06-24-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 10, 2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. The two Junior Cadets being recognized this evening are Pierce Panaz and Alex Glassner. Their families have been very supportive of the program. Chief Farniok stated some of Pierce's favorite things are pizza, chocolate donuts, and the Vikings, and Alex has been heavily involved in the Special Olympics and is looking forward to riding in a police car. Mayor Walsh administered the Junior Cadet oath of office to Piece Panaz and Alex Glassner. Mayor Walsh commended the two Junior Cadets for their fine work. 8(a) LMCD UPDATE Mark Kroll, Orono's representative to the LMCD, indicated prior to this meeting he spoke about the LMCD's 2020 budget with Mayor Walsh, who expressed a concern regarding a budget item of $100,000 as well as the $25,000 item that was allocated toward communications and public engagement. Walsh noted the $100,000 was included in the lake management plan as an expense and that it was indicated it would be a one-time item. Because of that, it would be more appropriate for the money to be taken out of the LMCD's reserve. Kroll stated he did pass that feedback on to LMCD management. Kroll stated the reserve and the budget situation is a little more complicated because the majority of the budget is an effort to restore the reserve level. The budget shows a $100,000 amendment to put the money into the reserve but that the LMCD is taking $36,000 out of the reserve for spending. By not doing the milfoil harvesting this year, the LMCD saved approximately $35,000. The end result is that amounts to new cash of $35,000. Whether that is a good use of money or not is something Orono should have some say in since Orono is the second largest contributor to the budget. The second budget item relates to a $25,000 expenditure for public engagement. The LMCD sent out an RFP, which is due on July 1St. The goal of the public engagement is to clarify the LMCD's role to the public since there is confusion between the Lake Minnetonka Association, the Minnetonka Creek Watershed District, and the LMCD. Kroll indicated he is open for questions. Walsh stated he made his points on the public relations budget to Mr. Kroll. In his opinion the LMCD does not need a PR firm to be doing PR work for them since the LMCD has an executive director and other administrative help, and that the $100,000 line item for the management plan is a padded dollar amount to justify the revenues because then the LMCD will be wanting more money from the cities because of that. Kroll stated that is largely accurate. Seals asked why there is still a line item for 2019 of over $43,000 if the LMCD is not doing milfoil harvesting. Kroll indicated that was originally in the budget, but the actual is $10,000 that will be spent on maintenance and repair of the machines. Page 3 of 20