HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.11.16 CC Minutes
Meeting held remotely pursuant to MN Statute Sec. 13D.021.
Meeting ID: 857 6975 7968
Passcode: 205466
Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT REMOTELY: Haas, Klein, Miron, Petryk, Weidt
COUNCIL ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT REMOTELY: City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Mark Erichson,
Community Development Director Rachel Juba, City Clerk Michele Lindau
PRESENT AT CITY HALL: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Finance Director Ron Otkin
Approval of Minutes for the October 19, 2020 Council Meeting
Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held
on October 19, 2020, as presented.
Roll call vote – all ayes. Motion carried
Approval of Minutes for the November 12, 2020 Board of Canvas
Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve minutes for the the Board of Canvas meeting
held on November 12, 2020, as presented.
Roll call vote – all ayes. Motion carried
Approval of Agenda
Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as presented.
Roll call vote – all ayes. Motion carried.
Update on COVID-19 City Response and Discussion on On-Sale Liquor License Fees
City Administrator Bryan Bear provided an update on City’s response to the Corona virus. The
State of Emergency was still in place. The most recent Governor’s Order 20-96 primarily put
restrictions on businesses that serve food and drinks and on social gatherings. The Governor made
these changes due to the surge in virus cases. Community rooms continued to be open for meetings
under the COVID preparedness plan, but the use of rooms had been infrequent. City services would
continue, but there may be modifications. Audio/visual upgrades were nearly complete. Virtual
meetings will continue and hybrid meetings will be possible soon. The Truth in Taxation meeting
will be held at the next Council meeting on December 7, 2020, and members of the public are
anticipated to attend. Bear reviewed other upgrades to City Hall including touchless faucets and
Minutes
HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HUGO CITY HALL
REMOTE MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 – 7 P.M.
Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 16, 2020
Page 2 of 6
doors. Bear updated Council on the CARES money that was approved by Council saying $171,635
was distributed to 19 businesses.
Bear talked about requests received from businesses to reduce on-sales liquor license fees. Licenses
fees are intended to cover the costs of issuing and inspecting and other directly related costs of
enforcement. He noted that bars and restaurants were limited to 50% capacity under the governor’s
order. If the City were to reduce all on-sale licenses by 50%, there would be a reduction in revenue
of $7,000. Bear stated that staff was comfortable with the reduction. Off-sale licenses had not been
impacted in the same way.
Haas made motion, Miron seconded, to waive 50% of the on-sale liquor license fees for 2021.
After discussion, Miron rescinded his seconded to the motion.
Haas amended his motion, Miron seconded the amended motion, to waiving all on-sale liquor
license fees for 2021.
Roll call vote – all ayes. Motion carried.
Hugo Good Neighbor Food Shelf Update and Request for Fee Waivers – President Chris
Dufresne
Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf Board President Chris Dufresne provided an update on the
food shelf. He explained their mission was to provide food to families in the 55038 zip code,
which included Hugo, Centerville and portions of White Bear Lake and Lino Lakes. They have
distributed over 91,000 pounds of food to date, and there had been an 18% increase over the
same period of time last year. They saw 16 new clients last week alone, and that number was
expected to increase. Seventy-two households will be receiving Thanksgiving baskets. Dufresne
provided information on their planned expansion to the existing building to include a walk-in
cooler and freezer unit. This would allow them to provide perishable foods and buy in bulk
when prices are lowest. The food shelf had received a Community Development Block Grant
through Washington County for 50% of the cost for the expansion. Other funds were raised
through fund-raising efforts. The food shelf was requesting the City Council waive City’s
administrative fees for the permits and site plan review. This would not include any SAC or
WAC fees, Met Council fees, electrical permit fees, or engineering review fees. Bear noted that
the City had also waived their fees in 2014 for construction of the existing food shelf building.
Dufresne provided ways for those in need to contact them and information on how to support the
Food Shelf. He thanked all the food shelf supporters.
Tom made motion, Klein seconded, to waive the administrative fees for the site plan for the
Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf building addition.
Ayes: Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt.
Nays: none
Abstain: Miron (lost internet connection to virtual meeting)
Motion carried.
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Consent Agenda
Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following consent agenda:
1. Approve Claims Roster
2. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Kraig Pettee
3. Approve Annual Performance Review for Community Development Assistant Emily
Weber
4. Approve Resignation of Planning Commissioner Andrew Tjernlund
5. Approve Donation to the Fire Department from Hugo American Legion
6. Approve Renewal of Auto Dismantling License for Hugo Auto and Truck Parts
7. Approve Resolution Approving 2021 Salary and Reimbursement Levels
8. Approve Snowmobile Trail Applications
9. Approve of Pay Voucher No. 2 to Ebert Construction for the New Public Works Facility
10. Approve Payment Voucher No. 3 for the Goodview Avenue Improvement Project
Ayes: Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt.
Nays: none
Abstain: Miron (lost internet connection to virtual meeting)
Motion carried.
Approve Claims Roster
Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented.
Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Kraig Pettee
Kraig Pettee was hired as a Public Works Maintenance Worker starting November 12, 2018.
Kraig had worked the three previous summers as a seasonal worker. Public Works Director
Scott Anderson recommends Council approve the annual performance review of Public Works
Worker Kraig Pette
Approve Annual Performance Review for Community Development Assistant Emily
Weber
Emily Weber was hired as a Community Development Assistant starting November 26, 2018.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review of Community
Development Assistant Emily Weber.
Approve Resignation of Planning Commissioner Andrew Tjernlund
On February 6, 2017, Council appointed Andrew Tjerlnund to serve on the Hugo Planning
Commission. On November 4, 2020, Tjernlund submitted notice of resignation due to
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scheduling conflicts. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the resignation of
Commissioner Tjernlund effective immediately.
Approve Donation to the Fire Department from Hugo American Legion
The Hugo American Legion requested to donate $600 to the Hugo Fire Department for
equipment and training. Donations to the Fire Department must be approved by the City
Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $600 to the Fire Department
from the Hugo American Legion.
Approve Renewal of Auto Dismantling License for Hugo Auto and Truck Parts
The City of Hugo had received an application for approval of the bi-annual Auto Dismantling
License for Mike Brandt, dba Auto and Truck Parts. As a requirement of the license, City staff
conducts annual inspection of the auto dismantling company for compliance with city, county,
and state code. On October 19, 2020, Hugo City staff completed the inspection and found it to be
in compliance with City Code as well as County regulations. Adoption of the Consent Agenda
approved the bi-annual Auto Dismantling License for Hugo Auto & Truck Parts.
Approve Resolution Approving 2021 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. Nine of the City’s 26 full-time employees will receive step
increases. Two of these nine employees would receive a two-step increase for superior job
performance and one employee will be repositioned to a higher pay grade. The net aggregate
dollar increase is $94,286, 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 2020-62 SETTING 2021 SALARIES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND
ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS.
Approve Snowmobile Trail Applications for Hugo Snowmobile Club and Rice Creek Trail
Association
The Hugo Snowmobile Club and the Rice Creek Trail Association had submitted their respective
Snowmobile Trail Applications for the 2020-2021 snow season. Adoption of the Consent
Agenda approved the Snowmobile Trail Applications for the Hugo Snowmobile Club and the
Rice Creek Trail Association.
Approve of Pay Voucher No. 2 to Ebert Construction for the New Public Works Facility
Ebert Construction had submitted Pay Voucher No. 2 for work done on the new Public Works
facility. Staff had reviewed the pay voucher and found it acceptable for work certified through
October 13, 2020. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Pay Voucher No. 2 to Ebert
Construction in the amount of $235,301.89.
Approve Payment Voucher No. 3 for the Goodview Avenue Improvement Project
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T.A. Schfisky & Sons, Inc. had submitted Pay Voucher No. 3 in the amount of $48.229.76 for
work certified through November 9, 2020, on the Goodview Avenue Improvement Project.
Striping had been completed and the project was completed. Adoption of the Consent Agenda
approved payment to T.A. Schifisky & Sons, Inc in the amount of $48,229.76.
Approve Retirement of 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 to replace retired employee John
Benson. Chuck was set to retire and had submitted his letter of resignation. Staff recommended
Council approve the retirement of Building Official Chuck Preisler effective November 30,
2020. Weidt removed this from the Consent Agenda to comment on his appreciation for all of
Chuck’s work saying he was a great asset to the City and will be missed. Weidt noted that the
City would normally have a nice “send-off” but will not be able to do that due to COVID.
Weidt made motion, Petryk second, to approve the retirement of Building Official Chuck
Preisler.
Roll call vote – all ayes. Motion carried.
Public Hearing on the Vacation of Road Easement – Rice Lake Reserve
Approve Resolution Approving Rice Lake Reserve Final Plat and Development Agreement
Community Development Director Rachel Juba provided information on the vacation of a road
easement and final plat and development agreement for the first phase of Rice Lake Reserve.
The property is located north of Egg Lake Road (CSAH 8), east of Goodview Avenue, and south
of the Diamond Point neighborhoods. Fenway Land Company, Inc. had requested a vacation of
the existing public road easement located over on a portion of the property proposed to be
developed as Rice Lake Reserve. The property will be used for the development of Rice Lake
Reserve and other future phases. New road easements will be placed on the property at time the
final plat is recorded over the new road locations. Staff was comfortable with the applicant’s
request to vacate the public road easements.
Juba presented the first phase of the Rice Lake Reserve to plat 42 of the 93 total lots. The final
plat also included access to six outlots and access to Goodview Avenue. Remaining phases
would include access to County Road 8. The preliminary plat and PUD were approved by
Council at their March 16, 2020 meeting, and the final plat met all the conditions that were
approved at that time.
Weidt opened the public hearing on the vacation of the road easement. After receiving no
comments, Weidt closed the public hearing.
Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the notice to vacate the public road easement.
Roll call vote – all ayes. Motion carried.
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Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2020-63 APPROVING A
FINAL PLAT AND DEVLEOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR FENWAY LAND COMPANY,
INC. FOR RICE LAKE RESERVE.
Roll call vote – 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. Forest Lake High School students helped clean gutters.
The YRN helped a military family with rent assistance. The Forest Lake High School Rotary
Club was working on a packing event. A fat bike company donated two bikes that were shipped
by the YRN to Guantanamo Bay. Wet Wipes were needed for care packages. The YRN
received donations from TJK Auto, the Hugo American Legion, and Mark Schwope. Burger
Night was being held in Guantanamo Bay once a month sponsored by the YRN.
Adjournment
Klein made motion, Haas seconded, to adjourn at 8:01 p.m.
Roll call vote – all ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Lindau
City Clerk