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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, June 14, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 4 of 13 <br /> <br />17. COMMISSIONER CHRIS LATONDRESSE UPDATE – Continued <br /> <br />Mr. LaTondresse replied anytime they have that conversation regarding economic impacts and housing <br />people think about tenants and landlords and they are often pitted against one another. From a County <br />standpoint, they are not responsible for any of the laws surrounding evictions or eviction court as that is <br />set at the State level. In terms of the money they have received, they are trying to do their best to get <br />people whole, so when residents come to the County asking for help on arrears, back payments, etcetera, <br />they pay those funds directly to landlords. This is one reason Hennepin County has probably been leading <br />many of the counties in Minnesota; they are trying to be proactive with landlords to make sure they know <br />they can apply on behalf of their residents and they get paid directly rather than going to the residents <br />first. <br /> <br />Johnson asked if Mr. LaTondresse has anything to do with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). He <br />noted he has a commercial vehicle and the only way to renew tabs is in person, one cannot do it online <br />like a car. After 3 different attempts of stopping at the local DMV which had 2 hour plus wait times, he <br />got to the point where he was getting desperate. Johnson made the time, got to the end of the line, and was <br />told that this appointment system and the other DMV locations is so inefficient as they are months out, so <br />everyone is moving out to the regional DMV’s. He asked if there is any relief in the DMV process. <br /> <br />Mr. LaTondresse replied he hears from residents about two things: the service centers for driver’s license <br />renewals and library re-openings. He noted it is a pain point and the following day the Hennepin County <br />Board is reviewing what have been the COVID policies in place for over a year which have had impacts <br />on service centers. He stated he is of the view that it is time to reopen for business and hopefully there <br />will soon be relief. <br /> <br />The Councilmembers thanked Mr. LaTondresse for his time. <br /> <br />FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT <br /> <br />18. BUILDING FEE UPDATE <br /> <br />Finance Director Olson reported Building Permit revenue is doing very well this year; five months into <br />the year they are at 51% of Building Permit revenue. For new homes, to compare in 2019 they were at 20 <br />homes, in 2020 were at 16 homes, and in 2021 they are at 19 homes. Regarding finance updates, the <br />Council accepted the resignation of the accountant today and tomorrow the City will be advertising for a <br />new accountant. <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh asked Barnhart how the backlog of permits coming for the next month are doing. <br /> <br />Barnhart replied they will be pretty consistent across the board in terms of permits. He does not recall any <br />big jumps in value or huge projects. Staff is pretty consistently busy in getting those permits through. <br /> <br />16. ORONO MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM USE OF BEDERWOOD PARK <br />Olson said as the Council is aware the Mountain Bike Team approached the City about using Bederwood <br />Park on a trial basis to build a course and teach skills to younger riders. They did that and now require an <br />amendment to the City Code as bikes are not allowed in the City’s parks on trails. There is a resolution