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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 18, 2017 Page 7 of 8 Discussion on LUAC and MAWSAC Workshop Council Member Phil Klein recently attended a joint workshop of the Land Use Advisory Committee and the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee. As a member of both these committees, Klein provided Council an update and requested input. Klein talked about the importance of bringing both groups together as it has a big effect on water and development of land. Klein had provided Council a summary of what was discussed at the workshop, highlighting what he felt was important. He indicated he wanted to see more collaboration between government agencies on water standards in hopes policies would be discussed that would tie land use to water sustainability. Klein also recognized the need for communication and education, involving work through the school system and media and possibly providing incentives to help achieve the goals they want to accomplish. He stated that Hugo has been a leader in water conservation, and now with the conservation rate schedule, Hugo is in a good position. Klein said he felt that, as part of these commissions, Hugo has a voice in directing the future. These two committees need to be unified to gain traction regarding polices to the Metropolitan Council and legislators. He asked Council what their thoughts were on what direction they needed to take. Petryk stated it was important for people to know the aquafers are recharged, and she asked if there was any discussion on preserving these recharge areas. Klein replied there was not. Bear pointed out that Klein was the only member of both of these committees, and he is in a good position to recognize there is a crossover. Met Council allocates growth over the region and they are getting more involved in water supply, though they have no say in regulating or regionalizing water. In his opinion, they have not done a good job of connecting these two items when projecting growth forecasts. He thought it would be helpful to have an understanding of what the water supply issues are, supported by science, and the Met Council needs to be able to change its growth forecasts in recognition of that. Weidt stated that getting these group to talk is a great step in pointing out things that are logical and sensible to Hugo. Hugo is doing its part to make sure we have access to water and is on a good path, but there is a need to get rid of roadblocks. Klein talked about the cost of conservation projects and how it would be good to have legislative representative on these committees to discuss funding necessary to make the projects a reality. Hugo was fortunate to have a supportive community that has embraced conservation. Bear added that there have been too many regulations that discourage stormwater reuse. Now the Department of Health is considering new regulations on filtration because of a remote health concern. If reuse could be held on equal grounds with other policy recommendations, it may be able to carry additional weight. Miron talked about incentivizing some of this type of use and promoting it. What Hugo has done is largely due to the community's efforts, and it would be nice if there was broader based regional buy -in to help champion this effort.