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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.01.06 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, January 6, 2025 7:00 p.m. Oath of Office Tom Weidt was sworn in as Mayor, Mike Miron was sworn in as Council Member at Large, and Ben Krull was sworn in as Council Member Ward 2. Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance COUNCIL PRESENT: Krull, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt COUNCIL ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Administrator Dave Snyder, City Engineer Mark Erichson, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of Minutes for December 16, 2024, Environmental Center Ribbon Cutting Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, approve the minutes for the Environmental Center Ribbon Cutting event on December 16, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the December 16, 2024, City Council Meeting Petryk made motion, Strub seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on December 16, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the December 18, 2024, Emergency and Disaster Training Meeting Miron made motion, Strub seconded, to approve the minutes for the Emergency and Disaster Training meeting on December 18, 2024, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the agenda as written. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 2 of 10 Northeast Youth & Family Services – Director of Operations Jessie Everts Jessie Everts, Director of Operations at NYFS, was in attendance to provide their annual report. She shared NYFS’s vision and values. She explained that the organization was founded in 1976 and has locations in Shoreview and White Bear Lake. They started with four staff members and two programs and have since grown to 45 staff members and six programs. Their work focuses on tailoring treatments and reducing financial barriers to care. Jessie explained that NYFS partners with 16 municipalities, five law enforcement agencies, three school districts, and the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department. Over the past year, there has been a 48% increase in clients served and a 107% increase in appointments. She discussed their clinic-based and school-based mental health programs, noting that therapists are embedded within the school districts. She provided information on various programs and highlighted their newest initiative, the Restoring Power Program, which addresses domestic and sexual violence. She noted that they are seeing more severe mental health cases while facing fewer available resources, emphasizing the importance of a family-centered approach. NYFS is currently working on sustainability, staff well-being, clinical training, and establishing a training site and Steps Program. Other initiatives include expanding Built Play Therapy services, increasing group therapy and parental support, enhancing early childhood mental health services for children ages 0-5, and implementing restorative parenting programs for families affected by trauma. Approval of Consent Agenda Petryk made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda. 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Inspector Scott Baller 3. Approve Annual Performance Review for Community Development Director Rachel Juba 4. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Neal Nelson 5. Approve Annual Performance Review for Accounting Clerk Jennifer Taylor 6. Approve Appointment of Mike Miron as Acting Mayor 7. Approve Renewal of Term for Planning Commissioners Matthew Derr and Michael Kelly 8. Approve Renewal of Terms for Parks Commissioners Meredith St. Pierre and Valerie Boyd 9. Approve Renewal of Terms for Historical Commissioners Scott Cregan and Daniel Koch 10. Approve Renewal of Term for EDA Commissioner John Chrun 11. Approve Appointment of Bronwen Kleissler as Chair and Matthew Derr as Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission 12. Approve Appointment of Meredith St. Pierre as Chair and Cathy Moore-Arcand as Vice- Chair of the Parks Commission 13. Approve Reassignment of Neal Arcand from the EDA to the Parks Commission and Declare EDA Vacancy Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 3 of 10 14. Approve Appointment of Brad LeTourneau as Chair of Historical Commission 15. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt and Ben Krull as Council Representatives on the EDA 16. Approve Appointment of Mayor Tom Weidt, Planning Commissioner Cindy Petty, and Resident Scott Arcand to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments 17. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments 18. Approve Appointment of WSB as City Engineer 19. Approve Appointment of Landform as City Planner 20. Approve Appointment of Johnson & Turner as City Attorney 21. Approve Appointment of Baker Tilly as Financial Advisor 22. Approve Appointment of US Bank as Depository for City Funds 23. Approve Appointment of The Citizen as Official Newspaper 24. Approve Appointments to Hugo Firefighter Relief Association 25. Approve Appointments to the Ordinance Review Committee 26. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion 27. Approve Contract with Northeast Youth and Family Services for 2025 28. Approve Animal Control Service Contracts with Companion Animal Control 29. Approve Ordinance Amending Chapter 10-Animals, Changing Impound from Ten Days to Five Days. 30. Approve Release of Letter of Credit for Adelaide Landing 5 th and 6th Addition All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Inspector Scott Baller Scott Baller was hired by the City as a Building Inspector on January 1, 2006. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Building Inspector Scott Baller. Approve Annual Performance Review for Community Development Director Rachel Juba Rachel Juba was hired as the Associate Planner on January 2, 2007, and promoted to Planner in 2010, then Community Development Director in May 2018. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Community Development Director Rachel Juba. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Neal Nelson Neal Nelson was hired on January 3, 2017, as a Public Works Worker. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Annual Performance Review for Neal Nelson. Approve Annual Performance Review for Accounting Clerk Jennifer Taylor At its January 8, 2024, meeting, Council approved the hiring of Jennifer Taylor as the new Accounting Clerk beginning on January 29, 2024. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Accounting Clerk Jennifer Taylor. Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 4 of 10 Approve Appointment of Mike Miron as Acting Mayor Each year, the Council appoints a member of the Council for the position of Acting Mayor. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Council Member Mike Miron as Acting Mayor for the year 2025. Approve Renewal of Term for Planning Commissioners Matthew Derr and Michael Kelly The term for Planning Commissioners Matthew Derr and Michael Kelly expired on December 31, 2024. Both had indicated they would like to be reappointed for another four-year term. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Commissioners Matthew Derr and Michael Kelly for another four-year term on the Planning Commission to expire December 31, 2028. Approve Renewal of Terms for Parks Commissioners Meredith St. Pierre and Valerie Boyd Terms for Parks Commissioners Meredith St. Pierre and Valerie Boyd expired on December 31, 2024. Both had indicated they would like to be reappointed for another three-year term. Staff recommends Council approve the reappointment of Meredith St. Pierre and Valerie Boyd for another three-year term on the Parks Commission to expire on December 31, 2027. Approve Renewal of Terms for Historical Commissioners Scott Cregan and Daniel Koch Terms for Historical Commissioners Scott Cregan and Daniel Koch expired on December 31, 2024. Both had indicated they would like to be reappointed for another three-year term. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Scott Cregan and Daniel Koch for another three-year term to expire on December 31, 2027. Approve Renewal of Term for EDA Commissioner John Chrun The term for EDA Commissioner John Chrun expired on December 31, 2024. John indicated he would like to be reappointed for another six-year term. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Commissioner John Chrun for another six-year term on the EDA Commission to expire December 31, 2030. Approve Appointment of Bronwen Kleissler as Chair and Matthew Derr as Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission Annually, Council appoints a member of the Planning Commission to serve as Chair of the Commission. Bronwen Kleissler had been serving as the Chair of the Planning Commission since August 2015, and Matt Derr was appointed as Vice-Chair in March 2022. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Bronwen Kleissler as the Chair and Matthew Derr as Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission for 2025. Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 5 of 10 Approve Appointment of Meredith St. Pierre as Chair and Cathy Moore-Arcand as Vice- Chair of the Parks Commission Annually, the City Council appoints members of the Parks Commission to serve as chair and vice-chair. Meredith St. Pierre was appointed as the Chair of the Parks Commission in September 2022. Cathy Moore-Arcand had served as Vice-Chair since January 2017. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Meredith St. Pierre as Chair and Cathy Moore-Arcand as Vice-Chair for the Parks and Recreation Commission for 2025 Approve Reassignment of Neil Arcand from the EDA to the Parks Commission and Declare EDA Vacancy Current EDA Commissioner Neil Arcand had expressed interest in serving on the parks commission. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reassignment of Neil Arcand from the EDA to the Parks Commission for a term ending on December 31, 2026, and declared a vacancy on the EDA. Approve Appointment of Brad Letourneau as Chair of Historical Commission Annually, the City Council appoints a member of the Historical Commission to serve as the Chair of the Commission. Brad Letourneau had served as the Chair of the Commission since September 2023. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Brad as the Chair of the Historical Commission for 2025. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt and Ben Krull as Council Representatives on the EDA Annually, Council appoints two representatives from the Hugo City Council to serve on the Economic Development Authority (EDA). Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Mayor Weidt and Council Member Krull to serve as the Council Representatives on the EDA for 2025. Approve Appointment of Mayor Tom Weidt, Planning Commissioner Cindy Petty, and Resident Scott Arcand to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments Annually, the Hugo City Council appoints a member of the Planning Commission, City Council, and a resident to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments. Tom Weidt had agreed to continue to serve another year as the City Council representative, and Cindy Petty had agreed to serve as the Planning Commission representative, and Scott Arcand agreed to serve as the resident representative. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Tom Weidt as the City Council representative, and Cindy Petty as the Planning Commission representative, and Scott Arcand as the resident representative on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments for one-year terms. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Adjustments Annually, Council approves appointment of Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment Board Member Tom Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments for 2025. Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 6 of 10 Approve Appointment of WSB as City Engineer WSB Engineers had been the City Engineer for the past 21 years. WSB Engineers requested to continue to provide this service to the City with an average rate adjustment of 5.75%. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of WSB Engineers and Mark Erichson as the City Engineer for 2025. Approve Appointment of Landform as City Planner Kendra Lindahl from Landform had worked over the past 22 years as the City Planner. Landform requested to continue to provide this service to the City at a revised rate schedule. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Kendra Lindahl as the City Planner/Planning Consultant for the year 2025. Approve Appointment of Johnson & Turner as City Attorney City Attorney Dave Snyder had served the City with the law firm of Johnson & Turner for the past several years. Johnson & Turner requested to continue to provide legal services to the City at the adjusted rate schedule. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of David K. Snyder and the Johnson & Turner Law Firm as the City Attorney for the year 2025. Approve Appointment of Baker Tilly as Financial Advisor Financial Advisors Chris Hogan, Mikaela Huot and the other members of the Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP team had served the City over the years on a wide variety of projects. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, as the City’s financial advisors for the year 2025. Approve Appointment of US Bank as Depository for City Funds Each year, Council selects a depository/bank for the deposit of City funds. For many years, Council had selected the local Hugo branch of US Bank. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved U.S. Bank-Hugo as the official depository for City funds for 2025. Approve Appointment of The Citizen as Official Newspaper Each year, Council selects a newspaper as the official publication for all public notices and publishing of ordinances. For the past 15 years, the City Council appointed The Citizen as the City’s new official newspaper, and The Citizen would like to continue to provide this service at a rate increase from $13.99 to $14.69 per column inch. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved The Citizen as the City’s official newspaper for 2025. Approve Appointments to Hugo Firefighter Relief Association Minnesota State Statute required the official appointment of the ex-officio members of the Hugo Fire Department Relief Association Board. Council needed to appoint two elected or appointed members. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Mayor Tom Weidt and Finance Director Anna Wobse as ex-officio members of the Hugo Fire Department Relief Association Board. Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 7 of 10 Approve Appointments to the Ordinance Review Committee In 2009, the Council formally established the Ordinance Review Committee to make recommendations on new ordinances and changes to existing ordinance. The Committee consists of three Planning Commissioners and two City Council Members. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the appointment of Planning Commissioners Bronwen Kleissler, Mike Granger, and Phil Klein and Council Members Mike Miron and Ben Krull to the ORC. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion The Hugo American Legion 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 Contract with Northeast Youth and Family Services for 2025 Over the past several years, the City had entered into an agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services to support programs for Hugo families related to counseling, intervention, and enrichment. Through this agreement, the City sponsored NYFS by providing financial support. In the 2025 budget, Council approved $17,671 in funding for their youth diversion services. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services. Approve Animal Control Service Contracts with Companion Animal Care The City had contracted with Companion Animal Control and Otter Lake Animal Care since 2016 for animal control and impound services. Otter Lake had determined they are no longer able to provide impound services beginning January 1, 2025. Companion Animal Control was constructing a new impound facility in Oakdale to be completed in May 2025. In the interim, Northwoods Humane Society would provide impound services. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Animal Control Service Agreement Pricing Addendum and Animal Companion Care Impound Service Agreement effective January 1, 2025. Approve Ordinance Amending Chapter 10-Animals Changing Impound from Ten Days to Five Days MN State Statute 346.47 on seized animals only required an animal to be impounded for five days and not ten days as required in Hugo City Code. According to the owner of Companion Animal Care, the longer hold period expose animals to unnecessary stress of waiting at the impound before being sent to a foster rescue. In addition, longer holds would cost the City additional impound fees for unclaimed animals. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved ORDINANCE 2025-538 AMENDING CHAPTER 10 -ANIMALS, ARTICLE II – DOGS. Approve Release of the Letter of Credit for Adelaide Landing 5th and 6th Additions OP5 Adelaide, LLC, the developer, had requested the City release their letter of credit for Adelaide 5th and 6th Additions. City staff had inspected the work, and the warranty period had expired. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the release of the letter of credit being held Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 8 of 10 for the constructed improvements of the Adelaide 5th and 6th Additions. Approve Ordinance on Cannabis and Ordinance Amending Fee Schedule and Related Summary Ordinances for Publication At its November 18, 2024, meeting, the City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance regulating cannabis businesses within the City of Hugo and provided high-level direction on certain ordinance items. Staff received additional feedback from the EDA at its November 19, 2024, meeting and from the Ordinance Review Committee before drafting the ordinance. Staff proposed an ordinance that created definitions, allowed cannabis retail businesses in commercial zoning districts and all other cannabis business types in industrial zoning districts, established a process for cannabis businesses to register with the city, and created performance standards for cannabis businesses. The Planning Commission had reviewed the ordinance and held a public hearing at its December 12, 2024, meeting. Two people spoke at the hearing, both requesting that cannabis cultivation be allowed as a conditional use in rural zoning districts. The Planning Commission discussed the ordinance and the request from the public and was generally comfortable with the proposed ordinance as written. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend its approval to the City Council. Staff also proposed a set of fees related to cannabis business registration and penalties to be added to the city’s fee schedule. A member of the audience, Dean Anderson, requested that this item be removed from the Consent Agenda. Dean Anderson, of 7503 177th, spoke about efforts to help the City better understand the cannabis industry and said the City was taking a cautious approach by being more restrictive. He talked about the revisions they had proposed, which he felt had not been given much consideration. He requested a clear answer regarding a plan forward or an explanation of why cannabis was not classified as an agricultural product. He stated that he did not see cannabis as being different from any other product and expressed willingness to work with the City to find middle ground. Mayor Weidt recalled that Dean had attended meetings on the moratorium, met with staff, and presented their proposed revisions and opinions to the Planning Commission. Weidt stated that the Planning Commission had considered the revisions and ultimately voted to approve the ordinance as proposed. He asked Dean if it was fair to say there was no support for their revisions, and Dean agreed. Weidt noted that the ordinance had come to the Council with a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Planning Commission. Weidt then asked the Council if they wanted to open the topic for further discussion, but the Council showed no interest in doing so. The Mayor explained that public feedback had been taken at the hearing and that the Planning Commission had made its decision based on its opinion and judgment. He added that the Council follows a similar process and that the Ordinance Review Committee provides an ongoing opportunity to revise ordinances as needed. Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 9 of 10 Josh Wickander, of 6121 Goodview Trail Court North, shared personal experiences of how cannabis had negatively affected his life. He acknowledged the state's requirements limited the City’s ability to prevent cannabis businesses. He said he did not want it in the community and wanted it as strict as possible, policed, and held to the highest standard. Miron made motion, Krull seconded, to approve ORDINANCE 2025 – 539 RELATING TO AND REGULATING CANNABIS AND CANNABIS BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY OF HUGO, and ORDINANCE 2025-540 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 30-2, FEE SCHEDULE, TO INCLUDE FEES FOR CANNABIS BUSINESSES AND CANNABIS LAW VIOLATIONS and the associated summary ordinances. All ayes. Motion carried. Reminder – Fire Department Banquet Saturday, January 18, 2025 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they had scheduled a meeting to attend the Hugo Fire Department Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Hugo American Legion beginning at 5 p.m. Reminder - Council Goal Setting Session Monday, January 27, 2025 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they had scheduled their Annual Goal Setting Session for Monday, January 27, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Schedule Lions Club 50th Anniversary on Sunday, February 2, 2025 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council the Lions Club invited them to their 50th Anniversary Celebration to be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Pede Pedersen Pavilion. Petryk made motion, Strub seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the Lions Club 50th Anniversary Celebration. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization for Thursday, April 3, 2025 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council Washington County had requested the Council schedule the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 pm. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for Thursday, April 3, 2025. Al Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2025 Page 10 of 10 Adjournment Krull made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 7:38 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk