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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.09.21 CC Minutes MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 21,2015 Call to Order Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Haas, Klein, Miron, Petryk, Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of the Minutes for the September 8.2015 City Council Meeting Klein made motion, Petryk seconded,to approve the minutes for the September 8, 2015 City Council meeting as presented. Approval of the Agenda Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded,to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Introduction of Congressman Tom Emmer Weidt made motion, Haas seconded,to table this item until later in the meeting when Congressman Emmer arrives. All Ayes. Motion carried Rush Line Corridor—Ramsey County Senior Transportation Planner Andy Gitzlaff The Rush Line Corridor Task Force recently completed a lengthy alternatives analysis process, which has narrowed down future transit options within the 30-mile corridor between Union Depot in St. Paul to Forest Lake. Gitzlaff provided background on the study focusing on alternate modes of transportation to sustain the projected growth and development in the area and address the needs of older citizens. He explained the different types of transit being considered and reviewed potential routes that have been identified through previous studies and public engagement efforts. A meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22,2015 at the Headwaters Service Center from 5-7 p.m. to present the findings of the study to the public and solicit feedback. Approval of the Consent Agenda Miron made motion, Klein seconded,to approve the following Consent Agenda: 1. Approval of Claims 2. Approve Annual Performance Review for City Clerk Michele Lindau 3. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Paul Christianson Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for September 21,2015 Page 2 of 6 4. Approve Resolution Authorizing a MnDOT Speed Study on 125th Street North 5. Approve Resolution Approving the Grant Fund Agreement for 129th Street/Bald Eagle Lake Dam Project 6. Approve Letter Supporting Washington County Star Trail Association's Federal Grant Application All Ayes. Motion carried Approval of Claims City staff recommends Council approve the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for City Clerk Michele Lindau Michele Lindau was hired as the new City Clerk in the City of Hugo on January 1, 2008. Michele was originally hired by the City of Hugo as a part time employee in 1997 and a full time employee beginning May 1, 1999. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for City Clerk Michele Lindau. Approve Annual Performance Review for Public Works Worker Paul Christianson The City of Hugo hired Paul Christianson as a Public Works Worker on September 27,2004. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Public Works Worker Paul Christianson. Approve Resolution Authorizing a MnDOT Speed Study on 125th Street North The City has received a complaint on vehicles being driven at excessive speeds on 125th Street North, particularly the section immediately west of CSAH 7. This section of road does not have a posted speed limit, which is then assumed to be 55 mph. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION 2015-46 AUTHORIZING THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (MNDOT) TO COMPLETE A SPEED STUDY ON 125TH STREET BETWEEN GOODVIEW AVENUE AND COUNTY STATE-AID HIGHWAY NO. 7 . Approve Resolution Approving the Grant Fund Agreement for 129th Street/Bald Eagle Lake Dam Project The City received a grant in the amount of$408,829.55 from MnDOT through the state bridge bond program. Now that the City awarded a construction contract for the project,the City needs to enter into a grant agreement with MnDOT so that the funds can be disbursed and applied to the project. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION NO.2015-47 APPROVING THE GRANT FUND AGREEMENT FOR THE 129TH STREET BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. SAP 224-080-002. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for September 21,2015 Page 3 of 6 Approve Letter Supporting Washington County Star Trail Association's Federal Grant Application The Washington County Star Trail Association had requested the City of Hugo's support in their application for Federal grant money to upgrade the equipment used to groom the snowmobile trails. The snowmobile club also generously donates their time to groom the cross-country ski trails in Irish Avenue Park. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the letter for signature by the Mayor supporting grant money for snowmobile trails.. Update on Railroad City Administrator Bryan Bear provided a review of discussions that began during the winter of 2014 when the City received complaints about National Recycling's usage of the rail spur. It was realized at that time that there needed to be repairs to the rail line serving the Bald Eagle Industrial Park or service would be terminated, impacting businesses. The rail spur was created in the BEIP when CSAH 8 was realigned, leading to significant economic development in Hugo. This line is currently being used by Load Master Lubricants and Schwieters, and the loss of the railroad would likely result in the loss of those business who depend on it, and hinder future development and economic investment in the park. The Council had expressed support for the businesses and the railroad during the 2015 legislative session, and the State of MN appropriated $145,000 to MN Commercial Railway for emergency repairs to the rail line as part of the Transportation Bill. Repairs are nearly complete;however, approximately$1.1 million is still needed for permanent repairs. Deteriorating rail lines is a problem all over the state impacting businesses dependent on the service, and there is no grant program in place like there is in the surrounding states of Iowa and Wisconsin. Bonding proposals are now being submitted for the 2016 Legislative session, and committees will begin tours this fall. Three avenues are being explored: bonding request, general fund request, and the Minnesota Freight Railroad Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement Act. There is a statewide effort looking for support for the MFRPII Act, which would be a grant program for improvements. The Council talked about long term sustainability based on having enough businesses to support the rail line and would like to see stakeholder involvement to help them work on promoting other business to come to the park. Current businesses would be good promoters of the BEIP. Weidt made motion,Petryk seconded,to draft letter a letter of continued support of legislative activities regarding reconstruction of the railroad system. All ayes. Motion carried. Hass made motion,Weidt seconded,to direct staff to consult with the railroad and businesses using the spur to explore public relation opportunities to bring businesses to Hugo to make the railroad viable in the future. All Ayes. Motion carried. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for September 21,2015 Page 4 of 6 Discussion on Solar Garden Subscriptions City Administrator Bryan Bear updated council on a previous discussion on SolarStones's request for construction of a solar garden in Hugo and for the City to be a subscriber for electricity for a 25 year period, which would reduce the cost of electricity for the City. The solar garden did not develop due to wetlands on the property. Staff recently responded to a request by the Met Council soliciting interest in subscribing to solar power. The City sent a letter of intent to become a part of their Request for Proposals for Community Solar Garden Subscription Agreements. Thirty one other cities also responded to the RFP with 224 million watts of capacity requested; the City of Hugo signed up for 1,000,000. Bear informed Council that all proposals can be rejected, and the City is under no obligation. Staff recently met with the Met Council to learn more about the Community Solar Garden Subscription Agreements. The RFP process will continue, and staff will simultaneously work with SolarStone. Met council will be ranking providers, which will make it easier for the City to make comparisons to determine if SolarStone is our best bet. The process will likely run as a lottery with other cities interested in subscribing to solar power. Bear informed Council they should be prepared to act quickly as there will be a 15-day turnaround time. Draft subscription agreements are available for review, and staff expects to bring results back for Council vote in late October or early November. The Council agreed the City needed to embrace the new technology in solar and be proactive. Yellow Ribbon Network Report Council Member Chuck Haas and Council Member Phil Klein reported on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. Haas thanked Xcel Energy for sponsoring last month's Hamburger Night. This month's sponsor is the Hugo Lions Club on Wednesday, September 23. YRN volunteers helped staff the suicide run. The YRN network helped a service member with car repairs. The Hugo YRN is now a 5013C non-profit organization. There are currently 75 soldiers registered for the upcoming pheasant hunt. Introduction of Congressman Tom Emmer Mayor Weidt welcomed Congressman Tom Emmer to the Council meeting. Emmer introduced himself and shared with Council how he began his political career on a City Council and stated that he likes visiting with communities. Emmer said that he wants to be closely connected to Hugo and know how he can help us. He can be easily reached at www.emmer.house.eov. and will respond as quick as possible. Council discussed with the Congressman items relating to maintaining the vitality of the railroad, funding to expand broadband to all areas of the City, funding for water reuse projects, and the importance of continuing support of our military. Emmer talked about his support of internships at the Capital for those who can't afford it,and he spoke to students from the White Bear Lake School District who were in attendance as part of a school assignment. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for September 21,2015 Page 5 of 6 Beaver Ponds Neighborhood Open House Thursday.September 24.2015 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council of the Beaver Ponds Neighborhood Open House scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2015 from 6-7:30 p.m. The purpose of the Open House is to discuss a water reuse project in Beaver Ponds Park. The meeting will take place at the pavilion in Beaver Ponds Park Citywide Bus Tour on Saturday.October 3.2015 City Administrator Bryan bear reminded Council of the 9th Annual Citywide Bus Tour for Council, Commissions, and residents scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2015. Participants are to meet at Lions Park for a 10 a.m. departure and will return to the shelter at approximately noon for a BBQ lunch. Fall Cleanup on Saturday.October 3.2015 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council of the Fall Cleanup Day on Saturday,October 3, 2015 from 8 am —noon at the Hugo Public Works Building being held by the City of Hugo and Washington County. Hugo residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to do their fall cleaning by bringing in their old household items as well as hazardous household products for disposal. A complete list of accepted items can be found on the City website or by contacting Hugo City Hall. Fire Department Open House on Saturday.October 3.2015 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council of the Hugo Fire Department Annual Open House to be held on Saturday, October 3,2015 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. This event will take place at the Hugo Fire Hall, 5323 140th St.North,and will include the Fearless Firefighters Fun Run beginning at 9 am. Schedule Interviews for Planning Commission Vacancy At its July 20, 2015 meeting,the Council accepted the resignation of Rick Gwynn from the Planning Commission and authorized advertisement of the vacancy. Staff has received three applications and requested Council schedule a date and time to hold interviews. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded to schedule the Planning Commission interviews for Tuesday October 20, 2015 at 6 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Manufacturing Day at Wilson Tool on Friday.October 2.2015 Council Member Klein added this to the agenda to be sure Council was aware that Wilson Tool was holding a Manufacturing Day event on Friday,October 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for September 21,2015 Page 6 of 6 Klein made motion, Haas seconded, to schedule a meeting to attend Manufacturing Day at Wilson Tool on Friday, October 2, 2015. All Ayes. Motion carried. Adjournment Has made motion, Klein seconded to adjourn at 8:34 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Mi hele indau City Clerk