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MINUTES OF THE • <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING • <br /> Monday,February 11,2013 � <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. � <br /> (MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT, Continued) <br /> Loftus stated the LMCC has done a very comprehensive study on a 10-year outlook that will also be <br /> provided to the Council prior to the work session. The LMCC is looking for comments and feedback <br /> from the Council. <br /> McMillan noted there was a very interesting article on streetlights in the newsletter entitled"The <br /> Municipal"and that she will provide it to the City Administrator for distribution to the Council. <br /> McMillan noted the community drug forum is scheduled for February 21 S` <br /> McMillan asked if the sales tax exemption for local governments will help Orono. <br /> Loftus indicated the City currently pays sales tax so it would have a small impact. Loftus noted the <br /> governor is proposing to add sales tax to professional services, which will greatly impact the City. The <br /> MN League of Cities is attempting to get an exemption for local government. <br /> Mattick stated the League has been attempting to get local cities exempted from the sales tax issue. <br /> Mattick noted cities also used to be exempted from paying sales tax. <br /> McMillan noted the governor's proposal includes a property tax rebate up to $500 regardless of where <br /> you live. In discussions with the local mayors,the mayors would prefer to see structural improvements. <br /> McMillan encouraged the City Council and Staff to stay on top of the state budget discussions. <br /> CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT <br /> 1. Orono Fire Lanes <br /> McMillan indicated that Council Member Levang would like to discuss the fire lanes in Orono. <br /> Levang stated earlier tonight the City Council discussed an application that was adjacent to a fire lane. <br /> Levang noted the Park Commission did create a list of all the fire lanes in the city and that some fire lanes <br /> are marked and some are not. <br /> Gaffron stated some fire lanes were marked at that time but most were not. <br /> Levang stated part of the reason some of them were not marked was due to the cost of the survey. <br /> Gaffron indicated there was also the question that people who are not in the neighborhood would <br /> suddenly understand where the access points are. Most of the neighborhoods do not have parking <br /> available to handle people coming into the neighborhoods and utilizing the fire lanes. The fire lanes were <br /> intended to serve the neighborhoods and not draw in people from the outside. The Park Commission and <br /> Staff had a concern with marking the various fire lanes since there would be the potential of increased <br /> traffic and parking in those neighborhoods. <br /> Levang stated some of them are quite improved and are enjoyed by the local residents. In other cases,the <br /> City has experienced some problems with residents encroaching on the fire lanes and some are overgrown <br /> and have challenging terrain. <br /> Page 18 of 24 <br />