02-24-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 24, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 14 (MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT, Continued) McMillan noted the Gillespie Center will be holding a community forum on relationship abuse on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. The goal is to educate the community about the common warning signs of relationship abuse, which is seen as a need by the police department in the community. Carol Arthur, Executive Director of the Domestic Abuse Project, will be doing the majority of the presenting. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 9. PARK COMMISSION Loftus stated the goal of creating a Park Commission was identified by the City Council as something that should be pursued this year. The City Council discussed the format of the Park Commission and the number of commissioners that should be appointed. The City Council determined the commission should be made up of five to seven members with each commissioner being appointed for a term of three years with staggered terms. At the present time five individuals have indicated a desire to serve on the Park Commission. Loftus indicated Staff would be happy to advertise the other two openings. The first meeting would be March 3rd at 7:00. Loftus stated it is her understanding Council Member Levang would like to nominate a chair. Levang moved, Printup seconded, to appoint Jan Berg, Sarah Lindahl, Dean Lundblad, Rick Meyer, and Jessica Warner to the Orono Park Commission for a three-year term, to direct Staff to advertise the two remaining open positions, and to appoint Rick Meyer as chair. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *10. LONG LAKE ROWING CREW – PERMIT APPROVAL Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to direct Staff to send a letter to the Sheriff’s Water Patrol approving issuance of the Special Event Permit subject to the provisions stated in the Water Patrol Permit application, and further subject to, one, no organized practice on Sundays; and two, activities shall not impede the use of the Summit Park beach facilities and access by the public. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 11. 2013 GENERAL FUND BUDGET INFORMATION Ron Olson reported on the 2013 General Fund Budget. Olson noted Staff is still processing some invoices from 2013 but that by and large the books for 2013 have been officially closed. Olson reported revenues are currently at 101.3 percent of the budget for the year and expenditures are at 97.49 percent of budget. Property taxes represent 53.7 percent of the City’s total revenues. Property tax collections for 2013 are currently at 99.2 percent, which is the highest current year collection rate since 2004. Licenses and permits increased in 2013 and finished at 110.6 percent of budget. Olson stated in his view that item should continue to be strong in 2014. Other government revenue was very strong as well, finishing the year at 133.7 percent, with approximately $41,000 being related to a storm cleanup grant from the state.