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this plays out, the City may have several action steps to take. In the mean time, the White Bear <br />Lake Comprehensive Plan Work Group, is meeting, and is charged with recommending <br />solutions to the lake level problem by the 2027 legislative session. The recommendations from <br />this work group could be consequential to all communities in the northeast metro. <br /> <br />Stormwater re-use. The City is working toward a goal of 100 million gallons of storm <br />water re-used through this program on an annual basis. Construction is ongoing on several new <br />projects that will be privately managed by Homeowners Associations. Staff continues to seek <br />outside funds and project ideas for other re-use projects. City staff is reviewing the results of a <br />study at this time with the Rice Creek Watershed District to evaluate the successes and failures <br />of these projects, with a hope to improve processes that lead to their construction. We also hope <br />to identify possible enhancements to existing projects. <br /> <br />Water Conservation. We will continue to seek new ways to lead in this area, but work <br />has been hampered by the White Bear Lake lawsuit. <br /> <br />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. Dave Strub is being appointed as a member of MAWSAC. <br /> <br />Fire Department: <br /> <br />Administration. The City has hired a full-time Fire Chief, who is now implementing a <br />work plan that incorporates Council’s objectives. The Chief has implemented changes to the <br />organizational structure of the department, along with some operational adjustments. Physical <br />improvements are underway at the Fire Hall. In 2025, the Chief would like to determine the <br />long-term future of the Fire Marshal’s position. <br /> <br />Engine #2. The Fire Chief is developing a long-range plan for the department’s fleet of <br />vehicles. The largest (and most expensive) trucks are on a 30-year replacement schedule, which <br />means the tanker truck (Tender #1) is due for replacement in 2032, and the heavy rescue truck <br />(Rescue #1) is due for replacement in 2034. The Chief is evaluating whether department <br />operations would be improved if both trucks were to be replaced with a single Engine/Tender <br />(think pumper-tanker combination truck), to be purchased as early as 2029. The Department’s <br />operation has changed since these older trucks were originally purchased. The evaluation would <br />begin with the Chief assigning a truck committee comprised of select members of the Fire <br />Department. If things were to play out this way, it would result in substantial savings for the <br />City, although a major expenditure would occur earlier than planned. <br /> <br />Parks: <br /> <br />Trails. City staff is partnering with Washington County to find funding for construction <br />of the last section of the Hardwood Creek Trail. We expect funds to be requested from the <br />State’s 2025 bonding bill, if there is one. Planning for the Glacial Hills Regional Trail through <br />northern Hugo is being completed at this time. Last year, the Public Works staff cleared land for <br />informal nature trails in the Oneka Place and Hugo Meadows areas. Trails in Clearwater <br />Creek Preserve are a priority of the Park Commission in 2025. The trail in Beaver Ponds will <br />be replaced with this year’s street project. Planning will need to begin for the 2026 street project <br />that will likely include trail reconstruction along Fenway between 130th and 140th Streets. The