning the property, the City Council certifies that the property is eligible for agricultural preserve. Adoption of the Consent Agenda adopted ORDINANCE 2003-381 approving the rezoning the property and Resolution 2003-59 adopting findings of fact. Staff drafted a resolution authorizing the pursuit of a railroad crossing to accommodate CSAH 8/14 at TH61 and 142nd Street. A written resolution is needed to memorialize the Council's decision in this regard. Approval of the resolution will allow staff to present it to MN/DOT in connection with, and in support of, the crossing application. Adoption of the Consent Agenda adopted Resolution 2003-60 authorizing the pursuit of a railroad crossing to accommodate CSAH 8/14 at TH61 and 1420d Street. Hardrives Inc submitted pay request #2 for work completed on the traffic signal at TH61 and 14& Street. Project Manager Tom Tabler from SEH Engineers reviewed the pay request and found it to be consistent with work completed to date. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the final pay request from Hardrives Inc in the amount of $214,891.51. ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM DEAN WHITE FROM THE HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT In spring of 2003, firefighter Dean White requested and received from Council a leave of absence from active membership on the HFD, due to changes in his personal life and employment. Changes in his current employment allowed the Council to reappoint Dean in late June to active service on the HFD. City Council meeting of November 3, 2003 Page 5 Unfortunately, work schedules and responsibilities have impacted his ability to attend regularly scheduled drill and training. After long discussions, Dean decided that it would be unfair to the other members for him to remain as an active member. The City Council expressed an interest in conducting an exit interview with Dean and the Mayor, Fire Chief Jim Compton, and City Administrator Mike Ericson. Miron made motion, Puleo seconded, to accept the resignation of Dean White from the Hugo Fire Department, removing him from active status, and request that an exit interview be conducted. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO.3 WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR CSAH 8/14 The Professional Engineering Services Agreement between Washington County, the City of Hugo, and TKDA was approved by the City Council to provide for services for the CSAH 8/14 realignment project. Supplemental Agreement No. 3 is needed in order to facilitate the design by the addition of new tasks. City Administrator Mike Ericson provided a detailed listing of tasks included in the Agreement, accounting for the additional cost of $19,051.. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve Supplemental Agreement No. 3 for the CSAH 8/14 realignment project and approve an additional amount of $19,051, as the City's fair -share. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE RENEWAL OF MINING PERMIT FOR RIVER CITY ASPHALT River City Asphalt requested renewal of its mining permit for its gravel pit located at 14200 Irish Avenue. As per the terms of the special use permit, the applicant has until November 1, 2004 to continue operation of the pit. Staff reviewed the permit and the site and found that it is in general compliance with the permit; however, staff is concerned that the current restoration bond for $43,750 is not sufficient to cover the complete restoration of the site. A condition of the mining permit requires the City Engineer to review the site and provide an updated cost estimate for the reclamation, and for the applicant to adjust the performance bond accordingly. Council was most concerned with restoration of the site, and that the applicant provides an adequate bond to reflect the cost of reclamation. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve renewal of the mining permit for River City Asphalt until November 2004, which will allow the applicant to continue to remove material and reclaim the site. Approval is subject to reclamation review by the City Engineer to set the bond amount. All aye. Motion Carried. PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC WORKS SPACE NEEDS STUDY AND RICE LAKE PARK CONCEPT PLAN BOB RUSSEK) City architect Bob Russek from Elsness Swenson and Graham Architects (ESG) was to appear before City Council meeting of November 3, 2003 Page 6 Council to present the Public Works Space Needs Study and the Rice Lake Park Concept Plan, which were awarded to ESG by Council at its September 2, 2003 meeting. Bob had met with the Public Works Building Committee on October 24, 2003 to finalize changes to the Rice Lake Park Concept Plan, as recommended by the Parks Commission at its October 8, 2003 meeting. This new concept plan will be reviewed by the Parks Commission at its November 12, 2003 meeting. City Administrator Mike Ericson suggested that this matter be tabled to allow an on site visit by Council member Becky Petryk and Larry Parker, representing WBL' s fast pitch association, and staff to allow for discussion by the Parks Commission at their meeting of November 12, 2003. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to table this matter until the Council meeting of 11/17/03. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH STONEBRIDGE WIRELESS FOR SPACE ON CITY WATER TOWER At its October 6th and 2& meetings, Council discussed a proposal from Steve Gowdy from StoneBridge Wireless to lease space on the City's water towers for antennas to provide wireless internet service to the City of Hugo. After discussing the matter on October 20F, the Council tabled action on the issue and directed staff to bring back additional information on potential interference problems, as well as information regarding the potential of a City -owned and operated wireless internet utility. The draft lease agreement allows the City to resolve any interference problems created by StoneBridge or any subsequent wireless providers on the City's towers. Further, StoneBridge, as well as all other wireless providers, is subject to FCC regulations regarding radio frequency interference. The agreement has been modified by reducing the term from five to three years, based on comments provided at the last Council meeting. Mr. Gowdy addressed the Council reiterating the service provided by his company, as well as charges. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the Lease Agreement with StoneBridge Wireless for space on the City's water tower. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Miron ABSTAINED: Puleo Motion Carried. UPDATE ON RAILROAD CROSSING APPLICATION TO MNDOT FOR CSAH 8/14 At its October 6, 2003 meeting, Council accepted staffs recommendation to change the request for an abandonment of the railroad between 140' Street and 145' Street to a crossing in order to connect the CR 8/14 project to TH61. City staff was directed to forward this recommendation to the Washington County Board for consideration at its October 28, 2003 meeting. County officials supported the City's request for a change in the connection of CR 8/14 to TH61 by a unanimous vote. The administrative hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 9:30 am. No Council action was taken. City Council meeting of November 3, 2003 Page 7 APPROVE GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE DNR FOR RICE FAMILY AT 9497146M ST. For more than seven years, the City of Hugo has been working to find a solution for Don and Pauline Rice and the flooding problem experienced by their home and property located at 9497 14& Street. Earlier this year, Washington County officials met with City and state officials to seek an outside funding source to provide for the purchase of the property. Council accepted staff's recommendation to seek this additional funding, which would involve a City -match as part of the local government participation in this purchase. The Minnesota DNR's flood damage reduction program involves grant dollars, which would be awarded to communities to solve flooding problems that have dramatically impacted residents. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-61 APPROVING THE GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE DNR FOR FUNDING FOR THE DON AND PAULINE RICE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 9497 146m STREET. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. DISCUSSION OF PETITION FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ON 1321HD STREET Finance Director Ron Otkin reported that he received a qualified, official petition for road improvements on 132nd Street, between Henna Avenue and Goodview Avenue, the fourth time that the City has received a petition for improvements to this street. The City's long-standing policy requires that 35% of benefited property owners must sign an official petition document and forward it to the finance director for official verification, with this petition being signed by 39% of property owners. The last feasibility study done on this road in September 2000 indicated an estimated cost of $1.2 million dollars and the road was not improved due to the high assessment costs. Mayor Miron felt that the road should be improved to a rural standard, with a 2'/z" overlay, thereby reducing the cost to property owners. Mayor Miron suggested that this project be "piggybacked" on the Elmcrest Avenue project being done be developer Len Pratt to save additional money. Council endorsed these ideas suggested by the Mayor. Property owners addressed Council expressing the real need for the improvement project and thanked them for their support. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-62 DECLARING ADEQUACY OF PETITION AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF REPORT FOR THE 132"D STREET P.J. PROJECT. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. REQUEST TO ADDRESS PARKING PROBLEM ON 130' STREET AND FENWAY AVE. Stacey Ryan of 12878 Exhall Avenue sent a letter to the City expressing her concern with the parking situation at 13& Street, between Fenway Avenue and Europa Trail. Currently, parking is allowed on the south side of this section of road. As Council is aware, 13& Street is 38' wide coming off TH61, and it reduces down to 24' where the Townhomes of Bald Eagle project have been constructed at the City Council meeting of November 3, 2003 Page 8 City's south water tower. In 2002, Council accepted a request from Wilson Tool and posted "no parking" on either side of 130' street up to the water tower. Staff reviewed the request and found it to be consistent with the desire to provide for a clear and safe volume of traffic in this area. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, authorizing the public works department to install no parking signs on the north side of 130' Street, and to further consider directing the Parks Commission to add a walking path to the south section of the street. All aye. Motion Carried. REQUEST FROM BALD EAGLE AREA ASSN FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT TO MCES Dave Sorenson, president of the Bald Eagle Area Association, sent a letter to the City in regard to its annual financial contribution to the water quality program on Bald Eagle Lake. One goal of the program was to tackle the problems of high levels of phosphorous. The association has worked with Steve McComis of Blue Water Science in harvesting and removing the curly leaf pond weed. The program has cost area residents more than $165,000 over its four-year history, and the association is now working with the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services to correct a problem with the sewer interceptor line. They have asked the City for a letter of support in their efforts with the MCES. Dave Sorenson addressed Council providing a background of the sewage spills that have had a very negative impact on the water quality of the lake. It is his opinion that the MCES has been delinquent in determining a solution to the problem. Miron made motion, Puleo seconded, approving the request for a letter of support to resolve spill issues with the MCES, and directing staff to coordinate a meeting with all affected agencies, including new Met Council representative, Georgie Hilker, to discuss this issue. All aye. Motion Carried. RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT APPOINTMENT (TERM EXPIRES 1/17/04) The City received notification from Washington County that the term of office for James Leroux, local resident, on the RCWD Board of Managers expires on 1/17/04. State statute provides that the County Board select a watershed district board manager from a list of nominees submitted by municipalities that are included in the watershed district. The Council should forward a list of nominees to the County by November 21, 2003. Mayor Miron stated that Mr. Leroux has expressed a desire to continue serving on the Board. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to send a letter of support of James Leroux's reappointment to the Washington County Commissioners. All aye. Motion Carried. REQUEST FOR SIGNAGE AT SOUTH END OF ETHAN AVENUE @ 122ND STREET Council member Becky Petryk requested this item be placed on the agenda at the request of a resident. City Council meeting of November 3, 2003 Page 9 She stated that as a result of brush being removed from the side of the road, a clear exit into the lake for vehicles has been created. Petryk made motion, Granger seconded, directing the public works department to install the appropriate safety signs at 122nd Street at Ethan Avenue. All aye. Motion Carried. PELOOUIN INDUSTRIAL PARK P.I. PROJECT UPDATE City Engineer Dave Mitchell provided Council with an update on the Peloquin project and the work to date completed by Lametti & Sons. JD2 CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE Mayor Fran Miron, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Dave Mitchell, and City Administrator Mike Ericson attended a meeting with contractor Jay Brothers, representatives from Emmons Olivier Resources Engineers, and officials from the RCWD in an effort to resolve the request for repairs on the JD2 culvert replacement project. Mayor Miron reported on the negotiations that took place at a meeting on Thursday, October 30, 2003. CITY COUNCILJWBL SCHOOL OFFICIALS SOCIAL GATHERING The WBL school district bond referendum outcome will be determined on Tuesday, November 4, 2003. School officials and Council will gather in the Oneka Room at Hugo City Hall to "hopefully" celebrate a positive voting result. City Clerk Mary Ann Creager was directed to post the get together and notify the newspapers. RECESS Puleo made motion, Granger seconded, to recess tonight's meeting at 9:42 pm until Tuesday, November 4, 2003, at 8:00 pm, in the Oneka Room located in City Hall. All aye. Motion Carried. MAn Creager / City erk