05-08-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 24, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT — Continued Walsh stated the City Council has already spent quite a bit of time reviewing the amendment changes that have been recommended and that the committee will continue to bring forward other recommendations. Dankey noted this coming Saturday is the Orono Red and Blue Gala. Walsh reported he attended the Big Island Committee meeting and a discussion was had regarding the possible improvements that can be done to the Island and a vision for the future. On May 8 there will be an event acknowledging all the people who donated time or money or free storage for the City's dock. Walsh stated he has had a number of citizen meetings over the last few weeks to discuss issues with the residents and that it is good to see and discuss some of these things firsthand. Walsh noted on May 6 there will be the Step -To -It -Challenge walk with the Mayor starting at 9 a.m. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT City Administrator Reeder reported the dock has been installed out on Big Island. *15. IMPLEMENTATION OF PAPERLESS AGENDA SYSTEM This item was added to the Consent Agenda. 16. FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT Olson reviewed the City's first quarter financial report. Olson noted the City's first property tax receipts, which represent 52.5 percent of the budget, will not be received until June. Overall expenditures are at 24.95 percent. Some departments over 25 percent include Administration, the Mayor and Council Department, Law and Legal Services, City Attorney, Fire Protection Services and Central Services. Olson noted the Mayor and Council Department is high simply because the yearly membership dues are paid at the beginning of the year. The administration budget is higher than normal is due to the resignation of the past city administration and will likely be over budget at the end of the year since the previous city administrator was a .75. Olson noted the new city administrator will be a full 1.0, which is a 25 percent increase. Olson noted Legal services and Central Services are just under 30 percent, which is a little higher than he would like for this time of the year. Olson noted one of the things influencing that line item is the ordinance changes that have been done as well as the publication fees. In addition, the City has been named in a lawsuit, but because there is no liability to the City, the MN League of MN Cities does not cover the City. Olson stated to his knowledge that lawsuit is almost wrapped up but it amounted to approximately $5,000 that was not budgeted. Olson stated fire protection is simply higher at this time of the year because the City paid the first half payment but that overall the City will be fine on that budget item by the end of the year. Page 11 of 12