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115 <br />MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 2015 <br />Vice Chair Klein called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. <br />PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Klein, Petty. <br />ABSENT: Houle, Puleo, Weidt. <br />STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner <br />Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF September 15, 201.5 <br />Petty made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of September 15, 2015. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried <br />UPDATE ON MET COUNCIL SYSTEM STATEMENTS <br />Juba gave the EDA an update on the current system statement, which was received in September. The <br />system statement triggers the comprehensive planning process, which is due to be submitted in 2018. It <br />summarized the regional system plans related to Hugo. The three major plans are related to <br />transportation, water resources, and parks and trails. The City has 60 days to review the system <br />statement and has the opportunity to appeal. Juba stated that staff does not feel like there's anything that <br />needs to be appealed, but that there needs to be conversations with the committees and public on items <br />within the plan. She said that one of the next steps will be to format a work plan in late 2015 or early <br />2016 for the comprehensive plan update. <br />Petty stated that she noticed that within the Economic Development Plan there are small changes that <br />can be made, but there's nothing big picture she can think of currently. <br />Gallivan stated that the projections for population in 2040 is at 30,000 but wondered if the sewer system <br />has the capacity for our 2030 projection listed in the previous comprehensive plan for 40,000. <br />Juba stated that the Met Council has the sewer infrastructure capacity for 40,000. <br />UPDATE ON BROADBAND INTERNET <br />Bear updated the EDA on improving internet access within rural Hugo. He stated that the City expects <br />that Century Link will be starring a project in 2016 to expand infrastructure in rural Hugo through <br />Connect America Fund (CAF) funding. The City expects that if this project moves forward, it will <br />greatly help residents in rural Hugo get internet access. <br />UPDATE ON RAILROAD <br />Bear updated the EDA on the railroad. He stated that Schwieters and Loadmaster have submitted letters <br />describing the importance of the rail to their businesses. These letters will be used within the proposal for <br />a state bonding fund and grant for the next legislative session. He reminded the EDA of dedicated state <br />funds in Iowa and Wisconsin used to repair rail lines. Bear stated that there will be a proposal for the <br />