09-13-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 13, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (10. ADOPT 2011 TAXLEVYAND BUDGET, Continued) Bremer stated the insurance contributions would go up quite a bit for the individual Staff members without the increase. Bremer stated given the economy, when you have 46 people, you need the best 46 people you can get. When people are let go because of financial reasons, you need 46 employees who are happy with their job and are willing to stay. Bremer stated a one percent increase is not an outlandish increase, Franchot indicated he is in agreement with Council Member Bremer and that the people who get the opportunities are typically the best people and that the City does need to stay competitive. Franchot stated in his view this conversation is somewhat odd and that he does not understand why the City would not approve the maximum levy in order to retain some flexibility with the budget. Franchot stated in his opinion there is no reason to not approve option one since it gives the City some flexibility, especially given the shortfall with the police department. Franchot stated while it is easy to talk about holding things to zero, the City needs ideas for where that money is going to come from. Franchot reiterated the City Council should go with option one to leave the options open. White noted every year the City has typically approved a higher levy than what was adopted since it does give the City some flexibility in developing the budget. White stated the City will do its best job at keeping expenses down and that currently Orono has one of the lowest tax rates in the metro area. • Murphy moved, Franchot seconded, to approve Option 1 and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 5966, a Resolution Adopting the Proposed 2010 Tag Levy Collectible in 2011, and to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 5967, a Resolution to Adopt the Proposed 2010 General Fund Budget. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 1; McMillan Opposed. 11. NO PARKING ZONE ON KELLEY PARKWAY — RESOLUTION NO. 5968 Franchot moved, Murphy seconded, to approve RESOLUTION NO. 5968, a Resolution Authorizing the Installation of Signs Prohibiting Parking on the South Side of Kelley Parkway. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 12. METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM PARTICIPATION Gaffron stated the City has participated every year in this program and that this year marks the end of the original period for goal setting. The City has been asked by the Metropolitan Council to establish new housing goals for 2011 to 2020 if they are going to participate in this program. The Metropolitan Council have defined what they believe the correct goals are. All cities and townships within the 7- county Metropolitan Council jurisdictional area are annually requested to complete a Livable Communities Act Survey, which is used to produce Housing Performance Scores for each community and assist the Metropolitan Council in developing household and population estimates. Housing Performance Scores are one of the facts considered when the Metropolitan Council evaluates and ranks applications for competitive funding programs. • The Metropolitan Council has established that Orono's fair share of the projected affordable housing needs for the metro area between now and 2020 is 311 units. Based on an acknowledgement that there is PAGE 11 of 14