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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.04.22 CC Packet - WorkshopAGENDA HUGO CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024 6:00 PM ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Discussion Topics • Bridges • Hugo Fire Department • Shoreland Ordinance • Cannabis Regulations 3. Direction to Staff 4. Adjournment BACKGROUND FOR WORKSHOP ON MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024 AT 6 PM Bridges Forest Road Bridge – Staff will provide an update on the bridge condition, discuss traffic volumes and other access considerations, review high level costs associated with bridge replacement vs. removal and potential timeline for each. Fable Hills Bridge – Staff will provide an update on the condition of the bridge based on recent inspections, review current and projected Local Planning Index (rating), funding mechanisms and potential timeline for repair/replacement. Staff recommends the City Council discuss the status of the bridges and how to move forward. Hugo Fire Department Staff will give an update on fire department staffing, operations, and the leadership structure. Staff will provide suggested recommendations for organizational changes. Staff recommends the City Council discuss the recommendations and how to move forward. Shoreland Ordinance The EDA has been discussing the future of the City owned property in downtown. They have approved a marketing plan the property. With the approval they made a recommendation to start the process with the DNR on amending and updating the shoreland ordinance to include implementation flexibility. Implementation flexibility allows local governments to deviate from certain shoreland rules in the State Statute, but will require incorporation of restrictive or higher standards in other areas of the shoreland ordinance. It is in staff’s opinion that the shoreland ordinance should be reviewed and updated. The shoreland ordinance is out of date and there are other benefits to updating the ordinance that will give the City more administrative approvals. Staff recommends the City Council discuss amending the shoreland ordinance and authorizing staff to start the ordinance amendment process. Cannabis In 2022, the Legislature legalized the sale and use of edible cannabinoid products but provided no parameter for the sale of these products. A new law enacted at the end of the 2023 Legislative Session legalized adult–use cannabis in Minnesota and established a regulatory framework over the cannabis industry. As of August 1, adults who are 21 years and older will be able to possess marijuana with certain restrictions. Included in this new law is the creation of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) that will be responsible for licensing all cannabis related businesses. Cannabis businesses can include, retail, cultivation/growing, manufacturing, testing, and processing. The OCM predicted it will have procedures in place by January 1, 2025. The City has adopted an interim ordinance to place a moratorium until January 1, 2025, on the businesses involving these products to allow the City to consider restrictions on the time, place, and manner of operation of cannabis businesses. Staff will provide an overview of land use and zoning topics related to cannabis businesses. Staff recommends the City Council discuss general land use and zoning policies for cannabis businesses. Implementation Flexibility Local governments wanting to deviate from shoreland rule provision must request approval of those changes through the implementation flexibility process under Minnesota Rules 6120.2800 Subp. 3 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/) Implementation flexibility is intended to address specific circumstances where compliance with specific provisions causes problems. Examples include: Heavily developed shoreland areas where development, existing prior to adoption of a shoreland ordinance, does not meet shoreland standards. Central business districts located in shoreland. Small cities where records of past development indicate that little shoreland development has occurred or is anticipated. Shorelands of river with a “Tributary” classification. Counties, or portions of counties, where vegetation or topography makes use of particular minimum standards impractical. Shorelands that are managed under other water and related land resource management programs authorized by state or federal laws (such as Wilds and Scenic Rivers, Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, Lower St. Croix Riverway) with goals compatible with the Shoreland Act and rules. Individual lakes or systems of lakes that are being managed under standards developed specifically for those waters after a comprehensive study and planning effort. ? Offsetting Alternate Approaches DNR approval of deviations to these provisions will usually require offsetting higher standards on other provisions. Local governments seeking flexibility, in most situations, should propose alternative approaches. These approaches should be related to and proportional to the impact of the requested flexibility. These approaches may include: The use of more restrictive or “higher” standards to offset the requested flexibility. The use of standards or management approaches developed for specific water bodies based on comprehensive study and planning. Flexibility is not allowed in the following areas: Standards incorporated from other state and federal regulations. Standards that conflict with other state and federal regulations. Statutory shoreland boundaries. Approval Process Shoreland Ordinance Topic DNR approval of flexibility must be obtained during the preliminary review step, before submitting a near-final ordinance or amendment for conditional approval. Local governments seeking flexibility must: Identify proposed flexibility on the shoreland ordinance/amendment checklist. On the checklist, explain the reasons for the flexibility and propose alternative approaches to offset the flexibility. Contact your DNR Area Hydrologist (PDF) (https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/area_hydros.pdf) to negotiate a flexibility agreement. You and your DNR Area Hydrologist must agree on the flexibility and offsetting alternative approaches before submitting a near-final ordinance or amendment for conditional approval. Q u e s t i o n s ? 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