2023.01.23 Packet - Goal Setting Workshop

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TO: City Council FROM: Bryan Bear, City Administrator SUBJECT: APRA Funds DATE: January 18, 2023 for the City Council workshop of January 23, 2023 BACKGROUND: Council has on several occasions, discussed use of these funds, but has not yet made a decision. The amount is $1,668,411.92. The city must obligate these funds before the end of 2024, and all funds must be spent by 2026. The city of Hugo has a low amount of funds to spend comparable to many other cities. For Hugo, most of the restrictions surrounding spending of these funds have been removed by the Treasury Department. ANALYSIS: Staff recommends this fund be spent on a non-recurring expense, such as a special project. We also recommend it be spent on a project that is not already within the City’s budget or CIP. Some topics that have been discussed include:  Paving of 165th Street between Elmcrest and Hwy 61. Current estimate is $1,100,000.  Paving of Elmcrest north of Heritage ponds to 170th Street. Estimate = $830,000, but half the road is in Lino Lakes  Construction of North Star Wetland Bank. Estimated cost = $1,000,000 for the wetland bank only, without trails  Hopkins School House. Estimated cost = $500,000 up to $1,000,000  Unidentified, unfunded infrastructure project. Cost varies  Unidentified, unfunded stormwater management project.  Recreation. Although our funds can presumably be spent on recreation projects, they will also receive the most criticism.  Something else. Some (larger) cities are using funds for workforce development, satisfying housing needs, etc. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff will discuss more with Council at the workshop. The City does a good job planning for the financing of its infrastructure and other capital needs, however these funds could provide an additional infrastructure boost to a project the council finds important. CITY OF HUGO MEMORANDUM