HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-2015 Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES OF THE
ORONO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 22, 2015
5:00 o’clock p.m.
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PRESENT: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Aaron Printup, Lizz Levang, and Denny
Walsh. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, Finance Director Ron
Olson, Public Works Director/Engineer Adam Edwards, Community Development Director
Jeremy Barnhart, Senior Planner Michael Gaffron, , and City Clerk Diane Tiegs.
GUESTS: Terry Bount of WeCab, Representatives from Abdo Eick & Meyers
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1. WeCAB Request
Terry Blount of WeCAB made a short presentation and distributed informational
brochures to the City Council on the transportation services provided to people who are
unable to drive in the Westonka area. The organization is comprised of volunteers who
contribute their time to provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping and
errands in the local community. Mr. Blount is asking Council to consider a donation
towards their non‐profit organization.
2. Goals
Council continued the 2015‐2016 goals discussion from the May 26th Council Work
Session.
The Comprehensive Plan will require a pro‐active plan and will need to be addressed
when system statements are received sometime next year. Council discussed the need
to understand housing mix and locations. Affordable housing and homes for residents
that want to downsize in the future need discussion to determine whether there is a
problem, the scope, and bring about possible solutions. Council should have a response
for the MET Council on Orono’s available housing since they work with communities to
plan housing needs.
Council discussed the goal to streamline the building permitting process. Community
Development Director Barnhart will review the process to determine if there are ways
to make the process more efficient. Council discussed the issue of residents with small
do‐it‐yourself projects and how the permitting process should be less cumbersome. If a
defined objective is determined for the permitting process then consideration to
appoint contractors and residents to a committee for their input would be helpful.
Barnhart also stated that the City Code updating is in progress and on‐going for 2016.
A project goal for 2016 is a second North well which Council agreed is a must do goal.
The Wayzata fire service contract was discussed along with costs and how best to meet
the response needs of the residents. Council agreed that cooperative efforts and
sharing resources is an on‐going must do.
Technology issues include the storage of electronic data. Council will have information
to discuss regarding use of Cloud storage back‐up in July.
3. Street Funding Discussion
The street funding discussion resumed from the May 26th work session. The City’s road
repairs exceed funding. Council would like to know the levy impact on what is currently
planned for 2016. Public Works/City Engineer Edwards is directed to break out the costs
for Chevy Chase Road, Fox Ridge Road, Tamarack Drive, Hunter Drive, and Watertown
Road.
4. 2016 Budget Overview
Council reviewed the 2016 budget timeline. Discussion ensued regarding the repair and
preventative maintenance of the roads which includes seal coating, crack sealing, mill
and overlay, routine winter maintenance and the impact for a road improvements levy.
Inspection service fees were a topic of discussion and the contracted services of Metro
West. There may be changes in the next five years since the owner of Metro West is
nearing retirement. At that time Orono will need to consider how best to provide
inspection services for the community.
Budget discussions will continue at the July 27 Council Work Session.
5. Compensation Study Draft Report – 6 P.M.
Abdo, Eick & Meyers LLP, presented a draft Compensation Study Report commissioned
by the City Council. After reviewing the draft study Council requested the communities
used to determine the market analysis be re‐done using communities with populations
between 5,000 to 10,000 rather than 7,000 to 15,000. Abdo, Eick & Meyers will bring
back the results and present at the next Council Work Session in July to determine next
steps.
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST
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Diane Tiegs, City Clerk Lili Tod McMillan, Mayor