Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.11.21 CC Minutes Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL PRESENT: Klein, Miron, Petryk (via ZOOM), Strub, Weidt COUNCIL ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Engineer Mark Erichson, City Attorney Dave Snyder, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, Community Development Assistant Max Gort, City Clerk Michele Lindau Minutes for the November 4, 2022, Kevin Magnuson Meet and Greet Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes for the Meet and Greet for Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson held at the Miron Farm on November 4, 2022, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Minutes for the November 7, 2022, City Council Meeting Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the Council meeting held on November 7, 2022, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Minutes for the November 14, 2022, Commissioner Interviews Strub made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the commissioner interviews held on November 14, 2022, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Minutes for the November 15, 2022, Board of Canvass Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes of the Board of Canvass meeting held on November 15, 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 Minutes HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HUGO CITY HALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022 – 7 P.M. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 2 of 10 Lakes Center for Youth & Families – Executive Director Linda Madsen Executive Director Linda Madsen presented to Council information on the Lakes Center for Youth and Families. Linda said she worked in Forest Lake Schools since 1981, first as a teacher and then as the superintendent. She talked about the LC4YF Board saying they were very supportive. She provided history of the Center that began with former Washington County Sheriff Jim Trudeau in 1976, who realized that some youth needed guidance to make better decisions. Madsen said needs had changed over time, but the need for intervention has been constant. She provided information on their Enrichment Program, Safety Camp and counseling, which has grown and has over 30 people on their waiting list. She reviewed where funds were spent. In 2020, 85% was spent on programing compared to 95% in 2021. She reviewed the revenue sources saying they were still recovering financially from covid. Tom thanked her and congratulated her on all the things she has done in Forest Lake. Approval of Consent Agenda Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Annual Performance Review for Accounting Clerk Amber Lozier 3. Approve Hiring of Tom Robinson, Cory Albertson, and Jennifer Verpaletse as Probationary Hugo Firefighters. 4. Approve Meredith St. Pierre as Chair of Parks Commission 5. Approve Michael Kelly and Mike Granger as New Planning Commission Members 6. Approve Valerie Boyd as New Parks Commissioner 7. Approve Jim Compton as New Parks Commissioner Alternate Member 8. Approve Donation from the Hugo American Legion to the Hugo Fire Department 9. Approve State of Minnesota Grant Contract with the Hugo Fire Department for Wildfire Equipment and Training All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Accounting Clerk Amber Lozier Amber Lozier was hired as the Finance and Public Works Administrative Assistant on October 8, 2018. On November 15, 2022, Amber was promoted to Accounting Clerk. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Annual Performance Review for Amber Lozier Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 3 of 10 Approve Hiring of Tom Robinson, Cory Albertson, and Jennifer Verpaletse as Probationary Hugo Firefighters. The Hugo Fire Department recently completed their fall 2022, hiring process and had three applicants that successfully completed all phases of the hiring process. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the hiring of Tom Robinson, Cory Albertson, Jennifer Verpaletse as Probationary Fire Fighters for the Hugo Fire Department effective December 5, 2022. Approve Meredith St. Pierre as Chair of Parks Commission At the meeting of October 3, 2022, Council approved the resignation of Roger Clarke from the Hugo Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission. Clarke was serving as Chair. At the Parks Commission meeting of October 19, 2022, the Commission discussed the vacancy. Commissioner Meredith St. Pierre stated an interest in serving as Chair, and the Parks Commission favorably discussed St. Pierre’s appointment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Meredith St. Pierre as Chair of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission Approve Michael Kelly and Mike Granger as New Planning Commission Members On November 14, 2022, Council interviewed ten interested candidates to fill vacancies on the City’s commissions. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointments to the Planning Commission of Michael Kelly to a term that will expire on December 31, 2024, and the appointment of Mike Granger to a term that will expire on December 31, 2026. Approve Valerie Boyd as New Parks Commissioner On November 14, 2022, Council interviewed ten interested candidates to fill vacancies on the City’s commissions. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Valerie Boyd to the Parks Commission to a term that will expire on December 31, 2024. Approve Jim Compton as New Parks Commissioner Alternate Member On November 14, 2022, Council interviewed ten interested candidates to fill vacancies on the City’s commissions. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Jim Compton, Sr. as Parks Commissioner Alternate Member to a term that will expire on December 31, 2023. Approve Donation from the Hugo American Legion to the Hugo Fire Department The Hugo American Legion had requested to donate $1,000 to the Hugo Fire Department from pull-tab proceeds for equipment and training. All donations to the Fire Department must be approved by the Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $1,000 to the Hugo Fire Department. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 4 of 10 Approve State of Minnesota Grant Contract with the Hugo Fire Department for Wildfire Equipment and Training The MN DNR was in need of local fire department assistance in suppressing wildland fires. The Commissioner of Natural Resources had made grants available for the procurement of fire suppression equipment and training of fire departments in techniques of fire control. A local match of 50-50 was required for this grant. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the grant contract with the State of Minnesota in the amount of $5,000 for equipment and training in fighting wildfires. Approve Site Plan, CUP Renewal, Variance, and Easement Vacation for Xcel Energy-13620 Fenway Boulevard N. The applicant, Xcel Energy, had requested approval of a site plan to construct a two-story approximately 32,000 square foot building as well as an outdoor training facility. The outdoor training facility would be an expansion of the existing facility on site, which was allowed by a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The applicant had requested an amendment to their CUP to allow for the expanded facility. A variance was being requested to allow for the height of structures (poles and lattice tower) within the training facility, which exceed the maximum 50 feet allowed by ordinance. Since the applicant was proposing to impact a wetland on site located within a drainage and utility easement, they also requested an easement vacation. At its November 10, 2022 meeting, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the request. No one from the public spoke. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the applications. Weidt removed this and the following item from the Consent Agenda. Approve Wetland Replacement Plan for Xcel Enery-13620 Fenway Boulevard N. The above-mentioned applications are on property that has .39 acres of farmed type 2 wetlands on site. The development would result in .39 acres of wetland impact, mostly because of grading for stormwater pond construction. The applicant had proposed to replace the impacts to the wetland basin though the purchase of wetland credits from an approved wetland bank. Weidt removed the previous two items from the agenda and invited representatives from Xcel Energy to introduce themselves. Mike Wilhelmi is the new Community Relations contact for the City of Hugo. The previous contact was Colette Jurek and before that it was John Werdish. Mike explained he had been on the job for nine months and was please to present this project. He said the project would consolidate and improve their training. The plan was to add transmission substation training to their facility. There would be approximately 10-15 staff members and 12-100 students utilizing the center at one time and would provide for multiple training opportunities. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 5 of 10 Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2022-77 APPROVING A SITE PLAN FOR XCEL ENERGY FOR A BUILDING AND OUTDOOR TRAINING FACILITIES ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 13620 FENWAY BOULEVARD NORTH, and RESOLUTION 2022-78 APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT FOR XCEL ENERGY TO AMEND THE SITE PLAN FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 13620 FENWAY BOULEVARD NORTH, RESOLUTION 2022-79 APPROVING A VARIANCE FOR NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY, MINNESOTA CORPORATION, dba XCEL ENERGY, FOR TRAINING TRANSMISSION LINES ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 13620 FENWAY BOULEVARD NORTH, and the wetland replacement plan, subject to final Technical Evaluation Panel issuance of the Notice of Decision for the wetland replacement application and conditions. All Ayes. Motion carried. Public Hearing on Birch Tree Ponds Improvement Project On July 5, 2022, City Council authorized the preparation of a feasibility study for 2023 Birch Tree Ponds Area Street Improvements. City Council accepted the competed study at the October 17, 2022, City Council meeting and called for a public hearing to be held this evening. City Engineer Mark Erichson presented details on the proposed improvements and findings of the feasibility study in a PowerPoint presentation Erichson explained the roads in the Birch Tree Pond area were previously constructed between 1981-1999. The improvement project would include partial roadway reconstruction, mill and overlay improvements, and curb and gutter replacement as conditions warrant. The City follows State Statute Chapter 429, which requires two public hearings: an improvement hearing and an assessment hearing. Total project costs were estimated to be $2,113,700 with $672,900 (31.8%) coming from assessments. The Assessment Policy was last updated in 2013. Costs had increased over the years, but the assessed amounts per the policy had not. Parcels on roads receiving a partial reconstruction would be assessed $4,100 per unit, and parcels on roads receiving a mill and overlay would be assessed $2,100 per unit. The assessment would be over ten years, and interest was set at the time of assessment certification. Assessments could also be prepaid without interest within 30 days of the assessment hearing. Erichson explained the senior citizen deferral for those over 65 years old. Erichson provided a proposed schedule showing construction taking place June- September, 2023, and the assessment hearing in October, 2023. Mayor Weidt opened the public hearing. Jeff Dumroese, 5815 135th Street North, said 135th Street is very busy and he asked about putting in speed bumps and if the speed limits could be decreased in the neighborhood. He asked why the project was being done now, prior to planned construction to the south when their only access will be on 135th street. He also questioned if there was a risk that assessment rates would change. Erichson replied that speed bumps are typically not installed on public roadways because cars don’t see them, and snowplowing is problematic. Speeds were set by MnDOT. There was recent legislation to allow municipalities to decrease speeds, but staff was waiting for the coalition that was working on it to provide guidance. He said the Council was looking at evaluating the Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 6 of 10 assessment rates, but they won’t change for this project. He talked about why they are proposing this project to be done now. The preliminary plat for the project to the south had been evaluated, but staff had no idea when it would be moving forward. Erichson said there was a need to get moving on this project before it got worse. The street would be designed to manage the increased traffic, and staff will encourage the contractors to use other accesses. Ann Guthrie, 5965 138th Street North, asked about trash and recycling haulers. She said there were currently have five haulers in the neighborhood, and she asked if they would be assessed, or if only a few haulers could be allowed in the neighborhood. Guthrie asked about the sewer replacement and management improvements, asking if it included the culverts that drain into ditches. Weidt commented that one way to have less haulers in a neighborhood would be to get all people in the neighborhood to agree. Erichson explained that the catch basins are block built and failing and will be replaced. Some culverts will be removed and replaced as well. The Public Works Department was monitoring the ditches, but it was not part of this project. There would be more discussion when that happens. Bear added that if there were specific concerns about drainage in a neighborhood, staff would like to hear about it. Tim Walsh, 5920 138th Street North, asked about the assessment policy and corner lots. He also suggested temporary speed bumps or striping in the summer. Erichson answered that if both streets on a corner lot were reconstructed, they would receive half an assessment on each street. He addressed speed bumps and striping saying it was not an industry standard for safety purposes. Staff would look into options and have further discussions when presenting plans and specifications on the project. A resident at 13790 Foxhill Avenue North asked about the time limit to do projects. He said he has lived there for ten years and had noticed no difference in the streets. He knew Public Works had done some patching. He said technology will improve in the next ten years, so why not keep patching. He also asked about putting in a three-way stop. Erichson explained there was not a time limit, but this project had been on the Capital Improvement Project list for five or six years. He said he relies heavily on Public Work staff to recognize the time and effort they put into patching roadways. There had been a strong consensus on the bad condition of the streets and requests for improvements at previous meetings. He said it would cost more to do a full reconstruction later than to do a partial reconstruction now. Erichson indicated staff could look into the three-way stops. Dorann Lohrke, 14079 Fountain Avenue North, said she lives on a cul-de-sac that has 13 homes, and she wondered how traffic would be directed. She said the haulers are hard on the streets, and that is what is destroying them. She asked what percent the City was paying for the project, and she added that she was glad it was being done. Erichson replied that construction is always an inconvenience, and the City’s Senior Engineering Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 7 of 10 Technician Liz Finnegan would be onsite for the project. There were several means of communication regarding traffic access and mailbox locations. Contractors have a lot of criteria they need to meet, and they need to allow access to property. He said the City would be paying 68.2 % of the cost of the project. Jordan Fry, 6035 135th Street North, said he was in favor of the project and felt it was a reasonable amount. He said when he lived in White Bear Lake, they were assessed $12,000-$13,000. He asked about the culvert going across 135th Street. He said it’s higher and water backs up pretty bad and he has had to clean it out. He also asked if the curbs would be replaced. He said in White Bear, they were offered the option of getting their driveways fixed at the same time. Erichson replied that the culvert under 135th Street would be replaced, and there would be some curbs replaced dependent on their condition. Erichson indicated he could share contractor contact information with property owners if they wanted to inquire about getting their driveway done at the time of the project, but the cost would not be added on to the assessment. Frank Milhofer, 13765 Foxhill Avenue North, said no one stops at the 138th Street and Foxhill Avenue stop sign. He asked what was considered in a partial reconstruction versus a mill and overlay. He said he lives in the cul-de-sac, and there were not many problems. He asked how bills are assessed and the life expectancy of the road and weight restrictions. Erichson responded that a geotechnical staff analyzes pavement cores. Existing conditions are considered along with not wanting to have a patchwork of different projects. Assessments could be prepaid withing 30 days, or they would be certified with Washington County and applied to property taxes. Erichson explained that a 30-year life expectancy is typically seen on this type of project. Cracks may develop with extreme Minnesota conditions, and roads would continuously be maintained. There would be weight restrictions in the spring. Jake Morse, 5965 Freeland Court North, said a lot of people walk the neighborhood at nights, and it is very dark in some areas. He wondered if lights had been considered. Erichson said street lights were not in the scope of the project, and he asked Bear if he could explain how street lighting requests were handled. Bear replied the neighborhood could be reviewed to see if the lights were consistent with what was elsewhere in the City. Typically, there is a light at every intersection unless they are close together. Staff could take a look and see if any were missing. Kevin Larson, 13540 Freeland Avenue North, said this was the first meeting he had been to regarding this project. He asked if the two stubbed streets would connect to the proposed development and if that had any effect on what was happening now. He asked if all street reconstruction projects have assessments and if the neighborhood around City Hall had been assessed. He wanted to know who puts forth the feasibility study. He said he just had a new driveway installed and wanted to know if the road would be the same width and alignment as it was now. Erichson replied that the stubbed streets would connect to the new development. This street Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 8 of 10 project has been on the CIP for the past six years, long before the development came forth this year. All street improvement projects have had assessments. Hugo staff prepares the feasibility study identifying costs. Assessments are uniform across the community, including the neighborhood near City Hall. The alignment, width and curbs would be the same as what is there now. Weidt talked about the road project in the City Hall neighborhood saying it was on the CIP list about 15 years ago, but the neighborhood did not want a road project at that time, so it wasn’t done until this year. The Birch Tree Ponds neighborhood is on the top of the list now. He explained that roads are part of a big network; that is why the neighborhood is only paying for 31 % of the project. There was a question on whether all mailboxes would be taken out and replaced. Erichson replied there would likely be a temporary mailbox bank. Property owners would be notified on that as well as on garbage service. All mailboxes that are removed will be reinstalled at the conclusion of the project. Erichson clarified that there would be construction traffic that will go through the development. They will encourage the development team to use Goodview Avenue to the greatest extent practical. There was not a physical road connection to the westerly half of the development, so there would be construction traffic through there. They will require the developers to use the existing culvert for grading activities, etc. As homes are constructed, they will be utilizing access through the Birch Tree Ponds area. A resident at 6110 135th Street North, had a question on the timeline. Erichson replied there will be another notice sent out inviting them to a meeting to review the construction plans and ask questions. If council moves forward and authorizes bidding on the project, it would then be awarded to the contractor and they would provide a schedule. There were no other comments, and Weidt closed the public hearing. Miron asked about haulers and if there was a limited number of permits. Bear replied there are seven licensed haulers in Hugo. Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to approve. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-80 ORDERING THE PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2023 BIRCH TREE PONDS AREA STREET IMPROVEMENTS All ayes. Motion carried. Weidt called for a short recess Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 9 of 10 Rosemary Place Sketch Plan Community Development Assistant Max Gort explained the applicant, Summit Management LLC, had applied for a sketch plan review to construct a 90-unit apartment complex on the west side of a 12.96-acre property, of which 7.75 acres are buildable. The property is located south of Rosemary Way North, north of Frenchman Road/CSAH 8, and east of Festival Foods. It was in the general business district and guided for commercial use in the 2040 Land Use Plan. a sketch plan review was a way for an applicant to get feedback and unbinding comments on a plan, prior to formal submittal for approval. Gort showed an ariel view of the site. He provided information on the surrounding uses and presented the general layout of the apartment buildings and parking. He talked about property constraints that included a 50-foot-wide utility transmission line easement and approximately six acres of wetland, primarily on the east side of the property. The parking was shown to have three major access points, two on Rosemary Way and one on the private road to the south. He said staff would like to work with the applicant to minimize speeding and cut-through traffic in the straight and long parking lot area. The building was proposed to be brick and steel siding with earth tone colors and would need to meet the multifamily design guidelines as the project moved forward. Gort explained that for the applicant to construct the apartment on this property, they would need to apply for a zoning amendment and comprehensive plan amendment to allow for high density residential. The applicant was proposing to fill some wetlands on the property to increase buildable acreage to nine acres. The wetland replacement plan had not yet been approved by the Technical Evaluation Panel. Gort provided an update on the comments from the Planning Commission meeting held on November 10, 2022, and from the EDA meeting held on October 18, 2022. He requested City Council provide comments to the applicant regarding the potential change in zoning and land use designations, the use of the non-buildable portion of property, and the overall site design. Applicant Mark Lambert said he appreciated the opportunity to have a sketch plan discussion. He said they started in Hugo in 2018 with Hugo Estates (formerly Twin Pines Mobile Home Park), and recently received approval for an expansion there. He provided background on the apartment site plan stating the property went back to the bank in 2012, and they had apparently been trying to sell it for the past five years. He said it had been difficult obtaining forgotten documents and chasing down old surveyors and engineers to figure out what had already been done. Lambert felt it was a difficult site with nothing being straight and having the utility easement and a bunch of wetlands on the site. He said he could have planned it around the utility corridor but settled on the west side, putting the building in the center. He talked about the commercial component of the site and said he felt the area was more suited to be residential now. Miron asked about pedestrian connections that would add to the existing businesses and agreed that a commercial use would likely to be looking for something closer to the county road. He asked Gort about the private road. Max explained the road behind the commercial buildings was a private road. Community Development Director Rachel Juba added there was a commercial association that managed the private road. Lambert was aware he would have to work with them and possibly do a traffic study. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 10 of 10 Klein commented that he liked the design as it was and said it would be nice to have underground parking, but that was not realistic. He said softening the edges with garages made sense, and he asked about the straight away and speeding. Lampert said he had wanted access at both ends. He said he was a fan of speed bumps. They worked in the trailer park, and that may be one way to address speeding. Strub had concerns about putting pressure on parks with the construction of 90 units. He asked what amenities were planned, and what the plan was for the open space. Lambert replied they had talked to staff regarding opportunities on the east side. It could be some kind of park. In Hugo Estates, they were paying money in lieu of the park dedication fee and could have the same discussion on that, or there may be an opportunity to make it a public park. He said the next stop may be the park board. The site was approximately three acres. Miron asked what type of occupants the development would appeal to. Lambert replied it would be similar to his buildings in Forest Lake that have a very nice mix of ages, focusing on smaller units with a mixture of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and maybe a few three-bedroom units. He said he had not seen a demand for larger units and was trying to create an approachable apartment that was smaller and affordable. They would pay heat and provide wall air conditioners. Without the associated underground garage costs, they would be about 25% underpriced. The Council had no problems with the zoning issue, and agreed the long parking lot needed to be looked at. Weidt encouraged them to try to do something “out of the box”. He said he had looked at the Forest Lake property and thought it looked nice. He said he was not sure if he liked the idea of the City park. There may be another use for the three-acre area, and the Parks Commission may come up with a use for it. Adjournment Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to adjourn at 8:54 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk