03-23-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 9, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 43 (LMCD REPORT/BIG ISLAND REPORT – GABRIEL JABBOUR, REPRESENTATIVE, continued) Jabbour noted approximately one year ago he was expressing some frustration about the LMCD and the City concluded that he should be on the Board to implement some of his ideas and concerns. Jabbour stated he started by meeting with the Water Patrol and Sheriff prior to being on the Board about a variety of issues. Jabbour noted he just finished having a meeting with the chair of the LMCD and an aide of the sheriff this afternoon. Jabbour stated they unfortunately have gone from 54 volunteers down to 22 and from 11 gun holders to six. As of today there are 25 volunteers and 10 or 11 sworn deputies. The Water Patrol has brought back some of the people who are very familiar with the area. Jabbour indicated they are trying to implement a program where there would be an incremental increase in deputies. In addition, there will be a full-time deputy who serves exclusively on Lake Minnetonka and will work with the volunteers and have a stronger presence on the lake. Jabbour stated the other positive thing that has happened is that over 50 volunteers are currently undergoing background checks in order to work with the Water Patrol. Jabbour noted there are three levels of volunteers and that the 50 volunteers are being looked at for all three levels. Jabbour stated he also pointed out to the City of Shorewood in October that the LMCD has a strategic plan that only one or two board members were aware of. That resulted in a meeting in October with the chair and resulted in them distributing it to the board members and attempting to update it. There was also a meeting held in January of this year and the LMCD Board went through the report. Jabbour stated in the summer of last year he engaged the Carlson School of Business to do a survey of the residents about their perceptions of the LMCD. That program will be starting this month. Jabbour indicated some of the LMCD board members met with them and felt it should be under their umbrella. Jabbour stated he was not in agreement with that and that the MBA program will exclusively be doing the survey. Jabbour stated he also tried to freeze the salaries of the LMCD personnel until the job descriptions are finalized and the weight they put on those positions. Jabbour noted a number of government entities approve a three percent raise regardless. Jabbour noted last year the LMCD relocated to Mound and realized a $20,000 savings, or seven percent of the budget, but that the LMCD went ahead and raised the budget by three percent. Jabbour stated he was looking for reductions in the budget, which did not happen. Jabbour stated the LMCD was also founded as a coordinating agency and not founded as an implementing agency. The LMCD does not have the ability to levy, have staff, or do projects that they do not have the expertise or the know-how on how to do it. Jabbour stated the LMCD will be turning the inspection programs over and partnering with Three Rivers Park. The LMCD will still pay for the inspection programs but will not be in charge of running it. Jabbour stated in his view that will help save the LMCD some money. Jabbour indicated the Board will be looking for other programs that could possibly be taken over by other government entities. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 03/23/2015 Approval of Council Minutes 03/09/2015 [Page 2 of 43]