HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.05.24 CC MinutesMNUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 24,1999
The Mayor reconvened the regular Council meeting of May 17, 1999 at 7:00pm.
PRESENT: Barnes, Haas, Leroux, Petryk, Stoltzman
City Administrator, Robert Museus
City Attorney, Greg Galler
City Engineer, Tom Angus
Finance Director, Ron Otkin
Ehlers & Associates, Rusty Fifield
The City Administrator requested that the Council consider a letter from the City Engineer
recommending the Council approve issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for Creekview
Preserve Phase 1.
Barnes made motion, Stoltzman seconded, to approve issuing Certificates of Occupancy for
Creekview Preserve, Phase 1, as recommended by the City Engineer, with the condition that
the warranty period for public improvements will not begin until such improvements are
accepted by the Council.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Following introduction of City staff and consultants present at the meeting, the City
Administrator provided a brief history of development in the BEIP, including those issues
that led the City to become involved in the project, as well as the established goals and
objectives.
Rusty Fifield of Ehlers and Associates, who has assisted the City in the creation of the
economic development district No. 1, and tax increment financing district No. 1, explained
to the Council the current financial situation of the Park project, as well outlining a
proposed long-term financing plan. Mr. Fifield explained that it would require an additional
$4,000,000 worth of development in the Park, either in public or privately -owned property,
during the next two years in order to fully fund repayment of the bonds issued for the
project. He expected the City would replace the temporary bonds issued for the project
with permanent bonds in late year 2000.
The City Administrator then provided the Council with a list of 21 contacts that have been
made over the last 15 months, with potential industrial property buyers.
Pete Willenbring, the City's Water Resource Engineer, made a brief presentation on the
status of the 13 acres of wetlands identified on the site. He was followed by Kate Drewry,
administrator for the RCWD, who stated that the District was willing to work with the City
to provide a long-term plan for the restoration and/or mitigation of the wetlands in the Park.
Councilman Haas then recommended that the Council consider hiring a third -party firm to
review the Industrial Park project in order to improve the Council's understanding of
industrial -development processes, and show due diligence in the Council's oversite
responsibilities.
City Council meeting of May 24, 1999
Page 2
Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to invite Steve Carlson from Foster, Wentzell,
Hedback & Brever, LLC, to make a presentation on his firm's services to the City Council
at its next regular meeting.
Voting AYE: Haas, Petryk, Stoltzman
Voting NAY: Barnes, Leroux
Motion Carried.
Leroux made motion, Barnes seconded, to move the meeting into closed session at 9:45 pm
for the purpose of discussing ongoing litigation with the RCWD, DNR, and BWSR, with
the City's legal counsel, Mr. Paul Haik.
All aye. Motion Carried.
The Council reconvened the open session at approximately 11:15 p.m. Councilman Haas,
the City's representative on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, stated a
request from the Commission to have the City Attorney provide information on various
options the City has in purchasing property for park use.
Leroux made motion, Stoltzman, directing the City Attorney to meet with the Parks
Commission, and provide them the requested information.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Leroux made motion, Barnes seconded, to adjourn at 11:20 pm.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Robert A. Museus
City Administrator