05-11-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 11, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. 4. ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR NPDES PHASE H STORM WATER PERMIT (continued) Mayor McMillan opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this item. Mayor McMillan closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. Council Member Levang asked if Mr. Edwards was surprised to find that the City was out of compliance on a couple of items. Edwards stated he discovered it approximately two weeks prior to the notice. Edwards stated the City got behind due to staff turnover and that the documents created by Bolton & Menk were sent to people who left soon after. Edwards stated eventually those documents reached his desk and those items will now be addressed. The City Council took no formal action on this item. LMCD REPORT — GABRIEL JABBOUR, REPRESENTATIVE Jabbour reported the docks are in place at Big Island. Jabbour stated late last fall during cleanup they found a number of deer carcasses that had been killed and thrown over the cliff. In addition, people are finding a number of coyotes who are missing one of their paws due to traps. Jabbour indicated this is not necessarily occurring in the park but on Big Island generally. Jabbour stated the DN1R is working on it as well as some of the residents. Jabbour stated in his view this is being done by people who are either familiar with Big Island or live on Big Island. Jabbour stated as it relates to the LMCD, he took on this position because he felt that there was a fair amount of housekeeping that needed to be done. Approximately 35 percent of Lake Minnetonka borders Orono, and as a result, Orono has always had a very strong opinion on how Lake Minnetonka should be maintained and what should happen on the lake. Jabbour indicated he has been working hard on building partnerships with some of Orono's sister cities that are committed to Lake Minnetonka beyond just the clerical aspect of the LMCD. Jabbour noted in October of 2014, Jabbour mentioned to the LMCD Executive Committee that the majority of their Board members were totally unaware of their strategic plan, which resulted in the Board trying to amend the plan. Jabbour stated when he was appointed to the Board; they decided to have a mediator manage the process. Jabbour reported the LMCD is currently going through their budget process and that it is his feeling the LMCD should reduce their budget by 10 percent. The LMCD moved its offices to the City of Mound and had a rent reduction of approximately $20,000. Jabbour stated even with that savings, the LMCD proposed to increase its budget by three percent, which is typical of most government agencies. Jabbour stated the LMCD is working on a proposed budget that will be sent out to the cities and that in his view they have enough votes on the Board to make sure that Orono's objectives, goals, and vision will be shared by others. Jabbour stated in his view the Mayor of Orono should initiate some dialogue with the Mayors of the other LMCD cities. Page 3 of 25