09-13-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 13, 2010 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (12. METROPOLITANLIVABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAMPARTICIPATION, Continued) Murphy noted this is a volunteer program administered by the Metropolitan Council that provides the City with the opportunity to compete for grants and loans to support activities that help the City meet its affordable and lifecycle housing goals. Murphy commented in his view the City needs to have a serious discussion on how they want to achieve those goals. The City Council took no formal action on this item. 13. LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (LMCC) 2011 BUDGET APPROVAL Murphy stated he would like to call attention to the fact that the City could find itself in a creeping arrangement here with a 10 percent increase this year and then another 10 percent increase next year. Murphy stated this is the highest percentage for a budget increase of all the things that the City will do this year and that he has some concerns with where it is going. Franchot noted he did vote for this budget under duress, and that in order to balance the budget, there is a $42,000 transfer from the reserve fund. The transfer is to pay the mortgage costs on the building that the organization purchased last year. Franchot stated in his view purchasing the building was a good decision but that the overall budget could be improved. The status of the fiber optics is something that the communities do need to address and that the Board has authorized the LMCC to do a market survey to see ® what the level of interest is. Franchot noted this money is not money that can be used elsewhere and that the organization is funded solely through the fees that are generated as part of the cable franchise. Murphy stated there is no question that people want high -speed internet everywhere but that it is a very expensive proposition. Franchot stated in his view it is an infrastructure issue and not a service issue. Bremer moved, Franchot seconded, to approve the 2011 Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission budget. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 2, White and Murphy Opposed. *14. LIQUIDATION OF FORFEITED VEHICLES Franchot moved, Murphy seconded, to approve the liquidation of two forfeited vehicles through public bid process and/or Minneapolis Auto Auction. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 15. PLANS FOR DEDICATION OF LURTON PARK Murphy asked whether the City should consider a conservation easement on this property or if they feel comfortable that future councils will not want to turn it into a dog park or something else. Franchot stated he would like to look at selling a conservation easement to acquire funds to help acquire the Lupient property. • McMillan commented the City should focus on getting the park up and running in the near future. PAGE 13 of 14