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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017.11.20 CC Minutes MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2017 Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Haas, Klein, Miron, Petryk, Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Mark Erichson, City Planner Rachel Juba, Community Development Assistant Rachel Leitz, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of the Minutes for the November 6, 2017 Council Meeting Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of November 6, 2017, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as amended to add a discussion on gravel roads and a presentation by John Waller. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Consent Agenda Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. 1. Approval of Claims 2. Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Official Chuck Preisler 3. Approve Resolution Approving Variance for 14469 Geneva Ave. N, - Sjerven 4. Approve Final Pay Request to T.A Schifsky for North Sunset Lake Improvement Project All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Official Chuck Preisler Chuck Preisler was hired by the City of Hugo as the new Building Inspector on November 29, 2004, and was promoted to Building Official in April 2010. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Building Official Chuck Preisler. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 20,2017 Page 2 of 6 Approve Resolution Approving Variance for 14496 Geneva Avenue North Property owners Brian and Eugenia Sjerven had applied for a variance from the size requirements to allow a 540 square foot accessory building where 260 square feet was allowed by ordinance. The applicant requested to construct a 280 square foot addition onto an already existing 260 square foot accessory structure. The Board of Zoning Adjustments &Appeals considered this request at their meeting on November 9, 2017. There was no one that spoke during the public hearing. The Board agreed that the request met the criteria necessary to approve the variance and recommended approval to Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2017-42 APPROVING A VARIANCE FROM THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ACCESSORY BUILDING LOCATED IN THE SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED RESIDENTIAL (R-3) FOR BRIAN & EUGENIA SJERVEN ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 14496 GENEVA AVENUE NORTH. Approve Final Pay Request to T.A Schifsky for North Sunset Lake Improvement Proiect The City of Hugo had received the final Pay Request No. 5 from T.A. Schifsky's for the North Sunset Lake Street Reconstruction Project. City Engineer Mark Erichson and Senior Engineering Technician Steve Duff had reviewed the pay request and found it to be satisfactory for work completed on this project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Pay Request No. 5 to T.A. Schifsky in the amount of$74,457.45 for the North Sunset Lake Street Reconstruction Project. Approve Trail Applications for the Washington County Star Trail Association Hugo Chapter and the Rice Creek Trail Association Each year, the Washington County Star Trail Association and the Rice Creek Trail Association submit their applications to the City for the purpose of providing public recreational snowmobile trails during the winter. Karen Kilberg, 12969 Keller Avenue North, requested this be removed from the Consent Agenda to speak about issues regarding the Washington County snowmobile trail. Karen stated her fencing that runs along the east side of County Road 57 had been destroyed by snowmobiles. She stated she is a snowmobiler and understands it is difficult to find a place to ride, but would like to see the trail changed. Karen said snowmobilers also trespass over the pond and run into her fence. She stated she spoke to the snowmobile club but had received no response. She also wanted the club to be aware there are utility boxes that keep getting hit due to where the trail is located, resulting in a loss of her phone and internet service. Karen talked about late night grooming of the trails. She told Council she was not implying they should deny the trail approval, but felt it would be nice if the clubs would have more conversations with those in the problem areas. John Udstuen, president of the Washington County Trail Association Hugo Chapter, stated they reach out to non-snowmobilers and will go out of their way to track down the trespassers, saying it was often a lack of education. He explained their grooming schedule, which is determined by trail use and the availability of the groomers. He also stated the tractor used in grooming is no louder than a car. John said he could be reached through their website, www.startrail.org , and his phone number was on there. He informed Council and Karen Kilberg that he will be Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 20,2017 Page 3 of 6 reaching out to her to address her issues. The Council talked about the City's relationship with the club and was confident the issues would be addressed. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the 2017-2018 trail applications for the Washington County Star Trail Association Hugo Chapter and the Rice Creek Trail Association. All Ayes. Motion carried. Abatement Hearing for Dennis Schultz at 13101 Henna Avenue North City Administrator Bryan Bear explained that staff had been working with property owner Dennis Schultz, 13101 Henna Avenue North, regarding violations of the Municipal Code since August 2016. Although the property owner had been provided ample notice and time to correct the violations, they had failed to do so. Community Development Assistant Rachel Leitz provided background information on the prior abatement hearing on September 18, 2017, where Council gave the property owner until November 15, 2017, to bring the property into Code compliance. The owner had made progress; however, there was still code violations including the accumulation of rubbish, trash and debris, and storing of junk vehicles. Rachel provided a summary of the order,which required the violation be brought into compliance within 30 days. If not, the City would enter the property and mark items for removal with spray paint. The owner would then have ten days to remove them, or the City would do so at the property owner's expense. Mayor Weidt opened the abatement hearing. Tim Anderson stated he lives on Hyde Avenue, and Dennis reached out to him for help this summer. He said they have been at the property trying to clean it, but Denny has health issues that keep him from getting it done. He presented pictures of progress that had been made during the past week, stating they are close to 90% of where the City wants Denny to be. Tim stated they were still sorting stuff and putting items into the barn that are antiques and of value, and they continue to haul things out daily. Council discussed with Tim whether he felt 30 days was enough time to get it completed. Tim stated he was unsure due to weather, and he was concerned about Denny's health. Tim said, from the order, it looked like they had 40 days. He said he hoped they could get it done in 40 days but couldn't guarantee it, and he asked for more time. There were no other comments, and the Mayor closed the hearing. The Council talked about the time that had already been given to the property owner to bring the property into compliance. They appreciated all Tim was doing for his neighbor, but felt with the allotted time, the property should be cleaned up or very close to it, leaving the City little to do. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 20,2017 Page 4 of 6 Tim asked for a list of items that were of concern so he could prioritize. Weidt stated that staff could provide him with that. Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2017-43 APPROVING AN ORDER REGARDING ACCUMULATION OF RUBBISH, GARBAGE, AND JUNK VEHICLES FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 13101 HENNA AVENUE NORTH. Ayes: Petryk, Haas, Klein, Miron, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried. Concent Plan for Leroux Property City Administrator Bryan Bear explained that CPDC Pratt Oakwood, LLP, had submitted an application for a concept plan to solicit comments from the various commissions and Council prior to moving forward with the formal development approval process. The developer was planning to develop two parcels of land, generally located east of Elmcrest Avenue North and north of 159th Street North, totaling approximately 120 acres. Community Development Assistant Rachel Leitz further explained there would be 177 single family housing units for a gross density of 1.5 units per acre and net density of 2.6 units per acre. The parcels are currently vacant and contained approximately 24 acres of wetlands. The applicant was requesting feedback on the project regarding the general layout, housing types, parks/trails, road circulation and construction, and stormwater management/water re-use. The parcels are within the MUSA. The development would be done in three phases and contain a variety of housing types. The developer would comply with the requirements on the west side of the proposed Oneka Parkway, and was requesting flexibility on the east side. The western portion was guided low density (two units per acre) and the east side was guided as medium density residential (three units per acre), and the development as proposed would not meet the density requirements. The applicant was requesting a Planned Unit Development (PUD) in exchange for a higher quality development, but they have not told the City what they would be doing. The developer was proposing land dedication in lieu of a fee, and was proposing a park, sidewalks and trails, and preservation of the wildlife corridor. Trails and sidewalks would connect to existing developments. One of road connections staff felt was necessary for future development of the parcel to the east was at Farnham Avenue, at the southeast portion of the development near the water tower. The homes along this connection are separated from the rest of the development by open space and parkland. Leitz provided Council with a list of staff's recommendations. Haas talked about the presentation that was done by the Urban Land Institute where they encouraged reduced lot sizes to allow for more affordable housing, and he felt this plan was consistent with that. He also wanted to know more about their plans for stormwater reuse. Petryk agreed with all the recommendations and asked about potential ballfields in the greenway corridor and questioned whether walking trails would be better. Leitz replied that the Parks Commission did evaluate that, and it would basically be a large green space with perhaps an area with a backstop. Petryk asked how many were slab on grade due to the high water and whether Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 20,2017 Page 5 of 6 there would be enough water to accommodate the development. Leitz stated the developer could answer the questions regarding the types of construction, and City Engineer Mark Erichson stated the water use would be allowed by the appropriations permit. Developer Len Pratt was present and introduced Dave Hempel from Westwood Planning and Steve Bona from Capstone Homes. Hempel talked about the medium density and the wetlands which penalized them with property that can't be developed. They would need to proceed with the PUD process to make it work. The parkland has a unique ecosystem with a significant wetland complex, and there should be passive uses. He addressed the ten villa homes in the south east corner and felt it would make better sense to have it be parkland. He stated they were receptive to an irrigation system. Bona from Capstone Homes shared photos of the product types and provided information on pricing, stating the market is looking pretty good. Petryk asked how the homeowner's association was structured and if there would be an architectural review committee. Bona stated the villa home products have snow and lawn maintenance service, and the single family homes would not have any services. There will be architectural requirements, and a thorough set of covenants, which they would hire a company to oversee. Haas asked if the roads were proposed to be public. Bona stated they were, and private snow removal service would be provided on the driveways and sidewalks. Haas shared his concern with Hempel on the access to the parkland by the residents on the west side and he talked about the City's commitment to stormwater reuse. He asked that consideration be given to have the single family homes on a dual water system to reuse water for irrigation. Weidt agreed with Haas's comments and agreed the ten units to the southeast corner were an oddity. Hempel stated they needed to build that connector road in order for the parcel to the east to develop, and the units would help them recoup some of that cost. Weidt stressed the value of using stormwater. Hempel asked about the availability of stormwater credits, and Erichson stated there were credits to offset their stormwater trunk fees. Weidt asked all areas to have access to the open spaces. Klein, agreed that emphasis needed to be put on reusing water. He stated he liked the overall plan, and the developers have a history of doing a good job. John Waller on the Rice Creek Watershed District Weidt added this to the agenda to allow Rice Creek Watershed District Manager John Waller, 14010 Homestead Avenue, to speak. John talked about the $800,000 in annual contributions to the Watershed District throughout Washington County. He stressed the importance of the City's stormwater plan and including in the plan what the City wants from the District. He asked that cities pay attention to the RCWD budget cycle and be aggressive in asking for their money back. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 20,2017 Page 6 of 6 Discussion Gravel Roads Haas added this to the agenda to discuss issues related to gravel roads. He stated he had received a lot of phone calls recently on the condition of the roads, and the public needs to be informed on what the City is doing. City Administrator Bryan Bear offered a brief explanation of the gravel road situation explaining that after a final road grading last year, we didn't get the dry weather needed. Instead it snowed in late October, which caused some of the roads to be sloppy. We have tried some things with the gravel mix that may have helped some of our roads, but not as much as expected. Staff is doing a complete evaluation of the materials being used on the gravel roads and we don't know the scope of that yet. It could result in the reworking of our gravel specs and possibly a future workshop with the Council. He stated there have been ongoing discussions on the benefits and consequences of using dust control and would like to include that in the evaluation. Council agreed that something needed to be done and a message needed to go out to the public. Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to inform the public that Council is aware of this issue and that staff is investigating and looking for a solution. Weidt made motion, Haas seconded, to amend the motion to direct staff to schedule a workshop over the winter to discuss gravel roads. Vote on amendment - all Ayes. Motion carried. Vote on motion as amended - all Ayes. Motion carried. Update on Yellow Ribbon Network Council Member Chuck Haas and Council Member Phil Klein reported to Council on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. Oneka Elementary will be donating tie blankets to the YRN. Next week 250 care packages will be received from the Ryan Companies. The YRN is filling up the December 2nd Pheasant Hunt. The 133rd Air Wing has invited the YRN to attend their awards ceremony on December 9th. There was a care packaging event last week where the Lion's Heart 2020 participated. There are 20 volunteers to be Secret Santas. The Fairview Clinic has a candy exchange for books, and the candy is donated to the YRN for care packages. Burger Night will be sponsored by Mueller Mortuary on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. Adiournment Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to adjourn at 8:53 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, �-�M . Lv�,C� Michele Lindau City Clerk