07-26-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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To the City Council and Citizens of the City of Orono May 14, 1999 related to the provision of public access. Orono urged the DNR to take a wider and longer range view of this issue to prevent a piecemeal approach to the provision of public access. In response, the DNR stopped all activity related to the initial site and has purchased an existing marina for conversion to a public boat launch. This new facility provides for public access needs without expanding commercial uses on the lake and without forcing public boat launching facilities into the City’s residential areas. This was an outstanding example of a cooperative effort between two governmental jurisdictions to find a mutually beneficial solution to a difficult problem. Orono has worked in a cooperative effort with the cities of Long Lake and Medina and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to accomplish a major water quality improvement project on Long Lake, a lake contiguous to both the cities of Long Lake and Orono. This project was funded by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. A School Liaison Officer Program was initiated through a cooperative agreement with the school district. Through this program a police officer works with school administrative and counseling staff, and builds positive relationships with the students, to enable them to assist in addressing and preventing problems, and to assist in intervening with "at risk" students. This program is fully funded by the school district. The City continues to be involved with the group of 14 cities located adjacent to Lake Minnetonka in an effort to identify new opportunities for cooperative service delivery to enable improved services and increased efficiency. Water and Sewer Fund Operations The City continued its program to reduce the amount of ground water and stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system, with the purpose of reducing sewage treatment costs. The program includes inspection of manholes, lift stations, and sewer lines to identify significant sources of infiltration and inflow (I & I), then sealing the manholes and lift stations, and repairing the sewer lines to eliminate the I & I. In 1996, the City completed the initial project area. In 1997, the City received funding from the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) to assist in financing the second project area. In 1998, the City received an additional grant and loan from the MCES to assist in funding the third project area. The City has received one-half of the approved amounts from MCES, with the balance due upon completion of the required reports. The sealing and repairing efforts will result in substantial reductions of I & 1, as well as reductions in the related sewage treatment costs. The savings generated by these efforts will be put toward addressing I & I problems in other project areas as a continuing program. The Navarre water plant rehabilitation project, which began in the fall of 1998, will be completed in the spring of 1999. The project addresses maintenance and repair needs while upgrading the plant to most cost- effectively provide treated water to the Navarre area. The rehabilitation project is guided by the comprehensive analysis of the water plant performed by the City’s consulting engineer. The project is funded by a combination of special assessments to the benefitted properties, a rate increase, and a loan from the Building Capital Outlay Fund, which will be repaid from future operating revenues. Storm Water Management Planning A draft Surface Water Management Plan has been completed. This plan will enable the City to be proactive in planning surface water management facilities, and in identify funding needs and funding sources as part of a long-term capital improvement plan. -5-