11-13-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,November 13,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT, Continued) Olson stated the truth-in-taxation notices will probably be going out this week and that he can provide updated information at the end of the week. McMillan stated in her view a spreadsheet of all the actual sales for the year would be easier to review. CITY ADIVIINISTRATOR'S REPORT *12. ACCEPT DONATION—RESOLUTION NO. 6181 Printup moved,Franchot seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6181,a Resolution Acknowledging a Donation from Gina J.Paulucci. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. *13. ACCEPT DONATION—RESOLUTION NO. 6183 Printup moved,Franchot seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6183,a Resolution Acknowledging a Donation from Gear West Ski and Run. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. *14. NON-WAIVER OF TORT LIMITS—RESOLUTION NO.6182 Printup moved,Franchot seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6182,a Resolution Making a Selection Not to Waive the Statutory Tort Limits for Liability Insurance Purposes. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 15. UTILITY RATE DISCUSSION Olson stated at the last City Council work session there was a discussion about utility rate changes for 2013 and that overall the Council agreed with the recommendations except for the 4 percent increase in the sewer fee. The City's major expense charged by the Metropolitan Council will be decreasing in 2013. Olson stated he anticipates the entire fee schedule will be ready by the next City Council meeting. Olson stated one of the outstanding questions is the establishment of a flow based sewer rate for properties that are served by the Long Long/Wayzata sewer system. Changing to a flow based system would eliminate the operating loss for those properties. Another option would be to change the billing for only Calvin Church. The other issue relates to the 72 properties serviced by Wayzata. Currently residential properties being served by Wayzata are billed an amount ranging from a low of$32.52 to a high of$563.93. All of these properties are billed$118.67 by Orono. A flow based rate structure based on the metered amount of water that is used could eliminate the operating losses on those properties. Olson noted Wayzata will not be finalizing their fees until early next year. McMillan asked how the City Council feels about increasing the City's utility rate. Printup asked when the last time the sewer and water rates were increased. Olson indicated they were increased last year and that generally the City increases the fees every year to avoid a large increase every three or four years. Page 9 of 11