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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.05.21 CC Minutes 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, Planner Rachel Juba, Finance Director Ron Otkin, Parks Planner Shayla Denaway, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of Minutes for the May 7, 2018, City Council Meeting Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on May 7, 2018, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the May 15, 2018 Law Enforcement Memorial Day Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the Law Enforcement Memorial held on May 15, 2018, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as presented All Ayes. Motion carried. Bayport American Legion Donation to the Hugo Yellow Ribbon Kelly Greene, assistant gambling manager for the Bayport American Legion, presented a donation to the Yellow Ribbon Network. Haas explained the Yellow Ribbon Network and Blue Star Mothers of America assisted the Legion in holding meat raffles during Bingo at Sal’s Angus Grill on Saturdays in October, 2017 to April, 2018, and both organizations received a donation for $2,250. Presentation of GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting - Finance Director Ron Otkin Finance Director Ron Otkin had received notification from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada that the Hugo Finance Department has received their 24th Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. According to GFOA, this Minutes HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HUGO CITY HALL MONDAY, MAY 21, 2018 – 7 P.M. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for May 21, 2018 Page 2 of 7 certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to direct staff to create a press release to let the taxpayers know their dollars are being well spent. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of the Consent Agenda Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda with the removal of Item 3 (Hiring of John Benson) by Mayor Weidt. All Ayes. Motion carried. Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to rescind the previous motion. All Ayes. Motion carried. Weidt made motion, Miron seconded, to remove item 4 (Promotion of Rachel Juba) and approve the following Consent Agenda: 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Rick Kieffer 3. Approve Temporary Hiring of Former Building Official John Benson 4. Approve Reciprocal Emergency Service Agreement with White Bear Lake Fire Department 5. Approve Leave of Absence for Firefighter Andy Luchsinger 6. Approve Application for Water Surface Use Permit for David Strub on Sunset Lake 7. Approve Application for Water Surface Use Permit for Mike Ball on Round Lake 8. Approve Board of Trustees Request for Increase in Lump-Sum Pension 9. Approve Resolutions Approving Oneka Place Preliminary Plat and PUD 10. Approve Authorization to Apply for a Washington County CDA Predevelopment Grant All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Rick Kieffer Rick Kieffer was re-hired by the City of Hugo on May 31, 2005, returning after a short period of time in the private sector. Over the past 13 years, Rick has worked under the direction of Public Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for May 21, 2018 Page 3 of 7 Works Director Scott Anderson. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Public Works Worker Rick Kieffer. Approve Reciprocal Emergency Service Agreement with White Bear Lake Fire Department The Hugo Fire Department had requested approval of the Reciprocal Emergency Services Agreement with the White Bear Lake Fire Department. This agreement would provide the best possible emergency services and automatic response to structure fires by making equipment, personnel, and other resources available to both departments as outlined in the agreement. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Reciprocal Emergency Services Agreement with the White Bear Lake Fire Department. Approve Temporary Hiring of Former Building Official John Benson John Benson served as the Building Official for the City of Hugo for 22 years before retiring in March, 2010. Due to increased workloads, current Building Official Chuck Preisler recommended that the City hire John to work for the City doing plan review on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning May 22, 2018, at a pay rate of $30/hour plus mileage. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the hiring of John Benson as a temporary employee in the Building Department. Approve Leave of Absence for Firefighter Andy Luchsinger Firefighter Andy Luchsinger had requested a four-month leave of absence from the Hugo Fire Department for personal reasons effective May 5, 2018, to September 9, 2018. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Leave of Absence for Firefighter Andy Luchsinger. Approve Application for Water Surface Use Permit for David Strub on Sunset Lake On behalf of residents living on Sunset Lake, resident David Strub had made application to the City of Hugo for a Water Surface Use Permit to allow residents to water ski on the slalom course on the lake. Washington County Sheriff’s Office had provided the application form that was completed by David Strub. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the application for a Water Surface Use Permit for a water skiing course on Sunset Lake. Approve Application for Water Surface Use Permit for Mike Ball on Round Lake On behalf of residents living on Round Lake, Resident Mike Ball had made application to the City of Hugo for a Water Surface Use Permit to allow residents to water ski on the slalom course on the lake and put a water ski jump on the lake. Washington County Sheriff’s Office had provided the application form that was completed by Mike Ball. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the application for a Water Surface Use Permit for a water skiing course on Round Lake. Approve Board of Trustees Request for Increase in Lump-Sum Pension The Board of Trustees for the Hugo Firefighter’s Relief Association formally requested City Council ratification of an increase of $200 per year of service in their lump-sum pension benefit. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for May 21, 2018 Page 4 of 7 The Finance Department had reviewed this request and found it to be financially feasible and consistent with the Pension Fiscal Policy adopted in April, 2012. Adoption of the Consent Agenda ratified the Board of Trustees’ request for a $200 increase in their lump-sum pension benefit and corresponding change to their by-laws. Approve Resolutions Approving Oneka Place Preliminary Plat and PUD CPDC – Pratt – Oakwood, LLP, had requested approval of a Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development (PUD) for 177 single family residential lots and 10 outlots to be known as “Oneka Place” on 117.5 acres generally located on the north end of Oneka Lake Parkway, north of 159th Street. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the applications. The Parks Commission recommended approval of the park dedication proposal, with two conditions added to the resolutions. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved, and RESOLUTION 2018-14 APPROVING PUD GENERAL PLAN FOR CPDC – PRATT – OAKWOOD, LLP, FOR “ONEKA PLACE” ON PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF ONEKA PARKWAY AND NORTH OF 159TH STREET, and RESOLUTION 2018-15 APPROVING PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR THE CPDC – PRATT – OAKWOOD, LLP, FOR “ONEKA PLACE” ON PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF ONEKA PARKWAY AND NORTH OF 159TH STREET, and ORDINANCE 2018-487 AMENDING CHAPTER 90 (ZONING ORDINANCE) OF THE CITY CODE TO CLASSIFY CERTAIN LAND LOCATED NORTH OF ONEKA PARKWAY AND NORTH OF 159TH STREET. Developer Len Pratt and David Hemple from Westwood Engineering, spoke briefly about the development explaining the houses will be a combination of products to include villa homes, single family homes, and larger single family homes similar to those in Prairie Village. The development is located in the Forest Lake School District, but residents will be permitted to open enroll in the White Bear Lake School District. Approve Authorization to Apply for a Washington County CDA Predevelopment Grant Washington County CDA had provided an opportunity to apply for pre-development grants for economic development. Staff had received inquiries from property owners around 165th Street and Highway 61 on how/when the properties will be served by City sewer and water. There are complexities with serving the properties. Staff recommended applying for a pre-development grant to evaluate a number of key elements to facilitate the development of this area. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2018-16 AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTY CDA PREDEVELOPMENT FINANCE FUND. Approve Rachel Juba as the New City Community Development Director Rachel Juba was employed as a Community Development Intern from February, 2006, to January, 2007, Associate Planner from January, 2007, to March, 2010, and as a Planner from March, 2010, to present. City Administrator Bryan Bear recommended Rachel be promoted to fill the vacant Community Development Director position at paygrade 10, step 2. Weidt removed this from the Consent Agenda to talk about the work of Rachel and congratulate her on the promotion. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for May 21, 2018 Page 5 of 7 Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve Rachel Juba to be promoted to fill the vacant Community Development Director position. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on the White Bear Lake Lawsuit City Administrator Bryan Bear talked about the status of the District Court case involving the White Bear Lake water level. Within the last two weeks, the DNR officially appealed the action of the court. The DNR will now ask for a stay in the enforcement of the court proceedings. Bear informed Council the City is still waiting for the hearings to be scheduled on the City’s appeal of the four conditions the DNR placed on the City appropriations permits as a result of the judge’s order. In the meantime, the permit conditions do not need to be complied with until the appeals have been exhausted. Bear provided an update on the recently passed legislation that will cause a delay in the enforcement by the DNR of any court order provisions, which has now become law effective June 1st. Bear referred back to the DNR’s appeal of the district court case stating there was a window of time for the City to provide input into the proceedings as an amicus party. City Attorney Dave Snyder questioned whether the City wished to ask for limited participation by petitioning for amicus status (friend of the court). If amicus status is granted, the City could file a brief offering its particular views and arguments to support the notion that the court ruling was in error. The arguments would focus on Hugo’s efforts in water conservations, how enforcement of the order is counter-productive, emphasize the state statutory priority of managing water use for drinking over recreational use, and rebuff claims that cities have not been mindful of water use. Snyder anticipated other cities would be filing for amicus status, which is indicative of the widespread impact of the ruling. Haas felt it was in the best interest of the City to have its arguments and opinions before the appeals court. Miron agreed with Haas to let it be known what the impact this ruling has on cities and to further help the court understand the fundamental flaw in shifting priorities without vetting or debating the decision. Miron stated the court needed to know of the willingness of cities to continue their conservation efforts and to understand the ruling may not lead to the results they were looking for. Petryk agreed and stated Hugo has been a leader in water reuse and conservation and has already met some of these goals, but Hugo is pushing for scientific answers. She talked about aquifer recharge, which may be a bigger problem that has not been discussed. She was in favor of filing for an amicus brief because all the information needed to be out there. Miron referenced the Star Tribune article Bryan Bear was quoted in about how it was not a simple irrigation issue but an economic development issue, and this was an important thing to point out. Weidt talked about how the City has stayed out of the lawsuit and has worked to limit the amount of ground water used by using stormwater to irrigate, encouraging low water use in the homes by providing rebates, and educating the public on water conservation behavior. It was time for the City to tell its side of the story, and this was an opportunity. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for May 21, 2018 Page 6 of 7 Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to move forward with filing for amicus status. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on Lions Park At their meeting of May 16, 2018, the Parks Commission discussed the current status of the playground at Lions Park. Parks Planner Shayla Denaway talked about the complaints the City had received regarding the condition of the play equipment. Upon recent inspection of the playground, a few safety issues needed to be addressed including removal of a cracked slide and replacement of wooden foot boards. The equipment had been installed in 1998 by volunteers at a cost of approximately $44,000. Immediate hazards have been removed, but it was estimated that the primarily wooden playground equipment had less than a year of safe use left without substantial repairs. The Parks Commission had discussed the frequent use of the playground, the small scale of the current equipment, and having an aggressive timeline to address the issues. The Commission talked about holding a neighborhood meeting in June and installing the equipment in August-September. They also noted that upon redevelopment of Lions Park, the playground equipment could be relocated. The Parks Commission made a recommendation to the City Council to allocate up to $100,000 for replacement of the playground at Lions Park. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to replace the equipment at Lions Park to not exceed $100,000. Haas suggested the Commission check with WSB Engineers to see they knew of any situation where there was equipment that was being displaced. This could save money and move up the install date. Bear said that, if motion is passed, the City could use park dedication funds specifically allocated for this purpose. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on the Yellow Ribbon Network Council Member Chuck Haas and Phil Klein reported on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. Wednesday’s Hamburger Night will be sponsored by Mike Devine from Devine’s plumbing. A lot of care package requests are coming in for deployed soldiers. The YRN recently sent a shipment of coffee to an Airforce KC10 refueling crew. They also received a coffee donation from Caribou to be sent to medivac pilots. The 148th Fighter Wing of the MN National Guard is deployed to an undisclosed location, and the Hugo Fire Department and area firefighter special teams sent wish list items to them. YRN volunteers helped with a yard work project for a member of the 148th Fighter Wing. Washington County Veteran Service Office and MN Disabled Veterans will be at Burger Night to provide information to anyone who wants to be a van driver to drive to medical appointments. A request was received from a soldier injured in a car accident, and local volunteers donated $2,000 for medical bills and transportation costs. There was a request for financial assistance to deal with mold in a home and a request from the MN Veteran Assistance Council to support a golf outing. A Youth Hunt was scheduled for September 29, Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for May 21, 2018 Page 7 of 7 2018, and in additional to the regular hunt sponsors, Haas thanked Washington County and Chisago County Pheasants Forever. Representatives met with the Department of Defense Teams to review best practices for building healthy communities. The YRN will be on MN Military Radio Hour on Twin Cities news talk radio AM1130 on Sunday at 7. The YRN has volunteered to help in the Lions kitchen during Good Neighbor Days. Gravel Roads Workshop on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council the workshop to discuss the gravel roads was scheduled for May 22nd. He requested the Council reschedule it to Monday, June 18, 2018, at 7 p.m. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to reschedule the workshop to Monday June 18, 2018, at 7 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adjournment Klein made motion, Haas seconded, to adjourn at 8:09 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk