03-12-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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V L MM UTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, March 12, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (S. LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT - 2011 ANNUAL REPORT, Continued) medical and officer training as well as driver training, and additional Saturday training specializing in water rescue, boat driving, etc. Printup asked when the annual pancake breakfast is scheduled. Van Eyll noted the pancake breakfast is scheduled for April 15'' starting at 8:00 a.m. at Station 1. McMillan asked whether the fire department is still conducting practice burns in the area. Van Eyll stated this is the first year that they have not had any structures in the area to conduct a controlled burn on and that the firefighters will be sent to the training tower in Edina. The City Council took no formal action on this item. LMCD REPORT - ANDREW McDERMOTT, REPRESENTATIVE McDermott reported that the LMCD is likely going to declare a low water emergency, which will be discussed at the March 28th board meeting. The water level is currently at 927.93'. Whenever the water level goes below 928', the LMCD can declare a low water emergency, which basically means that the • lakeshore residents can extend their docks out further than normal. The Save the Lake Fund has been approached by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Patrol to assist with purchasing an underwater camera that can help find bodies and perform other underwater functions. During the Brackett's Point incident, the Water Patrol used an underwater camera with an articulating arm on it which allowed them to search the bottom of the lake without the need for the rescuers to continuously dive. The cost of the camera is approximately $100,000. At the present time the Save the Lake Fund does not have enough funds to purchase the camera, but there is a group of local business people that will match whatever Save the Lake contributes. McDermott commented one issue that will likely be discussed is the fact that this purchase is not a typical use of the Save the Lake Fund and that typically some of the Save the Lake funds are used for the purchase of life preservers and other items that are used on the lake. The camera will be used county -wide. McMillan asked how much the Save the Lake Fund would contribute. McDermott indicated it would be approximately half the cost. If the camera is purchased, the Save the Lake Fund would have very little left in it. McDermott noted fundraising went well this past year and that in his view they would have enough money in the Save the Lake Fund if they use all the funds raised last year, but that there would be no other money for other projects. They have already pledged $15,000 towards the purchase of the camera from the Save the Lake Fund. Franchot asked if the LMCD would essentially raise all the money needed for what would be a county resource. McDermott noted that half of the money would come from private sources and that there are other uses • for the camera. Page 4 of 7