2023.02.06 Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Minutes for January 23, 2023 Goal Setting Workshop Page 2 of 3 The Council questioned how much time Bear would be spending on the White Bear Lake Lawsuit. Bear replied that he and City Attorney Dave Snyder had been involved since the beginning and likely be leaned on to guide the mediation. Council felt it was important for the City to take the lead. There was a question on bridge repairs and if there were funds available. City Engineer Mark Erichson replied that there were bridge funds available, and the City needed to get on the list with construction costs for those grants There was a question from Council about whether they should be more engaged on policy issues that were outside of Hugo’s control. Bear replied that Senator Karin Housley and Representative Patti Anderson would be invited to speak to the Council directly. Council indicated they approved the list of goals as drafted by staff. The list would be on the next Council agenda for formal approval. Discussion on ARPA Funds (Covid Cash) Bear began by explaining how the rules at the Treasury Department had changed and the rules for spending ARPA funds were relaxed. The City was given 1.6 M. in funding that needed to be appropriated to a project by the end of 2024 or the City would lose those funds. Suggestions to Council were to spend the money on paving of 165th Street, which would help with connecting other roads or paving of Elmcrest Avenue. The City was currently in discussions with the City of Lino Lakes. Also, at the next Council meeting, the Hopkins Committee would present their plan to Council on restoration of the Schoolhouse and their funding plan. Most of the discussion was about the Northstar Wetland Bank. This project would cost approximately $1 million to construct. The City would be able to sell the credits. The cost of the credits would be negotiable and would fluctuate. The use of that money would need to be identified. There was a suggestion it be used to construct the trails. The school has indicated they would like to have a cross-country trail. It was said they do not have revenue for the approximately $2 million it would cost to construct. The Council liked this idea for several reasons. It was said the ARPA money came from everyone, and it should not be used on a project that affects only a small number of residents. The wetland bank would have a long-term payback that would provide a new revenue stream for more community enhancement opportunities. The wetland bank would be environmentally friendly and could be used for educational and recreational purposes. Funding of trails could possibly be done with the sale of credits. Signage could be displayed on the property indicating how it was paid for. Bear added that this property for a wetland bank had been evaluated. The next steps would be the design phase, and it was not likely a project would be ready to start this year. Discussion on the wetland bank will be on the next Council agenda.