EDA PACKET 02.21.23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF DECEMBER 20, 2022 Chair Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. PRESENT: Arcand, Chrun, Gallivan, Klein, Roberts, Weidt ABSENT: Denaway, Puleo STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Community Development Director Max Gort, Associate Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 Commissioner Klein made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Roberts, to approve the October 18, 2022 EDA meeting minutes. Ayes: All. Nay: None. Motion carried. 2022 EDA REVIEW Associate Planner Gort gave a presentation to the EDA highlighting economic development throughout the City in 2022, and what has changed relative to the goals adopted for 2022. Hugo’s population continued to grow, with the Met. Council’s estimation reaching over 16,000 for the first time. The Downtown Hugo project is underway, along with the visioning and jurisdictional transfer study for Highway 61. The City completed its projects of reconstructing Lions Park (now named Lions Volunteer Park), the new community building known as Peder Pedersen Pavilion, and the new Public Works building. The White Bear Lake Area School District completed its new elementary school known as North Star Elementary. Commercial and industrial projects such as Schwieters Building 7 and Eagle’s Landing were completed. Xcel Energy received approval from the Planning Commission and City Council to expand their existing training facility, which is to include a “mock” substation and transmission lines, as well as a new 40,000 square foot building hosting high volume training events twice p er year. The Building Department received 107 permits for new single-family homes, with more residential projects in planning stages. Community Development Director Juba gave an update on the Downtown Hugo project, stating that it was approved with recommendations from the EDA and Planning Commission to the City Council. The developer wants to come back and discuss issues such as the relocation of the watermain. Additionally, the developer has received letters from the MnDNR opposing the project due to th e location of buildings and decking relative to shoreland statutes, with the latest letter indicating that the DNR wants to conduct meetings with staff to change the plan so that it meets dimensional standards. Commissioner Chrun asked if the setback was the DNR’s primary concern, and Juba stated that flexibility was given through PUD criteria. Commissioner Roberts asked how comfortable the EDA would be with a potential extension of the purchase agreement, with Commissioner Arcand and President Weidt statin g that the timeline is out of the applicant’s control. City Administrator Bear stated that the EDA is the applicant’s primary negotiating group, and that the EDA should have an expectation for the applicant to perform well on the design.