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