02-11-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING • Monday,February 11,2013 . 7:00 o'clock p.m. (LMCD REPORT—ANDREW McDERMOTT,REPRESENTATIVE, Continued) "Jabbour noted the DNR's AIS program is a$3.6 million budget for the entire state of Minnesota." Printup stated the Council needs to take into consideration the people who do not live on the lake and that putting that many resources into it is not something he would be comfortable with. Levang indicated she also is not comfortable with contributing to this. Levang stated she concurs that the City Council should make a decision and then stand by it. McMillan commented she also is opposed to the use of chemicals in the lake and that she could never envision a partnership where certain private individuals receive money in some form for chemical treatment that has been shown does not kill the milfoil. Even if the lakes are treated,the milfoil will come back. In addition, the chemicals have to be monitored on a regular basis,which also costs money. McMillan noted a considerable amount of time and energy will need to be put into the chemical treatment program, and if the LMCD gets involved in this,there may be no stopping it. Anderson noted the scope of the service area has grown tremendously from the original intent of the LMCD. Anderson commented that everyone wants to preserve the lake but that they do not want to keep throwing chemicals in it year after year. McMillan stated when they did the pilot program,they were hoping for better results. This project involves chemicals and lots of money way down the road to simply maintain the status quo. Bremer stated her personal reasons for being reticent are not monetary based and that the Council may not have all of the information at this time regarding the true costs of the program over time. Bremer noted the entire community benefits from Lake Minnetonka to some degree. Bremer stated her biggest concern is the lack of knowledge that everyone has for determining what the best way to control this is and that she also has a concern with what has happened in some other bays. Bremer stated given the state of technology,harvesting and chemical treatment are the only options available at this point and that she hopes the Council does not foreclose a conversation from happening if other technology becomes available. McDermott indicated the LMCD will continue to look at other options and that he would encourage the City Council to speak to the other cities. McMillan indicated Staff will put together a letter regarding the Council's stance on this issue. Nybeck noted the LMCD did hold a public safety meeting regarding vehicles driving on Lake Minnetonka. Levang asked what options they are pursuing to keep cars from falling into the lake. ------ Page 10 of 24 —