Laserfiche WebLink
•• MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,April 8,2013 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (S. LAKE MINNETONKA ASSOCIATION(LMA) FUNDING REQUEST, Continued) <br /> Lowe stated the LMA is requesting the City ask the LMCD to spend more money on herbicide control. <br /> Lowe noted the LMCD is now promoting herbicidal control and they want to levy the city in order to do <br /> that. Lowe stated the LMCD wants to take public dollars to treat milfoil with herbicides. <br /> McMillan noted the LMCD just approved a management plan, and in that management plan is the abiliTy <br /> to use chemicals on eight bays. Mechanical harvesting was also approved as part of that plan. The <br /> chemicals that were approved in the draft plan are for specific areas and not the entire lake. McMillan <br /> indicated the plan was an outgrowth of the pilot program that found there were only certain bays on Lake <br /> Minnetonka where herbicides will work in. The chemicals will disperse on the open bays and are not <br /> effective to use in all lakes due to the currents. McMillan noted the LMCD did not approve any particular <br /> funding source for the herbicide treatment or mechanical harvesting and that the funding will come out of <br /> the general budget. <br /> Bremer pointed out there are also certain bays where herbicide treatment is not needed. <br /> Lowe commented the LMCD came to the conclusion that herbicide treatment is worthwhile as a result of <br /> the 5-year pilot program,which was 60 percent privately funded. <br /> Bremer asked what the LMA's monetary request is. <br /> Lowe noted in 2010 the City donated $3,000. Lowe commented since the pilot program was so <br /> successful at eliminating milfoil, a number of people have forgotten what it was like in 2007 and 2008 <br /> and that it has been difficult raising the necessary funds this year because of that. People get complacent <br /> and think it is not that bad. The resurgence of natives has become a real issue for some of the residents, <br /> but they do not want to donate as much because they need to do their own nuisance treatment around their <br /> docks. Lowe reiterated it has been hard for the LMA to raise money this year. <br /> McMillan stated if the Council would like to explore a funding request; it would need to be placed on a <br /> future Council agenda. <br /> Bremer asked if the LMA is interested in the same amount as in 2010 or what the specific request is. <br /> Lowe stated the LMA would like $5,000. Lowe noted the LMCD typically gives them $8,000 every year <br /> and last year they received $18,000 from the DNR. However,the DNR has cut back on their contribution <br /> twice. Lowe indicated this year has been a bad year for raising funds. <br /> Anderson commented public funding is difficult for everyone given the economy. <br /> McMillan asked if the City Council is in favor of exploring this request. <br /> Bremer indicated she would be fine with exploring it if it is placed on the agenda with a specific dollar <br /> request. Bremer stated placing it on the agenda cannot guarantee anyone else will show up but that it <br /> would allow other people to appear. <br /> Page 9 of 21 <br />