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Hugo directs staff to send Washington County CIP comment letter over Hardwood Creek trail funding
Summary
After staff presented the county's proposed Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension and associated local contribution request, the Hugo City Council voted to direct staff to send a comment letter asking the county to include trail work (including Fenway Boulevard replacement) in its CIP and noting the city's concerns about the funding gap.
Hugo City Council on Nov. 3 approved a motion directing staff to send a comment letter to Washington County regarding the county's proposed 20262030 capital improvement program and the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Extension.
City staff said the county's CIP shows planning and design in 2026 and construction in 2027 for the missing trail segment and that grant funding does not cover the entire cost. Staff cited an estimated local contribution for Hugo of $835,000 and said the segment estimate has increased over time (staff materials referenced "over $1,300,000" for the missing segment; a separate council comment referenced a $3,300,000 figure for a larger extension shown in red on county maps). City staff recommended council approve the comment letter to press the county to include the Fenway Boulevard trail replacement in the CIP and to seek a cost reduction where possible.
Council members discussed cost-share policy and timing: staff said the county has identified a 50% cost share for the trail along 140th Street and suggested the county might cover 100% under its policy for replacement of a regional trail, but the Fenway Boulevard replacement was not included in the county's CIP. Council noted potential savings from coordinating trail replacement with planned 2026 street reconstruction projects and discussed options including asking the county to add the work or considering the city fronting work and negotiating credits on future projects.
Mayor White moved to direct staff to send the letter to Washington County commissioners; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. City staff told council the county is accepting jurisdictional comment letters this week and that the county commission considers those letters before adopting the final CIP.
The council did not commit to a dollar amount in this motion; staff said the city's CIP does not currently include the $835,000 local contribution identified in the county materials and that any request for local funding would be brought to the Parks Commission and City Council at the appropriate time.
