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<br /> <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />July 25, 2016 <br />5:00 o’clock p.m. <br />____________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />PRESENT: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Jim Cornick, Jr., Aaron Printup, Lizz Levang, <br />and Denny Walsh. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, Finance Director Ron <br />Olson, Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, Public Works/City Engineer Adam <br />Edwards, City Attorney Soren Mattick, and City Clerk Diane Tiegs. <br /> <br />Jessica informed Council that the audio/video equipment was damaged during a power outage <br />and may not be functional for the meeting. A technician is coming to assess the damage and <br />repair. <br /> <br />1. 2017 Budget <br />Council reviewed the preliminary budget. Currently revenues remain relatively flat and <br />Council will give consideration on how best to increase revenues and keep the City’s tax rate <br />the same. <br /> <br />Council reviewed the 2017 expenditures which reflect a 2.93% increase. Wages and Benefits <br />make up 64% of the budget and have the greatest impact on the General Fund. <br />Step/Longevity increases will add $60,000 with most of that in the Police Department. Council <br />discussed other significant budget impacts like a possible COLA, labor negotiations, the <br />Navarre Plan, and expenditures associated with the Comp Plan update. <br /> <br />Jeremy provided Council with a schedule for the Comp Plan which is due 2018. Council <br />discussed the Comp Plan and provided Staff direction which will include funds for an open <br />house to encourage community involvement, form a committee and determine goals for the <br />Comp Plan. <br /> <br />Street funding is a large budget impact and Council will determine how best to provide a <br />reliable funding source for the 2017 budget and for future projects. <br /> <br />2. Future Work Session Topics or Requests <br />Jessica asked for Council direction on how topics are added to upcoming work session <br />agendas. The Council determined an item for discussion must be approved by a majority in <br />order to be discussed at work session. Council agreed under the Additional Topics item to add <br />ordinance review on 15% structural coverage and Met Council reform. <br /> <br />Council agreed to schedule a variance training session with the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />3. Sex Offenders and Treatment Centers <br />Staff will provide Council with a draft ordinance for review on care facilities regulations within <br />the City of Orono for future discussion. <br /> <br />ATTEST: <br /> <br />_________________________________ _____________________________________ <br />Diane Tiegs, City Clerk Lili Tod McMillan, Mayor