HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996.05.28 CC Minutes - Special Council meetingMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 28, 1996
The meeting was called to order. .by Mayor Fran Miron at 7:30 PM.
PRESENT: Goiffon, LaValle, Leroux, Miron
City Administrator, Robert Museus
Hoisington Koegler Group, Mike Schroeder
ABSENT: Debra Barnes
MIKE ANDERSON (VARIANCE REQUEST)
Mike and Kara Anderson, 14077 Homestead Avenue, have requested a variance
to construct a house behind an existing pole barn at the above address.
The site at which the Andersons are building their home had been a tree
farm, with the storage building located approximately 236' from Homestead
Avenue. The Andersons are seeking to building their home approximately
800' from Homestead Avenue. This matter had been considered by the Board
of Zoning Adjustments on May 22, 1996, and recommended approval of the
variance.
Miron made motion, Goiffon seconded,
Mike and Kara Anderson to construct
barn at 14077 Homestead Avenue.
All aye. Motion Carried.
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
to approve the variance request of
a residence behind an existing pole
Michael Schroeder of Hoisington Koegler Group updated the Council on the
concepts his firm in using in preparing design guidelines for the
redevelopment of the City's downtown area. As there were a number of
residents of the downtown area in attendance at the meeting, the Mayor
asked for comments on the proposed plan given that work done to -date is
tentative, and is not expected to be completed until August, 1996.
Walter Stoltzman, 8139 157th Street, questioned the layout of the streets,
and, specifically, the use of Forest Boulevard (T.H. 61) for fronting the
buildings. Mr. Schroeder responded that most businesses are expected to
want the visibility provided by T.H. 61, and that bypassing traffic around
the downtown area will result in less business.
Kelly Powell, 14625 Forest Blvd., stated that she and her family had moved
to the community three years ago. She was concerned with the potential
negative impact of the downtown redevelopment on her property, and the
potential that the City may force her family to move. The Council
responded that it is not the City's intent to force people out of their
homes, but rather to plan for the efficient and orderly development of the
downtown area as change naturally occurs.
Catherine Anderson, Carpenter's Restaurant, expressed concern that the
City's plans did not adequately take into account her needs and desires
for construction of a new restaurant on her existing site. The Council
asked Mr. Schroeder to contact Ms. Anderson and attempt to resolve her
concerns.
City Council meeting of May 28, 1996
Page 2
John Latourelle, 14655 Forest Blvd., expressed concerns regarding the
impact of development on Egg Labe, and asked if the City has performed an
environmental review on the project. The Council responded that one of
the reasons for undertaking this project is for protection of Egg Lake and
the natural environment, and the environmental impact of development will
be considered as part of the process.
Carl Nordquist indicated that he is looking at selling his property, and
questioned the timing of the City's redevelopment efforts, and whether the
City would be involved in purchasing homes for redevelopment. The Council
responded that it was too early in the planning process to provide answers
to Mr. Nordquist's questions, but the City would work with residents to
achieve their individual goals as best as possible given the overall plan
for the downtown area.
Lori Crowley, 14716 Fondant Avenue, stated that she had moved into her
home in Hugo seeking to avoid problems associated with an urban
environment, and was concerned that the downtown redevelopment would
change the residential character of her neighborhood.
Martin Gamboni, 14715 Forest Blvd., stated that she has lived in her home
for 40 years, and wanted to know whether the City would force her to
move. The Council informed her that they hoped that she would continue to
live in her home for a good number of years, and it was not their intent
to force her out of her house.
Jim Powell, 14625 Forest Blvd., expressed concerns with the possible
increase in crime from the more dense development proposed for the
downtown area.
FIFE HALL SITE SELECTION
The Council considered the selection of a site for the proposed new Fire
Hall. Fire Chief, Jim Wisner, made a presentation to the Council of nine
locations that the Fire Department felt would meet the criteria
established previously by the Council. The City Administrator suggested
two locations, and Councilman LaValle suggested one location. Through
discussion, it was determined to have the staff develop more detail on the
following areas:
1.
The
American Legion property on
Oneka Lake
Boulevard.
2.
The
City -owned property west of
T.H. 61 and
north of Flay Avenue.
_.
The
southeast quadrant of Fenway
Avenue and
140th Street.
4.
The
northwest quadrant of 140th
Street and
T.H. 61.
5.
The
area of approximately 152nd
Street west
of T.H. 61.
6.
The
intersection of Everton Avenue
North and
C.S.A. S.
COUNCIL EVALUATION
The City Administrator then presented the Council with the results of the
self-evaluation questionnaire previously provided to the Council.
Generally, the comments received were positive with some areas needing
additional attention in order to improve the efficiency and team work in
Council activities. Councilman Leroux felt that at times positive actions
City Council meeting of May 28, 1996
Page 3
of the Council were given a negative spin through the spreading of rumors
in the community, and that to counteract this negativity, the Council
needed to be open, consistent, and honest in dealings with the public; and
not give credence to the rumors through overreaction to them. Mayor Miron
stated that he felt that the City Council does a good job in providing
information to the public, but more effort needs to be made by the Council
in going out and speaking in the community to insure that the information
being passed is accurate. Councilman Leroux felt that the Council needed
to pull together as a team, and support majority decisions when they are
made.
Councilman LaValle expressed concerns regarding the short time -frames that
the Council sometimes in faces in making decisions, and said that he would
prefer more lead time to consider issues. Mayor Miron felt that the
Council needed to formalize its policy -development process while still
being responsive to the public.
Mayor Miron brought up the issue of the quality;of legal services.
Councilman Leroux stated that he was generally satisfied with the City
Attorney's performance, but that the City needed to create a system to
bring closure to ordinance violations in a quicker and more efficient
manner. He suggested that the Council meet with the City Attorney to
develop methods to speed up the resolution of ordinance violations.
LaValle stated that there were still difficulties in the communication
between himself and the City Administrator that he was working on
resolving.
The Mayor requested that the City Administrator prepare a memo, based on
Council discussion, with a series of action -steps to improve Council
performance.
Leroux made motion, Goiffon seconded, to adjourn at 11:00PM
All aye. Motion Carried.
Robert A. Museus
City Administrator