Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.12.07 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 7.1998 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Fran Miron at 7:10 p.m. PRESENT: Arcand, Barnes, Goiffon, Miron City Administrator, Robert Museus City Attorney, Greg Galler City Engineer, Tom Angus City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager Councilman Leroux arrived at the meeting at 7:30 p.m. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Beaver Ponds/130th Street Lift Station Commuter Rail Update Judicial Ditch #2 Barnes made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: City Council minutes for November 16, 1998 City Council minutes for November 30, 1998 General Claims for December 7, 1998 Minor Subdivision (Lessard) Special Use Permit (Bernie) All aye. Motion Carried. MINOR SUBDIVISION (LESSARD) Patricia L. Lessard, 5326 140th Street, requested to subdivide a 1.3 acre parcel at the above address into three single family lots. All three lots meet the minimum dimension requirements of the City's SFU zoning district. The side yard and rear yard variances are required for the middle lot due to the relationship of the existing home on the property, and the proposed lot lines. The PC considered this request at their meeting of November 18, 1998, and recommended approval of the subdivision with a 12.5' side yard variance and rear yard variance of 9.6', with removal of the existing deck. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the subdivision as conditioned, and subject to payment of two (2) parkland dedication fees for the newly -created lots. SPECIAL USE PERMIT (BERNIN) Bruce A. Bernin, 6540 Greene Avenue, requested renewal of a SUP to operate Bernin's Tree Farm and display four advertising signs for his business during the Christmas holidays. The PC considered this request at their meeting of November 18, 1998, and recommended renewal of the SUP through the year 2008, and allowing Christmas tree sale to start the day after Thanksgiving. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the renewal of the SUP as conditioned. City Council meeting of December 7, 1998 Page 2 FENWAY BOULEVARD CLOSING The Council considered a draft letter notifying property owners along Fenway Boulevard of the City's intention to close the street for its protection during the 1998/99 winter season. In order to be able to market his property, Tom Jackson requested the City provide access to his property. Miron made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve the letter as proposed. All aye. Motion Carried. RECOGNITION OF GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS Angelique Howe and Abra Seelig were present at the Council meeting to receive a Certificate of Achievement from the City for their recent receipt of the Girl Scout Gold Award, and their contributions to the community made as a part of the process of earning this award. PUBLIC HEARING (1999 BUDGET) A public hearing was held to receive public comment, and consider the adoption of the City's 1999 budget and tax levy. (COUNCILMAN LEROUX AT 7:30 PM). The 1999 budget is 3.05% over last year's budget. Tom Jackson asked for clarification of the City's impact fee policy. There were no other comments relative to the proposed budget. As the City cannot adopt the budget the same night as the public hearing, formal action will be taken at a later date. ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECK (SHERIFF JIM FRANK) The Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating establishments licensed to sell liquor in the City of Hugo to determine if those establishments are complying with state law regarding sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. Sheriff Frank appeared before the Council regarding the Sheriffs findings in this matter, stating that he met with violators to discuss how they can correct the problem. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, to accept the Sheriffs policy for handling first-time offenders of establishments sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. VOTING AYE: Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron ABSTAINED: Arcand Motion Carried. ONEKA LAKE AREA GROUND WATER STUDY A group of engineering students from the U of M recently prepared a study of the ground water in the Oneka Lake area, under the supervision of Professor Randall Barnes. The students presented the findings of their study to the Council with a slide presentation. Mayor Miron thanked the students for their presentation, and suggested that the study be presented to the RCWD's Board of Managers. City Council meeting of December 7, 1998 Page 3 VARIANCE =RSTEN) Jody Kersten, 4859 121st Street North, requested a variance to construct a 1,200 sq ft detached garage on her property at the above address, where 1,000 sq ft is allowed by ordinance. The proposed building would provide storage for two household vehicles, a 26' boat, and other personal items. The property is zoned SFE. Ms. Kersten will remove the existing garage on the site and replace it with a new 30' x 40' building. This item was scheduled before the Board of Adjustments at their meeting of November 18, 1998, but due to lack of a quorum, the matter was forwarded to the Council without a recommendation. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, to approve the variance request of Jody Kersten, 4859 121 st Street, to construct a 1,200 sq ft detached garage for personal storage. The property is zoned SFE, which allows 1,00 sq ft of accessory storage. Approval is subject to the existing garage being removed and replaced with the new building. All aye. Motion Carried. PROPOSED TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT 120TH STREET AND FOREST BLVD. The City received a letter from White Bear Township requesting the City participate in the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of 120th Street and Forest Boulevard. The Township was recently informed by MNDOT that a traffic signal is being considered for construction at the intersection in 2001 or 2002. The Township would like to advance this schedule through MnDOT's Cooperative Agreement Program. Potentially, the City would be required to pay for 25% of the cost of signalizing this intersection, at an estimate of approximately $42,000. Signalizing this intersection has not been a concern in the City of Hugo, but raising of the 120th Street railroad crossing would be beneficial to the community. The Council also suggested that the Township might consider blacktopping Goodview Avenue, just north CR7. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, that staff send a letter to the Township indicating the City's interest in working with the Township to have the intersection signaled and make other improvements to the area's road system. All aye. Motion Carried. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC UTILITY COST SHARING Mr. Jeffrey Shopek, representing the Backes Companies, developer of the Creekview Preserve subdivision, requested that the City reimburse the developer for certain costs incurred in extending 12" watermain along the east side of TH61, and over -depth of the sanitary sewer to serve the development, in accordance with the City's cost-sharing policy for utilities. Barnes made motion, Miron seconded, directing the City Engineer to determine the area benefited by the extension of water and sewer mains, the marginal costs of making such improvements, and the potential number of hookups off the property of the developer to be served by the improvements, and establish a public hearing date for consideration of the developer's request. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of December 7, 1998 Page 4 REQUEST TO PARK OVERWEIGHT VEHICLE ON RESIDENTIAL STREET Mr. Todd Jones, 6090 146th Street, requested permission from the Council to park a commercial business vehicle at the above address. Hugo City Code, Chapter 219-8, Subd. C states that vehicles in excess of 7,000 lbs gross licensed vehicle weight may not be parked in residential districts of the City. Mr. Jones would like to continue parking the vehicle at his residence as he uses the vehicle in his employment, and it benefits his employer to have the vehicle located at his home to help maintain response times to callouts and for security of the vehicle. The City Attorney stated that a variance to the ordinance could not be granted in this instance. The City would need to amend the existing ordinance to allow Mr. Jones to park the vehicle. Staff recommended the Council not approve the request, as the conditions Mr. Jones refers to in his request are not unusual, and would apply to a great number of circumstances. Granting the request would set a precedent that may effectively undermine future enforcement of the ordinance. The Council agreed that vehicle weight was critical in determining parking regulations. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to table Mr. Jones's request to allow the City Attorney time to review the ordinance and make a recommendation. All aye. Motion Carried. SUP/LEASE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT (THANKSGIVING LUTHERAN CHR) Thanksgiving Lutheran Church, 7032 137th Street (Rice Lake Park Bldg), applied for a SUP to erect a portable, mobile home -type classroom adjacent to the building for use in bible study and Sunday school. This request requires both a SUP by the City to allow the portable classroom on the site, and an amended Lease Agreement to allow the classroom be placed on City property. The SUP was considered by the PC at their meeting of November 18, 1998, and they recommended approval of the SUP subject to special conditions. Goiffon made motion, Barnes seconded, to approve a SUP for Thanksgiving Lutheran Church to a erect portable, mobile home -type classroom adjacent to the Rice Lake Park Building, subject to the following special conditions: 1. The manufactured building used for classroom purposes shall meet the requirements of the State Building Code, Manufactured Home Division, for such use. 2. A noncombustible walkway, meeting handicap code requirements, shall connect the manufac- tured building to the RLPB for access to sanitation facilities. 3. The building shall be removed from the site upon termination of the Lease. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to approve an amendment to the Lease Agreement between TLC and the City of Hugo, and authorize the Mayor to sign said amendment. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of December 7, 1998 Page 5 COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE REGULATIONS The Hugo Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed comprehensive land -use regulations for the City of Hugo on November 14, 1998, and continued the hearing at their regular meeting of November 18, 1998. Following consideration of comments received at the hearings, the PC recommended that the Council adopt the draft Comprehensive Land -Use Regulations and zoning map now dated as November 23, 1998. Mayor asked for additional time for review of the regulations. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to schedule a workshop, to be held jointly with the Planning Commission, for December 14, 1998, 9:00 a.m., at the Rice Lake Park Building. All aye. Motion Carried. Leroux made motion, Barnes seconded, to schedule a public hearing for December 21, 1998, at 7:10 p.m., to take public comment on the City's proposed land -use regulations and zoning map. All aye. Motion Carried. PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS The City received six applications for appointment to the City's Planning Commission. The City currently has one vacancy to fill: the vacated term of Sydney Harrison, which expires on December 31, 2001. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to establish an interview committee consisting of Robert Museus, Chuck Haas, and Teddy Peltier, with a recommendation to be forwarded to the Council at their meeting of 12/21/98. All aye. Motion Carried. PROGRESSIVE ENGINEERING PRESENTATION Mr. Naeem Qureshi, Progressive Consulting Engineers, Inc., appeared before the Council to explain services his firm may offer to the City in the expansion of the City's water system. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS The Council considered a letter from the City Engineer requesting permission to develop standard plans and specifications for the construction of City utilities and other public improvements in order to better regulate and monitor development within the City. The proposed cost should not exceed $5,000 to prepare the standard plans and detailed plates. Arcand made motion, Barnes seconded, authorizing the City Engineer to develop plans and specs for the construction of City utilities and other public utilities, at a cost not exceed $5,000.00. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of December 7, 1998 Page 6 WHITE BEAR LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERSHIP The WBL Area Chamber of Commerce has asked that the City of Hugo to join the organization in order to support the growth of commerce and industry within the community. The cost of membership for the City is $205.00. Leroux made motion, Arcand seconded, to approve the City of Hugo's membership in the WBL Chamber of Commerce at a cost of $205.00, and a representative to be appointed at the Council meeting of January 4, 1999. All aye. Motion Carried. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ADVERTISING (CHAMBER MAGAZINE) Staff requested Council approval to place an advertisement to sell the industrial property owned by the City in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park, in the upcoming WBL Area Chamber of Commerce Community Guide. A quarter -page ad, in black and white, would cost $695.00, with the City receiving $100 discount on the ad for a Chamber member. Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve placement of an ad in the Chamber Magazine at a cost of $595.00. All aye. Motion Carried. JUDICIAL MEDIATION SESSION (JACKSON/TSCHIDA ASSESSMENTS) The City Attorney requested that two Council members be appointed to represent the City in negotiations with the Jackson family and Ken Tschida over the City's assessment of their property for the construction of Fenway Boulevard. The mediation session is scheduled for December 11, 1998, at 1:30 p.m. It is hoped that these negotiations will avoid the need for a court trial. Mayor Miron and Council member Barnes will represent the Council. MISCELLANEOUS The Council discussed the Hugo/Grant Christmas party to be held at the Oneka Ridge Golf Course on December 18th at 6:00 p.m. The public is welcome! RCWD Goiffon made motion, Leroux seconded, to schedule a special meeting for December 23, 1998, Shoreview City Hall, at 7:00 pm, to allow the Council to attend a RCWD meeting for discussion of Judicial Ditch #2 in the City of Hugo. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of December 7, 1998 Page 7 THEODORA PELTIER (PC CHAIR RESIGNATION) The City received a letter from the PC Chairperson, Theodora Peltier, resigning her position as the PC chair. She did state her desire to continue service on the PC, but not as Chair. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to accept the resignation of Teddy Peltier as Chairperson of the PC, and appoint David Schumann as Chairman until the end of the year. All aye. Motion Carried. BEAVER POND MOTH STREET LIFT STATION) Goiffon made motion, Miron seconded, to cancel the bid process for the 130th Street lift station project. . All aye. Motion Carried. Goiffon made motion, Leroux seconded, to recess tonight's meeting at 11:00 pm until December 14, 1998, 9:00 am., at the Rice Lake Park Building. All aye. Motion Carried. Mary reager City Cl