HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-2021 Council Work Session Minutes g°�o
Orono City Council
Work Session Minutes
y Monday, November 22, 2021
e, G
lgKFSHo�`` Council Chambers
5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Victoria Seals, and
Matt Johnson. Staff members present were Finance Director Ron Olson, Community
Development Director Jeremy Barnhart and Police Chief Farniok.
1. 2022 Fee Schedule
Finance Director Ron Olson stated that a lot of updates had to do with wording, but the most
changes were with the planning and zoning department.
The discussion started with the increase of the permit application fee and understanding why the
changes were being made.
Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart stated it was estimated that the actual cost to
review permits was $340/$345, but decided increase the fees 15%to $325. The need for the
increase had partially to do with the increase in legal fees and time spent on application since
permit fees were last looked at in 2016/2017.
Council Member Crosby questioned the reason for not making the increase the actual cost.
Barnhart stated he wanted to minimize the increase, and permit reviews vary by permits.
Olson indicated that building and zoning administration fee changes were suggested by
MNSpect. The septic billing fee update was missed when billing was changed from annual to
quarterly and utility bill late fees were updated from 8%annually to I%per month.
The suggested changes to the fees at the golf course were to decrease a single round of golf from
$19 to $18, and a change in the cart rental fee from $19 per round to $10 per rider/per round.
Council Member Seals voice her surprise that it was a decrease and not an increase in fees.
Crosby suggested to increase a single round of golf it$20. It was also discussed that the change
suggested to the cart rental encouraged everyone to be single golfer per cart and decided to make
it a flat$20 cart rental/per round. A change to the family non-resident pass was also requested to
be increased from $610 to $665 to be comparable to individual season passes. In addition there
was a wording added to authorize the Golf Superintendent to deviate from price for promotions
and special events. This was agreed upon with the understanding that it would be used
responsibly.
The Police Department has a new administration fees that have being charged thru the League
fee schedule such as squad video, records and reports, and breath test advisories that have a state
limit on what can be charged. It was stated that these fees need to be added to the official City
fee schedule.
The changes discussed were agreed upon with Council Member Crosby wanting it on record that
he thinks the permit fee should increase to actual cost.
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Orono City Council
Work Session Minutes
yF A, Monday, November 22,2021
tq ¢�o Council Chambers
kfSHO
5:00 p.m.
2. Police Chief Update
Chief Farniok stated in last 30 days 7 incidents of concern have happened in the community.
From stolen mail, cars, catalytic converter,trailers and smash and grabs to name a few. Social
Media has made it seem more active due to repeated posts both of current and past occurrences.
However a press release was sent out. Also as a reminder during the holiday season to remember
to lock vehicles and keep valuables out of sight and aware. The stolen vehicles have involved
those out of the area looking for crimes of opportunity.
Chief Farniok also wanted to make the Council aware of future personnel changes concerning
terminations of one employee due to a previous work place injury and another who is looking at
an outside agency. In the future we will have to look at wages to hire and keep good officer.
3. Park Dedication
Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart stated that during the subdivision code
update in 2020 it was identified the need to review the park dedication component. Barnhart
reviewed the methodology of establishing what park dedication is, and to match the requirement
to need of the park system. The proposal is to keep the park/household and trail/household ratio
the same as the population and number of residential lots grow.
We don't always want actual land for parks and trails from every subdivision, but need to have a
formula that determines the cash equivalent value of the land that should be part of the
subdivision dedicated to the park and trail system within the City.
One reason for the change in methodology is to develop a methodology that is more easily
understandable, and wanting to be able to defend the fees we have. The last change was in 2001
and the last review was in 2011, but no changes were made at that time. The plan is to bring a
code amendment to the Planning Commission in January.
Council member Johnson requested this discussion be continued at the next work session.
Adjourned: 5:59 p.m.
CITY OF ORONO:
t I 1044110
ATTEST:
Dennis Walsh, Mayor
Anna Carlson, City Clerk
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