HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES EDA 02.21.23MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2023
Vice-President Klein called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.
PRESENT: Chrun, Denaway, Klein, Puleo, Roberts
ABSENT: Arcand, Weidt
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 Roberts made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chrun, to approve the December
20, 2022 EDA meeting minutes.
Ayes: All.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
EDA ANNUAL REPORT OF 2022
Community Development Director Juba presented a draft of the 2022 EDA Annual Report, which the
Community Development department creates every year to showcase econo mic development activity
within the city of Hugo. Staff brought the draft report to the EDA for any changes or suggestions the
commissioners may have before the report is published on the City website. Commissioner Roberts asked
for clarification on the intended audience of the report. Juba responded that typically developers and
construction analysts who are trying to gain a sense of the city’s economic profile view the report. A few
suggestions were made for additions to the report such as a demographic p rofile of the city, information
on the EDA’s initiative to expand broadband internet connections to rural areas of the city, and contact
information for those wishing to learn more about any of the items presented in the report. The EDA
commissioners agreed to publish the annual report with the noted changes.
APPROVAL OF 2023 EDA GOALS
Staff presented the graphic of the 2023 EDA Goals which were set at the December 20, 2022 meeting.
Juba highlighted a few noteworthy items that had new implications going into 2023. The first of these
was the Highway 61 Visioning Study with Washington County and MnDOT. The EDA is expecting to
receive a presentation on the existing conditions of the study early this year. The second item
highlighted was the six-month moratorium on the development of solar farms enacted by the City
Council on February 6, 2023. Juba informed the EDA that workshops will be taking place with the City
Council and Planning Commission within the coming months to determine how the City will address
solar farm development.
Commissioner Roberts made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Denaway, to approve the 2023
EDA Goals as presented.
Ayes: All
Nay: None
Motion carried.
UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AND REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PURCHASE
AGREEMENT
The project slated for the city-owned property on Egg Lake to be known as “Downtown Hugo” has
been facing delays due to the MnDNR enforcing a statewide shoreland statute requiring development
to be set back a certain distance from certain public water bodies. The developer, Denny Trooien of
Dennis Properties, LLC. has a purchase agreement to close Phase 1 of development on February 28,
2023 with the option to extend to July 31, 2023 with a $10,000 non-refundable earnest payment. Mr.
Trooien is requesting to extend the closing date of Phase 1 of development to July 31, 2023 with the
option to extend to December 31, 2023 with the same $10,000 non -refundable earnest payment. The
closing date for Phase 2 of development slated for September 30, 2026 would remain unchanged
with the extension. Juba stated that the requested extension would allow Mr. Trooien to adjust the
plan and go through the development approval process with the City Council before closing, hoping
to ensure that action from the DNR can be avoided.
Juba stated that Mr. Trooien has adjusted the development plan that would push the buildings and
decking 20 feet further from the ordinary high -water level of Egg Lake, but it is unclear at this time
whether the DNR would be comfortable with said adjustments. Commissioner Puleo asked how many
other development inquiries have been made for the property, and Juba stated that very few serious
inquiries have been made other than Mr. Trooien’s proposal. Commissioner Roberts asked about the
course of action of the City were to deny the request for an extension. City Administrator Bear
explained that if the site is developed as per the approved plans, the DNR would sue the City and stop
the construction. However, with the extension on closing, time is given for the City and Mr. Trooien to
come to an agreement with the DNR so that legal action won’t need to be taken and construction
with a potentially alternative plan could be completed.
Commissioner Denaway made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chrun, to recommend extension
of the purchase agreement to the City Cou ncil.
Ayes: All
Nay: None
Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Denaway made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Roberts, to adjourn the meeting
at 6:16 PM.
Ayes: All
Nay: None
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted.
Max Gort, Associate Planner