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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 12, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 37 (BIG ISLAND PARK REPORT – GABRIEL JABBOUR, CUSTODIAN, Continued) Jabbour reported the University of Minnesota conducted a milfoil study and has found little milfoil growing around Big Island. The findings of the University of Minnesota findings have been forwarded to the Mayor. Jabbour stated as was reported by Drew McDermott, the phone line to Big Island was cut, which resulted in no 911 service. The utility company was able to locate the phone line and it has been spliced temporarily. To do an appropriate repair, the utility company would need to do directional boring, which will cost over $250,000. The utility company is reluctant to do that work given the low level of service demand. Jabbour noted he attended a gathering with the mayor where they talked about Big Island and the county road that exists on the Island. Jabbour indicated the road was initially constructed back in the 1940s by the two brothers who owned the Island. There was a bridge designed to go from Minnetonka Bay to the Island, and based on the utility easement, the DNR required them to go zigzag around the proposed foundation, which resulted in a line that is 1900 feet long where a straight line would only require 900 feet. Jabbour indicated they have a few things to do in order to clean up the history of Big Island as well as work with the DNR to perhaps correct the placement of the telephone line. Jabbour stated as it relates to the recent e-coli event, the majority of the information in the newspaper is incorrect. Jabbour indicated the report about Big Island having e coli as a result of birds was incorrect and the majority of the e-coli was a result of people dumping raw sewage from boats, which is illegal and will have to be dealt with. McMillan thanked Gabriel Jabbour for his update and for mentioning the e-coli issue. McMillan noted the beach on the south side of Big Island Park did not experience the e-coli. McMillan commented the city park looks good at this time in spite of the problems experienced earlier in the year with the mowing and the heavy rains. McMillan stated the bluff restoration project has held up well given the heavy rains and is a great demonstration project for using natural materials to protect the bluffs. McMillan stated she appreciates the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District helping the City with that project. Jabbour noted some of the signs were tipped over and the committee will need to come up with a better way of erecting them. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS – LOREN SCHOENZEIT, REPRESENTATIVE Schoenzeit stated he had nothing to report but would be available for questions. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 08/26/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 08/12/2013 [Page 5 of 37]