HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997.09.15 CC MinutesMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPT. 15,1997
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Fran Miron at 7: IOPM.
PRESENT: Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron
City Administrator, Robert A. Museus
City Attorney, Greg Gauer
City Engineer, Tom Angus
City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager
Council Member James Leroux arrived at 7:25PM.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
Metro Council Update (City Administrator)
Goiffon made motion, Barnes seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda:
Minutes for the Hugo City Council meeting of September 2,1997
General Claims for September 15, 1997
Fire Department Software
All aye. Motion Carried.
FIRE DEPARTMENT SOFTWARE
Fire Chief, Jim Wisner, requested authority to purchase a new software program to aid in
the management and administration of the Fire Department. A copy of the brochure
describing the software and its capabilities was provided to the Council for their review.
This program will replace the existing PROBO CHIEF software, which is approximately
eight years old. The price of the system is $2,395, with the annual updates and program
support costing $560 per year. The cost of this software and the system support is within
the Fire Department's existing budget. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the
Fire Department's purchase of Fire House software 3.0 at a cost of $2,395.
HUGO SNOWMOBILE CLUB
Ms. Julie Kirkeeide, representing the Hugo Snowmobile Club, addressed the Council
regarding the establishment of a snowmobile route through the community for the 1997/98
winter season. Hugo City Code, Chapter 181.10, establishes the process for reviewing
snowmobile route applications, and provides for certain specified information to be
provided to the City to review such requests. The HSC had not yet provided any of the
information required. Ms. Kirkeeide asked if the Council had any concern/questions
regarding their Club. Staff would check City records for any recorded complaints from
last year's snowmobile season. Ms. Kirkeeide asked about the railroad bed that was
blocked over Hardwood Creek. She was instructed to contact Washington County
regarding its status.
City Council meeting of September 15, 1997
Page 2
6213 EGG LAKE ROAD (ASSESSMENT)
Mayor Miron and Council Member Barnes reported on their assessment negotiations with
Mr. Louie Bailey, and recommended that the assessment be lowered by $2,000.
Goiffon made motion, Barnes seconded, to accept the recommendation of Mayor Miron
and Council Member Barnes to reduce the assessment for 6213 Egg Lake Road from
$8,066.96 to $6,066.96.
All aye. Motion Carried.
EMERGENCY WARNING SIREN
The Council considered plans and specifications for the installation of a new emergency
warning siren in the vicinity of the City's south water tower, as well as the retrofit of the
City's existing siren at the north water tower site to radio controls. Estimated cost for the
project is $35,000.
Barnes made motion, Goiffon seconded, directing staff to proceed with Advertisement for
Bids for the emergency warning sirens.
All aye. Motion Carried.
ENGINEER'S REPORT (DRAINAGE ISSUES)
Council Member Leroux arrived at 7:25PM. At the Council's request, Mr. Pete
Willenbring, the City's water resource engineer, was present at the Council meeting to
provide them a briefing on the Hardwood Creek culvert realignment project, the
Clearwater Creek storm water improvement project, and the Oneka Lake outlet project.
REQUEST FOR CHANGE IN RURAL DRIVEWAY STANDARDS
Fire Chief, Jim Wisner, provided the City a letter expressing concerns regarding the
construction of long driveways in the City's rural area. His concern is that these long
driveways are not wide enough, or maintained well enough, to allow access for emergency
vehicles. He requested the City adopt more stringent requirements for these driveways
and for their maintenance. The Council discussed the request, but decided they did not
want to legislate personal preference.
Miron made motion, Leroux seconded, to include an article in the City's next Newsletter
outlining the hazards of long driveways in the rural area.
All aye. Motion Carried.
City Council meeting of September 15, 1997
Page 4
PROPOSED CHANGE IN FIRE HALL REFERENDUM VOTING LOCATION
At the City Council meeting of September 2, 1997, the Council designated the Hugo City
Hall at the polling place for the special election scheduled for November 18, 1997. The
City Clerk recommended that the City establish separate polling places for each ward, as
is the case in general elections,, to avoid voter confusion. There is no cost saving derived
from conducting the election at only one ballot location. The number of election judges
required for one location would overcrowd the City Hall. Staff requested the Council
establish the City Hall as the polling place for Ward 1, the American Legion Post #620,
5736 147th Street as the polling place for Ward 2, and the Rice Lake Park Building, 7032
137th Street as the polling place for Ward 3.
Barnes made motion, Leroux seconded, to accept the recommendation of the City Clerk
to designate three separate polling places for the special election of 11/18/97.
All aye. Motion Carried.
ENGINEER'S REPORT (NUORALA DRAINAGE ISSUE)
The Council considered a memorandum from the City Engineer regarding the collapsed
draintile system across the Nuorala property at 8086 165th Street. The Engineer indicated
a cost of between $10,00 and $11,000 to correct this problem. The City had previously
committed to contributing a maximum of $3,000 to restore the drainage in this area, as a
portion of the water off of 165th Street crosses Mr. Nuorala's property. Mr. Nuorala
indicated a willingness to contribute $2,000 toward the project, and adjacent property
owners feeding into the draintile have indicated an unwillingness to contribute. After
further discussion, the Council decided that the City should not get involved in private
drainage problems.
Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, that as the Nuorala drainage issue is a private
concern, the City withdraw financial support for the project. Mr. Nuorala is to be
informed of other options for financial assistance that may be available to him.
All aye. Motion Carried.
OFFICE ASSISTANT/DEPUTY CLERK HIRING RECOMMENDATION
As the interviews of applicants for the position of Deputy Clerk and Office Assistant were
not completed until Thursday, September 11th, a recommendation to fill these positions
was not included with this report.
Goiffon made motion, Leroux seconded, to accept the recommendation of the City
Administrator to hire Joanne Hensley for the Deputy Clerk position and Carol Murray for
the Office Assistant position.
All aye. Motion Carried.
City Council meeting of September 15,1997
Page 5
DNR WORKSHOP (PLANNING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invited the City of Hugo to participate
in a workshop to be conducted October 29-30, 1997 regarding planning for the
environment. The DNR indicated that a delegation of three to five individuals from the
community would be preferred. There is a cost of $90.00 per individual to cover
registration and meeting costs.
Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, directing the City Administrator to provide a
delegation to represent the City at the DNR workshop.
All aye. Motion Carried.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT WORKSHEET
The Council was provided with a capital improvement priority worksheet. Staff requested
that each Council member complete the questionnaire and return to the City Administrator
at the Council's September 22nd budget workshop. No further action was required.
WORKPLACE SAFETY POLICY
The City Administrator presented the Council with a proposed Workplace Safety Policy
on September 2, 1997. This matter is to be placed on a later agenda for Council
consideration.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION (COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON)
On September 4, 1997, the City received a letter from Council member Debi Johnson of
Ward 1 resigning from the City Council as of September 19, 1997. Ms. Johnson was
elected to this office in November, 1996 to fill the remaining two years of a four-year
term. The City Attorney stated that because there is less than two years remaining on the
term of office, the Council can appoint someone to fill the position to serve until the next
regular City election.
Leroux made motion, Barnes seconded, the City publish an advertisement soliciting names
from residents of Ward 1 interested in completing the unexpired term on the Council.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Mayor Miron received a letter from a Hugo resident regarding a proposed 90 -acre
recreational area located at the southwest corner of Forest Lake Township. It was her
feeling that Hugo would be impacted negatively by the increase in traffic that would be
generated by the proposal.
City Council meeting of September 15, 1997
Page 6
Miron made motion, Barnes seconded, directing the City Administrator to send a letter to
the Forest Lake Township requesting some administrative details relating to the proposed
request, copying Washington County and the initiator of the letter.
All aye. Motion Carried.
METRO COUNCEL UPDATE
The City Administrator updated the Council on the Metro County Community
Development meeting he had attended this date. Hugo received approval of its Comp
Plan except for sections dealing with land use and multi -family housing. Amendments to
the Plan will be provided. The City also received approval for a 500 -acre MUSA
expansion.
Goiffon made motion, Leroux seconded, to adjourn at 9:06PM.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Mary Creager
City C rk