06-08-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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r ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR JUNE 8,1998 MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT - continued Kelley thanked the Police Chief and City Administrator for providing the storm report. He asked which of the recommendations have the highest priority. He noted that cell phones did not work because the power was out. Moorse responded that most of the items can be addressed by staff. The emergency sirens cost approximately $15,000 each and will be brought to the 1999 budget process. The current radio system was a benefit as both the Public Works Department and Police Department use the same radio system, and they communicate on a local channel. Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park and Long Lake are also on the same channel. In the future, if the Police Department goes to 800 trunk radios, the Public Works Department should also purchase those radios to facilitate communication. Goetten questioned the need for someone in the EOC who has authority to issue Purchase Orders as she thought that was a Red Cross responsibility. Moorse responded that Purchase Orders are needed by City staff for equipment such as barricades. It may be beneficial to have someone from Finance or Administration in the EOC for such purposes rather than relying on phone lines. Peterson asked how often the emergency policies and procedures manual is updated.. Moorse responded that a new procedure has already been established and put in place for City Hall. Kelley stated that procedures should also be established for when to close a meeting being held in the Council Chambers. He had attended the Planning Commission meeting the following Monday when severe weather was also reported and felt the meeting should have been stopped. Gaffron responded that the weather alert radio went off several times throughout the meeting for a number of areas throughout Minnesota and into Wisconsin. The emergency shelter is the Police Department. The Copy Room in the Administration Offices is the second alternative when there is an evening meeting. Gaffron added that the meeting was interrupted while participants went to the Copy Room. Van Zomeren added that some of those attending the meeting went outside to watch the sky. Flint suggested the City encourage NSP to continue burying more of their lines. Kelley stated he was not in favor of the tree preservation ordinance and questioned how much time Park Commissioner Wilson would put into work on the ordinance. He felt there was an inherent process for homeowners to plant trees on their property, and questioned if it was necessary for the City to dictate to developers what should be planted. Park Commission Chair McDermott commented that renewed work on the tree preservation ordinance was a response to the recent Carpenter property subdivision. He added that the ordinance was more for preserving existing trees than mandating a certain number of trees be required in new • developments. 23