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Minutes <br />City Council Work Session <br />Monday, November 10, 2025, 5:00 PM <br />City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br />ROLL CALL <br />Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim, Jacqueline Ricks, Jon Schwingler. <br />Staff present: Finance Director Maggie Jin, Parks and Facilities Superintendent Joe Ruthenberg, <br />Public Works Superintendent DJ Goman, Community Development Director Laura Oakden, City <br />Clerk Christine Lusian, Accountant Anne Hentges. <br />FEESCHEDULE <br />The work session focused on reviewing updated fees the city will charge for services in 2026. Staff <br />review fees at least annually to ensure rate structures accurately reflect cost of services provided and <br />departments propose updates to the schedule. MN State Statutes 462.353 requires the adoption of a <br />fee schedule with planning and zoning fees and a public hearing to allow for citizen input. <br />Discussion centered on reviewing the fees and charges, verifying that current fees still cover costs <br />despite inflation and staff wage increases, and where appropriate or relevant rates were benchmarked <br />with comparable cities. Council reviewed proposed utility rate adjustments: a 10% increase for <br />water, 3% for sewer and storm fees, and a 3% rise in recycling fees to offset future cost escalations. <br />Animal licensing, which has not been enforced in years, is proposed for removal from the fee <br />schedule. Council members requested a review of brush site revenue and expenses to ensure fees <br />reflect operating costs. The group addressed Fire Marshal service costs, directing staff to compare <br />internal and contracted expenses to help the Shoreline Fire Department Board justify a full-time <br />marshal position. <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />Work session ended at 5:48 p.m. <br />ATTEST: <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />Christine Lusian, City Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor <br />4 <br />