HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.03.03 CC Minutes - Special Council meetingNMUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCEL MEETING OF MARCH 3,1999
The Mayor convened a special meeting of the Council at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Barnes, Haas, Leroux, Petryk, Stoltzman
City Administrator, Robert Museus
The meeting was called to discuss City staffing and facility needs.
Due to the short deadline to make an application, the City Administrator presented the
Council an application for a grant from the DNR to acquire property and conservation
easements for a greenway corridor along Clearwater Creek. As there were a number of
residents present interested in this proposal, the Council decided to make this the first item
of discussion on their agenda. Harley and Debbie Johnson, owners of Harley Sod and
property west of Fenway Avenue, north of 140th Street, stated that they do not want the
City to apply for the grant, as they have no desire to sell any of their property for the
greenway corridor. Marvin LaValle, whose mother owns land along Clearwater Creek,
stated that he believed the Council should take more time in investigating the possible
restrictions that would be placed on the land, if the DNR money was used to obtain
conservation easements. Mayor Stoltzman expressed severe concerns regarding potential
impacts of the conservation easements on the City's ability to maintain the drainage in the
area, and Council Member Petryk requested information on whether the property acquired
with this grant could be used for light recreational use and possibly trails. All the Council
members stated that they would only support acquisition of property along the greenway
corridor from willing sellers.
Barnes made motion, Leroux seconded, to approve the application for the Metro
Greenway Site Protection/Site Restoration Nomination form, as submitted by staff, subject
to the item being placed on the regular City Council agenda for March 15, 1999. Staff is
to provide the Council with information on future use and restrictions of the conservation
easement proposed.
VOTING AYE: Barnes, Haas, Leroux, Petryk
VOTING NAY: Stoltzman
Motion Carried.
The City Administrator presented proposals to hire a regular, full-time building inspector
for the Building Department; this position being made necessary by the large number of
new homes being built in the community. The additional building permit fees would fund
this position. He also recommended making the Deputy Clerk's position full-time,
effective May 1, 1999, in order to provide clerical support for the City's increasing
workload. The Administrator stated that he felt that a billing clerk, and an additional full-
time employee in the City's Utility Department will be necessary in response to the
growing number of utility customers, and that it was likely that additional revenues
generated by these accounts would pay for these positions at some point in the future.
City Council meeting of March 3, 1999
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Stoltzman made motion, Haas seconded, to turn the Deputy Clerk position to a full-time
position effective May 1, 1999, and to appoint the current Deputy Clerk, Michele Lindau,
to the position.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Barnes made motion, Leroux seconded, to advertise for a building inspector in accordance
with the job description prepared by the City Administrator.
All aye. Motion Carried.
The City Administrator then presented a needs analysis he prepared for a new City Hall,
with the conclusion that the City will need approximately 8,000 sq ft administrative space
with 80 parking spaces in the near future. It would take a minimum of one acre of land to
support this facility, and require a budget of approximately $1,000,000. Councilman Haas
asked if this include property acquisition, and the Administrator responded that it may,
given the choice of location. If the site selected requires redevelopment, the cost could be
higher. The Council then discussed the need for a new City Hall, as well as the cost -
benefits of repairing the roof and remodeling the existing site. Councilman Haas requested
a breakdown of funding sources based on the various departments' proposed use of the
facility. Council member Barnes requested that the Administrator provide a draft set of
benchmarks for reviewing site locations.
The Council next discussed the need for additional workshops in the near future.
Stoltzman made motion, Barnes seconded, to conduct a workshop at 7:00 p.m. on March
17, 1999, regarding the Bald Eagle Industrial Park and another workshop at 7:00 p.m. on
March 22, 1999, to review stormwater management issues in the community.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Stoltzman made motion, Haas seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 1999-7, A
RESOLUTION SETTING EMPLOYEE WAGES FOR 1999.
VOTING AYE: Barnes, Haas, Leroux, Petryk, Stoltzman
Motion Carried.
The Council then requested the Administrator provide a recommendation on changing
City benefits to cafeteria plan.
The Council reviewed a letter they received from attorneys representing K -G
Development in the Sweet Grass Meadows subdivision, objecting to statements made in
City Council meeting of March 3, 1999
Page 3
the City Administrator's report provided to the Council at their meeting of February 16,
1999, and certain comments made at the meeting. The Administrator was directed to
prepare a letter of response to be reviewed by the City Attorney prior to being submitted
to the City Council for approval.
Council Member Barnes requested that a new paragraph be inserted in the City's standard
development agreement levying a $5,000 fine on developers when they disturb City
property to construct their facilities without first having obtained written and dated
permission from the City Engineer.
Joyce Dummer, 4950 126th Street, expressed concerns regarding the number of power
outages in her neighborhood. The Administrator stated that he would contact NSP to find
out what problems NSP was experiencing in the area.
Haas made motion, Leroux, seconded, to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Robert A. Museus
City Administrator