04-12-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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rJ MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 12, 2010 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. Funding Request for Milfoil Project, Continued) Murphy stated he understands the concerns of the residents and that the milfoil is a serious problem. Murphy stated he does have a concern with the use of herbicides and pouring chemicals into an entire lake. Murphy commented he is not sure what the end answer is, but that from the City's standpoint, they are in a difficult position. Orono also has a problem with buckthorn, which is also getting worse every year, and that he cannot imagine the City getting involved in financing the removal of buckthorn out of people's yards. There are also issues with Zebra mussels and other things. Murphy noted the City of Orono has 13 bays on Lake Minnetonka, and that in his view, to start contributing to this fund would set a dangerous precedent for the City going forward. The City Council has had lots of discussions about sponsoring specific projects that do not directly affect all citizens and that typically the City has drawn the line on contributing to those projects. A resident in the audience noted that the other cities around the lake are contributing and asked why Orono is not taking the same position. The resident noted this is a public resource. Drazan asked if the City. is going to wait until all the lakes are infested before they take a stand on this. Drazan commented she struggles with that position since it does not fit into the City's philosophy. White stated the City's philosophy is to attempt to keep chemicals and runoff from going into the lake. White noted the LMCD could not harvest the upper end of the lake since it is too shallow. • Kathleen Bisson, Casco Point, stated she has been a certified residential appraiser for the past 14 years and that the milfoil does affect property values. The milfoil will keep getting worse and will continue to affect property values. There currently is a property on Casco Point that has gone into foreclosure. The woman that purchased the property was not familiar with the lake, razed the house, and has found that the area is very infested with milfoil. The milfoil will eventually affect everyone's property if something is not done. White stated it is the City's responsibility to provide police, fire and roads for the residents and not to protect anyone's personal investment. A resident stated they are talking about what to fund. The City currently funds the LMCD to harvest the milfoil, which in turn spreads the milfoil. The City currently contributes $58,000 to the LMCD and the residents on Carman's Bay would like the City to reduce that spending and contribute to this project. McMillan pointed out the LMCD addresses the whole lake and all the cities contribute to the harvesting and not just one bay. McMillan stated she can understand why people are frustrated with the harvesting but that it is a nonchemical solution. Kathleen Bisson stated if the property values continue to go down, the City will not have the money to fund anything. ' Bremer indicated she is in favor of funding the project this year but that she has a concern with the funding going into future years. Bremer stated in her view the $3000 is worth a shot.. Bremer noted the City does own a lot on that bay and that they were requested two years ago to contribute to this project as a property owner. A resident commented that the City also owns Lydiard Beach on Carman's Bay. • Paul Kaster, 2600 Casco Point Road, stated the City purchased Big Island because it was an asset to the village and to everybody on the lake. Those funds came out of the residents' pockets. Kaster indicated he has been in Page 7 of 15