HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.12.02 CC Minutes
Call to Order
Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Haas, Klein, Miron, Weidt
ABSENT: Petryk
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Engineer Mark Erichson, City Attorney
Dave Snyder, Finance Director Ron Otkin, Finance Coordinator Anna Wobse, Community
Development Assistant Emily Webber, Intern Ashley Carlson, City Clerk Michele Lindau
November 18, 2019, City Council Meeting
Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes from the City Council meeting held
on November 18, 2019, as presented.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
November 20, 2019, Goodview Avenue Neighborhood Meeting
Klein made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the minutes for the Goodview Avenue
Neighborhood meeting held on November 20, 2019, as presented.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Approval of Agenda
Weidt made motion, Haas seconded, to approve the agenda as presented.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Donation to the Hugo Yellow Ribbon Network by Jeff Loeks
Jeff Loeks, his wife Rachaelann, and sons Marshall and Kyle were in attendance to present a
donation to the Hugo Yellow Ribbon Network. Council Member Haas explained Health
Partner’s Wilber Thomas Service Award that provides money to individuals to donate to a
charity of their choice. Jeff Loeks was given this award for his outstanding volunteer service,
and Jeff directed the gift of $1,000 to the Hugo Yellow Ribbon Network. Jeff talked about being
in the military and the appreciation of receiving care packages. He praised Chuck for his work
with the YRN and thanked the Council for supporting the troops.
Minutes
HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HUGO CITY HALL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2019 – 7 P.M.
Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 2, 2019
Page 2 of 5
Consent Agenda
Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda:
1. Approve Claims Roster
2. Approve Resolution Approving 2020 Salary and Reimbursement Levels
3. Approve Extension of the Requirement to Connect to City Sanitary Sewer
4. Approve Resolution for Renewal of 2020 Licenses for Refuse Haulers
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Approve Claims Roster
Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented.
Approve Resolution Approving 2019 Salary and Reimbursement Levels
At the mid-year budget workshop, the City Council indicated their willingness to adjust the
City’s salary matrix by 3% and to grant step increases to those employees who have not yet
reached their pay grade maximums. Ten of the City’s 26 full-time employees would receive step
increases. The net aggregate dollar increase equaled $90,527, and the overall budget for
employee wages would increase by 4.7%. Using state supplied software, the Finance
Department verified that the City would remain in compliance with Pay Equity
Statutes. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2019-50 SETTING 2020
SALARIES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEE
REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS.
Approve Extension Requests for Connection to City Sanitary Sewer – 129th Street
Improvement Project
In 2007, a street project was done with improvements to 129th Street, Elmcrest Avenue, and
Ethan Avenue that included installation of municipal sewer and water. According to ordinance,
property owners have one year to connect to the system or request an extension. Council
approved three-year extensions in 2007, 2010, 2013 and again in 2016 on six properties, which
would be expiring at the end of this year. Four of these properties have individual sewage
treatment systems that were in compliance with Washington County’s septic requirements, one
property is a seasonal business with a holding tank that is pumped annually, and one is an
unoccupied residence. Staff had recommended approval of extensions for five of the properties
with the condition they remain compliant with Washington County’s septic requirements, and
recommended the unoccupied property be required to connect to the municipal system prior to
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the three-year
extensions for connection to City Sanitary Sewer until December 31, 2022, subject to the
conditions as stated.
Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 2, 2019
Page 3 of 5
Approve Resolution for Renewal of 2020 Licenses for Refuse Haulers
The City had received applications from seven refuse haulers who provide refuse collection and
recycling services to Hugo businesses and residents. Licenses would be issued to these haulers
upon receipt of the $165 annual licensing fee and proof of insurance. City staff recommended
Council approve the resolution issuing 2019 refuse haulers licenses to: Gene’s Disposal; SRC,
Inc.; Maroney’s Sanitation; Ace Solid Waste; Walters Recycling; Republic Services; and MN
Waste Management. RESOLUTION 2019-51 APPROVING 2020 REFUSE HAULERS
LICENSES.
Public Hearing on City Budget and Tax Levy
As required by state statutes, the City Council held a public hearing on the proposed City budget
and tax levy for the 2020 fiscal year. Finance Director Ron began by talking about Local
Government Aid (LGA) and explained the distribution factors. It was his opinion the main
reason Hugo does not receive any LGA is because Hugo’s tax rate is considerably lower than the
statewide average. Hugo’s urban tax rate is 36.274% of tax capacity while the statewide average
is 43.828%, putting Hugo at the low end of the range. Otkin said that the City’s market value
increased 9.8% which will increases City tax collections even if we maintain a flat tax rate.
Otkin explained the City has been operating on a flat tax rate for many years. To keep the urban
tax rate flat the City adopted a $7,757.651 preliminary tax levy for 2020. He reviewed what
made up that levy explaining the City will be paying off three of our four bond issues in
February, decreasing our debt service levy which will allow the city to increase the Street CIP
levy to over $1 million. Otkin reviewed the street capital improvement projects for the next five
years and stated these projects can be funded as proposed with the higher Street CIP levy. Otkin
recommended an equipment replacement levy of $221,000 stating that annually planning for the
purchase of these items eliminates the risk of having to borrow. He proposed an increase in the
storm water fund to $278,788 to pay for future water reuse projects and for future pond
maintenance. The park levy fund, used to maintain neighborhood parks, was proposed to remain
the same. Otkin talked about the firefighter relief levy stating there was no mandatory
contribution required in 2020. Otkin explained one of the Council’s goals for 2019 was to
conduct a space needs study on the Public Works facility. He proposed beginning a revenue
stream for a possible bond issues. The proposed tax levy of $274,626 would support a
$3,580,000 bond issue. Otkin recommended the City continue the practice of contingency
budgeting for expenditures in the general fund.
Otkin talked about a proposed 2020 general fund budget of $6,433,294. This is an increase of
$266,363 over 2019 but includes $200,000 earmarked for budget stabilization for the second
consecutive year. Property taxes provide 88% of general fund expenditures while the other 12%
would come from non-property tax sources.
After accounting for fiscal disparities, the tax levy adopted in September will keep the urban tax
rate flat. However, $556,133 was added to the tax levy for improvements to Lions Park. This
will increase the urban tax rate and will increase the tax on a median value homestead by $150.
Otkin reviewed several state property tax refund programs and encouraged residents to find out if
they are eligible.
Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 2, 2019
Page 4 of 5
Mayor Weidt opened the public hearing. After hearing no comments, Weidt closed the public
hearing.
Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2019-52 APPROVING THE
GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE 2020 FISCAL YEAR.
Ayes: Haas, Klein, Miron, Weidt
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Klein made motion, Miron second, to approve RESOLUTION 2019-53 APPROVING FINAL
TAX LEVY PAYABLE IN 2020.
Ayes: Klein, Miron, Haas, Weidt
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Discussion on Assistant Building Official Position
Intern Ashley Carlson presented to Council on a proposed assistant building official position.
With the pending retirement of Building Official Chuck Preisler, staff was requesting to hire an
assistant building official to train as his replacement. Ashley explained that the person selected
for this position would have the opportunity of being promoted as the building official. Staff had
drafted a job description for Council review. Ashley stated the job would be posted immediately
and the interview process would be in January.
Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to accept the job description for an assistant building
official and advertisement for the position.
All Aye. Motion carried.
ISD #624 White Bear Lake Area Schools – Sketch Plan Review and CUP Request
Community Development Assistant Emily Weber explained ISD #624, White Bear Lake Area
Schools, had applied for a sketch plan review of a potential transportation and maintenance
facility located on Fenway Boulevard, north of 130th Street North. The school district also
requested approval of a Conditional Use Permit for exterior storage exceeding the size of the
principal building on site. At the November 21, 2019, public hearing at the Planning
Commission meeting, comments were received regarding the circulation of the site, the
proposed fencing and screening, and access to the site. The Planning Commission recommended
approval of the CUP to the City Council subject to the conditions listed in the resolution and
draft CUP. Weber requested the City Council review the request and provide comments on the
sketch plan and approve the Conditional Use Permit.
Council talked about eliminating one of the access points to Fenway, the need for 110 parking
spaces if only 65 were required by ordinance, foreseen expansion, and area served. Weber
responded that the parking spaces are what is estimated for staff need, and the applicant had
planned for their projected growth.
Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 2, 2019
Page 5 of 5
Tim Wald, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, said he appreciated the
Council’s support on the district’s recent referendum, and they look forward to serving the City.
He explained there were 75 employees that reported to their current facility, and the proposed
facility would accommodate growth. The primary vehicles there would be special education
vans. The district contracted for other busing services. Buses would be going out on typical
daily routes with very few weekend and evening trips. They would serve the entire school
districts but not all routes.
Weidt asked they look at eliminating the south entrance.
Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2019-54 APPROVING A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ISD #624 WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS TO
ALLOW EXTERIOR STORAGE ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED ON FENWAY
BOULEVARD NORTH, NORTH OF 130TH STREET NORTH.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Yellow Ribbon Network Update
Council Member Chuck Haas and Council Member Phil Klein reported to Council on the Yellow
Ribbon Network activities held recently. Haas shared photos of the 133rd Air Wing and the
Flying Vikings flag. Also shown were photos from an event held at Culvers the past Monday.
Haas explained that an employee working there did an Eagle Scout project through Culvers’
program to support charitable organizations. Haas had photos of care package recipients and the
Cable Dogs, who install underground cable. The YRN recently helped support a deployment
breakfast. Haas referenced a story written in the Star and Tribune newspaper that talked about
the YRN. The past Burger Night was sponsored by the Washington County Chapter of Disabled
Veterans of America. At the next Council meeting, Certificates of Appreciation will be
presented to the Forest Lake Rotary and Burger Night sponsors. The next Burger Night is
January 28, 2019. Haas talked about the Welcome Pheasant Hunt in two weeks and announced
another hunt was being scheduled for March 2020.
City Holiday Party on Thursday, December 12, 2019
City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded the Council the City Holiday Party was scheduled for
Thursday, December 12, 2019, with social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30. p.m. The event
will be held at the Hugo American Legion.
Adjournment
Klein made motion, Haas seconded, to adjourn at 8:03 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Lindau
City Clerk