02-27-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 27, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (BIG ISLAIVD PARK REPORT, Continued) There are a couple of cisterns on the island. A historical evaluation was completed and it found that the Sorrel family used to live there. It was determined that the cisterns have some historical value so they were capped rather than filled. Jabbour noted the parks are connected through a public right -of -way. Jabbour illustrated the area that was full of appliances and other debris, and reported that approximately four and a half tons of debris was cleaned up and hauled away. Jabbour indicated it took approximately two months to clean that area up but that in his view they are getting to the end of the cleanup. Printup commented he appreciates the periodic e-mail updates and photos of Big Island. Rahn asked who made the determination that the cisterns had some historical significance. Jabbour stated a few years back they had the Historical Society out to Big Island and they made the determination. McMillan asked about the AIS training and new AIS law that will be going into effect. i? • Jabbour stated he has met with the chair of the environmental committee a couple of times regarding the new proposed rules. The DNR has conducted a study and found that it would cost approximately $580 million annually to check every boat. Jabbour recommended the City Council should discuss the local • public accesses. The LMCD AIS Committee has worked hard to get concessions from the DNR to stop public accesses from being placed in small residential neighborhoods. Jabbour indicated the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the LMCD are working together to deal with the AIS problem and that the Watershed District is interested in hiring some inspectors. Jabbour noted there is a bill that is being discussed that will require anyone who does business on the lake to be licensed. Cities will be exempt from that requirement but they are encouraging local police departments to issue tickets for anyone found transporting AIS. Orono is in four out of the five public access zones. Jabbour indicated they want to ensure that there will be no unfunded mandate passed on to the City, and that he would like to see Orono be assigned as an LGU of the DNR. McMillan noted the City Council did discuss what it could do to help address the AIS situation during their goal setting session earlier this evening. McMillan thanked Jabbour for his efforts regarding Big Island. The City Council took no formal action on this item. • Page 4 of 17