07-27-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 13, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 28 well as patches to their software, which makes it difficult to repair the equipment and results in the computer equipment ending up in the landfill. Osmek stated this legislation will be better for the consumer in the long run as well as the environment. Osmek indicated he is also on the Transportation and Public Safety Committee and the Ag Environment and Economic Development Committee. Osmek stated he would give this past session a C minus but that this session was a lot better than it was in the previous two years given the change in the House. Osmek stated one of the provisions of the agriculture bill the elimination of the citizens’ board of the MPCA. Osmek stated that provision was somewhat misinterpreted by a number of people. Osmek stated the MPCA is an organization that has evolved over the years and is currently no longer working on behalf of the average citizen and was instead following more of a political agenda. Osmek stated there were instances in Stevens County involving Bakers Farm where a number of people raised claims to the citizens’ board that were not accurate, which resulted in a dairy farm project being scrubbed and the loss of tax dollars. Osmek stated removal of the citizens’ board will ultimately be a good thing and that people can approach their legislators with issues. Osmek indicated another bill he is very happy with is the Colton’s Law Bill, which was a bill that was brought before the legislature from a Greenfield representative. This piece of legislation revolves around Colton Gleason, a Mankato State University student who died in St. Cloud as a result of an attack by a juvenile offender who was out on release on intensive home monitoring. Osmek stated because the monitoring equipment was not available, he had a weekend off without his electronic bracelets and committed this crime. Colton’s Law says if someone is released on electronic monitoring, the electronic bracelets must be working before they are released. Osmek stated the legislature was not able to draft legislation this session relating to the death of former Council Member Kristen Anderson’s son. Osmek stated the basic intent is to create a law or incorporate language into the statutes that says if a parent pays for the cell phone contract, they have the right to any data that is stored on the phone or server. Osmek indicated during the next session he will be sitting down with Representative Hillstrom to work on that piece of legislation. Osmek stated the legislature will be in session starting on March 8. Osmek encouraged the Council Members to contact him with any concerns they may have. Levang stated she has a concern regarding MSA dollars received by Orono. Levang asked whether there has been any talk about increasing that amount or changing the formula. Levang stated it would certainly be nice to have an increase in that budget so Orono can repair more roads in a timely manner. Osmek stated he is very supportive of that. Osmek stated in the Lights on Transportation Bill, the House and Senate could not agree because of the proposed gas tax and metro sales tax increases, but that they did create an account for small cities. Osmek noted that does not directly impact Orono but that it is a step in the right direction. Osmek stated small cities with a population under 5,000 do not currently receive MSA funds but that they have created a fund for them. Osmek stated one of his priorities is to increase the MSA funding. Osmek stated if there is a surplus collected by the state, he would like to give it back to the cities so property taxes do not have to be raised. Council Member Printup thanked Senator Osmek for working with his colleagues across the aisle on the data access issue.