10-24-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (9. MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT (MCWD) PRESENTATION, Continued) far as regulation or pilot programs. McMillan noted Orono Staff has had some issues responding to the regulations and that is a concern for cities. Bremer stated regulation needs to be taken very seriously. Bremer indicated she did read the other resolutions and that her thinking is similar to Minnetonka's, which is being supportive of the charge of the MCWD but that she does not want to take a myopic view of supporting only one organization. Bremer indicated she would rather the governing agencies get together and come up with some solution. The City of Orono supports clear water quality, does not want invasive species, and is supportive of the LMCD. Bremer stated before she can approve any resolution, she would need to know what the resolution says and how detailed it needs to be. Andrew McDermott stated the LMCD is wrestling with some of the same concerns expressed by the City Council and that the LMCD is not sure of the direction the MCWD is going to go on this issue. There are a number of draft documents out there from the MCWD that talk about taxing and fees, which made the LMCD nervous. McDermott noted the LMCD does support the aquatic and invasive species expert and the Board will be discussing on Wednesday what type of resolution or letter of support should be issued to the Watershed District. The LMCD also definitely believes there should be a comprehensive aquatic invasive species plan but that is as far as the LMCD would support it at this time until there is a more definite plan. McDermott indicated the LMCD is willing to work with the Watershed District. }• . . Printup commented he is not comfortable drafting or approving a resolution at this point until they see what is in the plan. If the City Council would like to do a resolution at some point, he would suggest that perhaps the language be more generic and asking the MCWD to bring the state in and lobby the attorney general's office, which would be more proactive. Rahn stated it is difficult to move forward without a plan and that it is a Catch 22 for Eric Evenson to come before the cities asking for their support without a plan. Bremer stated she does not have as much of a concern with not having all the details but that it is rather not having any appreciation for the philosophy or legality behind the plan. Bremer stated in her view Orono does have a strong voice in the LMCD and strong representation and that she feels that the LMCD organization at a minimum should be involved on behalf of Orono. If it was a separate issue from the LMCD and looking at different lakes within the City of Orono, that would be a different question, but at this point the City does not know enough about the legality of what the MCWD would like to do. Bremer commented she does have a concern with some of the regulations that the MCWD is proposing. In addition, the DNR is a very powerful organization and the City cannot just ignore it and say it is not effective. The DNR has to be part of the discussion. Bremer commented she does not want the MCWD to lose steam on this issue and feel the efforts they are taking to help this wonderful resource should be lauded. Bremer stated in her view she does not know whether a resolution from the City Council supporting something undefined is the right way to go and that she would recommend that the City Council have an opportunity to review some draft language of a • resolution and the other resolutions passed by some of the other cities. Bremer asked what kind of timing the MCWD is looking at. Page 9 of 19