SF 1184

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/08/2013 10:28am

A bill for an act
relating to local government; appropriating money for a grant to the city of Hugo
to study the feasibility of a regional sewer and water system.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin HUGO; REGIONAL SEWER AND WATER SYSTEM FEASIBILITY
STUDY.
new text end

new text begin (a) $75,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Public Facilities Authority
in fiscal year 2014, and available until June 30, 2015, for a grant to the city of Hugo to
study the feasibility of establishing a regional sewer, water, or sewer and water system.
The appropriation is not available until the authority determines that a joint powers
agreement between Hugo and at least four of the following five cities has been executed:
Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbus, Lino Lakes, and Lexington. The joint powers
agreement must include, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) that each participating city has committed to contributing $7,500 toward the
cost of the feasibility study; and
new text end

new text begin (2) how the study will be conducted and who will be responsible for oversight of
the study.
new text end

new text begin (b) The feasibility study must evaluate:
new text end

new text begin (1) the costs, benefits, sustainability, and potential for growth in the existing separate
water, sewer, or water and sewer systems, including environmental costs and benefits;
new text end

new text begin (2) the costs, benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of operating a regional water
supply system, a regional sanitary sewer system, or both;
new text end

new text begin (3) the infrastructure needed to be improved, added, or replaced to establish a
regional system, the estimated capital costs, and potential financing sources;
new text end

new text begin (4) the estimated operating costs of a regional system and the fee structure needed to
pay for the regional system's operations, maintenance, and periodic capital improvements;
new text end

new text begin (5) the benefits to aquifer management and the sustainability of water supply for
the cities; and
new text end

new text begin (6) any other information determined by the joint powers entity to be necessary
or useful.
new text end

new text begin The joint powers entity must consult with state and regional agencies with expertise in
water and wastewater infrastructure funding and construction for advice on what should
be included in the feasibility study.
new text end

new text begin (c) Hugo or the joint powers entity shall report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over water and wastewater
treatment infrastructure and funding on the results of the feasibility study and any
recommendations for evaluating and implementing a regional water and wastewater
system in other areas of the state. The report must be submitted by January 15 of the year
following completion of the feasibility study.
new text end