04-11-2022 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 28, 2022 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 3 LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT – Continued something along those lines. Chief Van Eyll shared training goals for 2021 including electrical vehicle training, an onboarding process, driver’s training, and getting more spousal and family involvement at the fire station. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT Olson had nothing to report. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Attorney Mattick was not present. CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT Edwards had nothing to report. 8. LONG LAKE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR CARP REMOVAL Cassandra Ordway of the Long Lake Waters Association shared about a proposal and request for partnership and funding. She shared history on carp removal in Long Lake, noting the first project was in 2018 to do a carp population study and data collection which was a large number and 6 times what the State recommends as an appropriate threshold for fish within a water body. Recently the estimate has been readjusted with more accurate numbers and they are now at 2 times the limit which makes the project more realistic. Ms. Ordway shared about watching carp movements through tagging and techniques for removal including placing nets on the bottom of the lake and baiting them with corn which other fish do not like. An earlier catch removed 1,000 carp, many of which were over 10 pounds. Carp Solutions indicates they need to remove another 2,900 carp to restore the lake. The total for the project is just over $23,904 for two phases; the request for the City of Orono is a $5,000 contribution toward the project. Project benefits include lowering competition for native fish and aquatic plants and improvement of water clarity. The City Council discussed the item with Ms. Ordway. Mayor Walsh noted many entities come to the City with requests for funding. In this case, the City would be happy to sign off on grant requests. Johnson agreed it is a good project but the City has not given funding to those other groups who have requested money. Mayor Walsh clarified the City takes care of the infrastructure including runoff issues and gullies. However, when it gets into the lake that is where all of the other government agencies that siphon money from the City for those purposes need to come into play and do their job. Johnson moved, Printup seconded, to deny the request for partnership and funding for carp removal. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0.