04-22-2013 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 8, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 21 (5. LAKE MINNETONKA ASSOCIATION (LMA) FUNDING REQUEST, Continued) Levang stated she is sorry to say that she cannot support what they are asking of the Council. Levang stated she has to carry what everyone is asking her to do, and what the LMA is presenting is one small issue amongst many issues in the City that have to be addressed. Lowe indicated he completely understands that, but that it has gotten to the point where the LMA has a concern about the philosophy being taken by the Council. The LMCD dollars that are being used to mechanically harvest the lake are public dollars even though there are people who do not use the lake. Lowe stated those types of issues happen all the time. Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to allow further discussion on the funding request to take place at a future Council meeting, which will provide others who have an interest in this topic to speak as well, and to consider the request for funds. VOTE: Ayes 1, Nays 4, McMillan, Printup, Anderson and Levang opposed. LMCD REPORT – ANDREW MCDERMOTT, REPRESENTATIVE Andrew McDermott reported the LMCD is waiting for the ice to go out on the lake. They do not have a new lake level reading yet but the LMCD is assuming it will be lower than normal. The snow melt has filled a lot of the wetlands but has not really raised the level of the lake. The LMCD has proposed to streamline their dock extension application process. Any resident who had permission to extend their dock last year will automatically be granted an extension this year. New applications will be able to go through a new streamlined process. McDermott noted last year was the first time in years that Lake Minnetonka has had low water levels. In addition, the LMCD did pass the lake-wide comprehensive aquatic management plan and they will be discussing it during the budgeting process, which will be started in a couple of weeks for 2014. McDermott reported there have been very few applications over the winter. Maxwell Bay is going to reconfigure some of their dockage and the LMCD has approved that with no additional storage units. Anderson asked about the exceptionally long dock located on Minnetonka Beach. McDermott indicated the LMCD has discussed that and they will be looking into that further. Apparently there is a ridge there, and in order to get out to three feet of water or more, they need to go out that far in the spring. When the water levels go up, the LMCD does not require that the docks be brought back in. The LMCD had originally thought it would be a one year issue but they are assuming at this point that 2013 will have low water levels as well. The LMCD will be taking a closer look at that to see if they can get to three or four feet of depth without extending the dock that far. Anderson commented it could also be a hazard as well. McDermott stated there has been discussion about whether lights should be installed on the dock. McMillan thanked Andrew McDermott for all the work he does on behalf of the City with the LMCD. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 04/22/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 04/08/2013 [Page 12 of 21]