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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,June 27,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Johnson thinks there is a growing concern that the expenses of Hennepin County are being <br /> disproportionately assessed to the suburbs. He thinks these assessments are somewhat a reflection of <br /> those concerns which is why he asked these questions. <br /> Seals stated the City of Orono has heard from many residents,specifically those who have been in their <br /> houses for a long time and are not selling their houses. Going up$200,000 when one is not going to sell <br /> their house does not do a darn thing for them and is actually pricing many of them out of their houses. In <br /> talking about 1/3 of income going into housing, doing these massive value increases does absolutely <br /> nothing for the bulk of people and actually hurts the citizens. She noted it is a fake number in many ways <br /> and she encouraged Mr. LaTondresse when thinking about these levies and saying 3.5%...she says zero. <br /> Seals thinks of her dad who is not selling his house,he is retired and his income has not changed,noting <br /> he is fortunate because he has saved all his life. However it does not make sense for all of the residents <br /> and it does not matter if one is in Minneapolis,Bloomington, or wherever,all these increases are hitting <br /> when everyone knows they are potentially going into a recession. She encouraged Mr. LaTondresse to be <br /> very scrupulous in that number and it is actually hurting more than anything. <br /> Mr.LaTondresse noted the County is hearing from residents that property taxes are actually pretty <br /> regressive and they tax based on what assessed value is. One double-whammy is that values have gone up <br /> and the State has not modified its homestead exclusion;this means a homesteaded property is taxed at a <br /> different rate($414,000)and he thinks that is an important area of advocacy for all of the local <br /> government jurisdictions.As the residents are feeling this pressure,they can say they must do something <br /> about the homestead value market exclusion to protect the kind of residents Ms. Seals is describing. <br /> Seals stated homestead or not she thinks there are some other levers they can pull. <br /> Mayor Walsh thanked Mr.LaTondresse and Mr.Atchison for coming. <br /> PUBLIC HEARING <br /> 6. ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR MS4 STORM WATER PERMIT <br /> Edwards stated as part of the MS4 permit they must hold a yearly public hearing and give a review of <br /> efforts regarding the permit. He gave a presentation on the permit,noting it is to protect the City's water, <br /> including rivers, lakes,and water systems. The City must have a storm water pollution prevention <br /> program and will be going through an update process this year.Edwards noted they must also initiate best <br /> management practices and have measurable goals,as well as submit reports,make sure ordinances are in <br /> compliance,and track everything. Storm water compliance activities include several storm water projects <br /> in conjunction with street projects,numerous erosion control inspections, 115 storm water inspections, 10 <br /> structural repairs/replacements,the grass and leaf disposal program, and met all requirements for <br /> publishing to newsletters and the website. He noted street sweeping activities are also a big part of the <br /> City's storm water management program removing debris and keeping phosphorous out of the water <br /> system. <br /> Mayor Walsh opened the public hearing at 6:34 p.m. <br /> A man approached the podium [inaudible yelling]. <br /> Page 4 of 11 <br />