Laserfiche WebLink
• � MINUTES OF THE <br /> � ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,Apri18,2013 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (S. LAKE MINNETONKA ASSOCIATION(LMA) FUNDING REQUEST, Continued) <br /> Anderson stated the Watershed District has told the City they are not even really looking at milfoil as a <br /> big issue. Since there are so many other things coming down the pike, it would be difficult to commit <br /> funds and raise the levy for something when it is not a permanent solution. <br /> Tucker noted seven cities out of ten have already said yes to the herbicide treatment. <br /> McMillan stated the Watershed District has decided to be more in the prevention business of AIS. <br /> McMillan pointed out milfoil has been around since 1987 and that an Orono resident donated the <br /> harvesting equipment to the LMCD and another former council member contributed a lot and stepped up <br /> to the plate when milfoil first appeared. Orono has been at the forefront of dealing with the milfoil. The <br /> residents have lived with milfoil for a long term and now there are zebra mussels and other aquatic <br /> invasive species. <br /> McMillan commented there has been some talk in the past that we could eradicate milfoil through <br /> chemical treatments,which was irresponsible because it gave the wrong impression that it would be <br /> eradicated through a couple of treatments. Herbicide treatment has never been done on the scale of the <br /> size of Lake Minnetonka. <br /> Lowe noted the LMA has never taken that stance. <br /> McMillan stated they have a solution that works for eight bays and that the issue with the chemicals is <br /> that there are other bigger costs associated with it. <br /> Mary Tucker noted seven cities have gotten behind them already. Tucker asked at what point does the <br /> Council do what their constituents want regarding milfoil. <br /> McMillan noted she represents all the citizens of Orono and not just the residents of Carman's Bay and <br /> that the Council has to determine the best way to use taxpayer dollars. <br /> Lower noted herbicide treatment is half the cost as harvesting. <br /> McMillan stated the whole harvesting program is$60,000 a year, which does not include the DNR. <br /> Lowe noted they only do one quarter of the lake with the harvesting. <br /> McMillan stated she does not want to spend any more time on this tonight. <br /> Levang stated as it relates to Council Member Printup's point,the Council is being asked constantly to <br /> pay for things and the City has a commitment to a flat levy, which affects every citizen. The Council's job <br /> is to manage those scarce resources and make the best decisions they can. The Council does represent all <br /> of the citizens and we take that job mighty seriously. Levang commented the City Council is listening to <br /> them and to others. While the LMA may think this is a small amount of money,the City Council has a <br /> number of other issues on the plate that have to be balanced. <br /> Page 11 of 21 <br />