06-24-1991 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD JUNE 24, 1991 ( #12)LMCD BUDGET CONTINUED Strommen replied, "We are receiving `in -kind assistance from the Parks through their harvester -and operator. They have supplied one harvester and a full time operator for the entire 50 days of the program. We also have - the benefit of computer assistance and data recording-which they have been providing for three years. The harvester and operator have been donated for the past two years." Butler stated that Lake Minnetonka is a resource used by persons from all over the Metropolitan area, not just from the 14 communities surrounding it. She asked, "Why is the LMCD not beating the bushes to capitalize on the.fact that agencies have told us, on no uncertain *terms, that the Lake is of Metropolitan significance? If .such is the case, then why is the LMCD not receiving financial support from the entire Metropolitan area to help fight the Milfoil that limits the use of this resource ?" Strommen stated that it was determined from a survey done by the LMCD that approximately 92% of the people that use Lake Minnetonka, reside within Hennepin County." Butler commented that there are many, many people living in Hennepin County, and if each one were asked to give a dollar for the Milfoil program, it would eliminate the funding problems. Jabbour stated that he did not understand how Hennepin County could pass an 11% budget increase that did not include funding for the Milfoil to which they contributed last year. Callahan asked Strommen if the LMCD pays for the services of the Hennepin County Water Patrol. Strommen replied, "The Water Patrol is funded by the County, and State subsidies. The total budget for Water Patrol is in the $450,000 range. We get approximately 80% of the dater Patrol's service time, which is a major contribution on the law enforcement that is in the County in that regard." Callahan asked if there are allocations within the proposed budget for increasing safety on the lake, and educational programs for boaters, etc. Strommen stated that boater safety education is part of the Lake Management Plan.- He said, "The boater education campaign that is going on at this time is a distribution of the summer rules which contains highlights of all of the ordinances governing behavior on the lake,' and how to properly conduct boating practices. That information was mailed out to all lakeshore residents, and a copy is kept at all the access boxes." Callahan asked if there have been attempts to .get additional - 17 -