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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />February 9, 2015 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 17 of 26 <br /> <br />(9. STORM WATER AND DRAINAGE TRUNK FEE REVIEW continued) <br /> <br />Walsh stated the same formula could be used for someone who adds a deck or an addition based on the <br />amount of hardcover they are adding. Walsh stated in his mind this is really a hardcover issue and that <br />the fee should be based upon that. <br /> <br />Walsh stated after that formula is set, the City can then look at how much money is being raised and have <br />another conversation about how much money is needed in the fund and how should the funds be raised. <br />Walsh stated what the City is doing now is trying to get as much money as possible from people who are <br />developing a lot or subdividing a lot. Walsh stated his solution would be having a sliding scale based <br />upon the current limit of 25 percent hardcover. <br /> <br />McMillan noted there are people who are currently over 25 percent. McMillan asked if Council Member <br />Walsh is talking about when the lot gets developed and not subdivided. <br /> <br />Walsh indicated he is. Walsh stated the water is not being displaced simply because the lot is subdivided. <br /> <br />Levang noted that would delay money coming into the fund. <br /> <br />Printup stated it sounds like the conversation has turned towards money and how the City needs this <br />revenue. Printup stated in the coming weeks he would like to see a comparison of the four -tier <br />breakdown and Council Member Walsh’s approach. Printup indicated he would like the discussion to <br />keep moving forward since the Council is all in agreement that something needs to be done with the <br />stormwater. Printup asked how much is currently in the fund. <br /> <br />Olson stated he does not have that number currently but would mention it during the financial report. <br /> <br />Mattick stated the fee discussion is a policy discussion for the Council to figure out, and that when fees <br />are examined by outside sources, the City should not artificially create a number but rather identify the <br />need based on something. Mattick stated the Council cannot say that three-quarters of Orono is already <br />built out and so we are going to attempt to fund that with the one quarter that is left. Mattick <br />recommended the Council keep in mind that the stormwater fund will probably be underfunded regardless <br />of what system they come up with if they intend to fund all stormwater projects with only stormwater <br />fees. Mattick stated regardless of what number is arrived at, there should be a rationale behind that <br />number. <br /> <br />McMillan stated given the fact that some of the stormwater mandates have not gone into effect yet, it is <br />hard to know what the City’s future demands will be. McMillan stated at this point the City needs to <br />determine whether the fee should be changed and the rationale for that change. McMillan noted the City <br />has been charging this fee for the past 13 years and that they should look at it again. McMillan stated she <br />is not aware of whether other cities charge a stormwater fee if someone adds a shed or a bedroom onto <br />their house. <br /> <br />Walsh stated the issue comes down to hardcover and how much of the land is covered, which directly <br />impacts stormwater.