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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 February Newsletter 0 1 x Hugo City Hall • 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue North • Hugo, Minnesota 55038 Year in Review City Council Sets 2002 was another very busy year for the City of Goals for 2003 Hugo,with many of the major projects setting the tone for future development within the City. A The Hugo City Council held its annual goal-set- spirit of cooperation and communication between ting session on January 13,2003 and finalized a City residents,Council,and staff was evident, as list of goals for 2003, a full two months earlier several long-term goals were accomplished. than last year's session. In addition to the City Below is a brief look at the major projects and Council and staff,those present included Planning events that took place in Hugo last year. Commission Chair Dave Schumann and Vice Chair Sandy Malaski,Fire Chief Jim Compton, City Hall Completed and 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Jaydon 011ila. "One An open house was held on April 15,2002 to of the nice things about this year's process was introduce Hugo's new City Hall to the public. that we had a number of individuals from the The$2.1 million project proceeded smoothly and community present," notes Mayor Fran Miron. was completed on time and within the budget. "The City Council agreed to allow those people to With a main floor of 11,600 square feet and a participate in the process,and their input helped 1,500 square foot basement, the new City Hall us establish the goals we selected." Greg Bernier, includes improved City Council chambers,a a lifetime Hugo resident and owner of Hometown multi-use community room available to local Auto Repair,was one of those present. "It was clubs and organizations,and an administration great that they considered us and let us offer an wing with a mixture of open office, space and opinion,"he comments. "I really appreciated that, administrative offices. and I thought the process went very well." The City Hall's unique landscaping plan, incorpo- The following eight goals were identified as the rating rain gardens,a series of retention ponds highest priority for the City of Hugo in 2003: and storm water drainage that will handle the storm water flow from the site of the new City I Determine a redevelopment strategy for ' Hall,was completed in August. Hugo residents downtown Hugo that incorporates had the opportunity to tour the complete site ata detailed design standards. Downtown Grand Opening Celebration held on October 23, Hugo can be identified as the land between 145th ' 2002. and 147th Streets along Trunk Highway 61. Community Development Director John Rask Community Visioning Process explains, "The goal is to develop architectural and Completed site design standards that would create a commer- cial area that respects the local traditions and fits Hugo's community visioning process, also in with the character of our community." referred to as a"Charrette"process,began in March 2001 and was comphted when the final I Choose the realignment alternative for document,titledf"City of Hugo 2020 Vision,"was CSAH 8/14's connection with Trunk accepted by the City Council in January 2002. Highway 61 that best incorporates the . _ The process involved extensive input from Hugo City's vision for the heart of Hugo. Three alterna- residents, and the visioning plan will serve as tives are currently under consideration: 142nd guide for development in Hugo over the next 20 Street, 145th Street,and 147th Street. (See relat- years. ed article on page 5) Year in Review:Continued on Page 2 City Goals:Continued on Page 7 [Year in Review:Continued from Page 11 Bernin Property Acquired for Future Park liquor License Referendum Passed A purchase agreement was finalized and approved Voters demonstrated their support fr allowing in May 2002 for the City's purchase of the Bernin new restaurant development in Hugo when property,a 21-acre site located on Oneka Lake. approximately 60%voted in-favor of a referen- The purchase pr]cQ.,of$752,_000 was funded in dum in the No 2002 general election to part by a grant of$305,000 acquired by the City allow six new liquor licenses to be issued in the from the Minnesota Department of Natural City. City Administrator Mike;°Ericson described Resources(DNR),with the balance being paid this as an important economic development issue, from the City's park fund. The City's future plans and Mayor Fran Miron assured residents that the for this land are to establish a natural open space City Council will use its best judgment when park-like setting. The property's 1,500 feet of issuing the new liquor licenses. shoreline would provide public access to Oneka Lake and could allow for expansion of the DNR Mayor and ON Council Members boat access facility. The former owners,Bruce Re-elected Unopposed and Ginni Bernin,will continue to live on the All three City officials running for re-election in Mayor Miron accepts State property and operate their Christmas tree farm for the November 5,2402 election.—Mayor Fran grant for Bernin Park. up to 10 years. Miron,Ward 1 Council Member Becky Petryk, Residential Building Moratorium Lifted and Ward 3 Council Member Chuck Haas—were unopposed. According to City Clerk Mary Ann The residential building moratorium, in effect in Creager,this has never happened before in Hugo. Hugo since August 1999,was lifted on February After the election Mayor Fran Miron commented, 19,2002 and allowed property:owners to once "I believe that our recent election demonstrated again be able to subdivide and develop their prop- residents' confidence in our leadership and in the erty. Although state law required the moratorium way we have handled the important issues facing to be lifted at that time, Community Development Hugo." Director John Rask noted that the City was suc- Tlt residential cessful in addressing the situations responsible-for the moratorium, including improvements to the Comprehensive Plan Completed The Comprehensive Plan sets forth the policy and building City's water system,updating the City's zoning goals for growth of the community and land ordinance and development regulations,and the preservation. The plan was submitted to the moratorium, in hiring of additional staff to manage growth and Metropolitan Council,the regional planning meet the increased demand for City services. effect in Hugo agency in the Twin Cities area,for its review and since August American Legion Fire and Rreceived final approval in December 2002. ebuilding The home of Hugo's American Legion Post 620 Public Works Department Expanded 1999 was lifted since 1962,located at 5736 147th Street North, Following the opening of the new City Hall,the was destroyed in a fire that began on the evening former City Hall building became the new home of Monday,July 15,2002 and rekindled early the of the Public Works Dgpartment. A Public Works on February 19, following morning. On-July 22,a special meeting was called by the City Council,where the Building Committee was formed by the City 2002. American Legion Building Committee was Council in November 2002 to find a site and determine the needs for a new Public Works facil- formed to assist the Legion in its rebuilding ity. Two full-time Public Works workers began efforts. In September,the Council authorized a with the department in August,bringing the total purchase agreement to sell one acre of land in the work force to four full-time and two part-time Bald Eagle Industrial Park to Post 620 to be used employees. The list of equipment grew to include as a site for a new building. Groundbreaking for used snow plowing trucks and a refurbished the new 7,500 square foot building, located at motor grader for maintaining the nearly 33 miles 5383 140th Street North and include banquet of gravel roads in Hugo. The phasing out of road facilities for up to 300 people,took maintenance services performed by Washington place on November 10,2002. County began with the first snowfall of the 2002- 2003 season,when the department took over the majority of the snow plowing in the City. [Year in Review:Continued on Page 71 Community Development Updates City Projects New Subdivisions from City Engineer from Community Development Director H Y David Mitchell John Rask I Production Wells The following are larger projects that have been Well No.4 is substantially complete and is avail- through the planning review process and able to pump water into the City's water system. approved by the City Council in the past year: The contractor is repairing minor"punch list" items to complete the project. Legacy Phase Pratt Homes development,consisting of 51 one- Trunk Utillty Improvements acre lots on the former McCollar property, locat- The contractor installing trunk utilities to serve ed east of Elmcrest Avenue and south of 140th areas east of TH 61 and north of 152nd Street, Street. Site work has begun,and lots are expect- including the Peloquin Industrial Park,continues ed to be available this summer. to encounter construction problems with getting utilities under TH 61. We hope to resolve these Waters Edge North issues in the very near future and restore the areas Pulte Home development, located west of along TH 61. Creekview Preserve,consisting of 591 housing units,and featuring a 23-acre school site donated Anyone who is TN 61 and 140th Street Traffic Signal by the developer. Site work is anticipated to This project will be bid in February for construc- begin this spring,with construction of homes interested in tion this spring and early summer. The necessary starting in late fall. approvals and easements are completed. Project selling land to runding will come from the Minnesota Oneka Ponds Department of Transportation,Washington Fegowi development subdivision consisting of 76 the City of Hugo County,and the single family lots located north of Sweet Grass City of Hugo. Meadows. Site improvements have begun, and is asked to lots are expected to be available this summer. contact City Victor Gardens 3rd Addition Pratt Homes and Contractor Property Developers Nall at 651-762- Company subdivision consisting of 99 townhome units located at the southeast corner of Elmcrest 6300. and CSAH 8. Builder Rottlund Homes expects to begin construction of the townhomes this spring. City looking to Acquire land for Parks The City of Hugo would like to acquire land for neighborhood parks,active recreational areas,and open spaces. "We are primarily interested in land located in the central portion of the City," explains 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 park dedi- cation fund,which is obtained from new development in the City. A$1,700 fee is collected and deposit- ,d into this fund when new residential lots are created. Anyone who is interested in selling 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. Hot Hews From the Hugo Fire Department 2002 was a record year for the Hugo Fire within the next three years: a 1974 tanker,a 1974 Department,responding to a total of 282 calls— pumper,and a 1986 rescue truck. All of these 189 rescue and 93 fire calls. Unfortunately,a vehicles are inadequate for Hugo's current needs record$2.5 million property loss was also sus- and require frequent and often expensive mainte- tained by the City. Hugo Fire Chief Jim Compton nance. Compton and his Department have exten- points to an example of two multiple-unit town sively researched replacement options. "We are homes that were lost,in part because Hugo had to requesting a 100-foot aerial pumper platform that rely on another fire department to bring in the will allow fire fighters to safely reach steeper necessary ladder truck to help fight the fire. pitched residential roofs which are unsafe with conventional ladders," he states, "along with larg- "Most Fire Departments have a 10-year replace- er commercial industrial buildings that are becom- ment schedule," Compton explains. "Vehicles are ing more prevalent in the City." This vehicle automatically replaced after this period of would use a rescue basket attached to the plat- time because of safety and maintenance form for removing victims. Compton goes on issues." Because of budgetary constraints, to explain that the rescue basket is a safer however,most of the fire department alternative for both fire victims and fire vehicles in the City of Hugo are much fighters because it avoids the need to slide older. Compton states, "Before deliv- down or do a fireman's carry down a lad- ery of our new tanker in December,the der. The preferred replacement for the newest piece of equipment in the station 1986 ambulance style rescue truck is a was a 1990 pumper truck." multi-use heavy rescue vehicle,which would Residents are be able to hold all heavy rescue equipment The Department made two major equip- and also function as a command station for a welcome to ment purchases in 2002. A new 2000-gal- large disaster,a rehabilitation station for fire Ion tanker was delivered in December, fighters and victims, and an air-refueling sta- c 111 and replacing a 1967 1500-gallon tanker that had been tion for the fire fighters'air packs. converted from a City dump truck into a water arrange a hauler. Included in the City's 2002 Capitol Compton welcomes residents'questions regarding tour of the Improvements Program,the cost of the tanker was equipment or the operation of the Fire $176,000. A 1997 Jeep was purchased for Department. "They are welcome to give us a call Hugo Fire $15,000,including the equipment necessary to and come tour the facility,"he offers. Compton convert it to a grass fire truck. It replaces a 1954 also expressed his appreciation to the community Department. military jeep that was on loan from the Minnesota for their support—including monetary donations, DNR. the booya,aluminum can drive, Good Neighbor Days,and the Toys for Tots drive—and to the Compton hopes to replace three more vehicles City staff and Council for their support as well. Remember toRec Americans use 85 million tons of paper each year, ed curbside as part of your weekly trash collec- amounting to about 680 pounds per person,and tion. A recycling container is available from your 40%of all solid waste consists of paper prod- garbage hauler or by calling City Hall at 65 1- ucts. Recycling a four-foot stack of paper 762-6300. Those items which can be saves one mature tree from being har- recycled include newspapers,alu- vested,and each ton of recycled paper minum beverage cans,tin cans, saves 17 trees. glass jars and bottles,corrugated cardboard,glossy magazines,and car In Hugo,items for recycling are collect- and tractor batteries. 1 Hugo Historical The Latest Hews On Commission Established CSAH 8/14 At its December 16,2002 meeting,the Hugo City ! Washington County,Anoka County,the Cities of Council voted to establish the Hugo Historical Hugo and Lino Lakes, along with their consultant ROA Commission. The six-member group has been TKDA,are conducting a study of the County �► meeting informally since July 2002. Commission State Aid Highway(CSAH)8/14 corridor Chair Kitty Cheesebrow explains that achieving ! between Interstate 35E(1-35E)and Trunk WORK status as a City commission means that the group Highway(TH)61. Proposed improvements for will be funded by the City and work under the this major east-west connection to I-35E include .AHEAD direction and guidance of the City Council. She expanding to four lanes and adding turn lanes,a adds, "We also will be setting up archive space at center median,a pedestrian/bicycle path, and new City Hall." drainage systems. The main focus of the project is currently on the selection of one of three align- In her presentation to the City Council, ment alternatives: 142nd Street, 145th Street,and Cheesebrow stated the Historical Commission's 147th Street. Washington County representatives mission is "to connect our community to its past attended Hugo City Council Workshops in by: locating,collecting,and preserving historical November 2002 and January 2003 to answer facts and important information about our com- munity; educating the community, encouraging questions on the project and the three alignment personal and community responsibility for pre- options. serving our past,and fostering an understanding and appreciation of our history." The project has moved more slowly than antici- pated because of the delay in the selection of a In addition to Cheesebrow,Commission members preferred alternative and Federal funding require- are: Vice Chair Tom Jesinski, Secretary Cynthia ments. The typical Environmental Assessment watch for more Schoonover, Collections Manager Pam Videen, process includes the selection of a preferred alter- Historian and Coordinator of Oral Interviews native;the CSAH 8/14 alternatives analysis is information Paulette Carlson,and Graphic Designer Carrie unusual in that it did not result in the selection of Meyers. Meetings are held on the second a preferred alternative,but instead identifies all and notices Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Oneka three alignments as potential preferred alignment Room at City Hall and are open to the public. alternatives. The use of Federal funds requires regarding the For more information about the Hugo Historical extensive reviews by State and Federal agencies, Commission, contact City Administrator Mike which takes time because they are also reviewing CSAH project in Ericson at 651-762-6312 or Kitty Cheesebrow at projects from other cities,counties,and states. 651-429-6560. The project team understands how important this the White Bear decision is for everyone affected by the project Watch for news from the Hugo Historical and is trying to keep the project moving as quick- Press and Quad Commission in future City newsletters. ly as possible. Community Watch for notices and advertisements in February. Press. Planning Commission Ads in the White Bear Press and the Quad Community Press will provide information on When and where the Environmental Assessment Members Re-Appointed will be available for review,the public informa- At its January 6,2003 meeting,the Hugo City % tion/public hearing date, and City Council meet- Council re-appointed Planning Commission ing dates. Meeting notices will be sent directly to Chair Dave Schumann and long-time member those property owners adjacent to the project. Theodora Peltier. Each will serve a four-year Residents can also call the Hugo City Hall at 651- term. The Planning Commission advises the 762-6300 for City Council meeting dates. For City Council in all matters concerning com- more information on this project,visit the prehensive planning,zoning, land subdivi- Washington County web site at www.co.washing- sion,changes in streets,and other matters of a ton.mn.us/trnsphdv/projects.htm or contact Chris general planning nature. Manthey, Design Coordinator,at 651-430-4316. r � American legion Update CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON NEW AMERICAN LEGION BUILDING Following the groundbreaking on November 10, 2002, construction is underway on the new 7,500 square foot American Legion building at 5383 140th Street North,next to the Hugo Fire Hall. The former Post 620 building,located at 5736 Rural and Open S 147th Street North,was destroyed in a fire in July 2002. Commander John Thomas states that the Citizen Advisory Committee excavation,site preparation,footings,and founda- tion were completed in December,and the sched- ule calls for the outside walls and roof to be in COMMITTEE FORMED TO PRESERVE place in January. Thomas estimates that the gen- HUGO'S RURAL CHARACTER eral contractor,Faulkner Construction, Inc. of The Rural and Open Space Citizen Advisory White Bear Lake,will complete the building in Committee was created by the Hugo City Council May 2003. last fall with the following mission: "To imple- ment the Comprehensive Plan by developing methods to preserve open space and the rural her- itage of Hugo and by directing growth to areas of American Legion the community planned for development where services such as sewer,water,and transportation Rebuilding Fund exist or can be readily provided." Members of the committee are Len Pratt,Will Riopel,Dave Although the former American Legion Strub, Larry Ehret, Chuck Haas,Frank Puleo, Construction is building was insured,the entire cost of Bob Rosenquist,and Dave Schumann. rebuilding will not be covered. A rebuild- underway on the ing fund has been established for anyone Chuck Haas explains, "The City Council created who wishes to contribute to help Post 620 this committee with the understanding that new 7,500 in their rebuilding efforts. Send donations throughout the 30 years of land use planning in to: Hugo American Legion,Rebuilding Hugo,there has been a consistent desire on the square foot Fund,P.O. Box 371, Hugo,MN 55038 part of our residents to maintain open space, its rural character,and the quality of life that goes American legion with that." He goes on to note that the City Council has designated this committee's activities as one of its main goals for the year: to support building. open space preservation,efficient land use, Congressman Opens responsible development,and protection of Hugo's scenic and environmentally sensitive Office in Hugo City Hall areas. Sixth District U.S. Representative Mark Kennedy The committee plans to look at several growth opened a new field office in the Hugo City Hall management tools, including implementing a on February 4,2003. Staffed by Field transfer of development rights program and Representative Kristin Flom,the office will be reviewing Hugo's cluster housing ordinance. open Tuesdays,Wednesdays,and Thursdays from Haas believes that the process is just as important 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. as any ultimate result of the committee's work. "Just examining the possibilities can benefit our Residents of the sixth district are welcome to drop community,"he states, "by recognizing that there in with any concerns or problems with which are areas worthy of preservation and realizing that Congressman Kennedy's office may be of assis- we have the ability to achieve our land use goals." tance. For more information,contact Kristin at 651-653-5933 or visit the Congressman's web site The public is welcome to attend all meetings of at www.MarkKennedy.house.gov. the committee. Please call City Hall at 651-762- 6300 for meeting dates and agendas. [City Goals:Continued from Page 11 I Update the Capitol Improvements that need reconstruction work and adopted a street M] Program(CIP). The CIP is a planning assessment policy. The goal for 2003 is to deter- tool for major purchases over the next 20 mine a funding source and begin taking bids for years, such as equipment, fire trucks,vehicles, specific projects. and public improvements. In addition to updating the current$80 million CIP,the goal for 2003 is I Make the City of Hugo the Local to identify the most important items and deter- Government Unit(LGU)for storm water mine how to fund them. mana agement planning. The LGU can be defined as the governmental body that determines I Develop a rural and open space plan for how storm water management is implemented. the eastern tart of Hum The City Currently,RCWD is the LGU for Hugo. The Council has created the Rural and Open Council's goal is for Hugo to take over that Space Citizen Advisory Committee to work authority from RCWD and provide these services toward this goal. (Please see related article on at a local level. page 6.) I Plan for, locate,and construct a new Work cooperatively with the Rice Creek Public Works facility. The City Council Watershed District(RCWD)to obtain a recently formed a Public Works Building "Team work grant to restore Hardwood Creek. The Committee for this purpose. RCWD has applied for a$1.2 million Legislative is critical in Commission on Minnesota Resources(LCMR) Mayor Miron emphasizes the importance of the grant to help protect and restore the natural areas goal-setting process as both a self-evaluation tool providing adjacent to Hardwood Creek. The grant, funded for the Council and a guide for City staff. The by lottery proceeds and tobacco taxes,has been Mayor also believes that establishing a "team- effective recommended by the LCMR Committee and will work ethic"for the City Council is critical in pro- be voted on by the state legislature in its upcom- viding effective government. He states, "Although government." ing session. it didn't receive a ranking,I think in the minds of the Council members, Planning Commission, and Implement and fund the Pavement City staff, that goal continues to rank very high." -Mayor Miron _ Management Project. The City Council has already done an inventory of roads [Year in Review:Continued from Page 21 Let's Party in 0 Improvements in City water system NeighhorhOOdS! Two wells, each capable of pumping 1,200 gal- lons per minute,were added to the City's system in 2002. Well No. 3, located west of the cemetery, became operational last spring,and Well No. 4, The Hugo Parks Commission,in partnership with located south of the Post Office at the north end of Flay Avenue,bean providing water to the sys- the Hugo Lions Club,would like to sponsor tem at the end of 2002. The addition of Water neighborhood block parties in Tower No. 3,northwest of the Creekview Preserve development,added 1,500,000 gallons the City of Hugo. If you are of storage for Hugo residents and required that interested in organizing a block Water Tower No. 1-next to City Hall,be removed from the system in order to meet future City party in your neighborhood water pressure needs. this spring,please call City The new tower, along with the existing Tower No. �A Hall at 651-762-6300. Let us 2, located near 130th Street and Fenway Boulevard,provides 2,000,000 gallons of storage help make your party a great for the City system, enough to meet the City's needs for several years. success! `` II r - 0 BULK RATE Hugo City Hall • 14669 Fitzgerald Ave.•N.Hugo,MN 55038 POSTAGE PAID HUGO, MN 55038 PERMIT NO.21 G OCCUPANT i Service City Directory Directory City Stan City Administrator Mike Ericson 651-762-6312 City Hall General Community Dev. Dir. John Rask 651-762-6320 Information Public Works Director Chris Petree 651-762-6316 • Building Official John Benson 651-762-6313 Monday—Friday except holidays = - ' Building Inspector Gary Schwartz 651-762-6317 651-762-6300 City Clerk Mary Ann Creager 651-762-631 1 Community Dev.Asst. Michele Lindau 651-762-6315 city Han FAX Numuer Deputy Clerk Renee Cunningham 651-762-6310 Billing Clerk Jodie Guareschi 651-762-6309 651-426-2859 Finance Director Ron Otkin 651-762-6314 Fire Chief Jim Compton 651-429-6366 Washington County Sheriffs Department (Police non-emergency) CilvCouncil w<: . . . ; A Mayor Fran Miron 651-429-5961 Ward 1 Becky Petryk 651-426-4722Fir, Hall Ward 2 Frank Puleo 651-653-3736 Ward 3 Chuck Haas 651-439-4475 - 651-429-6366 � Council at Large Mike Granger 651-426-8171 RM Fire 9 Police EmergencyMonthly meeting Scheldule 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.