06-26-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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■■■i W- Long Lakc/Orono Consolidation Committee Joint Citv Council Meeting Monday, June 5,2000 Page 4 Fifield stated the City of Long Lake will be losing its current City Hall, Fire Department and Public Works Department as a result of the nev/ Highway 12 corridor, with the City of Long Lake receiving compensation for the loss of those structures from Mn/DOT in the near future, which is not reflected in the financial projections. Fifield stated the two cities, should they merge, would also be eligible to receive an estimated $577,00 in state aid to implement the merger and to help offset the costs associated with remodeling the Orono facilities to accommodate Long Lake's equipment and personnel. Fifield stated a merger would enable the two cities to receive additional state aid for construction and maintenance of roads. The Consolidation Committee determined that a merger would give the two cities a strengthened voice with other agencies to protect and promote the interests of the city. A merger, with the proposed ward system, would also enable the many interrelated issues facing the two cities to be addressed by one governing body; while ensuring the Long Lake and Navarre areas are able to be represented on the governing body. Fifield indicated the merged city would operate as a home rule charter city, which basically is like a city having its own constitution. Fifield pointed out the home charter is identical to the current statutory powers held by the two cities with the following exceptions. The merged charter city would allow for the creation of City Council wards and would also maintain the identity of the City of Long Lake and the Navarre area through the creation of historic districts. The charter city also allows other enduring recognition of Long Lake, including naming of the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department. The Consolidation Committee determined that a seven member City Council should be created, with the mayor and two council members being elected by all voters and the remaining four council members being elected from four separate wards. Fifield indicated one ward would contain the Long Lake area, one ward would contain the Navarre area, and the two additional wards would cover the remainder of the city. The Consolidation Committee felt this form of government would provide the most fair and equal representation for all citizens. Fifield stated the approval process of the merger plan is, number one, approval by the Consolidation Committee; two, approval by both City Councils; three, submittal to the Metropolitan Council for their review and comment; four, approval by the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation; and five, approval by a majority vote of the residents in each city. Fifield stated the question of merger will be on the September primary ballot, with the question of the charter city being voted on at the same time. If the merger is approved by the voters, consolidation would take effect January 1,2001, and a joint City Council would be responsible for governing the city for a period of one year.