06-22-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 22, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 19 Morter stated the County would participate on the lighting with the City, but that the burial of the overhead utility would be 100 percent borne by Orono. Walsh asked if Hennepin County would finance that item. Morter stated as it relates to the lighting that would be included in the plan. Morter indicated Orono would need to do a separate agreement with the utility company and would have to be borne by the City. Turner stated part of the question goes to the timing of the City’s contribution of money. Turner stated the City’s contribution should be part of the agreement with Hennepin County prior to final plan approval. Turner indicated he is not familiar with the timing of the money outlay and when the City would need to pay the County. Walsh stated if the County had some flexibility and would be willing to carry the costs over 10 or 15 years that would be helpful to know. Morter stated typically the agreement asks for 95 percent of the costs once the contract is awarded, but that they are open to discussing different options for the City to make it work. Levang asked if Orono’s portion of the additional lighting and accessories would be $89,600 plus the $26,300. Turner stated it would be. Turner stated the County would participate in the cost of the poles, the wiring, and the lights. The other accessory pieces, such as the banners, the flags, and the electrical circuit would be Orono’s responsibility. Walsh stated if the City could receive some financing from Hennepin County that would help impact his decision rather than the City having to come up with $550,000 in the next few months. Levang stated she is not interested in the utility burial or the monument. Levang indicated she is fine with the lighting since it will provide continuity with Long Lake It was the consensus of the City Council to proceed forward with the lighting. Walsh asked if the utility company would receive any benefit from burying the utility line such that they would be interested in partnering with the City on the costs. Morter stated the utility companies feel it is easier to maintain them if they are overhead. McMillan requested Mr. Turner talk briefly about the road closure. Turner stated as they have gone through the advisory committee process, Long Lake has raised some concerns based on some changing parameters. The project advisory committee reviewed the layout that was presented to the City Council last winter, which was based on what was known about the corridor at that time. Since that time more detailed designs have been completed and the County has gained a better understanding of the slopes, the type of retaining wall that would need to be constructed, and the impact to the roadway that would have and whether the road would be able to stay open during construction.