2009.03.16 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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During this construction year MNDOT will be improving portions of Highway 61 from County Road 8 north to the Post Office. The improvements will include resurfacing of the road, turn lanes, and a stop light at 147th Street. During the construction there will be relocation of above ground power lines along Highway 61. Staff discussed with the EDA the possibility of putting the power lines under ground, in the downtown area, during the construction of the improvements. The EDA discussed the possibility of putting the power lines under ground. Klein asked if the City had an ordinance requiring power lines to be buried underground. Staff stated that the City does not have an ordinance that would require a developer to bury power lines. Granger stated that he thought that burying the power lines was a good idea. He stated that the City should look a adopting an ordinance to require the burying of power lines and that the City should negotiate with Xcel on the amount it will cost to bury the power lines. Arcand agreed. Granger made a motion, seconded by Klein, to make a recommendation to the City Council to consider burying the power lines underground and to look at adopting an ordinance that would require developers to have all power lines be underground. All Aye. Motion Carried. Jim Leroux visited the EDA and stated that on ordinance needs to be researched and there are a lot of communities that require underground power lines. UPDATE ON BR&E SUBCOMMITTEE Staff provided an update to the EDA on the progress of the BR&E subcommittee. The collage of St. Thomas has a graduate class that provides free case studies to businesses. Staff has contacted businesses that filled our the business profile questionnaire and stated that they would like to have a business case study done on their business. There are three businesses in the City that are interested and St. Thomas students will be contacting them to do a business case study. The Associate Planner stated that staff will be attending a BR&E workshop for the U of M Extensions Program and will update the EDA at their March meeting. DISCUSSION ON KIDZ N' BIZ FEST DONATION On April 4th, 2009,the 5th annual Kidz `n Biz Fest will take place at the Oneka Elementary School. This annual event is an opportunity for the Hugo Business Association and the Hugo EDA to directly connect with Hugo families and children in a PTA carnival atmosphere. This event is expected to attract more than 400 Hugo children and their families, and will once again feature an assortment of carnival games presented by Hugo businesses with assistance from the WBL High School and National Honor Society. Last year the EDA and the Hugo Business Association(HBA) co-sponsored the event in the amount of$500. Staff recommended that the EDA make a recommendation to the City Council that the EDA co- sponsor with the HBA for Hugo Kidz `n Biz Fest. Granger made a motion, seconded by Klein, to make a recommendation to the City Council that the EDA co-sponsor with the HBA for Hugo Kidz `n Biz Fest. All Aye. Motion Carried.