HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-2009 Council Work Session Minutes �
Orono City Council
Committee of the Whole
January 13, 2009, 6:15 p.m.
Orono City Council Chambers
Present: MayorJim White, Council Members Lili McMillan, Doug Franchot and Cynthia Bremer; City
Administrator Bill Wells, Finance Director Ron Olson,Assistant City Administrator for Long-
Term Strategy Mike Gaffron, City Clerk Lin Vee
1. Ken Potts—Contract Services and Rates
• Ken Potts explained that he works with criminal cases, moving violations and court appearances.
The bulk of his work is with DWIs and domestic violence. Fine revenue has been pretty good.
He also handles vehicle forfeitures related to repeat DWI offenders.
• Potts works with Campbell Knutson on some civil cases, as well as ordinance changes. The
Hollander situation is an example of a recent case. Civil cases are difficult in criminal courts.
Judges aren't very sympathetic to property violations when they handle violent crimes on a
regular basis.
• The LMCD processes BWIs.
• Potts also works with the Minnetrista and South Lake Police Departments.
2. RideNet
• Evelyn DeSmet, RideNet Community Coordinator, explained the RideNet program. The agency is
basically a referral service. It is a non-profit organization that works under a for-profit
organization out of St. Cloud. Hennepin County contracted with them to provide service to
Hennepin County residents.
• The Call Center is based in St. Cloud and calls are answered 24/7. The dispatch center reviews
area transportation options and coordinates existing transportation if possible. They like to
have 24-48 hours notice. All arrangements are made for the user.
• The cost is$2.50 for a one-way trip if transportation is provided by RideNet. If the user has a
medical appointment and insurance covers transportation, RideNet bills the insurance company.
Dial-a-Ride and Metro Mobility are two existing local options that RideNet often uses for area
residents.
• DeSmet requested that Council share information about the program with others and asked
about good locations to leave "rack cards" so residents have an opportunity to learn about the
program.
• The program has been well received by those who know it's available. DeSmet is in the area 3
days during the week and could stop anytime to drop more cards off or answer questions.
• At their website www.ctridenet.com, another program is available called "Drive to Own" which
helps low income individuals purchase a vehicle. The program allows purchasing of a vehicle for
$40 per month by providing rides for others.
3. Fee Schedule Review
• Fee increases will be part of the budget process in the future.
• Some of the fee increases were based on the Municipal License and Fee Survey that is put out
by the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities every 2 years. Orono is compared to other
cities in the 2,500-10,000 population range. In many instances, Orono's fees were in the low
range of fees charged for similar permits and licenses. Staff attempts to keep fees comparable
to other cities and avoid extreme increases in one year. Various permits related to building,
such as mechanical and plumbing, have not been increased in 5 years.
• Sewer and water connection fees are unique to Orono and are based on initial construction
costs of a project. An inflation factor is considered each year,generally in the range of 3%.
• A 3% increase in sewer and water rates has been standard over last several years. An annual
increase avoids a large increase in one year.
• The Police Special Services rate is for an Officer who is paid at the overtime rate to provide
special services at private functions or at Lord Fletcher's. A fair amount of revenue is collected
over the year.
• Planning and zoning fees have not been increased since 2004. A review was completed in 2003
when the basic application fee was$250. After the analysis, staff determined that a more
accurate fee for the complete zoning application process was over$600, and the fee was
increased in 2004 to $600. Staff felt it was an appropriate time to establish another increase.
An option would be to increase these fees annually at 3%. Zoning application fees probably
never totally cover the cost of staff time involved in the application process.
• Council Members indicated the proposed changes to the 2009 fee schedule were acceptable.
4. Surface Water Management Plan Update—Authorize Commencement of Work
• Bonestroo completed a Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) for the City in 2001. There
are a number of mandates that have occurred since formal approval of the plan that need to be
addressed. A significant change is the requirement to meet specified levels of phosphorus
reduction.
• Because of the level of expertise required to address these changes, staff has discussed a
proposal to update the SWMP with Bonestroo. The intent would be to complete the update of
the SWMP in conjunction with the update of the Comp Plan.
• The update could be funded from the Stormwater Fund. This Fund has 2 sources of revenue—
quarterly fees and new development. Not much revenue in the future will be generated from
development. The City will need to spend $20-25,000 to get the plan up-to-date.
• Another element for consideration is to create a Design Guide that can be given to developers
planning to work in the City. Bonestroo has two levels that could be done. Another option
would be to have staff work on a Design Guide as time permits.
• Council Members indicated approval to proceed with Bonestroo to work on the SWMP update
and Phosphorus Reduction Plan, with formal action at the January 26`h meeting. Staff will give
further consideration as to how and at what level the Design Guide should proceed.
• Part of the SWMP includes a CIP for$2,500,000 of stormwater improvements. Very little work
has commenced, and the City has fallen behind in stormwater emphasis. The first 5 years of
projects were priorities that the City identified, with most involving remedial work that needs to
be done. Some of the Casco Point reconstruction work will involve stormwater improvements.
5. Process for Visioning and Strategic Goal Setting
• Discussion with the Council and City Administrator.
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