04-11-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 11, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. PLANNING COMMISSIONER TESS RICE - RESOLUTION NO. 6036 McMillan read the resolution of appreciation being awarded to Teresa Rice. Bremer and Rahn thanked Tess Rice for her service on the Planning Commission. Franchot moved, Rahn seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6036, a Resolution of Appreciation to Teresa Rice for Dedicated Service to the City of Orono. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. LMCD REPORT - ANDREW McDERMOTT, REPRESENTATIVE McDermott stated the LMCD is anticipating the ice will be off Lake Minnetonka by the end of the week. The Minnehaha Watershed District has opened Gray's Bay and they are attempting to regulate the amount of water that goes out depending on how much water is in the creek, but there does not appear to be much flooding at the present time. The residents have raised enough money to do the chemical milfoil treatment on the original three bays and the DNR has agreed to expanding the treatment to two additional bays. The treatment will commence sometime in May depending on the water temperature. • The Minnesota Legislature is currently considering some legislation regarding control of exotic species. The LMCD is in support of the legislation with the caveat that there is a companion bill for some control of exotics that are already in the lakes. • McMillan thanked former Mayor Gabriel Jabbour for his work on getting the ice broken up early to allow water to go over the Gray's Bay dam and alleviate the flooding. McDermott stated they had concerns that homes would be flooded on Lake Minnetonka but they were able to get the dam open to help prevent flooding. McMillan commented the proactive action by Jabbour has helped to alleviate potential flooding. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS — DENISE LESKINEN, REPRESENTATIVE Leskinen stated she had nothing to report but would be available for questions. PUBLIC COMMENTS Dennis Walsh, 1354 Rest Point Circle, recommended the Council during the mayor /council report talk about the City's plans for spending reductions in order to prevent tax increases in the future and to give the public an idea of what is being considered. The City needs to deal with spending issues regardless if anyone from the public is complaining about them. Walsh indicated he has been spending more time looking at the Old Crystal Bay Road project and there a • number of things that are worrisome. Walsh stated in his opinion the process is backwards and that the Council should get public input prior to the project going out for bids. A project of this size and scope Page 2 of 30