06-26-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ir- ii.U >.1 L .1 ur- Long Lake/Orono Consolidation Committee Joint City Council Meeting Monday, June 5, 2000 Page 9 the City of Long Lake renegotiate that issue. Bonnett also suggested the two cities wait on the merger until a firm number from Mn/DOT Is determined for the reimbursement. Bonnett noted a number of residents will be displaced due to the new Highway 12 corridor, and inquired whether the outlets that would be created by Mn/DOT would be available to the city. Bonnett stated the issues surrounding the new fire station have not been answered, and suggested that by w aiting another year or hvo, these unresolved issues would be addressed. Peterson stated it is the view of the Consolidation Committee that the current zoning districts of both cities are compatible in most instances. Peterson indicated there will need to be a combining of the zoning ordinances of both cities, which will take some time, and will help preserve the industrial/commercial area of Long Lake. Peterson stated the City would have the right to purchase the outlots from Mn/DOT, noting the Committee did not include those outlots as assets and did not consider what value should be given to them. Peterson stated the location of the new fire station will be dictated based on fire needs and response time and not political boundaries. Cliff Otten. Consolidation Committee, stated he was asked by the City of Orono to serve on the Consolidation Committee. Otten stated in his view he was basically serving both communities, since he feels he is part of both Long Lake and Orono. Otten stated in his view the creation of a charter city helps to preserve the identity of Long Lake, with a combination of the two names being too cumbersome. Jerry Schmitz, Long Lake, stated in his view the City of Long Lake is perfectly capable of governing themselves and do not need Orono to help guide them. Schmitz stated the City of Long Lake has managed to develop its own infrastructure and run its own volunteer fire department for a long time and can continue to manage itself without Orono. Schmitz questioned whether the residents of Lcng Lake want to give up the right to govern themselves. Gary Ringus. Consolidation Committee, commented he is appreciative of the open forum and the opportunity of working together on the merger issue and coming together as one community. Ringus stated the Consolidation Committee used the qualities of life that the residents indicated they would like to see preserved as their guide and looked to those values when discussing these issues. Ringus stated the Consolidation Committee wants to see the quality of life maintained and enhanced as much as possible. Ringus stated in his view the City' of Orono acts as a partner with Long Lake, and that both cities need to work together and support one another. Ringus stated in his opinion should the