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2021 Spring Newsletter
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2021 Spring Newsletter
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2021
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Spring
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In response to the Coronavirus outbreak <br />in March of 2020, Mayor Tom Weidt <br />declared a local emergency. This <br />allowed the City to be in a state of read- <br />iness to make decisions quickly if neces- <br />sary. Throughout the pandemic, the City <br />Council received regular updates and <br />has been able to make decisions about <br />the City's virus response without using <br />emergency powers or executive orders. <br />The Council has since rescinded all local <br />emergency powers. <br />While many events were cancelled <br />throughoutthe pandemic, all Cityservices <br />and facilities remained open and avail- <br />able. Residents were able to visit parks, <br />trails, and open spaces in the City, and <br />did a good job following social distanc- <br />ing guidelines. Modifications were made <br />to serve the public through upgrades <br />in technology that allows for building <br />permits to be applied for online and <br />for the community to participate in all <br />meetings virtually. Physical upgrades <br />were made to City buildings to include <br />barrier guards at the front counters, <br />HVAC improvements, touchless doors <br />and faucets, and masks and sanitizers <br />were made available to the public. Staff <br />worked with Washington County to <br />provide the best up-to-date information <br />on business resources, and the City was <br />able to provide businesses with some <br />financial assistance. <br />Hugo CARES Business Grant <br />On July 7, 2020, the City of Hugo received <br />$1 million from the Minnesota Department <br />of Revenue in response to the COVID-19 <br />pandemic. This money was provided to <br />the City through the Coronavirus Aid, <br />Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES <br />Act) as a federal response to the recent <br />economic decline. The EDA met in August <br />to discuss the resources already available to <br />local businesses and if there was a need for <br />an additional grant program. The discus- <br />sion ended in a motion that directed staff to <br />create a grant program for local, private <br />or nonprofit businesses that generate <br />under $3.5 million in annual revenue, which <br />allowed them to apply for individual grants <br />for up to $10,000. In response, staff created <br />a grant program that allocated $200,000 <br />from the City's CARES budget to local <br />businesses, should they meet the grant <br />requirements. The application period was <br />open from September 9, 2020 to October <br />1, 2020. <br />In the end, 19 Hugo <br />businesses received grants <br />from the City and a total of <br />$171,635.33 was awarded. <br />Staff received 22 total applications and <br />reviewed the submitted materials in <br />regard to the grant application criteria and <br />requirements. At the October 15, 2020 <br />meeting, the City Council expanded the <br />criteria to allow two of the applicants <br />that did not meet the annual revenue <br />requirements to be included in the recipients. <br />Fees Waived <br />The City Council also waived on -sale <br />liquor license fees for 2021 in order to <br />help struggling restaurants. Also, in an <br />effort to create a business friendly <br />community, the City of Hugo has never re- <br />quired business licensing. <br />Virtual Meetings <br />Though the risk of COVID is far from over, <br />vaccines are becoming more readily avail- <br />able and business is slowly getting back to <br />normal. Events are being planned for the <br />summer that include Good Neighbor Days in <br />June and the Tough Mudder in July. Most <br />City meetings will take place in person be- <br />ginning in April, but virtual attendance will <br />still be possible for those who prefer it. Pro- <br />tocols have been developed for these hybrid <br />meetings, and attendees are encouraged to <br />review them on the City's website. The City <br />thanks everyone for their patience during <br />the past year and looks forward to a better <br />2021 !City staff is more than happy to accom- <br />modate for anyone wishing to participate. <br />Stormwater Reuse Project <br />The City of Hugo is a leader in the State of Minnesota for water stewardship and <br />conservation. The County Road 8 Stormwater Reuse System will connect irrigation systems <br />serving 22 acres along County Road 8, Lions Park, Keystone Place, Hugo Gardens, Lions Park <br />and City Hall. <br />The project will improve surface water quality through phosphorus reduction, <br />decreased groundwater demand and volume reduction. A pump station will be installed <br />on the existing stormwater pond on the northeast corner <br />ion is <br />e with <br />Park <br />❑7 <br />
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