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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-2022 City Council Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,August 8,2022 6:00 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 Matt Johnson and Victoria Seals. Council Members Aaron Printup and Richard Crosby III were absent.Representing Staff were City Attorney Soren Mattick,Public Works Superintendent David Goman, and Finance Director Ron Olson. Mayor Walsh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Johnson asked to add item 11 LA22-000035,2659 Casco Point Road Variances Resolution#7281 to the Consent Agenda and noted the Applicant has asked to remove item 10 LA22- 000038, 1354 Rest Point Circle Variance,Resolution#7280. 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 25,2022 2. CLAIMSBILLS 3. APPROVAL OF RENTAL LICENSES 4. APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR- LAURA OAKDEN 5. APPOINTMENT OF CITY PLANNER-NATALIE NYE 6. AMEND FEE SCHEDULE—CONVENIENCE FEE 7. BACK UP GENERATOR REPLACEMENT FOR LIFT STATION#14(ORCHARD BEACH) 8. WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT(22-023)—AWARD 9. LA22-000034—CONCEPT LANDSCAPING OB/O DEBORAH JORDAN, 1350 REST POINT CIRCLE,VARIANCE—RESOLUTION NO. 7279 11. LA22-000035—ALEXANDER DESIGN GROUP O/B/O ATRION& LISA FAIOLA,2659 CASCO POINT ROAD,VARIANCES—RESOLUTION NO.7281 Johnson moved, Seals seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted.VOTE: Ayes 3,Nays 0. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 10. LA22-000038—DENNIS WALSH, 1354 REST POINT CIRCLE,VARIANCE— RESOLUTION NO.7280 This item was removed from the Agenda. FINANCE REPORT 12. 2021 AUDIT Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,August 8,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Bonnie Schwieger from Abdo,Eick&Meyers,LLC gave a presentation noting they provided a clean opinion on the financial statements consistent with what the City has received in the past.The auditors were able to obtain all audit evidence and did not run into any significant issues during the audit,and everything was in good order regarding internal control processes.Ms. Schwieger noted one finding in the audit as they had to record a material audit adjustment related to an inter-fund loan that was passed previously in a TIF district. She stated some of the TIF district transactions can be complex in nature and have a higher risk associated with them for getting recorded in the financial statements. She noted it was brought to their attention by the Finance Staff that it was not recorded back in 2017 and in 2022 was counted as a material audit adjustment.They do not have any concerns about it affecting the other operations of the City but it does need to be disclosed.From a legal compliance aspect,things were very clean,as well.Ms. Schweiger spoke about General Fund balances, as well as budget-to-actual revenues which were significantly over budget and is something they have seen in many cities in this area as much of the development occurring is not originally budgeted for. She spoke about grants received as well as golf course revenues,and the transfer out to capital reserve funds for future capital fund purchases, general fund revenues by type,expenditures by type,and special revenue fund balances. Ms. Schwieger specifically noted the Park Fund which has a negative balance but spoke about many recent park projects which are expected to be funded with future park dedication fees. She clarified for the senior housing TIF fund and the HRA general fund,that is where the prior period adjustment was recorded which is why there are large swings there.Ms. Schwieger shared about internal service fund cash balances,water fund and rate changes, sewer fund, storm water fund,recycling fund, cable fund, and spoke about cash and investment balance being spread out over many areas and paying for many different resources. She spoke about key performance indicators and noted each community is unique. Finance Director Olson gave a presentation showing they are at 66.5%of budget while being only 58% through the year indicating they have been able to stay ahead of the budget. He noted they added efficiency in the finance department implementing Check 21 on utility accounts and regular accounts. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT Public Works Superintendent Goman shared that public works has been very busy with annual sewer cleaning in District 4,noted they are one staff member short due to a resignation,and that the department is beginning to prepare for winter. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT 13. FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT—CMD 1 AND CMD 2 (22-047) Seals noted the City sent communication to Long Lake saying Orono would love to buy two new pieces of equipment at 100%with contingencies.Long Lake said no thank you and now the City Council must decide what the response is.After speaking with the Fire Chief, Seals believes these vehicles are needed and Seals still thinks they should purchase them noting they are hard to get right now. Mayor Walsh clarified the contingencies noting that Orono would purchase them 100%and want to make sure that Long Lake does not have claim to Orono's equipment. Johnson watched the Long Lake meeting and shared that their conversation sounded surprised that Orono has been purchasing other equipment including two other engines that the City has purchased 100%and Page 2 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,August 8,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. maintains insurance on. He stated this was approved by Long Lake in the past and Orono was just following the same protocol as what has been done. In his opinion it cleared things up in knowing that the vehicles belonged to Orono and would be loaned to Long Lake for free.Long Lake's response was that they wanted Orono to revert back to the conditions of the contract. In Johnson's research,with supply chain issues they are fortunate to be in a position to purchase and a letter of intent was sent on the vehicles. He thinks Orono should maintain their position, purchase these vehicles, and not put the fire fighters in a position of not having the equipment they need while the two cities jack around with the issues. Seals noted if something does not end up working out, Orono can always utilize the vehicles in other ways such as the police department. Walsh moved,Seals seconded,to purchase the vehicles in the City of Orono's name,bring them to the City and look at the fire department accepting the vehicles at a later date.VOTE: Ayes 3,Nays 0. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Attorney Mattick had nothing to report. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Seals is happy they received rain over the weekend. Johnson met with Seals as part of the negotiation team with members of Long Lake. Seals put together a list of areas where the two cities agree and Johnson noted while the Mayor of Long Lake is on vacation this week they agreed to keep working through this week to confirm those areas of agreement in both cities.He noted one piece of the entire conversation is to keep the fire department as a whole entity which is everyone's first choice.He hopes for some slight progress during the week and will continue working, and noted given the context of the contract, Orono needs to start making some hard decisions and they need to start moving ahead. Mayor Walsh shared about Corn Day on Saturday and shared that he attended his 40th reunion over the weekend. He spoke about an article regarding the parks by a group that thinks the Orono City Council is doing a terrible job and giving away all of their parks.He noted 10 years ago the City had no parks and no Park Commission, and they now have a great Park Commission of dedicated individuals who have done great things with the parks over the years.These include Bederwood Park and redoing all the fields, purchasing the property at Hackberry,parks at Saga Hill that have been completely reformed,Navarre Parks which were previously neglected,and the expansion at the Golf Course.Mayor Walsh noted the City has done great things and he looks forward to the Park Commission continuing that down the road. He shared the City may need to work at better communication about the great things that are happening. PUBLIC COMMENTS Brad Erickson,2485 Independence Road,thanked Mr.Printup and Mr. Crosby noting they had a very nice meeting the previous week for about 2 hours and 14 minutes with Mr.Rosha at his office at the Orono Station.Mr. Erickson thinks it was very productive and there were some admissions made that he found rather interesting. At the conclusion and under Mr.Rosha's tutelage it was decided that when Mr. Manson gets back from Alaska they will draw up a draft resolution for the City to adopt and vote on.Mr. Page 3 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,August 8,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Erickson thinks they can articulate better in document form what the whole picture looks like and deal with it as it comes.He has found this incredibly exhausting and it is becoming more difficult for him. He is glad they are finally moving the ball down the field and the experts can come in and look at it and do their thing.Mr.Erickson really appreciates everyone who has been supportive and cannot think of anyone else he has an axe to grind with except the sitting Mayor right now. He thinks anyone who has been paying attention understands by now but if there are any questions Mr.Manson will be back on the 19th of the month.Mr.Erickson hopes they can get this resolved and thinks they need to decide as a City if they will endorse this message and what they will do in the future to prevent this from happening again. Jay Nygard, 1386 Rest Point Road,finds it quite comical how the public comments keep moving to the end of the schedule and all it says is that the City Council is afraid to have them.Unfortunately certain things have forced Mr.Nygard to go to the police in the community and file police reports,one of which was a couple weeks ago and previously with Mr.Erickson,when Mayor Walsh had dropped specific people in to interfere with their public comments.That is called misconduct by a public officer and Mr. Nygard had no choice but to file that police report because this is his time and from what he understands Mr. Walsh is doing everything he can to interfere. Mr.Nygard stated it was interesting in the meeting when he was speaking up to say Mayor Walsh was not telling people the truth Mayor Walsh was gaveling him. However when the person was heckling Mr.Nygard,Mayor Walsh was just looking the other way. He noted two other criminal complaints against Mr.Walsh,one of which is for criminal bribery and is being investigated by the Hennepin County Sherriff right now.Mr.Nygard stated they can laugh all they want,the facts are facts,he [the Mayor] did what he did, and they are investigating and have decided the Statute of Limitations has not expired. He does not know if any City Council Members heard at the last Park Commission meeting when Mr.Nygard called out the illegal sale of a fire lane to a sitting Planning Commissioner.He shared that he put out a video the previous night that showed State Statutes and League of Minnesota Cities advisory comments that say they cannot do what they did.He knows on the Resolution it specifically said$100,000 and it specifically said that property. Simply because they try to insert words like"unsolicited donation"is B.S.Unfortunately Mr.Nygard had to file a complaint against everyone he felt was involved including Mayor Walsh,Ms. Seals although she was mysteriously absent for every vote, and he did not include Mr.Johnson because he voted against it as it was not in public interest.He included Mr.Printup and Mr. Crosby,the law firm who are supposed to be telling the City they cannot do it, and Mr.Edwards as the City Administrator because this happened under his watch. Mayor Walsh used the gavel and noted the three minute time limit was up. Mr.Nygard produced a gavel and began gaveling the podium noting he can do this too,noting the Mayor is being investigated and will find that justice does prevail. Eddie Rice,2550 County Road 6, spoke about the park system and noted he is at the off-leash park almost daily.He said it is fantastic with people coming from the entire metro to visit the park and pay their fees. He applauds the City Council on Lurton Park and did not know they were getting beef about the parks but stated residents from all over the west metro are packed into that park on a daily basis and thanked the City Council. Page 4 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,August 8,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Ben Goodwin, 560 Kokesh Farms Road, wants to say to the entire five member City Council and Staff that he thinks they are doing a great job,it is a thankless job, and he has never seen this town in better condition in all his years living in Long Lake and Orono. The budget they looked at and the strength of the City's finances look incredibly strong due in part to the Council's work.Regarding the parks,they are in immaculate shape and what the City did with Big Island is a fantastic thing that goes unnoticed by most people but is a wonderful amenity that has been brought to a new height of use whereas before it was basically a garbage dump. He thanked the City Council and said it is unfortunate that they have to come to work their second job and be harassed,which is what this is: harassment. Mr. Goodwin stated a majority of the residents disagree with that and they like how their City is run. What he tells people when they comment is that if they don't like it,they can run and perhaps they will get elected, although his guess is that they won't. He reiterated that the City is doing a great job, stick to their guns, and he is pleased with everything. ADJOURNMENT Johnson moved,Seals seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m.VOTE: Ayes 3,Nays 0. ATTES Anna arlson,City Clerk Dennis Walsh,Mayor Page 5 of 5