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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 12, 2011 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 28 ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, and Council Members Cynthia Bremer, Doug Franchot, Aaron Printup, and David Rahn. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, Finance Director Ron Olson, City Clerk Lin Vee, Assistant Administrator of Long-Term Strategic Planning Mike Gaffron, Planning Coordinator Melanie Curtis, City Attorney Darren Amundsen, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor McMillan called the meeting to order at 7:02 o’clock, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Item Nos. 3, 8, 12, and 16 were added to the Consent Agenda. Bremer moved, Franchot seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *2. COUNCIL WORK SESSION OF AUGUST 22, 2011 Bremer moved, Franchot seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono City Council Work Session of August 22, 2011, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. *3. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2011 Bremer moved, Franchot seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono City Council meeting of August 22, 2011, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PRESENTATION 4. HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER JEFF JOHNSON Commissioner Jeff Johnson addressed the Orono City Council regarding the activities of Hennepin County for the upcoming year. The budgeting process will start next month. The County Administrator has requested most department heads present a budget with around a 4 percent cut. Overall the budget is expected to have a 1 to 2 percent decrease from 2011. Johnson indicated tomorrow the maximum levy will be set. There currently are three levies in Hennepin County, which includes a general levy, a rail authority levy, and a housing levy. The proposals from the administrator will be a one percent increase for the general levy, a 0 percent increase for the housing levy, and a 17 or 18 percent increase for the rail authority levy. Johnson noted he will move to amend both of the two increases to zero percent but that he is not sure whether that will be approved. Johnson noted the homestead credit will be eliminated by the state. Homeowners with a valuation greater than 420,000 or 430,000 will see an increase in their property taxes even if the other taxing authorities keep their levies at a zero percent increase. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 09/26/2011 Approval of Council Minutes 09/12/2011 [Page 1 of 28]