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1 <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 23, 2004 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />(3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW FIREFIGHTERS FOR THE NA VARRE FIRE STATION, • <br />Continued) <br />McMillan echoed fellow Council member's sentiments. In addition, she thanked the Council for <br />bringing this vision together, the recruits for their dedication, and their partners in this endeavor. <br />White concurred. <br />DuCharme agreed, stating that the partnership and cooperation with the Long Lake Fire <br />Department had been a great experience. <br />Mayor Peterson stated that the Fire Station ribbon cutting ceremony would be held March 27, <br />2004. <br />The Council took a five minute recess to view the fire truck outside the Chambers. <br />4. JOHN HERMAN, COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER — RESOLUTION NO. 5116 <br />Mayor Peterson invited John Herman to the podium to recognize him for his outstanding service to <br />Orono and present him with a Resolution. <br />The Council members congratulated him on his new position with St. Louis Park, thanked him for <br />his commitment, and wished him well. • <br />Murphy moved, McMillan seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION No. 5116, a Resolution <br />recognizing John Herman for his service to the City of Orono and contract jurisdictions. <br />VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />2. LINDA KOBLICK, COUNTY COMMISSIONER — PRESENTATION <br />Ms. Koblick explained that she represents District 6, which consists of 14 cities of over 160,000 <br />people. As a Hennepin County Commissioner, Koblick stated that she is part of an agency arm for <br />the State of Minnesota, which is given state and federal money, and is responsible for HCMC <br />(Hennepin County Medical Center). She indicated that budget cuts have impacted Hennepin <br />County, as well, with over $100 million cut from the 2003 budget. These cuts further impacted the <br />health and human services divisions and corrections for the County, as well as, funding supplied to <br />local municipalities. <br />Koblick asked the City Council for their impressions, in an effort to gauge how these cuts have <br />impacted them and their concerns for the future. She recognized that two - thirds of the income is <br />generated by the suburbs but spent by the metro downtown areas. On the other hand, she pointed <br />out that effort was made to retain and keep the Ridgedale service center open, and maintain <br />Hennepin County libraries overall. <br />Koblick continued by pointing out that the County is also made up of the Hennepin County Rail <br />Authority, the Housing Authority, inspections and licensing departments, and supports <br />transportation initiatives such as the Highway 12 construction project. Koblick indicated that she • <br />serves on numerous task forces, including a task force for the 394 Hot Lanes initiative to institute <br />PAGE 2 of 14 <br />