City Detail

Background Information

City of Hugo
County: Washington
Population: 17,044
GreenStep City category: B
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 24
Participating township, county, school: Rice Creek Watershed District

GreenStep Coordinator

Rachel Juba
City Staff
rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us
651-762-6300
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 1 ( )

City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics

City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars.

Total completed actions: 15
1 star actions: 3
2 star actions: 5
3 star actions: 1

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Building Redevelopment {BP no.5}

2 star - Action 1:

Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations and encourage adaptive reuse.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2002
Implementation details:
Hugo City Code contains a Heritage Preservation ordinance which requires that an inventory and analysis of any significant historic site be performed prior to any excavation, fill, or construction that may affect its historic value. City Code also establishes a Historical Preservation Commission, which collects and distributes information, artifacts or materials which promote the education, awareness and enrichment of citizens and visitors concerning historical matters, and makes recommendations to City Council regarding the history of the city. Currently, the Commission and City Council are supporting an effort to preserve and restore historic Hopkins Schoolhouse to a heritage center and meeting space.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Michele Lindau (City Staff) | mlindau@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6315

Land Use Land Use

Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}

2 star - Action 1:

Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Met Council in 2019. Community open houses and other outreach efforts were key in the development of the 2040 Comp Plan. The plan includes a Resiliency Plan (Ch. 7), as well as plans for Comprehensive Water Resource Supply and Distribution (Ch. 9) and Comprehensive Water Resource Management (Ch. 10) which highlight the City’s goal of water conservation. The Parks Trails and Open Space Plan (Ch. 6) and Transportation Plan (Ch. 8) discuss expansion and improvement of bike-ped infrastructure; community feedback revealed that citizens place high value on the existing trail system and want to see it expanded. Guiding principles of the Land Use Plan (Ch. 3) include: maintaining a diversity of land uses that allows for urban development while preserving rural and agricultural lands; supporting the development of a land use plan that responds to regional growth strategies while maintaining the character and vision of the community; and encouraging environmentally-friendly development in all areas to promote a sustainable land use pattern. Community Background (Ch. 2) includes a community history and heritage section which includes history on the Dakota community that historically inhabited the community now known as Hugo.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Metropolitan Council
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
1 star - Action 2:

Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Hugo City Code references the Comprehensive Plan in multiple locations. For example, compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan is required for land division and platting (90-323), zoning amendments (90-40), park dedication (90-324), variances (90-38, and conditional and interim use permits (90-37 & 90-37.1).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://library.municode.com/mn/hugo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH90ZOLAUS
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Mixed Uses {BP no.8}

2 star - Action 5:

Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2007
Implementation details:
In 2007, the City of Hugo developed a Downtown Plan & Design Guidelines, which shares many of the guiding principles of the MN Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development’s Town Center District Model. The Downtown Plan dictates that new development shall provide for pedestrian as well as vehicular circulation, and auto-dominated commercial development is discouraged. Architectural design of new development in the downtown area is guided to respect existing historical buildings and seek compatibility with downtown Hugo’s character. Key principles of the Downtown Plan include preserving and celebrating Hugo’s small-town character, enhancing the public realm and expanding civic space, maintaining a pedestrian-oriented downtown, and drawing unique small businesses which support downtown neighborhoods. Horizontal mixed use is permitted in the central business district, and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan notes that mixed use is desirable in the downtown area.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Transportation Transportation

Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}

Pending - Action 5:

Identify and remedy street-trail gaps between city streets and off-road trails/bike trails to better facilitate walking and biking.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo’s existing trail system consists of multi-use county trails and a series of city- owned pedestrian, bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, bicycle routes, sidewalks, and recreational trails for horses, snowmobiles, hiking, and cross-country skiing. These trails have been constructed as residential development has occurred within the City or as roadways have been improved and provide links between local neighborhoods and parks. Hugo has 12.1 miles of existing city trails, with 69.5 additional miles proposed in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Examples include the Flay Avenue trail, which connects residential areas to parks, and the Clearwater Creek trail, which follows Clearwater Creek and connects residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and nearby parks.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shayla Denaway (City Staff) | sdenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6342
Pending - Action 6:

Implement traffic calming policy/measures, including lane conversions (road diets), roundabouts, low-speed streets, shared space and depaving, in at least one street redevelopment project.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
The development of the Adelaide Landing neighborhood included improvements of 130th Street, which was originally a 2-lane paved rural section roadway. Improvements include the addition of a roundabout for traffic calming as well as pedestrian-focused improvements, such as a new trail, improved landscaping, and the addition of crosswalks and push buttons to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of 130th and Highway 61.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}

Pending - Action 5:

Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2005
Implementation details:
Hugo City Code requires that, wherever feasible, shade trees with a trunk diameter of six inches or more and evergreen trees over 25 feet in height be preserved as part of land development activities. The City requires the establishment of approved groundcover, which is not limited to turf grass and includes native plants, decorative mulch and rocks.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Stormwater Management {BP no.17}

2 star - Action 5:

Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo is a local leader in stormwater reuse. The City has facilitated 10 projects in which stormwater is stored and reused for irrigation on public (see BP 18.5) and private land. For example, in 2021 the City partnered with the Water’s Edge Homeowners Association to connect the development’s existing irrigation system to a nearby stormwater pond. Educational signage at the Water’s Edge stormwater pond and other project sites informs citizens on how stormwater reuse serves the community. Additionally, public facilities such as City Hall and Hanifl Shelter include rain gardens and rain barrels, with educational signage and City website content to educate and encourage residents to pursue similar practices.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Before converting to stormwater reuse, the Water’s Edge HOA spent around $120,000 annually on irrigation. With reuse, the HOA’s irrigation costs have significantly decreased to around $60,000 annually.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/water_conservation
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Parks and Trails {BP no.18}

1 star - Action 3:

Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Hugo has approximately 856 acres of city, state, and county owned parkland in the City’s boundaries, which translates to around 50 acres per 1000 residents. According to the Trust for Public Land, 52% of residents live within a 10 minute walk of a park. Increasing walkable and bikeable access to parks is a guiding principle of the City's 2040 Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=80506529-61FC-44C1-958B-446DEBA94F8B
For more information contact:
Shayla Denaway (City Staff) | sdenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6342
3 star - Action 5:

Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo completed construction of the County Road 8 stormwater reuse project in 2022. The project connected new and existing irrigation systems for green space near County Road 8 to a nearby stormwater pond. The project irrigates Lions Park, County Road 8 medians, 147th Street, and City Hall, as well as private green space in Keystone Senior Living and Jack Pine Place Apartments. By utilizing stormwater for irrigation, the City is able to improve the water quality of downstream surface water sources such as Peltier Lake, while also decreasing the total amount of groundwater pumped from nearby aquifers.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The project was estimated to reduce the annual amount of groundwater pumped by the City by 14 million gallons, and as of 2023 the project has used 15.2 million gallons of stormwater rather than groundwater.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/reuse
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Surface Water {BP no.19}

Pending - Action 5:

Adopt goals to revegetate shoreland and create a local program or outreach effort to help property owners with revegetation.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2025
Implementation details:
The City’s water conservation webpage promotes conversion to native landscaping to benefit pollinators while improving water quality and conserving drinking water. The Conserving Water at Home page directs residents to opportunities for funding and technical assistance related to native landscaping, including Lawns to Legumes grants, Rice Creek Watershed District grants, and site visits from Washington Conservation District.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}

1 star - Action 2:

Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2004
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo’s website provides information on how residents can properly dispose of compost, hazardous materials, electronics, and unused medication. The City also hosts an annual Hugo Cleanup Day, in which residents may drop off non-curbside items, such as household appliances, furniture, and tires, to Hugo Public Works. City Hall and Peder Pederson Pavilion provide water bottle filling stations to encourage visitors to refill water bottles.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=FC8E1CAF-F92F-456A-85D1-DDCB01FDC0B0
For more information contact:
Scott Anderson (City Staff) | Sanderson@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6326
2 star - Action 4:

Publicize, promote and use the varied businesses/services collecting and marketing used, repaired and rental consumer goods, especially electronics, in the city/county.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2004
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo’s website provides information on how residents can properly dispose of compost, hazardous materials, electronics, and unused medication. The City of Hugo’s Waste and Recycling page promotes mattress recycling and car donation programs. Biannual City newsletters regularly feature promotion of Washington County yard and hazardous waste disposal, the Washington County Disposal Directory, and county compost bin sales.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=FC8E1CAF-F92F-456A-85D1-DDCB01FDC0B0
For more information contact:
Scott Anderson (City Staff) | Sanderson@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6326

Resilient Economic & Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development

Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}

Pending - Action 6:

Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions).

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2004
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo has a long-standing internship program to engage students, recent graduates, and early career professionals in City governance. The City has employed interns under the Administration department, Community Development department, and the Historical Commission. Currently, the Community Development Intern serves as the City’s designee GreenStep coordinator, performing tasks such as writing reports and researching sustainable practices to make policy recommendations.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304

Local Food {BP no.27}

Pending - Action 1:

Protect working landscapes - agriculture and forestry - by adopting an ordinance or incentivizing one or more of the following:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2005
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo has Agricultural and Long-term Agricultural zoning districts. The agricultural district (AG) is to provide an area for the production of livestock, dairy animals, dairy products, poultry or poultry products, fur-bearing animals, horticultural or nursery stock, fruit, vegetables, forages, grains, timber, trees, or bees and apiary products, and other uses dependent on the inherent productivity of the land. Single-family detached housing at a density of one unit per ten gross acres is also permitted. The long-term agricultural district (LA) is to allow agricultural property to be included in the state's agricultural preservation program. This property may be used for permitted agricultural activities as defined by Minn. Stats. § 473H.17, and single-family home farmsteads at a density of one per 40 gross acres.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304