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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2013 <br />Page 10 of 12 <br />metropolitan area. <br />Mayor Weidt stated that he saw no clear reasoning for the reduction in the population forecasts. <br />The Council discussed how the numbers affect traffic and commercial business planning. <br />Weidt made motion, Bronk seconded, to direct staff to send the letter to the Metropolitan <br />Council requesting the forecasts be revised to a population of 40,000 people by 2040. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br />Discussion on Lawsuit Between WBL Restoration Association and WBL Homeowners <br />Association vs. DNR <br />A lawsuit is underway between the White Bear Lake Restoration Association and the <br />Department of Natural Resources concerning the low lake levels of White Bear Lake. City staff <br />recently received a subpoena from the Attorney General's Office requesting documents and <br />depositions for the trial. Staff has also received a letter from the DNR encouraging the City's <br />intervention on the lawsuit. <br />City Administrator Bryan Bear explained a lawsuit was filed by the White Bear Lake Restoration <br />Association (WBLRA) against the DNR stating they have violated the MN Environmental <br />Rights act by issuing water appropriation to municipalities and that have resulted in the decline <br />in the water level of White Bear Lake according to the study done by the USGS who made the <br />connection. The study is ongoing with information to be released over the next two years on the <br />connection and information on how much is due to pumping or other factors. The DNR is trying <br />to include Cities in the lawsuit and claimed the WBLRA sued the wrong party. The DNR had <br />subpoenaed the City requesting documents and is strongly suggesting the cities intervene <br />because of interest in water supply. Bryan talked about the Groundwater Management Area the <br />DNR Commissioner was proposing to establish and about water appropriation permits. <br />City Attorney Dave Snyder explained that intervention is a right third parties have to intervene in <br />a lawsuit which can be a simple or contesting process. He suggested Council direct staff to <br />continue to work through options. <br />Weidt asked about the November 12, 2013 deadline. City Attorney Dave Snyder stated the <br />deadline was to add another party to the lawsuit, but does not specifically apply to intervention. <br />City Administrator Bryan Bear referred to Haas's letter which encourages the Council to not get <br />involved the lawsuit. <br />Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to direct staff to collaborate with the other cities named in <br />this lawsuit and keep the Council apprised. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br />Update on the Yellow Ribbon Network <br />Council Member Klein reported to Council on the Yellow Ribbon Network (YRN) activities <br />