2022.11.21 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 21, 2022 Page 4 of 10 Approve State of Minnesota Grant Contract with the Hugo Fire Department for Wildfire Equipment and Training The MN DNR was in need of local fire department assistance in suppressing wildland fires. The Commissioner of Natural Resources had made grants available for the procurement of fire suppression equipment and training of fire departments in techniques of fire control. A local match of 50-50 was required for this grant. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the grant contract with the State of Minnesota in the amount of $5,000 for equipment and training in fighting wildfires. Approve Site Plan, CUP Renewal, Variance, and Easement Vacation for Xcel Energy-13620 Fenway Boulevard N. The applicant, Xcel Energy, had requested approval of a site plan to construct a two-story approximately 32,000 square foot building as well as an outdoor training facility. The outdoor training facility would be an expansion of the existing facility on site, which was allowed by a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The applicant had requested an amendment to their CUP to allow for the expanded facility. A variance was being requested to allow for the height of structures (poles and lattice tower) within the training facility, which exceed the maximum 50 feet allowed by ordinance. Since the applicant was proposing to impact a wetland on site located within a drainage and utility easement, they also requested an easement vacation. At its November 10, 2022 meeting, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the request. No one from the public spoke. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the applications. Weidt removed this and the following item from the Consent Agenda. Approve Wetland Replacement Plan for Xcel Enery-13620 Fenway Boulevard N. The above-mentioned applications are on property that has .39 acres of farmed type 2 wetlands on site. The development would result in .39 acres of wetland impact, mostly because of grading for stormwater pond construction. The applicant had proposed to replace the impacts to the wetland basin though the purchase of wetland credits from an approved wetland bank. Weidt removed the previous two items from the agenda and invited representatives from Xcel Energy to introduce themselves. Mike Wilhelmi is the new Community Relations contact for the City of Hugo. The previous contact was Colette Jurek and before that it was John Werdish. Mike explained he had been on the job for nine months and was please to present this project. He said the project would consolidate and improve their training. The plan was to add transmission substation training to their facility. There would be approximately 10-15 staff members and 12-100 students utilizing the center at one time and would provide for multiple training opportunities.