07-08-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD JUNE 24, 1991 (|12)LMCO BUDGET CONTINUED Strommen replied, "We are receiving 'in-kind' assistance from the Parks through their harvester and operator. They have supplied one harvester and a full ti.me operator for the entire 50 days of the program. VJe also have the benefit of computer assistance and data recording v/hich they have been providing for three years. The harvester and operator have been donated for the past tv/o years." Butler stated that Lake Minnetonka is a resource used by persons from all over the Metropolitan area, not just from the 14 communities surrounding it. She asked, "Why is the LMCD not beating the bushes to capitalize on the fact that agencies have told us, on no uncertain terms, that the Lake is of Metropolitan significance?If such is the case, then why is the LMCD not receiving financial support from the entire Metropolitan area to help fight the Milfoil that limits the use cf this resource?" Strommen stated that it was determined from a survey done by the LMCD that approximately 92% of the people that use Lake Minnetonka, reside within Hennepin County." Butler commented that there are many, many people living in Hennepin County, and if each one were asked to give a dollar for the Milfoil program, it would eliminate the funding problems. Jabbour stated that he did not understand hov/ Hennepin County could pass an 11% budget increase that did not include funding for the Milfoil to which they contributed last year. Callahan asked Strommen if the LMCD pays for the services of the Hennepin County Water Patrol. Strommen replied, "The V7ater Patrol is funded by the County, and State subsidies. The total budget for V/ater Patrol is in the $450,000 range. We get approximately 80% of the Mater Patrol's service time, which is a major contribution on the la\; enforcement that is in the County in that regard." Callahan asked if there are allocations within the proposed budget for increasing safety on the lake, and educational programs for boaters, etc. Strommen stated that boater safety education is part of the Lake Management Plan. He said, "The boater education campaign that is going on at this time is a distribution of the summer rules which contains highlights of all of the ordinances governing behavior on the lake, and how to properly conduct boating practices.That information \/as mailed out to all lakeshore residents, and a copy is kept at all the access boxes." Callahan asked if there have been attempts to get aiditicn*.! -17 -