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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 8, 2016 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />4. MINNEHAHA CREEK — PAINTERS CREEK CULVERT REPLACEMENT AND <br />SOUTH KATRINA MARSH RESTORATION PROJECT (continued) <br />City Attorney Mattick noted Staff did look at how these easements would sync with the City's easements <br />and that Staff did not have a problem with them. <br />McMillan stated in her view it would be a win/win situation since the landowner would get their wetland <br />restored and would help to improve the benefits received by the wildlife in the area. <br />Walsh stated it is likely the work will also increase the value of the property. <br />Schaufler stated the culverts will likely be replaced in May or June of this year. <br />Council Member Printup asked if there are any residents who are adamantly opposed to the project. <br />Schaufler stated once the project is explained to them, they generally are fine with it. <br />McMillan asked if any residents are present tonight and would like to comment on this project. <br />There were no public comments. <br />Printup moved, Levang seconded, to approve the Letter of Support from the City of Orono to the <br />Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />Walsh moved, Printup seconded, to authorize execution of the easement documents allowing the <br />Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to perform wetland restoration activities within areas <br />covered by existing City wetland easements. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />PUBLIC COMMENTS <br />Michael Kurtz, Grandview Middle School, Mound, stated on April 9, 2016, he and Carson Merritt will be <br />competing in the community problem solving competition at the Future Problem Solvers Program. The <br />objective is to identify a real problem in the community in which they live and then implement real <br />solutions to help it. The Future Problem Solvers International uses a six -step problem solving model that <br />is aligned with national curriculum standards, Common Core Standards, and the National Association for <br />Gifted Children standards. The competition will be held in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. <br />Kurtz stated the problem they have chosen is teen homelessness. The Minnesota Humphrey Institute has <br />estimated there are over 4,000 homeless youth in the state. Kurtz stated in an effort to help them <br />understand this problem, they have spoken with interested homeless teens, visited a homeless shelter, and <br />spoke with homeless advocates. A survey was also conducted of the Grandview Middle School students, <br />which showed that most of the students know very little about teenage homelessness but that some of the <br />students did know of someone who was homeless in the area. <br />Kurt noted homeless teenagers have higher rates of depression, drug addiction, and school dropouts. <br />Beginning next week, as part of the program to raise awareness of teen homeless, Kurtz indicated they <br />will be sleeping in a car located in the parking lot of the Grandview Middle School for a week and that <br />they hope this will give them a greater understanding of the challenges facing homeless teenagers. <br />Page 4 of 32 <br />