2014.11.03 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2014 Page 6 of 8 Discussion on Met Council's Water Demand Prosection Preliminary Results The Metropolitan Council had provided the preliminary water demand projections based on the Thrive MSP 2040 population forecasts. City Engineer Jay Kennedy explained that these projections will be used to update their Master Water Supply Plan, and they are requesting comments by November 20, 2014. Questions being asked by the Met Council were: are the demand estimates reasonable for planning; does the City plan to use the same water sources to meet 2040; and is the City proposing new well fields or intakes? Jay talked about the projected water usage according to the 2030 comprehensive plan, and the 2014 projected and estimated demand. The City of Hugo has had slower growth than anticipated. The Met Council has now estimated a population to be served by water to be slightly under 29,000 with a projected demand of 1.2 billion gallons per year. The 2030 projected demand of 1.5 billion gallons per year was based on a 36,867 population. Jay suggested that one comment to the Met Council could be to base it on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Jay also stated that the approved water appropriations by the DNR is 650 million gallons per year that can be pumped from the existing wells. Klein asked what kind of credit the City could get for conserving water. Kennedy replied that it would be difficult to measure, and projections do not take that into account. Staff will continue to reinforce the City's interest in water conservation. Hass asked about what the Met Council could do if we were out of compliance. Bear stated that the Met Council does not regulate water usage but does have authority over regional planning and could use that to control the direction of growth. Kennedy explained that it was an option to respond to the Met Council's questions; but, if the Council choses to, he suggested the Council respond by requesting use of the City's full build- out numbers as shown in the Comprehensive Plan. Kennedy added that the City would need additional wells to meet those demands. Haas suggested we comment on our goal to reduce irrigation by reusing stormwater and explore using surface water to meet our demands. Jay stated he had a clear understanding on how to respond to the Met Council's questions. No formal action was taken. Discussion on the Forest Lake YMCA Mayor Weidt and City Administrator Bryan Bear had met with Forest Lake representatives to learn about the partnership between the City of Forest Lake and the YMCA to construct a facility on property donated to the YMCA by the City of Forest Lake. The property is located on Headwaters Parkway near the Washington County Service Center. During the meeting, the YMCA requested the City financially contribute to the project. City Administrator Bryan Bear provided information on the proposed 50,000 square foot facility. The construction was scheduled to begin before July 31, 2015. He talked about special covenants for Forest Lake residents and incentives that would be given to Hugo residents.