2002 December Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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GROWING be a cooperative process. determine exactly what the facility Continued from Page 1 needs to include. "We're going to What this has meant for Hugo is a look to see what we need to get start- generator. Purchases planned for fairly rapid and extensive transition ed, as well as what our Public Works 2003 include an additional plow process taking place over the past two building might need to be 15-20 years truck and a large tractor with a ditch years. "The biggest thing that resi- from now," Granger states. He hopes mower. Plans also call for a portable dents will notice is that the City to draw on the experience of the com- pothole patch unit (or "tar buggy"), a Public Works crews will be doing the mittee members to streamline the one-ton dump truck, and a tractor majority of the snow plowing begin- process and come up with a building back hoe to be purchased in the next ning this winter," states Petree, "and plan that allows for future growth. He few years. we expect to be capable of maintain- adds, "Our goal is for the Public ing and plowing all of our roads next Works department to occupy a new The list of City services and mainte- year." He adds, "We also expect to be facility in 2004." nance provided by the Hugo Public grading all the gravel roads ourselves Works department is a long one and beginning in the spring of 2003." "People tend to take public works ser- includes: well, water tower, and sani- vices for granted," states Granger, tary sewer system maintenance; park The Public Works department is cur- "but the fact is that there are numer- maintenance; snow plowing, grading rently operating in the former City ous labor- and equipment-intensive of gravel roads, and all other road Hall building; however, this facility is services that must be provided." maintenance such as patching pot- inadequate for the demands of the Petree adds, "We are taking on many holes, repairing culverts and pipes, growing department. "We have run functions over a fairly short period of installing street signs, street sweeping, out of garage space for our equip- time, but we have an experienced tree trimming, and ditch mowing. ment," explains Petree. "We also have staff, and we are committed to meet- anumber of pieces that won't physi- ing or exceeding the level of service � While Hugo has always performed its cally fit into our current building." that Hugo residents have come to own water, sewer, and park mainte- The two used plow trucks that were expect." nance, the City has contracted with purchased from Washington County Washington County to perform all are being stored at that County's facil- road maintenance services. That ity, and the motor grader is stored at arrangement began to change in 2000 the Hugo Fire Hall. In addition, the when Hugo's growth became too building is not handicapped accessi- RESIDENTS great for Washington County. "We ble, portions of the roof are failing, could see the growth taking place in and it lacks space for such basics as an SOUGHT FOR Hugo," states Greg Felt, Operations employee training room and locker PLANNING Manager for Washington County, room.It COMMISSION and we knew we weren't going to be able to grow our maintenance forces At its November 18, 2002 meeting Terms for two Planning to accommodate the future needs of the Hugo City Council formed a Commission members will Hugo." Felt also notes that the Public Works Building Committee. expire at the end of 2002. The County needed to focus its attention City Council Member Mike Granger, City of Hugo is looking for resi- on the County road system, for exam- a member of that committee along dents who might be interested in ple, freeing up County employees for with Council Member Frank Puleo, serving on the City's Planning a second shift of snow plowing work- City Administrator Mike Ericson and Commission. Please call City ers. He adds that the County has Petree, explains that the purpose of Hall at (651) 762-6300 for more agreed to assist Hugo throughout the this committee is to find a site for a information and an application. transition, noting that it continues to new Public Works facility and to 2