01-11-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 11, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 3. STATE REPRESENTATIVE JERRY HERTAUS (continued) Hertaus stated it is difficult to predict at this point and that there arc usually around 3,000 bills introduced each session. Hertaus noted last session had the fewest pieces of legislation that passed, which amounted to around 80 bills. Hertaus indicated he does not foresee anything occurring at the city level at the present time. Hertaus noted last year the MN Legislature was able to secure some MSA money for some of the other cities in the district that have a population of less than 5,000. Hertaus noted that money was not available for Orono since it has a population of over 5,000. McMillan stated it is likely Orono would support the building of the jersey wall. Hertaus stated in the Highway 12 meetings he has attended, Orono and Wayzata have both favored that jersey wall extended. Hertaus stated when it comes time to introduce these bills, he will be calling on all the affected cities to alert them, but that there is sometimes short notice for the committee meetings. Hertaus stated a letter from the City of Orono talking about the dangers of the road would be very helpful. Levang stated she appreciates the time Mr. Hertaus has taken to look at Highway 12 corridor and that the safety of the road is an important issue for the residents of Independence, Maple Plain, Orono, and Wayzata Hertaus stated it is important to note that Highway 12 is a regional asset and a rural section of highway that is located in the metro area. Highway 12 is the oldest, least improved highway in the metro area and needs to be addressed. Hertaus stated distracted driving is a main factor into causing the accidents and that people need to realize that their cell phone messages can wait a few minutes. PUBLIC COMMENTS None LMCDBIG ISLAND REPORT — GABRIEL JABBOUR, REPRESENTATIVE LMCD Representative Jabbour stated from the beginning of his residency in Orono approximately 45 years ago, there have always been difficulties on and off with the LMCD. Jabbour stated in his view the LMCD was an idea that was a great idea in the 1960s but became obsolete in the 1980s. In 1994, a bill was drafted to change the board configuration. Orono comprises approximately 30 to 35 percent of Lake Minnetonka in both area and shoreline. As a result, what happens on Lake Minnetonka significantly impacts Orono residents. Jabbour stated unfortunately a number of the other LMCD member cities do not necessarily understand why Orono is so concerned about what happens on the lake. Jabbour stated the number one natural resource in this area is Lake Minnetonka and that they need to take steps to preserve it. Orono citizens have paid millions of dollars in property taxes, with a portion of those tax dollars going to support the LMCD and preserving Lake Minnetonka. Jabbour stated it costs a lot of money to uphold Orono's philosophy, which the other member cities do not understand and, as a result, fail to properly regulate hardcover near the shoreline. Page 3 of 24