Laserfiche WebLink
Council Meeting Minutes for May 20, 2024 <br />Page 6 of 6 <br /> <br />Executive Session -White Bear Lake Homeowners Association Lawsuit <br /> <br />City Attorney Dave Snyder explained that more than ten years ago, homeowners on White Bear <br />Lake launched a lawsuit alleging the decreased elevation of the lake was due to municipal <br />pumping. The City did not enter into litigation because the matter was viewed as best settled <br />with other planning options. The lawsuit culminated around 2018 when the judge in the district <br />court issued an order directing the DNR to make amendments to permits that govern municipal <br />water use. Four conditions were placed on municipalities including a ban that would prohibit <br />residential watering, if you were on a municipal water system, when the level of White Bear <br />Lake dropped to 923.5 feet above sea level or below. He explained that many around the lake <br />would not be subject to this ban they proposed to others, and the level of the lake was often <br />lower than that and could stay that way for years. The City of Hugo had found the conditions to <br />be onerous and challenged it. After five years of litigation, the judge issued his ruling on these <br />conditions. Snyder recommended Council adjourn into Executive Session pursuant to Minnesota <br />State Statute 13D.05 Subd. 3(b) to discuss the ruling and the City’s options for moving forward. <br /> <br />Miron made motion, Strub seconded, to adjourn into Executive Session at 7:41 p.m. <br /> <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br /> <br />Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to enter back into regular session at 8:21 p.m. <br /> <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br /> <br />Snyder summarized the Executive Session saying the Council met with the City Administrator, <br />City Attorney, and City Clerk in executive session under 13D.05 Subd. 3(b) to discuss pending <br />litigation and receive attorney/client privileged information as it related to matters of <br />amendments to various water appropriation permits, specifically the outdoor irrigation and water <br />ban imposed upon the City of Hugo by residents of White Bear Lake. Council was not taking <br />any action at this time, and further updates would be available as they develop. <br /> <br />Adjournment <br /> <br />Klein made motion, Strub seconded, to adjourn at 8:23 p.m. <br /> <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br /> <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br /> <br /> <br />Michele Lindau, City Clerk