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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.11.17 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 2015 Vice Chair Klein called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Klein, Petty. ABSENT: Houle, Puleo, Weidt. STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF September 15, 2015 Petty made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of September 15, 2015. All Ayes. Motion carried UPDATE ON MET COUNCIL SYSTEM STATEMENTS Juba gave the EDA an update on the current system statement, which was received in September. The system statement triggers the comprehensive planning process, which is due to be submitted in 2018. It summarized the regional system plans related to Hugo. The three major plans are related to transportation, water resources, and parks and trails. The City has 60 days to review the system statement and has the opportunity to appeal. Juba stated that staff does not feel like there's anything that needs to be appealed, but that there needs to be conversations with the committees and public on items within the plan. She said that one of the next steps will be to format a work plan in late 2015 or early 2016 for the comprehensive plan update. Petty stated that she noticed that within the Economic Development Plan there are small changes that can be made, but there's nothing big picture she can think of currently. Gallivan stated that the projections for population in 2040 is at 30,000 but wondered if the sewer system has the capacity for our 2030 projection listed in the previous comprehensive plan for 40,000. Juba stated that the Met Council has the sewer infrastructure capacity for 40,000. UPDATE ON BROADBAND INTERNET Bear updated the EDA on improving internet access within rural Hugo. He stated that the City expects that Century Link will be starting a project in 2016 to expand infrastructure in rural Hugo through Connect America Fund (CAF) funding. The City expects that if this project moves forward, it will greatly help residents in rural Hugo get internet access. UPDATE ON RAILROAD Bear updated the EDA on the railroad. He stated that Schwieters and Loadmaster have submitted letters describing the importance of the rail to their businesses. These letters will be used within the proposal for a state bonding fund and grant for the next legislative session. He reminded the EDA of dedicated state funds in Iowa and Wisconsin used to repair rail lines. Bear stated that there will be a proposal for the State of Minnesota to duplicate one of these programs, which will not only be able to help Hugo but also help other communities affected by similar issues. Bear also directed the EDA to an article in The Citizen that was a response to a previous article published regarding the updates of funding for the rail. He stated that a Hugo resident was being very critical in the City supporting the businesses in regards to the future of the rail. UPDATE ON SOLAR POWER SUBSCRIPTION Leitz updated the EDA on the Solar RFP through the Met Council. She stated that the Met Council has not completed the lottery yet, but staff expects to be receiving an e-mail with the date the lottery will be conducted. She also stated that the Met Council has been providing Staff with tools to use to evaluate subscription agreements, which has helped greatly in preparing for the lottery process. She reminded the EDA that the City will have one month to evaluate a subscription proposal, if chosen by the lottery. Juba added that Staff has been working on a solar ordinance. Petty asked if the ordinance was related to residential uses. Juba stated that the ordinance will cover solar as an accessory use and a larger use, like a solar farm. Denaway asked if the EDA should evaluate the solar ordinance, since a project like a solar farm effects land tax values. Juba stated that Staff has evaluated this in putting together the ordinance and described the zoning districts a solar farm would be allowed in. Petty stated that she would like the solar ordinance presented to the EDA for their review. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Juba asked the EDA if there were any questions on the downtown. Bear asked if any commissioners had attended the open house at Keystone Place at Lavalle Fields. Petty and Klein stated they were both there and the event was very nice and the facility was impressive. Klein asked about how the progress was going in Clearwater Cove. Juba stated that the roads have been paved and a building permit was approved for DR Horton to build their first model home. She urged the EDA to go see the site and explained that there is a pretty neat view from the development. Juba discussed the marketing of the City owned property. She stated that she still receives some phone calls, but no one has come in with a plan for the property. She believes that staff and the EDA need to evaluate what the next step is in the marketing of the property. ADJOURNMENT Gallivan made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to adjourn at 5:54 P.M. All ayes. Motion carried.