11-10-2009 Council Work Session Packet

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Orono City Council Committee of the Whole November 10, 2009,6:15 p.m. Orono City Council Chambers Present: Mayor Jim White, Council Members Lili McMillan and Jim Murphy; Assistant City Administrator for Long-Term Strategy Mike Gaffron, Police Chief Correy Farniok, City Clerk Lin Vee 1. Parking Along the Dakota Rail Trail • A temporary solution was proposed by staff to place "no parking" signs on two telephone poles and on a stake at the curve as identified on a map of the area. The south side of road will not be posted and the cut out gravel area will remain. • An officer who spoke with a neighbor indicated that it is not illegal to park a vehicle facing the wrong direction. • To issue a parking ticket, a vehicle must have at least two wheels on the roadway. • A meeting with Boe Carlson of Three Rivers Park District has been scheduled to determine common areas for parking. The areas should be easily accessed and identifiable to the public. Jim Brimeyer of Spring Park will also be invited to the meeting to discuss potential parking locations in Spring Park. Council also discussed parking areas identified along Northern Avenue and in the County Road 51/North Brown Road area. • Council agreed temporary signage is a good solution and indicates that the city is responsive to the neighbors' concerns. • Council Member Murphy complimented the Police Department on their response to a recent dog call in his neighborhood. • Two bobcat sightings have been reported in Minnetonka Beach. 2. Consider Establishment of Environmental Commission or Task Force • Amelia Kroeger shared her thoughts regarding an environmental-type commission, noting that it would not be like another Parks Commission. • One emphasis could be on global warming/climate change and reducing carbon in the atmosphere. A recent event at City Hall was held in conjunction with International Climate Day with 5200 sites participating worldwide. • Kroeger indicated an environmental commission should represent the work of the larger community and include schools, small businesses, faith communities and other local community groups. It should also work closely with the Planning Commission. Some type of incentive programs could be established to address energy use. • Edina has a program working with climate issues and may be a helpful resource. Other cities with successful programs include Northfield, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. The State of Minnesota also has many resources. • Council Member Murphy asked how these broad environmental issues could be localized and what Orono residents could do to become involved. Kroeger noted that Orono hosted the "Keep it Cool" event which was an awareness-raising event. The city might want to do another similar event. The school also has an environmental commission. • Mayor White suggested a focus on little things as a place to start, such as replacing lights with fluorescent bulbs. A display at City Hall could include places where energy efficient appliances can be purchased. • Kroeger indicated the advantage of having a commission connected to the city rather than a stand-alone group would be the city's authorization and process to approve actions of the committee. • Kroeger belongs to the West Metro Global Warming Action Group, Inc. They met with candidates in the 2008 election and worked on the Governor's advisory commission for climate Page 1 of 4