Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.11.17 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, November 17, 2025 7:00 p.m. MetCall 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 Engineer Mark Erichson, City Attorney Dave Snyder, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, City Clerk Michele Lindau Approve Minutes for the November 3, 2025, City Council Meeting Strub made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on November 3, 2025, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Minutes for the November 6, 2025, Agape Ribbon Cutting Krull made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the minutes for the Agape Ribbon Cutting held on November 6, 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. Approval of Consent Agenda Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Resolution Supporting City of Lino Lakes Grant Application for Local Road Improvement Program Funds All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2025 Page 2 of 5 Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Resolution Supporting City of Lino Lakes Grant Application for Local Road Improvement Program Funds The City of Lino Lakes had requested a resolution supporting their application for funds from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund through their Local Road Improvement Program. The City of Lino Lakes is proposing to construct the extension of Otter Lake Road between CSAH14 and Elmcrest Avenue. This project was identified in the City of Hugo’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Washington County’s 2040 Transportation Plan. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2025-40 SUPPORTING A LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION. Approve Snowmobile Trail Applications for Hugo Snowmobile Club and Rice Creek Trail Association The Hugo Knight Riders Snowmobile Club and the Rice Creek Trail Association submitted their respective Snowmobile Trail Applications for the 2025–2026 snow season. According to the applications, snowmobile trails in Hugo will remain unchanged from the previous year. Mayor Weidt removed the item from the Consent Agenda to allow comments from members of the Hugo Knight Riders Snowmobile Club, who were present in the audience. John Udstuen, 15190 Everton Avenue North, and Nick Forchette, 16210 Harrow Avenue North, both members of the Hugo Knight Riders Snowmobile Club, addressed the Council. Udstuen announced his resignation as Club President after 33 years of service. Forchette has assumed the newly created Trail Coordinator position, which will focus on trail safety. Udstuen discussed the Club’s equipment used for trail maintenance and noted his continued involvement in organizing community events to engage both snowmobilers and non- snowmobilers. Planned activities include vintage snowmobile shows at the Blacksmith Lounge and Sal’s Angus Grill, as well as a collaborative snowmobile race with the Hugo American Legion on Egg Lake. Forchette talked about his interest in advancing electronic mapping of the trail system, working with the Parks Commission, and preserving the City’s snowmobile heritage. The Club’s goal remains to maintain safe trails with zero complaints. Tom congratulated him on his 33 years. Weidt made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the Snowmobile Trail Applications for the Hugo Knight Riders Snowmobile Club and the Rice Creek Trail Association. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Approve Resolutions Approving Feasibility Study and Set Public Hearing for 2026 Bald Eagle Industrial Park Area Street Improvement Project City Engineer Mark Erichson presented the results of the feasibility study for the 2026 Street Improvement Project in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park area, which includes 130th Street North from Europa Trail to Forest Boulevard North / Trunk Highway 61 (TH 61), Farnham Avenue North from the south terminus to 130th Street North, Fenway Boulevard North from 130th Street North to 140th Street North, and 140th Street from Fenway Boulevard North to Forest Boulevard / TH 61. This area was identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2026. Erichson reviewed photos of existing conditions and outlined proposed improvements, which include partial reconstructions and trail enhancements. Street improvement would consist of full-depth pavement removal, paving, mill and overlay improvements, spot curb and gutter replacement, new street lighting, and minor utility upgrades. The City will be entering into new contract on the street lighting to place fixtures at strategic locations rather than continuously along the roadway. A new trail is planned along the north side of 130th Street. The trail along Fenway Boulevard will be replaced if Washington County provides funding, as the County is responsible for that segment. Washington County will also replace the existing concrete sidewalk on 140th Street with an extension of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail. The project will also include reconstruction of the trail along Europa Trail. The project scope also included improvements at Water Tower Park, involving demolition of an abandoned communications building and removal of outdated watermain infrastructure. Erichson noted that 130th Street will be widened to 28 feet in response to safety concerns raised by residents and operational needs identified by the Public Works Department. Erichson reviewed the public hearing process and the City’s Assessment Policy, which was last updated in 2013 and has not kept pace with rising construction costs. Residential parcels on streets scheduled for partial reconstruction will be assessed $4,100 per unit, and those receiving urban roadway overlays will be assessed $2,100 per unit. Commercial and industrial parcels will be assessed $76.87 per foot for partial reconstructions and $39.87 per foot for overlays. The total estimated project cost is $4,690,400, with assessments covering 22.03%, the City funding 68.07%, and Washington County contributing 9.90%. Mr. Erichson noted a proposed deviation from the assessment policy for internal streets, whose properties would be assessed when those internal segments are improved in the future. He stated he would review the assessment policy in more detail with residents at the public hearing. Erichson also reviewed anticipated construction impacts, including full street closures on several routes and one-way traffic on Fenway Boulevard from 140th Street to 130th Street to maintain business access. Project details have been communicated to businesses and residents. If the Council accepts the feasibility report and sets the public hearing for December 15, bids would be opened and a contract awarded in May, with construction scheduled for completion in fall 2026. Petryk asked whether 130th Street would be fully closed during the project. Erichson confirmed it would be to allow for reconstruction and widening. Council Member Petryk expressed concern about cut-through traffic, and Erichson indicated staff will monitor and address traffic concerns during construction. Council Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2025-41 RECEIVING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2026 BALD EAGLE INDUSTRIAL PARK STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Roll call vote- Ayes: Krull, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried. Approve Resolution Appealing Metropolitan Council System Statement At its November 3, 2025, meeting, Community Development Director Rachel Juba provided the Council with an update on the Metropolitan Council System Statement. She explained that a system statement was prepared every ten years for each community in the seven-county metropolitan area within the Metropolitan Council’s jurisdiction and served as the starting point for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan cycle. She outlined several items that staff believed were incorrect in the system statement, including forecasts for population, households, and employment, and sewer allocation. She noted that she had anticipated the Council might need to formally appeal and request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Juba informed the Council that the City had 60 days to review the System Statement and had been unable to resolve the discrepancies with Metropolitan Council staff during that period. She emphasized the importance of the System Statement, explaining that these growth forecasts must be used in preparation of the City’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The forecasts indicated a 20% decrease, following a substantial decrease in the last Comprehensive Plan cycle. The City is expected to exceed its 2030 forecast before the 2050 Comprehensive Plan is submitted. Metropolitan Council staff have stated that the lower forecasts are due to the White Bear Lake lawsuit; however, Juba noted that this rationale does not make sense because water supply is not a Metropolitan Council system, the Metropolitan Council is not a party to the lawsuit, and the DNR regulates water supply for Hugo. The cap on growth would require the City to apply for and obtain approval of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment each time the forecasts are exceeded. She also noted that the Metropolitan Council previously committed to providing sewer service for a population of 40,000 in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The forecasted 2050 population was listed as 23,500. Juba presented data demonstrating projected growth consistent with the 2040 projections, showing a population of approximately 35,000 in 2050. She stated that staff will continue working to resolve the discrepancies with the Metropolitan Council and will request a new system statement. She recommended approval of the resolution appealing the Metropolitan Council’s system statement for the City of Hugo and requesting a hearing. The hearing would be held within 60 days or on another mutually agreed- upon date. A new system statement may be issued within 60 days following the hearing. Petryk asked whether any other city had a similar growth cap. Juba responded that some other communities impacted by the White Bear Lake lawsuit have been held or capped for growth, though other cities have increased forecasts. Miron asked whether there had been any policy-based decision or calculation used to determine the numbers for each community. Juba responded that there had not. Council Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2025 Page 5 of 5 Weidt noted that the City’s annual growth of 212 residents over the past few years was being reduced to approximately 110 in the forecast. He asked what recourse the City would have if the projections were not adjusted. Juba stated that it is unclear whether any additional steps are available beyond the appeal hearing, which is the established process for modifying the system statement. Miron asked City Attorney Dave Snyder if the City would have an opportunity to appeal further should the administrative law judge not provide a satisfactory resolution. Dave responded that the City must request the hearing within the required timeframe. Petryk asked whether the cap would restrict commercial growth. Juba explained that it would restrict employment population growth. Miron made motion, Strub seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2025-42 APPEALING THE ACTIONS OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, REQUESTING THAT A HEARING BE CONDUCTED BY THE STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDMENTS TO THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL’S SYSTEM STATEMENT. Roll call vote- Ayes: Krull, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried. Schedule Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Met Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council they were invited to attend the Metropolitan Council Committee of the Whole meeting in Woodbury on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Central Park in Woodbury and focus on the value and future of water in the region. Staff had posted this as a possible quorum of the Council and recommended Council formally schedule this as a meeting if they wished to attend. Petryk made motion, Strub seconded, to schedule the Met Council meeting on November 19 as a meeting of the Council. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adjournment Miron made motion, Krull seconded, to adjourn at 7:48 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk