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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.03.03 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, March 3, 2025 7:00 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. The Mayor apologized to the audience for the late start noting there were technical difficulties. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance COUNCIL PRESENT: Krull, Petryk, Strub (via Zoom), Weidt COUNCIL ABSENT: Miron OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer Mark Erichson, Finance Director Anna Wobse, Parks Planner Shayla Denaway, City Clerk Michele Lindau Approve Minutes for the February 2, 2025, Lions Club 50th Anniversary Celebration Petryk made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the minutes for the Lions Club 50th Anniversary on February 2, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for the February 3, 2025, City Council Meeting Krull made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council Meeting held on February 3, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for the February 11, 2025, HBA Breakfast Krull made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the Hugo Area Business Breakfast held on February 11, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for the February 19, 2025, Local Government Event Petryk made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the minutes for the Local Government Event held on February 19, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 2 of 10 Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Lakes Center for Youth & Families Annual Report – Community Outreach Coordinator Linda Madsen Lakes Center for Youth & Family (LC4YF) is one of two organizations that provide mental health services to Hugo residents, and Council allocates funding in the budget to support these programs. Community Outreach Coordinator Linda Madsen presented to Council the LC4YF Annual Report. Madsen began by providing background on herself and the organization which began in 1976 by Washington County Sheriff Jim Trudeau to provide a different option for troubled youth. She explained the three different areas of programming: counseling, intervention, and enrichment. In 2024, they served 189 intervention clients and held 258 sessions with them. The three main referrals to the program were from Washington and Chisago Counties and the Forest Lake Police Department. Nine clients were supported with financial assistance. They have a full-time staff member at Linwood Elementary School who focuses on intervention/prevention, and they received a grant to extend the program for two more years. The counseling program served 217 clients in 3,468 sessions in 2024. Madsen provided client data saying 52 clients were between the ages of six and ten, and 86 were between the ages of 11 and 15. She said they were seeing the numbers of youths rise, and they would hire more therapists if they could find them. They do not turn any clients away due to financial hardships. Money is generated through program fees, grants, and special events. She thanked the Council for the City of Hugo’s support. The Mayor called for a short break to address some technical issues. Hopkins Schoolhouse and Heritage Center Update – President Liz Cinqueonce Hopkins Schoolhouse and Heritage Center President Liz Cinqueonce provided an update on the improvements at the Hopkins Schoolhouse. Liz reported on the six goals they had established for 2024. The first was to complete the measures of success for 2023, which included increasing board members to ten. Also, since 2023 they had been working on securing their 501(c)(3) status, which is still pending due to final legal review that is anticipated for March. Also in 2024, they advanced progress on the restoration by replacing the front stairs, basement windows, and main level windows. They also raised the height of the porch to meet code and removed and replaced all the siding on the building. They ran basic electric to the site by hiring a contractor to install the panel and with a $2,000 grant to connect the building to the grid. This will provide power to tools to complete the interior restoration. The replacement of the front door was delayed due to having to order one that complied with code. The side doors and Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 3 of 10 replacement of the rails on the front step were intentionally delayed so they would not get damaged while cleaning out some of the interior. Improvements on the grounds included brush removal, and they will be working on large tree removal in 2025 and will be looking for site plan approval after finishing assessments of the septic and well. They have advanced community engagement and leadership by recruiting their first student board member and developing a program to share information with students in K-5 at Oneka Elementary School on the revitalization of the schoolhouse to generate excitement on future field trips. Board members are also engaging local history groups and volunteers. There is currently a display of the schoolhouse project at the Washington County Historical Center. They had support for their phase two repairs with donations at their fundraising event, where they raised just under $5,000 through their fundraising event. Another fundraiser was being planned for October 25, 2025. They will also be doing book sales of the Forest Lake History Book and implementing their fundraising campaign. Ongoing work included assessing for ADA compliance; designing plans for the well and septic; preparing plans for plumbing, electric, and HVAC; and preparing structural plans for the interior. Other goals for 2025 included completing the forming of the nonprofit and transferring the contract with the City over to the Heritage Center, beginning demolition and framing of the interior, and getting site plan approval for the school grounds. They will be submitting applications for at least three grants. The Mayor thanked Liz for the update and thanked the team of volunteers. Parks Commission Annual Report – Parks Planner Shayla Denaway Parks Planner Shayla Denaway provided to Council the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission Annual Report. She began by reporting on the use of the City’s five rental facilities saying there were 788 rental events that brought in $71,650. In 2024, 55% of the transactions were done online, and all facilities were accessible by a key card. Diamond Point Park was reconstructed and the Samson Walters Memorial bench installed. New park signs are expected to be installed in 2025. Developers of Oneka Prairie installed a 0.6-acre park. For Bernin Park, the City had applied for a MN DNR outdoor grant in April but was not awarded the funding, so the project has not moved forward. Trails were improved in the Clearwater Creek Preserve and on the property near the north water tower in Oneka Place. Sunset Lake Park hours were shortened at the request of the residents living nearby. At the proposed North Star Wetland Bank and Trails, hydrology monitoring continued in 2024. She talked about the new trails near the development in the Shores of Oneka Lake that follow the ridgeline and would connect to the Bernin property. Council asked questions on when the new park signs would be installed and asked for more information on the wetland bank. Denaway replied that the signs would likely be installed in the spring. She explained that hydrology monitoring at the proposed wetland bank indicated the wells were located further from the storm water ponds and ditch, and it showed that hydrology was dramatically impacted by water being taken from the site. These hurdles could be overcome by putting a clay wall along the ditch, which would be a pretty dramatic construction project if Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 4 of 10 the City wanted to have a wetland bank, and it would minimize the funding received. There had not been a final recommendation. 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 Senior Engineering Technician Liz Finnegan 3. Approve Annual Performance Review for Building Department Secretary Debi Close 4. Approve Hiring of Madison Siebenaler as Public Works Worker 5. Approve Donation from American Online Giving Foundation to the Hugo Fire Department 6. Approve Donation from the Hugo American Legion to the Hugo Fire Department 7. Approve Pay Request No. 6 for the Lift Station No. 12 Project 8. Approve Updates to the 2025 Fee Schedule to Comply with the New Minnesota Price Transparency Law 9. Approve Resolution Transferring Remaining Lions Park Bond Proceeds to the Street CIP Fund 10. Approve Resolution Adopting Water and Sanitary Sewer Pro Forma Financial Guide for 2025 and Establishing Service Rates 11. Approve Oneka Prairie Park Maintenance Agreement 12. Approve Agreement with Washington County for Local Affordable Housing Aid Fund Administration 13. Approve Agreement with Lakes Center for Youth & Families 14. Approve Special Event Permit for Legion Family Day/Rib Contest on April 26, 2025 15. Approve Special Event Permit for Ragnar Relay Minnesota in Hugo on August 8, 2025 16. Approve Special Event Permit for MS 150 through Hugo on June 8, 2025 17. Approve Authorization for Amendments to the Parking Ordinance 18. Approve Letter of Support for Washington County for Environment and National Resource Trust Funds for the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension 19. Approve Letter of Support for Washington County for 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending Funds for the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Performance Review for Senior Engineering Technician Liz Finnegan Liz Finnegan was hired on March 11, 2019, as the City’s Senior Engineering Technician. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the performance review for Senior Engineering Technician Liz Finnegan. Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 5 of 10 Approve Performance Review for Building Department Secretary Debi Close Debi Close was hired as the City’s Building Department Receptionist on March 20, 2006. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Building Department Receptionist Debi Close. Approve Hiring of Madison Siebenaler as Public Works Worker With the resignation of Public Works Worker Corey Triemert, a vacancy was created in the Public Works Department. Madison Siebenaler had worked a seasonal position in the Public Works Department for the past three years. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the hiring of Madison to fill the Public Works Worker vacancy with a starting date of February 18, 2025. Approve Donation from American Online Giving Foundation to the Hugo Fire Department The American Online Giving Foundation – Benevity Giving Platform disperses money donated by employees and/or matching funds from one of Benevity’s corporate clients. Donators were able to choose one of the Foundations recipients to receive the funds. Brent Tervola had donated $49.59, and the remaining $123.96 was donated anonymously to the Hugo Fire Department. All donations to the Fire Department needed to be approved by Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $123.96 to the Hugo Fire Department. Approve Donation from the Hugo American Legion to the Hugo Fire Department The Hugo American Legion had requested to donate $1,500 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. Staff recommends Council approve the donation of $1,500 to the Hugo Fire Department. Approve Pay Request No. 6 for the Lift Station No. 12 Project C.W. Houle, Inc. had submitted Pay Request No. 6 in the amount of $14,410.74 for work certified through December 31, 2024, on the Lift Station No. 12 Project. The lift station was fully operational, and the punch-list completed. This was the final pay application for the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved payment to C.W. Houle, Inc. in the amount of $14,410.74 and formally accepted the project. Approve Updates to the 2025 Fee Schedule to Comply with the New Minnesota Price Transparency Law Council adopted the 2025 Fee Schedule at their December 16, 2024, Council Meeting. Since the adoption, the State of Minnesota implemented a new Price Transparency Law. The law mandated that businesses include all mandatory fees and surcharges in the advertised price of goods and services. Staff had updated the 2025 Fee Schedule to comply with the new Price Transparency Law. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the updates to the Attachment to Ordinance No. 2024-537; 2025 Fees, Rates and Charges. Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 6 of 10 Approve Resolution Transferring Remaining Lions Park Bond Proceeds to the Street CIP Fund On September 7, 2021, the City of Hugo had issued $8,170,000 in General Obligation Tax Abatement Bonds to finance public improvements to Lions Park and other related public improvements. All financial obligations related to the construction of Lions Volunteer Park and the Peder Pedersen Pavilion had been satisfied, and bond proceeds remained in the Lions Park Construction Fund. As stated in the bond documents, the bond proceeds could also be used to cover expenses related to various public improvements associated with the Lions Park improvement project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2025 - 4 APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF REMAINING LIONS PARK BOND PROCEEDS TO THE STREET CIP FUND. Approve Resolution Adopting Water and Sanitary Sewer Pro Forma Financial Guide for 2025 and Establishing Service Rates The Finance Department had completed its analysis of water and sewer billing data and had prepared a pro forma financial guide and corresponding service rates for the 2025 fiscal year. Water and sewer rates were last adjusted in 2024. However, those adjustments only impacted separately metered irrigation usage and the base fees for sanitary sewer services. The overall goal was to provide adequate revenue to cover water and sewer operations as contained in the pro forma financial guide, and staff recommended increases to both water and sanitary sewer base fees and volume rate usage fees. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2025 - 5 ADOPTING A PRO FORMA FINANCIAL GUIDE FOR WATER AND SANITARY SEWER OPERATIONS FOR THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR AND ESTABLISHING SERVICE RATES. Approve Oneka Prairie Park Maintenance Agreement The City of Hugo had received a .6-acre park through park dedication with the Oneka Prairie Development. The developer, Southwind Holdings, LLC, installed a small playground, irrigation, and landscaping at the park. An agreement with the Oneka Prairie Homeowners Association had been drafted to outline future park maintenance. The Homeowners Association would provide irrigation for the park through their stormwater re-use system. The City would insure the park, maintain the playground, and take care of routine maintenance such as mowing. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Oneka Prairie Park Maintenance Agreement, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney. Approve Agreement with Washington County for Local Affordable Housing Aid Fund Administration In 2023 and 2024, the Minnesota Legislature authorized aid payments to counties, cities and Tribal Nations to support affordable housing. The goal was to fund affordable housing projects and help organizations provide affordable and supportive housing. LAHA is funded by a 0.25% sales tax on the seven-county metropolitan area. Aid was appropriated directly to cities, counties, and tribal governments based on cost-burdened households. The City did not have a housing agency that administers housing programs to subsidize affordable housing. Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) offered to administer the LAHA to support the Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 7 of 10 qualifying projects on behalf of the City. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the agreement with Washington County for Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) fund administration. Approve Agreement with Lakes Center for Youth & Families Over the past several years, the City entered into an agreement with the Lakes Center for Youth & Families to support programs for Hugo families relating to counseling, intervention, and enrichment. Through this agreement, the City sponsored LCYF by providing financial support. In the 2025 budget, Council had approved $17,670 in funding for their services. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the agreement with Lakes Center for Youth and Families. Approve Special Event Permit for Legion Family Day/Rib Contest on April 26, 2025 The National Executive Committee of the American Legion passed a resolution in October 2025 established American Legion Family Day to be observed annually on the last Saturday in April. The Hugo American Legion applied for a Special Event Permit to hold a festival on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The permit needed to be approved by Council because alcohol would be sold outdoors, approximately 200-300 people were expected to attend throughout the day, and there would be amplified music and event announcements. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Special Event Permit for the Hugo American Legion Family Day on April 26, 2025, subject to the conditions in the staff memo. Approve Special Event Permit for Ragnar Relay Minnesota in Hugo on August 8, 2025 Ragnar Events, LLC had applied for a Special Event Permit to hold a 200-mile overnight relay race beginning in Minneapolis on Friday, August 8 and ending in Duluth on Saturday, August 9. Event organizers requested to use the Hugo Public Works parking lot as an exchange point for runners during the relay on Friday, August 8. A Special Event Permit approved by Council is necessary because there would be over 200 people participating. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Special Event Permit for Ragnar Relay Minnesota through Hugo on August 8, 2025, subject to the conditions in the staff memo. Approve Special Event Permit for MS 150 through Hugo on June 8, 2025 The Multiple Sclerosis Society had applied for a Special Event Permit (SEP) for their annual fundraising bicycle event to be held on June 7-8, 2025, from Proctor, MN to White Bear Lake, MN. On the second day of the ride, bikers would be traveling south through Hugo on the Hardwood Creek Trail and Highway 61. The permit needed to be approved by Council because there was expected to be over 200 people in attendance. The MS 150 will have approximately 1,800 riders. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the SEP as described in their application in addition to conditions in the staff memo. Approve Authorization for Amendments to the Parking Ordinance City Code currently restricted the amount of time that vehicles and trailers may be parked on any City street to 72 hours, during the months that the winter parking ordinance was not in effect. Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 8 of 10 The City received complaints relating to boats and trailers being stored on City streets long-term. The current ordinance was not explicit in its intent to prevent long-term storage of equipment on City streets, and the City had found difficulty in enforcing this intent. Additionally, the long-term storage of vehicles and trailers on public streets created disruptions to maintenance operations such as street sweeping, and sometimes streets were damaged. Adoption of the Consent Agenda authorized staff to work with the City Attorney on drafting text amendments to the prohibited parking ordinance and to hold a public hearing on the text amendments with the Planning Commission. Approve Letter of Support for Washington County for Environment and National Resource Trust Funds for the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension At the March 21, 2022, Council meeting, Washington County presented the Feasibility Study for the final extension of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail from Fenway Blvd N and 130th St N to 120th St N (Ramsey County Rd J). Two conceptual alignments were identified and the study included cost estimates and public engagement. Washington County had requested a letter of support for their application of funding from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to help construct the missing portions of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail in Hugo. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Letter of Support for Washington County for Environmental and National Resource Trust Funds for the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension. Approve Letter of Support for Washington County for 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending Funds for the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension At the March 21, 2022, Council meeting, Washington County presented the Feasibility Study for the final extension of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail from Fenway Blvd N and 130th St N to 120th St N (Ramsey County Rd J). Two conceptual alignments were identified and the study included cost estimates and public engagement. Washington County intended to submit the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension for FY 2026 Community Project Funding/ Congressionally Directed Spending. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Letter of Support for Washington County for Congressionally Directed Spending for the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension. Approve Authorization for Feasibility Study for 2026 Street Reconstruction Project City Council approved the 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan at the September 16, 2024, City Council meeting. Staff had recommended to begin the feasibility study for the 2026 Bald Eagle Industrial Park Area Street Improvement Project which included: 140th Street N (from TH 61 to Fenway Boulevard N), Fenway Boulevard N (from 130th Street N to 140th Street N), Fenway Boulevard Ct N (from Fenway Boulevard N to its eastern termini), 130th Street N (from TH 61 to Europa Trail N), Farnham Avenue N (from 130th Street N to its southern terminus). City Engineer Mark Erichson explained that the need to start early on this project was due to certain complexities that included two rail crossings, potential easement acquisition needed for the proposed trail along 130th Street, and coordination with Washington County for the regional trail. Staff would begin to notify property owners and hold neighborhood meetings. Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 9 of 10 Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, RESOLUTION 2025-6 ORDERING PREPARATION OF A FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS TO ALL OR PORTIONS OF ROADWAYS IDENTIFIED AS THE 2026 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. All ayes. Discussion on Oneka Lake Park Reconstruction Plan At the Parks Commission meeting of February 19, 2025, the Commission recommended reconstruction of the playground at Oneka Lake Park. Oneka Lake Park was identified in the Parks CIP in 2025 for neighborhood park upgrades. Parks Planner Shayla Denaway explained that the playground at Oneka Lake Park was approximately 20 years old and is the only park in the neighborhood park service area. The park will continue to be an active park and is connected to the Bernin Park by at least three pedestrian trails. The Bernin Park is to remain a passive park and has parking available in an area off Greene Avenue, in the cul-de-sac at Greene Avenue, and at the DNR boat launch on Oneka Lake. She noted that trails were being constructed as part of The Shores of Oneka Lake Development, and the trails that follow the shoreline will be connected. There were aging components on the playground, and improvements needed to be made to the paved trails. The Parks Commission discussed changing the site layout to replace and expand the playground equipment and to evaluate pour-in-place safety surfacing with Flagship Recreation. Other park improvements would include reconstructing the existing trails as needed, painting the existing picnic shelter, and improving the landscaping. The memorial bench, pad, and shelter would remain. Shayla displayed photos of the existing playground equipment and an area that showed drainage issues. She talked about a pour-in-place surface, similar to what is in Lions Park, that would correct the problem since it would be permeable, and it would also work better in high traffic areas. Shayla provided rough estimates on the project that totaled $200,000-$220,000. The pour-in- place surfacing would be an additional $120,000 - $200,000. She explained the desire to have a different type of process instead of having four vendors just for playground equipment. The Parks Commission would like to work with one vendor to design a few plans on how the equipment could be laid out, and they proposed working with Flagship Recreation who designed and constructed Lions Volunteer Park. They would manage the entire project. The Parks Commission provided direction on what they would like it to look like and wants to have the neighborhood residents assist in picking out the equipment. Council asked about the high cost of the pour-in-play surface. Shayla responded that it was dependent on the square footage and was estimated on the high end at $20-$30 per square foot depending on design, shape, and colors. She said it was typically the same cost as the play equipment. Mayor Weidt asked if there were any additional requested features such as pickleball. Shayla responded that there was a request for a horseshoe pit at one time but it was not approved due to the noise it would generate. Also, it was not a good spot for a pickleball court due to wetlands and grading that would be required. Council Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025 Page 10 of 10 Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the reconstruction of Oneka Lake Park and authorize Flagship Recreation to draft concepts for a new playground. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule YRN 15th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, March 17, 2025 Council had been invited to the Hugo Yellow Ribbon Network 15th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Oneka Room. Petryk made motion, Krull seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the Hugo YRN 15th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, March 17, 2025. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adjournment Krull made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk