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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 October Newsletter Is� A MR, _- i r Hugo City Hall • 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue North • Hugo, Minnesota 55038 VotersToDecide On New Hugo Elementary School board members for the White Bear Lake Council has officially endorsed the proposed new Area School District#624 voted unanimously at school,voting on September 15 to draft a resolu- their September 8,2003 meeting to place two tion in support of the bond issue. Hugo Mayor questions before the voters in the upcoming Fran Miron states, "The school system has a November 4 general election. direct impact on our quality of life, so we're excit- ed about the possibility of a new school—and in The first question asks school district residents to particular the collaborative effort between the approve the issuance of$28.2 million in bonds to school district and the City." accomplish four things: Enrollment projections show substantial growth • Construct a new elementary school in Hugo to taking place in Hugo in the next 10 years,with open in the fall of 2006 and accommodate 750 over 700 elementary school students expected by students in grades K-5. 2006 and over 1,200 by 2011. Superintendent • Renovate and remodel the existing Hugo ele- Ted Blaesing explains that the current Hugo ele- mentary school to accommodate 500 students. mentary school is already over capacity, and the This would be done after the new school is district has already done everything it can to built and be finished by the fall of 2008. accommodate increasing enrollments. "We've • Renovate the community theatre at Central added six modular classrooms to the existing Middle School in White Bear Lake and bring it building," he notes, "and we've shifted attendance into compliance with the Americans with boundaries several times to move students out of Disabilities Act(ADA). • Construct locker room improvements at both SCHOOL CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 campuses of the high school to bring them into compliance with federal Title IX requirements. Proposed Hugo Elementary The second question is a capital improvement School—Vital Statistics levy asking residents to authorize spending of $500,000 per year for up to 10 years for the pur- chase of computers and technology,library books, Grade level: W. 750 � textbooks,science equipment,pianos and other Student capacity: � Location: Approximately 30 acres in the musical equipment used for choirs and bands. Everton Avenue neighborhood,north of Plans for the proposed new Hugo elementary Wagner Greenhouses school have been under way for almost two years Additional amenities: Playground,gymnasi- in a cooperative effort between the City,the um,and ball fields school district,local developers Len Pratt and Jim Proposed opening date: Fall 2006 Peterson, and other interested residents and Estimated cost: $19 million groups. The City of Hugo has agreed to donate to the school district 30 acres of land and provide Land and infrastructure worth$2.5 million infrastructure improvements for the school site— donated to the school district by the City of Hugo. a package worth$2.5 million. The Hugo City E I SCHOOL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the Hugo attendance area." Blaesing emphasizes needs of our residents. We need a neighborhood the district's commitment to using public school,where our kids can be educated and resources as efficiently as possible,noting that where we can enjoy community and recreational money currently being spent on busing could be activities." He adds, "Building this new school 9 more efficiently used in the classroom. He also says that our children and their education are states, "The amount we now spend on electricity important to us." Haas also notes that neighbor- ( VEMBER ' for just the six modular classrooms equals the hood schools have a direct impact on property amount for the entire original building." values. "The cost to the owner of a$160,000 home if both of the school questions are Hugo City Council Member Chuck Haas,who approved is only 15 cents per day,"he explains. has been involved in the cooperative effort work- "This is a small cost when you consider the N 0 ing on the school plan, states, "We would be value to our community." remiss as a community for not planning for the Remember Sample 1181101S For New School t0 Vote! November 4 will be thepROPOSAL SCHOOL BOARD general election when you School District Ballot QBond Issue will vote on the future of Approval of School District your New Hugo White Bear Lake Area Schools)be author- your Elementary School. bonds in an amount not to exceed$28,200,000 to p Shall the school board of lndependschool building DistrictNo.624 l including the construction and equip- YES ized to issue its general obligation and improvement of the existing Hugo NOTE:Residents o Hugo funds for the acquisition and betterment i Hugo; the remodeling es.me high school facilities to com- f g rovements at the twotheatre at the Central in of a new elementary school facility in Hug.; living in the White Bear �' NO ping facility;the construction of locker room Improvements to the community school district vote at Elementary y> ply with federal requirements;and the construction of imp Hugo Elementary- 14895 Middle School facility• Francesca Ave. N.from you are voting for a property tax increase. 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. By voting"YES"on this ballot question, Application for absen- BOARD pROPOSAL tee ballots for the WBL SCHOOL CH schoolDistrict Ballot Question 2 bond be obtainedndum canas follows: Approval of Capital Project Levy Authorization pp proposed a White Bear Lake Area Schools) acq P ition, 1.Call Community The school board of Independent School District No.624 technology systems in various school r31� of acquisition and betterment of choolosit and d facilities,including science Services Office at 651- t YES ro ect for a program roved technology books, 407-7501. project ort of curriculum and imp installation and supeequipment that includes r the pro textbooks, costs,the school No urchase of instructional provide funds for the project district facilities and the p 2.Download application equipment and pianos and large musical authorizationetin the amount of 1.1126/0$500,000 for taxesapactty pp capital project �'Y from their website: board has proposed a cap p J will raise approximatelyears. The estimated total of the school district. The proposed capital project levyro ects to be www.whitebear.kl2.mn. approximately$5,000,000. Thep j nd d be us<http://www.white- payable in 2004,the first year it i to be levied,.ae period isl Pp authorized for ten Y ation. cost of the projects to be funded over that time p bear.kI2.mn.us/> received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of E uc e a roved? funded have r ley proposed by the board of Independent School District No.624 pp 3.Pickup application at Shall the capital projectY p the Community Services ou are voting for a property tax increase. Office at the District By voting"YES"on this ballot question y Center,Room 106,4855 Bloom Avenue E I Tri=Cities Coalition Continues Study Of Transportation And land Use Issues The Cities of Hugo,Lino Lakes,and Centerville out a lot of specific development and transporta- FREEWAY have formed a coalition to address important tion concerns that not every other community or ENTRANCE transportation and land use issues affecting the agency may have been aware of,"Van Wormer area around I-35E. The Tri-Cities Coalition has notes. Hugo Mayor Fran Miron agrees, calling grown to include the City of Forest Lake, the bus tour an "eye-opener,"revealing the extent AMISMA Columbus Township,Washington and Anoka of development occurring within all of the com- Counties,the Minnesota Department of munities,as well as the need for improvements Transportation, and the Metropolitan Council. in the public transportation infrastructure. Glen Van Wormer, Senior Transportation Engineer with the engineering firm of SEH, Kate Garwood,Multimodal Transportation worked on a transportation corridor study for Manager with Anoka County,has been active I-35E in Ramsey county several years ago,and with the Coalition and organized the August bus has been using his expertise in this area to help tour. "I think one of the most powerful things the Coalition members communicate and plan about the Coalition is that we recognize that the cooperatively. He sees three primary purposes boundaries between communities are just imagi- for the group: nary lines," she states. "There is an interdepend- ence,and it's only responsible of us to plan 1) Develop a cohesive transportation system in together to coordinate our transportation needs." the area. Garwood gives credit to Hugo City officials for 2) Balance land use and the transportation sys- taking the lead in building this Coalition,and tem. encourages Hugo citizens to make their opinions 3) Identify, develop,and support regional known. She adds, "Our residents drive these transportation system improvements. roads every day and observe things about the road system that we, even as professionals, Coalition representatives participated in a bus might not. They could help a lot by talking to tour of the area in August to get a close-up look their Council member about any transportation at each of the communities. "The tour pointed ideas or concerns they might have." City looking to Acquire Rural and Open Space Committee Land for Parks Preservation Criteria The City of Hugo would like to acquire land for neighborhood parks,active recreational The Rural and Open Space Committee continues areas,and open spaces. "We are primarily to meet on a regular basis to fulfill its mission to interested in land located in the central por- develop methods to preserve open space and the tion of the City," explains Community rural heritage of Hugo. They are currently at Development Director John Rask, "but we wouldn't rule out any parcel of 20 to 100 work on a preservation criteria which would be acres suitable for active recreation purposes." used to evaluate the preservation value of a given Funds for purchasing this land come from the parcel of land. Committee member Chuck Haas City's park dedication fund,which is obtained notes that the committee has also begun to look at from new development in the City. A$1,800 fee is collected and deposited into this fund other land planning tools,in addition to transfer when new residential lots are created. of development rights, including revisiting Hugo's Anyone who is interested in selling land to the cluster housing ordinance to see if modifications City of Hugo is asked to contact City Administrator Mike Ericson at City Hall or might be necessary. The public is welcome to Parks Commission member Pete Pedersen at attend all meetings of the committee, which are 651-426-4126 held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Hugo City Hall. E I Hot Hews From the Hugo Fire Department Num Fire Department Awarded a specialized training course in hazardous mate- Decontamination Trailer rials operations. The decontamination trailer allows firefighters to perform a thorough decont- amination of any victims who have been The City of Hugo Fire Department was recently involved in a hazardous materials situation. awarded one of 15 decontamination trailers pro- vided to the State of Minnesota by the Federal Emergency Management Association(FEMA). Hugo Fire Chief Jim Compton explains that the ' ;. trailer allows firefighters to process 50 contami- rminim Hugo was chosen as the most qualified fire I=N ,, nated people per hour,with facilities for both department to receive the trailer from 33 depart- children and adults as well as physically chal- ' ments in the four-county region including Anoka, lenged victims. Compton notes that the trailer Washington,Ramsey,and Dakota counties. The also provides gender privacy and can be used as decision,made by the Capitol City Regional Mutual Aid Association,was based on Hugo's a warming or cooling shelter. "We're very proud that Hugo was chosen as the recipient of this Change superior ability to shelter and maintain the trailer „trailer for our region, states Compton. This is Your Smoke and the hazardous materials training received by a recognition of the fact that our firefighters are its membership. highly trained and equally as qualified as those Detector in big cities with full-time departments." Batteries Earlier this year 15 Hugo firefighters completed Hugo Fire Chief Jim Compton reminds all resi- Hugo Historical Commission Adds Two Members dents to change the batter- ies in their smoke detectors The Hugo Historical Commission has announced share, including Mayme's wedding picture from when they set their clocks the addition of two new members, long-time 78 years ago,which we will photograph for our back this fall. Hugo residents Grace Waugh and Vi Maslowski. collection and return to them." Formal oral Commission Chair Kitty Cheesebrow states, interviews have been scheduled with Mayme and "We're pleased and honored to have these valu- Roy. able historians working with us. They bring so much energy and a sense of history that we real- Other items of interest with regard to the ly appreciate." Maslowski was instrumental in Historical Commission include: helping re-create the "Hugo of 1930" display at Good Neighbor Days. Waugh's family owned • Cheesebrow attended three days of PastPerfect Traeger's Restaurant and Motel,which has Museum software training at the Minnesota changed names 16 times over the years and is History Center. Commission members have now currently the End Zone. begun entering Hugo historical facts into a per- ' manent electronic archive. The Commission held a v Mayme Vail, workshop in September •Archivist Pam Videen is considering the pur- 95 year old Hugo to lay out and begin sort- chase of special supplies, including a portable resident. ing their collection. light box for viewing slides and photo negatives, Participants included as well as acid-free boxes to store over 20 City Cheesebrow,Maslowski, ledgers found in the old City Hall,which date Mayme Vail,a 95-year back to the late 1880s and contain a wealth of old Hugo resident, and historical data that will take years to document. her daughter,Arlene Leydon. Mayme's other daughter,Viola Brisson, •Volunteer Tom Cheesebrow is photographing and her husband Roy, former Hugo residents the City until the snow flies—residents may see who were visiting from their home in Arizona, him around Hugo with multiple cameras hanging also attended. Cheesebrow notes, "Between around his neck. Mayme and Roy,they knew everybody in every photo we had. They also brought pictures to COMMISSION CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 1 E I In the Works An update from your public works department Public Works Space Needs Study to Include Rice Lake Master Pian At its September 2,2003 meeting,the Hugo City Council hired ESG Architects of Minneapolis to com- plete a space needs study for the Hugo Public Works department. In addition to determining the depart- ment's needs for a new facility,ESG will also assemble a master plan for the Rice Lake Park property currently owned by the City. "There has been no official decision to locate the Public Works facility at the Rice Lake Park site," states Public Works Director Chris Petree, "but at this point,it is the first choice of the Public Works Building Committee." Petree goes on to explain that the Committee has enlisted the help of three members of the Hugo Parks Commission to join them in their consultations with ESG on the Rice Lake master plan. He adds, "We want to make sure that we come up with the best way to utilize this property." Petree also notes that ESG's staff includes both building and landscape architects,and that they have extensive experience in designing both buildings and parks. Their representative on this project,Bob Russek,was the lead archi- tect in the design of Hugo's new City Hall. A final Space Needs Study and Rice Lake Master Plan is expected to be presented to the Hugo City Council sometime in October. Public Works Department Takes Over Hugo Snow Plowing Beginning this year,the Hugo Public Works Department will be solely responsible for snow plowing in the City. This is the final stage of a three-year phase-in period of taking over snow plowing responsibili- ties from Washington County. Public Works Director Chris Petree states, "Because of budgetary con- straints,we are exceeding the usual route length seen in other cities,but we are confident that we will be able to meet or exceed the level of service formerly provided by Washington County." City Compost Site Open Through November 15 The City of Hugo's compost site is located on 170th Street North(County Road 4)approximately 1/2 mile west of Highway 61 on the south side of the road. Bring your leaves and grass clippings on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The compost site will be open until November 15 or until the first measurable snowfall of the season. Absolutely no brush, debris, or other trash will be accepted Violators will be prosecuted. COMMISSION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 New winter •Historical Commission meetings have been changed to the third Tuesday of each month at Parking Ordinance 6:30 p.m. in the Oneka Room at City Hall. They are also hoping to add two associate members. Many photographs and requests to research peo- Earlier this year,the Hugo City Council ple,places, and events in the City have been com- adopted a new parking ordinance for the ing in to the Commission. They continue to wel- come residents'photos,documents,journals,and winter season. From November 1 through any key historical dates or information they may March 31,no parking is allowed on any have regarding Hugo's history. For more infor- street in the City between the hours of mation about the Hugo Historical Commission, or if you would like to help by volunteering or 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Outside of those donating your historical items, contact City dates,the same restrictions apply if there is a Administrator Mike Ericson at 651-762-6312 or Kitty Cheesebrow at 651-429-6560 or by e-mail snow accumulation of two inches or more. at kitty@visi.com. E I City of Hugo Welcomes New Employees SCo Anderson information gathering,responds to citizen inquiries on zoning and land use issues,and gen- Senior Engineering Technician erally assists Community Development Director As the first step in creating its own Engineering John Rask on a day-to-day basis. Department the City of Hugo has hired Scott Anderson as a Senior Engineering Technician. Jensen's internship with the City is a requirement Anderson started work on August 11,2003 and for a Bachelor of Science degree in Community will be taking over some of the duties previously Development,which he plans to receive in performed by City Engineer David Mitchell and December. Following graduation,he hopes to City Inspector Brian Mitchell. "In reviewing the pursue a career in community or economic devel- budget,we realized that we could do some of the devel- opment for a city government in the Twin Cities Scott Anderson engineering work more efficiently and more area. Originally from Brooklyn Park,Jensen has Senior Engineering affordably in-house," explains Community lived in Lino Lakes for the past 12 years. He Technician Development Director John Rask. He adds, enjoys sports,working out,and reading. "Hiring Scott allows us to have someone at City Hall to oversee the day-to-day operations and to be more available to our residents,while still using our engineering consultants when we need to. ReducingWaste Anderson's primary responsibilities will include jeal`Dllly the Three RS overseeing and inspecting public improvements such as streets, sanitary sewers,and water mains; coordinating,managing,and reviewing construc- tion and private development projects; and Did you know that the average Minnesota resi- dent creates nearly 2,000 pounds of garbage every o year? Even though Minnesota recycles 46%of responding to citizen inquiries regarding drainage, our waste,recycling alone doesn't keep up with Derrick Jensen utilities,grading and other engineering issues. He garbage.has six years of experience as an Engineering our increasingamount of arba e We need to Community Development Technician for the City of White Bear Lake and learn the "Three Rs"—Reduce,Reuse,and Intern worked part-time in the engineering department Recycle. Residents need to reduce their amount for the City of Roseville while earning his of waste by not creating it in the first place. Then Associate degree from Lakewood Community reuse items by repairing, selling,or donating them College. Anderson also earned a Civil to charities. Finally,recycle items to be made Technology Certificate from St.Paul Technical into new products. For more information, check out the O College. He grew up in White Bear Lake and has Office of Environmental Assistance web lived in Lino Lakes for the past five years with site at wwwmoea.state.mn.us, or visit his wife Cara and their two-year old daughter n'x'�'t'•GreenGuardian.coin, which provides Caitlin. Outside of work,Anderson enjoys snow- resources and web links on recycling, reuse, com- posting, and disposal of toxic household items. mobiling,hockey,and spending time with his family. i, Derrick Jensen ,y Community Development Intern REMEMBER TO RECYCLE! i Currently a senior at St. Cloud State University, In Hugo, items for recycling are collected Derrick Jensen started as an intern in the City's curbside as part of your weekly trash collec- Community Development Department in May tion. A recycling container is available from ti 2003 and will work through the end of November. your garbage hauler or by calling City Hall at His primary project has been updating the parks 651-762-6300. Those items which can be In Hugo, items for portion of Hugo's comprehensive plan,adding recycled include newspapers,aluminum bev- recycling are collected new data describing the changes that have erage cans,tin cans,glass jars and bottles, curbside as part of your occurred in the City since the document was corrugated cardboard,glossy magazines,and weekly trash collection. adopted in 1998. Jensen also does research and car and tractor batteries. Hugo Resident Receives 2003 "Eleven Who Care" Award Hugo resident Pete Pedersen was recently hon- is to work these people through a process,where, ored by local television station KARE 11 when he if they agree,there is eventually a one-on-one was named one of their 2003 "Eleven Who Care" meeting between the two of them with me there award winners. Pedersen was recognized for his as the official third party," explains Pedersen. 28 years of volunteer work with the Amicus pro- "The objective of this program is to help the vic- gram,which helps people in Twin Cities area tim get rid of all of the anger and all of the ques- . prisons maintain contact with individuals in the tions he or she may have. It's an interesting,help- community,and eventually helps transition them ful, and often emotional process." back into society. In addition to his work with these two programs, "Amicus is a one-on-one program where a volun- Pedersen is also a charter member of the Hugo teer agrees to visit with an inmate twice a month," Parks Commission,where he has worked on Hugo resident Pete states Pedersen. "The objective is to develop a property acquisition for the past five years. He is Pedersen—Recipient of friendship, so that when the inmate is released,he also active in the Hugo Lion's Club,volunteers "Eleven Who Care" or she has one person who can act as a mentor to with Habitat for Humanity through his 3M retiree Award help them through their transition back into the program,and works each year for the American community." Pedersen has worked with prisoners Cancer Society's world's largest garage sale. at both Stillwater State and Oak Park Heights prisons. At Oak Park Heights,he has also visited Pedersen's "Eleven Who Care" award included a with men who are in segregation and are locked $1,100 donation to the Amicus program made by up for 23 hours each day. "These men have virtu- KARE 11,and he was featured in a live televised ally no contact with anyone but the staff," he awards ceremony. Pedersen also received a con- explains. "I stand outside their door and speak gratulatory certificate of appreciation for all of his .hrough the glass." volunteer work from the Hugo City Council at its September 15,2003 meeting. "Pete is a strong Pedersen is also involved in a restorative justice overall volunteer who has served the City in program with Washington County called Victim- many ways over the years," states Hugo Mayor Offender Conferencing, in which volunteers Fran Miron. "We are fortunate to have Pete liv- mediate between victims and offenders. "My job ing and volunteering in our community." Downtown Planning Process Revisited At its September 2,2003 meeting,the Hugo City Hugo's "downtown" can be described as going Council hired Landform, a Minneapolis planning from Nadeau's Market to the Post Office,prima- and engineering firm,to assist the City in updat- rily along Highway 61. Expected components of ing and finalizing a redevelopment master plan the plan include location of roadways and build- for downtown Hugo. Using a"charrette"process ings,provisions for sewer and water,traffic flow, similar to the community visioning process held and architectural standards. in 2001,Landform will rely heavily on input from City staff,the City Council,the Planning City Council Member Mike Granger states, Commission,current and potential business own- "Because of Hugo's growth,we have a demand ers, and the general public to produce a revised from residents for additional services in the downtown plan. "The end result will essentially downtown area. We have new businesses that be an update of the downtown plan we put want to come into Hugo and existing business together in 1998," explains Community that want to expand." He goes on to say, "We Development Director John Rask, "taking into don't want our downtown to be a hodgepodge of consideration the changes that have occurred development. It's important to have an actual since then—especially the new realignment of plan in writing—so that we have the appropriate County Road 8." infrastructure in place,and so that we have some guidelines for things like zoning,building place- For residents who may be new to the area, ment,and architectural design." S Your I bs BULK RATE Hugo City Hall• 14669 Fitzgerald Ave.N.-Hugo,MN 55038 POSTAGE PAID HUGO, MN 55038 PERMIT NO.21 OCCUPANT Visit our website at: www ahugo.mn.us City DService CityStaff Directory City Administrator Mike Ericson 651-762-6312 City Hall Community Dev. Dir. John Rask 651-762-6320 General Public Works Director Chris Petree 651-762-6316 Information Building Official John Benson 651-762-6313 ' ' ' Building Inspector Gary Schwartz 651-762-6317 ' '' '' ' 'ays 651-762-6300 Sr. Engineering Tech. Scott Anderson 651-762-6326 City Clerk Mary Ann Creager 651-762-6311 , Community Dev.Asst. Michele Lindau 651-762-6315City Hall FAX Number Deputy Clerk Renee Cunningham 651-762-6310 6 • Billing Clerk Jodie Guareschi 651-762-6309 Finance Director Ron Otkin 651-762-6314 Washinuton Fire Chief Jim Compton 651-429-6366 E I City Councilartment '. , -, - - ' -9381 Mayor Fran M.iron 651-429-5961 '-° Ward 1 Becky Petryk 651-426-4722 Fire Hall Ward 2 Frank Puleo 651-653-9369 (Non emergency) Ward 3 Chuck Haas 651-439-4475 651-429-6366 Council-at-Large Mike Granger 651.-426-8171 Fir'., ;' Police Monthly Meeting Schedule 911 City Council 1 st and 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Parks Commission 2nd Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Historical Commission 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.