Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.03.04 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, March 4, 2024 7:00 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call COUNCIL PRESENT: Klein, Miron (via ZOOM), Petryk, Strub (via ZOOM), Weidt COUNCIL ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Engineer Mark Erichson, City Attorney Dave Snyder, Associate Planner Max Gort, City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of Minutes for the February 5, 2024, Council Meeting Klein made motion Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes from the City Council meeting held on February 5, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the February 13, 2024, HBA Business Breakfast Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes from the Hugo Area Business Breakfast meeting held on February 13, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the February 17, 2024, Fire Department Banquet Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes from the Hugo Fire Department Banquet meeting held on February 17, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the February 21, 2024, Open House on 2024 Street Project Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes from the Open House held on February 21, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as submitted. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for March 4, 2024 Page 2 of 7 Washington County Update – Attorney Kevin Magnuson Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson explained he met the Council and staff for the first time at a Hugo Area Business Breakfast. He lives in Lake Elmo with his wife, son, and daughter in a house previously owned by his parents. He was in private practice for 20 years. The previous County Attorney, Pete Orput, encouraged him to run for office. He said the culture of the Office is to do the basic things in the right way and to be there to help but not at the expense of public safety. Kevin said they are committed to training law enforcement officers and work closely with the Sheriff’s Office for on-demand training. Kevin shared information on the East Metro Human Trafficking Taskforce that was started in 2016 and is a combination of local law enforcement, federal law enforcement, Homeland Security and the Washington County Offices who collaborates to fight human trafficking. In 2023, there were 43 human trafficking cases investigated in Washington County. Many of those cases were connected to runaways, and there is a focus on youth and parent education to work on the runaway situation. The Attorney’s Offices is trying to do more public speaking and engagement and will do presentations on whatever people want to talk about He shared that in 2023, there were 1,118 criminal complaints filed, which was down from 1,346 in 2022 and 1,246 in 2021. The downward trend could be to the backlog during Covid that brought the numbers up and new employees that took over cases. Numbers were higher for specific types of cases over the Covid years. Cases now are more complex with all the digital evidence collected, and a new computer system and staffing will help them with that. In 2023, there were six murders. Fleeing from police had skyrocketed, and there were 102 incidents in 2023 where they were charged. Auto theft had also been a problem with 46 cases in 2023. Kevin talked about some of the large drug cases that had successful results. Kevin talked about how the Covid years have affected juveniles, and he predicted that generation will struggle with a different criminal attitude, so they were working on diversion. They are seeing more mental health and chemical dependencies issues, and there are not enough treatment facilities. Kevin said he is on the legislative task force to make recommendations on how to get some relief for that. He talked about the veteran diversion program started by Pete Orput saying a lot of the work was done by volunteers. Mayor thanked him for coming and said Pete Orput would be proud he was carrying on the things he started. He encouraged Kevin to reach out to the Hugo Area Business Association and attend one of their meetings. Hopkins Schoolhouse Progress Report – Liz Cinqueonce City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council that last summer, Council approved the 15- year lease agreement with the newly formed Hopkins Schoolhouse and Heritage Center (HSHC) Committee. The building and property are located at 5970 170th Street North. It is owned by the City and is operated by the group under this agreement. The agreement established milestones that serve as a guideline on the restoration of the schoolhouse. Members of the committee were in attendance to report to Council on their progress in the last year and provide information on their next milestones. Council Meeting Minutes for March 4, 2024 Page 3 of 7 HSHC Board President Liz Cinqueonce began by thanking the Council for allowing the project to move forward and said the Council’s confidence in them made a difference in their fundraising and what they were able to accomplish. Highlights in 2023 included finalizing the agreement with the City that included partnership with the Forest Lake Historical Society, which serves as the fiscal host until the non-profit has been formed. Liz explained that once the determination letter from the IRS was received there were steps to take to become a non-profit. Once that happens, the agreement would transition to the HSHC. There are nine board members and currently 35 volunteers. A group of MBA students had worked on their business plan. Restoration activities included trash removal, and some artifacts were cataloged. Precise Exterior and The Sealant Technicians repaired the roof and chimney. The soffit was repaired by Northern Bedrock, and Floyd Petty completed the painting of it. The stairs did not get done, but the poured concrete will happen in the spring. Trail cameras were installed. Volunteers provided input on the site plan for the schoolhouse grounds. Liz talked about how they met, or didn’t meet, their Measures of Success. Enough money was raised through fundraising to complete the roof, chimney, and soffits. They were still working on money for siding. They saw interest from the community increase when things started happening on the site. They expected the repairs on the window and siding to be completed this fall. Other unexpected accomplished included interest by Connexus Energy to bring power to the site. Materials had been secured for glass block windows, display cases were donated by Rolseth Drug in Forest Lake, and the Petty’s were gathering donations for a garage sale. Fourteen of their 20 Measures had been completed. Four of the uncompleted were due to the IRS determination. A video was presented of the proposed site that showed 11 parking spaces, watering station for horses and dogs, hitching post for horses, picnic area with bike racks, shelter with trash receptacles, and enclosures for portable restrooms. Also included on the drawing was a building the Snowmobile Club had talked about last year, though there had been no recent conversations with them. The volunteer who put the plan together owned a landscape design company and was donating the labor and plans for making this come to life. She acknowledged formal approval of the site plan would be needed from the City Council. Liz talked about the goals they had for 2024 that included completing the 2023 goals, advancing progress on the site, and raising community engagement and fundraising. Restoration plans for this year were to replace stairs, windows, siding and side door, and running basic electric to the site. They also wanted to have an approved site plan for the grounds and continue with grounds cleanup. They were also looking for engagement from students and other history groups. Planning components included ADA compliance by adding a ramp and the preparation of plans for septic system, well, and plumbing inside the building, and other structural components. Klein asked if they were working with the Hugo Historical Commission. Liz replied that Commission Member Brad LeTourneau was a member of the Board of Directors and took the lead on the plans that were presented. He was also an ex-officio member of the Forest Lake Historical Society. Klein also inquired whether they approach Anderson Windows for donations. Liz replied they were on their list, and the HSHC was also considering having community members purchase a window for the school. Council Meeting Minutes for March 4, 2024 Page 4 of 7 Weidt congratulated them on the work they had done so far saying it was good to see progress. He encouraged them to keep pushing forward and keeping the Council up do date. He said the plans look great and it is exciting to see. Community Development Department Annual Report-Associate Planner Max Gort Associate Planner Max Gort presented to Council the 2023 Community Development Annual Report. This report had also been presented to the Planning Commission and the EDA. Max compared the population estimate from the Metropolitan Council of 16,354 and the historical trend of Hugo’s population increasing by 350 residentS every year. This would put Hugo’s population of 17,000 in 2024. Max provided information from the past ten years that showed the total number of planning applications submitted went down to 41 in 2023 from a total of 59 applications in 2022. There was a spike in applications during the pandemic years. He reviewed the types of planning requests that showed the number of applications for plats and PUDs to be at the highest in the past ten years. There were 121 permits issued for single family homes, which was fairly average except during the pandemic years. The Building Department performed slightly less inspections in 2023 with a total of 3,797. Of that total, 527 of them were in Scandia. There was a total of 161 single family units available and he presented a map that showed most were in the Oneka Prairie and the Shores of Oneka Lake developments. In 2023, there were four large residential projects approved, and some were still in motion. Non- residential projects included Premier Bank and Xcel Training Center Expansion. The developer withdrew his application for the City owned downtown property, and the City would be working with the DNR to address issues raised there. In 2023, staff worked with MnDOT on the Highway 61 Visioning Study, revised the Solar Ordinance, and did improvements at the Oneka Parkway and CSAH 8 intersection and the 159th Street and TH61 intersection. This year, the City will need to work on the Cannabis Ordinance, which needs to be done by January 1, 2025, and on revisions to some residential ordinances. Approval of Consent Agenda Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: All Ayes. Motion carried. 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Retirement of Building Inspector Terry Hagstrom 3. Approve Performance Review for Senior Engineering Technician Liz Finnegan 4. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion 5. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Ducks Unlimited for Bingo at Sal’s Angus Grill 6. Approve Lawful Off-Site Gambling Permit for Merrick, Inc, for Bingo at Good Neighbor Days 7. Approve Letter of Support for Federal Grant for MN Commercial Railway 8. Approve Final Plat and Development Agreement for Oneka Shores 3rd Addition 9. Approve Final Payment for Birch Tree Ponds Improvement Project 10. Approve Purchase of Zero Turn Mower for the Public Works Department All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for March 4, 2024 Page 5 of 7 Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Retirement of Building Inspector Terry Hagstrom Terry Hagstrom was hired by the City and began employment as a Building Inspector on July 12, 2021. Terry had submitted his letter of retirement. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the retirement of Building Inspector Terry Hagstrom effective March 29, 2024. Approve Performance Review for Senior Engineering Technician Liz Finnegan Liz Finnegan was hired in March 2019, as the City’s Senior Engineering Technician. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the performance review for Senior Engineering Technician Liz Finnegan. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion 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 needed to be approved by the Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $1,000 to the Hugo Fire Department Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Ducks Unlimited for Bingo at Sal’s Angus Grill Forest Lake Ducks Unlimited, a nonprofit organization, had applied for a Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit to conduct Bingo and raffles at their Banquet at Sal’s Angus Grill on Sunday, March 24, 2024. This permit would be issued by the MN Gambling Control Board after approval by the City. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Ducks Unlimited. Approve Lawful Off-Site Gambling Permit for Merrick, Inc, for Bingo at Good Neighbor Days Merrick currently conducts Purse Bingo at the Hugo Legion. Merrick was working with the Hugo Lions Club to hold Bingo under their gambling permit during Good Neighbor Days on June 8-9 at Lions Park. An Off-Site Gambling Permit approved by Council was necessary for Merrick, Inc. to do this. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Off-Site Gambling Permit for Merrick, Inc. Approve Letter of Support for Federal Grant for MN Commercial Railway MN Commercial Railway was applying for a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program grant through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to replace aging '70s era locomotives with new diesel locomotives that would significantly reduce emissions, fuel consumption and engine-related noise levels. MN Commercial Railway had requested Council provide a letter of support for the grant. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved a letter to the Federal Railroad Administrator in support of the grant for MN Commercial Railway. Council Meeting Minutes for March 4, 2024 Page 6 of 7 Approve Final Plat and Development Agreement for Oneka Shores 3rd Addition M/I Homes had requested approval of a final plat and development agreement in order to plat 77 lots and 1 outlot on parcels located north of Goodview Avenue and east of Highway 61 along the west side of Oneka Lake. The City Council reviewed and approved the preliminary plat and PUD for The Shores of Oneka Lake at its June 6, 2022, meeting. This request would plat 77 lots for the third phase of the development. The lots met the minimum lot standards and requirements outlined in the regulations for The Shores of Oneka Lake PUD. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2024-07 APPROVING A FINAL PLAT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR M/I HOMES OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, LLC, FOR THE SHORES OF ONEKA LAKE 3rd ADDITION. Approve Final Pay Request No. 3 for 2023 Birch Tree Ponds Street Improvement Project Northwest Asphalt, Inc. had submitted Pay Request No. 3 in the amount of $126,908.21 for work certified through November 30, 2023, on the 2023 Birch Tree Ponds Street Improvement Project. The punch-list had been completed and this was the final pay application for the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved payment to Northwest Asphalt, Inc. in the amount of $126,908.21 and formally accept the project. Approve Purchase of Zero Turn Mower for the Public Works Department The Public Works Department had requested approval to purchase a 2024 Ferris Zero Turn Mower and EZ dump hopper to replace the 2006 Toro Mower that had reached its end of useful life. Money for the purchase was included in the 2024 CIP budget. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the purchase of the mower and dump hopper from L.T.G. Power Equipment in the amount of $22,221.55. Approve Plans and Specifications and Authorize Advertisement for Bids for 125th St and Dellwood Ridge Improvement Project Previously the Council had authorized staff to prepare plans and specifications for the 2024 125th Street and Dellwood Ridge Neighborhood Street Improvement Project. City Engineer Mark Erichson explained that plans and specifications had been prepared and were ready to be advertised for bidding. Staff would place the advertisement for bids which was required to run for a minimum of 21 days. Plans and Specifications were available for review at City Hall. Consideration of awarding a construction contract will occur at a future City Council meeting. Staff recommended approval of the resolution approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for the 2024 125th Street and Dellwood Ridge Neighborhood Street Improvement Project. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2024-08 APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE 2024 125th STREET AND DELLWOOD RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for March 4, 2024 Page 7 of 7 Schedule Council Workshop for Monday, April 22, 2024 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council that staff wanted to hold a workshop with the Council to discuss bridges, cannabis and shoreland ordinances, and Fire Department staffing structure. He recommended Council schedule the workshop for Monday, April 22, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Pede Pedersen Pavilion. Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a workshop for Monday, April 22, 2022, at 6 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule Citywide Spring Cleanup on Saturday, May 4, 2024 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council that staff had been working with Washington County on the Spring Cleanup Dates and recommended the date of May 4, 2024, for the Citywide cleanup at the Public Works facility. Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded to schedule cleanup event for Saturday, May 4, 2024. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule Bus Tour for Saturday, October 5, 2024 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council that staff was recommending the annual bus tour be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. Beginning and ending locations were not yet determined. Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule the Annual Bus Tour for Saturday, October 5, 2024. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule Fire Department Open House on Saturday, October 5, 2024 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council that the Fire Department was holding their annual Open House on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 11-3 p.m. Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the Fire Department Open House on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Adjournment Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 8:16 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk