2017.01.17 CC Packet - Goal Setting Session

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allow (dry fall, or cold winter) staff would like to complete a large segment of JD2 Maintenance in 2017. Fiber. Staff has been working with internet providers and state and county government toward expansion of high speed internet services in Hugo. A significant fiber project was completed in Eastern Hugo by Century Link in 2016. We expect the new service to be available by the end of March 2017. Street Lights. Public Works, Planning and Finance staff have been discussing our options for future street lighting within the city. It is a significant annual budget item that includes electricity, maintenance and replacement costs. Key decisions concerning street lights are being made at the time that new neighborhoods are created that have long term implications. Staff has been working with Xcel Energy and Connexus Energy on replacement of streetlight heads to LED fixtures, which should reduce maintenance and lower costs. Some of the fixtures will be replaced this summer. Water: Water Summit. Staff will soon propose a date for the next water summit. The agenda will include legislation concerning appropriation permits, the latest information from the USGS, and the significance of a protective elevation being set for White Bear Lake. Stormwater re -use. We continue to find opportunities for construction of water re -use projects within new developments. Additionally, we are seeking funds for construction in parks and roadway medians. Retrofit of HOAs will occur with a project in Waters Edge to begin construction this year. Ongoing discussion will involve the regulatory environment for the systems and operation and maintenance costs. Water Conservation. The 2016 water rebate program has been completed and was successful. We will be proposing a new program for the Council to review. We have also completed water audits on city properties, and are looking at other water conservation incentives, and possible changes to ordinances and water rate structures. White Bear Lake Lawsuit and Settlement Agreement. The settlement agreement impacts Hugo, and the council has taken a position on it. The implementation of the agreement continues despite a coming lawsuit that will begin in March. We expect mediation to occur before the lawsuit, and any results will likely further impact the city. Regional water studies are being finalized that include the City of Hugo. Staff is participating on the DNR's advisory team for the new Groundwater Management Area. Staff is also collaborating with Met Council staff on their feasibility study for surface water alternatives in the NE Metro. We are discussing alternative ideas for using surface water, and encouraging additional studies be conducted. We are also monitoring progress on the USGS study which is being released in phases. The Met Council is also studying aquifer sustainability and stormwater re -use. Hugo's water supply plan has been updated and submitted to DNR. Presentations. Staff is routinely asked to give presentations on water related topics to all sorts of organizations and agencies all around the state. While this is an effective method of delivering our message and influencing the discussion, it is extremely time consuming.