06-10-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, May 28, 2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. Commissioner Jan Callison provided the City Council with an overview of the 2019 Hennepin County assessment report. The first sheet of the report is a summary sheet showing that Hennepin County has experienced its sixth straight year with an increase in home values. Since 2013, there has been almost a 50 percent increase in the median value of a single-family residential unit. The next several sheets of the report provide an overview of what is happening with the County as it relates to the community and property taxes. The final sheet relates to Orono specifically and shows that 55 new homes were built in 2018 in Orono. Hennepin County is proposing to change their tobacco ordinance to raise the age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21, which only applies to five western cities and does not apply to Orono. The new age already applies iin Mound, Rogers, Greenfield, St. Bonifacious, and possibly Rockford. The proposal will be discussed in June and will also restrict who can sell tobacco and where flavored tobaccos can be used. Walsh asked why only a few cities have the higher age limit. Callison noted those cities regulate themselves and that Orono also has its own tobacco ordinance. The other provision of the ordinance would control the sale of individually wrapped cigars but does not apply to Orono. Crosby asked what the County's stance is on the legalization of marijuana. Callison stated Hennepin County has not taken a position on that. The issue with the single cigars is because they are inexpensive and they are easier for younger children to buy. Hennepin County has seen some positive results for child protection. Those numbers have dropped below what they were in 2016 and 2017, which means there are fewer children being placed out of the home. The 2019 legislation session was not significant for Hennepin County. While Hennepin County will see some additional county program aid, but by the time you factor in the fact that state is not going to pay any portion of PERA, it will probably be a wash. In addition, Hennepin County did not receive any additional money for roads and bridges. Currently Hennepin County is not able to spend as much as they would like to repair roads and bridges. Approximately $85 million is collected in Minnesota for road tax, but a good portion of that is sent outstate each year. Crosby asked if that comes from auto tabs. Callison indicated it comes from a variety of sources, such as tabs, sales tax on cars, and registration fees. Hennepin County does not receive anything from leased motor vehicle sales tax currently and that did not change with the 2019 legislative session, which was a disappointment. At the present time Ramsey and Hennepin County are excluded from receiving any leased motor vehicle sales tax revenues. As it relates to road improvements in Orono, Highway 112 will be completed this year. Shoreline Drive and Shadywood Road intersection improvements are scheduled for this year, and while it will be a major inconvenience for a number of motorists, it hopefully will result in an improved intersection. As it relates to Tanager Bridge, Hennepin County Transportation Department is currently anticipating a fall or winter