Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,July 26,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 9.WATER CONSERVATION DURING DROUGHT <br /> Edwards noted many cities in the area received notification from the DNR that the State is now in a <br /> drought warning phase which requires certain actions from municipalities, one of which is to enact a <br /> portion of the City's water emergency plan per the water supply plan. Edwards has provided some <br /> information in the packet. Tonight,he is looking for approval or guidance on what portions of the water <br /> emergency supply plan the City Council would like to do. Edwards' recommendation is to go with an <br /> informational effort with voluntary actions at this point because currently Orono is not suffering from <br /> water shortages within their municipal system. Some surrounding neighbors are but right now the <br /> infrastructure pumps and towers in Orono are able to keep up with the heightened demand. However, it is <br /> probably a good time to remind people of good irrigation practices. He noted they are also getting many <br /> phone calls from residents about how high their watering bills are. Edwards said part of it is the City can <br /> look at numbers for the meter reads and the amount of water going on to some of these properties which <br /> is excessive. <br /> Walsh previously spoke with Edwards and asked the rationale for doing a water ban. He noted 1/3 of <br /> Orono is on City water and 2/3 are on wells so there is not a huge demand on the infrastructure from that <br /> standpoint,there is nothing that says their aquifers are low. His recommendation is that the City start <br /> with information to the public until such time as they need to go to a watering ban. <br /> The Council discussed informing the public on the best times to water and ways to cut back on watering. <br /> Edwards noted the City has also significantly cut back watering at the municipal golf course,Bederwood <br /> Field,and City Hall. <br /> Mayor Walsh suggested in the Resolution under"Now Therefore,Be it Resolved"adding the word <br /> "voluntary"after abide,and under item e,adding the word"voluntary"restrictions shall remain in place <br /> until September 30th,because the Council can remove or amend this if they move from voluntary to <br /> mandatory. <br /> Walsh moved,Crosby seconded,to approve the Resolution No. 7208 as amended to include the <br /> word"voluntary"in the two places mentioned. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. <br /> Edwards updated the Council and noted personnel is consuming the City Staff right now;he thanked the <br /> Council for approving the Accountant tonight and noted they are in second round interviews for the <br /> Maintenance Worker position. He noted another Staff member tested positive for Covid-19 and is <br /> currently in the recovery period. Edwards noted Olson is running utility billing,doing the budget process, <br /> and trying to hire vacancies. <br /> PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT <br /> Barnhart noted they are doing public outreach as part of the Navarre parking lot plan in August. There is <br /> a virtual question and answer period on August 12 and a public meeting on August 17. They will send <br /> out postcards to directly adjacent businesses and posting it on Facebook and the website. <br /> Page 4 of 5 <br />