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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 8, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 13 MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT McMillan reported that Eagle Scout Thomas Longe has checked on the copyright issue relating to the phrase “Land of the Free Because of the Brave” and found no issues. McMillan indicated she did meet with Mr. Longe at City Hall and a discussion was had regarding the possible removal of some of the trees in the area of the memorial. McMillan stated a decision was made to keep two of the hawthorn trees and to place a bench in between them to provide some shade. Mr. Longe is also proposing to put some tall grasses around the base of the World War I monument to help set it off a little bit. McMillan indicated Mr. Longe will be back before the City Council on August 12 with a new landscaping design and that they discussed possibly doing a dedication of the new memorial in November around Veterans Day. McMillan stated she spoke with Bob Vavrek, United States Golf Association turf advisor. McMillan indicated Mr. Vavrek was in town visiting other courses and she asked him to visit the Orono Golf Course to get his opinion on the course. Mr. Vavrek stated he felt the course was in good shape and that the grass on the greens consists of a strong carpet of bed grass without a lot of weeds. Mr. Vavrek provided some recommendations to Ron Steffenhagen regarding maintenance of the course and the drain tile, which will likely have to be replaced. McMillan indicated she will compile his comments into a memo for the golf course committee Bremer suggested some of his comments be included on the golf course website. McMillan commented a number of good improvements have been made at the golf course and that the committee and Staff have done a good job. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Loftus noted there is an open house scheduled for Thursday, July 11, from 4:30 to 7:00 regarding the reconstruction of Old Highway 12/Highway 112 being hosted by Hennepin County Department of Transportation. On display for public review and comment will be a layout of the preliminary concept for the new Highway 112 project. The open house will take place at the Long Lake Community Bank. There will not be a formal presentation by the Department of Transportation. Loftus reported she has also received news that the LMCD approved their budget with a 3 percent increase, which will affect Orono’s share of the levy. The second budget option that was being considered, which included the herbicide treatment, failed to pass. The City’s LMCD representative, Drew McDermott, reported that the weevil study will not occur this year due to a lack of weevils. Loftus noted the Long Lake Fire Advisory Board met recently and that they are in the process of working on the 2014 budget. At this time they are looking at a slight increase. Loftus indicated she encouraged them to come in with a zero percent increase for next year’s budget if at all possible. *8. HIRING OF PART-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER (CSO) Levang moved, Anderson seconded, to approve the hiring of Joshua Needham as a part-time community service officer at $13.45 per hour (no other benefits). VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 07/22/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 07/08/2013 [Page 6 of 13]