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Home My WebLink About1988 August Newsletter :,•:r: IX ................................ X CityCityCi of Hall Newsletter City of Hugo 5524 Upper 146th Street North, Hugo, MN 55438 429-6676 August, 1988 approvesCouncil roads project The city council took a major Goodview Ave.south of County from residents on Homestead from the audience in atten- step toward the upgrading of Rd. 8A, 177th St. west of Grey- Ave.and 132nd St.who argued dance. municipal roads when it ap- stone,Falcon Ave.,a portion of they moved to Hugo to live in Financing for the roads pro- proved a$1,000,000 bond issue Hyde Ave., and 130th St. be- the country and were satisfied ject will be completed this fall to fund Phase I of the city's previ- tween Highway 61 and Good- with the gravel roads. Home- with a construction start antici- ously adopted capital improve- view Ave. The decision by the stead Ave. was dropped from pated for May of 1989. ment program. city council was made after a Phase 1 of the project and when Using a combined tax levy public hearing involving three the final vote was taken the pro- and special assessments the city hours of input from an audience ject was approved 4 to 1 with Council reviews will fund improvements to One- in excess of 225 people. Major said action of the council re- budget proposal ka Lake Blvd., Harrow Ave., opposition to the project came ceiving overwhelming support On August 22, 1988 the City Council began review of its pro- Participation makes public hearing process work Posed 1989 General Fund Bud- get. It was noted that the city is When the July 21st, 1988 officials received numerous Homestead Avenue was operating well within its 1988 Capital Improvements Program comments and compliments on dropped from the project at the budget as per council policy. hearing concluded, Mayor the professional way informa- request of area residents. The 1989 proposed General George Atkinson responded by tion was disseminated as well as What was most pleasing to the Fund Budget calls for a tax levy saying, "the city council hearing the manner in which the meeting elected officials was the turnout increase of approximately 2%for process really does work". was conducted. Although there of Hugo residents at the hearing the upcoming year. The General Mayor Atkinson has found the was an audience split on the is- and the manner in which the par- Fund includes public safety, job.of Mayor to be very educa- sue of road improvements, the ticipants treated each other even public works, legal, engineer- tional and rewarding since his city council was greeted by a though they had opposing ing, code enforcement, parks, election to this position January round of applause from most of views. street lighting, finance and ad- 1,1987. the 225 people in attendance. The democratic process is alive ministration. Following the public hear- The decision by the city council and well in the City of Hugo. ing the mayor and other elected was not without compromise as City Law Compost site to open this fall enforcement Hugo now has its own com- However, take your bas post site. It is located approxi- boxes, etc. home with you and Inside Although the City of Hugo mately one mile west of High- use them again, do not throw does not have its own police de- way 61 on 170th street. them away at the compost site. Shootingregulated partment, the city does contract The site will be open six Help is needed to monitor the with the Washington County weekends and five Wednesdays site during the hours of opera- Page 2 Sheriff's Department for police beginning Saturday, October 1, tion. The City of Hugo is seeking protection. 1988. Hours of operation will applicants to fill the position of Where to dump This contract provides Hugo be: Compost Site Monitor. The posi- Page 3 with 24 hour police coverage. For Saturdays 9 am-4:30 pm(be- tion will pay$5.00 per hour and Hugo residents this means a pa- ginning October 1); Sundays 9 applications are now available at Complaints in writing trol car is in Hugo day and night. In am-4:30 pm; Wednesdays 1:30 City Hall. (last day for accepting Page 3 an effort to improve protection pm-6:30 pm. applications is September 16) and enforcement of laws, the Compost includes only grass This would be an ideal posi- Inoperable Vehicles Sheriff's department asks Hugo clippings and leaves. No other tion for a retired person,in good Page 3 residents to report any illegal ac- materials will be accepted at the health,and with a drivers license. g 'ivities to the Sheriffs Department site. All residents using the site are For more information about the it 439-9381. For all EMERGENCY asked to bring their grass and compost site or the position of Community Events situations CALL 911. leaves to the site in bags,boxes or Compost Site Monitor call Tom Page 4 trailers. 1 429-6676 X. :: State tightens noose on small cities Despite reports from the state cities under 2,500 from tax levy mandates,cities continue to be ducing their budgets than do auditor siting the excellent job imits. This effort by the legisla- burdened by the financial re- communities with minimal cities do in managing their fi- ture has a profound effect on the sponsibility of implementing staffs and a budget financing nancial resources the governor City of Hugo as we are not eligi- new laws without the financial only essential services. We con- and legislature continue their ble for MSA road funds(gas tax) resources to do so. tinue to approach this dilemma demand for more financial ac- yet large enough to be restricted Hugo's contracts for munic- as a challenge, but future city eountability by cities. by the tax levy limits,which lim- ipal services now increase at a councils will be faced with the Until 1986 cities under 5,000 its our spending from the gener- faster rate than revenue can be demand for more law enforce- population were not subject to al fund. generated. Cities with large ment, better road conditions, tax levy limits. In 1988 the law Despite the lobbying efforts staffs and non-essential servic- and more sevices while reve- was amended exempting only of cities to control legislative es have more flexibility in re- nues continue to dwindle. "Truth in Taxation" re uirements Fillingof q A 1988 tax law approved by be impossible to differentiate with counties estimating mail- the legislature contains a"truth in tax increases caused by local ing notices at approximately wetlands taxation" provision that will re- budgets as opposed to tax in- $4,000,000 and cities will be re- quire all.local units of govern- creases in property values. quired to expend upwards of prohibited ment to notify each property Cities will have to prepare $2,000 each for publication fees owner of proposed tax increases their budgets by August 1 of to comply with said law. in H and conduct public hearings on each year as oppose&to the old Once again the legislature ig- proposed budgets. October deadlines. nored the pleas of local units of The filling of ditches,pond- This law does not apply to The law will place a costly government for reasonableness ing areas and wetlands in the cities under 2,500 population and difficult burden on county while at the same time exempt- City of Hugo without first secur- and is limited to real estate taxes auditors to compute proposed ing themselves from the truth in ing site plan approval from the thereby excluding the state from tax increases for each parcel of taxation law and all of this after city and permits from the Dept. said law. property within the county by approving an 18% gas tax in- of Natural Resources, and or This law was very controver- August 8th of each year. crease affecting all Minnesota Rice Creek Watershed District is sial and will be extremely diffi- This law will also be ex- taxpayers. prohibited. cult to implement as it will likely tremely costly to implement, With the City of Hugo being a relatively flat community topo- graphically opo- regulated Hugo ter pg the ditches and g a-Shooting in terpoondinareas are an integral No person shall fire or dis- sent of the owner or legal occu- shooting on premises owned or part of the city's surface water charge guns, fire arms of any pant thereof, the city ordinance controlled by any duly incorpo- management plan. kind within the limits of any City does not apply to the lawful de- rated social organization, or The control of these areas for road,county road,park or other fense of persons, property or when ordered by military author- the most part has been by the wa- City property,or on any private family, or in the necessary en- ity. tershed districts in the past., property, except with the con- forcement'of the laws,or for trap however, recent legislation will be passing more of that respon- Maintain pride in our community sib selves.eon to the cities them- s. Over the last several years the City of Hugo has time it is witnessed. Please report any unauthor- experienced an increase in people illegally I If you witness such an incident,please get the ized filling of ditches and wet- dumping garbage and rubbish in isolated road license number of thevehicle or identify any indi- ladn areas so that these situa- ditches within the corporate limits. viduals and notify the City or the Washington tions can be investigated by the Individuals owning land in the city have also County Sheriffs Department immediately. proper authorities. started dumping construction materials and other Keeping our community clean and attractive illegal fill without securing the proper approvals. will go a long way toward furthering community White Bear The city is asking the help of all Hugo residents pride and improving our image as a desirable {.r to report any incidents of illegal dumping at the place to live. gun club battle continues Dial 911 Council Members "City Staff The City of Hugo will be back in court defending its de- for e- for iiiiiii Mr. George Atkinson, Mayor Ken Huber,City Administrator vial of a special use permit to the Mr. Deane Vail,Ward 1 John Benson,Bldg. Inspector White Bear Gun Club in the mid emergencies Mr.Arthur Potts,Ward 2 Mary Ann Creager,City Clerk1970's. The City expects to Mr. Robert Olson,Ward 3 Carole LaBelle,Deputy Clerk spend upwards of $20,000 in 439-9381 for other law Ms. Theodora Peltier,at large 1988-1989 to once again defend enforcement services. its position. posi City of Hugo Newsletter Page 2 Hugo population increases City approved subdivision ordinance Based on the Metropolitan the city could top the 5,000 Three years of work by the city attorney,city engineer,plan- Based April, 1988 projec- population mark by 1996. ning commission, and city council culminated in the adoption tions, the City of Hugo hada Census information also in- of a new subdivision ordinance earlier this year.The new ordi- population increase to 4,250. dicates that the City of Hugo nance simplifies the requirements of land division and improves This is up from the 3,900 has 308 households with an av- development standards for subdivisions. The city has a limited population estimate in 1985. erage per person household number of copies of the subdivision ordinance available for dis- At the current rate of growth count of 3.24. tribution to the public at no cost. Copies will be distributed an a first come first serve basis. Council upholds 3 City elections this fall City Hall acre lot minimum business hours When the Hugo City Council The general election for city offices will be held in conjunction City Hall is open to serve the denied a rezoning request that with the state and national elections on November 8, 1988. Hugo vot- public Monday through Thurs- ers will be selecting a mayor,council member at large,and council day, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, would have allowed three acre person from Ward 2 this fall. and on Fridays from 8:30 am to lots in an area south of 125th St. Filing for city office opens on August 30, 1988 and will close on 1:30 pm.The City Council meets the city reinforced its longstand- September 13. The state primary election is also on September 13th of on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of ing position requiring five acre this year. each month at 7:00 pm. lot minimums outside the gross Affidavits of candidacy can be picked up at the city clerk's office The Hugo Planning Com- acres are necessary for residen- beginning Au g required city Wed- tial development outside of the �30. A film fee of$2.00 is re ued to file for ci of- mission meets on the 4th Wed- urban service district. fices. nesday of each month at 7:00 Despite the arguments both Mayor George Atkinson is asking for volunteers to serve as elec- pm. for and against the rezoning, the tion judges for the City of Hugo in the future. The Council agenda is pre- city council stated that five acre If you are interested in serving the city as an election judge,please pared on the Wednesday pre- city were called for in contact the Hugo City Clerk at 429-6676 to indicate your interest. ceding the meeting. To be placed on the agenda,one must our long range plan and they make a request in writing stating were not interested,at this time, the specifics of the request. in altering that approach to resi- Residents should file nulsance dential development in Hugo. Complaints in writing Auto license 'Tannin The City of Hugo has had a longstanding policy that complaints g regarding code violations and public nuisances be filed in writing at bureau relocates commission reviews hall Hugo residents who need various license services can o ry comprehensive plan Because of a limited staff and time available to investigate viola- it tions it is important that the written complaint be specific with regard to either Forest Lake White The Hugo Planning Commis- Bear Lake license bureaus. The sion is reviewing the city's com- to location,nature of the offense,and ordinance being violated. The cost of enforcing city ordinance has risen at a dramatic rate White Bear Lake License Bureau prehensive plan map with the in- has relocated into the White Bear tent of possibly making some while the increase in fines and penalties for these offenses has in- recommendations for changes. creased very little. Lake City Hall at 4701 Highway Questions being pondered 61. For more information call 429-8532. by the commission involve com- mercial development along Where to dump Highway 61, additional RR2 Community education p zoning districts, expansion of U The nearest landfill serving the city's urban service area,de- available to Hugo residents the Hugo area is Pine Lane Land- velopment adjacent to industrial fill in Wyoming Minnesota areas, andreservation of our The Adult Education Department of the White Bear Lake School p District has invited the residents of Hu to participate in an of the (about 10 to 15 minutes north of Hugo conservancy areas. g p p y Hugo). Any major changes to the classes they are offering this coming year.Most classes will start the The cost for dumping varies city's comprehensive plan can 19th of September. from $10 to $25 for a pick-up not be made until public hear- Don't forget that senior citizens pay one half the listed fee.A com- truck load. ings are held and approval is giv- plete brochure with specific information on classes will be mailed to Tires and appliances are ex- en by the city council and Metro- all White Bear Lake School District residents about the last week of tra Hours for dumping are 7 am politan Council. August. If you don't receive one,call 426-9272 and one will be mailed to 4:30 pm weekdays and 7 am to you. to 3:30 pm on Saturdays. o get therego Disposal of inoperable vehicles within city's limits High ay 61 tothe, four way stoop In recent years the City of mitted in licensed and city ap- cles removed from their property in downtown Wyoming then Hugo has experienced a large proved auto dismantling yards, can do so by contacting city hall go east one mile to the Pine Lane number of inoperable and unli- however, the indiscriminate ac- and securing telephone num- Landfill. -ensed vehicles accumulating cumulation of these vehicles is bers of individuals offering to re- For additional information on property within the corprate strictly prohibited. Anyone move said vehicles at no cost to call 462-5298. limits.This type of activity is per- wishing to get inoperable vehi- the property owner. vrx:r.•v.•.v.•.w•. :•:tip:• ti ........................................................................................................................ ............................................................:i•..k�'i�•G�•.�A•iy{ �'.k1•:titi4ivrtiA'�VZ•}k•' k.•:v;•..... .1 City of Hugo newsletter Page 3 W.M. ......... t. ..... IMPORTANT DATES FOR HUGO RESIDENTS Tuesday, September 6th Wednesday, October 26th Council meets Planning Commission meets Tuesday, September 13th Monday, November 7th- State Primary Election Council meets Wednesday, September 28th Tuesday, November 8th Planning Commission meets ELECTION DAY Monday, October 3rd Monday, November 21 Council meets Council meets Monday, October 17th Wednesday, November 23rd Council meets Planning Commission meets HOLIDAYS-CITY HALL CLOSED Monday, September 5th Friday, November 1 1 t Thursday, November 24th Friday, November 25th Monday, December 26th .......... ......... ............ BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID HUGO, MN 55033 PERMIT No.21 Occupant