06-13-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 23, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 23 4. LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT (LMCD) 2017 BUDGET (continued) Jabbour stated the LMCD received less revenue from fines but paid more in legal. A few months ago the LMCD submitted their deductible to the League of MN Cities which has not been done in the past. Part of the reason for the increase in legal fees was that Your Boat Club appealed things over and over again and is the reason for the increase. Jabbour stated five years ago very few people on the LMCD Board had an understanding of all the budget line items, but that they are attempting to educate the Board on the budget. Jabbour noted the new budget for 2017 is lower than what the levy was in 2015. McMillan commented the budget looks good considering all the changes that are coming in the next two years, particularly with the LMCD losing the grant money for milfoil harvesting. Jabbour noted the DNR is short money this year and that they provided the LMCD with limited options. Cornick asked if they are winning the battle of AIS on Lake Minnetonka. Jabbour stated the battle against AIS is a permanent battle and that he has given a lot of his personal attention, money, and effort to bringing experts in, such as research agencies. Jabbour noted a recent meeting was held with the U.S. National Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and three of the biggest manufacturers, which demonstrates how serious the situation is. Jabbour stated some of the research is extremely promising and that Dr. Sorenson at the University of Minnesota has been attempting to gain funding but that he spends approximately 50 percent of his time dealing with red tape. Jabbour stated on Lake Minnetonka there are a number of positive things happening but that some of the cities have no rules or guidelines for AIS. Jabbour displayed a chart depicting the LMCD budgets and levies since 2008 through 2016. Jabbour noted the shortfall is anticipated to come from fees, fines, and grants. Jabbour stated through the years the grants were not reflected in the budget and that the LMCD met their budget because they received the grants. While the LMCD is proposing a decrease in overall operating expenses for 2017, due to less non- levy revenue and grant opportunities being anticipated, the overall levy will need to be increased. Jabbour indicated court fine revenue is also going down. Levang asked why the license permit fee revenue is going down. Jabbour stated the lake is pretty much developed, which has resulted in the decrease. Jabbour indicated the LMCD will also only be utilizing two milfoil harvesters rather than three, with the third being on standby in the event one of the other harvesters breaks down. Jabbour noted as a condition of receiving the DNR grant, the LMCD was required to harvest so many acres. Jabbour stated other changes to the LMCD include elimination of all subcommittees except for the AIS subcommittee, going to one board meeting every second Wednesday of the month, with the fourth Wednesday of the month being a work session. Jabbour indicated the changes are an attempt to make the LMCD more efficient.