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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.01.23 CC Minutes-Goal Setting WorkshopMINUTES City Council Goal Setting Workshop City Hall Council Chambers Monday, January 23, 2023 5:00 p.m. Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. COUNCIL PRESENT: Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt COUNCIL ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Clerk Michele Lindau, Finance Director Anna Wobse, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, Administrative Intern Joe Hinzman, City Engineer Mark Erichson 2022 Goals Summary City Administrator Bryan Bear reviewed some of the 2022 Goals saying staff felt all items were touched on; some were completed and some still in progress. In 2022, there were a lot of infrastructure projects, park projects and a new Public Works facility that kept staff very busy. Bear said he didn’t anticipate projects of that scope for 2023. Staff pays attention to County and State agencies to see what they are working on, and Bear offered to provide that information to the Council if they felt it would be helpful. He talked about things going on at the legislature that included issues related to housing and zoning, cannabis, and he talked about the White Bear Lake level issue. Washington County’s 2023 projects included pavement management project on CR57, traffic signal on CSAH 8, Highway 61 Visioning Study, and trail projects. The Rice Creek Watershed District has a new manager. RCWD Board Manager John Waller had been spending time at the State Capital advocating for legislation that requires money collected in taxes from a city be spent on projects within the same city. Bear said it was likely Waller would be talking to the Council in the near future and request their involvement. Presentation of 2023 Draft Goals Bear provided a draft of 2023 goals prepared by staff with the input of all commissions. There were challenges with water resource feedback and new developments. Staff was working with the DNR on the project for the City owned property along Egg Lake. Community Development’s priorities were to review policies on solar, apartments, mixed uses, single family lots, design guidelines, and working with the County on Highway 61 corridor planning. Other priorities identified were review of the assessment policy, road projects, ditch maintenance, and bridge maintenance. The Parks Commission identified Northstar wetland bank and the trail system by the Northstar Elementary School as being one of their goals. The Bernin property (6540 Greene Avenue North) had also become a priority since the buildings had been removed and there was development proposed to the north. Discussions would continue regarding a full- time fire chief for Hugo, and talks will take place with the Washington County Sheriff Department on staffing needs for 2024. Bear stated there was a lot of policy work to be done in the Administration Department, and there are ongoing discussions on the restructuring of the Public Works Department. The fate of Hopkins Schoolhouse needed to be determined, and staff will be working on communication strategies. Revamping the City’s website was budgeted for 2023. Hugo City Council Minutes for January 23, 2023 Goal Setting Workshop Page 2 of 3 The Council questioned how much time Bear would be spending on the White Bear Lake Lawsuit. Bear replied that he and City Attorney Dave Snyder had been involved since the beginning and likely be leaned on to guide the mediation. Council felt it was important for the City to take the lead. There was a question on bridge repairs and if there were funds available. City Engineer Mark Erichson replied that there were bridge funds available, and the City needed to get on the list with construction costs for those grants There was a question from Council about whether they should be more engaged on policy issues that were outside of Hugo’s control. Bear replied that Senator Karin Housley and Representative Patti Anderson would be invited to speak to the Council directly. Council indicated they approved the list of goals as drafted by staff. The list would be on the next Council agenda for formal approval. Discussion on ARPA Funds (Covid Cash) Bear began by explaining how the rules at the Treasury Department had changed and the rules for spending ARPA funds were relaxed. The City was given 1.6 M. in funding that needed to be appropriated to a project by the end of 2024 or the City would lose those funds. Suggestions to Council were to spend the money on paving of 165th Street, which would help with connecting other roads or paving of Elmcrest Avenue. The City was currently in discussions with the City of Lino Lakes. Also, at the next Council meeting, the Hopkins Committee would present their plan to Council on restoration of the Schoolhouse and their funding plan. Most of the discussion was about the Northstar Wetland Bank. This project would cost approximately $1 million to construct. The City would be able to sell the credits. The cost of the credits would be negotiable and would fluctuate. The use of that money would need to be identified. There was a suggestion it be used to construct the trails. The school has indicated they would like to have a cross-country trail. It was said they do not have revenue for the approximately $2 million it would cost to construct. The Council liked this idea for several reasons. It was said the ARPA money came from everyone, and it should not be used on a project that affects only a small number of residents. The wetland bank would have a long-term payback that would provide a new revenue stream for more community enhancement opportunities. The wetland bank would be environmentally friendly and could be used for educational and recreational purposes. Funding of trails could possibly be done with the sale of credits. Signage could be displayed on the property indicating how it was paid for. Bear added that this property for a wetland bank had been evaluated. The next steps would be the design phase, and it was not likely a project would be ready to start this year. Discussion on the wetland bank will be on the next Council agenda. Hugo City Council Minutes for January 23, 2023 Goal Setting Workshop Page 3 of 3 Adjournment Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk