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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.10.07 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, October 7, 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 September 14, 2024, Hopkins Schoolhouse Fundraiser Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the Hopkins Schoolhouse Fundraiser held on September 14, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the September 16, 2024, Council Meeting Strub made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the Council meeting held on September 16, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the September 19, 2024, Joint Workshop Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes for the Joint Workshop held with the Planning Commission on September 19, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 2 of 8 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 Finance Director Anna Wobse 3. Approve Daniel Koch as New Historical Commissioner 4. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion 5. Approve Partnership Agreement between Washington Conservation District and Members of EMWREP-Lower St. Croix Water Education Program 6. Approve JPA with Washington County for Mass Emergency Notification System (Code Red) 7. Approve Resolution Appointing Election Judges for the 2024 General Election 8. Approve Resolution Approving Minor Subdivision on Jefferey Avenue-Craig Anderson 9. Approve Resolution Approving CUP for Accessory Apartment at 17200 Keystone Avenue-Scott and Leann Neamy 10. Approve Ordinance Allowing Tobacco Shops as Permitted Use in Central Business District 11. Approve Ordinance Amending the Controlled Shooting Area Map 12. Approve Reduction in Letter of Credit for Meadows at Hugo 2nd Addition 13. Approve Reduction in Letter of Credit for The Shores of Oneka 3rd and 4th Additions All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Finance Director Anna Wobse Anna Wobse was hired as the City’s Accounting Clerk on October 27, 2008. In March 2018, Council approved Anna as the new Finance Coordinator and in October 2021 as the new Finance Director. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Finance Director Anna Wobse. Approve Daniel Koch as New Historical Commissioner There were vacant positions on the Historical Commission for a regular member and two associate members. Daniel Koch had applied to be on the Commission, and the Commission requested Council formally appoint him as a regular member. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Daniel Koch as a new Historical Commissioner with a term ending December 31, 2024. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion The Hugo Lions Club requested to donate $1,000 to the Hugo Fire Department for equipment and training. Donations to the Fire Department must be approved by the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $1000 from the Hugo American Legion to the Hugo Fire Department. Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 3 of 8 Approve Partnership Agreement between Washington Conservation District and Members of EMWREP-Lower St. Croix Water Education Program In March 2016, Council first approved membership to the East Metro Water Resource Education Program (EMWREP) as part of the SWPPP educational component. This was an agreement between Washington Conservation District and Members of the EMWREP with common objective to educate citizens about water resources, stormwater, and groundwater management. This partnership allowed the City to more efficiently deliver water resource education and meet the MS4 permit education requirement. This agreement was renewed for another three years in both January 2019 and January 2022 and was set to expire in January 2025. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the agreement between Washington Conservation District and members of the EMWREP in the annual amount of $3500 for another three years. Approve JPA with Washington County for Mass Emergency Notification System (Code Red) The City’s current Joint Powers Agreement with Washington County for Code Red was set to expire on December 31, 2024. The new agreement would go into effect on January 1, 2025, and would remain in effect until one or both parties terminated the agreement. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the JPA with Washington County for the Mass Emergency Notification System (Code Red). Approve Resolution Appointing Election Judges for the 2024 General Election The Hugo City Council needed to pass a resolution approving the appointment of election judges for the General Election on November 5, 2024. Staff had prepared a resolution with a list of 55 judges who have signed up to work the General Election and have completed the required training. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2024-43 APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024, GENERAL ELECTION. Approve Resolution Approving Minor Subdivision on Jefferey Avenue - Craig Anderson Craig Anderson had requested a minor subdivision of an unaddressed parcel located on Jeffrey Avenue North. The request was to split the 20-acre parcel into two 10-acre parcels. At its September 26, 2024, meeting, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the request and voted unanimously to recommend approval. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2024-44 APPROVING A MINOR SUBDIVISION FOR CRAIG ANDERSON FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON JEFFREY AVENUE NORTH. Approve Resolution Approving CUP for Accessory Apartment at 17200 Keystone Avenue- Scott and Leann Neamy Scott and LeAnn Neamy had requested approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for the construction of a 900 square foot building addition to be used as an accessory apartment on their property located at 17200 Keystone Avenue North. Accessory apartments were allowed as a conditional use in the Agricultural zoning district. At its September 26, 2024, meeting, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on request and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the CUP. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2024-45 Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 4 of 8 APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR SCOTT AND LEANN NEAMY TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESSORY APARTMENT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 17220 KEYSTONE AVENUE NORTH. Approve Ordinance Allowing Tobacco Shops as Permitted Use in Central Business District At its meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on a text amendment to allow tobacco shops as a permitted use in the Central business Districts. After discussion, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance approving the text amendment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved ORDINANCE 2024-534 AMENDING CHAPTER 90, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 90-103 TO ADD TOBACCO SHOP AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. Approve Ordinance Amending the Controlled Shooting Area Map At its June 3, 2024, meeting, Council authorized staff to draft an amendment to the Shooting Ordinance to update the Controlled Shooting Area Map. This map was adopted as part of the Shooting Ordinance in May 2010 and identified areas in the City where there were restrictions on shooting. Staff had amended the map to expand the controlled shooting area to include properties that had since been developed with neighborhood homes and parks. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved ORDINANCE 2024-535 AMENDING CHAPTER 50, SECTION 50-1 SHOOTING REGULATIONS TO AMEND THE CONTROLLED SHOOTING AREA. Approve Reduction in Letter of Credit for Meadows at Hugo 2nd Addition Meadows at Hugo 2nd Addition had significant work completed to date, and Centra Homes, LLC had requested a reduction in the letter of credit. Staff had inspected the work completed to date and recommended reducing the letter of credit by $907,862 based on the value of work remaining to be completed. The remaining value of the letter of credit would be in the amount of $100,873, which is 10% of the original amount. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reduction in the letter of credit for Meadows at Hugo 2nd Addition. Approve Reduction in Letter of Credit for The Shores of Oneka 3rd and 4th Additions The Shores of Oneka 3rd and 4th Additions had significant work completed to date and the developer had requested a reduction in the letter of credit for both the 3rd and 4th Additions. Staff had inspected the work completed to date and recommended reducing the letter of credit to $356,760 based on the value of work remaining to be completed. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reduction of the letter of credit to $81,267 based on the value of work remaining to be completed. Proposed Assessments for 2024 125th Street and Dellwood Ridge Neighborhood Street Project On April 15, 2024, City Council awarded the contract for the 2024 125th Street and Dellwood Ridge Street Improvements Project to Dresel Contracting. At the September 3, 2024, regular Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution declaring costs to be assessed for the project and scheduled the assessment hearing on the proposed assessments for October 7, 2024. The Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 5 of 8 Notice of Assessment Hearing had been published in the official newspaper and mailed to the owners of each parcel described in the assessment roll at least two weeks prior to the hearing. City Engineer Mark Erichson provided background on previous meetings held with the residents on the road project and Council actions. He explained that Heather and Upper Heather Avenue were complete reconstruction projects, and 125th was a reclamation project. He showed before and after photos of the project areas. The total projects cost was $2,877,000. City funds were used to pay for $2,618,500 of the cost, and $258,500 was assessed to benefiting property owners, which was less than ten percent of the total project costs. According to the City’s assessment policy, parcels receiving the complete reconstruction were assessed $5,200 per unit, and those receiving the reclamation project were assessed $3,500 per unit. Mark showed on a map the area being assessed and explained how corner lots were prorated, and larger lots were assessed based on the number of units that could be created according to zoning. He talked about the MN Statute that governs the process for assessments saying this evening would be the second of two required public hearings. Assessments would be spread over ten years at 5.10 percent interest rate. They could be prepaid by November 6, 2024. After that, assessments would be certified to the County for taxes payable in 2025. The property owner could pay the remaining balance in any subsequent year by November 15. He explained there was a senior citizen deferral if hardship criteria was met. He requested the Council hold the public hearing and approved the resolution adopting the assessments. Mayor Weidt opened the public hearing. There were no comments, and Weidt closed the public hearing. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2024 – 46 ADOPTING ASSESSMENTS FOR THE 2024 125TH STREET AND DELLWOOD RIDGE STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. Upon Roll Call- Ayes: Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried. Recap of Workshop on Solar Farms and Residential Zoning Text Amendments A joint workshop was held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, with the Planning Commission to discuss the solar farm ordinance and residential zoning standards. Community Development Director Rachel Juba provided Council with a recap of the meeting beginning with the history of the City’s ordinance and concerns residents had about solar farms changing the character of the area. There was discussion about increasing the required parcel size, setbacks, and locating them on wetlands and floodplains. There was agreement to send the ordinance back to the Ordinance Review Committee. An ordinance text amendment prohibiting solar farms had been tabled at the July 15, 2024, Council meeting. Staff recommended they take it off the table and withdraw the application, have the ordinance reviewed by the ORC, and hold a public hearing at the Planning Commission. Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 6 of 8 The current moratorium would end November 20, and staff further recommended Council direct staff to draft an interim ordinance extending the moratorium for another six months. Weidt made motion, Strub seconded, to withdraw the ordinance text amendment prohibiting solar farms. All Ayes. Motin carried. Miron made motion, Petryk second, to authorize staff to revise the ordinance, have it reviewed by ORC, and consider the Planning Commission hold a public hearing. All Aye. Motion carried. Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to draft an interim ordinance to extend moratorium on solar farm for six months. All Ayes. Motion carried. Also discussed at the workshop was residential zoning standards. There was discussion about updating the code for usability, revising definitions, decreasing the reliance on PUD’s, and updating design guidelines. There was also discussion on creating a new district. Rachel said feedback at the workshop included comments on smaller multifamily developments, smaller apartments and lot sizes, and housing affordability. A developer’s roundtable was scheduled for October 29 where the information would be discussed. Another joint workshop to review a draft text amendment and design guidelines will be held sometime in late 2024 or early 2025. Recap of Waters Edge Community Meeting The Waters Edge Homeowners Association met with the residents to talk about concerns related to crimes, specifically thefts and door kicks. When staff learned of these concerns, staff scheduled a neighbor meeting with the Waters Edge Community for Wednesday, September 2, 2024, at the Pete Pedersen Pavilion to discuss public safety. The meeting was attended by Washington County Commander Halverson, Sergeant Zerwas, Mayor Weidt, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, City Administrator Bryan Bear, and Council member Phil Klein. City Administrator Bryan Bear provided a recap of that meeting saying there was a focus on education, awareness, and sharing. There was discussion on reporting crimes and curfew violations. Bear said there was also some discussion on the role of child protection services, and he provided information on a nationwide viral social media TikTok trend called “the door kick challenge”. This challenge was intended to be a prank to make the occupants of the home think they were being invaded. Bryan said the same activities had occurred in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, and other places. Residents had also requested the City consider a rental housing ordinance. Bryan recalled that being a topic of discussion about 12-13 years ago, and City had decided not to adopt an ordinance after comments from the public. Bear suggested Council could consider a rental housing ordinance as a goal for 2025, but staff could accelerate it if Council wished. Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 7 of 8 The Council commented on the growth of the City and the need to look at the rental ordinance again. The also commented on the need to put an end to the TikTok door kick challenge. Bear said the Washington County Sheriff’s Department was very aware of it, and he encouraged folks to share any information they had. Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to move forward with consideration of a rental ordinance and directed staff to look into options on rental properties and bring it as a goal for 2025. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule Neighborhood Meetings for 2025 Street Project for Tuesday, October 22, 2024 City Administrator Bryan Bear requested Council schedule a meeting to attend neighborhood meetings on the proposed 2025 street improvement projects to be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The meeting to discuss street improvements in the Beaver Ponds Development area would be held from 6-7 p.m. The meeting to discuss street improvements in Duck Pass and Palmes Long Lake Estates Developments and in the Ingersoll Avenue North neighborhood would be held from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Both meetings would take place in the Peder Pedersen Pavilion. Klein made motion, Strub seconded, to schedule the neighborhood meetings for Tuesday, October 22, 2024. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule Board of Canvass for Tuesday, November 12, 2024 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council the Board of Canvass was required to meet between 3-10 days after the General Election on November 5, 2024. Hugo City Council acts as the Board of Canvass. Staff recommended Council schedule the Board of Canvass meeting for Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Klein made motion, Strub seconded, to schedule board of canvas meeting for Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Schedule Holiday Party for Thursday, December 5, 2024 Annually, Council held a holiday party in appreciation for staff and commissioners. City Administrator Bryan Bear recommended Council schedule the holiday party for Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the Peder Pedersen Pavilion. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to schedule the Holiday Party for Thursday, December 5, 2024. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 8 of 8 Adjournment Klein made motion, Strub seconded, to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk