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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.02.03 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, February 3, 2025 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: Krull, 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 January 6, 2025, City Council Meeting Strub made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on January 6, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the January 18, 2025, Fire Department Banquet Krull made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes for the Fire Department Banquet held on January 18, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the January 27, 2025, Goal Setting Workshop Miron made motion, Strub seconded, to approve the minutes for the Goal Setting Workshop held on January 27, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Community Development Annual Report – Associate Planner Max Gort Associate Planner Max Gort presented to Council the 2024 Community Development Annual Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025 Page 2 of 8 Report, which he explained included a review of planning applications, building department activity, projects that were approved, and ordinance updates throughout the calendar year 2024. Gort provided information on permits and planning applications submitted over the past ten years that showed last year was equal to 2023 with 41 applications. There were 180 new residential construction permits. There had been no multifamily construction for the past three years; however, two projects were approved in 2024. One project would add 89 apartment units next to Festival Foods, and the other would consist of 60 townhome style units for rent. These will likely be constructed this year. New construction peaked in 2020-2021 during COVID. There were 4,938 inspections completed. The building department conducted 756 of those in Scandia. There were 171 platted residential units available, which was fairly average. The primary new construction project in 2024 was Premier Bank, located on the corner of TH61 and 147th Street, consisting of 4,500 square feet of commercial space. Several other businesses moved to or expanded within existing buildings including Blossom Bridge Child Care, Autism Services of Minnesota, and Nystrom and Associates. The City also approved a 33,500 square foot expansion of Liberty Classical located in the old Withrow Elementary School. The City- owned property along Egg Lake has seen a number of proposals. The most recent proposal had received pushback due to the DNR’s shoreland rules, and staff will be working on finding flexibility. Staff had been working with Washington County and MnDOT on the Highway 61 Visioning Study since 2022. This study will help guide the jurisdictional transfer from the state to Washington County. Gort talked about ordinance updates that included updates to the residential zoning districts to match most recent development trends. The City recently received a $50,000 Policy Development Grant which would allow for review of all zoning districts. Landform was preparing a new scope of work. Other ordinances included the Solar Farm Ordinance (to be discussed later in the meeting), Shoreland Ordinance to find a way for flexibility with the DNR’s shoreland rules, and the Cannabis Ordinance, which was approved by the Council in January 2025. Approval of Consent Agenda Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda. 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Annual Performance Review for Finance and Public Works Administrative Assistant Jennifer Compton 3. Approve Letter of Resignation from Public Works Worker Corey Triemert 4. Approve Advertisement for Public Works Summer Seasonal Employees 5. Approve Extension of Internship for Community Development Intern Phoebe Brown 6. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Bayport American Legion 7. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion 8. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for White Bear Lake Ducks Unlimited Event on March 2, 2025 9. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Church of St. Genevieve Fish Fry on Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025 Page 3 of 8 April 11, 2025 10. Approve Lawful Gambling Excluded Bingo Permit for Chain of Lakes Rotary Event on March 29, 2025 11. Approve Temporary Liquor License for Chain of Lakes Rotary Event on Saturday, March 29, 2025 12. Approve 2025 City Council Focus Goals and Ongoing Priorities 13. Approve Final Pay Request to Schreiber Mullaney for the Pede Pedersen Pavilion All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Finance and Public Works Administrative Assistant Jennifer Compton At its February 7, 2022, meeting, Council approved the hiring of Jennifer Compton as the Finance and Public Works Administrative Assistant. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Finance and Public Works Administrative Assistant Jennifer Compton. Approve Letter of Resignation from Public Works Worker Corey Triemert Corey Triemert began employment in the City of Hugo on June 30, 2022, as a Public Works Worker. Corey recently accepted a position as the public works director at the City of North Oaks and had submitted his letter of resignation. Corey’s last day of employment with the City was January 17, 2025. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Corey’s letter of resignation Approve Advertisement for Public Works Summer Seasonal Employees Staff requested authorization to advertise and hire a total of seven seasonal employees for the Public Works Department. In the 2025 General Fund Budget, Council approved the seasonal positions. Seasonal Public Works Employees assist with mowing, garbage/litter removal, park maintenance, boulevard and general Public Works maintenance. Money had been budgeted in the 2025 General Fund Budget for these positions. These positions will not exceed 40 hours per week. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the advertisement for Public Works Summer Seasonal workers Approve Extension of Internship for Community Development Intern Phoebe Brown Phoebe Brown was hired as the Community Development Intern staring on August 12, 2024, for a six-month internship. Phoebe was currently working on several projects, and staff wanted to retain her as an intern for an additional six months at the wage of $19.25 per hour. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the six-month extension of the internship for Phoebe Brown. Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025 Page 4 of 8 Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Bayport American Legion The Bayport American Legion wanted to donate $5,000 to the Hugo Fire Department from gambling 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 $5,000 to the Hugo Fire Department. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion The Hugo American Legion wanted to donate $1,000 to the Hugo Fire Department from gambling 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 White Bear Lake Ducks Unlimited Event on March 2, 2025 White Bear Lake Ducks Unlimited had applied for a Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit to hold raffles at their event on March 2, 2025, to be held at Sal’s Angus Grill. The permit would be issued by the MN Gambling Control Board after approval by the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for White Bear Lake Ducks Unlimited. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Church of St. Genevieve Fish Fry on April 11, 2025 The Church of St. Genevieve had applied for a Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit to hold raffles at their Fish Fry on April 11, 2025, to be held at their St. John’s site in Hugo. The permit would be issued by the MN Gambling Control Board after approval by the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for St. Genevive Church. Approve Lawful Gambling Excluded Bingo Permit for Chain of Lakes Rotary Event on March 29, 2025 The Chain of Lakes Rotary had applied for a Lawful Gambling Permit to Conduct Excluded Bingo at their event on March 29, 2025, at the Peder Pedersen Pavilion. The permit would be issued by the MN Gambling Control Board after approval by the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Excluded Bingo Permit for the Chain of Lakes Rotary. Approve Temporary Liquor License for Chain of Lakes Rotary Event on Saturday, March 29, 2025 The Chain of Lakes Rotary had applied for a Temporary Liquor License to sell alcohol at their Rotary event on Saturday, March 29, 2025, to be held at the Peder Pedersen Pavilion. The Rotary had submitted the application and proper insurance. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Temporary Liquor License for the Chain of Lakes Rotary. Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025 Page 5 of 8 Approve 2025 City Council Focus Goals and Ongoing Priorities The Council held their annual Goal Setting Workshop on Monday, January 27, 2025 where Council reviewed and discussed goals for 2025 that were drafted by staff with input from the commissions and staff. Staff recommends Council approve the focus goals and ongoing priorities for 2025. Approve Final Pay Request to Schreiber Mullaney for the Pede Pedersen Pavilion Schrieber Mullaney had submitted Pay Request No. 15 in the amount of $158,198.31 for work certified through November 30, 2023, on the Peder Pedersen Pavilion. The retainage had been held until the contractor provided certification that payment was made in full for all labor and materials. This was the final pay application for the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved payment to Schreiber Mullaney in the amount of $158,198.31. Approve Plans and Specifications and Authorize Advertisement for Bids for the Beaver Ponds Street Improvement Project City Engineer Mark Erichson provided background information on the 2025 Beaver Ponds Area Street Improvement Project and reminded Council they had previously authorized staff to prepare plans and specifications for the project. If Council approved the plans and specifications for the project and authorized the advertisement for bids, staff would place the advertisement, 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 would occur at a future City Council meeting. Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2025-1 APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 2025 BEAVER PONDS AREA STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Plans and Specifications and Authorize Advertisement for Bids for the 2025 Street Improvement Project City Engineer Mark Erichson provided background information on the 2025 Street Improvement Project and reminded Council they had previously authorized staff to prepare plans and specifications for the project. The project includes Duck Pass, Palmes Long Lake Estates, and the Ingersoll Avenue area, and would consist of roadway reclamation, overlay and minor storm sewer improvements. If Council approved the plans and specifications for the project and authorized the advertisement for bids, staff would place the advertisement, 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 would occur at a future City Council meeting. Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025 Page 6 of 8 Petryk made motion, Krull seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2025-2 APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 2025 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (DUCK PASS, PALMES LONG LAKE ESTATES, AND INGERSOLL AVENUE N AREA). All Ayes. Motion carried. Update and Discussion on Solar Farm Ordinance On September 19, 2024, the City Council and Planning Commission held a joint workshop to determine the future of solar farms within the City Ordinance and directed the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) to consider amendments to the performance standards for solar farms. After discussions at several meetings, the ORC recommended revisions to the definition of solar farms, zoning districts where solar farms would be allowed, minimum lot size, and language guiding the placement of a solar farm on a property. Staff was requesting Council direct the Planning Commission hold a public hearing on the proposed text amendments. Associate Planner Max Gort reminded Council that the ordinance applied to solar farms, not accessory solar energy systems that generate electricity for on-site use. He explained the proposed changes included an increase in the minimum lot size from ten acres to 20 acres, increased setbacks from 200 feet to 400 feet, and a requirement for solar farms to be located insofar as possible on the site to minimize impacts. As proposed, solar energy systems would be allowed as an accessory use in all zoning districts and solar farms as an interim use in the Long Term Agricultural, Agricultural, Rural Residential, and Future Urban Service Districts. Petryk made motion, Strub seconded, to direct staff to hold a public hearing with the Planning Commission to consider the ORC’s recommended text amendments. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on Petition for Stop Signs at 125th Street and Northern Pines Subdivision The City of Hugo received a petition from the Northern Pines Townhome Association that requested the City consider adding a three-way stop at 125th Street North and Fenway Avenue North. The petition referenced increased traffic on the roadway, the lack of a shoulder for pedestrians to walk on, and vehicles traveling at speeds that put pedestrians at risk. The stop sign was requested to slow traffic down and create a safer street for the neighborhood. This petition was discussed among City staff and was also forwarded to MnDOT and Washington County (roadway to be “turned back” to Washington County in the future) for their feedback due to its proximity to Highway 61. City Engineer Mark Erichson explained that there was currently a single stop sign for traffic southbound on Fenway Avenue at 125th Street. The road was currently posted at 35 miles per hour. The road is relatively narrow, and a trail is identified in the Comprehensive Plan that would go east from Fenway Avenue to Fondant Avenue. He also noted that Fenway Avenue is approximately 360 feet east of TH 61, and the intersection would likely be signalized in the future. Installing a stop sign on 125th at Fenway Avenue would likely cause a backup. A speed study had been conducted and did not show excessive speeding to be an issue. Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025 Page 7 of 8 The Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices has warrants that are evaluated to make sure things are consistent across the state. The intersection did not meet the warrants for the placement of stop signs. Erichson added that a stop sign would only be effective at that particular area and would not affect speeds along the entire corridor. He said the results had been shared with the property owners, and they had indicated that they were excited about the prospect of a future trail and possible signal. Weidt commented that installing the stop signs may create a bigger hazard at that location and would not control speeds along the whole stretch of road. He said he did not recall any accidents occurring there. Erichson replied that staff did look at the crash history and noted that stop signs can create a false sense of security. City Administrator Bryan Bear informed the Council that the petitioner was aware that this item was on the agenda for discussion this evening. There appeared to be no residents in attendance. Krull made motion, Strub seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2025-3 APPROVING FINDINGS OF FACT DENYING THE PETITION FOR STOP SIGNS ADDED AT 125TH STREET AT FENWAY AVENUE. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule HBA State of the City Breakfast on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Mayor Weidt will be giving the State of the City Address at a breakfast sponsored by the Hugo Area Business Association on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Blue Heron Grill from 7:30 – 9 a.m. Strub made motion, Miron seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the State of the City breakfast on February 11, 2025. All Ayes. Cancel February 17, 2025, Council Meeting Due to Presidents Day Holiday The second regular meeting of the Council in February fell on the same day as Presidents Day Holiday on February 17, 2025. Staff recommended Council cancel the February 17th meeting. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to cancel the February 17, 2025, City Council meeting. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule League of Local Governments Event on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The Washington County Board was invited to attend the League of Local Governments event to discuss the state of housing in the County. The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025 Page 8 of 8 Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the League of Local Governments event. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adjournment Strub made motion, Krull seconded, to adjourn at 7:42 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk