HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996.09.30 CC Minutes - Special Council meetingMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
MEMBERS PRESENT: Agness, Barnes, Goiffon, Leroux, Miron
OTHERS PRESENT: Robert Museus, City Administrator; Ron Otkin,
Finance Director; Todd Hubmer, WSB & Assoc.
A special meeting of the Hugo City Council was called to order by the
Mayor at 7:30PM to review proposed stormwater management projects to be
included in the City's 1997 budget.
Ron Otkin informed the Council that due to higher than expected growth in
the City's property tax base, the City's existing tax rate will generate
$53,010 more than originally estimated.
Todd Hubmer, reviewed work plans for three projects his firm would be
responsible for, including a plan for improvements to Hardwood Creek,
Clearwater Creek's Channel, and determining an outlet location for Oneka
Lake Project.
The intent of the Hardwood Creek Drainage Plan is to determine the
greatest possible drainage capacity of Hardwood Creek, given topographic
and regulatory restrictions, 3n order to reduce flooding along the creek
and it's headwaters, as well as, identify development concerns for the
basin. The City's study will be performed in cooperation with a study
being undertaken by the Rice Creek Watershed District to determine the
Creek's historic channel elevation. The City's project will result in a
management plan which addresses future system needs in the basin and
identifies improvements required to manage projected stormwater runoff in
the watershed.
The Clearwater Creek Channel Improvement Project implements the City's
Clearwater Creek Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. It is
envisioned to be a joint project with Lino Lakes and Rice Creek Watershed
District creating a regional stormwater management system which adds
stormwater storage capacity and improves the low flow drainage
characteristics of the sub -watershed, and enhances water quality. Given
the Bald Eagle Industrial Park Plan is implemented, the City"s share of
the capital improvement costs may be derived from impact fees charged
against the park. Any additional capacity for stormwater storage created
beyond the needs of the industrial park will be "sold" to future
developments in the basin through the levying of impact fees, creating a
funding mechanism for future stormwater improvements in the community.
The engineering proposed by WSB's scope of work culminates in the
preparation of the plans and specifications for the project.
The Oneka Lake Outlet Project is meant to determine a course of action for
the creation of a controlled outlet from Oneka Lake. It will culminate in
a public hearing and subsequent Council decision on where an outlet from
the lake should be created. Future plan implementation could be funded
from a Chapter 444 assessment, the general tax levy, or leveraging private
development through the permitting process, or through charging impact
fees.
The City Administrator also gave the Council an update on the School
Sections/Goggins Lake study proposed to determine the
feasibility of the outlet from the basin and provide information to obtain
necessary permits. Hugo and Grant Township have signed the joint powers
agreement to conduct the study and the City is now awaiting the City of
Stillwater's agreement to participate. Following completion of the study;
(approximately 30 days following the City of Stillwater's signing the
point powers agreement) a public hearing will be held to decide whether to
proceed with the project. It is expected that assessments will be made
under Chapter 444 to fund the proposed outlet from the basin.
Total cost of the stormwater engineering work to be completed 1997 is
estimated at $60,130.00. $125,000 has been allocated from general
engineering expenses in the City's proposed 1997 budget.
The Council took the recommended projects under advisement.
Financing of the new fire hall and how it is to be explained to the public
prior to the referendum was discussed by the Council. At issue was how
the City's growing property tax base would impact the additional tax levy
required to pay the debt service on the new facility. Though it is
obvious that new growth in the community will reduce the impact of the
debt service levy for the fire hall on individual property owners in the
future, the amount of the impact cannot be guaranteed due to fluctuations
in growth rates. In addition, the current city council cannot bind future
city councils as regards to use of the property taxes and any claim of
reduction may be misleading to the public. It is also true that the
dollar amount of the debt service requirement will not change, just the
way that these funds are levied. For these reasons, the Council
determined to use the maximum possible impact of the debt service for the
new fire hall as a basis for explaining the property tax implications of
the project.
At 8:30PM, Leroux made motion, seconded by Miron to adjourn
Upon roll call, all voted aye.
Robert Museus
City Administrator