HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 April Newsletter APRIL 2001
1111
YOUR CITY
'RE-P 0. R
HUGO CITY HALL, 5524 UPPER 146TH STREET NORTH HUGO, MN 55038 651-429-6676
HUGO TO BEGIN
HELP PLAN
COMMUNITY
THE FUTURE
VISIONING PROCESS OF HUGO
The City of Hugo has selected the Minneapolis architecture, engineering, and
planning firm of Hammel, Green, and Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA) to manage a Here is your chance to be
community visioning process for the City that will take place over the next three involved in determining the.
months. The term "Charrette" is being used to describe the process. Michael future development in Hugo.
Lamb, a senior planner with HGA who will be in charge of the process, explains Share your vision for Hugo by
that a Charrette planning process has two major aspects: it is a highly public, par-
ticipatory process and it occurs within a fairly compressed or short time frame. attending these community
"We're going to have a number of community workshops and topical round table workshops:
discussions," Lamb explains, "and use that community involvement and participa-
tion as a basis for making some recommendations to the City Council." Wednesday, April 4
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Hugo has obtained a$60,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council to conduct the
Charrette process. The end result will be a guide for development in Hugo over
the next 20 years. Planning Commission Chair Dave Schumann describes it as a Tuesday, April 10
"fine-tuning" of the comprehensive plan adopted in 1998. "The basic division of 6:30-9:00 p.m.
agricultural and rural residential areas in the eastern part of the City and urban res-
idential, commercial, and industrial areas in the west will not change," Schumann Location for both dates:
explains.
! Hugo Elementary School
�
City Council Member Frank Puleo states that the primary purpose is"to determine 14895 Francesca Ave. N.
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what is the best use of the land and what types of development we want." Lamb
F adds, "What we're going to do is through public opinion,public participation, and Your participation is crucial
our expertise, look at the next level of detail—how specific areas actually begin to to the success of this process!
develop physically, what kinds of new residential units might be developed, how
Any questions? Contact thei"
are they connecting, what are the public open spaces and parks that need to be
MW
Hugo City Hall a
added, how is the whole thing connected with the transportation system, how do -544101
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the utilities fit into that. And then how will all of that fit into the existing envi- (651) 429-6676 ext. 2
ronment.
VISIONING
Continued on Page 2
VISIONING Your opportunity to be involved in models from around the area. Then,
Continued from Page 1 this process and offer your vision of working in a series of small groups,
Hugo's future will take place at two those in attendance will have the
Mayor Fran Miron notes that the community workshops to be held on opportunity to answer a number of
rapid growth in Hugo is a primary Wednesday, April 4 and Tuesday, questions about community vision
factor for conducting the Charrette April 10. Both will take place from and express their preferences about
process. "The growth has probably 6:30 — 9:00 p.m. at the Hugo several topics relating to growth and
come much faster than anyone has Elementary School, 14895 Francesca development. At the second work-
anticipated," he states. "How we Avenue North. shop, actual development alternatives
address the needs of that growth will be considered. Participants will
becomes very critical." Miron also The first workshop will be focused on also be able to look at and talk about
emphasizes that public input is crucial discussing a community vision. development models that might be
to the process. "How the community Participants will learn about basic appropriate for various places in
grows needs to be directed by the development principles and will look Hugo.
community itself. We need their par- at some case studies and development
ticipation in the process." Lamb explains that the process is
designed around community partici-
pation. He states, "It's very critical to
have community input." Council
COMMUNITY j
Member Becky Petryk also stresses the
y the
need for involvement bpeople VISIONING SCHEDULE of
Hugo. "The most important issue is
citizen participation. It is critical at
March S: Interviews with city officials; tour given to HGA
this point, before the moratorium
April 4: 2:30—4:30 p.m. Developers/real estate roundtable comes off, that we do the planning,
6:30—9:00 p.m. Community workshop#1 that we do the visioning for our City,"
she states. "It's important that we
April 5: 1:30—3:30 p.m. Major landowners roundtable grow together as a City instead of let-
ting growth tear us apart."
April 10: 2:30—4:40 p.m. Schools and churches roundtable
6:30—9:00 p.m. Community workshop#2
April 9—May 4 Preliminary development strategy and drafting of
policy plan
April 25 Presentation to Planning Commission '
May 2 Community meeting (Contact City Hall for time and location)
May 7 Presentation to City Council
June 1-30 Complete final policy plan and submit to the City Council
i
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EVERTON AVENUE STUDY COMPLETE
All involved declare it successful
After four neighborhood meetings, the planning study for the sense this is what we did here." Peterson also appreciated the
Everton Avenue neighborhood has been completed and is opportunity to meet the people involved. "I think it was
ready to be presented to the Planning Commission. helpful to put a face on everybody and make the process per-
Approximately 1600 acres in the southwestern quadrant of conal," he added.
the city, the Everton Avenue neighborhood is defined as the
area located north of County Road 8 (Frenchman Road), The primary concerns addressed by the study were:
south of 165th Street, east of Elmcrest Avenue, and west of
Highway 61. 1. Transportation. Specifically, the location of future col-
lector roads was a primary issue. After much discussion and
Community Development Director John Rask served as pro- consideration, it was recommended by a large majority of the
ject manager and was the primary Hugo staff contact with the participants to shift the collector roads east of the existing
local engineering and planning firms of SEH and WSB who Everton Avenue. Everton Avenue was originally planned as
were hired to help with the study. Each m attend- the collector road.
ed by 30-50 people, including resident wn s, devel-
opers, City staff members, and City embers. 2. Storm water management. The study looked at three
According to Rask,"Essentially what the pr ess invo ed -things: storm water management,wetland management, and
to come up with a land use plan for the nei oo Y t � � a fl, plain study. Of most interest was that there is a large
' amount of flood plain in this area that is incorrectly mapped.
Rask felt the project was very successful primarily because ofThis project TW identified those areas,and an application has
the strong citizen involvement. "The eighborhood partici- been submitted to revise the Federal Emergency Management
pated," he said, "and we got a lot very meaningful public Agency (FEMA) map."-The other interesting part calls for a
input." City Council Member Chuck Haas agreed. "l think regial stogy water ponding system for the neighborhood,
it was an excellent process,"'stated Ha I think everyone as opposed to doingindividuals:, all ponds throughout the
felt a sense of ownership. And I t everybody felt that in area. ��� �
some way they got something o . of the process that was ben-
eficial to them—that was of`value:'° . 3. Preservationor open spac and creation of trails and
park,'s. Cus y calls for establishing two greenway corri-
I
Al
Landowners and developers in the arca Nvere also pleased with dors`tl risscross the neighborhood. Some of these
the process. Len Pratt, a homebuilder with Pratt Homes of areas could be used for the$'torm water management ponds.
White Bear Lake, who is also a landowner in rhe study area The need for another neigh orhood park directly west of the
and is co-developing the Victor Gardcrns dcwdopment, said, Creelwlew l'reservc develop hent was also established.
"I thought it was a great process. 1 think the tone was prop-
erly established in the beginning— that evervbodv was going 4. Sewer and water. The study looked at how the infra-
to get a chance to ask questions. And the information that structure would be provided for sewer and water to serve
was being disseminated was shared with everyone at the sanne development in the area. It also c s for the development of
time,so everybody felt they were on a� vel playing field.' He pilaus for extension of sewer and wa er as development occurs.
added that people seemed to appreciate the organized, ratio-
nal approach. 5. Land use. Three land use alternatives developed by the
City were discussed with the neighborhood. None of the
Jim Peterson, a project manager and developer for Trail Head plans received any serious opposition; therefore, the three
Land Development Corporation, who has a piece of land plans will be forwarded to the planning commission for dis-
under contract in the area,-appreciated the timing of the cit- cussion and recommendation to the City Council.
izen involvement. "Ideally the time for people to effect
change in the City is during the planning process," he stated. EVERTON
"It's a lot easier and certainly less adversarial, and I think in a Continued on Page 4
CITY PROJECT UPDATE EVERTON
from City Engineer Dave Mitchell Continued from Page 3
130th Street-Lift-Station R: R�':
The Everton Avenue study will be
presented at a joint Planning
Construction of the piping and pump station on this sanitary sewer lift station Commission and City Council meet-
between Flay Avenue and Goodview Avenue on the south side of 130th Street ing on April 9. The primary purpose
North is complete, and the lift station is operational. Restoration and final clean- of this meeting will be to finalize the
up will occur this spring. The project will provide sanitary sewer service to the 5th land use plan for the neighborhood.
Addition of Beaver Ponds and the surrounding area as it develops.
The overall cost of the study is
approximately $279,000, with just
Production Well No. 3 wf�m over $209,000 being financed by a
Well No. 3 has been completed and tested. The City Engineer's office has com- five-year zero interest loan from the
pleted the construction documents for the well's pump house improvements. The Metropolitan Council. While the
improvement will be bid on March 29,2001 and awarded to a contractor in April. city has had to pay the up-front cost
Construction will:begin in early May.' This well should be operational early this of the study, it will ultimately be
reimbursed by assessing a surcharge to
summer. property owners and developers in the
Everton Avenue neighborhood at the
NMI Water Tower
time they develop their property.
The City Engineer's office has completed the construction documents for Water City Administrator Mike Ericson
Tower No. 3, located immediately northwest of the Creekview Preserve 3rd called the Everton Avenue study an
Addition, northwest of 159th Street North. The improvement will be -bid on "unheard of partnership between the
March 29, 2001 and awarded to a contractor in April. Construction will begin in city, developers, residents, and prop-
May,and the City expects the new tower to be operational in the summer of 2002. erty owners." City Council Member
Chuck Haas commented further on
the project's success. "Everybody
' Water Main Extensions
a._ came out a winner in one fashion or
The City Engineer's office has completed the construction documents for water another. It's very seldom that you
main extensions to connect Well No. 3 and Water Tower No. 3 to the existing have a whole group of citizens and
water system. The improvement will be bid on April 12, 2001 and awarded to a developers not only get along so well,
contractor in April. Construction will begin in May, and the work will,be com- but appreciate the work of the staff
pleted this summer. and the consultants to the extent that
they gave them a round of applause at
the end. That tells me that our citi-
7 71
p
Peloquin Industrial Park- zens are well served and they appreci-
m
ated the job the City did for them."
This project will provide sewer and water utilities to the Peloquin Industrial Park
area and will include the extension of sanitary sewer from the southeast corner of /
the Creekview Preserve development. As part of the project, the street and storm
sewer system will be improved to meet City standards. The City opened bids for
the improvements on March 9 and is currently working to secure construction
easements. The City Council will consider an award of the construction contract
in April. The project would be substantially complete in November, 2001 with
final restoration and paving to be completed before the summer of 2002.
HOT NEWS FROM THE
HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT
City of Hugo Fire Chief Joe Level 2 burns and was conducted for Wolkerstorfer, Tony Bronk, Mike
McMahon reports on the activities of training purposes. Last year Hugo Schwartz, Kurt Grainger, and Jeff
the Hugo Fire Department for the also participated in a drill held in Wenzel for their outstanding perfor-
year 2000: Stillwater, along with departments mance at this fire.
from Marine, Lower St. Croix Valley,
The Hugo Fire Department is a paid, Bayport, and White Bear Lake. During 2000, Hugo firefighters spon-
on-call department that serves the 36- Hugo's duty was to provide training sored a Toys for Tots drive. Santa
square mile City of Hugo. Rather for water shuttle operations in rural traveled through the City of Hugo on
than being staffed 24 hours a day, 7 non-hydrated areas. a fire truck to help collect the toys.
days a week, we are alerted of 911 Pictures with Santa were taken later
calls by the Washington County A specialized training program on res- on at the fire station. The depart-
Sheriff's Dispatch Center through a cuing down, trapped, or missing fire- ment participated in National Night
tone-activated paging system. The fighters at the scene of an emergency, Out, held an open house at the fire
department's current membership is including both classroom and practi- station, and held tours of the station.
19, and all are state certified cal training, was attended by Dean We also gave fire prevention classes at
Firefighters, EMTs, or First White,Jadon 011ila, Marty Schwartz, both elementary schools and repre-
Responders. The Hugo Fire Greg Burmeister, and Joe McMahon. sented the City of Hugo at the
Department provides fire and rescue Washington County Fair.
services; ambulance transport services Throughout 2000, Hugo also provid-
are provided by the White Bear Lake ed mutualaid to the Forest Lake, Last summer, firefighters provided
Fire Department. Scandia, Marine, and White Bear standby medical services at the
Lake Fire Departments. The services N"tional High School Rodeo Finals
In 2000, emergency alarms of all we provided ranged from extrication � end took part in Hugo Good
},,
types totaled 270,as compared to 217 of victims at automobile accidents to Neighbor Days. The department also
in 1999, representing a 25%increase. providing manpower and equipment participated in all Washington
Overall, the busiest day of the week at commercial or residential fires. County Fire Chiefs Association meet-
was Thursday with a total of 46 emer- Hugo received mutual aid from the ings, and Hugo Fire Department
gencies, and the busiest time of day White Bear Lake, Forest Lake, and Secretary Dean White was elected as
was between 3 and 11 p.m. with 123 Centennial Fire Departments. Secretary-Treasurer of the
responses. Association. All of these activities
The biggest event in which our Fire were on a volunteer basis and totaled
Hugo belongs to both the Capitol Department participated' was the 1700 hours.
City Regional and the Capitol City Carlos Avery reserve fire, where we
Mutual Aid Associations. In 2000, spent a total of 36 hours'fighting this Anyone living within two miles of the
our department hosted a mutual aid fire. During the peak of this incident, Hugo Fire Station who would like
drill,with the Fire Departments from 55 fire departments from Minnesota, more information about becoming a
Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Wisconsin, and the U Forest Service member of the Hugo Fire Department
Stillwater, and Scandia in attendance. were in attendance. At a City can contact Chief Joe McMahon at
A total of 40 firefighters participated Council meeting, Mayor Wally (651) 429-6366
in the drill, which was a live burn Stoltzman awarded commendation
exercise consisting of Level 1 and certificates to Jim Compton, Don
CITY COUNCIL SETS YOUR NEW
GOA FOR 2001 CITY HALL
On Monday, January 29, 2001, the Hugo City Council held its annual Goal-
A Progress
Setting Session, facilitated by Barbara Strandell. In addition to City Council Rep o rt
Members, those in attendance included Mayor Fran Miron, City Administrator
Mike Ericson, Community Development Director John Rask, City Engineer Dave The new Hugo City Hall
Mitchell,Fire Chief Joe McMahon,Planning Commission Chair Dave Schumann, buildingproject continues to
Parks Commission Chair Robyn LaCasse, and former Council Member Jim
move forward. Bids are
Leroux. being received until April 5,
The City Council identified these six goals for the City of Hugo in the year 2001: 2001, and the City Council
is expected to award the con-
1. Develop the City's infrastructure and develop a Capitol Improvements tract for construction at its
Program to guide the City in major expenditures that fall outside the nor- April 16 meeting.
mal operating budget.
2. Establish parks and acquire parkland. Designed by the engineering
3. Obtain a win-win solution for all involved in the Everton Avenue Study. and architectural firm of
4. Establish a surface water management plan.
Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik
5. Complete the Charrette process.
and Associates, the building
6. Work to have the City Council pull together as a team.
is expected to be 11,600
The Council gave its full support to the City staff to square feet with a 1,500
help accomplish these goals. square foot basement. Costs
for the project are estimated
In addition to establishing goals, the session was at $1.5 million for construc-
good opportunity for Council Members to
tion and $2.1 million for the
get to know one another better, to learn complete project.
what each member hopes to accomplish
during his or her term of office, and to
learn what influences members in their It is expected that the
decision-making processes. groundbreaking for the City
Hall will take place early this
summer
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YOUR CITY REPORT PAID
5524 Upper 146th Street North HUGO, MN 55038
Hugo, MN 55038 PERMIT NO. 21
OCCUPANT
IN THIS ISSUE
Planning the future of Hugo:
Share your vision of Hugo on
April or April 10 Visit our new website! www. ci.hugo. mn. us
Cit Staff Service
City Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mike Ericson
Directory
Community Development Director. . . . . .John Rask
Public Works Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Petree City Hall General Information
Building Official . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Benson 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
City Clerk/Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Ann Creager Monday—Friday except holidays
Community Development Assistant. . . . . .Michele Lindau 651-429-6676
Finance Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ron Otkin
Fire Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe McMahon City Hall FAX Number
City Council 651-426-2859
Mayor May Fran Miron (651) 429-5961 Washington County
Ward 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Becky Petryk (651) 426-4722 Sheriffs Depar#meat
Ward 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Frank Puleo (651) 653-3736 (Police non-emergency)
Ward 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chuck Haas (651) 439-4475 651-439-9381
Council at Large . . . . . . . . . . . .Mike Granger (651) 426-8171
Fire Hall
Monthly Meeting Schedule (Non-emergency)
651-429-6366
City Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1st and 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . .4th Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Fire & Police
Parks Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2nd Wednesday at 6:30 pm Emergency
911
Visit our new website ! www . ci . hugo . mn . us