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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for February 6, 2023 <br />Page 8 of 11 <br /> <br /> <br />entrance for the garages. <br /> <br />Weidt commented that it has come a long way. He said it would be a nice project to have there, <br />and there are issues to work out. He suggested Stalland keep moving forward with staff. <br /> <br />Strub added that it looked better than the first proposal. <br /> <br />The Mayor called for a short recess at 8:15 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:23 p.m. <br /> <br />Discussion on North Star Wetland Bank <br /> <br />Parks Planner Shayla Denaway provided an update on the North Star Wetland Bank and next <br />steps. At the meeting of May 2, 2022, Council approved a proposal from WSB to assess the <br />vegetation and monitor the hydrology in the project area north of Lions Volunteer Park. Council <br />also approved submittal of a draft prospectus. The site evaluation was completed July- <br />October. WSB has provided a summary of their findings and were recommending that the City <br />complete the draft prospectus phase of the wetland banking application process to receive <br />comments and feedback from the Technical Evaluation Panel. Pending approval of the draft <br />prospectus, staff had recommended Council authorize cost estimates to be prepared and that an <br />agreement with White Bear Lake Area Schools be drafted. <br /> <br />Denaway explained the assessments were completed in October at a cost of $14,500, including <br />the draft prospectus. Assessments showed vegetation was extremely low quality in the project <br />area, and there was tremendous potential for improvement to put in natural plants. Four <br />monitoring wells indicated sites in July drained and some partially drained. Eliminating ditches <br />could restore a large portion of the site. If all areas were drained, there was a potential for 116 <br />credits to be received with restoration. If it is only partially drained, there would be <br />approximately 69 credits. Based on market value, credits could be sold for over $85,000 per <br />credit. Building the wetland bank would cost approximately one million dollars. This would <br />not include trail construction. WSB was preparing to submit a draft prospectus to the Technical <br />Evaluation Panel. Denaway presented what she considered an extremely progressive timeline <br />with a goal to start construction in 2024. If the draft prospectus was approved, WSB would need <br />authorization to prepare a cost estimate that would cost $7,500. Staff was also looking for <br />authorization to work with the White Bear Lake School District on an agreement for the property <br />and wetland bank. <br /> <br />Klein asked if we should be speaking with the White Bear Lake School District first. Bear <br />explained they had been having discussions, and the district appreciated the trails as they would <br />be compatible with the district’s needs. <br /> <br />Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to authorize WSB to prepare the cost estimates and work <br />with the White Bear Lake School District on the agreement for the wetland bank. <br /> <br />All ayes. Motion carried. <br /> <br />Discussion on Reorganizations of Public Works Department <br /> <br />Public Works Director provided a recap of the City Council workshop held on July 25, 2022, to