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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.04.07 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, April 7, 2025 7:00 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance COUNCIL PRESENT: Krull, Miron, Petryk, Strub (via ZOOM), 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 Approve Minutes for the March 17, 2025, Hugo YRN 15th Anniversary Celebration Petryk made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the minutes for the Hugo Yellow Ribbon 15th Anniversary Celebration held on March 17, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for the March 17, 2025, City Council Meeting Krull made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on March 17, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made Motion, Miron seconded, to approve the agenda as amended by staff by adding a reminder of the upcoming Kidz ‘n Biz Festival. All Ayes. Motion carried. Washington County Sheriff’s Department Annual Report and Introduction of New Washington County Deputy Michael Nunan - Sheriff Dan Starry Sheriff Dan Starry was in attendance with Chief Deputy Doug Anschutz, Commander Sara Halverson, and Sergeant Matt Wieland. Wieland introduced Deputies Isaac Robbins and Michael Nunan and explained that there were currently three deputies out on leave. Council Meeting Minutes for April 7, 2025 Page 2 of 7 Michael Nunan provided the Council with his previous work experience as a deputy, saying he had served in St. Paul Park, Le Sueur, and Henderson. He started with Washington County in January. Starry provided a report on activities at the Sheriff’s Office. He began by explaining the price per capita for Hugo was $104.62, which was considerably less than other cities. Under the Hugo contract, the City receives the full breadth of the Sheriff’s Office. He talked about CrimeView, new software that pulls data from the dispatch center. This helps them spot trends and understand crime patterns. He discussed the increased number of thefts from vehicles in parking lots and cautioned residents to ensure valuables are hidden and doors are locked. Starry reported on the 9,784 service calls the Sheriff’s Department received, which was 7% more than in 2023. The Department issued 561 tickets in 2024 but had many other traffic stops that involved education and/or a verbal warning. There were 272 cases assigned to the investigation’s unit, 118 of which were assigned to Detective Jaring. Arrests and motor vehicle accidents remained about the same as in 2023, and mental health/persons-in-crisis calls had declined. He attributed this to their new system that embedded a crisis communicator and a coordinated response team, which are able to meet needs quickly. He encouraged people to call 911 if they ever see anything suspicious, no matter the time of day, and warned of the continuing fraud tactics being used. Accomplishments during 2024 included the seizure of over $4.1 million in drugs, the arrest of five men recently involved in human trafficking, two national awards received by the K9 Unit, and the positive interactions children have had through the DARE program. He provided a reminder that April 13–19 was National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, May 4–10 was National Correctional Officers Week, and May 11–17 was National Law Enforcement Week. He invited the Council to attend the Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at the Courthouse on May 15, 2025, at noon. He thanked the Council for their continued support, and Mayor Weidt expressed appreciation for all the experience their team brings to Hugo. Update from Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron was in the audience. Mayor Weidt asked him to give an update on activities at the County. Commissioner Miron began by saying they appreciate the leadership of Sheriff Starry and that the Sheriff’s Department has the full support of the Washington County Board. The County will be working on improvements to Highway 61, and more information can be found on their website. At the last County Board meeting, they honored Adam Josephson, who recently retired from MnDOT. The County is beginning the budget process, keeping in mind that there are many uncertainties due to reduced state and federal funding. Miron said he believed the County had done a good job maintaining a healthy level of reserves. Council Meeting Minutes for April 7, 2025 Page 3 of 7 Miron spoke about the North Environmental Center, which recently opened to serve the northern part of the County and encouraged everyone to bring their hazardous waste there. He also mentioned the free product room and said he was happy they were making use of materials rather than discarding them. He talked about the wood waste site on 165th Street, saying he appreciated the process they have with the property owner. More information can be found on the County’s website. Approval of Consent Agenda Miron made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda. 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Letter of Resignation from Community Development Intern Phoebe Brown 3. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion 4. Approve Ordinance Amending the Solar Ordinance 5. Approve Ordinance Amending the Parking Ordinance 6. Approve Shores of Oneka 5th Addition Final Plat and Development Agreement 7. Approve Resolution Approving Variance for 4938 121st Street North 8. Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 4789 162nd Way 9. Approve Access Easement Agreement for Property Located at 12895 Ethan Avenue North All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Letter of Resignation from Community Development Inter Phoebe Brown Community Development Intern Phoebe Brown had submitted her Letter of Resignation. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the letter of resignation for Phoebe with her last day being Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion The Hugo American Legion had requested to donate $1,500 to the Hugo Fire Department from pull-tab proceeds for equipment. All donations to the Fire Department needed to be approved by the Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $1,500 to the Hugo Fire Department. Approve Ordinance Amending the Solar Ordinance At its February 3, 2025, meeting the City Council heard an update on the Ordinance Review Committee’s (ORC) recommendations for revisions to the solar farm ordinance. The City Council authorized staff to begin drafting text amendments based on the ORC’s recommendations. The proposed ordinance amendments included revisions to the performance standards for solar farms, Council Meeting Minutes for April 7, 2025 Page 4 of 7 changes to the zoning districts where solar farms would be allowed, and a clarification to the definition of solar farms based on a recommendation from the City Attorney. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at its March 13, 2025, meeting and took comments from the public. Following discussion, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amendments to the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved ORDINANCE 2025-541 AMENDING CHAPTER 90 – ZONING AND LAND USE AS IT RELATES TO SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS and the summary ordinance for publication. Approve Ordinance Amending the Parking Ordinance City Code had restricted parking of vehicles and trailers on City streets to a time limit of 72 hours, with the intent of prevention long-term storage of such equipment on public streets. The City had received complaints detailing the long-term storage of trailers on public streets, and the City had difficulty in enforcing the intent. At its March 3, 2025, meeting, the City Council authorized staff to work with the City Attorney to g text amendments to clarify the ordinance’s intent. The proposed ordinance amendments included restricting on-street parking of trailers to period of 24 cumulative hours over a seven-day period and stated that a trailer moved less than three tenths of a mile from its original location will be considered to have remained parked. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at its March 27, 2025, meeting. Following discussion, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amendments to the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved ORDINANCE 2025-542 AMENDING CHAPTER 90, ARTICLE, SECTION 90-253 AS IT RELATES TO PARKING OF VEHICLES AND TRAILERS ON PUBLIC STREETS. Approve Shores of Oneka 5th Addition Final Plat and Development Agreement M/I Homes had requested approval of a final plat and development agreement in order to plat the remaining 52 single family lots on an outlot in The Shores of Oneka Lake development. The lots met the minimum lot standards and requirements outlined in the regulations for The Shores of Oneka Lake PUD. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2025-9 APPROVING A FINAL PLAT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR M/I HOMES OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, LLC, FOR THE SHORES OF ONEKA LAKE 5th ADDITION. Approve Resolution Approving Variance for 4938 121st Street North Julie and Greg Manning had requested a variance to allow for the construction of a 2,336 square foot attached garage and car port, where an attached garage of 1,678.25 square feet was allowed by ordinance. The applicants had indicated they would build a larger attached garage in place of any accessory buildings and agreed to not construct any accessory buildings on the property as a condition of approval for the variance. The Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments held a public hearing at its March 13, 2025, meeting. Following discussion, the Board voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve the variance. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2025-10 APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF AN ATTACHED GARAGE AND CAR PORT THAT EXCEEDS AREA REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4938 121ST STREET NORTH. Council Meeting Minutes for April 7, 2025 Page 5 of 7 Approve Resolution Approving Encroachment Agreement for 4789 162nd Way Christopher and Tina Haglund had requested an encroachment agreement to allow construction of a fence within a drainage and utility easement on property located at 4789 162nd Way 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 2025-11 APPROVING AN ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A FENCE WITHIN A DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4789 162nd WAY NORTH. Approve Access Easement Agreement for Property Located at 12895 Ethan Avenue North The property owner at 12895 Ethan Avenue North, Robert L Merch Revocable Trust, had requested an access easement over City owned property for an existing driveway that had been used to access their home for decades. The driveway crossed City owned property along Ethan Avenue. Review of recorded documents with Washington County indicated that a vague access easement was in place, however it was not created with a separate access easement. The property owner was asking to formalize the access easement, since there was no other way to access the property. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the access easement agreement, subject to City Attorney review and approval. Approve Resolution Receiving Bids and Awarding the Contract for Beaver Ponds and 2025 Street Improvement Projects City Engineer Mark Erichson provided some details on the bids received for the Beaver Ponds Area Street Improvement Project and the 2025 Street Improvement Project. The Beaver Ponds area project would be an urban roadway mill and overlay. The bids included an alternate for Ferrara Avenue, which was a private drive at the request of the HOA, but they elected not to pursue moving forward with the project. The 2025 street project would be a rural roadway reclamation and would consist of streets in the Duck Pass and Long Lakes Estates neighborhoods, as well as Ingersoll Avenue. For efficiency, both projects were bid together. Bids were received on March 20, 2025, and ranged from $2,007,019 to $2,204,901. The engineer’s estimate was $2,267,961. Staff recommended the Council approve awarding the contract to the low bidder, Northwest Asphalt, Inc., for the base bid in the amount of $2,077,019.43. Erichson commented that the City had worked with Northwest Asphalt in the past and looked forward to working with them again. Erichson explained the assessment policy, stating that property owners with the urban roadway overlay project would pay $2,100 per unit. Those with the roadway reclamation project would pay $3,400 per unit. Miron made a motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2025-12 RECEIVING BIDS AND AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE 2025 BEAVER PONDS AREA STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND 2025 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: DUCK PASS, PALMES LONG LAKE ESTATES, AND INGERSOLL AVENUE N AREA. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for April 7, 2025 Page 6 of 7 Metro Cities Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 23,2025 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council they had been invited to attend the Metro Cities Annual Meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 5:00 pm at the Roseville Skating Center. Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the Metro Cities Annual Meeting on April 23, 2025. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule League of MN Cities Annual Conference on June 25-27, 2025 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council the League of MN cities will be holding their 2025 annual conference at the Duluth entertainment Convention Center on June 25-27, 2025. Petryk made motion, Krull seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the LMC Annual Conference on June 25-27, 2025. All Ayes. Motion carried. Vacancy on the Brown’s Creek Watershed District City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council announced there was a vacancy on the Brown’s Creek Watershed District created by the resignation of Manager Larry Odebrecht. Anyone interested was asked to contact City Hall. Vacancy on the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Water Shed District City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council the term of office for Kristin Tuenge with the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District was to expire on June 21, 2025. The county is seeking an individual to serve as a district manager. Anyone interested was asked to contact City Hall. Schedule Performance Review for City Administrator Bryan Bear City Administrator Bryan Bear requested Council schedule his performance review for Monday, April 21 or May 5, 2025, at 6 p.m., prior to the regular Council meeting at 7 p.m. Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to schedule the City Administrator’s performance review for Monday, April 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. All ayes. Council Meeting Minutes for April 7, 2025 Page 7 of 7 Reminder – Kidz ‘n Biz on Saturday, April 12, 2025 City Administrator Bryan Bear added this to the agenda to remind Council they had scheduled a meeting to attend the Kidz ‘n Biz Festival on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oneka Elementary School. Adjournment Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk