10-25-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 25, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (5. HENNEPIN CO UNTY UPDATE — HENNEPIN CO UNTY COMMISSIONER JAN CALLISON, Continued) reduction in general government expenditures, a 4.2 percent reduction in human services, less than a 2 percent reduction in public safety, and less than a 2 percent reduction in libraries. Callison stated at the same time, however, Hennepin County is experiencing an increased demand for public services. From June of 2009 to June of 2010, Hennepin County saw a 17 percent increase in food stamps and a 5.8 percent increase in medical assistance. To help offset costs, Hennepin County has frozen county salaries and asked staff to take voluntary time off without being paid. In addition, the Hennepin County Board decided to go with a smaller increase in recognition of the burden on property owners. Callison indicated the impacts being felt from two years of shrinking the county budget are becoming more apparent. One impact is that the accuracy and timeliness of work in the public assistance area is becoming more of an issue due to the limited staff and increased work load. There has been a 25 percent reduction in staff at service centers and wait times have increased from 12 minutes to 40 minutes, with waits of 60 minutes not uncommon. In addition to Hennepin County looking at their budget for 2011, they are also looking forward to future years going out to 2030. The staff at the county and research and planning department has done a two ® page summary based on the Bookings Study which evaluates metropolitan cities. That summary says "The economic and social future of the Twin Cities will hinge in part on the ability of its institutions to move a more diverse population for post secondary educational success and ready them for wok in high value added occupations. Callison indicated she would leave a copy of the summary with the City Council. f. White thanked Callison for the water patrol hours that have been devoted to this area and noted that the number of incidents out on the lake has decreased as a result. Murphy asked what direction the Rail Authority is going in converting rails to trails. Callison stated in terms of the corridors that are programmed for light rail, the southwest area is the next corridor they will be looking at. That corridor will go from Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and then into Eden Prairie. They are also looking at the Botto corridor, which goes to the northwest. Other counties are also looking at developing other lines and Hennepin County is in discussion with those counties. The biggest activity for the county is the interchange project, which is the area in downtown Minneapolis by the new stadium. Murphy asked Callison what she feels the difference is between local city government and government at the county level. Callison stated the relationship with the State of Minnesota is different in the fact that Minnetonka and other cities receive virtually no financial assistance from the state. Hennepin County is a social service arm for the state, which sets certain restrictions on what can and cannot be done. Currently the state is not . willing to reimburse the county for certain expenditures. As a result, the relationship has deteriorated between the county and the state versus the state and local cities. Callison stated she would like to see a mutual understanding of the issues the state is facing but that the state should allow more flexibility on Page 3 of 17