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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-1999 Council Work SessionCITY OF ORONO NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE is hereby given that the Orono City Council will meet in a work session at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 1999 in the Orono City Council Chambers, 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, Minnesota. The purpose of the work session is to receive information from the City Assessor regarding the 1998 revaluation, discuss issues related to the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan, and discuss other issues of current interest. This meeting is open to the public. /s/ Linda S. Vee City Clerk Posted at: City Hall Navarre Post Office Long Lake Post Office Crystal Bay Post Office COUNCIL WORK SESSION 7:30 A.M., THURSDAY, MARCH 11,1999 AGENDA 1. Presentation by the City Assessor regarding the results of the 1998 revaluation process. 2.Other. 3. Topic(s) for the March 25 work session. (There will nol be a work session on March 18.) i 4 JOINT MEETING-LONG LAKE & ORONO CITY COUNCILS 3/16/99 TO:Laker and Pioneer Newspapers Sun Sailor Lakeshore Weekly News FROM: DATE: Ron Moorse, City Administrator March 12,1999 1 SUBJECT: Joint Meeting of the Long Lake and Orono City Councils to Discuss Initiating a Process to Evaluate the Consolidation of the Two Cities The Long Lake and Orono City Councils will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 1999 in the Long Lake City Council Chambers, 1964 Park Avenue, to discuss initiating a process to evaluate the consolidation of the two cities. ^u- 'I’r* il. -it. i ■ 4 \1‘ ' l» CITY OF ORONO NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Orono City Council will meet in a joint meeting with the Long Lake City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16 at the Long Lake City Council Chambers, 1964 Park Avenue, Long Lake, Minnesota. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the potential and process for moving the two cities farther along regarding cooperation in the delivery of city services, including the potential for consolidation of the two cities; and to discuss other items of mutual interest. /s/ Linda S. ^ee City Clerk Posted at: City Hall Crystal Bay Post Office Long Lake Post Office Navarre Post Office tc I JOINT MEETING OF THE LONG LAKE AND ORONO CITY COUNCILS 5:30 P.M., TUESDAY, MARCH 16,1999 LONG LAKE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AGENDA 1. Discussion of ihc goals set by each City Council for 1999/2000.'i 2. Discussion regarding initiating a process to evaluate consolidation of the two cities. CITY OF ORONO COALS - 1999 1. Update the City's Comprehensive Plan. A. Clarify/update the City's overall philosophy and goals, as well as policies in the following areas: 1) Land use. 2) Transportation. 3) Sewer. 4) Mousing. 5) Parks. 2.Work with the City of Long Lake to develop a joint vision for the future of the two cities along the continuum from cooperation to consolidation, and in relation to development and redevelopment along Highway 12. 3.Work with llie City of Long Lake regarding the option of relocating Long Lake Public Works to the Orono Public Works' facility. A. Determine the extent of facility expansion necessary to accommodate Long Lake needs. B.Acquire additional land necessary for current and future Public Works' needs, particularly a brush disposal site. 4.Participate in planning the design and relocation of the Long Lake Fire Station. Ensure the building enables the Long Lake Fire Department to effectively meet the current and future needs of the fire service area, and ensure the building meets the priority needs of the Fire Department at a reasonable cost to Orono. Ho H Tl O IM Policy Goals H«7 12 Design Approval Holbrook Park Last resort housing Virginia Ave. solution 20 year agreement City Facility Siting City Hall* Public Works Fire Dept. Plan for TIF money Development Plan/Rezoning Consolidation Discussion City of Long Lake Goals 1999-2000 Citizen Concerns 1 999 Road Plan Storm W’aler Utility I/I9/I999 Operation Goals/Focus Y2K Sewer Infiltration Police Contract Improvements Fire Department Management Enforcement Code Recodificaiion » r LI r Q Si E ml at ro o « TO: FROM: DATE: All City Staff Ron Moorse, City Administrator March 24, 1999 SUBJECT: Update on the Discussions Between the Cities of Orono and Long Lake Regarding Consolidation The joint meeting between the City Councils of Long Lake and Orono resulted in the authorization by both Councils of the establishment of a committee to study the consolidation of the two Cities. Minutes of the joint meeting are attached. i i i i MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE ORONO AND LONG LAKE CITY COUNCILS TUESDAY, MARCH 16,1999__________ The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jabbour at 5:32 p.m. Members present: For Orono: For Long Lake: Mayor Jabbour and Councilmembers Kelley, Peterson and Sansevere. Staff present: Ron Moorse, City Administrator. Mayor Bash and Councilmembers Daniehon, Gulbranson, Sawyer, and Danielson. Staff present: Joe Lynch, City Adnunistrator, and Jennifer Chaput, City Planner. Members Absent: Councilmember Flint. The purpose of the special Council meeting was to meet jointly with the Long Lake City Council to review the goals of the Cities and to discuss the initiation of a process to evaluate whether the Cities of Long Lake and Orono should consolidate. 1. 2. City Goals. Mike Bash, Long Lake Mayor, outlined the goals of the Long Lake City Council for 1999. One of the key goals is to address the issue of the consolidation of Orono and Long Lake. Mayor Jabbour outlined the goals of the Orono City Council for 1999. Mayor Jabbour indicated two key goals of the City of Orono are to complete the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan and to work with the City of Long Lake in relation to issues affecting the future of both Cities. Mayor Jabbour indicated the relationship between the Cities of Long Lake and Orono has changed 180* in recent years. The relationship between the Cities is now very positive. Consolidation. Mayor Bash summarized a proposed outline for the discussion of the consolidation issue. Mayor Jabbour indicated that although the Highway 12 issue started out as a divisive issue between the two Cities, it has become a catalyst for bringing the two Cities together. Councilmember Kelley indicated that now is the right time to consider consolidation. Mayor Bash inchcated he and Mayor Jabbour are suggesting that a study commission be put in place to analyze and evaluate the consolidation option. Bash indicated the charge of the Commission is to determine if there is a reason to consolidate, to identify the positive attributes of both Cities and determine if they can be preserved if the Cities consolidate, to look at all options, and to obtain input from all constituencies and stakeholders. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE ORONO AND LONG LAKE CITY COUNCILS ___________TUESDAY, MARCH 16.1999___________ Mayor Jabbour suggested that members of the Commission should be residents with a broad long-term perspective, and resource people such as City Administrators. Long Lake Councilmember Gulbranson indicated he believes the time is right to consider consolidation, and a decision should be made before the City of Long Lake builds new facilities. He suggests an additional question for the Commission to answer is do both Cities come out of the consolidation stronger financially, socially, politically, etc. Mayor Jabbour suggested that if the municipal borders are eliminated, it could lead to better decisions related to services, land use, etc. because the parochial interests of the individual Cities would be eliminated. Mayor Bash indicated it is his observation that as he looks at all of the problems related to Highway 12 that were caused by not making the decision regarding the location of the Highway thirty-five years ago, he does not want to make that same mistake in relation to this unique opportunity to consider whether to consolidate the two Cities. Moorse indicated it is his understanding that the consolidation process requires a vote of the citizens of both Cities. A question was raised as to whether the citizens will remember the past animosity between the Cities and vote in opposition to consolidation. iTie question was asked whether "emotional" issues should be addressed by the Commission so that they do not cause problems at a later stage in the process. Councilmember Sansevere suggested that ego can play an important role in a process that involves emotional issues. These issues should be carefully and properly addressed. It was suggested that a representative of the business conununity serve on the Commission and that if the business people were sold on the concept they could help sell it to the citizens. Mayor Jabbour suggested that the members of the committee should be "pure of heart" bringing no baggage to the process, and should have a broad and long-term view point. Mayor Bash indicated he wanted to ensure that all constituencies have input into the process. Councilmember Gulbranson indicated the business owners feel they should have input regarding issues that affect them. He suggested it would be a good idea to have a business owner on the Commission. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE ORONO AND LONG LAKE CITY COUNCILS TUESDAY. MARCH 16.1999___________ Mayor Jabbour indicated there is nothing written in stone. This is only the birth of an idea. The Councils would do a disservice to the process if they specifically responded at this time to various comments regarding committee memberslup. Councilmember Kelley indicated he would like to have an opportunity to talk to the Orono City Councilmembers about the process. It was suggested that all citizens be kept well informed at each and every step of the process. Councilmember Sansevere suggested there will be two key questions that people want to have answered early in the process. These are the impact on property taxes and what they new City's name will be. Mayor Jabbour suggested a third issue will be how political representation will be structured. Todd Olson suggested that if answers to some of these early questions could be provided at an early point in the process it would reduce tension and reduce rumors. Mayor Jabbour indicated he would be very upset and disappointed if this process divides the Cities rather than keeping them together. It was suggested that although there are a lot of details related to the possible consolidation, it would be best to start with a concept, a more global approach initially. Create a plan that includes all the puzzle pieces rather than getting to the detail of the puzzle pieces. Councilmember Sansevere suggested the two City Administrators prepare an analysis of the financial impacts within a short timeframe. Mayor Bash suggested that the analysis of financial impacts is a complex issue and requires an analysis of long-term financial impacts as well as short term impacts. Mayor Bash asked whether the Councilmembers from each City needed additional time to make a decision about whether to initiate the consolidation study process of whether they were prepared to authorize the process to proceed at this time. Kelley moved and Peterson seconded that the Mayors be authorized to move forward to begin the process of studying the consolidation of the two Cities including beginmng the process of setting up the study Commission. Roll call, ayes, unanimous. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. the ■CIL _W Over 7,000 copies delivered each week! Serving the West Hennepin communities of: Long Lake, Orono, Maple Plain, Minnetonka Beach, Ii\dependencc and the Orono School District VOL. XVI, NO. 37 (5)Satunby, March 20,1999 Cities of Orono, Long Lake will consider consolidation By Lorric Ham Should the communities of Orono and Long Lake consider consolidation? That was the question for both city councils to consider at a special joint meeting on March 16. And the answer, after an hour of discussion on the matter, was a unanimous **yes** from both councils. But the councils' decision to move forward with exploring the possibilities for consolidation, was just the first step in a process which will be designed to look at every option, from shared ser­ vices to consolidation, and every­ thing in between. 'This represents the birth of an idea." said Orono Mayor Gabriel iabbour. who said his council had yet to discuss the issue other than to agree to attend the joint meeting. "We have issues and the City of Long Lake has issues." said Mayor Jabbour. "Some of those issues are the same and maybe it's time for us to do business togetlier on purpose, and not by accident" With the plans finalized and construction imminent for a new Highway 12. both cities are deal ­ ing with the impacts of displaced residents, transportation issues and the need for replacement of Long Lake's public facilities. In discussions between the mayors of both cities, they agreed that the issues at hand cre­ ated a "significant opportunity" for cooperatioo between the two cities. "The completion of the Highway 12 plans has taken away lots of p^ms of disagree ­ ment between the two cities." said Long Lake Mayor Mike Bash. "In a way. the road has actual ­ ly brought us together." added Jabbour. The first step, both councils agreed, would be to appoint a joint advisory commission to Icok at all of the options. IVo big questions to consider would be. "Is there a reason to consoli ­ date?" and "Can the positive atiribules of both cities remain if they consolidate?" Members of the commission will include the mayors and city administrators from both com ­ munities. three citizens from Long Lake and three from Orono and two outside memoers with experience in local government to provide perspective. "If we find reasons to consol ­ idate. we've got to make sure we don't loae the good aspects from each community." said Mayor Bash. "Another question to consider is. 'Do both cities come out stronger through a consolida ­ tion?*." uid Long Lake Councilmember Jim Gulbranson. 'To consolidate and then main ­ tain the status quo wouldn't be worth the effort." Councilmembers from both communities agreed that the issue would be emotional, as nei­ ther community wants to lose its identity. But all felt that this was the time to at least ciTOsider con ­ solidation. "This is the juncture." said Orono Councilmember Charles Kelly. "Decisions need to be made and they need to be made now. "Without borders, we'd be able to do things better from a planning process. We'd be more m solution oriented." said Jabbour. Bash talked about the frustra ­ tion he felt during the planning of the new Highway 12 and how he wished city leaders had effective­ ly dealt with the issue 35 years aga "I don't want people looking back 20 years from now and wondering why we didn't do our job." said Bash. Orono Councilmember Bob Sansevere felt that ego would come into play when considering a consolidation. 'The two issues that people will be most passion ­ ate about will be taxes and the name of a consolidated commu ­ nity." uid Sansevere. Mayor Jabbour added council issues and fair lepresentaiion to the list, and former Long Lake Mayor Ibd Olson agreed. "Wt*ve had these discuuions before." said Olson, who met with former Orono Mayor Ed Callahan on the same subject several years aga "We agi^ that the too issues were those just mentioned, but intellectually and socially, it was not the right time for consolidation." "Ev^ person's cooems will be legitimate when considering a possible consolidation." uid Bash. "I'd be very upset if this issue divided the community." uid Jabbour. "We can't break into "yes" and "no" factions. These discussions should bring us clos ­ er together, even if we decide not to consolidate." Councilmembers agreed that keeping the public informed throughout the process should be a priority. They also felt that the commission should have a report ready for both councils by the end of (he year. CIVU «>•«.•» m. Acrimony may turn to matrimony The western Hennepin County communilies of Orono and Long Lake have quit Uckering and are taking a serious look at merging. The time is oflUals of both ddes say. SiOT TrQntm Staff Writtr . Merflng Long Ltk« and Orono *iort of Kreimf common scnst.* uys Long Lake Mayor Mike Bath. Contkkr. he layi. that rural wealdUer Orono (pop. 7.700) already turroundt more tuhurban Long Lake (pop. 1.930) In western Heiuiepin County. Orono lelU police service to Loire like; Long sells fire protection to Orono. incy're connected try two*laoe Hwy. 12, whkh also b Long Lake's main street and the two dttea* link to Minneapolis. Many Orono residenu — the Mwn is home to such influential families u th^ Day- tons and Cargo's MacMillans ~ consSier Long Lake's commodal distiks thdr own downtown. For aD these conneettons. hovrever. the history of the two cities contains a bitter Hatfleldl-and- McCoys relationship — over such issues u sew­ age ueatment ana vrater towers — that has generated lawsuits, name-calling and other pub- Dcinsulta. — CUy officials toy rimf bright MEMEfroaiBl If merger occurs, mayors say, workers won't lose their jobs Because of those controwrsin, •We sold a lot of (newslpapen for a while," uid Orono Mayor Gabriel labbour. But last wreck their two city councils voted unanimously to : follow Bash and labbour's recom- \ mendations to begin studying a i potential merger. If the study bears fruit. It : would be one of me few success- : ful Twin atlet area consoUda- : tions In recent history, said Chris- I tine Scoifllo. executive director of the Mirmesota Municipal Board. : Althou^ St Bonifacius and Min- i netrisu are considering merdng. : other effoiu involving Deephav- i en and Greenwood, as wretl as : lino LaS^es and Centerville, have : falterei twice. But in lanuary j 1997. Norwood and Young Amer- * tea nerged and became Norwood 1 Young America. i In Washington County, the * \ wity of Lake ^o and Baylown : Township are talking about con- * solidaiion. but the plan has t drawn protest from some res- : ideois. One sign of past disagree- : roents between Orono and Long Lake was a decision by Orono. : whose residents relied mostly on : I well water, to build its o\sn water lower rat^r than buy water from LoogLake. • But now the time for a merger ! Is right, city ofRcials say, because of good-faith effons by two gen-• _^______ - : cradons of mayors Oty offlcials also say the time's right because of the settle­ ment of a lawsuit over a sewage treatment drainage pond and the 1 agreement over the rerouting of a ‘ e-mlle stretch of Hwy. 12 — not to mention several yean of low- profBe nesvspaper co\*erage. The chanM emerged from monthly breuiasu ben^cen for ­ mer Long Lake Mayor Tod Olson and former Orono Ma>*or Ed Cal­ lahan. who began meeting ihorfr ly after their elections in 1992. •We %wrc both really cautious about each other, but we knew if we did not talk there would neser be change.* Olson said. CaUanan is a lavryer %vith the Minneapolis firm of Gray. Plant. Moofy. Mooty & Bennett, and Ol­ son Is a retired business planner and analyst for General Mills Inc. and Control Data Corp. •We quit having contract dis­ putes in public, in the newspa­ per* bv negotiating ihrce-year. mstead of one-year, police and fire agreements, Olson said. They also helped reach agreement on the long-pending H%vy. 12 project. The two-lane. $79 million highway, whose completion is at least seven years away, will run subtly south of the current high* way and require moving railroad tracks to land now occupied by Long Lake's City Hall, fire station and public works garage. Tom O'Keefe, a planner with the Minnesota Department of Traiuponation. said the new road will allow a consistent 55 miles per hour speed limit, com ­ pared vsith 35 to 55 mph on the cuneni H%vy. 12. It will run below grade throuf^ Long Lake and will require mosine 47 households in Long Lake and IS in Orono. he said. Six businesses also will be moved. It's expected that the new hi^way vrtll relieve traffic con ­ gestion that crimps mobility in Long Lake and settle a traffic cor ­ ridor dilemma that festered for 40 >*cars. Beyond traffic flow, the new route prompted Lung Lake to ask whether to invest in new munici­ pal buildings or share ssith Oro ­ no. Bash ^d i* at Long Lake might be better served by moving into vacant space in Orono's Oty Hall. And that added momentum to discussions of potential merger. Taxes and a name But council members said last week that residents are more like­ ly to ask about property taxes and the name of the mertra commu ­ nity. Olson said another issue for Long Lake residents would be: •Whit about my s*ote? Will it van­ ish In a sea of Orono s-oiesT* Bash said Long Lake's property * taxes probably would decline no ­ ticeably at first because its ex­ penses will be spread against a much larger tax base, while Orono's taxes might increase subtly. Long Lake ^dministrltor loe Lynch said property taxes on a $125,000 homestead in his dtv. before assorted credits and aa- justments. is $2,291. including the city’s share of $443. Orono Administrator Ron Morse said the comparable tax on an identically valued house in his city is $2,102. including the city's share of $246. But labbdur said short-term comparisons arc •phony balo­ ney.* A better approach, he said, is to consider tlie long run. For example. %\1ihout the merger. Or- ono eventually would have to es­ tablish its own fire department, which could con more than ar V Siar TriMwmapby merging with Long Lake. Whatever efnclencies merw might bring, layoffs wouldn't DC among them. Bash and labbour said: Any personnel cuts would come via attrition, labbour also said that a voting prednet s>stem could help preserve Long Like's \t)ke In a merged community. Bash is reluctant to discuss the pouibflities of a new city name because of emotional arguments that could generate. •For some people, that v^lll poison the waters... one way or the other.* he said. Olson, however, offered a light-hearted solution: Tiy a hy- ihenated name such as Orono- x)ng Lake for a few years. The nconsTnlence of writinc three words ought to persuade resi­ dents to embrace a shorter name, he said. To consider the pros and cons of merj^a. each city council will consider the mayors’ proposal to appoint a 12-membcr commis ­ sion including the two city ad­ ministrators. the ma)-ors. three citizens from each city and two outside members. labbour said one outsider might be David Childs. Minne­ tonka's clt)' manager. Childs said he has a “checklist" of roerger- reiated criteria he developed while observing consolidation of cities In Tasmania, a state in Aus­ tralia. during a municipJ es- m * , it# • v' -: ^ ■ Sttr Md d feuoi BiWg Oraiw Mayw Oibriil Jibbow. Mt Uag Ulm MI along Hwir. 12, ;*iat one of many c otmocfloiia bitwoow flm twa T oiteba. ira not th.'w yot to tak about a now nama. tboy toy. change program i- the early 199(H The Long Lake/Oron • study, if approved, might take the rest of the year. It could lead to a refer­ endum in each city and applica­ tion to a sute board that aomin- islers grant programs for merging cities. Although Long L^ke fcsuiret such suburban trappings as poj^ ular fast-food franchises while Orono prizes large retkkntiallots and rural flavtir. Olson said a merger might bring a blending of housing chokes. And Orono ’s fo ­ cus on tight zoning could encour ­ age orderly grrvih of Long Lake’s comm ercial district, he said. N I o (0coo 0> 0> E <D E a><i> £. 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