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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997.09.02 CC Minutes- - ._ MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CM COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPT. 2, 1997 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Fran Miron at 7:08PM. PRESENT: Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron City Administrator, Robert Museus City Attorney's Office, Tom Wiedon City Engineer, Tom Angus City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager ABSENT: Debi Johnson ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Discussion of proposed Beaver Lake subdivision Discussion of Bald Eagle Industrial Park project Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: General Claims for September 2, 1997 Gambling Permit (National Ataxia Foundation) Variance Request (Sullivan) Variance Request (Oneka Childcare Center) All aye. Motion Carried. Goiffon made motion, Leroux seconded, to approve the minutes of August 18, 1997 as amended: Johnson voted NAY on fire hall referendum. VOTING AYE: Goiffon, Leroux, Miron ABSTAINED: Barnes Motion Carried. GAMBLING PERMIT (NATL ATAXIA FOUNDATION) The National Ataxia Wayzata Foundation applied to renew their permit to conduct lawful gambling activities at Carpenters, 14559 Forest Blvd. This charitable organization has conducted gambling activities at the bar/restaurant for a number of years without the City receiving any complaints. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved issuance of'the permit by the City. VARIANCE REQUEST (SULLIVAN) John and Suzanne Sullivan, 15325 Irish Avenue, requested a variance to allow the construction of a 1,196 sq ft garage, where 1,000 sq ft is allowed by ordinance. The Board of Adjustments considered their request on August 27, 1997, and recommended approval of the variance as the additional space is made necessary due to the unique angle City Council meeting of September 2, 1997 Page 2 of the garage attachment to the house, which is in itself being caused by the location of the septic system on the site and the adjacent wetlands. The Board of Adjustments conditioned approval upon the total amount of accessory structures on the property being limited to that allowed by law minus 100 sq ft to account for the additional garage size allowed. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the variance request as conditioned. VARIANCE REQUEST (ONEKA CHILDCARE CENTER) Mr. Tom Houk, representing the Center, 5525 141st Street, requested a variance to locate a pylon sign closer to the street than the ordinance allows. The standard allowed in the RB district is that the sign should be located 32 feet from the right-of-way of TH61 and 32 feet from the right-of-way of 141st Street. Mr. Houk maintained that the large public wetland easement that bisects his property limits the location of the sign, and that the location he requested, which is 22 feet from TH61 and 10 feet from 141 st Street, placed the sign in a safe position in the parking lot constructed for his business. The City Engineer's review indicated that the proposed sign location would not have adverse consequences on traffic safety. The Board of Adjustment considered Mr. Houk's request at their meeting of August 27, 1997, and recommended approval of the variance as proposed. Adoption of the Consent Agenda allowed a pylon business sign to be located 22 feet from TH61, and 10 feet from 141st Street. VARIANCE REQUEST (GAMBOND Thomas and Mary Gamboni, 5927 Egg Lake Road, requested a variance to construct a driveway 24 feet in excess of the 22 foot maximum allowed width in the City's residential district. This request was considered by the Board of Zoning Adjustments at their meeting of August 27, 1997, and they recommended denial of the variance as the enforcement of the ordinance would not cause undue hardship on the property, granting of the variance would not be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the ordinance, and the Gambonis have reasonable use of their property without granting the variance. Mayor Miron stated that the Council should consider the extenuating circumstances in that the Gambonis live on a corner lot with a fire hydrant, limiting the availability of off-street parking. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to grant a variance to Thomas and Mary Gamboni, 5927 Egg Lake Road, for the construction of a driveway 24 feet in excess of the 22 foot maximum allowed. Variance is granted based on the fact that the Gambonis live on a corner lot, with a fire hydrant, that limits the availability of off-street parking. Barnes stated that she will vote NAY on the motion because the Gambonis went ahead with installation of the driveway after being told they would need to apply for a variance, and the variance requested was excessive. City Council meeting of September 2, 1997 Page 3 VOTING AYE: Goiffon, Leroux, Miron VOTING NAY: Barnes Motion Carried. PROPERTY APPRAISAL (6213 EGG LAKE ROAD) During the assessment hearing for the CR8A improvement project, the City Council directed staff to contact Lake State Realty Services, Inc., to have a limited -scope appraisal performed on the above address to determine the benefits the property received from the improvement project. LSRS, Inc., recommended a full narrative appraisal report be prepared for the property at a cost of $675, which is about twice the cost of a limited - scope report. The assessment amount for the property was $8,000. Mr. Bailey, previous owner of the property (6213 Egg Lake Road), was present and stated that he was willing to "negotiate" a settlement with the City, rather than incurring large legal fees for both parties. There was discussion as to whether Mr. Bailey had access to City sewer located at the northwest corner of his property. Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, that Mayor Miron and Council member, Debra Barnes, negotiate with Mr. Bailey in an effort to come to an agreement on a fair assessment for the property located at 6213 Egg Lake Road. All aye. Motion Carried. JOB APPLICATIONS The City of Hugo received 15 applications for the part-time positions of Deputy Clerk and Office Assistant. Based on education and experience, staff recommended interviewing eight of the applicants. The interview will include a computer -driven test on their keyboard, data entry, and proofreading skills. The City Administrator will make a recommendation to the Council on filling these positions at the Council meeting of September 18, 1997. The Council was provided copies of documents outlining the selection process recommended, as well as those personnel chosen for an interview. Council member Leroux expressed concerns regarding the amount of emphasis given to the interviews in the selection process. He stated he believed that the interviews should be weighted more heavily. The Administrator responded the point system does not bind the City to hiring any individual and that a recommendation will be made on who will best serve the community based on job-related factors. Goiffon made motion, Barnes seconded, directing City staff to proceed with the short list and process as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of September 2, 1997 Page 4 The Council considered a resolution prepared by the City's bond counsel, Briggs and Morgan, establishing November 18, 1997 as the date to conduct a referendum on whether the City should issue GO bonds to fund the construction of a new Fire Hall. November 18th was chosen for the referendum as November 11 th is a holiday, and on November 4th, the White Bear School District will be having its own election. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to schedule a November 18, 1997 for the referendum vote, with all voting taking place at Hugo City Hall. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, directing City staff to provide Fire Hall referendum information to Ed Carey of WLKX. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 1997-18, A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ELECTION ON $1,145,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF 1997. VOTING AYE: Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron Motion Carried. The Council considered a draft budget proposal for 1998, as well as a resolution establishing a maximum tax levy for 1998. The legislature has imposed levy limits on the City for next year, and the maximum tax levy proposed is that allowable by law. This amount may be reduced, but not increased, when the City determines its 1998 tax levy. The City has not yet received information regarding its tax capacity. This information will not likely be available until late November. The Truth in Taxation meeting is recommended for December 15, 1997 at 7:OOPM. Staff recommended adoption of the resolution, and requested the Council set a special meeting date in September to begin review and discussion of the City's 1998 budget. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 1997-19, A RESOLUTION APPROVING PAYABLE 1998 PRELIMINARY LEVY CERTIFICATION. VOTING AYE: Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron Motion Carried. City Council meeting of September 2, 1997 Page 5 Leroux made motion, Miron seconded, to schedule a Council workshop for Monday, September 22, 1997, 7:30PM, at Hugo City Hall, to consider the 1998 proposed budget. All aye. Motion Carried. Mayor Miron suggested that the Council also discuss "priorities" at the budget workshop. Pilot Land and Development Company, formerly known as Kenco, requested that the City consider accepting a cash payment for construction of the sidewalks required for RLM4 in lieu of construction of the sidewalks. Pilot Land and Development believes that since the sidewalks would be open-ended, and do not connect to a wider network, that they are not necessary at this time, but understand the City's concerns for the future need of a pedestrian trail systems in the area. The City Engineer reviewed this request, and provided his written recommendation. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, to accept the City Engineer's recommendation that Pilot installed the sidewalks as required in the Development Agreement. All aye. Motion Carried. Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, that the City of Hugo not reduce the letter of credit for RLM#4 until construction is completed in the development. All aye. Motion Carried. The Council considered a Workplace Safety Policy, drafted by the City Administrator, in response to a recent OSHA inspection. The Policy covers mandatory reporting requirements, and policies required by State law for hazardous material handling, respiratory protection, blood-borne pathogen exposure control, and confined space entry. In addition, the policy establishes standards for motor vehicle operation, and creates a Workplace Safety Council to continuously review and update the policies and programs for workplace safety. Miron made motion, Goiffon seconded, to table discussion of the matter until to allow further time for review. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of September 2, 1997 Page 6 The City recently received a letter from Metro Council regarding the State of Minnesota's Metropolitan Livable Communities Act. This program is meant to promote the development of affordable housing in the metropolitan suburbs, and provides money to assist communities in developing their programs, and also requires that cities have an approved Livable Communities Program in place in order to obtain certain State funding for the cleanup of contaminated sites. Metro Council also provided a resolution for the City to join in the local incentive account program administered by Metro Council. In return, the City will be required to contribute a minimum of $7,619 in 1998 towards affordable housing programs. The City is not required to be a part of this program, and currently meets the affordable housing goals of the Metro Council, but does not have a program planned or in place for promoting affordable housing. Staff recommended that the City not participate in the Local Housing Incentive Account Program for 1998, but should keep this program in mind for future use in the community. Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, that the City of Hugo not participate in the Local Housing Inventive Account Program for 1998. All aye. Motion Carried. The Council considered a resolution calling for the U.S. Postal Service to adjust its postal service districts to include the entire City of Hugo into the area served by the Hugo Post Office. The Hugo Postmaster has indicated that there is statutory basis for this request in Federal law, and believes that it would be given serious consideration by the Postal Service. This would help resolve issues regarding different mail delivery times within the City, mail being returned to the sender because of the wrong city or zip code being placed on the address, and would also help promote community cohesion. Since the change would impact a large number of residents, Council member Barnes felt that it would important to obtain public input prior to making a change, and thought it best to delay taking action on this matter until after the Fire Hall issue has been resolved. Barnes made motion, Leroux seconded, to table discussion on this matter until the "priorities" workshop. All aye. Motion Carried. City Council meeting of September 2, 1997 Page 7 : CI 11611 1PR Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, that Andy Goiffon represent the City Council at the public hearing on the establishment of the Brown's Creek Watershed District to be held on September 17, 1997, at the Stillwater City Hall. All aye. Motion Carried. Council member Goiffon stated that the Planning Commission was in need of guidance regarding developers' request for answers to questions regarding park development in their proposed development. As yet, the City has not received an application or fee for the proposed development, nor does the City does have a park policy to administer. PC member, Dave Schumann, informed the Council that the PC had appointed a subcommittee to review this issue. Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to schedule a Council workshop for Monday, September 29, 1997, at 7:30PM, Hugo City Hall, for further discussion of the Bald Eagle Industrial Park project. All aye. Motion Carried. The City Administrator outlined the agenda for the City/Metro Council meeting to be conducted Monday, September 8, 1997. IX ► 1 After inspection of the cul-de-sac located in the White Oak Heights subdivision, the City Engineer provided the Council with his comments. Mayor Miron suggested that sometime in the future, the City raise its minimum standards for cul-de-sacs to adequately accommodate parking. Barnes made motion, Leroux seconded, to recess tonight's meeting at 9:25PM until Monday, September 8, 1997, 12 noon, Hugo City Hall. All aye. Motion Carri . Mary Creager City rk