03-24-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 24, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 24 (5. #13-3638 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL – 405 NORTH ARM DRIVE – LAKEVIEW GOLF COURSE PROPERTY – CONTINUED SKETCH PLAN, Continued) Hiller noted private wells will work on this site but that they would like to continue to pursue obtaining water from Minnetrista first. Hiller indicated he will keep the City apprised of the progress being made. Printup stated he is okay with the spirit of the sketch plan and that he would like to see the plan further refined. Printup asked what the other option was for restoring the site. Hiller indicated it would involve the planting of flowers and other vegetation that would need to be maintained on a regular basis. Bremer stated the City has seen that type of restoration utilized elsewhere and that over time they tend to become problematic. Bremer stated the option being proposed tonight will become established faster and will require less maintenance. Hiller stated he will plan on coming back before the City Council once the percolation testing has been completed with a pre-preliminary plat. Hiller indicated he will also clean up some of the lot lines. Hiller stated his hope is to get a preliminary plat application before the Council sometime this summer. McMillan stated the goal is to get some of the lots more conforming with the acreage and to look at some areas for additional park land besides the conservation easements. Gaffron asked if the Council has any intent for any of the conservation areas to be available to the public. McMillan stated she does not envision them being open to the general public. Levang asked if any type of trail system is being proposed for the residents. Hiller stated at this point they do not envision a trail system since the lots would be individually owned and that the residents would be able to walk the cul-de-sacs and the roadways. McMillan opened the meeting up for public comment at 8:17 p.m. Connie Piepho, 540 North Arm Drive stated she does have some concerns that she would like the City Council Members to consider. Piepho stated she was wondering, if Minnetrista and Orono agree on the water; how a resident who buys one of these homes will be protected in the future on the water rates. Struve stated the rates would be negotiated with Minnetrista and would be similar to other city water rates, which would also be subject to change. Struve stated Orono may add a slight markup cost to the water rate but that the City cannot guarantee the rates will not increase at some point in the future. Struve stated an extended agreement would be entered into between the two cities so the residents would have some idea of the costs. Loftus stated the general intent behind establishing a rate for most cities, including Orono and likely Minnetrista, are to cover its costs and not a desire to make money off of residents. Loftus stated water rates do increase periodically, but any increases are designed to help cities recover their costs and make any necessary repairs.