Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.02.20 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2001 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. . PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Miron City Administrator, Michael Ericson Community Development Director, John Rask City Attorney, Dave Snyder City Engineer, Dave Mitchell City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager ABSENT: Frank Puleo MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5.2001 Granger made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the Hugo City Council meeting of February 5, 2001 as submitted. All aye. Motion Carried. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Request from Marc Hugunin to consider HF 46 Weed Inspector Remove H.6 from Agenda Purchase Agreement for Steiner Residence Beaver Ponds 0 Addition Council Chamber Redesign Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the agenda as set. All aye. Motion Carried. CONSENT AGENDA Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Approval of Charitable Gambling License for the Forest Lake American Legion Auxiliary Unit 225 at Ricci's Approval of Charitable Gambling License for the Dead Broke Saddle Club at Carpenter's All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approves the general claims as submitted. APPROVAL OF CHARITABLE GAMBLING LICENSE FOR THE FOREST LAKE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 225 AT RICCI'S City Council meetingof February 20, 2001 Page 2 The Forest Lake Auxiliary Unit 225 made application to the City for a charitable gambling license to sell pull -tabs at Ricci's. City staff reviewed the application and submittal of attachments and found them to be consistent with the requirements of the City ordinance regulating charitable gambling. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the charitable gambling license for the Forest Lake American Legion Auxiliary Unit 225 to sell pull -tabs at Ricci's and waiver of the 30 -day waiting period. APPROVAL OF CHARITABLE GAMBLING LICENSE FOR THE DEAD BROKE SADDLE CLUB AT CARPENTERS The Dead Broke Saddle Club made application to the City for a charitable gambling license to sell pull -tabs at Carpenters. City staff reviewed the application and submittal of attachments and found them to be consistent with the requirements of the City ordinance regulating charitable gambling. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the charitable gambling license for the Dead Broke Saddle Club to sell pull -tabs at Carpenters and waiver of the 30 -day waiting period. EAGLE CREST BUILDERS REQUEST FOR BUILDING PERMITS FOR SECOND BUILDING IN ONEKA LAKE VIEW NORTH The Development Agreement for Oneka Lake View North allowed the issuance of building permits for one 4-plex-townhome building. Eagle Crest Northwest requested Council approval for the issuance of an additional permit for one more 4-plex-townhome building. The additional permit would be for a building that would be located adjacent to 1500 Street where road access and public utilities are available. City policy limits the number of building permits until utilities and streets are installed. The City's Fire Chief and Building Official reviewed the request and recommended that the Council authorize staff to issue additional permits for construction of a 4-plex-townhome building located along 150" Street, provided no Certificate of Occupancies are issued until the road and utilities are installed and found to be substantially complete. Approval of the additional permit is consistent with the purpose and intent of the City's policy to have road and utilities in place prior to the issuance of permits. Because of past problems with this development, Councilman Haas felt that the City should deny their request. John Gleason, from Eagle Crest Builders, wanted an early start in order to help future residents get into their homes sooner. Haas made motion to deny the request of Eagle Crest Builders for a second building permit in Oneka Lakeview North. Motion failed for lack of second. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2001-5, APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL BUILDING PERMITS FOR EAGLE CREST FOR LOTS 1,4, BLOCK 4, ONEKA LAKEVIEW NORTH. VOTING AYE: Granger, Petryk Miron VOTING NAY: Chuck Haas Motion Carried. City Council meeting of February 20, 2001 Page 3 DON AND PAULINE RICE la), 9497140TH STREET REQUEST FOR CITY ASSISTANCE In the summer of 2000, City staff was informed by Mr. Don Rice, 9497 140N' Street North, that he was seeking assistance from the City of Hugo for a flooding problem he has experienced on his property located on Lake Plaisted. This issue was brought to the Hugo City Council for consideration and staff was directed to pursue any and all options for securing a financial buyout of the Rice's property. The Rice's have experienced flooding on their property for a period of six years, and had first brought the issue to the Brown's Creek Watershed District. The District made an offer to the Rice's to purchase their land and building, but Mr. Rice, who felt the offer was too low, turned down the offer. Mr. Rice estimates the sale price to be $250,000. Since that time, Mr. and Mrs. Rice have spoken with a number of local governmental agencies in an effort to resolve their flooding problem. They cannot use the bathroom in their house; rather they must use the toilet facilities in their RV, which is parked in their driveway. Staff met with a number of local, county, and state agencies in an effort to seek a solution for the Rice's, and did find the Minnesota Flood Reduction Program, who expressed interest in making a 50% matching grant application on behalf of the Rice's. Staff explored the remaining 50% funding for the project but has been unsuccessful to date. Staff completed a site inspection visit of the Rice's property with a representative of the Minnesota DNR Trails and Waterways Public Access Division. The City received a letter from DNR Representative Susan Willhite stating that the DNR is not interested in the site as a public access to Lake Plaisted because it is too small. Staff brought this issue to the City Council for further discussion and direction on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Rice, who seek some relief from their flooding problem. After discussion, it was determined that the City was unable to further assist the Rice's in their dilemma. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing the City Assessor to reevaluate the Rice property for possible reduction in valuation. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, directing staff to facilitate discussion of the Rice's situation with local state representatives in an effort to explore help and/or financial assistance. All aye. Motion Carried. REVISED PROPOSAL FROM SRF & HGA FOR CHARRETTE/COMMUNITY VISIONING At its February 5 meeting, the City Council agreed with the Charrette Committee's recommendation to approve the hiring of the joint team of SRF & HGA to complete the City's Charrette/Community Visioning project. Council directed staff to work with principals from both firms to formalize the revised joint proposal. Staff met with Project Manager Mike Lamb and outlined a proposal, including a timeline for completing the project. Petryk made motion, Haas seconded, that the Council approves the revised Joint Services Agreement from SRF & HGA for the City Charrette/Community Visioning Project, with final review by the City's Community Development Director, including any recommended amendments regarding a reduction in increased cost. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of February 20, 2001 Page 4 REQUEST FROM THANKSGIVING CHURCH FOR EXTENSION OF LEASE FOR USE OF THE RICE LAKE PARK BUILDING In August 2000, the Council considered an extension request from Thanksgiving Lutheran Church for its lease for the use of the Rice Lake Park Building. Council tabled the request pending the analysis of the feasibility study for the construction of a new Hugo City Hall. Since that time, the City Council determined that a new City Hall would be built; therefore, the Church has made a second request to the City. Staff reviewed the lease and the terms and conditions in which the Church was to make improvements and modifications to the building in exchange for free rent. While the Church has done a nice job of maintaining the building and making some of the agreed -to improvements, staff felt that some items still need to be completed before it can recommend to the Council that a lease be extended for the use of the building. From a usage standpoint, staff determined that if the Council were to consider an extension of the lease, it should also consider the potential use of the Rice Lake Park Building site as a potential site for the location of a new Public Works building. The feasibility study for construction of a Public Works facility is more than a year out. If the Council were supportive, staff recommended the use of the building for a one -to two-year period. Kevin Aufderhar, spoke on behalf of the church, and stated that because of some setbacks, including the resignation of Pastor Keith Lohmen, the church is not actively looking for land at this time. Councilman Haas requested more information before making a decision on extension of the lease. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to table this request to allow staff time to work with TLC and the Parks Commission, and report to Council. All aye. Motion Carried. 2000 ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT -JOE MCMAHON, FIRE CHIEF At the beginning of the New Year, the Hugo Fire Chief presents the annual report from the Hugo Fire Department to the Council. Fire Chief Joe McMahon, along with I" Asst Chief Greg Burmeister, presented the 2000 Annual Report from the Hugo Fire Department for consideration and approval by the City Council. The Council extended its appreciation to the Fire Department for its excellent work and dedication to the City. Because certain intersections in the City are becoming more dangerous, Council requested that all accidents be properly documented for historical purposes. No formal action was taken relative to this matter. SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT ISSUE Water Resource Engineer Pete Willenbring from WSB Engineering presented an update on a number of water management issues facing the City of Hugo in 2001. Mr. Willenbring reviewed his February 14, 2001 report item by item. No formal action was taken on this matter. PROPOSAL FROM SPRINGSTED TO COMPLETE CITY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) In an effort to formally document and manage the City's capital improvement projects and City Council meeting of February 20, 2001 Page 5 purchases, staff has been meeting for the past few months to design, draft, and develop a formalized Capital Improvement Program (CIP). A city's CIP is its single most important tool for managing the development and expenditures for the Capital Improvement Projects, including significant equipment purchases in a one -to five-year period. This planning tool is critical since it addresses those expenditures and purchases beyond those that are normally budgeted for in a city's general fund. Staff researched this issue and discovered the City had in fact put together a one-page, very brief CIP, which did little more than list a number of significant projects and purchases. Since the City's moratorium on new residential development is set to expire on May I e, and with the very limited staff who must work on a number of major planning and land use projects, notwithstanding normal day -today duties, staff sought the endorsement and approval from the City Council for the hiring of Springsted, Inc. to complete the City's CIP. The City's CIP team met with Nick Dragisich from Springsted to outline the scope of services necessary to complete the project. He prepared a proposal that would include work sessions with the City Council to address the City's tax capacity rate impact a CIP would have on the City. City staff recommended Council approve the proposal with Springsted, Inc., at a not -to -exceed range of $7,500 to $10,000 for completion of the City's CIP. Funding for the City's CIP would come from general and utility funds. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to accept the proposal from Springsted, Inc., for completion of the City's CIP, at a not -to -exceed range of $7,500 to $10,000. All aye. Motion Carried. PROPOSAL TO PAINT LIFT STATIONS AND FIRE HYDRANTS The City has two Smith and Loveless sanitary sewer lift stations that were installed in the early 1970's. These lift stations have failing interior coatings that need to be repaired and recoated. In the summer of 2000, a coating specialist from SEH Engineering inspected the lift stations and prepared specifications for repairing the damaged coating in an effort to obtain a lowest cost to the City. Public Works Director Chris Petree solicited quotations during the winter months. Three coating contractors submitted quotations for the resurfacing of the lift stations and the painting of the hydrants throughout the City, with a low bid from Champion Coating of $5,200 fi)r both lift stations. Staff recommended that Council award the lift station coating contract to Champion Coatings at a price of $5,200. City staff also recommended that the Council award the hydrant painting contract to Budget Sandblasting and Painting at a low bid price of $32-$102 per hydrant depending on the condition of the hydrant. It is estimated that the City will be able to paint approximately one-half of the City's 240 hydrants with the amount budgeted in 2001. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to award the bid for resurfacing the City's two lift stations to the low bidder Champion Coating at a cost of $5,200 for both lift stations. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to award the bid for painting the City's 240 hydrants to the low bidder Budget Sandblasting at a cost of $32 to $102 per hydrant depending on the condition of the hydrant. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of February 20, 2001 Page 6 PURCHASE OF JOHN DEERE 1435 FRONT DECK MOWER AND TRAILER Included in the City's 2000 budget, the Public Works Director budgeted for the purchase of a front deck mower and trailer since the Hugo City Council agreed that the City would do the grass mowing due to the retirement of Floyd Laska. The Public Works Director received three quotations for the purchase of the mower and recommended that the purchase be awarded to Scharber & Sons, the low bidder with the State of Minnesota contract, at a total cost of $27,211.22. Granger made motion, Miron seconded, to purchase a John Deere 1435 front deck mower and trailer from Scharber & Sons, at a total cost of $27,211.22. All aye. Motion Carried. WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT At its specially called meeting on February 12, Council Member Frank Puleo requested that this issue be placed on the next agenda for an explanation of why the Washington County Highway Department was getting out of the business of providing street maintenance and plowing services to the City of Hugo. The Council reviewed the original letter from the Washington County Engineer Don Wisniewski whereby he outlined the reasons and rationale for the County getting out of the business with the proposed timeline of providing the service through the 2002 winter season. Washington County officials first addressed this issue at a City Council meeting in April 2000. No formal action was taken on this matter. INTERSTATE LUMBER. At its specially called February I P meeting, Council Member Frank Puleo requested that this issue be placed on tonight's Council agenda. Council Member Puleo requested that the zoning of this property be clarified since the City has been informed that Interstate Lumber will be closing its operations in Hugo and consolidating to the City of Oak Grove in Anoka County. This property will be included in the City's CharretteNisioning Process. OPTION AGREEMENT FOR SCHWIETERS. Schwieters Properties requested an Option Agreement to purchase Lots 4 & 5 in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park Third Addition. Lot 4 is .75 acres in size and Lot 5 is 5.1 acres in size. Based on negotiations with City staff, Schwieters Properties drafted an Option Agreement for consideration by the Council, giving Schwieters until February 28, 2002 to exercise the option. Schwieters Properties intends to construct a building on the parcel and lease space to one or more tenants. City staff recommended that the City enter into an Option Agreement with Schwieters Properties for Lots 4 & 5 in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park Third Addition. Community Development Director John Rask discussed this issue, including the positive factors that the Council should consider in its consideration of the Agreement. Granger made motion, Haas seconded, that the City enter into an Option Agreement For $5,000 with Schwieters Properties for Lots 4 and 5 in the Bald Eagle Park Industrial Park P Addition, and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign said Agreement on behalf of the City. Approval is subject to City Council meeting of February 20, 2001 Page 7 review and approval by the City Attorney. All aye. Motion Carried. MSA ROUTE DESIGNATION. Each year the City of Hugo receives Municipal State Aid Street Funding (MSAS) because it is a city with more than 5,000 residents. This year the City is eligible to receive funds based on 17 miles of street. The City currently has 16.1 designated as MSAS streets leaving .9 miles (4,750 feet) of street to be designated. Based on the connection factor with MSAS Street, staff recommended that the Council focus its consideration on four possible streets. City staff recommended that the Council authorize the City Engineer pursue the designation of 10h Street between Frenchman Road and Forest Boulevard at the maximum length that can be obtained. This designation can be adjusted when Washington County has determined the ultimate alignment of County Road 8. Haas made motion, Miron seconded, authorizing the City Engineer pursue the designation of 147th Street, between Frenchman Road and Forest Boulevard, as a MSAS, for the maximum length that can be obtained. All aye. Motion Carried. MARC HUGUNIN Local Met Council representative Marc Hugunin contacted Councilman Haas to testify on HF46 regarding abolishment of the Met Council, and questioned whether or not he should be representing the Council as a whole or as a Council member. Council members agreed to give him their support and latitude for expressing the views of the City of Hugo in regard to HF46. WEED INSPECTOR According to State Statute, the Mayor is appointed as the City's weed inspector on an annual basis. Mayor Miron suggested that the Public Works Department be designated as the City's weed inspector. The Mayor provided staff material regarding a training seminar. STEINER PURCHASE AGREEMENT On Friday, February 16, 2001, Michael Steiner contacted staff about purchasing his house, after which his attorney spoke with City Attorney Dave Snyder to finalize the 17 new additional conditions of the revised Purchase Agreemetn to the satsifcation of both parties. Staff stated that the new offer to purchase the Steiner land and buildings was for $147,000 plus $14,000 in relocation costs. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the Purchase Agreement for the Michael Steiner residence located at 14665 Fitzgerald Avenue. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of February 20, 2001 Page 8 BEAVER PONDS 4TH ADDITION Miron made motion, Haas seconded, authorizing a 60 -day extension to have the Beaver Ponds Addition plat recorded at Washington County. All aye. Motion Carried. NEW DESIGN OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS Council agreed with the general layout and new design, and requested that the dais be rotated within the Council chambers to allow for balanced audience seating. Staff agreed to forward this recommended change to the chief architect Bob Russek for inclusion in the final design of the Council chambers. SPECIAL MEETING Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a special meeting of the Council to allow attendance at the Everton Avenue Neighborhood Study to be held on March 1, 2001, 6:30 pm, at the Hugo Fire Hall. All aye. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Petryk made motion, Granger seconded, to adjourn at 11:00 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary , Creager City erk