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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 August Newsletter : .i T Hugo City Hall • 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue North • Hugo, Minnesota 55038 Bald Eagle Industrial Park Attracts New Businesses The final phase of the development of the Bald It also helps fulfill our goal to provide opportuni- Eagle Industrial Park has already attracted several ties for residents to be able to live and work in the new businesses. In the coming months,the small- same community." er 1-3 acre sites created in the newest subdivision within the industrial park will be the new home Rask emphasizes that all of these business owners for Stockness Construction,White Bear Electric, have a connection to the community. "They are Rink-Tec Arena Specialists,J. Olson Tool,Grant either residents of Hugo or currently have their Barrette Company,and Jackson Mini-Storage. business located in Hugo,and they have decided All involve new construction with room for to expand or relocate their businesses here,"he expansion at each site. notes. Miron is encouraged by this, stating, "It is so nice to work not only with businesses located "We're very pleased that we've been able to bring elsewhere that want to relocate here in Hugo,but new businesses into the Bald Eagle Industrial to be able to help local businesses relocate within Park," states Hugo Mayor Fran Miron. "The City the community." He adds, "When Hugo business Council places a strong value on small businesses owners want to relocate but stay within the com- as part of our economic development." munity—that really sends a strong message that Community Development Director John Rask we're doing something right and that business notes, "This continues our strong policy of work- owners recognize that we have a lot going for us." ing to diversify our tax base and create new jobs. Peloquin Industrial Park Project Back on Track Work has resumed on the Peloquin Industrial park. City Engineer David Mitchell explains, Park improvement project, after construction "RKI completed everything within the industrial -_• + problems encountered by Richard Knutson, Inc. park;however,they were unable to complete a (RKI)halted construction of a sanitary sewer crossing of the sanitary sewer pipe underneath pipe to connect with the City's existing service. Highway 61." Mitchell estimates that 1000 feet + - + Those problems led to a lawsuit,which was set- of sanitary sewer pipe and 700 feet of water tled by the Hugo City Council at its July 7,2003 main are left to be constructed by the new con- meeting. A new contract for completion of the tractor. project was awarded on July 21 to Lametti& Sons,Inc.,a Hugo general contractor with exten- All potential contractors were made aware of the " - sive experience in deep sanitary sewer and tun- problems encountered by RKI. "We had a pre- neling projects. bid meeting for potential contractors to let them know what the problems were,"notes Mitchell. ' - - The original project involved providing sewer He adds, "We also gave them some basic ideas + and water utilities to the Peloquin Industrial Park of what we thought would and wouldn't work, area,the extension of sanitary sewer from the but the particular method they use is ultimately southeast corner of the Creekview Preserve their decision." The project is scheduled to be development,and the reconstruction of the completed by November 2003. streets and storm sewer within the industrial American legion Building Now Open Yr On August 9,2003 Hugo's American Legion Post 620 held a grand opening celebration for its new 7,500 df square foot building, located at 5383 140th Street North,next to the Hugo Fire Hall. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local and state government representatives,as well as American Legion officials from the state and district levels,the public had a chance to see the completed facility and enjoy music,food,and door prizes. The former Post 620 building,located at 5736 147th Street North,was destroyed in a fire in July 2002. Commander John Thomas states that he and his fellow members are very glad that the rebuilding is final- ly completed. He adds, "We certainly appreciate the support we've received from the community and from the City government. They've been very helpful to us,and we're very grateful." a = Reservations for the new banquet facility, which accommodates up to 300 people, can be made by con- ' , a tatting the American Legion at 651-255-1432 or Judy at 651-426-5368. Inside look at the new Look for more photos from the grand opening event in the next issue of the Hugo Report. American Legion Building Tri=Cities Coalition Formed To Address Transportation and land Use Issues The Cities of Hugo,Lino Lakes, and Centerville Although the interchange was the issue that have formed a coalition to address important sparked the formation of the coalition, it has since American transportation and land use issues affecting the expanded its purpose to include a variety of trans- area around I-35E. Also included in the coalition portation and land issues affecting the area, Legion are Anoka County,Washington County,and including: Columbus Township. Three meetings have been Rebuilding held at the Hugo City Hall,and those in atten- • interchanges,construction,and improve- Fund dance included City Council members,mayors, ments on interstate, county,and state high- City staff,and County commissioners, as well as ways representatives from the State House and Senate, • bike trails,pedestrian crossings,and recre- Although the former the Minnesota Department of Transportation,and ational needs the Metropolitan Council. United States • road system access American Legion building Congressman Mark Kennedy has also attended • zoning,growth management,comprehen- was insured,the entire cost one meeting. sive plans,and changing land uses • park system of rebuilding will not be Hugo Mayor Fran Miron explains that the coali- • storm water management and environmen- covered. A rebuilding fund tion was actually formed at the suggestion of tal issues has been established for Congressman Kennedy. "We were discussing transportation needs with him,especially the Miron views the Tri-Cities Coalition as an excel- anyone who wishes to con- needed improvements at the interchange of 1-35E lent opportunity to implement a plan to meet the tribute to help Post 620 in and CSAH 8/14, and he was very adamant that area's transportation needs. "I'm very pleased that we put together a coalition," states Miron. "He the communities around us share our attitude their rebuilding efforts. impressed upon us that if we hope to secure fed- about long-term planning," he notes. "We've had Send donations to: Hugo eral support for transportation needs,then it's good representation,and I'm pleased with the important that we work together and come to the cooperation we've received from all those American Legion, table with a single vision. When we're able to involved." Miron also encourages interested resi- Rebuilding Fund,P.O.Box collaborate,our likelihood of success is much dents to attend meetings of the coalition. Please 371,Hugo,MN 55038 greater." call the Hugo City Hall at 651-762-6300 for dates and times. E I Rural and Open Space Committee Focuses on Preservation The Rural and Open Space Committee continues farmland,including non-traditional agricul- to meet on a regular basis to fulfill its mission to ture such as hobby farms,horse farms,and I i develop methods to preserve open space and the nurseries rural heritage of Hugo. Recent meetings have wildlife habitats,including wetlands and j focused on identifying those resources in the drainage areas r; community that are worthy of preservation. private recreational facilities, such as golf Community Development Director John Rask courses and private sportsman's clubs explains, "Before we start talking seriously about • scenic areas,recognizing that there are areas preservation methods,we want to take time to that have a high aesthetic value identify those things in the community that are • ground water recharge areas,making sure worthy of preservation in the first place." they are not paved over or contaminated Toward that effort,the committee is developing a Haas notes that two other significant decisions set of criteria or features which would make a have also been made by the committee. The first piece of land worthy of preservation. Committee is a commitment to a voluntary rather than a member Chuck Haas emphasizes, "We're not mandatory incentive program,and the second is going to be drawing lines on a map,identifying that their preservation efforts will contain some individual parcels of land. We will instead create permanent and some temporary components. a set of criteria, and any land that meets those "Some areas need to be preserved from develop- criteria will be considered for preservation." The ment permanently,"Haas states, "while other committee has met with experts from a variety of areas may need to be guided or safeguarded for groups,including the Minnesota Department of development later down the road." 'Jatural Resources,the Washington County Soil and Water Department, and the Metropolitan The committee has no immediate plans to pres- Council,to help them determine features worthy ent a formal report to the City Council. "Our of preservation. Haas states, "I think the main work is very complex," explains Haas, "and ingredient of our preservation efforts is going to we're going to take our time and do a thorough Anyone who is be water—lakes,rivers,creeks,wetlands—that's job." The public is welcome to attend all meet- going to be the framework for our committee." ings of the committee. They are held on the interested in third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Specific examples of the types of resources that the Hugo City Hall. selling land to are likely to be preserved are: the City of Hugo is asked to contact City City Looking to Acquire Administrator Mike Ericson at hand for Parks City Hall or The City of Hugo would like to acquire land for neighborhood parks,active recreational areas,and Parks open spaces. "We are primarily interested in land located in the central portion of the City,"explains Commission Community Development Director John Rask, "but we wouldn't rule out any parcel of 20 to 100 acres suitable for active recreation purposes." Funds for purchasing this land come from the City's member Pete park dedication fund,which is obtained from new development in the City. A$1,800 fee is collected Pedersen at and deposited into this fund when new residential lots are created. Anyone who is interested in sell- 651-426-4126. ing land to the City of Hugo is asked to contact City Administrator Mike Ericson at City Hall or Parks Commission member Pete Pedersen at 651-426-4126. Not News From the Hugo Fire Department sEra i WANTED: BUGO FIREFIGHTERS DISPLAY YOUR ADDRESS The Hugo Fire Department is looking for indi- The Fire Department reminds all residents that viduals interested in becoming firefighters, they need to be able to see your address clearly. ' especially those who would be available dur- City code specifies that all residences and busi- ing daytime hours. Applicants must be at least nesses must display their addresses so that they 18 years old,in good health and physical con- are clearly visible from the road. Numbers should dition,and live within four minutes of the fire be no less than six inches high and be visible from station. New members on the department 100 feet off a public roadway. receive$10.80 per hour for each hour of atten- dance at fire calls and for each training and ALUMINUM CAN DRIVE administrative drill attended. They are also eligible for retirement and other benefits for Money received by the Fire Department through being a member of the fire relief association. its ongoing aluminum can drive helped pay for For an application,please stop by City Hall. two automatic defibrillators and their new thermal imaging camera. A donation from the Hugo Lion's Club covered 90 percent of the cost of the BURNING PERMITS camera. "Our thanks go out to the Lion's Club Anyone wishing to burn approved materials in and to the community for their continuing support the City of Hugo must secure a burning permit of our can drive," states Hugo Fire Chief Jim from the Fire Department. The only exception Compton. Aluminum cans can be dropped off is for a recreational fire,which is defined as a anytime at the west end of the Hugo Fire Hall fire no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. parking lot. The Fire Department reminds you that it is your responsibility to keep fires under control at all times. In cases where individuals have MATCH OUT FOR CHILDREN lost control of burning situations and the City's School will soon be back in session,and Hugo Fire Department has been called to the scene, Fire Chief Jim Compton reminds all Hugo resi- the courts have been awarding damages to the dents to watch out for children going to and from City, in an amount to cover the cost of fighting school. He adds, "We just want to remind every- the fire. Burning permits may be obtained at one to take a little extra care and keep our kids the Hugo City Hall. Please allow three busi- safe." ness days for processing. Let's Booya Together. 2ND ANNUAL FIRE DEPARTMENT 1100YA Saturday,September 13,2003 Saturday, 12 Noon Until the Booya is Gone! September 13 at Lion's Park•Free Admission Meet members of the Hugo Fire Department and the Hugo Lion's Club Lion's Park. For Adults: Raffles and Games For Children: Burger King's Whopper Hopper For All: Booya,Hot Dogs and Refreshments A community fun day co-sponsored by the Hugo Fire Department and the Hugo Lion's Club. Proceeds go back into the community through both organizations. I Homework Being Done to Prepare For a New Hugo Elementary School In the upcoming November 4,2003 general elec- dance boundaries a number of times to move kids tion,residents of the White Bear Lake Area out of the Hugo attendance area to other schools School District#624 will likely be voting on the in the district." Despite these moves,the current y issuance of bonds to build a new elementary school will be beyond capacity next year. Hugo school in Hugo. The school board has been mon- City Council Member Chuck Haas,who has been itoring and studying this issue for quite some involved in the cooperative effort working on the time, and Superintendent Ted Blaesing expects ischool plan,adds, "What we have now is finan- that at their September meeting they will pass a cially inefficient and does not build community." formal resolution to place this question before the voters. If approved,the new school would open Haas points out that three key factors make the in the fall of 2006. proposed new school a cost-efficient opportunity. The first is the donation from the City of Hugo to A concept plan for the proposed new elementary the school district of the land for the school. school,prepared at the request of local developers "The City negotiated this land as part of the Len Pratt and Jim Peterson,was endorsed by the development process and is now offering the Hugo City Council in January 2002. Since then, school district a parcel worth$2.1 million," notes there has been a cooperative effort between the Haas. The second key factor is that appropriate City,the school district,the developers,and other transportation corridors already exist because interested residents and groups to work out the E long-term planning in Hugo has recognized this A series of public details and eventually bring the issue to the vot- as a school site. Finally,the roads and infrastruc- ers. Current plans call for a K-5 elementary ture surrounding the site will be paid for by the meetings will be school with a capacity of 750 students,as well as developers,offering a significant cost savings for a gymnasium,playground,and ball fields. The the school district. held by the White site is 30 acres located at the juncture of the new Waters Edge North development(Pulte Homes) Hugo Mayor Fran Miron notes that the land is not Bear lake Area and the Len Pratt development property in the only appropriate for an ordinary elementary Everton Avenue neighborhood,north of Wagner school,but for a"lifetime of learning center," a School District#624 Greenhouses. ( term coined by developer Len Pratt for the expanded nature of the facility. Miron states, "We to help residents "Our first priority is to meet the educational needs are working with Washington County on the pos- of the kids who are going to be coming to us,pri- sibility of having a library as part of this facility." learn more about marily at the elementary age in the northern part Haas anticipates that the facility could be used by of the school district," states Blaesing. all members of the community in the evenings, the proposed Demographic studies have shown that there will weekends,and during the summer. be 700 elementary school age children by the year elementary school 2006. Blaesing adds, "We also anticipate that if a A series of public meetings will be held new school is built and the current by the White Bear Lake Area plan. Hugo elementary school is reno- School District#624 to help resi- vated,both schools will be filled dents learn more about the pro- September 15, 6:30 p.m. at by the year 2011." posed elementary school plan. the Hugo Elementary School School district officials will be resent to answer questions and pSeptember 25, 6:30 m. aft Blaesing explains that the hear public comments. the o Ci Hall p school district has done g Meetings m the Hugo e teto everything it possibly can area are currently to accommodate increas- scheduled for: ing enrollments. "We've added six modular September 15,6:30 p.m. classrooms to the at the Hugo Elementary existing building," " School he states. "We've also shifted atten- September 25,6:30 p.m. at the Hugo City Hall Hugo Recycles Tons in 2002 Last year Hugo residents recycled almost 650 Wheaties,uses our recycled paper for its cereal tons of paper,glass,cans,and plastic bottles boxes. which were used by industry to make new prod- ucts. In most cases,using recyclables as raw Plastic Bottles— 15.29 tons collected. Pop and materials saves energyand water and creates less water bottles are recycled into a polyester-like Y P Y pollution than making the same product from material used to make hats,mittens,vests,and non-recycled materials. It also keeps valuable other winter clothing. Milk and detergent bottles materials out of landfills and decreases waste to are made into lawn edging and plastic lumber for energy facilities. decking,park benches,and picnic tables. It takes about 1,000 milk jugs to make a six-foot Here is a summary of how much material Hugo park bench. residents recycled in 2002: Thanks to Dan Schoepke from the Washington Glass—70.76 tons collected. Glass is recycled County Department of Public Health and at the Anchor Glass Company in Shakopee Environment for providing these recycling statis- where it is made into new glass jars and bottles. tics for Hugo. Look for the anchor symbol toward the base of a bottle to see if it's been made at Anchor Glass. Aluminum Cans— 10.14 tons collected. This is about 600,000 cans per year or about 94 cans per Hugo resident. The nearest aluminum smelter is in Indiana,about 500 miles away,where cans are a melted and made back into new aluminum cans. ' In Hugo, items for Tin Cans—26.67 tons collected. Tin cans are recycling are col- really steel cans with a very thin layer of tin on the surface to keep them from rusting. The cans are used to make construction products such as REMEMBER TO RECYCLE! lected curbside as metal beams, sign posts,rebar,and even knives and forks that we eat withIn Hugo, items for recycling are collected . part of your weekly curbside as part of your weekly trash collec- Newspaper,Junk Mail,and Mixed Paper— tion. A recycling container is available from trash collection. 483.21 tons collected. Recycling this amount of your garbage hauler or by calling City Hall at paper saved over 8,000 trees from being cut and 651-762-6300. Those items which can be made into paper. Paper is taken to the Rock- recycled include newspapers,aluminum bev- Tenn mill in St. Paul where it is made into cereal erage cans,tin cans,glass jars and bottles, boxes. General Mills,makers of Cheerios and corrugated cardboard,glossy magazines, and car and tractor batteries. Compost Site Open The City of Hugo's compost site is located on 170th Street North(County Road 4)approximate- ly 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 a.m. to 6 p.m. Absolutely no brush,debris,or other trash will be accepted. Violators will be prosecuted. Good Neighbor Days Display Sparks Stories of Hugo's Past The Hugo Historical Commission's display at arrests for drunkenness. It was also discovered Good Neighbor Days in June proved to be a very that a significant source of income for the popular attraction for Hugo residents. Village of Hugo during that time was from Individuals returned a second time bringing par- arrests and fines for speeding on Highway 61. ents and grandparents. Whole families pulled up "If you were not recognized as a resident of chairs around some of the "Do you recognize Hugo,it was likely you would be arrested for these people or places?" displays and just remi- speeding at 35 mph and be fined$7," states nisced. Visitors also helped the Commission by Cheesebrow. filling in missing data, identifying �' g and making corrections to dates,places,people, Other stories about Hugo's past shared by resi- and events shown in the display. Commission dents included the active nightclub circuit in Chair Kitty Cheesebrow notes, "It was a great Hugo in the 1920s and 1930s and how people opportunity for us to get in touch with the true from St. Paul would travel by train to Hugo for historians of Hugo." the restaurants and clubs, and the polio epidemic The Historical of the 1940s and 1950s and how it directly Commission Display at Commission members Carrie Meyers and affected the people of Hugo. Cheesebrow thanks Good Neighbor Days. Paulette Carlson and historian Viola Maslowski, everyone who helped with the display. "It was a a long-time Hugo resident,worked to graphically wonderful weekend for us and we were excited re-create the main drag of 1930s Hugo(Highway to be able to display our work over the past 61,also known as Forest Boulevard and Main months." Street). "Hugo resident Grace Waugh made up a wonderful scrapbook for us telling the history of The Commission continues to welcome residents' Traeger's Restaurant(now the closed End photos,documents,journals,and any key histori- Zone)," adds Cheesebrow. "We discovered that cal dates or information they may have regarding Traeger's Restaurant has changed names and Hugo's history. They are also looking for an owners many,many times since it was first pur- additional regular member,two alternate mem- The Commission chased and renovated by Grace's family." bers,and an unlimited number of volunteers. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each continues to wel- On a humorous note,many people recognized month at 7:00 p.m. in the Oneka Room at City the names of relatives and ancestors in the arrest Hall and are open to the public. For more infor- and court records of the Justice of the Peace in mation about the Hugo Historical Commission, come residents the early 1900s,Nichalaus Muller,whose origi- or if you would like to help by volunteering or nal documents were provided to the Commission donating your historical items,contact City photos,documents, by Pat,Paul and Charlie Muller,past residents of Administrator Mike Ericson at 651-762-6312 or Hugo. Many of the records involved disputes Kitty Cheesebrow at 651-429-6560 or by e-mail iournals,and any about debts, land,or cattle,and some were at kitty@visi.com. key historical City Council Orders Space Needs Study For dates or informa- Public Forks Facility tion they may have At its June 16,2003 meeting,the Hugo City Council authorized a Space Needs Study to help determine regarding Hugo's the requirements for a new Public Works facility. Based on a recommendation from the Public Works history. Building Committee,the study will look at the Public Works Departments current needs as well as pro- . jections for future expansion. Public Works Director Chris Petree explains that the Space Needs Study will consider such things as administrative office space,employee areas,and equipment and materials storage. He adds, "It will also take into account our Capital Improvements Program which includes suggested equipment purchases over the next 5, 10,and 20 years." Ultimately,the study will make a recommendation as to the size and type of building needed and what amenities it should include. Seven architectural and consulting engineering firms have submitted proposals for the study,and the Public Works Building Committee is currently reviewing them. The Council required that the cost of the study is not to exceed$2,000. A recommendation to the Council is expected in August. 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.ci.hugo.mn.us Service v Director City Staff nirectory City Administrator Mike Ericson 651-762-6312 City Hall General Cornmunity Dev. Dir. John Rask 651-762-6320 Public Works Director Chris Petree 651-762-6316 Information Building Official John Benson 651-762-6313 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Building Inspector Gary Schwartz 651-762-6317 Monday—Friday except holidays Sr. Engineering Tech. Scott Anderson 651-762-6326 326 651-762-6300 City Clerk Mary Ann Creager 651-762-6311 • Community Dev.Asst. Michele Lindau 651-762-6315 City Hall FAX Number Deputy Clerk Rene6 Cunningham 651-762-6310 651-426-2859 Billing Clerk Jodie Guareschi 651-762-6309 Finance Director Ron Otkin 651-762-6314 Washington County Fire Chief Jim Compton 651-429-6366 Sheriffs Department non-emergency) CitV Council 6(Police51-439-9381 Mayor Fran Miron 651-429-5961 Ward I Becky Petryk 651-426-4722 Ward 2 Frank PuleoFire Hall 651-653-9369 (Non-emergency) Ward 3 Chuck Haas 651-439-4475 651-429-6366 Council-at-Large Mike Granger 651-426-8171 Fire PEmergency * Menthiv Meeting Schedule olice 911 City Council I 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 2nd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.