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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-2018 Council Work Session Minutes Orono City Council Work Session Minutes Monday, September 24, 2018 Council Chambers 5:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Wendy Dankey and Victoria Seals. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief, Police Chief Coffey Farniok, Finance Director Ron Olson, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Adam Edwards, Accountant Maggie Ung, and City Clerk Anna Carlson. GUESTS: Mark Kroll Meeting Start Time: 5:00 p.m. 1. Enterprise Budget Discussion Finance Director Ron Olson presented the 2019 Enterprise Fund Budgets. Olson noted the goal of the enterprise funds is to operate independent of tax support. A rate study was does in 2009 and the suggested rate increases are used to set the annual revenue budget. The rate study had been reviewed in 2014 and the suggested rate increases are used to set the annual revenue budget. Olson noted that staff is working on an updated rate study. Olson noted once we complete the rate study rates will most likely change and need an increase. Council Member Victoria Seal mentioned that she would like a notification to be sent out first prior to the rate change. There was discussion of the consideration of other municipalities close by joining Orono's utilities, however more discussion would take place in the future. Mayor Dennis Walsh mentioned that the biggest take away from this discussion is that the conversation has begun and there is potential for other revenues. Olson mentioned the biggest change for the Sewer fund is the Met Council Charges. Walsh mentioned that regardless of what the number is for Met Council Charges, we have no choice other than to pay it and at least we know what the charge is related to. Walsh also noted that the storm water work being done during road construction is paid for from the sewer fund. There was discussion regarding the cameras, man power and other items that affect the sewer fund. Olson noted that the Recycling fund will see an increase of 2.5% from Waste Management. Olson also mentioned that the Cable fund is used for anything in the council chambers, upgrades to video equipment, live stream meetings, etc. Orono City Council Work Session Minutes Monday, September 24, 2018 Council Chambers 5:00 p.m. 2. Enterprise Budget Discussion—Continued Council Member Richard F. Crosby II mentioned that he would like to revisit getting more cable companies in Orono. Olson finished his presentation of the Enterprise Fund Budgets. 3. LMCD—Mark Kroll Walsh welcomed Mark Kroll for coming to the Work Session. Seals also thanked Mark for coming. Seals mentioned that she has an issue with the 58k we pay to the LMCD. Seals noted that she has been looking into the group and does not feel that LMCD makes sense while we could provide our own services instead. Crosby mentioned that he does not agree and feels that we need someone from Orono representing on the inside. Crosby noted that if we pull our representative, we still have to pay LMCD, and we will not have any representation on the inside meaning we have no input. Seals disagrees and wants to reassess and come back. Crosby would like to reappoint Mark Kroll. Mark Kroll mentioned that he admits it was not good that the communication was not there and was upset in finding that he was un-appointed as the LMCD Representative for Orono. Kroll mentioned that he believes that he can make a difference and would like to remain the representative. Walsh noted that he does not think it is foolish in reappointing our representative. Walsh mentioned that the City Council should get an update every month for the next 4-7 months and see where this goes. Walsh noted that after some time we can readdress and then make a decision. Kroll mentioned that if you want to change it then we need to take it to Legislature. Walsh agrees if we can get to that point and have a better understanding, updates, etc. Walsh noted that now we as the City Council have now reached out for more updates from Mark, and now he feels that this would be better with representation and also have someone on the board for Orono. Orono City Council Work Session Minutes Monday, September 24,2018 Council Chambers 5:00 p.m. 4. Stubbs Bay Parking Seals mentioned a few concerns regarding the public dock on Stubbs Bay road, there are only a few spots that fisherman can park and that trailers have been taking up the lot. Police Chief Correy Farniok mentioned that there should be some signs put out there regarding the trailer parking. Farniok noted that we should make sure we are doing it for the right reasons. Director of Public Works/City Administrator Adam Edwards noted that there is a process to achieve this and it needs to be done by resolution. Edwards mentioned that as part of the process we would send out notifications to people in the area. Farniok will check out the Stubbs area and also noted that we should include the Bayside area as well. City Administrator Dusting Rief mentioned that the notification should be taken out to Watertown Road as well. Meeting End 6:31 p.m. ATTEST: 1 ` P Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor