Hugo Bits & Pieces
Suit Appealed To Supreme Court
At the March 19 City Council meeting, legal counsel Nick Vivian discussed with council members and staff Terry Miller's new appeal of his unsuccessful lawsuit against the city of Hugo. Miller is taking his case to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Miller, a.k.a. Oneka Lake Development Co., sued the city after the council denied his request for an extension of the city's Metropolitan Urban Services Area (MUSA) boundary. Miller wanted the MUSA extension so that municipal water and sewer service could be provided to his proposed housing development on Oneka Lake Boulevard.
The council denied Miller's petition in a motion that was rolled in with the consent agenda at the July 19, 2004 meeting, which means that the motion denying Miller's request was approved without discussion.
Miller contended that this action violated statutory requirements. However, both the District Court and the Court of Appeals judged otherwise.
On March 8, Miller's attorneys filed a petition with the state Supreme Court asking for a review of decision made by the Court of Appeals. Vivian, however, told the City Council that the chances of the Supreme Court taking up Miller's case are remote.
"The Supreme Court takes very, very few cases for review," and typically the cases they do take involve a "unique legal principle," he added, the corollary being that Miller's case isn't unique enough to be heard by the Court.
April Comp Plan Open Houses Planned
Council scheduled the next Comprehensive Plan Update Open House for April 26 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The April open house is the second in a series that will take place throughout the process of updating Hugo's 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
The first, which took place in late February, focused on soliciting feedback from residents regarding their perspectives on the city's future.
The April meeting will focus on informing residents about any trends that have been observed in the feedback the city has received so far and will also provide residents with another opportunity to share their views on the comprehensive plan process with council members and city staff.
HFD Presents Annual Report
At the same meeting, the Hugo Fire Department presented its 2006 annual report.
Fire Chief Jim Compton and Assistant Fire Chief Jadon Ollila made the presentation on behalf of the fire department. After the presentation and a question-andanswer session, the council unanimously accepted the report.
The HFD's report indicates that a record 417 emergency responses were performed in 2006.
Of these 417 emergency responses, 321 were medical/rescue emergencies, while 96 were fire emergencies.
The 321 rescue emergencies were also a city record, surpassing the prior record of 302 in 2005.
In general, the number of rescue emergencies has been steadily inching upward for several years, while the number of fire emergencies have been holding steady. A variety of factors could be responsible for the increase in health emergencies, Compton said, including population growth and an increase in the number of elderly residents in the city.
Summarizing this trend, Ollila said that "fire is less and less and health emergencies are more and more of our business."
Council members and city staff had nothing but positive things to say to Compton and Ollila about the performance of the Hugo Fire Department, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Municipal Infrastructure Coming To Oakshore Park The council passed a resolution authorizing city staff to accept bids on the Oakshore Park Public Improvement Project. All voted in favor, with Council Member Becky Petryk abstaining from the vote because she owns property in the area. Council Member Mike Granger was absent.
The Oakshore Park project will bring paved roads and municipal sewer and water to the fifty lots in the neighborhood. The council's vote came on the heels of a March 15 meeting with Oakshore Park residents that gave the residents a look at the completed construction plans for the project.
An assessment hearing that will determine the assessed costs of the project for Oakshore Park residents has yet to take place.
2007 Proclaimed 'Year To GET READY!'
The council approved a proclamation dubbing 2007 the "Year To GET READY!."
The proclamation, authored by Mayor Fran Miron, came on the heels of a presentation by Robert VerStraeten of the Minnesota Red Cross. VerStraeten, citing a recent survey that found that the majority of Americans have not taken basic steps to prepare for a disaster or emergency situation, talked to the council about the need for increased disaster and emergency readiness in Hugo and the surrounding area.
Miron's proclamation calls on local residents to "Get a Plan, Get a Kit, and Get Involved to help save lives in our community."
In other action, the council:
. Agreed to help sponsor the April 22 Kidz 'n Biz Fest in the amount of $500. According to background materials prepared by city staff, the Kidz 'n Biz Fest, set to take place at Oneka Elementary School on April 22, is "an opportunity for the Hugo Business Association and the Hugo EDA to integrate with Hugo families and children in a PTA carnival atmosphere."
. Approved the Washington County Sheriff 's Department monthly report for February. There were 348 police calls from Hugo and 42 citations for the month. Deputy Jeff Larson told the council that "areas of concern" include increased break-ins and thefts around construction sites.
. Directed staff to send a letter to Washington County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg asking him to notify local septic haulers of the time frame for the upcoming Metropolitan Council Environmental Services septic dumping site closures in the north metropolitan area.
. Directed Council Members Chuck Haas and Mike Granger to work with city staff to form an implementation committee for the construction of a soccer complex at Rice Lake Park.
. Authorized staff to advertise for five public works seasonal summer employees.
. Approved the resignation of Jennifer May from the Parks & Recreation Commission.
. Approved the hiring of Nathan Ehalt as the new city administrative intern.
. Approved a pay request in the amount of $126,617.24 from Washington County for work completed to date on the CSAH 8/14 project.
. Approved the annual performance review of building department receptionist Debi Close.
. Appointed Tony Groff as a new member of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
. Made a public announcement that the terms of the Metropolitan Council representatives have expired, and that residents interested in serving in that capacity should contact Governor Tim Pawlenty's office or the city of Hugo.
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