10-14-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 23, 2019 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 11 Seals suggested that information be shared with the residents on the City’s website since it shows the trajectory is going down. Seals stated she does not feel that is the perception by the residents. Walsh noted Orono’s taxes on a $1 million house went down since 2014 by 5.36 percent. The City Council has used those monies to fund road repairs, infrastructure, technology, and the other services the City provides. Over the past four years the City’s tax rate has decreased by four percent. The City Council has been able to do that by good budgeting and being efficient with taxpayer dollars. In addition, the roads budget has been increasing even though residents have been paying less in taxes. The City is not bonding and little by little has been paying off that debt. Seals stated when people tear down a million-dollar home and then build a $5 million home, that helps keep the residents’ taxes down because it increases the City’s tax capacity. Walsh stated as the City’s debt decreases, that will allow the City to keep taxes lower. Orono is currently the third or fourth lowest taxed city in Hennepin County. Olson noted at the October 28 City Council work session, they will be reviewing utility fund budgets, Staff’s internal rate study, and the Capital Improvement Plan. At the November 25, 2019, work session, the Council will be discussing the fee schedule, and at the December 9, 2019, City Council meeting, the truth-in-taxation meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., and the City’s final budget and final tax levy will be approved. There were no public comments. Crosby moved, Seals seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 7022, a Resolution Adopting the Preliminary 2019 Tax Levy Collectible in 2020. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 14. ADOPT 2020 PRELIMINARY GENERAL FUND BUDGET Crosby moved, Johnson seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 7023, a Resolution to Adopt the Preliminary 2020 General Fund Budget. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT 15. LA19-000053 – CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT, AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK REGULATIONS Barnhart noted two weeks ago the City Council directed Staff to prepare an ordinance for adoption regarding the average lakeshore setback reflecting the desired language offered by the Mayor. The Council did not want to make any wholesale changes but wanted to provide an avenue to support improvements that do not increase the impact in neighboring properties in certain lot configurations. The City Attorney and Staff slightly revised that language to avoid unintended consequences and loopholes. Staff has prepared some examples applying the new language to different lots. In most situations, there is no change. In lots where the shoreline is convex, the new language is applied. This new setback is shown in red, with the old setback being depicted in black. In these three examples, the average lakeshore setback moves closer to the lake but does not impact the view.