HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-2019 Council Work Session Minutes Orono City Council
Work Session Minutes
Tuesday, March 19,2019
Council Chambers 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Victoria Seals and
Matt Johnson. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief and City Clerk Anna
Carlson.
Meeting Start Time: 6:05 p.m.
1. Policy Discussion
City Administrator Dustin Rief presented an email he received in regards to County Funding
for roads and bridges. Rief explained that in 2015, state legislation was passed to reallocate
$32 million of the sales tax collected from leased vehicles from the State's general fund, half
would go to Greater Minnesota Transit and half would be distributed between five of the
seven metro counties through the County State Aid Highway fund. In effort to balance
funding for transit and roads and bridges,the law excluded Hennepin and Ramsey counties
from receiving their percentage of funding. Distributing Hennepin and Ramsey county
proceeds to the other five metro counties puts cities in these counties at a disadvantage when
it comes to accessing funds for county road and bridge projects. Rief asked if the City
Council would like to send a letter of support of two bills(HF 2194 and SF 20187)to
Hennepin County Officials to generate support to eliminate the exemption of Hennepin and
Ramsey counties and to distribute the sales tax on leased vehicles, per county state aide
formula,to all metro cities.
The City Council unanimously agreed.
Rief explained that he and the Fire Chief have reviewed the services received under the
current contract. Rief explained that the city may need to reevaluate the services currently
received versus what services are needed.
There was discussion regarding the use of medical services, calls, and other services provided
by various resources. Also discussed were ways in which the city could look in to
evaluating their needs and begin the conversation with Long Lake.
Mayor Dennis Walsh concluded the discussion by mentioning that Orono Administration
needs to assess their needs, look over the details of the services received, and work together
as a business unit with Long Lake Administration to work out a new contract that fits the
City's needs.
Meeting End Time: 6:53 p.m.
ATTEST: CITY OF ORONO:
Anna Carlson, ity Clerk Dennis Walsh,Mayor