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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday, September 28,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Mayor Walsh noted it will be interesting to see how it goes. <br /> Johnson asked if it will be a singular pass on the trails. <br /> Edwards replied he thinks it will be a down-and-back, and in a typical snow they do a pass with the blade <br /> to get the bulk of the snow off and because it's a walking surface,they often come back a couple days <br /> later with a broom to try and get some additional materials off to encourage melting and reduce slip <br /> hazards. <br /> Johnson recommends that Orono should publicize what the snow removal policy is going to be in the <br /> newsletter,to advertise that they're doing this as a service to the community and to outline what the <br /> removal schedule might look like to set some expectations. He noted that it's not a City street and will be <br /> de-prioritized, as public streets and sidewalks are priority, and this trail will come after those. <br /> Edwards said in the amended policy,they adjusted the re-gain time from 24 hours to 36 hours(the time in <br /> a typical storm they think they can get everything cleared. He also laid out in the policy that the trails <br /> would be done during normal business hours(they wouldn't necessarily pull crews in at 4:00 a.m.to work <br /> on trails or on a Saturday or Sunday). <br /> Johnson noted when they advertise,they should call it a pilot program so people know the City is trying <br /> to see what resources it takes and what use the trails receive from it. <br /> Crosby said they should definitely reach out to the sister cities to see what kind of cooperation and <br /> budgeting they can get. <br /> Printup moved,Seals seconded,to approve Winter Maintenance of Three Rivers Park District <br /> Regional Trails.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. <br /> FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT <br /> 10.Adopt 2021 Preliminary Tax Levy <br /> Finance Director Ron Olson gave a presentation for the next two agenda items(10 and 11)noting the <br /> Preliminary Tax Levy will be set tonight and once it is set it cannot be increased; it can only be decreased. <br /> There are two resolutions for the Preliminary Tax Levy tonight one being what was presented to the <br /> Council at a work session in August and the second regarding the discussion about letting the tax rate go <br /> up a bit in order to properly fund infrastructure needs. The Council will need to let Staff know which <br /> resolution they will be acting upon. Olson stated the final levy and budget will be adopted on December <br /> 7, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and public input will be allowed at the meeting. Olson said the major revenue source <br /> for the General Fund, at about 53%of the budget, is Property Taxes. Governmental revenue will be <br /> going down because of the Toward Zero Deaths grant, a program the Police Department participates in <br /> and noted in years when Orono hosts the program,they record the revenue and expenses and next year it <br /> will be someone else's agency so Orono won't have that in revenue,but also won't have expenses in <br /> regards to that. He said total general government services is also decreasing and public safety charges are <br /> going up. <br /> Crosby asked when comparing Orono's property taxes to other cities, which cities are typically 65% <br /> revenue source from property taxes. <br /> Page 5 of 9 <br />