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Regional water studies that impact Hugo continue to be developed and updated. Staff <br />reviews this data, participates on many task forces and committees and is involved in regional <br />discussions involving water use. Phil Klein remains as a member of MAWSAC. <br /> <br />Fire Department: <br /> <br />Administration. The City has hired a full-time Fire Chief, who is now developing a <br />work plan that incorporates Council’s objectives. The Chief has been collecting feedback from <br />direct interviews with firefighters, with the next step being to consider implementation of <br />changes to the organizational structure, along with some operational adjustments. The Chief also <br />intends to focus on new firefighter recruitment, as well as maintaining the proper culture and <br />work environment within the department. <br /> <br />Parks: <br /> <br />Trails. City staff is partnering with Washington County to find funding for the <br />construction last section of the Hardwood Creek Trail. Funds are being requested from the <br />State’s 2024 bonding bill. Planning for the Glacial Hills Regional Trail through northern Hugo <br />will continue in 2024. Construction plans are being created for trails through the Bernin <br />Property. If conditions allow, the Public Works staff will clear land for informal nature trails in <br />the Oneka Place and Hugo Meadows areas. Trails in Clearwater Creek Preserve will be <br />discussed more fully following completion of the other trail projects. <br /> <br />Trail Maintenance. Many sections of Existing Trails are in need of maintenance, and <br />staff has been creating a trail ratings program similar to the system that is used to rate streets. <br />Once those ratings are finalized, staff will discuss with Council the need for a more formalized <br />trail maintenance program to be considered for approval within the City budget. The city needs <br />to develop a better strategy for dealing with “willow-pops.” <br /> <br />Veteran’s Memorial at Lion’s Volunteer Park. Space for such a memorial is provided <br />within the park, and Council has expressed some support for it, but it has not been built. Staff <br />would like to begin to find partners for this possible future project. <br /> <br />Bernin Property. All buildings have now been demolished. In 2024, the Parks <br />Commission would like to complete the construction planning and survey process, and apply for <br />a DNR grant to fund improvements, which could begin in 2025. <br /> <br />North Star Wetland Bank. Is a project behind the new elementary school that would <br />involve creation of a wetland bank and addition of a trails network. Staff intends to continue <br />through the design and permitting process in 2024. <br /> <br />Neighborhood Parks. For 2024 and 2025, the Parks Commission plans to replace <br />playgrounds and make site improvements in Oneka Ponds Park and Diamond Point Park. <br /> <br />Programs. Since Covid, many of the community programming options that were <br />previously provided through our many community partnerships, are no longer available for a <br />variety of reasons. Staff will begin to develop a strategy to increase programs and special events <br />available to our residents. <br />