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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.03.05 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 5.2001 Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm PRESENT: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron City Administrator, Michael Ericson Community Development Director, John Rask City Attorney, Dave Snyder City Engineer, Dave Mitchell City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager MINUTES FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OF FEBRUARY 12.2001 Puleo made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the minutes for the executive session of February 12, 2001, as submitted. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo ABSTAINED: Miron Motion Carried. MINUTES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12.2001 Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the minutes for the Council meeting of February 12, 2001, as submitted. All aye. Motion Carried. MINUTES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2001 Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the Council meeting of February 20, 2001, as submitted. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Miron ABSTAINED: Puleo Motion Carried. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Update on Elmcrest/Everton Avenue Study (Petryk) CONSENT AGENDA Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: Approval of Claims Washington County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day (August 18, 2001) Amend Personnel Policy to Reflect Change in Clothing Allowance Policy Adopt Standby and Special Callout Pay Policy for the Public Works Department Appointment of Chief Building Official as City Weed Inspector All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of March 5, 2001 Page 2 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the claims for March 5, 2001 as presented. WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY (AUGUST 18, 2001) Washington County Public Health Department requested City support for a household hazardous waste collection day in the City. Staff spoke with Anne Gelbmann, Environmental Coordinator, who proposed that the City partner with Washington County to hold HHHW collection day in the City on August 18, 2001. The City's involvement is very simple, with the offering of the City Hall site as the most important obligation. There are some additional responsibilities that staff has agreed to provide. Washington County will pay the City $150 for the use of the City Hall site for the HHHW collection day. Adoption of the Consent Agenda authorized staff to enter into an agreement to hold the HHHW collection day in the City on Saturday, August 18, 2001. AMEND PERSONNEL POLICY TO REFLECT CHANGE IN CLOTHING ALLOWANCE POLICY In the spring 2000, the Council approved the purchase of uniforms for employees in the Public Works and Building Inspection departments. The City's Finance Director prepared an amendment to the City's clothing allowance policy to address the specifics of what Council has officially approved. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the clothing allowance amendment to the City's Personnel Policy. ADOPT STANDBY AND SPECIAL CALLOUT PAY POLICY FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT It is necessary for at least one staff member of the Public Works Department to carry a mobile phonelpager 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to emergency callouts in the City. It is standard policy for most Twin City area communities to compensate employees for standby and special callout activities. In an effort to compensate and retain current employees, as well as provide for future recruitment, staff proposed an on-call (standby and special callout) policy be enacted. A survey was recently conducted by the City of Little Canada that provided for a comparison of similarly sized cities by incorporating an on-call and special callout compensation schedule. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the amendment to the City's Personnel Policy by adopting the certain on-call (standby and special callout) compensation language. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL AS CITY WEED INSPECTOR At its February 20, 2001 meeting, Mayor Fran Miron provided staff with information regarding an upcoming weed inspector seminar conducted by Washington County. As per Minnesota State Statute, the Mayor is officially appointed as the City's weed inspector. Adoption of the Consent Agenda appointed the City's Chief Building Official/Code Enforcement Officer as the City's weed inspector. City Council meeting of March 5, 2001 Page 3 APPROVE PLANS AND SPECS & AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID FOR PUMP HOUSE NO.3 City Engineer Dave Mitchell is seeking Council authorization and approval for the construction plans and specs and authorization to advertise for bid for the construction of pump house No. 3 next to St. John's Church cemetery. Engineer Mitchell presented additional details about the project for Council consideration. Miron made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the plans and specs for the construction of pump house No. 3, and authorize the City Engineer to advertise for bids for the construction of pump house No. 3. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE PLANS AND SPECS & AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID FOR TOWER NO.3 City Engineer Dave Mitchell is seeking Council authorization and approval for the construction plans and specs and authorization to advertise for bid for the construction of tower No. 3. The No. 3 water tower will be constructed on a 1.8 -acre parcel of land owned by Len Pratt. Engineer Mitchell presented additional details about the project for Council consideration. Granger made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the plans and specs for the construction of water tower No. 3, and authorize the City Engineer to advertise for bids for the construction of water tower No. 3. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE PLANS AND SPECS & AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID FOR WATERMAIN AND ACCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR PUMP HOUSE NO.3 AND TOWER No. 3 City Engineer Dave Mitchell is seeking Council authorization and approval for the construction plans and specs and authorization to advertise for bid for the construction of a watermain and access improvement to No. 3 pump house and water tower. Engineer Mitchell presented additional details about the project for Council consideration. Puleo made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the plans and specs for the construction of a watermain and access improvement, and authorize the City Engineer to advertise for bids for the construction of a watermain and access improvement. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON DNR GRANT APPLICATION FOR BERNIN PROPERTY ACQUISITION In the fall of 2000, the Council authorized staff to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the Bruce Bernin property, which is a 21 -acre parcel of land located immediately adjacent to Oneka Lake. Staff has conducted negotiations with the Bernin for a purchase price amenable to both parties. The City City Council meeting of March 5, 2001 Page 4 Council had previously authorized staff to order an updated appraisal of the property, if necessary. Because negotiations were stalled, staff did have the appraisal updated, which revealed a new market valuation of the property at $678,000. Staff sought support from Council for approval of a DNR grant application for a 500/o matched funding for acquisition of the Bernin property with the City's 50% share coming from the parkland dedication fund. Community Development Director John Rask provided an update on the DNR grant application for Council, and requested Council authorize to contract with SEH, in the amount of $3,500, to perform Tasks 1 through 3 of the grant application. Councilman Granger felt that the City should get a "good faith letter" from the Bemins in light of the time and money to be expended for purchase of the property. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, authorizing staff proceed with negotiations to acquire the Bruce Bernin property, authorize SEH to assist in the DNR grant application in an amount not to exceed $3500, and subject to the City receiving a "good faith letter" from the Bernins. A public hearing on this issue will be held at the March 19, 2001 City Council meeting. VOTING AYE: Granger, Petryk, Puleo, Miron ABSTAINED: Haas Motion Carried. LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR DEAD BROKE SADDLE CLUB AND STATE HIGH SCHOOL RODEO Each year, the Dead Broke Saddle Club sponsors the Minnesota State High School League Rodeo in the City of Hugo. Additionally, each year the Council requested assistance from the local Marine Reserve Unit to provide security staff for the state high school rodeo activities. Dan and Elaine Ramberg, affiliated with the Dead Broke Saddle Club, requested that the City send a letter to the local Marine Reserve Unit for its assistance. Miron made motion, Granger, authorizing staff to draft a letter soliciting support and assistance of the local Marine Reserve Unit for the Minnesota State High School League Rodeo to be held June 15, 16, and 17, 2001 in the City of Hugo. All aye. Motion Carried. LMC REQUEST FOR SUPPORT OF CITY SALES TAX EXEMPTION The City was notified a few months ago of the League of Minnesota Cities' (LMC) support for a repeal of the City's sales tax that was first imposed on cities in 1993. Previously, all cities had been exempt from sales tax on all city purchases. Each year, the LMC enlists the support of local communities to write letters to the editor in local newspapers enlisting the support of residents and their local legislators. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, authorizing staff to prepare a letter to the editor, signed by Mayor Fran Miron, supporting the League's efforts for a repeal of the City's sales tax and the rationale by which it benefits Hugo residents. This letter would be sent to the White Bear Press, Hugonian, and St. Paul Pioneer Press. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of March 5, 2001 Page 5 UPDATE ON WHITE OAKS HEIGHT SUBDIVISION Craig Smith, the developer for the White Oaks Height subdivision, has been in default of his project, and has allowed a letter of credit to expire; subsequently, builders cannot obtain building permits to construct homes on the remaining lots in the subdivision. Staff met with Mr. Smith, and has proposed new Development Agreement conditions and a new letter of credit for $25,000 that would allow the City to have its financial insurance that the development will make the remaining public improvements a reality. Of the $25,000, $15,000 would cover costs for the public improvements, and $10,000 would reimburse the City for engineer fees already paid. Mr. Smith has challenged the engineering fees in the past, but to of no avail. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, that the developer Craig Smith provide the City with a new letter of credit in the amount of $15,000 to cover costs for public improvements, reimburse the City $10,000 for engineering fees already paid, and sign a revised Development Agreement. No building permits shall be issued until the letter of credit is provided and engineering fees paid. Approval is subject to the City Attorney reviewing, and approving, the revised letter of credit and Development Agreement. All aye. Motion Carried. EVERTON/ELMCREST AVENUE UPDATE Council member Petryk updated the Council on the last Everton Avenue Neighborhood Study meeting, which went very well. She stated that the final meeting with residents was not required. She expressed her pleasure with the process, and thanked staff for their hard work. The Council thanked Council members Becky Petryk and Chuck Haas for their hard work on this project. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Community Development Director John Rask provided the Council with an update of the February 2e Planning Commission meeting at which staff presented PC members with work completed to -date on the amendments to the City's Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Rask invited Council to contact him with any concerns after they had a chance the material in more detail. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN On Thursday, February 8, 2001, Hugo City staff members met with Metropolitan Council staff members regarding the City's Comprehensive Plan. John Rask, Dave Snyder, Dave Mitchell, and Mike Ericson were in attendance at this meeting to review the necessary modifications and updates that need to be made to the City's Comprehensive Plan in order to meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act and to have it accepted as completed. City Attorney Dave Snyder prepared minutes of the meeting for the Council to review. Community Development Director John Rask reviewed with Council the work to -date on these proposed modifications and the Met Council's full cooperation to see that the City's Comprehensive Plan is fully completed and updated. City Council meeting of March 5, 2001 Page 6 SCHEDULE COUNCIL WORKSHOP ON APRIL 3.2001 Due to the increasing number and complexity of a number of important City projects, staff recommended that Council authorize staff to prepare a Council workshop for Tuesday, April 3, 2001, at 7:00 pm, Hugo Fire Hall, in order that staff has a hands-on opportunity to discuss a number of City projects in more detail. Staff has a number of projects it is proposing to be discussed at that meeting, and requested that Council offer any other suggested projects. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a Council workshop for Tuesday, April 3, 2001, Hugo Fire Hall, at 7:00 pm, to discuss a list of pending projects in the City. All aye. Motion Carried. VACANCY ON BROWNS CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT Washington County informed the City that there will be a vacancy on the BCWD, and the County Board may select watershed district managers from a list of nominees submitted by municipalities. If the Council so desires, it should submit a list of nominees for consideration by the March 19, 2001 deadline. LIFT STATION PROBLEM ON FEBRUARY 25.2001 Mayor Miron contacted staff on Sunday, February 25, 2001 regarding a Hugo resident who was experiencing a backup in his sanitary sewer line in his basement. Public Works Director Chris Petree prepared a memo detailing the list of events that day. CHARRETTE/VISIONING KICKOFF MEETING ON MARCH 8, 2001 Mike Lamb from HGA has been in contact with the City regarding the upcoming charrette/visioning process for the City. Staff has scheduled Thursday, March 8, 2001, for a key stakeholder interview meeting that Council should plan to attend to provide interviews for the HGA/SRF chatrette team. Council will schedule that day to provide interviews for the charrette team, but schedule the interviews on alternating time slots so that a special Council meeting would not have to be called. The meeting will start at 8:30 am at the Hugo Fire Hall. ADJOURNMENT Puleo made motion, Granger seconded, to adjourn at 9:20 pm. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary Ann Creager City Clerk