Hugo Bits & Pieces
Comp Plan Draft Now Available
On October 15, the Hugo City Council scheduled the next 2008 Comprehensive Plan open house for November 15, where issues of land use, transportation, sewer and water, parks, housing, and economic development will be discussed.
As part of the same motion, council also directed staff to distribute draft chapters of the Comprehensive Plan for distribution and public discussion. The chapters ready for distribution focus on the issues mentioned above.
During a presentation, City Planner Kendra Lindahl told council that the city is hoping to complete a draft of the entire Comprehensive Plan by the end of this year.
Council Members Chuck Haas and Frank Puleo were absent from the meeting, making the vote 3-0.
Driveway Dispute Could Result in Legal Action
Council directed City Attorney Dave Snyder to send a final letter to Todd Christensen, owner of property at 6192 - 147th Street North, informing him that the city will pursue legal action if he doesn't bring his driveway into compliance with city ordinance.
Christensen's driveway is closer to the property line and wider than is allowed by ordinance. In September of 2006 he applied for two variances that would have made his driveway legal, but council recommended denial of the variances and gave Christensen until September 1 of this year to bring the driveway into compliance.
A recent inspection by city staff found that the driveway is still out of compliance, and it appears that council has run out of patience.
In other action, the council:
. Approved a resolution ordering the commencement of a feasibility study for the proposed 2008 road reconstruction project in the Hugo Elementary School neighborhood.
. Approved the specifications for a new pumper tanker truck that will replace the city's 1974 International pumper and 1974 International fire trucks. The same motion also authorized staff to advertise for bids for the new tanker truck.
. Directed staff to participate in an area focus group that will discuss the future of the Mahtomedi school district. The group is hoping to meet before the end of the year.
. Scheduled special council meetings for October 29 at the Prom Center in Oakdale and November 29 in Bloomington. The former is the Washington County League of Local Governments event, and the latter is the League of Minnesota Cities Regional Meeting.
. Approved a minor subdivision of a 30-acre parcel located on the southwest corner of 132nd Street and Ingersoll Avenue. The subdivision will create a 20acre residential lot and a 10-acre residential lot.
. Approved an encroachment agreement that will allow property owners at 12489 Europa Avenue North to locate a portion of split-rail fence and a 14 inch-high retaining wall within a drainage and utility easement.
. Approved applications from the new Kwik Trip at 14730 Victor Hugo Boulevard for the sale of off -sale non-intoxicating beer and tobacco.
. Approved the eighth pay request from Keys Well Drilling for work completed on city Well No. 5. The request was for $8,075.
. Declared October as Toastmasters month in Hugo. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization that aims to help its members develop and hone their communication and speaking skills.
. Approved a charitable gambling license for St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in conjunction with their turkey bingo event on November 17.
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