MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON APRIL 21, 2014

Transcription

1 MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON APRIL 21, 2014 Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Bronk, Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Assistant City Attorney Josh Brekken, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Planner Rachel Juba, and City Clerk Michele Lindau Approval of the Minutes for the April 7, 2014 City Council Meeting Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting on April 7, 2014 as presented. Approval of the Minutes for the April 9, 2014 Joint City Council/Parks Commission Meeting Klein made motion, Bronk seconded, to approve the minutes for the Joint City Council and Parks Commission meeting on April 9, 2014 as presented. Approval of the Agenda Weidt made motion, Bronk seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Update on Koch Pipeline Oil Spill On Tuesday, April 8, there was an incident at the Koch pump station on the east side of Highway 61, across from Beaver Ponds development, where approximately 25 gallons of crude oil leaked from the Koch pipeline into the air. The high winds blew the mist onto homes, cars, and other items in the Beaver Ponds development. On Friday, April 11, 2014, staff met with representatives from the Koch Refinery to discuss Koch s assessment of the damage and cleanup of the spill. Julie Maher, from Koch Pipeline, explained that an equipment malfunction caused the leak, and Koch thought it was contained until they received a call midday from a resident who spotted oil on their property. They began house-to-house inspections and realized there was more of an impact than originally thought, and winds caused it to land on multiple sides of some structures. Julie apologized for the oversight on her part for not notifying the City immediately and explained they have been in communication since Thursday. After meeting with the City on

2 Page 2 of 6 Friday, a Code Red alert went out to the residents in the neighborhood. Koch is employing contractors to remove the residual oil and were in the process of power-washing the homes, which seemed to be going well. Some items were being replaced with items in kind to make sure residents were compensated fairly. There was a total of 28 homes impacted. Julie stated that Koch was making contact with local fire departments to work on emergency preparedness, and the Council talked about partnering for the use of equipment. The Council thanked Koch for how they responded to the situation. Approval of the Consent Agenda Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda items: Approval of Claims Approve Annual Performance Review for Parks Planner Shayla Syverson Approve Resolution Approving Advertisement for Bids for 165th Street Project Approve Special Event Permit for Hugo Feed Mill Retail Greenhouse Approve Property Line Adjustment for Harvieux Jody Avenue North Approval of Claims Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Claims Roster as presented. Approve Annual Performance Review for Parks Planner Shayla Syverson On May 11, 2009, the City Council approved the hiring of Shayla Syverson as the Economic Development/Parks Intern, and on May 3, 2010, Council approved promoting Shayla as the new Parks Planner. Shayla works with the Parks Commission and the Public Works Department on the development of uses within the City parks, as well as other recreational activities and programs. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the annual performance review for Parks Planner Shayla Syverson. Approve Resolution Approving Advertisement for Bids for 165th Street Project At its March 17, 2014 meeting, the Council approved the resolution ordering the 165th Street Improvement Project and the preparation of plans and specifications. This is a mill and overlay project for 165th Street and Ingersoll Avenue between TH61 and CSAH 4. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE 165th SREET ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS.

3 Page 3 of 6 Approve Special Event Permit for Hugo Feed Mill Retail Greenhouse Joseph and Steve Marier from the Hugo Feed Mill, th Street North, requested a Special Event Permit (SEP) for approval of a temporary 1,386 square foot (21 x 66 ) greenhouse for seasonal outdoor retail sales of plants. SEP s are required for temporary uses of a property, which include the construction of temporary structures. The greenhouse will be located on the owner s vacant property across 146th Street from the feed mill to the south. During the duration of the event, staff will evaluate the use in regard to parking and the effects on the surrounding properties. Staff is comfortable with the site layout the applicant has provided. Staff has included conditions for the use in the special event permit. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the Special Event Permit, subject to the conditions listed in the permit. Approve Property Line Adjustment for Harvieux Jody Avenue North Heidi and Charles Harvieux, Jody Avenue North, requested a property line adjustment between two parcels owned by them and a third parcel owned by B. Shirley Nelson consisting of a total of 51 acres. A parcel owned by Harvieux does not have the required 300 feet of road frontage. The property line adjustment would result in 21, 10, and 20 acre parcels all meeting the lot size and frontage requirements. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROPERTY LINE ADJUSTMENT FOR HEIDI AND CHARLES HARVIEUX FOR PROPERTIES LOCATED SOUTH OF 130TH STREET AND EAST OF JODY AVENUE. Approve Board of Trustees Request for Increase in Lump-Sum Pension The Board of Trustees for the Hugo Firefighter s Relief Association formally requested City Council ratification of an increase of $100 per year of service in their lump-sum pension benefit. The Finance Department had reviewed the request and found it to be financially feasible and consistent with the Pension Fiscal Policy adopted in April, Haas removed this from the Consent Agenda to remind Council that they had discussed this a few years ago and adopted a policy to give increases as long as the assets of the fund can support the liabilities. He cautioned that there has been positive increases in the past years, but history has shown that there are 5-6 years with increases followed by a period of decline. The numbers will tell if they are able to ratify another pension increase. Bronk talked about the change in state law in funding the PERA and the inclusion of the volunteer fire departments. Numbers are two years behind schedule. Though it is a $100 increase, it is based on 2011 numbers, and the department will still be behind. Haas made motion, Klein seconded, to approve a motion to ratify the Board of Trustees request for a $100 increase in the lump-sum pension benefit, effective immediately. Ayes: Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt Abstain: Bronk Motion carried.

4 Page 4 of 6 Approve Letters to Metropolitan Council on Thrive MSP 2040 Thrive MSP 2040 is the Met Council s long-range plan for the seven county metro region. It serves as the foundation of the Met Council s system plans and policies as the City moves towards the upcoming 2040 Comprehensive Plan. During this process, the Met Council develops a comprehensive development guide as well as preliminary forecasts for population, household and employment. The Met Council released the draft comprehensive development guide and preliminary forecasts for public comments in late February, and requested comments from communities by April 28, The Met Council is expected to adopt both in May. Haas removed this from the consent agenda to point out the discovery in a statement in the water supply section of the plan that states the MN State Legislature authorized the Metropolitan Council to take on planning and management of the regional water supply issues. The State Statute does not authorize the Metropolitan Council to take on management of the regional water supply, but simply carry out planning activities. He suggested a grammatical change in the letter and a change that there needs to be a revision, not may need to be a revision in the water supply section of the plan. Petryk talked about the need to make sure the Met council is aware that Hugo is a developing area. Haas made motion, Bronk seconded, to approve the letters to the Metropolitan Council on Thrive MSP 2040 with the changes as discussed. Haas made motion, Bronk seconded, to direct staff to draft a letter to share this discovery with Metro Cities, Washington County, our State Legislators, and Metropolitan Council representatives. Update on Bald Eagle Lake Outlet Structure At its March 17, 2014 meeting, the Council discussed the Bald Eagle Lake outlet structure under 129th Street North, at the north end of the lake. Funding is still being sought to replace the structure but it is currently in need of minor repairs. The Council voted to approve up to $20,000 be spent for emergency repair of the dam. Staff sent letters to White Bear Township, City of Lino Lakes, City of Centerville, Rice Creek Watershed District, and the Bald Eagle Lake Association asking for assistance in performing the short-term maintenance activities on the structure. City Administrator Bryan Bear explained the City has an outstanding request for the dam safety fund. This is money that becomes available through bonding and is allocated by the State Legislature, which is still in session and should be finalized in the next two weeks. The dam is on the DNR s list of projects to fund; it s a matter of how much money will be available. The letter written to the other agencies requested assistance to help with the maintenance of the dam.

5 Page 5 of 6 The City received an immediate response from White Bear Township who will contribute $2,500. The Rice Creek Watershed District indicated they are not going to provide immediate assistance for the maintenance because they do not see it as a water quality issue. Haas said he was disappointed that RCWD ignored this and didn t invite Hugo to the workshop when they discussed this request. Administrator Bryan Bear said the RCWD did notify him indicating they wanted to have further discussion on this at a subsequent Board meeting. Haas said our Washington County Board Manager should be notified on the importance of this, and he was grateful for White Bear Township response to this. Petryk asked about the dam funding. City Engineer Jay Kennedy explained that we are on the list for $250,000. The City needs approximately $350,000 to fully fund the project with the money received from MnDot. The City will still be short. Petryk talked about the homeowners that stepped forward in paying additional tax to improve the water quality of the lake and was disappointed that RCWD didn t. Klein asked when the City would perform the emergency repairs. Kennedy explained that the Public Works Department was inspecting the structure every day, and were ready to go once road restrictions were lifted. Building Department 2013 Annual Report City Planner Rachel Juba presented the 2013 Building Department Annual Report highlighting the activities of the Planning Commission and Building Department in the past year in comparison to previous years. Applications and residential building permits remained stable for the past few years with 52 new home permits issued in 2013 and 182 lots available. Foreclosures are continuing to decline. Projects currently working through approval process are Fox meadows, with 57 single family lots, and the LaValle Fields senior housing project. Staff is continuing to work with interested parties on the City owned land adjacent to Egg Lake. Haas asked about the tipping point for the Community Development Department. City Administrator Bear stated it is very close; if development continues to increase, the City will use consultants and eventually request Council to approve filling a position. Update on the Yellow Ribbon Network Council Members Chuck Haas and Phil Klein updated the Council on the activities of the Yellow Ribbon Network to date. The recent packing event was anchored by Girl Scout cookies donations. The Hugo Business Association helped pay postage which came to $2,200 for 1,600 pounds. A total of 51 packages went to the 114th Transportation Company. Sponsors this week for Hamburger night is May Township. Council Member Haas explained the track chair which is used in the fields to assist veterans in hunting and trap shooting. A member of Wildwings wants to donate money for the track chair to be available for veterans. The YRN continues to work with Habitat for Humanity and their veterans outreach program in Hugo.

6 Page 6 of Severe Weather Awareness Week April and Tornado Drill on April 24, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council that Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 21-25, He explained that the week is an opportunity for family and businesses to review emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards. Annual statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. Outdoor warning sirens and NOAA Weather Radios will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families. Spring Cleanup on April 26, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council that the City of Hugo will hold its annual Spring Cleanup event on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Hugo Public Works Department from 8 a.m. to noon. Kidz n Biz on April 26, 2014 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council that the Annual Kidz n Biz Fest will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Oneka Elementary School from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Adjournment Bronk made motion, Haas seconded to adjourn at 8:26 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk