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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.02.02 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 2.2001 OATHS OF OFFICE City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager, administered Oaths of Office for the newly elected Mayor and Council members, beginning with Mayor Fran Miron, then Council members Mike Granger and Frank Puleo. Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator, Michael Ericson City Attorney, Dave Snyder City Engineer, Dave Mitchell Community Development Director, John Rask City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12.2000 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of December 12, 2000, as submitted. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo ABSTAINED: Mixon Motion Carried. MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 18.2000 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of December 18, 2000, as submitted. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo ABSTAINED: Miron Motion Carried. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Discussion of two letters (Haas) Jim Leroux's Appointment to the Board of the RCWD Discussion on the Parks Commission Sweet Grass Meadows Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Appointment of Acting Mayor Appointment of Planning Commission b) Chairperson Appointment of City Engineer Appointment of City Attorney City Council meeting of January 2, 2001 Page 2 Appointment of Financial Advisor Appointment of Civil Defense Director Appointment of Depository for City Funds Ramsey County Law Enforcement Contract for Bald Eagle Lake Renewal of Garbage, Refuse, and Recyclables Licenses Completion of Probationary Period by Public Works Employee (Tom Smith) All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims for January 2, 2001 as presented. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING MAYOR Annually, the City Council appoints a member of the Council for the position of acting Mayor. This Council member is normally selected from the most senior members of the Council, and in the absence of the Mayor, fulfills the role of Mayor and facilitator at all Council and/or public meetings. Council member Chuck Haas had expressed interest to serve as acting Mayor. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed Council member Chuck Haas as the acting Mayor. APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON As per City ordinance, the Mayor is charged with the responsibility of selecting a Chair for the Planning Commission with ratification by the full City Council. Mayor Fran Miron hereby submits the name of PC member Dave Schumann as Chairperson for the Planning Commission. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed Mr. Schumann as Chair for the Commission. APPOINTMENT OF CITY ENGINEER At its special meeting on December 12, 2000, the Council evaluated the performance of the City Engineer David Mitchell and the engineering firm of SEH over the past year, and unanimously agreed to recommend to the new City Council his reappointment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed David Mitchell as the City Engineer for the year 2001. APPOINT OF CITY ATTORNEY At its special meeting on December 12, 2000, the Council evaluated the performance of the City Attorney Dave Snyder and the firm of Eckberg Lammers Briggs Wolff Vierling over the past year, and unanimously agreed to recommend to the new City Council his reappointment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed David Snyder as the City Attorney for the year 2001. APPOINTMENT OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR Staff discussion with Mayor -elect Fran Miron resulted in a staff recommendation that Council reappoint Rusty Fifield from Ehlers and Associates as the City's financial advisor. Adoption of the City Council meeting of January 2, 2001 Page 3 Consent Agenda appointed Rusty Fifield and the City's financial advisor for the year 2001. APPOINTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR Each year, the Council appoints a member of City staff to the role of Civil Defense Director. For the past few years, Fire Chief Joe McMahon has been appointed as the City's Civil Defense Director. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed Chief Joe McMahon as the Civil Defense Director for the year 2001. APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITORY FOR CITY FUNDS Annually, the City Council selects a depository/bank for the deposit of City funds. For the past number of years, Council has selected the local bank, Firstar Bank of Minnesota, Hugo Office. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed Firstar Bank as the official depository for City funds for the year 2001. RAMSEY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT FOR BALD EAGLE LAKE Annually, the City of Hugo is presented with a Law Enforcement Contract for the policing of Bald Eagle Lake. Typically, this contract is paid for on a proportional basis, with a cost sharing among the City of Hugo, White Bear Township, and the Bald Eagle Lake Association. The cost sharing is broken down into 50% paid for by White Bear Township, with the City of Hugo and Bald Eagle Lake Association sharing 25% each, respectively. The Agreement is identical with the one signed in previous years, except for an increase of five hours of coverage due to weekends and holidays. The winter patrol is for a maximum not to exceed 125 hours, at a cost of $35.00/hour, for a total cost of $4,375. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Contract for police patrol of Bald Eagle Lake for the 2001 winter. RENEWAL OF GARBAGE, REFUSE AND RECYCLABLES LICENSES Annually, the Council licenses all refuse and recyclable haulers in the City of Hugo. The attached list of haulers has made application to the City to have their licenses renewed. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the 2001 licenses of Minnesota Waste Management; Gene's Disposal; Hugo Sanitation; Maroney's Sanitation; Ace Solid Waste Management; DoAll Service; and National Recycling. COMPLETION OF PROBATIONARY PERIOD BY PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE (TOM SMITH) The City hired Tom Smith in June 2000 as a public works employee. Over the past six months, Tom has worked closely with Public Works Director, Chris Petree, to become a valuable asset to the Public Works Department. He has demonstrated a hard -work ethic, positive attitude, and strong desire to become a member of the City Hall team. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the completion of the probationary employment period for Tom Smith, and to offer him, regular full-time employment with the City of Hugo. City Council meeting of January 2, 2001 Page 4 PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCIES The terms of Planning Commissioners Pat Rooney and Sandy Malaski expire on December 31, 2000. Both have indicated their interest in being reappointed to the Planning Commission. A vacancy has been created by the election of PC Chair Frank Puleo to the City Council. Staff has advertised and solicited Hugo residents to fill this vacancy, and expects to have a list of candidates for the second Council meeting of January (16'). January 5h is the deadline for submittal of applications. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to schedule interviews of Planning Commission candidates, including present Commissioners Pat Rooney and Sandy Malaski, for January 22, 2001, at 7:30 pm, to include the City Council and Chairman of the Planning Commission. All aye. Motion Carried. APPOINTMENT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS The terms of Parks Commission Chair, Robyn LaCasse and David Strub expire on December 31, 2000. Both have expressed desire to be reappointed. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, that the Council reappoint Robyn LaCasse and David Strub for the standard term of three years, expiring December 31, 2003. All aye. Motion Carried. Community Development Director John Rask queried the Council to determine an interest in increasing membership on the Parks Commission from five members to seven. The Council expressed an interest in this idea. APPOINTMENT OF WATER RESOURCE ENGINEER At its special meeting on December 12, 2000, the Council evaluated the performance of Pete Willenbring and the firm of WSB Engineers as the City's Water Resource Engineer for the past year. A motion to recommend to the new City Council the reappointment of Pete Willenbring as the City's Water Resource Engineer for 2001 failed on a 2-2 vote. Councilman Haas felt that Mr. Willenbring's evaluation did not meet expectations for the past two years, and that the City solicit RFP's for consideration of the City's Water Resource Engineer. New members of the Council expressed a desire to reappoint Mr. Willenbring this year because of the number of projects that were implemented during his tenure. Miron made motion, Puleo seconded, to reappoint Pete Willenbring and the firm of WSB Engineers as the City's Water Resource Engineer for the year 2001. Staff is directed to prepare Requests for Proposal in September 2001, and schedule a performance evaluation for Mr. Willenbring after six months. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of January 2, 2001 Page 5 APPROVAL OF 2001 FEE SCHEDULE FOR WSB ENGINEERS Puleo made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the year 2001 fee schedule for WSB and Associates as submitted. All aye. Motion Carried. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER Annually, the City Council selects a newspaper as the official publication for all public noticing and publishing of City ordinances. For the past number of years, the Council has selected the White Bear Press as the City's official newspaper. Councilman Puleo requested from staff its evaluatio of the White Bear Press. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, that the City Council appoints the White Bear Press as the City's official newspaper for public noticing and publishing purposes. All aye. Motion Carried. REBBEIN WETLAND MITIGATION SITE In order to fill the wetlands on the Schwieter property in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park, it was necessary for the City to purchase wetland credits from the Rehbein family, who proceeded to create wetlands on their property in Centerville. The Army Corps of Engineers and the Board of Water and Soil Resources required, as a part of this process, that Mr. Rehbein impose covenants on the newly created wetland to prevent certain activities, such as building in the wetland. The City Attorney prepared a Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants for Wetland Bank for approval by the City Council. Councilman Haas inquired as to an inventory of all City -owned property for potential use as wetland mitigation. Staff will prepare a preliminary map and report. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve said Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants for the Rehbein wetland mitigation site. All aye. Motion Carried. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE 2001 SALARIES FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES AND REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS Finance Director Ron Otkin prepared a resolution for consideration by the Council for the purpose of establishing salaries for part-time employees and reimbursement levels. The salaries and wages contained in the proposed resolution were approved by Council in 2001 City budget. Miron made motion, Puleo seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2001-1 A RESOLUTION SETTING 2001 SALARIES FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES AND ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS. City Council meeting of January 2, 2001 Page 6 VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CUP FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SIX TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS AT HUGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL White Bear Lake Area Public Schools made application to the City for a CUP for the placement of six temporary classroom buildings at Hugo Elementary School located at 14895 Francesca Avenue. The applicant would place four temporary classroom buildings in July 2001, and two additional classrooms in the fall of 2002. The classrooms would provide additional space until the school district determines where, and how, they are going to deal with the increasing enrollment in the school district, particularly, the strong expansion of residential development in the City of Hugo. At its December 20, 2000 meeting, the PC reviewed the CUP request, and unanimously recommended its approval to the City Council. Mr. Corliss appeared before the Council identifying time deadlines to address increasing enrollment in Hugo. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2001-2 APPROVING CUP FOR WBL AREA SCHOOLS FOR TEMPORARY CLASSROOM BUILDINGS ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 14895 FRANCESCA AVENUE. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. RESCHEDULE REGULAR JANUARY 15' COUNCIL MEETING TO JANUARY 16TH The Martin Luther King federal holiday falls on Monday, January 15, 2001, therefore the need for move the meeting to the following day. Petryk made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the reschedule of the regular second Council meeting of the month of January to Tuesday, January 16, 2001, at 7:00 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. SCHEDULE COUNCIL GOAL SETTING SESSION Mayor Fran Miron met recently with City staff, and shared his vision for the new City Council and the New Year. One important priority he shared was the importance of Council setting its priorities and goals for the upcoming year. He met with the City Administrator, who agreed to schedule a goal setting session with the Council, representatives from the Planning Commission and Parks Commission, and City staff. Staff contacted Barbara Strandell, a local facilitator who specializes in organizational goal setting, and she is excited at the opportunity to work with the City of Hugo. City staff recommends Council select from the following dates in the month of January to schedule a Council goal setting session to establish priorities for the City of Hugo in 2001. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to consider January 29, 2001 at 7:00 pm and February 2, 2001 at noon as possible dates for the goal setting session. City Council meeting of January 2, 2001 Page 7 All aye. Motion Carried. INVITATION TO ATTEND JANUARY 24' PC MEETING REGARDING MET COUNCIL AND BROWN'S CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT The Hugo City Council is hereby invited to attend the January 24h PC meeting at which members from the Metropolitan Council and the BCWD have requested to be on the agenda to discuss related land use issues in the City of Hugo. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to schedule a special meeting of the City Council for Wednesday, January 24, 2001, at 7:00 pm, to meet concurrently with the Planning Commission. All aye. Motion Carried. JURY TRIAL FOR JD2 For information purposes only, members from the Hugo City Council provided a brief update of the City's JD2 trial, which began on Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at the Washington County Courthouse in Stillwater. CITY HALL BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT On December 27, 2000, the City Hall Building Committee met with Bob Russek, City architect from BRA and Associates to finalize the design and building construction concepts for the new City Hall. Council member Chuck Haas, Council members -elect Frank Puleo and Mike Granger were present at the meeting. Mr. Haas updated the Council on the progress of the Committee. The next meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2001 at 3:30 pm. It was agreed that only two Council members would be present at these meetings in the future to eliminate the need for publishing a Council meeting. DISCUSSION OF TWO LETTERS (HAAS) Councilman Haas received a letter from Gerald Sullivan regarding his previous request for installation of traffic control signs. City Engineer Dave Mitchell will follow up on Mr. Sullivan's letter to make sure Council direction has been completed by Washington County. Councilman Haas received a letter from Bruce Bernin regarding aeration of Oneka Lake to prevent winter fish kill. Typically, homeowners living on the lake bear the responsibility for such aeration. The letter will also be shared with the Parks Commission for their consideration. APPOINTMENT OF JIM LEROUX TO RCWD'S BOARD OF MANAGERS Miron made motion, Haas seconded, that the City send a letter to the Washington County Board of Commissioners thanking them for the appointment of Mr. Leroux to the RCWD's Board of Managers All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of January 2, 2001 Page 8 COUNCILMAN PULEO (PARKS COMMISSION AND SWEET GRASS MEADOWS) Councilman Puleo requested an update from the Parks Commission relative to spending money on parks, and questioned the status of the Sweet Grass Meadows ditch project. Staff provided a brief explanation. RECOMMENDATION TO NOT ISSUE A LIQUOR LICENSE OF THE END ZONE LOUNGE On Thursday, December 28, 2000, staff was contacted by the owner of the End Zone Lounge regarding her inability to make an $11,000 property tax payment to Washington County, and a $4,000 utility bill payment to the City of Hugo. Together with the business owner Antonina Kramarczuk, the City Administrator had a teleconference with City Attorney Dave Snyder regarding this issue. The City ordinance licensing liquor operations is very clear under Section 9, Places Ineligible for License, Subd 2, Delinquent Taxes and Charges, whereby it states, "no license shall be granted for operation on any property on which taxes, assessments, or other financial claims of the City are delinquent and unpaid." The City Attorney and City Administrator explained this to the business owner, and requested she appear before the Council at its January 2, 2001 meeting for a hearing. The City Attorney stated that the City Council has no discretion on this issue; the payment of such fees is required for the City to issue the liquor license. The business owner has paid all other fees, including payment for a 2001 liquor liability insurance policy. The City Attorney agreed that the Council should extend a hearing to her to hear first hand of her dilemma, and to extend her the opportunity for an explanation. Mrs. Kramarczuk appeared before the Council, and stated that this day she had paid her real estate taxes, but was still unable to make the utility payment to the City. City Attorney Dave Snyder carefully explained to the owner that if the Council does not issue the 2001 license, she couldn't sell alcohol. Mrs. Kramarczuk indicated that she understood. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, that the City does not issue the liquor license because said fee has not been paid in full, and fiuther direct staff to contact the Washington County Sheriffs Department to assist in monitoring the establishment to make sure there is no sale of liquor. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Community Development Director John Rask provided for Council a detailed listing of the projects that are proposed to be completed by the Community Development Department over the winter, with completion dates expected for most of the items prior to the May 2001 moratorium deadline. This information was shared with the previous City Council at its regular December 18th Council meeting. John stressed its importance and significance to the development of land use plans and procedures is critical to the future to the City of Hugo. Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to move into executive session to discuss JD2 litigation. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting January 2, 2001 Page 9 THE END ZONE LOUNGE The Council continued discussion of its decision to not issue a liquor license for The End Zone Lounge. Puleo made motion, Haas seconded, that the City contact Mrs. Kramarczuk that the City would be willing to waive the special meeting fee ($1,000), and the Council and City Attorney would waive their salaries should she pay her utility fee prior to the next regular Council meeting and request a special meeting to consider her reapplication for a liquor license. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to amend the previous motion adding that this request be done before January 13, 2001. VOTE ON AMENDMENT: All aye. Motion Carried. VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: All aye. Motion Carried. RECESS Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to recess at 10:50 pm for the week of January 3-5, 2001, to Judge Muehlberg's courtroom at Washington County to allow attendance at the JD2 trial. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary Ann Creager City Clerk