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. (9. A UTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR BWSR WATER QUALITY GRANT, Continued) the Minnehaha Watershed District. Bonestroo is recommending the funds be put towards a project at the Stubbs Bay ravine just north of the Carlson property complex. McMillan asked if that site is private property. Gaffron indicated it is. If the grant money is awarded, the City, as part of the design process, will need to make sure that they obtain easements to do the work. McMillan asked whether the property owner has been approached yet. Gaffron indicated in his view it is premature to contact the property owner at this time and that they would like to design the project first. The City's CIP acknowledges that there are 10 or 15 projects that need to be done, and if that particular property owner does not wish to give the City the appropriate easements, the money can be put towards a different project. McMillan stated in her view the property owner should be notified prior to going out for the grant. White stated once Staff has determined what the exact problem is and what the solutions are, they then can contact the property owner. White stated in his view it is important to identify the problem and the solution first so that the solutions are available to be provided to the property owner. White stated in his • view the common sense approach is to identify the problem, develop the solutions, and then approach the property owner to see if they are willing to go ahead with the project. McMillan commented in her view it would not be harmful to notify the property owner prior to applying for the grant. White noted this has been the City's procedure for years. Murphy moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 5965, a Resolution Authorizing Submission of Application for Board of Water and Soil Resources FY -2011 Clean Water Fund Grant. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 10. ADOPT 2011 TAX LEVY AND BUDGET — RESOLUTION NOS. 5966 AND 5967 Olson noted the City Council will need to adopt the 2011 preliminary tax levy and budget by September 15''. The levy can be decreased at any time up until December but it cannot be increased. T There are two budgets before the City Council tonight. The first budget was discussed at the August 10'h work session, with the exception being that the funding for the LMA has been eliminated as well as the contribution to Community Mediation Services. Olson noted he requested information from them twice and did not receive it. In addition, some staffing changes were made and the budget has been revised to reflect that. With those changes, the general fund budget as presented in the memo tonight is an increase of .48 percent. The Council will need to pass the 1.74 percent increase in the levy if they want to achieve PAGE 9 of 14