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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.04.06 CC MinutesMINUTES City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Monday, April 6, 2026 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 Engineer Mark Erichson, City Attorney Dave Snyder, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, City Clerk Michele Lindau Approve Minutes for the March 16, 2026, City Council Meeting Petryk made motion, Strub seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting held on March 16, 2026, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes for the March 24, 2026, 165 th Street AUAR Open House Krull made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the minutes for the 165 th Street Open House held on March 24, 2026, as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approval of Agenda Weidt made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo Fire Department Annual Report – Fire Chief Jim Compton, Jr. Fire Chief Jim Compton, Jr. presented the Hugo Fire Department’s 2025 Annual Report. The Department responded to 488 calls in 2025. Of those, 204 were rescue assists with M Health, including 21 cardiac arrests. Alarm calls continue to increase, likely due to the age of homes, and the Department continues to educate residents. The Department responded to 36 structure fires, 19 of which occurred outside the City. The average percentage of medical calls among fire departments is approximately 80%, while Hugo responded to 42% of medical calls, as the Department responds only to major medical and lift-assist calls when necessary. They have reduced call volume by limiting mutual aid and ambulance calls when their response would not add value. Compton commended the medical direction and training received through M Health. Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 2 of 10 Motor vehicle accidents are tracked separately from medical calls; the Department responded to 55 such incidents last year, assisting with scene control, patient care, extrication, and cleanup. Total calls increased 19% from the previous year, from 411 in 2024 to 488 in 2025, compared to an average 8% increase in prior years. The busiest month in 2025 was July, with the busiest times between 1–3 a.m. and 3–4 p.m. Fifty-seven percent of calls occurred between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with Wednesdays being the busiest day. During 2025, firefighters completed 3,600 hours of combined training, including weekly drills, specialty training, and small-group training. Operational updates included two firefighters completing probation and one resignation, bringing total staff to 28. The station was remodeled to include a “work-from-station” setup, improving response times. A training prop was purchased with donations. Leadership development continued, supported by a leadership coach focused on succession planning. The Department remains active in community events. Department received $56,773 in donations in 2025. In collaboration with Ducks Unlimited, the Relief Association will host “Bingo for Broomsticks” as its next fundraising event. Chief Compton emphasized the AED initiative, reporting that there are 28 AEDs available—12 carried by firefighters and 3 by chiefs. These AEDs were instrumental in saving two lives in 2025, and a lifesaving award ceremony is being planned. The Department worked to improve its ISO rating to help lower insurance costs for residents in rural areas. Other improvements include the replacement of the SCBA fill station, updates to the apparatus bay, and office remodeling. Lieutenant Bieniek is leading a community risk reduction program, which entails at-home visits for a carbon monoxide awareness campaign. A truck committee is currently evaluating equipment needs, and a fire marshal position will open upon the retirement of the current marshal, with ongoing discussions regarding staffing models. Petryk asked about lift-assist protocols, noting that some care assistants decline to lift. Compton explained that liability concerns exist and that the Department typically conducts lifts only after an ambulance has arrived since such calls often involve a medical issue. Personnel are trained in proper lifting techniques. Krull commented on the ability of the firefighters to be able to work from the station, saying it was a great idea and encouraged Compton to share it with other departments. Compton replied that departments differ in opinions on it and that Hugo incorporated the model into the City’s personnel policy as a Council-approved benefit. Weidt commented on the availability of AEDs in the community and the two lives that were saved. He thanked Compton for the update and encouraged the department to keep up the good work. M Health Fairview Annual Report – District Chief Kevin Kane District Chief Kevin Kane presented the MHealth Fairview Annual Report. Kane reported that it is going on six years that MHealth took over EMS calls for Hugo. He presented data for the northern region that showed there were 5,136 calls in 2025. There were Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 3 of 10 298 calls in their service area and 294 out of their service area. The average response time for emergent calls was 8:11 minutes and an average 8:49 minutes for all calls combined. In Hugo, M Health received 1,029 calls and received mutual aid 59 times. The emergent response time was 7:46 minutes, and the combined average was 8:35 minutes. Kevin presented a map that showed the highest call volume in a centralized area near Frenchman Road and TH61. A graph he showed indicated that most calls occur during morning and evening hours, when residents are typically waking up or returning home. Weidt expressed appreciation for the service provided and the strong working relationship with the Hugo Fire Department. Miron asked whether the service model remained the same, with ambulances stationed in strategic locations. Kane confirmed that it has remained largely unchanged and explained that M Health uses a dynamic deployment model, positioning units based on current call volume and the most efficient response routes. Approval of Consent Agenda Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda: 1. Approve Claims Roster 2. Approve Six-Month Performance Review and Completion of Probationary Period for Public Works Worker Ryan Christiansen 3. Approve Hiring Public Works Summer Seasonal Workers 4. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion 5. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from American Online Giving Foundation 6. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for the James Triumph Charity Event on June 6, 2026, at the Blacksmith Lounge 7. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Hugo Lions Club for Hugo Good Neighbor Days on June 6 & 7, 2026 8. Approve Off-Site Gambling Permit for Merrick, Inc. for Hugo Good Neighbor Days June 6-7, 2026 9. Approve Special Event Permit for Hugo American Legion Family Days on April 25, 2026 10. Approve Purchase of Ferris Zero Turn Mower for Public Works Department 11. Approve Resolution Authorizing Distribution of 165 th Street AUAR for Public Comment All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Claims Roster Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 4 of 10 Approve Six-Month Performance Review and Completion of Probationary Period for Public Works Worker Ryan Christiansen At its October 6, 2025, meeting, the Council approved the hiring of Ryan Christiansen as the new Public Works Worker with a start date of October 20, 2025. On April 20, 2026, Ryan will have completed his six-month probationary period. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the performance review and completion of probationary period for Public Works Worker Ryan Christiansen. Approve Hiring Public Works Summer Seasonal Workers Staff requested Council approve the hiring of seasonal employees for the Public Works Department. In the 2026 General Fund Budget, Council approved funding for seasonal employee positions. There are five seasonal workers who are interested in returning from last year. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the rehiring of last year’s seasonal employees: William Heise, Beck Rogers, Jacob Weierke, Kristofer Bower, and Matias Evert. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from the Hugo American Legion The Hugo American Legion requested to donate $1,000 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 $1,000 to the Hugo Fire Department. Approve Donation to the Hugo Fire Department from American Online Giving Foundation 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 are able to choose one of the Foundation’s recipients to receive the funds. Brent Tervola has chosen to donate $48.56 to the Hugo Fire Department. All donations to the Fire Department must be approved by the City Council. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the donation of $48.56 to the Hugo Fire Department. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for the James’ Triumph Charity event on June 6, 2026, at the Blacksmith Lounge Sierra Pollock from James’ Triumph charity had submitted a Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit application to hold a raffle at their event to be held at the Blacksmith Lounge on June 6, 2026. Jamess’ Triumph exists to support families who have been affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. The permit is issued by the MN Gambling Control Board after approval by the City. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for James’ Triumph charity event on June 6,2026. Approve Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for Hugo Lions Club for Hugo Good Neighbor Days June 5-7, 2026 The Hugo Lions Club had submitted a Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit to hold bingo, paddlewheel and raffle drawings during Good Neighbor Days to be held at Lions Park June 5-7. Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 5 of 10 The permit is issued by the MN Gambling Control Board after approval by the City. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit for the Hugo Lions Club for Good Neighbor Days on June 5-7, 2026. Approve Off-Site Gambling Permit for Merrick, Inc. for Hugo Good Neighbor Days on June 6 & 7, 2026 Merrick, Inc. had submitted an LG230 application to conduct off-site gambling in the form of Bingo during Hugo Good Neighbor Days on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday June 7, 2026, at Hugo Lions Park, 5524 Upper 146th Street North, Hugo, MN. A Lawful Gambling Permits would be issued by the MN Gambling Control Board after being approved by the City. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Off-Site Gambling Permit for Merrick, Inc. to conduct Bingo during Good Neighbor Days. Approve Special Event Permit for Hugo American Legion Family Days on April 25, 2026 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 would like to celebrate the day by holding a festival on Saturday, April 25, 2026. A Special Event Permit approved by Council is necessary because alcohol will be sold outdoors, approximately 200-300 people are expected to attend throughout the day, and there will be amplified music and event announcements. The event will include a rib contest and vendors. The event will begin at 6 a.m. for the BBQ teams to set up and will end at 6 p.m. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Special Event Permit for the Hugo American Legion Family Day on April 25, 2026, subject to the conditions in the staff memo. Approve Purchase of Ferris Zero Turn Mower for Public Works Department A Toro zero turn mower with a bagger was purchased in 2005 for maintaining the City’s parks and facilities and is at the end of its useful life. Staff would like to replace the Toro mower with a Ferris zero turn mower with an EZ dump hopper. Money had been included in the 2026 CIP budget for this purchase. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the purchase of a Ferris ISX3300 60” zero turn mower with EZ dump hopper as outlined in the quote from L.T.G. Power Equipment in the amount of $22,618.00. Approve Resolution Authorizing Distribution of 165 th Street AUAR for Public Comment Staff and consultants have been drafting the AUAR for the 165 th Street corridor area over the past several months. There have been public meetings to provide information on the AUAR and gather feedback on the study and plans. The draft AUAR has been prepared and is complete to be sent out for public comment. The first step of the review process is for the City Council to authorize staff to distribute the AUAR for public comment. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2026 – 7 AUTHORIZING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE DRAFT ALTERNATIVE URBAN AREAWIDE REVIEW AND MITIGATION PLAN FOR THE 165TH STREET CORRIDOR AREA TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 6 of 10 Assessment Hearing for 2026 Bald Eagle Industrial Park (BEIP) Area Street Project Improvement Project A public hearing had been scheduled for this evening on assessments for the BEIP area street improvement project. Staff recommended the assessment hearing and improvement hearing berescheduled to Monday, May 4, 2026, to allow adjustments to the assessment roll. Mayor Weidt asked if there were any comments, and there were none. Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to reschedule the hearing on the Bald Eagle Industrial Park area street improvement project to the Monday, May 4, 2026, City Council meeting. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Resolution Receiving Amended Feasibility Study and Setting the Public Hearing for the 2026 BEIP Area Street Improvement Project City Council previously received the plans and specifications and held the improvement hearing. Within the original assessment roll, three of the properties had the common element being assessed (that portion of the parcel that had frontage). City Engineer Mark Erichson informed Council that the County requested that the City modify and assess the property owners within the parcel. To ensure proper protocols are followed, Erichson recommended updating the assessment roll and holding a new improvement hearing. Appropriate notice will be sent to property owners, and the hearing would be set for May 4, 2026. Miron made motion, Strub seconded to approve RESOLUTION 2026-8 RECEIVING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2026 BALD EAGLE INDUSTRIAL PARK STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Resolution Declaring the Costs to be Assessed and Resolution for Hearing on Proposed Assessment for the 2026 BEIP Area Street Improvement Project Due to the amended feasibility study and assessment roll, City Engineer Mark Erichson requested Council declare the costs to be assessed and set the assessment hearing for May 4, 2026. Total project costs were estimated to be $4,678,427 with $1,021,356 being assessed. Erichson recommended Council approve the resolutions declaring costs to be assessed and setting the hearing on assessments for the 2026 BEIP Street Improvement Project. Petryk made motion, Miron seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2026 – 9 DECLARING THE COST TO BE ASSESSED AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE 2026 BALD EAGLE INDUSTRIAL PARK AREA STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 7 of 10 Miron made motion, Krull seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2026 – 10 FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENT FOR THE 2026 BALD EAGLE INDUSTRIAL PARK AREA STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on Washington County Cost Share for Trail Along 140th Street and Fenway Boulevard The City of Hugo and Washington County continue to collaborate on completing the southern portion of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail. At this time, a Joint Powers Agreement is not expected to be finalized before the City awards the construction contract for the 2026 Bald Eagle Industrial Park Area Street Improvement Project. City Engineer Erichson explained that the trail segment along 140th Street will be upgraded from a five-foot sidewalk to a ten-foot regional trail, and Fenway Avenue from 140th Street to 130th Street will also be reconstructed to a ten-foot regional trail standard. Construction plans for the 2026 street project are currently out for bid, and completing these trail sections at the same time would reduce costs. The segment from 130th Street west to Highway 61 would be an eight-foot local trail connecting neighborhoods east of Highway 61. The County’s portion, extending south from Fenway Boulevard between 130th Street and 120th Street behind Wilson Tool, will connect to Ramsey County’s regional trail. Total trail improvements are estimated at $3.2 million. The City’s share is estimated at $760,000. For trails completed with the street project, the County would be responsible for $464,000 (50% of the 140th Street trail and 100% of the Fenway trail), and the City would contribute $90,000 (its 50% share of the 140th Street trail). The County has not allocated funding for its portion and has requested a turnback policy for the trail along Fenway Avenue after improvements, which City staff felt was not reasonable. Ongoing maintenance responsibilities remain under discussion, and no agreement is expected before the City awards the construction contract. Erichson provided options to proceed. The trail component could be excluded from the project. The County does not have 140th or Fenway in their plans but acknowledges it will be required for designation as a regional trail. Another option is for the City to construct the trail and document costs for future negotiations for reimbursement since it will be less costly to do it with the road project. Erichson asked for feedback from the Council and direction on sending a letter to Washington County to formalize the City’s position. Petryk had questions about the cost. Erichson explained it would be $464,000 for the County’s share, and the City’s share is $90,000. None of it could be assessed for. Miron asked about the County’s timeline on construction of the trail to the south. Erichson stated that the County is developing plans, pursuing grant funding, and may need to acquire right-of-way, making construction one to two years away. It would need to be completed for it to be a regional trail. He said the County is vested in this and wants to see it completed. City Administrator Bryan Bear added that there would also need to be dedication of the trail Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 8 of 10 along Fenway as a regional trail, and the County wants to accept that section of trail in an improved new condition. Weidt asked whether the City could front the cost and seek reimbursement later. Erichson replied that the County has not committed to it yet. They do not want to make this investment in case this does not become a regional trail. They do not have full knowledge it will come to fruition. Miron said it sounded like there would be a process for this to become a regional trail and questioned whether there could be negotiations at that point. Erichson indicated that it could reduce the City’s cost for the next section. Petryk asked if the townhome association to the south had been contacted. Ericson replied that they are working through the process with them, and their biggest concern is screening. Strub questioned whether the trail on Fenway is really in need of improvement. Erichson confirmed that it is. Weidt talked about how costs will continue to increase and noted that the trails benefit the City. He said it was not ideal to front the money, but the timing of the City and County projects do not line up. He said it made sense to do it as part of this project and work with them later for reimbursement. Miron agreed, saying there are several different parts of this project, and it will only be getting more expensive. Weidt made motion, Miron seconded, to direct staff to write a letter to Washington County discussing the City’s desire to do improvements now and work to get reimbursed by the County at a later date. All Ayes. Motion carried. Information on Repeal of Shotgun-Only Zone in Southern and Western MN The City of Hugo has historically been included in the longstanding shotgun-only hunting zone in southern and western Minnesota, which restricted deer hunters to using shotguns, muzzleloaders, or handguns. A new law passed during the 2025 legislative session repealed the shotgun-only restriction, effective January 1, 2026. Hunters may now use rifles or other legal firearms statewide, although individual counties within the former zone may adopt ordinances to continue restricting rifle use. City Administrator Bryan Bear reviewed the City’s shooting ordinance and controlled shooting area regulations. Within Hugo, a person may not discharge a firearm or other controlled weapon within 500 feet of any building capable of being occupied by a person or livestock, or within 500 feet of a stockade or corral containing livestock. Discharge is also prohibited within 500 feet of any public road. Outside the controlled shooting area, shooting within 500 feet is permitted only with the property owner’s permission. The City’s ordinance does not differentiate between firearm types. Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 9 of 10 The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages and enforces hunting regulations, while the City enforces local shooting rules. The DNR will regulate statewide firearm use for hunting but will not enforce more restrictive local rules. Although counties may pass ordinances to maintain shotgun- only restrictions, Washington County has not acted on this option. There is a May 1 deadline for publishing such ordinances in the DNR hunting regulations book. Bear provided the update for informational purposes only. No formal Council action was taken. Reminder - Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Open House on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they had scheduled a meeting to attend the Washington County open house regarding the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. in the Oneka Room. Reminder - Annual Kidz ‘n Biz on Saturday, April 18, 2026 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council they had scheduled a meeting to attend the Annual Kidz ‘n Biz on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. – noon at Oneka Elementary School. Schedule Metro Cities Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council they were invited to attend the Metro Cities Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 5:00 pm at the Roseville Skating Center and recommended Council schedule this as a meeting if they wish to attend. Weidt made motion, Strub seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend the Metro Cities Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. All Ayes. Motion carried. Schedule Performance Review for City Administrator Bryan Bear City Administrator Bryan Bear has been employed with the City since May 3, 2004. Bear recommended Council schedule his performance review for Monday, May 4 or May 18, 2026, at 6 p.m., prior to the regular Council meeting at 7 p.m. Strub made motion, Miron seconded, to schedule for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Vacancy on the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District Board City Administrator Bryan Bear informed Council the term of office for three members of the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District Board were expiring. Anyone interested can contact City Hall. Council Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026 Page 10 of 10 Adjournment Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 8:19 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau, City Clerk