Hudson City Council Workshop - September 10, 2024

The Hudson City Council workshop on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 7:30 PM in Town Hall covered several major discussion items: an update on the WWI Memorial Restoration Project, the adoption of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, a contract for the Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course Clubhouse, and revisions to the Park Facility Reservation Policy. Council also reviewed the proposed consent agenda and legislation for the September 17, 2024, regular meeting. All council members were present.

WWI Memorial Restoration Project

• Chris Bach, a Hudson resident, presented an update on the restoration of the WWI Memorial located on the Boy Scout Green. The bronze plaque was restored in 2018; the project now requires a new sandstone pedestal (estimated $17,000 for stone and $8,500 for installation). $8,500 has been raised of the $25,500 needed. Bach hopes to secure the remaining funds within a week to order stone (4-6 week lead time) for installation by Veterans Day 2024; otherwise, dedication would be delayed to Memorial Day 2025.
• Council expressed unanimous support for the design and location. The Public Works Department agreed to assist with demolition of the existing rubble base and potentially help with installation. Donations are being accepted through the David Hudson Chapter of the DAR, and the city will promote fundraising.

Comprehensive Plan Adoption

• Rebecca Leiter, Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and Community Development Director Greg Hannan presented the draft plan and responded to council questions. Key discussion points included: availability of a housing stock inventory, timeline for updating land use category descriptions, the definition of "passive open space" at the former Youth Development Center (YDC) site, and the Vision statement.
• Council debated the land use designation for the YDC site. The current draft specifies an "office park" to generate income tax revenue. Some members expressed concern this is too restrictive, suggesting broader language such as "transformative, tax-generating use" to allow for future opportunities. The steering committee indicated the intent was to avoid residential or non-income-producing development. Consensus emerged to modify the language accordingly.
• Other minor revisions (e.g., incorporating housing stock inventory, aligning descriptions) will be made before the public hearing on September 17, with a potential adoption vote at the October 1 meeting.

Ellsworth Meadows Golf Clubhouse Project

• City Manager Tom Sheridan explained the bidding process: the project was rebid three times due to cost overruns and incomplete bids. The recommended base bid from Rycon Construction, Inc. is $2,744,594. Staff also recommends including a covered dining porch alternate (value not separately stated) and performing clearing, grubbing, and demolition in-house via a change order to reduce costs.
• Assistant City Manager Trent Wash noted that the clubhouse is essential for revenue generation and creating a community atmosphere. The current clubhouse will be retained for event rentals. Financial details: the bond issue increased from $2.52 million to $2.7 million, raising annual debt service by approximately $14,000 over 20 years. The golf course fund will repay a $600,000 advance to the General Fund in 2024. The fund is healthy and projected to grow.
• Discussion: Council Member Banweg suggested dropping the dining porch to stay within the original $2.5 million budget, but others supported the alternate as vital for revenue. The project does not include a women's changing room. Council generally supported the project. The resolution was forwarded to the September 17 meeting for a vote.

Park Facility Reservation Policy

• Park Board members Linda O'Neil (Chair) and Frank Griffiths presented a revised policy focusing on events that benefit Hudson Parks. Key elements: events limited to 3 days max, no more than 2 per calendar year, no holiday weekends, and full use of courts during events. Council provided extensive feedback:
  • Purpose vs. criteria: Move language "events only benefiting parks" to the criteria section for clarity.
  • Public access: Council members (Kowalski, Foster, Heater, Bird) strongly advocated for reserving some courts for public use during events. Consensus: for events lasting more than one day, at least one bank of three courts (e.g., 25% of courts) must remain open for public use. Some members wanted this for all events. The Park Board will revise.
  • Approval process: Council agreed that individual event applications do not need council approval; the City Manager, staff, and Park Board will handle reviews.
  • Notice: Improve notification to residents (signage at courts, city communications, 90-day advance notice).
  • Fees: Charge for city staff time during events.
• The revised policy will be drafted by the Park Board (meeting September 16) and presented for a vote on September 17.

Proposed Consent Agenda (September 17, 2024)

All items were forwarded without objection:

• Acknowledgment of August 2024 monthly financial report.
• Authorization for AECOM design of new sidewalks on Valley View Road and Hines Hill Road.
• Resolution authorizing bids for Dillman Drive Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
• Resolution amending the Hines Hill Road Grade Separation grant request to $13,205,000 (project cost now $19 million).
• Contract with Rycon Construction for the golf clubhouse (same as discussion item).
• Then-and-now certificate for purchases ($3,650 and $3,208.75).

Proposed Legislation (September 17, 2024)

• Park reservation policy (as revised).
• Ordinance adopting 2024 Comprehensive Plan (public hearing and second reading).
• Ordinance permitting funds-in-lieu of sidewalks citywide (second reading; public hearing and third reading October 1).
• Resolution adopting 2024 Safe Routes to School Travel Plan (second reading).
• Ordinance amending council rules to streamline referrals to boards/commissions (first reading).
• Multiple bond anticipation note ordinances for: Downtown Phase II properties ($740,000 and $925,000), salt storage/bus maintenance facility ($7.3 million), Public Works facility at 5431 Hudson Drive ($3.295 million), golf clubhouse ($2.7 million), Boston Mills Road trail ($1.75 million), and Valley View Road trail ($1 million). All for first reading.

Key Outcomes

• WWI Memorial: Council supports project; Public Works to assist with demolition; fundraising continues with city promotion.
• Comprehensive Plan: Minor revisions to land use language and other items; public hearing September 17; potential adoption October 1.
• Golf Clubhouse: Consensus to proceed with Rycon contract and dining porch alternate; formal vote at September 17 meeting.
• Park Policy: Revised policy to be submitted by September 12 for vote on September 17; includes public court access and notice improvements.
• Future Agenda Items: Proclamations for Vincent William Baran Day of Service (September 17), Constitution Week, Hike Hudson Day, and Clayton Rakes (ALS fundraiser) will be added. A proclamation thanking the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee was also requested.
• Ad Hoc Committee: President Foster appointed all three at-large council members to a Fire and EMS Facility Needs Study ad hoc committee.
• Charter Review: Council members to submit 14 names each for interviews; top two-thirds will be interviewed (approximately 19-20 interviews).