HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.11.09 CC Minutes - Special Council meetingMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 91998
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Fran Miron at 7:40 p.m.
PRESENT: Arcand, Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron
City Administrator, Robert Museus
City Finance Director, Ron Otkin
City Attorney, Greg Galler
City Water Resource Engineer, Pete Willenbring
Mayor elect, Walter Stoltzman
Council elect, Becky Petryk
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (SWEET GRASS MEADOWS, PHASE 1)
The City Attorney provided the Council with two recommended changes to the draft
Agreement: 1) include the wives of the property owner's signatories to the Agreement, and 2)
change page 3 to clarify that the Mariers are not financially responsible for any of the
construction or improvement costs related to Phase 1 of the development. Mayor elect, Walter
Stoltzman, asked how many lots were included in the Phase (39). The width of Greene Avenue
the developers are responsible for constructing (24' rural standard), and how much the City was
contributing for the construction of the bike path on Oneka Lake Boulevard ($16,500).
Barnes made motion, Leroux seconded, to approve the Development Agreement for SWEET
GRASS MEADOWS, subject to the changes recommended by the City Attorney.
All aye. Motion Carried.
FINAL PLAT (SWEET GRASS MEADOWS)
The City Council then considered the plat for SWEET GRASS MEADOWS, PHASE 1. Council
member Barnes expressed concern that the lots do not seem to be drawn to sizes indicated on the
plat, and stated that the City needed to insure that all of the lots met the minimum lot size
requirements.
Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve the final plat for SWEET GRASS MEADOWS,
PHASE 1, subject to the City Engineer verifying minimum lot sizes.
All aye. Motion Carried.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (FEGOWI RENTALS)
The Council considered the Development Agreement for the subdivision known as FEGOWI
RENTALS.
Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to approve the Development Agreement subject to the City
Engineer's recommendation for the required letter of credit and the developer agree to a date in
1999 where all required public improvements are to be completed. All aye. Motion Carried.
City Council meeting of November 9, 1998
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PETITION TO RCWD
The Council considered a report from attorney Paul Haik regarding his findings on the obstructions
present in Judicial Ditch 2 (Hardwood Creek). Mr. Haik stated that, in his opinion, it is obvious that
Judicial Ditch 2 has been obstructed by the installation of culverts at CR4 and Harrow Avenue at an
improper elevation, and such obstructions have increased the sedimentation and decreased the flow
rate in the channel. He stated that the appropriate method for correcting this situation is for the
RCWD to conduct a public hearing on the obstructions, and order their adjustment to the proper
elevation by the authorities who had constructed the culverts. He also stated that the owners of
property, who were assessed for the construction of the ditch, still had a property right in its
continued operation and function as originally constructed, and that, in his opinion, the City should
pursue protecting both the property owners and the City's rights in the adequate operation repair of
the ditch.
FEGOWI RENTALS
The City Attorney then informed the Council that he had just completed a side discussion with the
developers for the FEGOWI RENTALS subdivision, and that they had a concern with posting of the
letter of credit for the construction of 152nd Street. At the time of the subdivision, it was envisioned
that 152nd Street in the development area would be constructed to serve what is known as Parcel A
of the subdivision, and they had not set a time to develop the property. Posting of the letter of credit
at this time would be an undue burden on the property owners.
Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, to reconsider the Development Agreement for FEGOWI
RENTALS.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to amend the Development Agreement to state that the
developer shall post a letter of credit for the construction of 152n Street across the property, at such
time as the road is required to be constructed under the terms of the Development Agreement.
All aye. Motion Carried.
1999 PROPOSED BUDGET
Ron Otkin, the City's Finance Director, then addressed the Council regarding the proposed 1999
budget. He explained that when the City established its maximum property tax rate in September,
e City's tax capacity was unknown, but it was assumed it would increase 5% for payable 1999. The
City recently received its actual tax capacity for 1999, showing an increase of only 3.3%, resulting in
an increase of the City's urban tax rate by 1.4% and the City's rural tax rate by 1.35%. In order to
maintain a stable property tax rate in 1999, it will be necessary to decrease the City's proposed
property tax levy for 1999 by approximately $15,000. Mr. Otkin recommended that this
City Council meeting of November 9, 1998
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could be done by reducing the amount of money available for capital projects during the year. The
Council discussed the need to meet and discuss capital expenditure priorities for 1999.
Barnes made motion, Leroux seconded, to set November 30, 1998, to conduct a special meeting of
the City Council at 7:30 p.m. for discussion of capital expenditure priorities for 1999.
All aye. Motion Carried.
The Council then discussed the Fire Department budget for 1999 with Fire Chiet Joe McMahon,
and assistant chiefs, Greg Burmeister and Jim Compton. The Chief had requested that firefighters be
paid for two howl for each drill period attended rather than the one hour currently allowed by the
City. In addition, the Chief requested that the Department's training officer, rescue captain, and the
engine captain, each receive annual stipend of $400 a year as recognition for the time and effort they
provide the Department, and that the City budget $1,650 for Department clothing during 1999.
Goiffon made motion, Leroux seconded, to adjust the City's 1999 budget to allow for the increases
requested by the Chief.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Robert A. Museus
City Administrator