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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.08.05 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, August 5, 2024 7:00 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance COUNCIL PRESENT: Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt COUNCIL ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Mark Erichson, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of Minutes for the July 15, 2024, City Council Meeting Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on July 15, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the July 22, 2024, Commissioner Interviews Strub made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes for the commissioner interviews held on July 22, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the July 29, 2024, Glacial Hills Trail Open House Klein made motion, Strub Seconded, to approve the minutes for the Glacial Hills Trail Open House held on July 29, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as amended by adding approval to hire Phoebe Brown as the new Community Development Intern . All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2024 Page 2 of 8 Swearing in and Badge Pinning Ceremony for Firefighter Allysa Nadeau At its July 15, 2024, Hugo City Council meeting, the City Council approved the promotion of Firefighter Allysa Nadeau to Engineer on the Fire Department with a start date of August 1, 2024. Chief Jim Compton, Jr. explained Allysa had been with the Department since December 2021, recently completed a Fire Apparatus Operator course at Century College, and passed a state certification test. She was the 2023 Firefighter of the Year. Alyssa is a registered nurse and mother of three. Compton explained swearing in ceremonies of firefighters will now include the pinning ceremony. Compton swore her in, and her daughter performed the pinning Alyssa thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve in this role. Yellow Ribbon Network Update – Chair Chuck Haas Hugo Yellow Ribbon Network Chair Chuck Haas provided Council with an update on recent activities of the Hugo YRN. He shared slides of care package events, burger nights, and volunteers who work Family Day at Arden Hills. He shared an article written about the YRN in a local magazine. He talked about the Military Youth Hunt and their new sponsor, Comcast Sports Channel, who will be providing a wild game dinner. He said they are getting a lot of support from the community and will soon be celebrating their 15th anniversary. He thanked Council and staff for their support. Approval of Consent Agenda Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda. 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Supervisor Mike Loeffler 3. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Director Scott Anderson 4. Approve Annual Performance Review for Associate Planner Max Gort 5. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Matt Klein 6. Approve Hiring of Madison Siebenaler as Public Works Seasonal Employe 7. Approve Appointment of Andrew Reding as a New Parks Commissioner 8. Approve Appointment of Victor Shevchuk as New EDA Member 9. Approve Donation from Thomas Lowenberg to the Hugo Fire Department 10. Approve Amendments to the Policy Regulating the Use of Public Facilities 11. Approve Ordinance Amendment for Egress Windows 12. Approve Updated CDBG and HOME Program Cooperative Agreement with Washington County 13. Approval of Sale of Surplus Public Works and Fire Department Equipment 14. Approve PUD Amendment, Site Plan, Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, and Development Agreement for Oneka Fields Apartments 15. Approve Lake Center for Youths and Families Agreement 16. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 5910 Freeland Court N. 17. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement 15510 Goodview Trail N. Council Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2024 Page 3 of 8 18. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Shoot for the Troops Event on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 19. Approve Hiring of Phoebe Brown as New Community Development Intern All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Supervisor Mike Loeffler Mike Loeffler was hired as a Maintenance Worker for the City of Hugo’s Public Works Department on August 5, 2002. On October 17, 2011, Mike was promoted to Public Works Lead Worker. In 2023, he was promoted to Public Works Supervisor. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Public Works Supervisor Mike Loeffler. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Director Scott Anderson Scott Anderson was hired by the City of Hugo on August 11, 2003, as a Senior Engineering Technician, and on August 5, 2008, Scott was promoted as the City’s Public Works Director. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Public Works Director Scott Anderson. Approve Annual Performance Review for Associate Planner Max Gort Max Gort was hired as the new Associate Planner with the start date of August 8, 2022. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Annual Performance Review for Associate Planner Max Gort. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Matt Klein Public Works Worker Matt Klein was hired by the City of Hugo on August 27, 2012. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Matt Klein. Approve Hiring of Madison Siebenaler as Public Works Seasonal Employe All Public Works seasonal employees were returning to school. Madison Siebenaler was a former seasonal employee who was looking to return while she searches for full time employment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the hiring of Madison Siebenaler as a Public Works seasonal employee Approve Appointment of Andrew Reding as a New Parks Commissioner On July 22, 2024, Council conducted interviews with three individuals who applied for vacancies on the City’s Commissions. Council determined that Andrew Reding was best fit to Council Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2024 Page 4 of 8 fill the vacancy on the Parks Commission. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Andrew Reding as a new member of the Park Commission. Approve Appointment of Victor Shevchuk as New EDA Member On July 22, 2024, Council conducted interviews with three individuals who applied for vacancies on the City’s Commissions. Council determined that Victor Shevchuk was best fit to fill the vacancy on the EDA. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Victor Shevchuk as a new member of the EDA. Approve Donation from Thomas Lowenberg to the Hugo Fire Department Thomas Lowenberg requested to donate $200 to the Hugo Fire Department. All donations to the Fire Department needed to be approved by the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $200 to the Fire Department from Thomas Lowenberg. Approve Amendments to the Policy Regulating the Use of Public Facilities The Policy Regulating the Use of the City of Hugo Public Facilities was updated in 2022 when online rentals became available. Staff had recommended minor text changes to the policy to clarify the cleanup regulations and alcohol insurance requirements. The most substantial change was to not allow open flames (candles). The changes addressed questions staff commonly receive from facility users. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Policy Regulating the Use of the City of Hugo Public Facilities. Approve Ordinance Amendment for Egress Windows   Hugo City Code allowed for lot line setback exceptions for several typical house features such as window wells/egress windows, decks, porches, and air conditioners. In reviewing this section of the code staff found that the allowance for window wells/egress windows in the side yard to encroach two feet into the setback requirement did not meet building code. Building code requires a window well/egress window to have an opening of at least three feet, an issue that had come up in a few building permits over the last year. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and considered the text amendment request at its July 25, 2024, meeting. No one spoke during the public hearing. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve the text amendment for yard regulations related to window wells/egress windows. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved ORDINANCE 2024-531 AMENDING HUGO CITY CODE, CHAPTER 90, ARTICLE II, SECTION 90-47 EXCEPTIONS TO YARD REGULATIONS. Approve Updated CDBG and HOME Program Cooperative Agreement with Washington County Washington County had offered the City continued participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) program. The next three-year cycle would begin October 1, 2024, and end September 30, 2027. The updated Cooperative Agreement between Hugo and Washington County needed to be executed by Friday August 9, Council Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2024 Page 5 of 8 2024. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Cooperative Agreement with Washington County. Approve Auction of Surplus City Equipment through Purple Wave Public Works and Fire Department staff had requested City Council approval for the sale of several pieces of City equipment that were no longer of service to the departments. Some of this equipment had been replaced and new equipment was already in service. Other pieces were simply no longer used and had been stored at Public Works and the Fire Hall. Public Works staff wanted to utilize an online auction service to facilitate the sale of this equipment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the sale of surplus equipment using an online auction format. Approve PUD Amendment, Site Plan, Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, and Development Agreement for Oneka Fields Apartments Fenway Land Company had proposed a PUD amendment, site plan, preliminary plat, final plat, and development agreement for a vacant outlot in The Shores of Oneka Lake development. The property is located at the intersection of Goodview Avenue and 159th Street. The proposal for Oneka Fields included five apartment buildings with 12 apartment units in each building for a total of 60 apartment units. This would bring the total units for The Shores of Oneka Lake PUD plan to 279 units. The project would be managed and maintained with services such as lawn care and snow removal. The Planning Commission considered and held a public hearing on the request and unanimously recommended approval of the PUD amendment, preliminary plat, and site plan for the Oneka Fields development. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2024-28 APPROVING PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) AMENDMENT, SITE PLAN, PRELIMINARY PLAT, FINAL PLAT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR “ONEKA FIELDS” APARTMENTS. Approve Lakes Center for Youths and Families Agreement 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 relating to counseling, intervention, and enrichment. Through this agreement, the City sponsors LCYF by providing financial support. In the 2024 budget, Council approved $17,073 in funding for their services. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the agreement with Lakes Center for Youth and Families. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 5910 Freeland Court N. Bradley and Jamie Anthony had requested an encroachment agreement to allow construction of a fence within a drainage and utility easement on property located at 5910 Freeland Court North. The Senior Engineering Technician had reviewed the location of the fence and was comfortable with the request. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2024-29 APPROVING AN ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A FENCE WITHIN A DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5910 FREELAND COURT NORTH. Council Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2024 Page 6 of 8 Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement 15510 Goodview Trail N. Jacob and Lydia Mussehl had requested an encroachment agreement to allow construction of a fence within a drainage and utility easement on property located at 15510 Goodview Trail North. The Senior Engineering Technician had reviewed the location of the fence and was comfortable with the request. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2024-30 APPROVING AN ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A FENCE WITHIN A DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 15510 GOODVIEW TRAIL NORTH. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Shoot for the Troops Event on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 Shoot for the Troops had applied for a Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit to hold raffles at their shooting event to be held at Wild Wings on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Gambling permits needed to be approved by the City before being issued by the state. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling permit for Shoot for the Troops. Approve Hiring of Phoebe Brown as New Community Development Intern Approved as part of the 2024 budget was the hiring of a Community Development Intern. There were eight applicants, and staff conducted interviews on July 22. This was added to the agenda with the recommendation to approve Phoebe Brown as the new intern. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Phoebe Brown as the new Community Development Intern. Public Hearing on Ordinance Extending the Cannabis Moratorium Community Development Director Rachel Juba provided background on the new legislation on cannabis. In 2022, the Legislature legalized the sale and use of edible cannabinoid products, and on August 15, 2022, the City Council approved an interim ordinance on THC products for one year in the City of Hugo. 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. Included in this new law was the creation of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) that would be responsible for licensing all cannabis related businesses. The OCM predicted it would have procedures in place by January 1, 2025. Juba explained the law also allowed cities to adopt an interim ordinance to place a moratorium until January 1, 2025, on the businesses involving these products to allow the City time to consider restrictions on the time, place, and manner of operation of cannabis businesses. The City Council approved a 12-month moratorium on July 10, 2023, and staff had now drafted an ordinance extending that moratorium until January 1, 2025. The model ordinances were available, and staff was ready to start the text amendment process. A public hearing had been scheduled for this evening to consider the interim ordinance. Miron asked if the OCM was currently licensing businesses. Juba replied that applications were being accepted until July 24, 2024, for certain applicants. The OCM will vet applicants and issue licenses. They will let Hugo know if anyone has applied for a license in the City. Mayor Weidt opened the public hearing. Council Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2024 Page 7 of 8 Dean Anderson, 7503 177th Street, said he had been looking for a place to grow cannabis on their 20 acres. He said he ran shops, was a former Minneapolis cop, and cannabis has helped him. He said he was looking forward to growing with this industry. He talked about the lack of support of small businesses, and he questioned how the Council was seeing zoning, pointing out that cities can elect to host their own dispensaries and said it may be a good way for Hugo to generate income. He said he was part of the social equity group, had approval, and needed to submit their plans by August 12. He said he takes it seriously, wants to put a plan out there, and that’s why they bought the property. Petryk talked about the confusion with the OMC and wondered if he was finding any help. Dean said he wanted to see success with the program, and the OMC had ramped up their whole team. He said they attended several of their meetings. He talked about the injustice of the social equity program because it was opened up nationwide so outsiders can come to Minnesota instead of giving preference to those living here. A woman who accompanied Dean said they bought the land in speculation they would get a license, and it would be zoned correctly. She said it’s all about education, and they wanted to help guide and be part of the conversation. She said Solace Farms was their LLC. Juba explained the process for a zoning text amendment. Proposed amendments would be shared with the Planning Commission and Council, and there would be another chance to comment at the public hearing on the text amendment. It was unclear if it was going to be considered an agricultural product. There was no other comments, and Weidt closed the public hearing. Weidt commented that the City was trying to figure out how it all fits in, and staff had the same questions as them. Miron clarified that the purpose of the ordinance was to prevent applications from being submitted until after the City determines the process. Part of the approval was direction to staff to start implementing the steps on the text amendments. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve ORDINANCE 2024-532 AN INTERIM ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE SALE, TESTING, MANUFACTURING, AND DISTRIBUTION OF CANNABINOID PRODUCTS and authorize staff to work on text amendments regulating time, place, and manner of operations of cannabis businesses. Roll call vote: Ayes-Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt Nays-None Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2024 Page 8 of 8 Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the Summary Ordinance for publication. All Ayes. Motion carried. National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they had scheduled a meeting to attend National Night Out events on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Vacancy on Browns Creek Watershed District Board of Managers City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council the terms for two board members on the Browns Creek Watershed District would be expiring on October 21, 2024. Residents interested in being appointed can contact City Hall. Adjournment Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk