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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.01.05 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 1998 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Fran Miron at TOOPM. PRESENT: Arcand, Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron City Administrator, Robert Museus City Attorney, Greg Galler City Engineer, Tom Angus City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: City Council minutes for December 15, 1997 General Claims for January 5, 1998 4720 170th Street Complaint Fire Chief (Revised Job Description) Fire Chief (Notice of Position Vacancy) All aye. Motion Carried. John Waller raised questions about fact that the minutes for December 16, 1997 did not reflect the lack of use of electronic equipment at the meeting, failure to mention certain discussions with Mr. Waller, and that the City Administrator acted as recording secretary of the meeting. Attorney Galler stated that the minutes should reflect the fact that the electronic equipment failed to record the meeting; the Administrator is authorized to record minutes, and all that is needed for Council minutes are motions and a record of votes on the motion. Miron made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve the minutes of December 16, 1997, with a notation that the electronic equipment was not functioning during the meeting. All aye. Motion Carried. 4720 - 170TH STREET NORTH On December 15, 1997, the City's Code Enforcement Officer and Councilman Leroux conducted an inspection at the above address in response to a complaint on the number of unlicensed vehicles maintained on the property. At the time of the inspection, the property was in compliance with City ordinance. Adoption of the Consent Agenda removed this item from future Council consideration. FIRE CHIEF (REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION) The Council reviewed a revised job description for the Fire Chief prepared by the City Administrator, and reviewed by the current Fire Chief. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the revised job description. City Council meeting of January 5, 1998 Page 2 FIRE CHIEF (NOTICE OF POSITION VACANCY) The Council reviewed a Notice of Position Vacancy for the position of Fire Chief. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the posting of the Notice and publication in the City's official newspaper. REZONING REQUEST (MUELLNER/HALL) James M. Muellner, representing Muellner Family Limited Partnership, 4821 Washington Avenue, WBL, MN., requested a rezoning of property owned by the Partnership at 15445 Forest Boulevard North, from RB to Industrial. It is the owners' intent to use the property for a small machine shop and woodworking shop. The property consists of approximately 1.8 acres and two buildings. This request was subject to a public hearing before the Planning Commission on December 17, 1997, at which time the PC recommended that the City deny the rezoning request, but recognized that the building has been used for limited manufacturing since the early 1970s, and it should be considered a legal nonconforming use. The Council considered a draft Special Use Permit for the property. Ms. Hall of the Partnership withdrew their rezoning request, and stated agreement with the proposed SUP with a minor insertion to Condition #1. It was the opinion of the City Attorney that the rezoning public hearing would satisfy the SUP public hearing requirement. Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve a Special Use Permit for Muellner Family Limited Partnership to use the property located at 15445 Forest Boulevard North for a small machine and woodworking shop. The legal public hearing requirement for the SUP was satisfied by the rezoning public hearing conducted by the Planning Commission on December 17, 1997. Approval is subject to the following special conditions: 1. This use of the property is recognized as a lawful, nonconforming use. The buildings on the property may not be enlarged or expanded for any use not in conformance with current City ordinance or amendments thereto. A change to another nonconforming use is not permitted. 2. If, for any reason, the use of this property, as allowed by this Permit, is discontinued for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months or longer, this SUP shall expire, and the property shall be brought into conformance with prevailing ordinance. 3. If the building is destroyed, or suffers damage exceeding 50% of its value, this SUP shall expire, and the property shall be brought into conformance with prevailing ordinance. 4. No more than six (6) persons may be employed on the site during any work shift. 5. Hours of operation are limited to between 6:OOAM and 10:OOPM, seven days a week. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of January 5, 1998 Page 3 1998 OFFICE AND AGENCIES (APPOINTMENTS) Leroux made motion, Barnes seconded, to make following appointments for 1998: Depository for City Funds, Firstar Hugo Bank City Attorney, Greg Galler Zoning Administrator, Robert Museus Fire Chief, Jim Wisner Civil Defense Director, Tun Wisner 1 st Assistant Chief, Jim Compton 2nd Assistant Chief, Ron Gray Acting Mayor, James Leroux Planning Commission Chair, Theodora Peltier Planning Commission Secretary, (to be determined) Official Newspaper, White Bear Press All aye. Motion Carried. PLANNING CONMMSION APPOINTMENT The term of office for Commissioner Sydney Harrison on the Planning Commission ended 12/31/97. She has indicated an interest in being reappointed to this position for a term to expire on 12/31/01. Barnes made motion, Goiffon seconded, to reappoint Sydney Harrison to the Hugo Planning Commission for a term to expire on 12/31/01. All aye. Motion Carried. MASTER PARK PLAN On December 15, 1997, the City Council considered a Master Park Plan for the community recommended by the Planning Commission. This matter was tabled until this meeting. A lengthy discussion continued on the Plan's reference to the "natural community", and residents' request that reference to it be removed. The Council also questioned the 200' buffer requirement. Leroux made motion, Barnes seconded, to adopt the Master Park Plan for the City of Hugo with the following revisions: 1. Page 2-23 should be amended to refer to the City's Downtown Redevelopment Plan, and specifically, state that the City will cooperate with Washington County and MNDOT for the development of the T.H. 61 corridor for motor vehicle, light rail, and pedestrian City Council meeting of January 5, 1998 Page 4 use; and furthermore, that if for some reason the proposed trail system cannot be brought through the downtown area by trail or sidewalk, continuity of the system and service to the downtown area should be maintained. 2. The Council chooses Option #I from Dave Wanberg's letter of December 15, 1997, to maintain existing protection policies and not identify the natural areas. 3. Figure 7-A, the Natural Systems Plan map should be removed from the document. 4. Paragraph three on page 7-8 should be adjusted to remove reference to the 200 -foot buffer zone around natural communities. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, to amend the previous motion that the Council shall review the revised Plan once the above -noted changes have been made. VOTE ON AMENDMENT: All aye. Motion Carried. VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: All aye. Motion Carried. FIRE HALL FLYER On December 15, 1997, the City Council considered taking legal action against those individuals in the community who published a Fire Hall flyer during the November Fire Hall referendum. Allegations are that the flyer did not contain the identification required by the State, and contained inaccurate information. No further action will be taken by the City on this matter. FIRE CHIEF APPOINTMENT CRITERIA The Council considered the City Administrator's recommendations for criteria to be used for selection of a new Fire Chief. This is the same criteria used during the last selection process. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to proceed with selection of the new Fire Chief using the same criteria used during the last selection process. All aye. Motion Carried. BRIDGE REPORT The City's consulting engineering firm conducted their annual inspection of the bridges within the City. The report of the inspecting engineer was provided to the Council, as well as his recommendation on necessary corrective measures. Repairs on the bridge located on Forest Road North would impact residents, so it was suggested by the Administrator that before any corrective measures are taken, that a meeting be held with affected residents. The bridge located north of Bald Eagle Lake on 129th Street could be repaired at a cost of $4,000. City Council meeting of January 5, 1998 Page 5 Leroux made motion, Miron seconded, to repair the bridge located on 129th Street, as recommended by the City Engineer, at a cost not to exceed $4,000. An informational meeting be held with residents prior to any decision being made for repairs to the Forest Road bridge. All aye. Motion Carried. BALD EAGLE INDUSTRIAL PARK (EAW) The Council reviewed a report prepared by the City Administrator regarding the selection of a firm to prepare an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed Bald Eagle Industrial Park and construction of Fenway Boulevard from 130th Street to 140th Street. The City received two proposals, one from OSM and the other from WSB. It was the Administrator's recommendation to award the project to WSB as the low-cost alternative in the amount of $6,667.00. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, to accept the Administrator's recommendation and award the preparation of an EAW for the proposed Bald Eagle Industrial Park and construction of Fenway Boulevard from 130th Street to 140th Street to the low bidder, WSB, in an amount not to exceed $6,667.00. All aye. Motion Carried. 1998 COMP PLAN AMENDMENT The Council considered a letter from Mr. Richard Thompson of the Metropolitan Council regarding the requirements of the City's 1998 Comp Plan amendment. This amendment includes eight components, including a traffic plan for the urbanizing portion of the community, as well as a reconciliation of projected growth rates and expansion of the City's sanitary sewer system. The City Engineer has been requested to provide the Council with cost estimates for performing this work. No action was taken on this matter. BUDGET WORKSHOP DATE The City Council expressed an interest in holding a workshop in January to consider the feasibility of adjusting the City's 1998 budget to allow for construction of a new Fire Hall for the community. In addition, the Council tabled consideration of 1998 employee wages and establishment of building permit fees until the budget workshop meeting. Barnes made motion, Goiffon seconded, to schedule a Council budget workshop for Wednesday, January 21, 1998, Hugo City Hall, at 7:30PM. All aye. Motion Carried. City council meeting of January 5, 1998 Page 6 MISCELLANEOUS The City received a letter of resignation from Joanne Hensley, Deputy Clerk, effective January 16, 1998. Mayor Miron informed the public of a Galler/Angus-sponsored "after Christmas party" to be held on January 16, 1998, 6:30PK at the Oneka Ridge Clubhouse. The public is invited, and should call City Hall if they plan on attending. Goiffon made motion, Leroux seconded, to adjourn at 9:01PM. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary reager, Clerk City of go