2002 June Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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OPEN HOUSE that is causing the need for a new water flow from the site of the (Continued from Page 1) City Hall is going to pay for it." new City Hall. "The rain gardens will also include two illuminates The design for the 13,100 square waterfalls," adds Burmeister, "and foot building was carefully we expect completion of the over- thought out by supervising archi- all landscaping by early July." tect Bob Russek, with special The City obtained a $50,000 attention paid to climate factors grant from the Metropolitan and future expansion. The floor Council and a $40,000 grant plan includes improved City from the Rice Creek Watershed Council chambers, a multi-use District for the design and land- community room available to scaping materials for the site. local clubs and organizations, and The opening of the new City Hall an administration wing with a At the conclusion of the open is the culmination of a process mixture of open office space and house celebration, the Mayor and that began at a town meeting in administrative offices. City Council members walked July 2000 when residents from the lobby to the new expressed a clear preference for The City Hall boasts a unique Council Chambers for a City constructing a new City Hall landscaping plan. Landscaping Council meeting with an over- building that would be a high superintendent Greg Burmeister flow crowd in attendance. The quality facility— something Hugo of Arnt Construction points out Mayor reflects on the new era for could be proud of. The down- that there are two separate land- the City of Hugo: "When I look town location allows the City scaping projects. In addition to now at the staff and the new Hall to be an anchor for the rede- the usual trees, bushes, flowers, facility — with the incorporation velopment of downtown Hugo and grasses, the plan includes an of technology, computers, and and part of the "town center" innovative storm water manage- phone systems — I really question concept identified in the City's ment solution that incorporates how they were able to function in recent community visioning rain gardens, a series of retention the old facility. Building the new process. ponds and storm water drainage, City Hall really is a step that which will handle the storm needed to be taken." On April 16, 2001, the City Council awarded the contract for construction of the City Hall to Mark Haug Construction, Inc. of WkSTER GARDENER Pine City, Minnesota. The total cost was estimated at $1.5 mil- VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR lion for construction and $2.1 NEW CITY HALL SITE million for the complete project. At its August 20, 2001 meeting, the Hugo City Council approved The City of Hugo is looking for residents who are master gardeners to volun- the sale of bonds in the amount teer to assist with the landscaping plan for the new City Hall. In addition to of $1,870,000 with an interest the usual trees, bushes, flowers, and grasses, the landscaping plan includes an rate of 4.77% to finance the City innovative storm water management solution that incorporates rain gardens, Hall project. City officials were a series of retention ponds and storm water drainage which will handle the very pleased with the low interest storm water flow from the site of the City Hall. rate. City Council member Chuck Haas further notes that, This landscaping plan will be very labor-intensive, so the Public Works department will need additional help .with planting, maintenance, and given the positive financial out- upkeep. Interested master gardeners who would like to volunteer their time look for Hugo, the City will not and talents on this project are asked to contact City Administrator Mike have to raise property taxes, say- Ericson at City Hall at 651-762-6300 for further information. ing, "In essence, the development 2