HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.01.05 CC MinutesMINUTES
City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, January 5, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Acting Mayor Miron called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCIL PRESENT: Krull, Miron, Petryk, Strub
COUNCIL ABSENT: Weidt
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 December 15, 2025, City Council Meeting
Petryk made motion, Strub seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held
on December 15, 2025, as presented.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Approval of Agenda
Miron made motion, Krull seconded, to approve the agenda as amended by adding approval of
Kleissler as Chair and Matt Derr as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission, and addition of
scheduling the White Bear Chamber of Commerce Legislation Session.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
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 Performance Review and Completion of Probationary Period for Building
Inspector Mason Libke
7. Approve Appointment of Mike Miron as Acting Mayor
8. Approve Appointment of Meredith St. Pierre as Chair and Cathy Moore-Arcand as Vice-
Chair of the Parks Commission
9. Approve Appointment of Brad LeTourneau as Chair of Historical Commission
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10. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt and Ben Krull as Council Representatives on the EDA
11. Approve Appointment of Mayor Tom Weidt, Planning Commissioner Cindy Petty, and
Resident Scott Arcand to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments
12. Approve Appointment of Tom Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and
Adjustments
13. Approve Appointment of WSB as City Engineer
14. Approve Appointment of Landform as City Planner
15. Approve Appointment of Johnson & Turner as City Attorney
16. Approve Appointment of Baker Tilly as Financial Advisor
17. Approve Appointment of US Bank as Depository for City Funds
18. Approve Appointment of The Citizen as Official Newspaper
19. Approve Appointments to Hugo Firefighter Relief Association
20. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion
21. Approve Appointment of Bronwen Kleissler as Chair and Matthew Derr as Vice-Chair
of the Planning Commission
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.
Approve Performance Review and Completion of Probationary Period for Building
Inspector Mason Libke
Council approved hiring of Mason Libke as the new Building Inspector with a start date of July
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7, 2025. On January 7, 2026, Mason will have completed his six-month probationary period.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the performance review and completion of
probationary period for Building Inspector Mason Libke.
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 reappointment of Council Member Mike Miron
as Acting Mayor for the year 2026.
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 has 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 2026
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 has served as the Chair of the Commission since
September 2023. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Brad
LeTourneau as the Chair of the Historical Commission for 2026.
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
reappointment of Mayor Weidt and Council Member Krull to serve as the Council
Representatives on the EDA for 2026.
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 has agreed
to continue to serve another year as the City Council representative, and Cindy Petty has agreed to
serve as the Planning Commission representative, and Scott Arcand 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 Appeals and
Adjustments
Annually, Council approves appointment of Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and
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Adjustments. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved reappointment Board Member Tom
Weidt as Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments for 2026.
Approve Appointment of WSB as City Engineer
WSB Engineers has been the City Engineer for the past 22 years. WSB Engineers is requesting
to continue to provide this service to the City with an average rate adjustment of 4%. Adoption
of the Consent Agenda approved WSB Engineers and Mark Erichson as the City Engineer for
2026.
Approve Appointment of Landform as City Planner
Kendra Lindahl from Landform has worked over the past 23 years as the City Planner. Landform
would like to continue to provide this service to the City at a revised rate schedule. Adoption of
the Consent Agenda approved Kendra Lindahl as the City Planner/Planning Consultant for the
year 2026.
Approve Appointment of Johnson & Turner as City Attorney
City Attorney Dave Snyder has served the City with the law firm of Johnson & Turner for the
past several years. Johnson & Turner would like to continue to provide legal services to the City
at the adjusted rate schedule. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved David Snyder and the
Johnson & Turner Law Firm as the City Attorney for the year 2026.
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 have served the City over the years on a wide variety of projects.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, as the City’s
financial advisors for the year 2026.
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 has 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 2026.
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 16 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 $14.69 to $17.51 per column inch. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved
The Citizen as the City’s official newspaper for 2026.
Approve Appointments to Hugo Firefighter Relief Association
Minnesota State Statute requires the official appointment of the ex-officio members of the Hugo
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Fire Department Relief Association Board. Council must appoint two elected or appointed
members. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the reappointment of Mayor Tom Weidt
and Finance Director Anna Wobse as ex-officio members of the Hugo Fire Department Relief
Association Board.
Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion
The Hugo American Legion would like to donate $1,500 to the Hugo Fire Department from
pull-tab proceeds. All donations to the Fire Department must be approved by the Council.
Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $1,500 to the Hugo Fire Department.
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 has 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 2026.
Discussion on 165th Street AUAR and Approval of Resolution Ordering AUAR
Community Development Director Rachel Juba provided background information on an
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) saying there has been an increased interest from
developers in properties on 165th Street. With development, infrastructure improvements would
be necessary.
At its April 21, 2025, meeting, Council approved staff to work with consultants on drafting an
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). In July 2025 an open house was held where over
100 people attended and meetings were held with several property owners. Some did not support
development but understood it was planned for the area. Some property owners supported sewer
and water to their property for development. Most supported the paving of 165th Street. In
September 2025 a joint workshop with the City Council, EDA and Planning Commission was
held where feedback from the open house was shared and development scenarios, utilities, and
streets were discussed. There was support for keeping industrial and mix use land uses and
support for the paving of 165th Street as an interim rural roadway improvement, which is in the
current CIP. Future plans for oversizing utilities would happen north of 165th Street.
Juba explained that if Council approved the preparation of the AUAR this evening, the official
120-day clock would start for the adoption of the AUAR. Staff will continue to prepare and
present the draft at the February or March Council meeting. It would then be sent out to other
agencies for comments. In March, staff would like to hold an open house to present the plan and
get feedback. The final AUAR will be approved in May, and then staff would begin preparing
amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.
Juba was asked to clarify the final goal of the AUAR and how property owners receive notice.
Juba replied that the goal is to have land use and utilities decided as well as street improvements.
Costs and escrow analysis will be done as well as an environmental review. As development
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comes in, they will not have to go through the process separately. Notices of meetings will be
published in the newspaper and direct notices will be sent to all property owners in the AUAR
area.
Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2026-1 ORDERING THE
PREPARATION OF AN ALTERNATIVE URBAN AREAWIDE REVIEW FOR THE 165TH
STREET CORRIDOR.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Reminder – Fire Department Banquet Saturday, January 17, 2026
City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they scheduled a meeting to attend the Hugo
Fire Department Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Hugo American Legion
beginning at 5 p.m.
Cancel January 19, 2026, City Council Meeting Due to Martin Luther King Holiday
The second Council meeting of the month falls on the Martin Luther King Holiday, January 19.
City Administrator Bryan Bear recommended Council cancel the January 19, 2026, regular
Council meeting.
Strub made meeting, Krull seconded, to cancel the January 19, 2026, City Council meeting.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Reminder - Council Goal Setting Session Monday, January 26, 2026
City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they scheduled their Annual Goal Setting
Session for Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Schedule the Board of Appeal and Equalization for Thursday, April 2, 2026
City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council that Washington County was requesting the
Council schedule the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for Thursday, April 2, 2026,
from 5:30-7:00 pm.
Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to schedule LBAE meeting for Thursday, April 2, 2026,
in the Oneka Room at City Hall.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Schedule 2026 Legislative Reception for Wednesday, January 14, 2026
City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council the White Bear Lake Area Chamber of
Commerce will be holding the 2026 Legislative Reception on Wednesday, January 14, 2026,
from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Tria Restaurant in North Oaks. Bear recommended they
schedule it as a meeting if they wish to attend.
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Miron made motion, Krull seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the 2026 Legislative
Reception.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Strub made motion, Miron seconded, to adjourn at 8:31 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Lindau, City Clerk