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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.03.21 CC Minutes Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL PRESENT: Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt COUNCIL ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Engineer Mark Erichson, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, Parks Planner Shayla Denaway, City Clerk Michele Lindau Minutes for the March 7, 2022, City Council Meeting Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on March 7, 2022, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Minutes for the March 14, 2022, Redistricting Workshop Strub made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the Redistricting Workshop held on March 14, 2022, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as presented All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo Area Business Association Easter Egg Hunt Special Event Permit – President Julie Larson The Hugo Area Business Association had requested a Special Event Permit to hold an Easter Egg Hunt at Hanifl Fields on Saturday, April 9. HBA President Julie Larson explained they were expecting approximately 1,200 kids and would hold the egg hunt in two waves. There were four different levels of sponsorship for the event, and sponsors would purchase the eggs and provide bags. There will also be food trucks, and she was hoping to have the fire trucks there. She was asking the City to wave the $75 permit fee, and asked for help with traffic control and porta potties. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to waive the Special Event Permit fee and help provide traffic control for the event. All Ayes. Motion carried. Minutes HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HUGO CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 – 7 P.M. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022 Page 2 of 8 Update on Yellow Ribbon Network-Chair Chuck Haas Hugo Yellow Ribbon Network Chair Chuck Haas provided an update on recent activities of the YRN. He showed a PowerPoint with pictures from the Rotary Polar Plunge, and he presented Certificates of Appreciation to those that participated. Bri Seekon and Shelby Kramer were there to accept them, and they presented a check to the YRN for $700 that was collected in donations. Haas also had pictures of soldiers receiving care packages and pictures of the Welcome Home Pheasant Hunt held the previous weekend at Wild Wings. The talked about upcoming events that include Burger Night on March 22 sponsored by the Arcand Family and Oneka Ridge Golf Course. Approval of Consent Agenda Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Matt Derr as Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission 3. Approve Agreement with Lakes Center for Youth and Families 4. Approve Agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services 5. Approve Resolution Approving Wards, Precincts, and Polling Locations 6. Approve Ordinance Rezoning 15500 Keystone Avenue North – Haas 7. Approve Application for Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant 8. Approve Extension of Purchase Agreement for City Owned Property 9. Approve Ross Hoernemann as Safety Captain on the Hugo Fire Department 10. Approve Jason Palmquist as Training Captain on the Hugo Fire Department 11. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 6593 145th Circle North 12. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 12560 Foxhill Avenue North All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Matt Derr as Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission Former Planning Commission Vice-Chair Scott Arcand retired at the end of his term on December 31, 2021, after serving over 12 years on the Commission. Matt Derr had submitted a letter of interest to be the next Vice-Chair. At its March 10, 2022, meeting, the Planning Commission nominated Matt to fill the position. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Matt Derr as the new Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission. Approve Agreement with Lakes Center for Youth and Families Over the past several years, the City had entered into an agreement with the Lakes Center for Youth and Families to support programs for Hugo families related to counseling, intervention, and enrichment. Through this agreement, the City sponsored LCYF by providing financial support. In the 2022 budget, Council approved $15,000 in funding for their services. Adoption Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022 Page 3 of 8 of the Consent Agenda approved the agreement with Lakes Center for Youth and Families. Approve Agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services Over the past several years, the City had entered into an agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services to support programs for Hugo families related to counseling, intervention, and enrichment. Through this agreement, the City sponsored NYFS by providing financial support. In the 2022 budget, Council approved $15,000 in funding for their services. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services. Approve Resolution Approving Wards, Precincts, and Polling Locations Every ten years upon completion of the United States census, cities were required to use the census data to confirm or reestablish ward boundaries to ensure equal representation. At the Council redistricting workshop on March 14, 2022, Council reviewed the data which showed all three wards increased nearly the same in population. Staff recommended Council keep the same ward boundaries and reestablish precinct boundaries and polling locations to make voting more manageable. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2022-14 RESOLUTION APPROVING REDISTRICTING PLAN CONFIRMING EXISTING MUNICIPAL WARD BOUNDARIES AND CREATING NEW PRECINCT BOUNDARIES AND POLLING LOCATIONS. Approve Ordinance Rezoning 15500 Keystone Avenue North – Haas Charles and Marykay Haas had submitted a zoning amendment request to rezone from the Agricultural Zoning District to the Long-Term Agricultural Zoning District for their property located at 15500 Keystone Avenue North. At its March 10, 2022, regularly scheduled meeting, the Hugo Planning Commission considered the zoning amendment request and held a public hearing. No one came forward to speak. The Planning Commission agreed the request met the criteria necessary to approve the application and recommended approval of the zoning amendment to the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved ORDINANCE 2022 – 512 AMENDING CHAPTER 90 (ZONING ORDINANCE) OF THE CITY CODE TO CLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED 15500 KEYSTONE AVENUE NORTH. Approve Application for Met Council Water Efficiency Grant Application The Metropolitan Council will implement a water efficiency grant program effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. Grants would be awarded on a competitive basis to municipalities that manage municipal water systems. The Met Council would provide 80% of the program cost while the municipality would be responsible for the remaining 20%. Staff proposed to apply for $50,000, which would require the City to contribute $12,500. Should funds be awarded, staff would propose to use the grant money to implement a rebate program that would update the irrigation systems in up to eight City parks and the Hugo Fire Hall. The proposed irrigation system updates were expected to reduce water usage by 62% due to the increased efficiency of the devices. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved staff’s request to submit an application to the Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Program with the understanding that the City of Hugo would be responsible for a local match of $12,500. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022 Page 4 of 8 Approve Extension of Purchase Agreement for City Owned Property Denny Trooien of Dennis Properties had the purchase agreement on the City owned property in downtown. Mr. Trooien had provided an update to the EDA on the proposed project at their meeting on March 15, 2022. Mr. Trooien had also requested the EDA consider a purchase agreement amendment to extend the closing dates and construction completion dates. The existing closing date for the first phase was May 20, 2022. He requested the first phase closing date be September 20, 2022, with the availability to extend with written notice to January 31, 2023. He also requested a one-year extension on the closing date for the second phase. He requested the completion of the first phase construction to be extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023. Mr. Trooien stated that he had been working on marketing and had submitted development applications to the City for approval of the project, but it took longer than expected to work through environmental regulations. The EDA had discussed next steps with Mr. Trooien. He stated he wanted to continue to work with staff on refining the plans and get scheduled for a Planning Commission meeting date. The EDA unanimously recommended approval of the purchase agreement to the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the extension of the purchase agreement for the City owned property Approve Ross Hoernemann as Safety Captain on the Hugo Fire Department Ross Hoernemann currently served as the Training Captain and the Administrative Captain on the Fire Department. Fire Chief Jim Compton had recommended appointment of Ross as the Safety Captain while he continued to hold a second position as the Administrative Captain. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Ross Hoernemann as the Safety Captain effective April 1, 2022. Approve Jason Palmquist as Training Captain on the Hugo Fire Department With the appointment of Ross Hoernemann from Training Captain to Safety Captain, there was a vacancy in the Training Captain position. Fire Chief Jim Compton had recommended appointment of Jason Palmquist to fill this vacancy. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Jason Palmquist as Training Captain effective April 1, 2022. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 6593 145th Circle North Brad and Mary Dinndorf had requested an encroachment agreement to allow construction of a fence within a drainage and utility easement on property located at 6593 145th Circle North. Staff had reviewed the request and recommended City Council approve the encroachment agreement. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved 2022-15 APPROVING AN ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT FOR BRAD AND MARY DINNDORF TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A FENCE WITHIN A DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6593 145TH CIRCLE NORTH. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 12560 Foxhill Avenue North Terrance Reetz had requested an encroachment agreement to allow construction of a fence within a drainage and utility easement on property located at 6593 145th Circle North. Staff had reviewed the request and recommended Council approve the encroachment agreement. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022 Page 5 of 8 Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2022-16 APPROVING AN ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT FOR TERRANCE REETZ TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A FENCE WITHIN A DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 12560 FOXHILL AVENUE NORTH. Public Hearing on Oneka Parkway Improvement Project On September 7, 2021, the City Council authorized the preparation of a feasibility study for the 2022 Oneka Parkway Improvement Project. Staff had held a neighborhood meeting on February 16, 2022. The City Council accepted the competed study at their February 22, 2022, meeting and called for a public hearing to be held on March 21, 2022. City Engineer Mark Erichson presented a PowerPoint that detailed the proposed improvements and findings of the feasibility study. The project would consist of bituminous mill and overlay from Frenchman Road (CSAH 8) to Farnham Avenue, partial street reconstruction from Farnham Avenue to Heritage Parkway, construction of a right-turn-lane northbound on Oneka Parkway at CSAH 8, and construction of a traffic signal at the intersection of Oneka Parkway and CSAH 8. Funding for the project would be provided through assessments to benefiting properties, County funds, and City MSA/Street Funds. He explained the assessment process as it followed MN State Statute, Chapter 429. An assessment hearing would be held in October. Assessments can be prepaid without interest being accrued if paid within 30 days of the assessment hearing. Assessments were typically spread out over ten years, but this project may be assessed over five years. The total project cost would be $2,600,000. He explained that, according to the assessment policy, a partial reconstruction would be $4,100 per unit, which converts to $76.88 per front foot, and an urban roadway overlay would be $1,800 per unit, which converts to $39.38 per front foot. The total footage of all association parcels along Oneka Parkway was 6,035, which did not include the clubhouse frontage of 405 feet. Based on the frontage along the home owners association properties on Oneka Parkway, assessments were calculated uniformly among the townhome properties. Areas outside the home owner association frontages were not used to calculate the assessment amount, such as turn lanes and areas where there were ponds. There would be future road assessments to the same group of properties when improvements were made to Farnham, 149th Street, and Heritage Parkway. Those projects were not currently in the five-year plan. With the future assessment combined, it would still be less than a typical per parcel assessment. Erichson provided a rough schedule saying if it was approved this evening, they would prepare plans and have a neighborhood open house in April to review them. Bids would be opened and a contract awarded in June. Construction would take place over the summer and an assessment hearing would take place in October, 2022. He reviewed some of the concerns by that were expressed during the neighborhood meeting. There were questions on the assessments to the HOA for the clubhouse and the condition of the trail along Freedom Avenue. Erichson explained there would be a one-time charge of approximately $20 for all those who had access to the clubhouse, and the trail needed improvement but it was not funded. Parks Planner Shayla Denaway would be looking into options. Mayor Weidt asked staff what would happen if the construction costs came in higher than anticipated and if there was any discussion on traffic signal versus a roundabout. Erichson Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022 Page 6 of 8 explained the City’s cost would increase but assessments would not since the assessment policy is uniform from project to project. When the intersection was constructed, it had been planned for a future signal, which would be less expensive than a roundabout. It was also pointed out that assessments only cover approximately 14% of the total costs of the road projects. Mayor Weidt opened public hearing. Rick Bieniek, 5161 Farnham Drive North, said he was on the board for the manor group and on the master board, and he gets a lot of questions from neighbors. Concerns he heard were about the truck and construction traffic breaking down the roadway, and he asked what assurances do they have the road would be built properly and won’t prematurely degrade. He questioned why the roadway was failing since it was not that old. Rick talked about the water reuse project stalling in the construction phase and asked that the road project remain on task. He said he appreciated the traffic signal going in at Frenchman and Oneka Parkway. George Finn, 5169 Farnham Dr. N, stated that from 2018-2020, his total Washington County property tax went up 47% and the total taxes for Hugo went up 43% in two years. He said a concern was he was also paying for the 86% through taxes. He wanted Council to know that those who live in the area have already been hit really hard. Mayor Weidt talked about how home values change the taxes. The City is on a flat tax rate, and he was not sure if the value of George’s home had increased. He provided George information on the Board of Appeal and Equalization to be held on April 7, 2022, where he could appeal his value. George stated he understood that but wanted to make clear that this was a major increase. He said the increase in the value of the property is of no significance to him, but the cost of living there is. Paul Hughes, 15411 Farnham Avenue, said he had moved in last July when the 147th Street project began and kept getting postponed. He asked about a project deadline. Nate Koenig, 15396 Farnham Avenue, asked how homes were selected. He questioned if his home was going to be valued at a higher rate and why the 14% wasn’t budgeted as maintenance. He referenced State Statute 429 that talked about the benefit of an assessment needing to be greater than the cost of the assessment. Johnny Johnson, 5157 Farnham Drive, had questions on detour routes. Ellen Johnson, 15443 Freedom Drive N, asked if she would be assessed again when Farnham was improved. Erichson addressed the question on quality control saying the project would need to meet MnDOT State Aid design standards. Senior Engineering Technician Liz Finnegan would be on site during construction and would be responsible to make sure they met specifications. There were also material testing requirements. Staff would be provided with a construction schedule, and he explained the 147th street project was not delayed; the signage was not properly placed. Erichson addressed the questions on how homes were assessed and State Statute 429. He Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022 Page 7 of 8 explained the properties being assessed were based on the frontage of any streets in the HOA. There would be additional assessments for the same group of properties when other roads were improved. He said he had worked closely with the City attorney to ensure the City was in compliance with State Statute 429. An appraiser had done a benefit appraisal, and the value increases far exceed what the assessed amounts would be. Erichson addressed the question on why the City did not budget for the entire project and the issue on the road deterioration. He said the City had never not assessed for improvements, and it was not uncommon to see a mill and overlay project done within a 15-20 year period. He acknowledged there were issues with the concrete curb and gutter, and that could have created some of the pavement issues, but it was hard to narrow down the deficiencies. Koenig asked why the single-family villas and patio homes were not being assessed. Erichson responded they would be assessed at the time those roadways were improved. Erichson addressed the question on detours saying they had not received authorization for plans and specifications. If the Council authorizes the project to move forward, a number of different options would be considered and shared in another neighborhood meeting. Erichson addressed the issue of improvements to private drives saying they were the HOA’s responsibility, and there would be no assessments. Bieniek further explained there were private roadways that abut some of those roads. Improvements to those roads would be paid for with collected dues. He also reiterated that those in the project area would be assessed twice, now and when Farnham was improved. He talked about the concerns neighbors had with MnDOT overseeing the project since the last project was failing. He questioned why the contractor or City was not being held responsible. Erichson responded that he had no knowledge as to what happened with that roadway project. The road was constructed by the developer and was not a City-led project. He said unfortunately there was a one-year warranty. MnDOT was not involved, and it was not a state aid route at that time. Weidt explained that streets are a part of an entire system used by the entire City, including construction traffic. The majority of the cost for improvements is paid by all residents and state money and grants. Ellen Johnson talked about the large construction vehicles she sees every day and how it was unfair they do not pay for the roads. There were no other comments, and Mayor Weidt closed the public hearing. Council talked about the deferral and when a resident could request that. Erichson responded it could be done at the assessment hearing that will be held the first meeting in October, 2022. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022 Page 8 of 8 Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2022-17A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2022 ONEKA PARKWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. Ayes: Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt Motion carried. Discussion and Approval of Letter of Support for Hardwood Creek Trail Extension   Washington County Senior Planner Connor Shafer addressed the Council on the Hardwood Creek Trail Extension. Washington County had studied the feasibility of constructing the final extension of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail from Fenway Boulevard North and 130th Street North to 120th Street North (Ramsey County Rd J). He explained how regional trails were defined by Metropolitan Council and how the trails are designed saying the southern extension forces them to be creative. A lot of the trail lies within the railroad right-of-way. Work continues on Segment 1 from 130th Street to 125th Street, and Segment 2 from 125th Street to 120th Street along Falcon Avenue. Two concepts were identified for Falcon Avenue. Concept A made no modification to Falcon Ave and reduced the width of the trail. Concept B reduced the width of Falcon and maintained a 10-foot wide trail. Both met regional standards, and the decision was made to move forward with Concept B. The total estimated cost for the project was $1,767,425, with 80% of the project cost eligible through a grant. Shafer talked about the Regional Solicitation Grant explaining that Federal funding for the multi-use trail category was the most competitive. He felt it would be most successful to just apply for Section 1, which was estimated to cost $1,121,106. Funding would be available in five years. He explained the next steps would be to finalize the study, submit the Regional Solicitation Application, and coordinate with the City to develop additional funding strategies. Parks Planner Shayla Denaway explained Washington County would be applying for Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation funding, and a letter of support had been drafted indicating that the City of Hugo was supportive of construction and complete of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail. The Parks Commission had been presented with this at their last meeting and was very supportive. Staff recommend Council approve the draft letter of support for the grant application. Strub made motion, Miron seconded, to sign the letter of support for the Regional Transportation Grant Application. Adjournment Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to adjourn at 9:29 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk