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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-2017 Council Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday,March 22,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Dennis Walsh,Council Members Richard Crosby,II,Wendy Dankey,Aaron Printup,and Victoria Seals. Representing Staff were City Administrator poug Reeder, Senior Planner Michael Gaffron,City Attorney Soren Mattick,and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Walsh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.,followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA City Administrator Reeder noted the resignation of David Rahn has been added to tonight's agenda. Item Nos.2,3,6,7, 8,and 9 were added to the Consent Agenda. Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Walsh moved,Printup seconded,to accept the resignation of David Rahn as Orono's representative to the LMCD Board of Directors. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *2. CITY COLTNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 13,2017 Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono City Council meeting of March 13,2017,as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS None PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER REPORT *3. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION—SARAH LINDAHL—RESOLUTION NO.6736 Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6736,a Resolution of Appreciation to Sarah Lindahl for Distinguished Service as a Member of the Parks Commission. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT 4. PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK PROGRAM—UPDATE Police Chief Correy Farniok reported a new program has just been launched involving prescription drug deactivation bags. April 29 will be the City's prescription drug take back program in partnership with the Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday,March 22,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 4. PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK PROGRAM—UPDATE-Continued City's Cleanup Day. Staff will be on site to collect unused prescription drugs that day only from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The other days of the year the deactivation bags will be available to residents at the Orono Police Station. Each of the bags will hold 45 pills,six ounces of liquor or six patches. Farniok stated one of the leading causes of people becoming addicted to drugs is through using prescription drugs. The bags will allow residents to dispose of their prescription drugs year-round rather than having to wait for the one-day drug take back event. Currently there are only two drop-off sites in this area,one at Hennepin County Water Patrol in Spring Park and one at Ridgedale District Court. Farniok cautioned people to not flush their prescription drugs down the toilet since it can cause issues with the City's drinking water and sanitation system. Farniok stated the Orono Police Department has partnered with Crime Prevention Fund in this program and 300 bags have been purchased for Orono. Farniok stated the bags are easy to use and are safe for landfills. Farniok stated the police have had issues with people breaking into homes and stealing prescription drugs and that this is one way to get rid of unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Farniok reported last year the City took in 58 pounds of prescription drugs at the Take Back Event. The drugs are then taken to the incinerator. Farniok noted they do not track anyone who brings in drugs. Printup asked how the information about the program will be disseminated to the public. Farniok stated the program has just been launched but that they will be putting information online,in the police department office,and city newsletter. Farniok stated the bags will not be handed out at different events because the bags cost just under$3 per bag. Farniok stated they would like the residents to come into the police department to pick one up. Walsh suggested information also be posted to the City's Facebook Page. The City Council took no formal action on this item. 2016 POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT-PRESENTATION Police Chief Correy Farniok provided a recap of the activities of the Orono Police Department for 2016. Farniok stated the Police Department prides themselves in building partnerships within the community and that those partnerships make the Orono Police Department better aware of what is happening in the City as well as help people become comfortable with asking questions and expressing concerns. As an example,during National Night Out,the Police Department made contact with hundreds of people. As part of the Heart Safe Communities,police officers helped train just under 2,000 people on CPR and AED use. The Police Department also partnered with WeCAN by collecting groceries at various events and donating refurbished bicycles. Farniok stated the Police Department also hosts Civilian Use of Force classes,with 18 residents in attendance. Farniok stated they hope to host another one sometime this fall. The classes are a great success and help make community members understand why the police do what they do in certain situations. Page 2 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday,March 22,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 2016 POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT-PRESENTATION-Continued The Police Department also participates in the DARE Program. During Forensics Day the police hosted between 400-500 high school students where the students had a chance to learn about drugs,use of force, and crime scene investigation. Farniok stated the Orono Police Department also has a great volunteer program with 14 reserve officers currently. Those officers put in over 2,000 volunteer hours in 2016. In addition,the Explorer program has seven members. Those explorers just participated in a competition in St. Paul and took first place. Farniok noted Orono saw an increase in thefts in 2016. Farniok encouraged everyone to lock their doors to vehicles and to take their valuables inside. Farniok stated the majority of the thefts are occurring from cars that are left unlocked. Orono did have one homicide last year. Farniok stated it got called in as an overdose but through the investigation they were able to obtain fingerprints and find the dealer who sold the drugs. Farniok stated they were able to charge that individual with third degree murder and the case is currently going through court process. Farniok reported in 2016 the Drug Task Force confiscated just under 13 pounds of cocaine,58 pounds of meth,and 48 pounds of marijuana. Farniok noted in previous years they saw a higher amount of marijuana but that they are now seeing that usage is changing. As a result,in 2016 there was a spike in heroin,cocaine and meth. The Drug Task Force,in the first month of 2017,conducted a bust which resulted in the confiscation of two pounds of heroin,half a pound of ineth,and 14 pounds of marijuana. Farniok noted they are noticing heroin is on the rise in this area. Seals asked if these numbers are for all the communities the Police Deparhnent covers or just for Orono. Farniok indicated the Drug Task Force has no boundaries and that they go wherever the information takes them. When the task force was created 12 years ago,they were seeing a lot of stuff being brought into the community but that the dealers do not live here. Farniok stated the Drug Task Force is able to follow the sources. Seals asked how this compares to other communities in the state. Farniok stated the Drug Task Force is similar to other neighboring drug task forces. At times the various Drug Task Forces will work together and that there are significant amounts of work and drugs that are involved. Famiok stated in 2016 the Drug Task Force for this area confiscated drugs with a street value of$5 million and that they need to work together as a partnership since they cannot tackle this alone. Mayor Walsh noted the Police Departrnent.also partners with the local schools and that he has heard a number of positive comments about that program. Farniok stated he hopes to have this update on the police department's website by Monday. The City Council commended Police Chief Farniok for his fine work and that of the police department. Page 3 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday,March 22,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT *6. APPROVAL OF HENNEPIN COUNTY 2017 SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT—LONG LAKE ROWING CREW Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to direct Staff to send a letter to the Sheriff's Water Patrol approving issuance of the Special Event Permit for the Long Lake Rowing Crew for the 2017 season subject to,one,no organized pracHce on Sundays,and two,the acNvity shall not impede the use of the Summit Park Beach facilities and access by the public. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. *7. 17-3894 CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT: NON-ENCROACHMENTS— ORDINANCE NO. 188 Third Series Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 188,Third Series,an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Retaining Walls and Grading Throughout the City of Orono. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. *8. 17-3899 JAMES SMALE REPRESENTING LITTLE ACORNS CHILD CARE,INC., 2060 WAYZATA BOULEVARD WEST,CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR DAYCARE USE— RESOLUTION NO.6737 Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6737,a Resolution Granting a Conditional Use Permit for Daycare Use at 2060 Wayzata Boulevard,File No. 17-3899. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Seals noted the Orono girls basketball team won at the state championship. Crosby noted Sharon Ford of the Orono Dance Team was named AA Coach of the Year. Walsh reported he attended a meeting of the Western Mayors. Hennepin County provided an update on the infrastructure improvements they will be making around the area. Walsh stated he also attended the Planning Commission Monday night with Council Member Printup. The Planning Commission had 18 items on the agenda,including a number of text amendments,and that the Planning Commission did a great job vetting those applications. Walsh stated he also met with the Code Review Committee,which is moving forward on more changes to the City Code. Walsh stated the City Council should see those sometime in April. Walsh stated the goal is to simplify the application and permit process. Walsh stated he also obtained his Lurton Park dog park permit and that it is a fabulous facility. Walsh encouraged the residents to buy a permit for the park at the front desk of City Hall. The cost is$25 for residents and$45 for nonresidents. Page 4 of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday,March 22,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT- Confinued Walsh noted at tonight's work session the City Council talked about road improvements, with the Council directing the Public Works Directar to com�nence wark on getting plans drawn up for eight road projects that will take place in either 2017 or 2018. Walsh stated improving the roads in Orono is a big priority and that the Council will continue to move forward with that. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT *9. CLAIMSBILLS Crosby moved, Seals seconded, to approve payment of the All Funds Account. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT City Attorney Mattick stated he had nothing to report outside of the closed session. Closed Session 10. Discussion Relating to Pending Litigation—Matthew and Susanne Johnson/David and Archelle Feldshon vs City of Orono,et al. Walsh moved, Seals seconded,to go into closed session as permitted by the attorney-client privilege (section 13D.05, Subd.3(b) to discuss pending litigation between Matthew and Susanne Johnson/David and Archelle Feldshon vs the City of Orono, et al. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. (The City Council went into closed session from 7:32 p.m.to 8:00 p.m.) ADJOURNMENT Printup moved, Seals seconded,to adjourn the Orono City Council meeting at 8:00 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. AT EST: na Carlson,City Clerk Dennis Walsh,Mayor Page 5 of 5