02-23-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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{ • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 23, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL REPORT McMillan reported that she and Murphy had attended the initial turnback meeting regarding Highway 12 to set the stage for starting this process. She indicated that they will meet again next week to discuss 3 plans — the Long Lake Master Plan, the Orono Comp Plan, and the Hennepin County Plan for the turnback. Murphy added that, the more discussion that took place, the more issues that arose for further dialogue. He assured the Council that he and McMillan would continue to inform them of developments and expand the size of the meetings as need warrants. McMillan stated that she had attended the Minnesota League of Cities Conference for Newly Elected Officials the past week and found it to be a helpful training session. Sansevere suggested the City Council review the practicality of the urban, rural, and lake definitions as set forth by the ordinance regarding Planning Commission membership. While he commended the newly appointed Navarre fire fighters, he commented that, at some point, acknowledgement should be given to Gabriel Jabbour for his dedication and contribution to the construction of the Fire Station. Murphy stated that he had attended the public meeting with Gen Olson and Steve Smith • held last week and was surprised by the standing room only crowd assembled to discuss public funding of education. He was impressed by the school related support expressed by Orono citizens during the meeting. • McMillan commented that, because the State and Federal branches of government have taken away so much control from local municipalities and school boards, the access to local government and financing is critical. She pointed out that the need to regain local control and rights was one topic discussed at the Mn. League of Cities meeting she had attended. Murphy pointed out that it was apparent to him that the Metro area schools are faced with one set of problems, the rural another, which squeezes suburbs, such as Orono, in the middle. The suburbs, which raise the most amount of money, are not getting their fair share back. On the other hand, Murphy questioned the relevance of Gen Olson's comment that every dollar citizens raise locally, they keep, versus having to share that via redistribution. While he acknowledged that budget problems exist everywhere, White questioned the never ending succession of unfunded mandates passed on to local municipalities. In addition, he commented that he, too, attended the LMCD dinner with McMillan and found it to be an enjoyable event. PAGE 11 of 14