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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-2019 Council Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday,May 28,2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Dennis Walsh, City Council Members Richard Crosby,IJI,Aaron Printup, and Victoria Seals. Representing Staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief,Finance Director Ron Olson,Development Director Jeremy Barnhart,Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards,and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Walsh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 13,2019 2. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 13,2019 3. CLAIMS/BILLS 4. APPROVAL OF RENTAL LICENSES 5. APPOINTMENT OF SEASONAL EMPLOYEES 6. 2019 CONTRACT STREET MAINTENANCE 7. 2020 STREET MAINTENANCE PLANNING AND ENGINEERING 8. LOMA LINDA LAKE ACCESS DOCK REPLACEMENT 9. APPROVAL TO ACCEPT DONATION OF ELECTRONIC ASSIST BICYCLE 10. APPROVAL TO DISPOSE OF FORFEITED VEHICLES 12. JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH PLYMOUTH FOR FERNDALE ROAD NORTH, MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda as revised,with the addition of Item No. 12. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS None Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday,May 28,2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. PRESENTATION 11. HENNEPIN COUNTY PRESENTATION—JAN CALLISON Commissioner Jan Callison provided the City Council with an overview of the 2019 Hennepin County assessment report. The first sheet of the report is a summary sheet showing that Hennepin County has experienced its sixth straight year with an increase in home values. Since 2013,there has been almost a 50 percent increase in the median value of a single-family residential unit. The next several sheets of the report provide an overview of what is happening with the County as it relates to the community and property taxes. The final sheet relates to Orono specifically and shows that 55 new homes were built in 2018 in Orono. Hennepin County is proposing to change their tobacco ordinance to raise the age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21,which only applies to five western cities and does not apply to Orono. The new age already applies iin Mound,Rogers, Greenfield, St. Bonifacious, and possibly Rockford. The proposal will be discussed in June and will also restrict who can sell tobacco and where flavored tobaccos can be used. Walsh asked why only a few cities have the higher age limit. Callison noted those cities regulate themselves and that Orono also has its own tobacco ordinance. The other provision of the ordinance would control the sale of individually wrapped cigars but does not apply to Orono. Crosby asked what the County's stance is on the legalization of marijuana. Callison stated Hennepin County has not taken a position on that. The issue with the single cigars is because they are inexpensive and they are easier for younger children to buy. Hennepin County has seen some positive results for child protection. Those numbers have dropped below what they were in 2016 and 2017,which means there are fewer children being placed out of the home. The 2019 legislation session was not significant for Hennepin County. While Hennepin County will see some additional county program aid,but by the time you factor in the fact that state is not going to pay any portion of PERA, it will probably be a wash. In addition, Hennepin County did not receive any additional money for roads and bridges. Currently Hennepin County is not able to spend as much as they would like to repair roads and bridges. Approximately$85 million is collected in Minnesota for road tax, but a good portion of that is sent outstate each year. Crosby asked if that comes from auto tabs. Callison indicated it comes from a variety of sources, such as tabs, sales tax on cars, and registration fees. Hennepin County does not receive anything from leased motor vehicle sales tax currently and that did not change with the 2019 legislative session,which was a disappointment. At the present time Ramsey and Hennepin County are excluded from receiving any leased motor vehicle sales tax revenues. Page 2 of 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday,May 28,2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. As it relates to road improvements in Orono,Highway 112 will be completed this year. Shoreline Drive and Shadywood Road intersection improvements are scheduled for this year, and while it will be a major inconvenience for a number of motorists, it hopefully will result in an improved intersection. As it relates to Tanager Bridge, Hennepin County Transportation Department is currently anticipating a fall or winter 2019 contract award. Their plan is to try to keep the existing bridge open for traffic if it is possible,with the project expected to be completed in the summer of 2020. Callison thanked the City of Orono for enforcing road restrictions this spring. Walsh thanked Commissioner Callison for following up on the police overtime issue. Orono also appreciates the people from Hennepin County Transportation Department holding an open house in Navarre regarding the road project. The City Council took no formal action on this item. 12. DONATION GARDEN LICENSE EXTENSION Rief noted at the May 13 City Council meeting, Staff was advised that the Council was interested in extending the lease agreement for the donation garden by five years to December 31, 2027,and to extend the number of days' notice within the term from 90 days to 180 days. Staff recommends approval of the Amendment to the Lease Agreement. Walsh noted at the last City Council meeting they discussed having the Parks Commission get more involved in the donation garden. The next Parks Commission is July 1. Walsh suggested Ms. Delaney and her group come up with a list of items they are interested in doing at the garden and present it at the next Parks Commission meeting. Jane Delaney, 1350 Wooddale Avenue, stated everyone is really excited about the donation garden and that it would be nice if they could start some community gardens. Delaney indicated she has a number of items that she is interested in doing there but that she will wait and save her ideas for the Park Commission. Delaney thanked the City Council for their decision not to sell the property. Crosby moved,Printup seconded,to approve the Amendment to the Lease Agreement and to extend the number of days' notice from 90 days to 180 days. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Crosby stated he would like to acknowledge all the fallen soldiers and the great sacrifices they and their families did for America. Walsh noted in June graduation parties will be starting up and that he would encourage everyone to be safe. Walsh reported a number of people have thanked him for the City working on the roads and that it is the Council's intent to continue to improve Orono's roads. Page 3 of 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday,May 28,2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT Rief noted the City has received a significant amount of rain over the past month or so and that the Public Works Department has been keeping busy because of it. Walsh commended the Public Works Department for dealing with the two water main breaks promptly. Crosby suggested posting the lake levels every couple of days on the City's website. Walsh recommended a link to the Watershed District be included on the website since that would include the water levels. Rief noted Lake Minnetonka was over the high-water mark a couple of weeks ago,then dropped back down, but the lake level is back up again following the recent rain. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT None ADJOURNMENT Printup moved,Seals seconded,to adjourn the Orono City Council meeting at 7:22 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. ATTEST: a Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh,Mayor Page 4 of 4