03-13-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 27, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) Nygard noted the decision will not affect any of the Council since none of them are veterans. Nygard stated there are approximately 8,000 people in Orono, which amounts to a dollar a person per year. Nygard stated he would authorize the City Council to raise his taxes a dollar a year to help pay for the docks. Bob Brown, 5453 Point Road, Mound, stated as a past Council member, he knows the Council can move items around on the agenda and that he would ask that they move Item No. 17 up on the agenda. Brown stated some of the veterans are pretty elderly and that they should not be kept waiting until the end of the meeting. Walsh moved, Printup seconded, to set Item No. 17 as the next agenda item. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 17. BIG ISLAND DOCK PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT Dean Acheman, Rosemount, stated he was involved with the original veterans' board of governors and that he was involved with the sale of the island. At the time of the sale, the veterans had other interested parties. Acheman stated what went on at that time was very impressive and that the veterans, the City of Orono, different legislators, and the Minnehaha Watershed District all came together to come up with an agreement where the island would be accessible to the veterans for the long-term and that the accessibility would be safe and easy. As a result, the veterans quickly turned their attention to the offer from the City and the veterans sold the island. Acheman noted there was a state statute in place that said once the sale was made, the money would go into an irrevocable trust, a new board would be formed to oversee that, and that the money would be disbursed for veterans' projects. The $5.3 million that was granted is still in that fund. In the meantime, the veterans have granted $1.6 million to state projects around the State of Minnesota in support of veterans. Acheman stated he is very proud of what happened. Acheman stated for the past 11 years, Gabriel Jabbour has attended their V4V meetings and that he has given them periodic updates on what is happening with the island. Acheman noted in 2007 through 2009 a plan was put in place addressing ADA compliance. Acheman stated he was amazed at what happened in the meeting two weeks ago and that he could not believe that a motion was made to remove the docks and sell them. Acheman stated that is the wrong thing to do and is going backwards on accessibility. Acheman noted he was part of the V4V Trust Fund and that they organized just a few months ago a trip for 36 veterans, 18 of them World War II veterans, to go out to the island and have lunch. Acheman stated the veterans really enjoyed it. Acheman stated he wants the Council to rethink the action that was taken and put it on a course where the veterans can expect safe and easy accessibility as well as to keep the commitment made to the veterans. Walsh thanked him for his service. Page 3 of 23