08-08-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 25, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 8 MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT (continued) Levang reported the improvements at Livingston Tower Park have been completed and that a ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for September 18, which is the same day as the Navarre Community Festival. Levang indicated the ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the end of the festival and that several businesses have already signed on to donate items. Levang noted she also attended the July Planning Commission meeting and that one of the commissioners has gone paperless. Levang commented she hopes that is the start of a new trend and that it will help to reduce staff time and costs. Council Member Cornick reported he attended the first meeting of the Highway 12 turnback committee along with Mayor McMillan. Walsh indicated he also attended the Fire Advisory meeting and that they spent a lot of time talking about the response to incidents on Big Island. Walsh stated he concurs with reforming the Metropolitan Council. Walsh stated he also looks forward to the next City Council meeting and discussing the school committee, which will help to improve the dialogue between the City and the School Board and the issues they face. Walsh stated the City showed good partnership on the turn lane. Walsh noted next Tuesday, August 2, is the filing date for elections and that he will be putting his name in for Orono mayor. McMillan stated she will be running for re-election. McMillan reported the turnback committee had a good first meeting regarding the section east of the downtown area which encompasses the Wolfe Point development to the Luce Line Bridge. McMillan stated one big change up for discussion is possibly continuing the trail on the north side of the road from Old Long Lake Road to the Luce Line Trail. Hennepin County had originally said there would be no trail east of Long Lake Road but will reconsider it since the grading for the trail can be done as part of the road construction. The committee asked to be provided an idea of the costs and will be reviewing that at the next meeting. The committee will be meeting every other month. McMillan noted MnDOT will be hosting an open house regarding the proposed concrete barrier and that further information can be found on the City’s website. McMillan reported all the benches for the tee boxes at the Orono Golf Course have now been donated. McMillan indicated the City also received a letter from the League of Minnesota Cities recognizing Representative Cindy Pugh as being a legislator of distinction. Representative Pugh was one of 31 legislators recognized by the League and that she appreciates Representative Pugh for offering partition fence legislation and consistently being available to staff and constituents on legislation.