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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 Spring Newsletter � I`L I Hugo City Hall • 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue North • Hugo, Minnesota 55038 2001: A Turning Point _ 4 , Year For Hugo Nearly two years ago,the City of Hugo celebrated its b 100th birthday. That milestone represented a sense d a of accomplishment for the City,but it also marked a a turning point for the future of Hugo. i Kidz'n Biz Fest is Back! The finalization of several projects took place in Sunday,April 6 2006 and 2007 — including completion of a new Page 4 elementary school, the grand opening of the City's first grocery store and the finishing touches to the reconstruction of CSAH 8/14. 2008 City Focus Based on the 2008 City Focus Goals (see story at Goals right)Hugo is poised for even more opportunities for success. This includes Parks Projects such as break- Earlier this year, the Hugo City Council developed ing ground on and approved its annual City Focus Goals for 2008. the Rice Lake While the overall goals have remained somewhat Park Soc- M constant over the past few years,the specifics of each cer Complex have evolved to keep pace with the growth and de- and finalizing velopment of the City. Once again staff,Council and the develop- residents have worked together to provide a frame- ment of Oak work for the continued success of Hugo. The top Shore Park. It goals for the City of Hugo in 2008 are: also includes completion Goal A Transportation Planning of the Com- r While major transportation projects have been com- • • p r e h e n s i v e '~-�,.,, (���� pleted in the past two years, the focus this year will • Plan, moving be to finalize the Highway 61 Corridor Plan in Hugo. • .• forward with In addition to this very visible project, the City will downtown re- proactively research future metro transit options and • • developmentwill continue to work with Washington County's i 1-906 and providing Technical Advisory Committee 7-8-9 Study regard- -' • ' a more visible ing improvements to County Road 8 East into May • policing presence in Township. • City Hall. Goal#2:Public Safety "Residents working together with City staff and the As a result of last year's review of police protection • Council is one of the reasons we've been successful services, the City and the Washington County Sher- • • • in Hugo," notes City Administrator Mike Ericson. iff's Department have created the position of a"town He continues, "It's the trust and respect of the resi- cop," who will have an office in Hugo City Hall. dents that allows us to move forward." This position is designed to provide community po- City Focus Goals: Page 6 1; f RICE C New Blue Thumb Guide To WAT E RS H E® Raingardens Available'. DISTRICTHave you ever wondered what to plant in that 7 ' r low spot in your backyard where the grass 10 D U�b�U wel won't grow because water puddles there after it rains?Or how to fix the erosion gully where rainwater drains away from your downspout? Well, there may be an easy, attractive solution! Try planting a raingarden. A raingarden is a garden with a depression that is The,Blue ihamh C,uicJr-in designed to catch rainwater runoff in your yard, Raingardens growing plants that don't mind getting flooded on a,uy, 44 1[,. N.I occasion. Raingardens provide wildlife habitat and °"�-. :,"•„'<- �- an opportunity to create beautiful landscaping. '_2 And,by soaking up rain where it falls,raingardens slow stormwater runoff, help prevent erosion and remove pollutants in the process. Planting season may seem like a long ways off, but winter is a great time to plan your garden so you're ready to go in May. You may urchase a 4 - copy of this detailed, step-by-step guide from the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) for $18.00. For more information, visit www.BlueThumb.org or call the RCWD at 763.398.3078. Election Judges Needed Why are wetlands so valuable to residents of Hugo? Wet- lands play a crucial role in protecting our water resources Hugo residents interested and affect how water moves through the area's water- in serving as an election ways. Wetlands remove agricultural chemicals and nutri- judge for the upcofning ents and trap sediment from water moving through them. elections should con- They store rainwater temporarily, reducing the effects of tact Michele Lindau at floods and droughts. They stabilize shore lands and protect � against erosion. 651-762-6315. State and federal laws and regulations mandate what you can and cannot do to wetlands on your property. If you are planning any projects that may be near a wetland, please contact Scott Anderson, Senior Engineering Technician,at 651-762-6326 to determine if a wetland impact permit is needed. � I That's Hugo, Today - - The City of Hugo has its own cable television show, view took place on egg lake, across the street from City "That's Hugo,Today." The show,which had its debut in Hall, and featured Community Development Director October 2007, is a half-hour program that airs on cable Bryan Bear providing an update about the tearing down channel 16 at 9:00 am,6:00 pm and 10:00 pm every day. of houses at that site and commenting on this part of the The format of each episode typically includes two in- City's downtown redevelopment plans. studio interviews and one on-site segment called"What's With a handful of epi- The Story Behind..." "People have commented that they've „ Bodes already complete, seen the show and like it, notes City Hosted by City Administrator Mike Ericson, the show Intern Nate Ehalt. With a handful the City is looking for has already featured in-studio guests ranging from of episodes already complete, additional story ideas Mayor Fran Miron, the current Princess Kay of the the City is looking for additional Milky Way (Hugo resident Ann Miron) story ideas for future programs. for future programs. to former City Clerk Mary Ann Citizens are encouraged to call, Creager. e-mail or write in with ideas,es- pecially for the"What's The Story Contact City Hall at The on-site stories have focused Behind..."segment. Contact City 651-762-6300 with your on business development in the City, Hall at 651-762-6300 or send an including a story with Chad Wagner, I e-mail to info@ci.hugo.mn.us with ideas for future pro- owner of the Blue Heron Bar and Grill ' any in-studio 0r on-site story�ide as. grams. — scheduled to open soon in Victor Gardens North. Another on-site inter- Downtown Update Redevelo ment p a 21,000-square-foot structure closer to Egg Lake and have a "A TIF application consisting of eight retail suites. patio and a banquet room. Addi- After review by the Community tional retail businesses might be for a new retail Development Department, the included as well." application will be presented to center on the the Planning Commission and In addition to these two projects, �Jr then to the City Council. This members of the community are current End Zone process is expected to continue reminded that City-owned prop- End property has been ii ' through the months of April erty across the street from City and May. Hall is also available for rede- velopment. Anyone interested received and is As one of its 2008 City Fo- The Community Development in this land should contact City being reviewed cus Goals, Hugo continues to Department and the Economic Hall at 651-762-6300. consider the certification of a Development Authorityare con- by the Community Tax Increment Financing (TIF) tinuing to work with the owners District. The likelihood of that of Carpenter's Restaurant Development certification has increased now to redevelop their current that the City has received its building. The redevelop- Department" first application. "A TIF appli- ment would include demol- - —r cation for a new retail center on ishing the existing restau- the current End Zone property rant structure along with Rachel Simone has been received and is being the nearby vacant antique j " Associate Planner reviewed by the Community store. Simone states, "A Development Department," says new [Carpenter's]restau- 61 Associate Planner Rachel Si- rant would go up in the mone. The proposed center is same area,but would be the C,t¢en Newspaper pr ese��s Fourth Biz Fest Kidz In BIZ Fest Sunday,April 6 from 1:00—3:30 pm at Oneka Elementary School -2008- b- , IrHugo,MNk.,;. Admission to the event is free, but citizens are 41 encouraged to bring non- Admission to Kidz 'n Biz perishable food items for the Hugo Food Shelf. Fest is free,but citizens ,� or1; � "Residents can also make '" are encouraged to bring f` `y`` ,%.` a monetary donation at �--� ' the door to support the food items is non--perishable P Oneka Elementary Sum- for the Hugo Food Shelf or Sum- mer Reading Program," notes Louis Melamed, make a monetary donation s �' publisher of The Citizen newspaper. at the door to support the Oneka Elementary Sum- Melamed, who originated Kidz `n Biz Fest,goes on mer Reading Program. to say, "This event be- The Fourth Annual Hugo once again bring together bake-off. In addition, comes more popular ev- Kidz `n Biz Fest will be businesses and residents Princess Kay of the Milky ery year. In fact,last year held on Sunday, April of Hugo for a few hours Way (Hugo resident Ann we had over 1200 people 6 from 1:00 — 3:30 pm of games, entertainment Miron) will be on hand meet business owners, at Oneka Elementary and fun. this year to meet one-on- chat with other residents School. This year's event, one with residents to share and just have a great af- co-sponsored by the Hugo The Fest will include car- information about her ternoexcited n. The Citizen is e Business Association and nival games, raffle prizes reign-and fun facts about excited to be once agair the City's Economic De- and the ever-popular the important role of dairy Presenting this event to velopment Authority, will chocolate chip cookie in the state of Minnesota. the community." Watch For Not News From The Children With warm weather Hugo Fire Department y J E finally in the forecast, HFD Celebrates 100 Years Of Service To The Community Fire Chief Jim Compton The Hugo Fire Department is observing its 100th anniver- reminds all Hugo resi- sary in 2008. The Citizen newspaper has already started dents to be extra careful commemorating this milestone with a regular photo series entitled, "Hot Flashbacks." Throughout the anniversary to watch out for children y. year, photos of Hugo firefighters and the work they've and to drive safely. done in the community will be featured on a regular basis in the paper. The anniversary observance will culminate in a celebration during Fire Prevention Week in October. Watch for more details on the City's website and in The Citizen as the date draws closer. Watch For Children With warm weather finally in the forecast, Chief Jin. t,. �'s Compton reminds all Hugo residents to be extra careful to watch out for children and to drive safely. New Housing Developments Followingare details regarding location number of lots and e of homes in some of the City's new g g � type Y housing developments: Development location Number of lots Fable Hill South of Victor Gardens 76 single-family homes Heritage Ponds East of Elmcrest Avenue N. 207 multi-family homes South of 165th Street N. 126 single-family homes Beaver Ponds South Fondant Trail N.south of 43 single-family homes 128th Street N. Waters Edge North West of Creekview Preserve at 738 multi-family homes Waters Edge South 159th Street and TH 61 Diamond Point East Goodview Avenue N.and 125 single-family homes 145th Street N. Generation Acres Oneka Lake Boulevard (1/2 41 multi-familytownhomes mile east of TH 61) Victor Gardens 4th County Road 8 and 92 multi-family homes Everton Avenue N. Victor Gardens East Val Jean Boulevard (east 36 single-family homes of Cosette Lane) i Comprehensive Plan Update see The Plan After nearly two years of work — including partici- nity to e-mail or comment to City Hall or go to the Interested residents ate pation and comment from hundreds of citizens — City's website to ask any questions or provide com- encouraged to review th e a draft of the City's 2008 Comprehensive Plan has ments." been completed. The Comprehensive Plan outlines completed Comprehensii e development goals ranging from types of housing The completed draft will be presented for approval plan at the City's website and units within a particular development to infra- to the Hugo City Council by the end of May. Once structure needs such as road systems and storm wa- Council approval is received,a final draft of the Plan (www.ci.hugo.mn.us). ter. will be prepared and sent to adjacent communities and the to the Metropolitan Council. Simone ex- The update process began in earnest in January 2007 plains, "The neighboring communities have a six- with public workshops and open houses held nearly month review period to offer comments, and then every month. "The workshops and open houses the Met Council will provide its feedback." helped us gather information and put the Compre- hensive Plan together,"notes Associate Planner Ra- Interested residents are encouraged to review the j chel Simone. She adds, "Throughout the process, completed Comprehensive Plan at the City's web- members of the community have had an opportu- site(www.ci.hugo.mn.us). Meeting Rooms Available For Rental The City of Hugo has two meeting rooms available for rental: Oneka Room at City Hall and the Rice Lake Centre at the Public Works facility.The rooms can be used for meetings,corporate events,parties,or even a small wedding. The rental fee is$100 for Hugo residents and$200 for non-residents;each room seats 90-100 people. Chairs and tables are provided;any additional equipment or furniture is the responsibility of the renter. Interested individuals or groups must fill out an application,sign a rental agreement, and pay a key and damage deposit. For information,or to reserve either room,contact Debi at City Hall,651-762-6300. City Focus Goals: From Page 1 licing and a more visible public their relationship to homeowners' continuing to explore the concept safety presence in Hugo. This associations in Hugo. of a northeast YMCA Community year,the City's public safety goal Center. will also focus on the Fire Depart- Finally,the City will also develop ment. With a population over the long-term strategies for another Goal #5: Comprehensive 10,000 mark, the City of Hugo is industrial park in the Northern Plan Update at a stage where a review of fire Gateway — west of Highway 61 Based on a mandate by the Met- EDA department staffing needs and from 165th Street to 180th Street. ropolitan Council, the City is long-term programming needs is required to update its current Subcommittee Warranted. Goal#4: Parks Projects Comprehensive Plan by the end In 2008 the City will award the of 2008. The mandate states that Heeds Goal#3: Focus On Economic bid and break ground on the Rice all cities in the seven-county area Development Lake Park Soccer Complex. Plan- update their plans every 10 years; Volunteers Hugo will focus on several eco- ning for the second phase of this Hugo's current plan was created nomic development issues in 2008. project — including construction in 1998. The Hugo Economic First,the City continues to consid- of a gazebo, refreshment stand er the certification of a Downtown and restroom facility— will begin After nearly two years of work on Development Authority Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in the fall. The City is expected this project,a proposed draft of the (EDA) has recently District. Some key projects in the to finalize development of Oak new Comprehensive Plan is now downtown redevelopment area, Shore Park in 2008. The former available for review. "We've been formed a Business such as the use of The End Zone 10-acre private park, owned by working on this for over a year. Retention and Expansion property, need to be put in place the Oak Shore Park Homeowners' We've had hundreds and hundreds before certification will occur. Association, will be an active-use of residents weighing in on it and Subcommittee to bet- park located at the tip of Bald Ea- that's been fantastic," comments ter assist existing Hugo Second, because they are rela- gle Lake. City Administrator Mike Ericson. tively new to Hugo, a review of Once the Plan is approved by the businesses. In addition the practices of homeowners' as- Along with its sister cities (Mah- City Council it will be shared witr to three EDA members, sociations is planned. City staff tomedi, White Bear Lake and neighboring communities and the members have been directed to White Bear Township) and the Metropolitan Council for their re- the Subcommittee will take a look at economic trends re- school districts of Mahtomedi and view and comment. include volunteers from garding rental housing issues and White Bear Lake, Hugo is also the Hugo community. Interested Hugo resi- Now Do Your EvervdaV Expenses Compare To dents may contact City Hall at 651-762-6300 Those You Pay For City ServicesP for more information. How does the cost of City services*compare to other purchases? On average, a13 Broadband Internet Hugo homeowner would s :Cell Large Caribou-twice per week spend more for cable tele- Phone vision service than the ■Cable N combined cost of police ❑Parks and fire protection; street ❑Street Maintinence maintenance and parks ser- ■Fire Protection vices. 32 ®Police $230 i City Amenities are calculated using a $250,000 home and the 2007 City Tax Rate *city amenities are calculated using a $250,000 home and the 2007 City tax rate $0 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 $800 $900 � I � Watering Tips • Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation. �� �� • Never water faster than the round can absorb it. e g • Know your soil and its watering needs. • Next time you water,place 3-5 empty cans(about the k size of a can of tuna or cat food)at varied distances from City Of Hugo the sprinkler. The time it takes to fill the cans is about the 2008 Spring Street Sweeping length of time you should water your lawn. (This is typi- p g p g cally between 15 and 30 minutes). The Public Works Department will begin sweeping City • Adjust automatic irrigation schedules at least monthly to streets Monday, March 31, 2008. Typically, sweeping ensure water-use efficiency. will take place Monday through Friday, from • Step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, for approximately eight your foot,it does not need water. 009 weeks. The City of Hugo will be sweeping • Arrange plants in your garden by light and watering all bituminous (paved) streets during this needs. Ordinance time. Any questions regarding street / • Consider drip irrigation systems around trees and shrubs. sweeping should be directed to the (Drip systems permit water to flow slowly to roots, en- Barking dogs and dogs Public Works Department at � �� p p '� o � couraging strong root systems. These systems will also running at large are 651-762-6300. cut down on evaporation). Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and drive- considered a nuisance 2008 Spring Hydrant Flushing ways. by many residents. If Collect rainwater in a rain barrel for watering your lawn you own a dog, the City ts lan . The Public Works Department will be flushing hy- and pis asking for your help. drants in the City of Hugo beginning Monday,April ' Cut grass no shorter than 2 inches to reduce evaporation 14,2008. Hydrant flushing will take place Monday and promote deep root growth. Please follow Hugo's or- through Friday, from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, for ap- Use shut-off nozzles on hoses. dinance regarding dogs • g proximately four weeks. Aerate your lawn as needed. runningat large and • When hiring an irrigator,look for dogs that continually .Tushing allows the Public Works Department to a certified landscape irrigation pro Vol- purge rust and stagnant water from the distribution fessional. bark. Your dog must be system. In addition, it allows the Department to licensed and under the identify hydrants in need of maintenance. owner's control at all Due to the hydrant flushing,it is inevitable that some Watering Restrictions In times,and must not bar residents will receive rust-colored water repeatedly for more than '•ti than could stain laundry. During this Effect five (5) minutes without time, please check that water com- } at least a one(1)minute ing into the house is clear before Hugo residents and property owners who l j doing laundry. use the municipal water system are being lapse in time. Please be asked to help conserve water and protect courteous and respectful Questions regarding hydrant the environment by restricting their water- to your neighbors. For : flushing should be directed to ing of lawns, trees or other vegetation. In more information ret • the Public Works Department a resolution implemented May 15, 2001, at 651-762-6300. garding your pet,please the days you may water are determined by your street address. If your address ends visit the City's web site in an odd number, you may water only on at www.ci.hugo.mn.us. Water Conservation Tips odd-numbered calendar days. If your ad- dress ends in an even number,you may wa- Lawn And Garden Watering ter only on even-numbered calendar days. Many conventional lawns in Minnesota can stay healthy if An exemption from the odd-even restric- they receive 1-1.5 inches of water a week—from either tion(of up to 30 days)is available for new precipitation or irrigation. Deep, infrequent watering is sod, seed or plantings. You may call the ;enerally better for lawns and plants. Frequent, lighter Hugo City Hall at 651-762-6300 to be add- irrigations can actually cause shallow roots. ed to the 30-day exemption list. 1 I I BULK RATE iilHugo City Hall•14669 Fitzgerald Ave.N.•Hugo,MN 55038 POSTAGE PAID HUGO, MN 55038 PERMIT NO. 21 I OCCUPANT Visit our website: www.ci.hugo.mn.us City Directory City Staff Service City Administrator Mike Ericson 651-762-6312 Directory Community Dev.Dir. Bryan Bear 651-762-6320 Public Works Director Chris Petree 651-762-6316 Finance Director Ron Otkin 651-762-6314 Building Official John Benson 651-762-6313 City Hall General Building Inspector Chuck Preisler 651-762-6302 Information 1 ' Building Inspector Scott Baller 651-762-6322 m. Sr.Engineering Tech. Scott Anderson 651-762-6326 to 4:30 Monday-Friday except City Clerk Michele Lindau 651-762-6315 651-762-6300 Community Dev.Asst. Dennis Fields 651-762-6311 Associate Planner Rachel Simone 651-762-6304 Bldg.Dept.Receptionist Debi Close 651-762-6300 FAX Number Billing Clerk Jodie Guareschi 651-762-6309 Fire Chief Jim Compton 651-429-6366 6 51-426-2859 City Council Washinvton County Sheriffs Department Mayor Fran Miron 651-429-5961 Ward 1 Becky Petryk 651-426-4722 non-emergency)=_ Ward 2 Frank Puleo 651-653-9369 651-439-9381 Ward 3 Chuck Haas 651-439-4475 Council-at-Large Mike Granger 651-426-8171 Fire Hall Monthly Meeting Schedule651-429-6366 City Council 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Fire a Police Parks Commission 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. 911 Historical Commission 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. EDA Commission 3rd Monday at 8:30 a.m.