[00:00:04]
>> WELCOME TO THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024.
[Roll Call]
NOTICE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESIDENT COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON TONIGHT.WE'D ALWAYS START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, SO I WELCOME YOU TO STAND AND FACE THE FLAG.
>> PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> WE HAD A MINOR HAWAIIAN THEME TODAY WITH THE HEAT.
EVERYBODY'S GOT SOME GREAT HAWAIIAN SHIRTS, THANK YOU FOR GETTING THE MEMO.
[Approval of Agenda]
WE ALWAYS START OUT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND THE CONSENT AGENDA ALL AT ONE TIME.BEFORE WE DO VOTE ON IT, I WILL GO THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IF SOMEBODY WANTS SOMETHING TAKEN OFF FOR THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS A LITTLE LONGER, WE'D BE GLAD TO TAKE THAT OFF.
WITH THAT SAID, WITH SOMEBODY LIKE TO TAKE A STAB AT THE CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT.
>> I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT THIS EVENING.
[Consent Agenda]
I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE AGENDA 1-11.WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD 11 A, CITY'S WORK SESSION MEETINGS OF AUGUST 12, AND ALSO ADD ITEM NUMBER 14 TO CONSENT, THE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE.
>> ANYTHING ELSE FROM COUNSEL?
>> WHAT WE HAVE TONIGHT ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA IS NUMBER 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES, NUMBER 2, CLAIMS AND BILLS, NUMBER 3, RENTAL LICENSE, NUMBER 4 ANNUAL GUN CLUB PERMIT.
NUMBER 5, ACCEPT DONATION OF VOLUNTEER TIME RESOLUTION 7503.
THAT'S OUR ELECTION JUDGES DONATING THEIR TIME OF SUSAN BRO, LILA MOBERG, AND GAN SLAGO. THANK YOU TO THEM.
ALSO, NUMBER 6 IS ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM THE PELICAN POINT HOA, RESOLUTION 7504.
THAT'S A GENEROUS DONATION FROM THE PELICAN POINT PEOPLE $2,550 TO THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR GEAR OR GUNS OR WHAT THEY NEED SUPPLIES FOR.
NUMBER 7 IS THE OPD HANDGUN PURCHASE.
NUMBER 8 IS THE TACO WA FORCE MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT CLOSEOUT 22-21.
IT'S 2914 CASTLE POINT ROAD, VARIANCE RESOLUTION 7505.
NUMBER 10 IS HENNEPIN COUNTY HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PARTICIPATION REQUEST, RESOLUTION 74 83, 11 IS PERSONNEL POLICY DATES, 11A IS OUR CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 12, 2024, AND NUMBER 14 IS OUR WORK SESSION SCHEDULE.
ANY OF THOSE ITEMS, ANYBODY LIKE TO HAVE TAKEN OFF CONSENT TONIGHT.
I SEE NO OBJECTIONS. I HAVE A MOTION.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND IT BY COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED? NOTE THAT PASSES 4,0.
NEXT, THAT WILL BRING US TO WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS TONIGHT.
[12. Baker Park Reserve Long-Range Plan Presentation and Resolution of Support 7506]
JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY, THESE ARE JUST PRESENTATIONS IN GENERAL.IF SOMEBODY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT ON ANY PARTICULAR ITEM.
THAT WILL COME SHORTLY AFTER THAT.
BUT OTHERWISE, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO TALK TO ANY OF OUR PRESENTATION, PEOPLE, WHETHER IT'S A BAKER PARK RESERVE OR ERIC EVENSON FROM THE LMA ABOUT THE LIDS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE PRESENTING ABOUT TONIGHT, THEY CAN DEFINITELY CONNECT WITH THEM OUTSIDE AND GET CARDS OR WHATEVER, BUT YOU CAN ALSO STAY FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, WHICH WILL JUST BE A LITTLE BIT AFTER THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH OUR NUMBER 12, WHICH IS OUR BAKER PARK RESERVE LONG RANGE PLAN PRESENTATION AND RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT 7506. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TO TO DISCUSS.
THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT AS WELL AS THE UPDATES TO THE BAKER PARK RESERVE PLAN.
I SERVE ON THE THREE RIVER PARK DISTRICT BOARD.
I'M THE COMMISSIONER WHO REPRESENTS DISTRICT 1, WHICH INCLUDES ALL OF ORONO.
I REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF ORONO ON THE THREE RIVERS BOARD.
TONIGHT, I'M HERE WITH KELLY GROSSMAN, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING.
SHE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU MORE DETAIL ON THE A LONG RANGE PLAN.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF UPDATES.
FIRST OF ALL, BAKER WHEN THE PARK DISTRICT WAS FORMED IN THE 1950S, BAKER WAS OUR ORIGINAL PARK.
IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY BAKER HAS SUCH A WIDE VARIETY OF RECREATION BECAUSE FOR A WHILE, IT WAS THE ONLY PARK.
PERIODICALLY, WE ON OUR THREE RIVERS BOARD NEED TO UPDATE ALL LONG RANGE PLANS FOR OUR PARKS. WE'LL TICKLE HERE.
MOSTLY TO KEEP THEM UP TO DATE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE INDEED SEEK PUBLIC INPUT AS MUNICIPAL CONSENT.
WE KEEP PEOPLE EXPECT TO BE HAPPENING. IT'S A GOOD. THANK YOU.
[00:05:01]
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A FEW FUN FACTS ABOUT WHAT WE ABOUT THE RESIDENTS OF ORONO, THOUGHT YOU MIGHT FIND IT INTERESTING.NOT JUST ORONO PEOPLE, BUT JUST IN GENERAL, THE NUMBER OF ANNUAL VISITS TO THE BAKER PARK RESERVE IS 425,000.
IT IS A WELL LOVED, WELL VISITED PARK.
SPECIFIC TO THE RESIDENTS OF ORONO.
THE NUMBER 1 PARK, THREE RIVERS PARK THAT THEY VISIT, OF COURSE, WOULD BE BAKER.
THE NUMBER 1 ACTIVITY THEY DO WITHIN BAKER IS GOLF.
THEY VISIT THE BAKER GOLF COURSE.
AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW, BAKER GOLF COURSE HAS AN 18 HOLE REGULATION COURSE AS WELL AS A NINE HOLE EXECUTIVE COURSE.
THE NINE HOLE EXECUTIVE COURSE IS MY FAVORITE.
THE NUMBER 2 PARK ORONO RESIDENTS VISIT IS NORENBURG GARDENS.
THAT'S A GREAT GARDEN RIGHT ON LAKE MINNETONKA, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE, STOP BY BEFORE IT CLOSES FOR THE SEASON.
IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO RELAX AND CHILL BY THE LAKE.
THE NUMBER 1 TRAIL VISITED, OF COURSE, IS DAKOTA RAIL.
NUMBER 2 IS THE LAKE INDEPENDENCE.
THE MOST POPULAR PASS BOUGHT BY ORONO RESIDENTS IS THE NORDIC SKI PASS.
YOU HAVE QUITE A LOT OF SKIERS AS WELL AS GOLFERS THAT LIVE HERE.
THERE WERE 11 HOME SCHOOL GROUPS THAT MADE SPECIFIC RESERVATIONS TO ATTEND SOME OF OUR PROGRAMMING.
THREE RIVERS SAYS A LOT TO SUPPORT THE HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY, AND YOUR RESIDENTS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT AS WELL.
WITH THAT, I'LL HAND OVER TO KELLY GROSSMAN. I'LL GIVE YOU THE UPDATE.
>> BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT IT UP, I'LL JUST TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
THE DAKOTA RAIL TRAIL, GREAT RESOURCE THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY.
THE CITY OF ORONO HAS TAKEN ON THE BURDEN OF CLEARING ITS SNOW.
IT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE PARK, DISTRICT.
I KNOW YOU DO IT FOR ON OTHER TRAILS.
I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD SAY WE'RE STILL ANXIOUS TO GET YOU TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY ON THAT FUNCTION BECAUSE IT IS A YEAR ROUND TRAIL.
I'LL TAKE YOUR FEEDBACK BACK TO STAFF.
I HEAR THAT FROM A NUMBER OF CITIES.
FOR THE MOST PART, THE TRAILS ARE THE WINTER MAINTENANCE IS DONE BY THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.
THE REASON FOR THAT IS SOME MUNICIPALITIES ACTUALLY DON'T WANT THEIR TRAILS CLEARED.
USE THE SNOW COVERED TRAILS FOR VARIOUS OTHER ACTIVITIES.
THE REALITY IS WE JUST DON'T WE HAVE 165 MILES OF REGIONAL TRAIL, AND WE HAVE 300 MILES OF TRAIL WITHIN OUR PARKS.
WE WOULD NEVER HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CLEAR TRAILS IN THE TIMELY MANNER THAT YOUR LOCAL RESIDENTS WOULD WANT, WHICH IS WHY WE DO HAVE A WINTER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, AND WE DO GIVE A VERY SMALL, AND I WILL ADMIT, VERY SMALL STIPEND TO DO THAT.
>> YES. SOMETHING [INAUDIBLE].
>> MAYBE THAT'S THE OTHER ANGLE THEN IS TO BE WORKING AT BEING A FAIR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE ACTUAL EFFORT THAT GOES INTO IT, BECAUSE I THINK THE COMMUNITY APPRECIATES IT.
THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS ASKING FOR IT TO BE CLEARED.
>> YOU AND I WORKED ON THAT A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO?
>> WE'LL TAKE THAT FEEDBACK BACK.
>> MAYOR, FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M GOING TO JUST PIGGYBACK OFF OF THAT.
I THINK MARGE DID A GREAT JOB.
ONE THING THAT'S ALWAYS HELPFUL FOR STAFF IS IF $500 PER MILE ISN'T THE RIGHT NUMBER, IF YOU GUYS HAD ANY DATA THAT YOU COULD SEND OUR WAY TO SUPPORT A DIFFERENT NUMBER, WE'D HAPPILY RECEIVE.
>> WITH THAT, I THINK THAT ADAM WAS GOING TO SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO ACTUALLY ASK FOR AN ACTION TIED TO THIS?
>> CORRECT. ONE UPDATE IS WE DO HAVE A RESOLUTION ATTACHED TO THIS.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. WELL, WITH THAT, I WILL JUMP RIGHT IN.
I AM THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING WITH RIVERS PARK DISTRICT, AND I'M HERE TO PRESENT A VERY HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY OF THE BAKER LONG RANGE PLANNING EFFORT AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.
SLIDE, PLEASE. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT BAKER, BAKER'S BEEN AROUND FOR THE LAST 70 YEARS, AND IT'S SUCCESSFULLY BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATION OFFERINGS.
IT DIDN'T REALLY WARRANT THE NEED TO COMPLETELY REDEVELOP THE WHOLE PARK OR START FROM SCRATCH.
OUR VISION FOR THE PARK WAS REALLY THINKING ABOUT HOW DO WE USE WHAT'S ALREADY THERE AND ENHANCE IT THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS SO THAT IT STAYS RELEVANT INTO THE FUTURE.
IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PLAN, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS ATTACHED TO THE PACKET, WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN IS NOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF NEW RECREATION OFFERINGS IN THE PARK,
[00:10:03]
BUT REALLY TAKING WHAT'S THERE AND BUILDING OFF OF IT.SLIDE, PLEASE. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY AS MARGE MENTIONED, THIS WAS OUR FIRST PARK AT THREE RIVERS, AND IT CAME OUT OF A 210 ACRE DONATION FROM THE BAKER FAMILY TO WHAT IS NOW THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT.
PART OF THAT DONATION INCLUDED THE MAPLE HILL COUNTY PARK OR THE MAPLE HILL RESORT, WHICH THEN TURNED INTO MAPLE HILL COUNTY PARK, AND IS NOW, BAKER PARK RESERVE.
THERE WAS LODGING AND SWIMMING AND FISHING, AND IT WAS REALLY THIS GREAT DESTINATION THROUGHOUT HENNEPIN COUNTY RESIDENTS WOULD COME.
WHEN IT BECAME A PUBLIC PARK, THERE'S BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS UP JUST SHOWING HOW THE OPEN FIELDS WERE FULL OF CARS AND PEOPLE FLOCKED REALLY TOWARD THAT PICNIC, THAT GENERAL RECREATION AREA THAT HAD PICNICKING, SWIMMING, AND FISHING AND BOATING.
THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WASN'T PROVIDED ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTY, AND THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE STARTED TO DO IT WITHIN HENNEPIN COUNTY.
OVER TIME, WE JUST KEPT ACQUIRING LAND.
NOW WE ARE UP TO ABOUT 3,100 ACRES.
WE HAVE ADDITIONAL 35 ACRES IDENTIFIED, WHICH IS ABOUT 13 IN HOLDINGS AT BAKER.
OUR BOARD IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF EXPANDING OR CONSIDERING EXPANSION OF BOUNDARIES WHERE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT ADDITIONAL NATURAL RESOURCES OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATION OFFERINGS.
WHILE WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY PROPOSING A BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT OR A CERTAIN BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT AT THIS TIME, SHOULD THERE BE A WILLING SELLER AND SHOULD IT WORK FOR ALL PARTIES, INCLUDING THE CITY, WE WOULD CERTAINLY EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND THE PARK AT THAT TIME.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THREE RIVERS IN THIS PARK IS ALSO KNOWN FOR IS OUR DEDICATION TO NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION.
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS PARK IS REALLY OUR MAPLE BASSWOOD FEST, AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY FOR NOT ONLY WILDLIFE, BUT ALSO RECREATION PURPOSES, AND WE'VE DONE QUITE A BIT TO LOOK AT THAT WATERSHED AND ALL THE WATER RUNNING INTO THE PARK AND HOW THAT CAN BE IMPROVED THAT ULTIMATELY MAKES LAKE INDEPENDENCE A HEALTHIER WATER BODY ALTOGETHER.
SLIDE, PLEASE. AS MENTIONED, THIS PARK IS OUR FLAGSHIP.
IT IS STILL A DRAW FOR THE WHOLE REGION, BUT ESPECIALLY WE SEE A LOT OF RESIDENTS FROM ORONO COMING AND VISITING US.
THERE'S PICNICKING, SWIMMING, FISHING, BOATING.
WE HAVE A DESTINATION PLAY AREA AND THAT WAS JUST REDESIGNED AND COMPLETELY REBUILT A FEW YEARS AGO, AND THERE'S A CAMPGROUND AND THERE'S GOLF, AND ANYONE THAT'S VISITED, I THINK, KNOWS THE WHOLE ARRAY OF AMENITIES.
I WILL THAT'S CONTINUE ON THE LIST.
WE ACTUALLY STARTED OUR ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS FOR THE LONG RANGE PLAN UPDATE IN 2018.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, A PART OF THIS SIZE AND THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE, THAT ENGAGEMENT EFFORT IS QUITE EXTENSIVE.
WE WENT RIGHT INTO THE PANDEMIC.
AS PART OF THAT, WE REALLY HAD TO RECONFIGURE AND PAUSE OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS IN ORDER TO ALIGN WITH THE PRIORITIES OF OUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND ALL OF THE BURDEN THAT THOSE STAFF MEMBERS WERE FACING AND JUST TRYING TO KEEP EVERYTHING.
UP AND RUNNING. WHERE A MASTER PLAN OR A LONG RANGE PLAN, MAYBE WOULD TAKE TWO YEARS.
IT'S CERTAINLY TAKEN US MORE THAN TWO YEARS, BUT WE'RE REALLY GLAD TO BE HERE.
OVER THE COURSE OF THOSE LAST SIX YEARS, WE'VE DONE EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND I'M JUST GOING TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE.
THERE WAS BOTH ONLINE OPTIONS TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK VIA E-MAIL OR THROUGH CHAT ROOMS, AN INTERACTIVE MAP TOOL.
WE DID IN PERSON ENGAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, FESTIVALS, POP UPS IN THE PARK.
THEN WE ALSO WITHIN THE PARK, HAD SELF ENGAGEMENT BOARDS.
IF YOU WERE A VISITOR AND YOU POPPED INTO THE BITCOR OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER OR THE CAMPGROUND, THERE WAS A WAY FOR YOU TO TALK ABOUT YOUR PRIORITIES, YOUR CONCERNS, AND THINGS THAT YOU WANTED THREE RIVERS TO LOOK MORE INTO.
NOT SURPRISING WHAT WE HEARD IS PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY THE PARK.
THEIR FAMILIES COME GENERATION AFTER GENERATION.
THERE WAS A HIGH LEVEL OF SATISFACTION, AND OUR RESEARCH DATA ALSO SAYS THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY SATISFIED.
THEY FEEL VERY WELCOMED, AND THEY FEEL VERY SAFE IN THE PARK.
THOSE ARE ALL GOOD THINGS THAT WE WANT TO SEE INTO THE FUTURE.
THEN AREAS OF OPPORTUNITIES, THERE'S REALLY AN INTEREST FOR MORE OF A NATURE CENTER OR NATURE PROGRAMMING.
THOSE ARE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT EXPANDING.
LOVE THE CAMPGROUND, LOVE THE TRAILS.
BUT IN TERMS OF TRAILS, A LOT OF OUR TRAIL LOOPS ARE RARELY SUBSTANTIAL.
IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME SHORTER TRAIL LOOPS THAT MAYBE YOU CAN GO AND TACKLE IN AN HOUR VERSUS 2-3 OR EVEN FOUR HOURS, THERE'S A DESIRE FOR THAT FOR THE HIKING COMMUNITY.
AN INTEREST IN HAVING MORE WINTER RECREATION BESIDES JUST CROSS COUNTRY SKIING, AND WE HAVE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO DO THAT WITH THAT TIRE BIKE RENTAL AND OPENING UP THE CAMPGROUND AREA TO SNOWSHOEING AND HAVING SOME PLOWED WALKING TRAILS IN THAT AREA.
[00:15:01]
INCREASING PROGRAMMING, AND THEN SOME ADDITIONAL NATURAL RESOURCE IMPROVEMENTS. SLIDE, PLEASE.THIS IS THE MAP OF BAKER PARK RESERVE, AND I WILL JUST TALK VERY HIGHLY ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS OF THESE MAIN RECREATION AREAS.
THE SPURZEM LAKE BOAT BOAT LAUNCH IS LOCATED IN THE NORTH END OF THE PARK, OF COURSE, ON SPURZEM LAKE.
WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING A [INAUDIBLE] AS WELL AS FISHING IMPROVEMENTS.
>> THE OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER, WHICH USED TO BE BAKER NEAR WILDERNESS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING SPACE AND MAYBE SOME STORAGE AND OFFICE OPPORTUNITIES.
THE TRAIL LOOP IS ABOUT SIX MILES LONG.
WHAT WE HEARD IS THAT'S A GREAT LOOP, BUT WE REALLY WANT PLACES TO REST, AND WE WANT SOME INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE.
WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT SOUTH END OF THE PARK.
THE LAKE INDEPENDENCE REGIONAL TRAIL GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE PARK, BUT THERE'S A SHORT SEGMENT THAT'S ON ROAD, GETTING THAT OFF ROAD INTO AN INDEPENDENT TRAIL CORRIDOR.
THEN THE MARSHVIEW GROUP CAMP, THAT'S RIGHT OFF OF COUNTY ROAD 24, ADDING SOME PARKING TO SUPPORT MORE HIKING, ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL, ADA IMPROVEMENTS AT THE GROUP CAMP, ADDING SHOWER BUILDINGS AND FLUSH TOILETS FOR THE GROUP CAMP.
THEN WE ARE PUBLIC SAFETY THAT SERVES THE ENTIRE THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT IS ALSO LOCATED AT BAKER AND JUST LOOKING AT SOME PARKING AND STORAGE IMPROVEMENTS. SLIDE, PLEASE.
WITHIN THE MAIN RECREATION AREA, AND THIS IS THE AREA THAT'S RIGHT ON LAKE INDEPENDENCE, LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL PICNICKING, LOOKING AT SOME CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS, IMPROVING THE ELECTRIC LOOPS SO THAT IT CAN BETTER SERVE THE TYPE OF RIGS AND THE ELECTRICAL DEMAND THAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING, AND THEN ALSO EXPANDING THE ELECTRICAL TO ADDITIONAL LOOPS.
ADDING SIX NEW CAMPER CABINS, AS WELL AS A NATURE PLAY AREA TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES WITHIN THE CAMPGROUND.
THEN LOOKING AT THE UNDERPASS OF COUNTY ROAD 19.
WE HAVE AN UNDERPASS EXCEPT FOR WE THINK THERE'S A WAY PROBABLY TO JUST STUDY THAT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER TO SEE IF WE NEED SOME ADVANCED WARNING SIGNAGE OR OTHER SIGNAGE OR JUST THE WAY THE TRAIL CURVES KIND OF GOING IN AND OUT OF THAT TUNNEL, SO IT'S AS SAFE AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.
THEN SOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'VE DONE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE PLAN ALREADY IS WE'VE REDONE ALL OF THE BATHROOMS IN THE PICNIC AND SWIMMING AREA, AND WE UPDATED THE BOAT RENTAL BUILDING, THE PARKING LOT IN THAT AREA IS GENERALLY NEW, AND WE DID A BRAND NEW PLAY AREA.
AGAIN, IN THAT AREA, WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING MORE PICNICKING SHELTERS AND ADDING SOME FISH SHORELINE FISHING, INCLUDING ANOTHER FISHING DOCK. SLIDE, PLEASE.
WHEN ALL SET IS DONE, WE HAVE ABOUT $8,000,000 OF ACQUISITION REMAINING IN THE PARK AND ABOUT 8.5 MILLION DOLLAR OF DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING IN THE PARK.
SOME OF THAT IS ALREADY BEING PROPOSED FOR OUR FIVE YEAR CIP THAT WILL GO TO OUR BOARD IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
WITH THAT, WE'RE ASKING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THE COMMUNITIES THAT THE PARK IS LOCATED IN AND THAT THE PARK MOST DIRECTLY SERVES FOR OUR RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT.
THEN WE TAKE THAT AND WE FORWARD IT TO THE MET COUNCIL WHO SIMILAR TO THE CITIES, WHO SUBMIT A CAMP PLAN.
WE HAVE TO SUBMIT A LONG RANGE PLAN FOR ALL OF OUR PARK AND TRAIL UNITS.
THIS IS VERY SIMILAR, AND THEY REVIEW IT, AND THEY APPROVE IT.
WE HOPE THEN THAT THEY WILL APPROVE IT, AND IT WILL BE BACK TO OUR BOARD IN DECEMBER FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
WITH THAT, I'LL BE HAPPY TO STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A GREAT PARK.
MY GIRLS HAVE GROWN UP THERE DOING GIRL SCOUTS AND BIRTHDAY PARTIES, AND PROBABLY EVERYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE AT THE PARKS, SO IT'S GREAT.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO EXPAND IT, AND MAKE IT BETTER, ESPECIALLY ALL THE ELECTRICAL STUFF, ALL THAT STUFF HAS CHANGED A WHOLE BUNCH.
I KNOW, PEOPLE WHO GO THERE AND JUST DO THAT TO TEST OUT THEIR RIGS.
[LAUGHTER] MAKE SURE THEY'RE ACTUALLY WORKING, AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY THOUGHTS? QUESTIONS.
>> ONLY QUESTION IF PEOPLE WERE LOOKING TO GET MORE INVOLVED AND BE PART OF A COMMITTEE OR PART OF THE BOARD, WHERE WOULD THEY GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
>> OH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS, AND WE HAVE A PRETTY ROBUST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND A LOT OF INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.
IF YOU'RE NOT FINDING WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU CAN JUST CALL OUR MAIN LINE AND ASK TO TALK TO A VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, AND THEY WILL CUSTOMIZE A VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE OR PLUG YOU INTO THE RIGHT SPOT.
IN TERMS OF SERVING ON OUR BOARD, I BELIEVE IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN SERVING ON A CITY COUNCIL AND THAT YOU WOULD FILE PAPERWORK, AND THEN WE HAVE SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS.
AS MARGE MENTIONED, SHE IS THE COMMISSIONER FOR THIS DISTRICT.
>> THEN THERE ARE TWO POSITIONS THAT ARE APPOINTED BY HENNEPIN COUNTY AND THAT FOLLOWS A DIFFERENT PROCESS AND THE COUNTY HAS A APPOINTMENT PROCESS.
BOARD MEMBERS SERVE FOUR YEARS.
>> MOSTLY EXCEPT FOR WHEN YOU'RE REDISTRICTING, THERE'S SOME THAT WILL SERVE A TWO YEAR DURATION.
>> GREAT PARK, AND THANKS FOR THREE RIVERS AND WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE IT.
[00:20:01]
>> WE'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 7506, SUPPORTING BEAKER PARK RESERVE LONG RANGE PLAN.
>> JOHNSON AND COUNCILMAN CROSBY SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED. NOTE THAT PASSES 4-0.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR LAST PRESENTATION, WHICH IS NUMBER 13.
[13. Forest Lake and Crystal Bay Lake Improvement Districts (LID)]
IT'S FOREST LAKE AND CRYSTAL BAY LAKE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, IS ALSO KNOWN AS LID. ERIC HOW ARE YOU?>> HEY WALSH. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME COME HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE LAKE IMPROVEMENT OF PROPOSED LAKE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS. I'M ERIC EVENSON.
I AM WITH THE LAKE MINNETONKA ASSOCIATION.
I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH US.
IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH US, WE'RE A CITIZEN GROUP, WE'RE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, HERE TO HOPEFULLY REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF HOMEOWNERS ON LAKE MINNETONKA.
SOMETIMES I THINK THEY WISH WE'D GO AWAY, BUT WE'RE HERE.
TONIGHT, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LID, AND THEN I WANT TO GO INTO SPECIFICS AS TO WHY THE PEOPLE AROUND CRYSTAL BAY AND FOREST LAKE ARE INTERESTED IN FORMING A LID.
THEN THERE ARE A FEW RESIDENTS THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HELPING ORGANIZE THIS HERE TONIGHT THAT WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS WITH YOU AS WELL.
FIRST OFF, WHAT IS A LID? SOME OF YOU WERE AROUND WHEN CARMEN'S BAY ESTABLISHED THEIR LID. I KNOW THE MAYOR WAS.
I'M NOT SURE IF THE OTHER BOARD AND YOU WERE TO, SO YOU'RE PROBABLY MORE FAMILIAR WITH IT THAN OTHERS.
I THINK YOUR ADMINISTRATOR WAS HERE ON THE TAIL END OF THAT.
BUT A LID, THE WAY I LOOK AT A LID, IT'S ESSENTIALLY LIKE A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
THEY'RE INITIATED BY CITIZEN PETITION.
THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO GET APPROVED TO GET ESTABLISHED.
PART OF THE PROCESS IS A PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS, AND THAT'LL BE COMING BEFORE YOU AT ANOTHER TIME.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS IN THE CASE OF FOREST BAY OR FOREST LAKE AND CRYSTAL BAY, THEY'RE BEING ESTABLISHED ONLY TO DEAL WITH INVASIVE WEEDS.
IF YOU'VE BEEN ON CRYSTAL BAY THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW WHAT A MESS IT IS.
IT WAS PROBABLY THE WEEDIEST YEAR I'VE EVER SEEN ON CRYSTAL BAY.
FOREST LAKE NOW IS ALSO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WEEDS.
IT'S PARTLY TO DO WITH THE CHANGES IN WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CLIMATE.
BUT IT'S ALSO ZEBRA MUSSELS HAVE REALLY CLEANED UP THE WATER.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE ZEBRA MUSSELS CLEAN UP THE WATER, LIGHT PENETRATES DEEPER AND PLANTS START GROWING UP.
PLANTS ARE GROWING AT A MUCH DEEPER DEPTH RATHER THAN THEY WERE.
THEY'RE MOVING OUT INTO THE LAKE A LITTLE BIT.
I'LL SHOW YOU SOME MAPS THAT WE'VE DONE ON CRYSTAL BAY THAT WILL DEMONSTRATE WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE IN A LITTLE BIT.
IN THE CASE OF LIDS, THE RULES TO SET UP THE LIDS ARE ESTABLISHED IN STATUTE.
THEY'RE OVERSEEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
WE'VE GOT TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT THEY HAVE LAID OUT.
IN BOTH CASES, THE MEMBERS OF THE LID WILL ONLY BE THOSE PARCELS OR THOSE PROPERTIES THAT PAY PROPERTY TAXES.
THREE RIVERS AND THE CITY AND OTHERS WOULD NOT BE PART OF THE LID.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE EITHER DIRECT ACCESS OR DEEDED ACCESS TO THE LAKE.
THERE ARE TWO LIDS ALREADY ON THE LAKE, RATHER, CARMEN'S BAY, WHICH YOU'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH, AND ST. ALBANS BAY, WHO'S BEEN I THINK CARMEN'S BAY WAS ESTABLISHED ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE YEARS AGO.
>> THEN I THINK ST. ALBANS BAY WAS IN PLACE A FEW YEARS BEFORE THAT HAPPENED.
YOU CAN GO AHEAD TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
LIKE I SAY, THE BAYS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT ARE VERY MUCH INFESTED WITH EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL, WHICH IS AN INVASIVE WEED.
IT'S A MATTING WEED, AND CURLY LEAF PONDWEED, ALSO AN INVASIVE WEED.
CURLY LEAF POND WEED HAS THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF IT DIES OFF WHEN THE WEATHER STARTS GETTING REALLY WARM, AND THAT'S ABOUT THE SAME TIME ALGAE WANTS TO START GROWING.
WHAT YOU HAVE WHEN THE CURLY LEAF POND WEED DIES OFF, IT STARTS DECOMPOSING, AND THAT ENCOURAGES MORE ALGAE GROWTH.
IF YOU'VE SEEN THESE BIG MATS FLOATING AROUND BACK IN JULY, MIDDLE OF JULY OR SO, LARGE MATS OF WEEDS THAT HAD KIND OF A SLIMY ALGAE ON IT, THAT WAS CURLY PAN WEED.
THAT WAS PRETTY BAD ON CRYSTAL BAY THIS YEAR.
I KNOW THEY HAD PROBLEMS UP IN FOREST LAKE THIS YEAR AS WELL.
[00:25:03]
WE HAVE THE LAKE MINNETONKA ASSOCIATION STARTED WORKING WITH BAYS ON LAKE MINNETONKA, BACK PROBABLY ABOUT 12, 11 YEARS AGO, TO FORM BAY ASSOCIATIONS, WHICH ARE VOLUNTARY GROUPS OF HOMEOWNERS TO RAISE FUNDS TO HELP DO THE TREAT BAYS.WE HAVE ABOUT 13 BAYS ENROLLED ON THE LAKE AT THIS TIME TO DO IT.
WHAT WE'RE FINDING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, IS THAT ONE, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THIS NOW FOR 12 OR 13 YEARS, IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR THEM TO REACH OUT AND ASK PEOPLE TO HELP CONTINUALLY FUND THESE THINGS.
ALL OF THE BAY TREATMENTS UP TO THIS POINT OTHER THAN FOR CARMEN'S AND ST. ALBANS ARE BASED ON VOLUNTARY FUNDING.
IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK TO RAISE THESE MONIES FOR THE BAYS.
WHAT WE FIND IS THAT ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE BAYS REALLY EVEN CONTRIBUTE TO THEM, SO ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE ARE REALLY HELPING CLEAN UP THE BAY FOR EVERYBODY WHO LIVES ON THE BAY, AS WELL AS ANYBODY WHO USES IT.
NOW, IN THE CASE OF CRYSTAL BAY, RICHIE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY GENEROUS IN HELPING KEEP THE BAY CLEAN.
RICHIE WAS OUR BAY CAPTAIN, BUT QUITE HONESTLY, JUST THE TIME INVOLVED IN RAISING THE KIND OF MONEY NEEDED FOR CRYSTAL BAY, ESPECIALLY IS TREMENDOUS.
YOU KNOW THE MESS THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH UP THERE.
I THINK THAT'S WHY THEY'RE BRINGING THIS BACK NOW AND TALKING AGAIN.
LET'S TRY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THE LID STARTED UP AGAIN.
THEY JUST ABOUT HAD IT HERE BACK A FEW YEARS AGO.
BUT HONESTLY, PEOPLE'S LIVES STARTED GETTING IN THE WAY, AND THEY JUST RAN OUT OF STEAM.
LIDS THEN REALLY DO PROVIDE A VERY EQUITABLE WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THE BAY.
THEY ALSO WILL HELP REDUCE THE INDIVIDUAL COSTS OF HOMEOWNERS ON DEALING WITH WEEDS ON THEIR BAY.
ONE OF OUR HOME OWNERS HERE THIS YEAR HAD SPENT OVER $6,000 RAKING UP MILFOIL ON OUR BAY.
THE LIDS, I BELIEVE, WELL, IN BOTH CASES, FOREST LAKE IS GOING TO CAP THE LID AT NO MORE THAN $250 PER PROPERTY.
CRYSTAL BAY, THEY'RE LOOKING AT 250 FOR NEXT YEAR.
I THINK WHAT THEIR PLAN IS BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A MESS OUT THERE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ONLY DO PARTS OF THE BAY AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
I THINK THEIR PLAN IS TO TRY TO KEEP THE COST DOWN AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
BUT JUST ANTICIPATE IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM A LITTLE LONGER TO DO THE BAY BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A MESS RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS SO SUPPORTIVE OF THESE PROGRAMS. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DOESN'T CARE IF THERE'S INVASIVE WEEDS OR NOT IN THE BAY.
WHAT THEY DO CARE ABOUT IS THAT THE BASE SUPPORT A HEALTHY NATIVE PLANT POPULATION, BECAUSE THAT IN TURN HELPS PROMOTE A HEALTHY MACRO INVERTEBRATE AND A FISHERIES POPULATION.
THE DNR IS LOOKING AT IT, MAYBE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN HOMEOWNERS DO.
WE KNOW THAT WEEDS CAUSE A NUISANCE FROM A RECREATIONAL STANDPOINT.
WE KNOW WEEDS COST HOMEOWNERS A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY BECAUSE THEY'RE ALWAYS RAKING UP OR WASHING UP ONSHORE.
BUT THE DNR IS LOOKING AT IT TO SAY, BUT, IF WE CAN CONTROL THESE INVASIVE WEEDS, WHICH TEND TO GROW UP MAT ON THE SURFACE AND BASICALLY SHADE OUT THE NATIVE PLANTS.
WE CAN CONTROL THEM, NOW WE'RE IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE LAKE.
AS I MENTIONED WITH THE CURLY LEAF PONDWEED, YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO SEE LESS ALGAE GROWTH OVER TIME BECAUSE OF THE YOU'RE GOING TO BE GETTING RID OF A DECOMPOSING PLANT.
OH, AND ON THAT ONE, TOO, THE WEEDS, I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THIS VERIFIED BY ANYBODY AT THE STATE LEVEL.
BUT A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS TALK ABOUT BLACK FLIES AND WEEDS.
THEY SAID, ONCE WE STOPPED HARVESTING, WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT STUFF WASHING UP ON OUR SHORE ALL THE TIME.
OUR BLACK FLY POPULATION BASICALLY WENT AWAY.
I THINK THERE'S A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CREATING THIS HABITAT FOR THESE NUISANCE SPECIES, TOO.
LIKE I SAID, THE COST OF THE LID IS GOING TO BE ABOUT 250 PER PROPERTY OWNER.
AFTER THE INVASIVE PLANTS GET UNDER CONTROL, THE PRICE REALLY DECREASES DRAMATICALLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS.
I THINK SIN ALBIN SPACE STARTED AT RIGHT AROUND.
I WANT TO SAY RIGHT AROUND 300.
THEY'RE DOWN TO ABOUT $40 RIGHT NOW.
AGAIN, THIS IS A SINGLE PURPOSE ORGANIZATION. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE PURPOSE.
ONCE THEY CONTROL THAT, THERE'S NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO, OTHER THAN JUST KEEP ON TOP OF IT.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AT CRYSTAL BAY.
WE WERE DOING TREATMENTS DOWN THERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
[00:30:02]
THIS YEAR, WE WERE UNABLE TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY.THE BAY NEEDED, I THINK, A LITTLE OVER 40 SOME THOUSAND DOLLAR TO GET TREATED OR THAT PORTION OF THE BAY TO GET TREATED.
THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO RAISE 20.
WE'RE WORKING WITH ONE OF THE BEST LUMNOLOGIST, AND ONE OF THE BEST PLANT SPECIALISTS IN THE STATE.
THEIR COMMENT WAS, YOU KNOW WE CAN DO IT.
BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE WORTH THE MONEY, FRANKLY, BECAUSE THERE'S A SCALE YOU'VE GOT TO DO SOME OF THE STUFF AT IN CRYSTAL BAY, AND NOW GETTING TO BE ENFORCED TO THE SCALE IS SUCH THAT WE'VE GOT TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL NOW, OR IT JUST IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM.
THE OTHER THING THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IS THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT MONEY AVAILABLE ANYMORE.
THE LMCD DID PROVIDE SOME GRANTS TO START UP SOME OF THE TREATMENTS, AND YOU'LL BE GETTING ANOTHER REQUEST FROM ME HERE VERY SHORTLY FOR A SMALL GRANT FOR FOREST LAKE.
BUT THEY AREN'T FUNDING AIS ANYMORE.
THE WATERSHED DISTRICT STOPPED FUNDING AIS PROBABLY ABOUT 10, 15 YEARS AGO.
THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY FROM THE STATE, BUT THE MONEY IS VERY COMPETITIVE, AND THEY GOT 10 MILLION TO SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE.
WE'VE BEEN ON THE NOT TOO SUCCESSFUL THESE PAST FEW YEARS IN GETTING GRANTS.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP TRYING TO GET THEM.
IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS GIVES YOU A IDEA OF SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HERE WE'RE DEALING WITH WITH WEEDS.
THE FIRST SLIDE THAT HAS THE AREAS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW, THAT'S A WEED CALLED FLOWERING RUSH.
NOW, THIS IS ONE WE WERE ABLE TO GET A GRANT FOR, AND WE WILL BE TREATING RIGHT NOW, ACTUALLY.
>> IT'S GOTTEN TO BE EXTREMELY THICK ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF CRYSTAL BAY, AS WELL AS YOU GO ALONG HIGHWAY 15.
THERE'S A LOT OF IT GROWING ALONG THERE AS WELL, AND IN LAFAYETTE BAY.
THIS PLANT WAS BROUGHT IN BECAUSE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLANT, AND PEOPLE WERE PUTTING IT IN THEIR GARDENS, AND IT GOT OUT OF CONTROL.
IT'S A VERY AGGRESSIVE, PLANT IN SOME AREAS.
IT'S BEEN A LITTLE SLOWER TO GET ITSELF ESTABLISHED IN LAKE MINNETONKA, FOR SOME REASON.
DETROIT LAKES, THEY LITERALLY WERE LOSING THEIR SWIMMING BEACH BECAUSE IT WAS STILL THICK UP THERE.
THE OTHER SLIDE IN THE UPPER RIGHT IS EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL.
YOU CAN SEE HOW IT SPREAD ACROSS THE THICKEST AREA IS IN THE SOUTHWEST PORTION OF THE LAKE.
THERE'S ABOUT A 32 ACRE SPOT THERE THAT GOOD LUCK GETTING YOUR BOAT THROUGH THERE.
THE OTHER IS CURLY-LEAF PONDWEED, THAT'S THAT PLANT THAT I TALK ABOUT THAT DIES OFF EARLY IN THE SPRING.
WE DO HAVE A SURVEY THAT'S BEEN COMPLETED ON FOREST LAKE.
I WOULD HAVE SHOWN YOU THE MAPS TONIGHT HAD I HAD THEM, BUT THEY HAVEN'T COMPILE ALL THE DATA YET FOR THOSE.
YOU CAN GO AHEAD TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
THIS SHOWS THE AREAS, THE PROPOSED BOUNDARY, JUST IGNORE THE BOUNDARY AROUND NURNBERG BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT BE IN IT, AS WELL AS JUST IGNORE THE STUFF THAT'S OWNED BY THE RAIL AUTHORITY, TOO, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE PART OF THE LID.
THERE'S ABOUT 214 PROPERTIES THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE LID ON CRYSTAL BAY.
THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS THE FOREST LAKE.
THERE'S ABOUT 100 PROPERTIES ON THERE.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC PROPERTIES ON THERE.
THEY'RE ALL PRIVATE PROPERTIES ON THAT BAY.
I'LL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LIDS WOULD BE ON THOSE TWO BAYS.
ACTUALLY, BOTH THE MAPS, I BELIEVE, ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITES OR THE FACEBOOK SITES THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE PUT TOGETHER ON THESE, SO IT'S THERE, AND I THINK WE'VE EVEN LISTED ALL, I DON'T BELIEVE WE LISTED THE NAME, BUT WE DID LIST ALL THE ADDRESSES ON THERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE NOT TO PUT PEOPLE'S NAMES ON IT, BUT THE ADDRESSES ARE UP THERE.
THEN IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? HOW DO WE ACTUALLY GET THIS LID FORMED? WELL, IT REQUIRES A MAJORITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS TO SIGN A PETITION THAT HAS HAPPENED ON FOREST LAKE.
FOREST LAKE ALREADY HAS A MAJORITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS THAT HAVE AGREED TO SAY, YES, THIS MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. LET'S MOVE FORWARD TO IT.
I THINK THEY'RE JUST ABOUT THERE ON, CRYSTAL BAY, LITERALLY JUST ABOUT THERE.
I'D BE SURPRISED IF THEY DON'T HAVE THEM BY THE END OF THIS EVENING.
THEY WOULD HAVE THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS.
ONCE YOU GET THE MAJORITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS SIGNING A PETITION, THEN THE CITY CAN SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING.
THE HOMEOWNERS WILL CONTINUE TO COLLECT SIGNATURES ALL THE WAY UP TO THE PUBLIC HEARING, TOO.
I THINK WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO IS TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT
[00:35:03]
YOU WITH A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS ALL AGREEING TO THIS.THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED DOWN IN CARMEN'S BAY.
I THINK YOU HAD ABOUT A 70% PARTICIPATION DOWN IN THAT BAY, AND IT'S REALLY GOOD INDICATION THAT PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ONE.
ONCE IT GOES THROUGH THE HEARING PROCESS, FOR FOREST LAKE.
I THINK IT'S A LITTLE MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD.
FOR CRYSTAL BAY, I THINK YOU NEED TO PUT TOGETHER A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN ORONO AND THE CITY OF MINNETONKA BEACH.
THAT'S WHAT THEY DID DOWN IN SAN ALBANS.
THEY HAVE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GREENWOOD AND EXCELSIOR. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WORK.
I TALKED TO THE DNR, AND THEY SAID, WELL, THIS IS WHAT THEY DID, AND THAT WAS ALL THE HELP THEY COULD OFFER.
ALTHOUGH THEY DID SAY, JUST TALK TO THE ATTORNEY AND SEE IF HE COULD WORK IT OUT, SO I WILL BE TALKING TO OR WE WILL BE TALKING TO THE ATTORNEYS AT SOME POINT.
I WILL ALSO BE TALKING WITH ADAM AND MAGGIE, HOPEFULLY VERY SOON TO TALK ABOUT THE CITY PROCESS TO CARRY THIS THROUGH AND YOUR TIMELINES TO GET THIS MOVING.
THE FOREST LAKE AND CRYSTAL BAY WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HAVE THESE THINGS IN PLACE SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE FUNDING FOR NEXT YEAR.
OTHERWISE, WE'D BE LOOKING AT 2026 BEFORE WE GET STARTED, AND THE BAYS ARE A MESS.
ONCE THAT'S ALL DONE, THEN IT'S UP TO ME TO GET ALL THE PAPERWORK INTO THE DNR.
TYPICALLY, IF THERE IS COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND THE DNR FEELS COMFORTABLE THAT IT WENT THROUGH A RIGOROUS PUBLIC PROCESS.
THEY ARE GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE.
IN FACT, THEY DO SUPPORT THE FORMATION OF LIDS.
THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TS ARE CROSSED AND THE IS ARE DOTTED.
THE OTHER THING THAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE IS THAT A CITIZEN BOARD NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR EACH OF THE LIDS.
THE FIRST CITIZEN BOARD IS APPOINTED BY THE CITY.
THEN IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, IT IS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON OR MEMBERS OF THE LID.
WITH THAT, I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, OR I'LL STICK AROUND FOR A WHILE IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS.
I KNOW THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE FROM THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO TALK.
>> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, WE'RE NOT HAVING ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS YET ON THIS.
THIS WAS MORE OF AN INFORMATIONAL THING, SO I WOULD SAY IF PEOPLE DO WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT IT, MAYBE IF YOU COULD TELL THEM HOW TO GET AHOLD OF YOU, OR YOU COULD MEET EVERYBODY OUT THERE AND IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS CARD OR SOMETHING TO CONTINUE THAT DIALOGUE, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY AS A CITY, WE'RE SUPPORTIVE OF LIDS.
OBVIOUSLY, WE DON'T WANT TO SEE A 51%.
WE OBVIOUSLY A 70 IS A MUCH BETTER NUMBER TO SHOW WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING.
BUT THEN WHEN YOU DO GET THOSE SIGNATURES AND ALL THIS STUFF.
OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING AT THAT POINT, TO HAVE EVERYBODY COME AND TALK, AS MANY PEOPLE AS I WANT TO COME, ETC, TO TALK ABOUT THAT SET.
BUT AT THIS POINT, I'D SAY IF PEOPLE DO WANT TO HEAR MORE FROM YOU ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON SINCE YOU SEEM TO BE IN THE POINT PERSON FOR WHAT'S GOING ON, IF YOU CAN TELL HOW TO GET AHOLD OF YOU OR JUST GO OUT THERE AND GIVE EVERYBODY YOUR INFORMATION.
BUT FROM A CITY PERSPECTIVE, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW, TOO, THESE ARE NOT CITY DOLLARS.
WE'RE NOT GOING AND COLLECTING MONEY.
THEY JUST GIVE IT TO US, AND THEN WE JUST GIVE IT TO THE LID.
WE'RE JUST BASICALLY A FUNNEL FOR WHERE THE DOLLARS GO THROUGH BECAUSE AS A CITY, WE HAVE A TAX BASE.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONFUSES SO MANY PEOPLE.
THIS IS SIMPLY PEOPLE AROUND THE LAKE WHO WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE LAKE OR TAKE CARE OF THEIR BAY.
>> WE'RE JUST A FUNNEL THROUGH.
BECAUSE IT GOES TO HENNEPIN COUNTY AND THEN IT HAS TO COME TO US, AND THEN WE FUNNEL IT THROUGH.
WE DON'T TAKE ANY DOLLARS OUT OF IT.
IT'S JUST STRICTLY REALLY A FLOW THROUGH, SO IF YOU CAN TELL HOW TO GET AHOLD OF YOU RIGHT NOW AND THEN IF ANYBODY WANTS TO GO OUTSIDE AND TALK.
>> THEN MARIA I KNOW HAS A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
>> CONTACT ME AT INFO, I-N-F-O AT L-M-ASSOCIATION, SO INFO@LMASSOCIATION.ORG. I WILL RETURN.
>> MARIA, I KNOW YOU HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU. YOU SAID THAT THERE WAS AN INVASIVE SPECIES STUDY AND THE MAPS WERE COMING OUT SOON.
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHEN THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE AVAILABLE?
>> FOR FOREST LAKE THE INFORMATION IS ALREADY AVAILABLE.
>> YOU SAID THEY WERE COLLECTING IT STILL AND HADN'T COMPILED ALL OF IT.
>> CRYSTAL BAY IT'S ALREADY DONE.
FOR FOREST LAKE, THEY JUST DID THE PI SURVEY HERE LAST WEEK.
I DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY'LL BE GETTING THOSE TO ME.
I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY HIM.
IS HE SAYS THERE IS A SPATTERING OF MILFOIL ACROSS THE ENTIRE FOREST LAKE,
[00:40:04]
IS BECOMING ESTABLISHED DOWN THERE.HE IS RECOMMENDING THAT IF WE DO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS BECAUSE OF HOW THE MILFOIL IS SPREAD ACROSS, HE IS RECOMMENDING THAT THEY LOOK AT A WHOLE LAKE TREATMENT.
IT'S SUCH A SMALL LAKE, AND IT'S VERY SUITABLE FOR THAT, AND IT'S PROBABLY THE LEAST EXPENSIVE APPROACH TO DEAL WITH THAT.
CRYSTAL BAY IS A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A LARGE LAKE AND IT'S SUCH A BAD IN BASED PROBLEM.
BUT IF YOU SEE THE MAP ON THAT ONE, YOU SEE HOW IT JUST RINGS ALL THE WEEDS RING THE LAKE.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE WEEDS ONLY GROW DOWN TO ABOUT 15-20 FEET.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO APPLY IN THAT AREA, AND THEN THEY WILL VERY LIKELY START WITH THE AREA WHERE IT IS THE WORST OR WHERE IT'S MOST OF A PROBLEM AS FAR AS RECREATION USE.
>> ARE THEY ABLE TO TELL YOU THE IMPACTS OF, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAD A WARM WINTER.
IS IT JUST A ONE OFF THAT MAYBE WE'RE SEEING THIS AND COME A REALLY COLD WINTER? WE MIGHT NOT SEE IT NEXT YEAR. HOW MUCH IS?
>> YEAH. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HERE KNOW A GENTLEMAN NAMED JUDD BRACKETT.
JUDD, HE WAS THE GODFATHER OF THESE TREATMENT PROGRAM STARTED ON LAKE MINNETONKA.
HE SAID, HE STOPPED TRYING TO GUESS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.
MOTHER NATURE ALWAYS THROWS A BALL IN IT.
I CAN TELL WITH A GREAT DEAL OF CERTAINTY, THAT WEEDS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET BAD AS LONG AS THE WATER CONTINUES TO CLEAR UP, WHICH IS GOOD.
WE WANT THE WATER TO CLEAR UP, BUT REALLY THE MILFOIL AND THE CURLY-LEAF AND OTHER WEEDS TEND TO BE VERY AGGRESSIVE, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GET BAD.
WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN CRYSTAL BAY.
THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN FOREST LAKE.
FOREST LAKE IS GOING TO BE VERY SIMILAR AS FAR AS PROBLEMS WITH WEEDS, AND I THINK SOME OF THE PEOPLE HERE CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT TONIGHT.
THE ANSWER IS, I CAN'T PREDICT WHAT NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BRING. FOR SURE.
I COULD TELL YOU THIS YEAR THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH CURLY POND WEED.
I HAD SOME OF THE BEST LIMINOLOGISTS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST TELL ME, YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF CURLY POND WEED THIS YEAR.
THE DNR SAID, WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET YOU TREAT AFTER APRIL 30TH BECAUSE THE CURLY POND WEED WILL BE GROWING VERY RAPIDLY BY THEN, AND WE DON'T WANT YOU TO BE TREATING AFTER THAT BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID OF WHAT'S GOING TO HURT SOME OF THE NATIVES.
I WAS WRONG, AND THE DNR WAS WRONG.
IT CAME IN, AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT CAME IN SO LATE IN THE SEASON BECAUSE THE WATER WAS SO COOL FOR SOME REASON.
IT JUST STAYED COOLER THAN THEY EXPECTED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OPEN ALL WINTER LONG.
THE THINGS, LIKE, SNOW COVER MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE IT BLOCKS A LOT OF THE LIGHT FROM GETTING IN THERE.
BUT IF YOU'VE GOT A LAYER OF CLEAR ICE THROUGH THERE, THE WEEDS GO NUTS, SO I CAN'T TELL YOU.
I'M JUST TRYING TO LEARN ABOUT IT.
THIS IS NEW TO ME, AND I DON'T LIVE ON THE LAKE, SO THIS IS VERY INTERESTING TO ME.
THEN I THINK THE LAST ONE IS JUST HOW ARE COMMUNICATIONS GOING FORWARD? LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S TREATED OR ACTS A LOT LIKE AN HOA. I THINK YOU HAD SAID.
HOW WOULD SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN AN HOA WHO HAS TO WAIT AND GET THEIR CONSENSUS? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GET COMMUNICATION SO THEY CAN GET THAT CONSENSUS?
>> THAT IS, I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES OUT THERE IS REACHING EVERYBODY.
NOW, IF ANY OF YOU HAVE HAD TO KNOCK ON DOORS RECENTLY, YOU KNOW HOW CHALLENGING IT IS TO GET PEOPLE TO ANSWER THE DOOR.
WHAT WE HAVE ARE THE ORGANIZERS HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF DOOR KNOCKING.
THEY'VE BEEN SENDING OUT E-MAILS AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
WE'VE SENT OUT POSTCARDS TO EVERYBODY AROUND THE LAKE.
WE'LL DO VERY LIKELY ANOTHER ROUND OF E-MAILS.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WANT TO DO ANOTHER ROUND OF POSTCARDS AROUND THE LAKE.
I THINK THE CITY ACTUALLY HOSTS THE CRYSTAL BAY WEBSITE, I DON'T KNOW.
>> PARDON. THEY HAVE A WEBSITE.
THE FOREST LAKE GROUP HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE. THEY'VE REACHED OUT.
I THINK THEY AND THEY'RE ALSO KNOCKING ON DOORS AND DOING A LOT OF WORK, MOVING FORWARD ON THAT.
WHAT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE HONESTLY ABOUT BOTH OF THE ORGANIZERS OR BOTH OF THE GROUPS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE DOING THIS, IS THAT WE REALLY DIDN'T START ON THIS UNTIL WHEN, THE LAST WEEK IN JULY.
SUSIE EASTMAN CALLED ME OUT OF THE BLUE AND SAID, I UNDERSTAND, YOU DO THE BAY TREATMENTS.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET INVOLVED? I SAID, IN YOUR CASE, I WOULD SKIP THROUGH THE PROCESS OF
[00:45:01]
THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND GO DIRECTLY TO TRYING TO GET A LID FORM.IT'S ABOUT AS MUCH WORK, AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO GET A BECAUSE OF I THINK THERE'S ABOUT 100 PEOPLE ON IT.
IT MIGHT BE EASIER JUST GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS THIS YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS GOOD ADVICE AT THIS POINT, BUT WE'LL SEE.
CRYSTAL BAY, AGAIN, THEY'VE BEEN REACHING OUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE BAY.
I THINK TWO YEARS AGO, MAYBE THREE YEARS AGO, NOW RICHIE ACTUALLY HOSTED A GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY.
I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT FOREST LAKE IS TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS ALSO TRYING TO GET A GATHERING, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO THE SAME THING AS YOU WANT TO DO.
THEY WANT TO HAVE THE VAST MAJORITY, NOT A SIMPLE MAJORITY, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE AROUND THE LAKES MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.
>> AS SOMEBODY WHO LIVES ON CARMEN'S BAY, SO I'VE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF HOW IT WAS BEFORE THE LID UP THERE.
THERE HAS BEEN A NICE IMPROVEMENT.
I GUESS THE ONE THING I'D LIKE TO SEE IN A PRESENTATION BECAUSE I CAN'T DECIPHER IT RICHIE, YOU PROBABLY COULD THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INVASIVE WEED AND A NON INVASIVE WEED, AND THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT THEY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE BECAUSE AS BOATS COME THROUGH, I LIVE IN A PRIVATE CHANNEL, SO WE GET A LOT OF STUFF FLOATING IN AND JUST STAYING.
MY NEIGHBOR AND MYSELF AND ANOTHER NEIGHBOR OFTEN HAVE TO STILL TAKE WEEDS OUT.
BUT I DO THINK THE LID INSTEAD OF A VOLUNTEER SITUATION IS A LOT BETTER WAY TO GO BECAUSE IT'S MORE EFFECTIVE.
I THINK IF YOU CAN GET SMALLER DONATIONS FROM MORE PEOPLE, IT'S GOING TO BE CONSISTENT OVER TIME.
THAT'S THE THING IS YOU HAVE TO GET ON TOP OF IT, AND THEN YOU CAN ATTACK IT BETTER.
>> I CAN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE.
YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FIVE PEOPLE TO AGREE TO ONE ITEM.
WHAT ABOUT ABOUT 200? IT'S A CHALLENGE.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. THANKS FOR SHARING.
>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD REAL QUICK, TWO THINGS.
ONE, THAT IF PEOPLE WANTED TO PUT COMMENT ON THE RECORD ABOUT THIS, THEY CAN DO IT AT THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I THINK DENNY ALREADY MENTIONED THAT, BUT JUST TO SAY IF THEY WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS OR WELCOME, DO THAT.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD IN MY EXPERIENCE.
FIRST, MARIA, I HAVE A PROPERTY ON FOREST, AND ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS STOPPED IN AND ASKED ME IF I'D PARTICIPATE.
I AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LID.
I ALSO HAD PROPERTIES ON CRYSTAL BAY.
I THINK OUR FIRST GOAL AROUND WAS LIKE 2,500 A PERSON.
I PARTICIPATED IN THAT, AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE BEFORE AND AFTER.
IT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE. CRYSTAL BAY OVER THERE IS TREMENDOUS.
>> WHAT I WILL SAY IS WHEN I FIRST LEARNED OF IT, IT WAS ANNOYING TO ME BECAUSE WE ALREADY PAY TAXES.
WE'RE ALSO BEING ASKED TO TREAT THE WEEDS IN THE TIRE BAY THAT A LOT PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM.
BUT ONCE I FINALLY GOT THROUGH PROCESSING WHAT THIS REALLY MEANT IS MY EVERYDAY NORMAL USE AND ENJOYMENT GOT BETTER.
IN THE END, OVER THE COURSE OF TIME, IT BECAME CHEAPER, LESS EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO MANAGE THE WEEDS IN MY PARTICULAR DOCK USE AREA BECAUSE THERE'S SOME EFFICIENCIES ONCE IT GETS UNDER CONTROL.
EVEN THOUGH WE ALREADY PAY A LOT OF MONEY IN TAXES.
BUT I THINK I WOULD PREFER THAT THE LID MANAGES IT OVER, LET'S SAY THE LMCD.
RICHIE'S DONE A GOOD JOB OF ACTUALLY REDUCING OUR COSTS WITH THE LMCD.
WE ARE PAYING A LITTLE BIT LESS IN OUR TAXES BECAUSE OF THAT, AND I'D RATHER HAVE IT GO TOWARDS DIRECT CONTROL OVER THE CHANGES THAT OCCUR TO MANAGE THE WEEDS ON THE LAKE.
>> I'LL BUILD ON THAT BECAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU IN EVERYTHING YOU SAID.
I'LL BUILD ON THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.
THAT 100%, 100% OF THE FUNDS PAID INTO THE LID, GO BACK INTO THE LAKE.
>> THEN ONE LAST QUESTION. ON CRYSTAL BAY AT ONE TIME WHEN I WAS LIVING THERE, WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF GRANT MONEY, IT SEEMED LIKE IF YOU'RE IN A LID, DOES THAT PRECLUDE YOU THEN FROM SEEKING OUT GRANTS TO HELP SUPPORT YOUR INITIATIVE?
>> NOT AT ALL. IN FACT, I WRITE THE GRANTS FOR CARMEN'S AND FOR SAN ALVIN'S BAY.
LAST YEAR, I THINK, ST. ALBANS BAY GOT SOMETHING.
I DON'T THINK CARMEN GOT ANYTHING LAST YEAR BEFORE THAT.
THIS YEAR, WE DIDN'T GET ANYTHING.
I DID GET A GRANT, LIKE I SAID, TO DO THE FLOWERING RUSH TREATMENT ON CRYSTAL BAY.
THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY THAT WE GOT FOR SPRING PARK BAY. BUT THAT WAS IT.
[00:50:04]
NO. IT'S THEY SAY IT'S DONE ON A LOTTERY SYSTEM.I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY CHOOSE IT, BUT SOME YEARS, WE'VE DONE MUCH BETTER THAN WE DID LAST YEAR.
>> WELL, THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS.
>> STILL I HAVE ONE MORE IDEA, TOO THAT I'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE IN THE PAST, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT.
BUT I THINK A LOT OF THE WEEDS AND THE INVASIVE WEEDS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR LAKE FROM OTHER LAKES.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A LAKE MINNETONKA BOAT STICKER BEING REQUIRED FOR EVERY BOAT ON LAKE MINNETONKA.
THE COST OF THAT STICKER CAN GO TO MAINTAIN THE HEALTH AND THE QUALITY OF LAKE MINNETONKA.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN OUTSTANDING IDEA TO HAVE SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE TO WHERE PEOPLE AT BOAT ON LAKE MINNETONKA ARE TAKING CARE OF IT.
>> BOARD PRESIDENT IS, IN FACT, I THINK HE'S USED TO SERVE ON YOUR PLANNING COMMISSION, A GENTLEMAN NAMED TOM FROM.
JUST RECENTLY SOLD HIS HOUSE ON CRYSTAL BAY HERE JUST RECENTLY HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THAT THING FOR YEARS.
WE'VE BEEN AT THE STATE CAPITOL TALKING ABOUT THAT.
WE'VE HAD IT'S LIKE BEATING YOUR HEAD ON A BRICK WALL.
I THINK IT GOES BACK, IF YOU WANT TO DO IT, YOU GOT TO DO IT YOURSELF, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT HAVING MUCH LUCK GETTING BECAUSE THAT IS THE COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO DO THIS.
EVERYBODY PUTS IN A LITTLE BIT, AND WE'RE PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF THE LAKE.
WE'RE MAKING IT A LAKE THAT IS OPEN FOR EVERYBODY TO ENJOY, WHETHER YOU LIVE ON THE LAKE OR WHETHER YOU LIVE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE STATE.
>> WELL, IF I OPEN IT UP TO YOU, IT'S NOT A PUBLIC HEARING, SO YOU WAIT JUST A FEW MINUTES.
WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF ITEMS TO GET THROUGH AND THEN WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND THEN THAT'S WHEN I'LL BE INVITING THE PUBLIC UP IN GENERAL TO COME UP AND TALK.
[INAUDIBLE] I WILL MOVE THAT TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT, CHIEF ANAL.
[Public Safety Report]
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I'VE GOT A QUICK REPORT HERE, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE SOME QUESTIONS TOO.
THE INCIDENTS FROM JULY 20 THROUGH AUGUST 2 THAT WE DID NOT REPORT LAST WEEK OR TWO WEEKS AGO ARE UP ON THE SCREEN.
THEY WERE INCLUDED IN OUR OVERALL SUMMARY OF WHAT OUR RESPONSE TIMES WERE, WE WERE AT WITH OUR GOALS, ALL THAT STUFF.
WE DID HAVE THE ONE LONG ON SCENE TIME FOR THE 700 BLOCK OF LAKEVIEW PARKWAY.
WE HAD OUR DUTY OFFICER THAT I ALLOWED TO BE OUT OF POSITION.
HE HAS A NEWBORN BABY AT HOME, SO I ALLOWED HIM TO STAY AT HOME THAT EVENING.
WE HAD SOME OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE LIGHTING AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF, WHICH LED UP TO THAT 33 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME. WE DID MAKE CHANGES.
THE DUTY OFFICER COULD NO LONGER BE OUT OF POSITION, AND THE LIGHTING ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED SINCE THEN BY THE VENDORS, SO.
THE FIRST ONE ON THE TOP HERE, WE DID RECEIVE A NICE THANK YOU FROM THE GENTLEMAN ON THE 3,400 BLOCK OF LARK.
AT THAT ONE, WE WERE CALLED FOR A LIFT ASSIST.
IT WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO HAD A DISLOCATED KNEE.
HE REACHED OUT RECENTLY TO ONE OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS WHO LIVED IN THAT AREA AND WANTED TO THANK US AND OPD FOR DOING A GOOD JOB.
THOSE CALLS DURING THAT TIME FRAME.
AND THEN WE HAVE CALLS FROM AUGUST 3RD TO THE 23RD, PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH WHAT WE EXPECTED WITH RESPONSE TIMES AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
WE DID HAVE A NICE LITTLE E-MAIL THAT CHIEF BARNAC RECEIVED, CONCERNING OUR HELP WITH THE CPR CALL DOWN ON THE 4,400 BLOCK OF NORTH SHORE DRIVE.
WE MAINTAINED THE PATIENT AIRWAY ALL THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL, AND THE E-MAIL WAS TALKED ABOUT BROTHER STILL ALIVE BECAUSE OF US AND OPD IN NORTH AND WHAT WE DID ON SCENE.
I WAS VERY NICE TO SEE THOSE COME THROUGH.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS ASKED OR LAST COUNCIL MEETING WAS AUTO AID MUTUAL AID PARTNERS.
THESE ARE ALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BOX ALARMS, BOX ALARMS ARE SET UP FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF CALLS SO THAT WE CAN JUST ELEVATE RESOURCES WITHOUT HAVING TO NAME OUT THE DIFFERENT FIRE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE WANT.
THOSE BOX ALARMS ARE SET UP FOR APARTMENT FIRES, BUSINESS FIRES, EXPLOSIONS, GARAGE FIRES, CHIMNEYS, AIR, INCIDENTS, HOUSE FIRES, SCHOOL FIRES, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
THESE ARE ON OUR BOX ALARMS. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS CAME BACK WAS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE US ON THEIR BOX ALARMS. CURRENTLY, WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAS US ON OUR BOX ALARMS JUST YET.
[00:55:03]
YOUR BOX ALARMS AND GET IT THROUGH HENNEPIN COUNTY AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.WE ARE THE NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE BLOCKS.
I THINK SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE A VIABLE ENTITY, AND BEFORE THEY WILL START MAKING SOME CHANGES.
I DON'T FAULT THEM FOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> YEAH, THERE'S SIRENS GOING.
IT STILL SAYS SEVERE THUNDER ON THIS, BUT NOT UPDATED.
>> ON THIS SLIDE, WE'VE GOT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WAS ASKED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON WAS, HOW MANY PAID ON CALL AND PART TIME FIREFIGHTERS DO WE CURRENTLY HAVE ON STAFF? WE CURRENTLY HAVE 22 PAID ON CALL AND PART TIME FIREFIGHTERS ON STAFF.
IF THAT WAS STILL THE CASE AS JULY 1ST ROLLED AROUND, IT WAS STILL THE CASE OF JULY 1ST.
WHAT'S GOOD TO REPORT IS WE HAVE TWO CONDITIONAL JOB OFFERS OUT TO A COUPLE OF PART TIME FIREFIGHTERS, AND THEY'RE MOVING THROUGH THEIR PRE EMPLOYMENT EXAMS. THEN WE HAVE BACKGROUNDS BEING PERFORMED ON TWO OTHERS, ONE PAID ON CALL AND ONE PART TIME FIREFIGHTER, TWO. GOOD NEWS THERE.
SOME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STUFF THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
OBVIOUSLY, NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IS THE ONE ON THE LEFT.
THE ONE IN THE CENTER WAS US ASSISTING IN SCHOOL WITH THEIR FLAG POLE, THAT WAS EARLIER IN THE SPRING HERE.
THEY HAD TO RESTRING THE FLAG POLE AND THE BUCKET TRUCK THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DID NOT REACH THE TOP OF THAT ONE, SO WE USED THE LADDER TRUCK TO HELP THEM OUT.
THEN THIS SATURDAY, WE WERE OUT DRIVING AROUND A COUPLE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND SAW A FAMILY IN THE YARD, AND THE LITTLE GIRL WANTED TO COME OUT AND TAKE A COUPLE OF PICTURES AND TOUR THE FIRE TRUCK AND STUFF.
UP TO THEM, SO THAT WAS A GOOD TIME ON SATURDAY.
WE DO HAVE SOME OTHER THINGS GOING ON.
WE DID GET NOTIFICATION THAT WE WILL BE RECEIVING A GRANT FROM THE DNR FOR $5,000.
I BELIEVE THE GRANT WAS PUT IN FOR PAGERS AND RADIOS.
THAT WAS NICE. THAT WAS A MATCHING GRANT.
WE ALREADY HAD PAID FOR THAT, SO IT WAS NICE TO GET THAT.
OBVIOUSLY, THE CHASSIS IS DOWN AT FIRE SAFETY USA IN ROCHESTER.
THAT'S A PICTURE OF IT ON THE LEFT, AND THEN THE BOX AND EVERYTHING IS BEING ASSEMBLED AND SHOULD BE SHIPPED OUT TO FIRE SAFETY USA LATER THIS WEEK.
WE SHOULD RECEIVE THAT SHOULD BE RECEIVED DOWN IN ROCHESTER NEXT WEEK, AND THEN THEY'LL START PUTTING IT TOGETHER AND THAT TAKES A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
HOPEFULLY WE HAVE OUR TANKER BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER HERE.
I DID REACH OUT TO COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON EARLIER THIS MORNING AND ASKED IF SHE HAD ANY QUESTIONS, AND SHE HAD SOME OTHER QUESTIONS BESIDES THE ONE SHE TALKED ABOUT.
ONE OF THEM WAS CURRENTLY, HOW DO WE FILL OUR DUTY CREWS? DO WE FILL THEM JUST WITH PART TIME PEOPLE? HOW DOES THAT PROCESS WORK? RIGHT NOW, OUR DUTY CREW HOURS ARE ALL FILLED BY ALL OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS, A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THEM, MAINLY BY OUR PART TIME FIREFIGHTERS.
WE DO USE AN ONLINE PROGRAM SCHEDULING PROGRAM, THAT LISTS OUT THE QUALIFICATIONS OF EACH ONES, AND SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR A QUALIFIED DRIVER, A FIREFIGHTER TO FILL SOME OF THOSE SLOTS.
IF THE SLOTS ARE LEFT OPEN, THEN WE'LL FILL THEM MANUALLY, WE'LL TRY AND GO IN AND TALK TO PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO ADD THEM.
IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, AS A LAST RESORT, I END UP FILLING SOME SLOTS FOR THE DUTY CREW.
ONE OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT SHE HAD WAS, HOW MANY OF OUR PART TIME DUTY CREWS ARE PROBATIONARY MEMBERS ARE PROBATIONARY.
ALL OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS CURRENTLY ARE ON PROBATION, THE CITY'S PERSONNEL POLICY.
WE HAVE A 12 MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH THEIR PROCESSES.
ALL OF OUR PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS, EXCEPT FOR ONE, AND ALL OF OUR PART TIME FIREFIGHTERS, ALL HAVE THEIR FIREFIGHTER 1, FIREFIGHTER 2, HAZMAT, GONE THROUGH ALL OF THE TRAINING MEMT AND EMR CERTIFICATIONS THROUGH, ALSO.
THEY HAVE VERY LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT THEIR BACKGROUND. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE THERE.
THEN ONE OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT SHE HAD WAS FROM A PAID ON CALL RESPONSE, WHAT REQUIRED TRAINING OR POSITIONS DO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE TRUCKS.
WHEN WE HAVE A PAID ON CALL RESPONSE OR AN ALL CALL RESPONSE, IN ORDER FOR A TRUCK TO MOVE, WE NEED A QUALIFIED DRIVER AND A CREW TO GO WITH BE ONE OTHER FIREFIGHTER OR TWO OTHER FIREFIGHTERS, IT DEPENDS ON WHO'S ALL COMING AT THE TIME, THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
RIGHT NOW EIGHT OF OUR 10 PAID ON
[01:00:01]
CALL FIREFIGHTERS HAVE THAT QUALIFICATIONS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE OUR TRUCKS.ONE OF THEM IS JUST STARTING BRAND NEW, SO HE WON'T HAVE ANY OF HIS STUFF UNTIL PROBABLY TWO YEARS FROM NOW, AT LEAST FROM A DRIVER'S PERSPECTIVE.
WE'RE STARTING HIM IN A AN ACADEMY COMING UP HERE IN SEPTEMBER FOR HIS EMT STUFF, AND THEN HE'LL ROLL INTO THE FIRE STUFF FROM THERE.
IF HE DOES RIDE ALONG IN A TRUCK, HE IS NOT TO GO UNLESS HE IS ASKED TO GET ON THE TRUCK BY THE OTHER FIREFIGHTER, OR FIREFIGHTERS WITH MORE EXPERIENCE.
THEN HE IS JUST AN OBSERVER ON THAT TRUCK AT THAT TIME.
OUR OTHER FIREFIGHTER IS WORKING THROUGH THAT QUALIFICATIONS, HOPEFULLY HE WILL BE DONE SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.
JOE. I THINK THAT WAS ALL OF HER QUESTIONS THAT SHE HAD SENT TO ME.
I'M OPEN FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT COUNSEL MAY HAVE OR MAY NOT HAVE.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE, I GUESS, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT, JAMES.
I GUESS THIS ONE'S FOR ADAM. ADAM WERE THOSE.
I KNOW THAT COMES UP ON YOUR REPORT EVERY WEEK ABOUT THE QUESTIONS.
WERE THOSE SIMILAR QUESTIONS YOU WERE BEING ASKED AS WELL? MELISSA?
>> YES, NO. THIS IS SIMILAR QUESTIONS.
>> SIMILAR QUESTIONS. THEN, JAMES, JUST AS FAR AS NFPA STANDARDS GO AND BENCHMARKING CALL TIMES OR STAFFING TO NFPA STANDARDS, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE DO DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY, QUARTERLY?
>> THIS LAST TIME WE DID IT BASICALLY FOR THE FIRST 30 DAYS TO TRY AND SEE WHERE WE HAD IT WAS 32 OR 33 DAYS OR WHATEVER.
WE'RE TRYING TO SET WHATEVER STANDARD THAT THE COUNCIL MAY BE LOOKING FORWARD TO REVIEW WITH ONLY HAVING 19 RESPONSE TIMES IN THAT FIRST 30, 35 DAYS OR WHATEVER IT WAS.
MAYBE CHECKING IT IN ON OUR QUARTER, AND THEN FROM THERE, AS WE START HITTING THE BENCHMARKS, MAYBE WE CAN INCORPORATE IT JUST INTO THE YEARLY TYPE YEAR END REPORT THAT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS DO FOR THE CITY.
>> YEP. IT'S FUN TO SEE THE TRUCKS THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT'S FOR SURE.
THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY OUT AND ABOUT DOING THEIR THING AND IT'S FUN TO SEE M I'VE SEEN THEM STOPPING AT THE LOMONAD STANDS.
WE'VE GOT LEMONADE AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.
THEY'RE DEFINITELY MAKING A PRESENCE OUT THERE, FOR SURE.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE THEM OUT THERE ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, FOR SURE.
IT'S A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF SERVICE VERSUS WHEN YOU'RE JUST WAITING FOR A VOLUNTEER ONLY WHEN THERE'S A CALL VERSUS WHEN WE HAVE THE FULL TIME FIREFIGHTERS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ON A CONSISTENT BASIS ALL DAY LONG, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, WHICH IS REALLY NICE TO SEE.
IT'S A GREAT MODEL TO PROVIDE FOR OUR CITIZENS.
>> THE CALLS THAT YOU PUT ON YOUR LIST THERE, WHICH ONES OF THOSE DID THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NOT RESPOND TO?
>> THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM.
THERE'S CERTAIN CALLS THAT THEY MIGHT JUST SAY LET FIRE HANDLE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, OR LIKE THE LIFT ASSIST TYPE CALLS AREN'T ACTUALLY A PAGE OUT FOR US.
IF THE OFFICER NEEDS ASSISTANCE AND THE REST OF THE CREW THAT'S OUT ON THE STREET IS TIED UP ON SOMETHING, THEY'LL THEN SAY, PAGE OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THIS MEDICAL OR THAT MEDICAL.
WE'RE ONLY PAGED OUT TO THE EMERGENT LIFE THREATS.
SIMILAR TO THE WAY THAT WHEN I WAS OVER AT LONG LAKE THAT WE WERE PAGED OUT TO THOSE EMERGENT LIFE THREATS ALSO.
>> THE RESPONSE NUMBERS YOU GAVE US WERE NOT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE TIMES.
I WAS JUST THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> IT WAS JUST THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. RESPONSE TIMES.
WE GOT A TRUCK ON SCENE, CORRECT?
>> THANK YOU. CHIEF. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> EVERYBODY'S AWARE WE'RE UNDER TORNADO WATCH RIGHT NOW WITH SEVERE HAIL.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE LOOKED AT YOUR PHONES.
BUT, ADAM, IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF COUNCIL, THE HALLWAY? ARE PEOPLE WHO GO TO THE HALLWAY?
>> OUR TORNADO SPOT IS DOWN IN OUR COPIER ROOM.
WE NEED TO MOVE. WE'LL MOVE THAT WAY.
>> EVERYBODY IS WELCOME THERE NOW.
I'M ASSUMING IF THEY WANTED TO.
>> THAT DOOR IS NOT UNLOCKED RIGHT NOW, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO UNLOCK THAT DOOR.
>> MAYBE WE SHOULD DO THAT JUST SO ANYBODY THAT WAS OPEN. THANKS, JAMES.
>> JAMES WILL BE THERE. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. WELL, THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR ATTORNEY REPORT.
[Attorney Report]
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I DON'T HAVE A REPORT.
WE DO HAVE A CLOSE SESSION AFTER THE MEETING, SO I'LL LEAVE MY COMMENTS ON THERE.
THE ONE THING I WOULD POINT OUT IS YOUR NEXT MEETING IS SEPTEMBER 9TH.
I DO HAVE A CONFLICT THAT NIGHT, SO I'LL BE SENDING SOMEONE.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, BUT OTHERWISE, I'LL SAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FOR THE CLOSED SESSION.
>> ADAM, WE GOT OUR CITY ADMINISTRATOR ENGINEER REPORT,
[City Administrator/Engineer Report]
[01:05:02]
AND WE ALREADY TOOK CARE OF NUMBER 14.>> JUST AS A PERSONNEL UPDATE, TAYLOR [INAUDIBLE], OUR NEW PARKS AND FACILITIES SUPERINTENDENT DID JOIN US LAST WEEK.
WE'RE VERY GLAD TO HAVE HIM JOINING THE TEAM AND TAKING OVER THAT PARK.
>> WELCOME, TAYLOR. HE WAS A GREAT HIRE.
WONDERFUL MAN. ALL RIGHT, WELL, THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS.
[15. Council Committee Reports]
IT LOOKS LIKE WE DID HAVE OUR COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE MET ON AUGUST 22ND WITH ME AND COUNCIL MEMBER EACH AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR ADAM AND NOLA DICKINSON.>> IT WAS A QUICK QUICK MEETING.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE TIMELINE FOR POSTING AND HIRING THE COMMUNICATIONS ROLE.
THEN TALKED ABOUT GETTING COMMUNICATION OUT ABOUT THE TRAFFIC CHANGE AT SIX AND OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD, WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN PROMOTED WELL.
>> WELL, THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.
[Public Comments]
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.WE DO IT LIMIT TO THREE MINUTES A PERSON.
THE COUNCIL WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION OR TAKE ACTION AND ITEMS PRESENTED AT THIS TIME.
HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL MAY REFER ISSUES TO STAFF OR FOLLOW UP OR CONSIDERATION IN A FUTURE MEETING.
SPEAKERS SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME, AND HOME ADDRESS AND CITY AT THE PODIUM BEFORE SPEAKING.
WE'LL FIRST OPEN UP THE PODIUM TO CITY OF ORONO RESIDENTS BEFORE OPENING UP THE PODIUM TO ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
I'LL START WITH ANY ORONO RESIDENTS LIKE TO COME UP.
YOU CAN STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
THANK YOU. ADAMS ARE A GATEKEEPER FOR THE TIME, SO YOU CAN LOOK RIGHT UP ON THINK ABOUT, I'LL SAY, SO.
>> I'M GOING TO TRY AND TALK FAST THEN.
MY NAME IS JIM TYSON, MY ADDRESS 1295 ELMWOOD AVENUE.
FIRST OR LAST I DECIDED FIRST AS THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE AT HAND.
ONE OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OWNS PROPERTY ON FOREST LAKE.
THIS IS NOT TO SUGGEST BIAS ONLY TO DISCLOSE THE FACT.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
MY FAMILY AND I HAVE LIVED ON FOREST LAKE FOR 27 YEARS.
MY PARENTS BOUGHT A COTTAGE ON WEST ELM NEXT TO FOREST LAKE CHANNEL IN 1957, AND TURNED IT INTO A YEAR ROUND HOME IN 1968.
I'M 68 YEARS OLD AND HAVE LIVED ON OR NEAR FOREST LAKE NEARLY ALL MY LIFE.
I HAVE SEEN SUMMER COTTAGES LIKE MY FAMILY WITH EIGHT KIDS LIVING IN A ONE ROOM DORM, TO NOW HAVING 10,000 SQUARE FOOT HOMES LIKELY THAT HAVE ONLY TWO PEOPLE LIVING IN IT.
I'VE ALSO SEEN NATIVE WEEDS, AND FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, I'VE SEEN MILFOIL.
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE IN MY MAILBOX ON AUGUST 9TH.
I LIKE MOST WAS INTRIGUED BY THE IDEA SOLVING MY WEED PROBLEM FOR $250, WHICH EQUATES TO $23,000 WITH ALL PARTICIPATION.
THE FOLLOWING DAY, I DID A VISUAL OBSERVATION OF THE BAY AND POSTED MY THOUGHTS ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.
I HAVE SINCE REMOVED MY POST, BUT HAVE THEM FOR RECORD.
I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN ON AUGUST 21ST THAT THE MILFOIL I HAVE BEEN REMOVING ALL YEAR IS, IN FACT, COONTAIL.
ON AUGUST 24TH, I COMPLETED A MORE COMPLETE LAKE OBSERVATION WITH 21 PHOTOS, NOTES REGARDING MY FINDINGS, NAMES OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHERE SAMPLES WERE TAKEN.
MY FINDINGS ARE THAT WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT COONTAIL POPULATION THAT OUTPACES MILFOIL.
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PRIVATE EMAIL EXCHANGES WITH KATHY SUKY AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH ERIC EVENSON.
I HAVE ALL MY DATA CHRONOLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION THAT I HAVE GATHERED.
I AM WILLING TO SHARE IT AS PUBLIC RECORD.
WHAT IS COONTAIL YOU MIGHT ASK? IT IS A NATIVE WEED.
IRONICALLY, NATIVE WEED, AND THEREBY CANNOT BE WIDESPREAD TREATED, DOES NOT HAVE ROOTS AND FLOATS FREELY IN THE WATER COLUMN.
GROWTH IS ACCELERATED WITH MODERATE HIGH LEVELS OF NUTRIENTS, IS VOLATILE TO EXTREME WATER FLUCTUATION AND IS LASTLY EASILY CONFUSED WITH MILFOIL.
MY QUESTION, WHAT CAUSES HIGH NUTRIENT LEVELS? IS IT LAWN FERTILIZER? IS IT LAKE VIEW GOLF COURSE DEVELOPED? DEVELOPMENT, THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS, DRAINAGE, OR WAS IT FROM THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT PRODUCT USED TO KILL THE VEGETATION? OR IS IT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE STORM SEWERS NEXT TO MY HOME IN A HEAVY RAIN, THERE'S A RIVER GOING DOWN DIRECTLY INTO THE LAKE? THIS ALSO CARRIES CITY AND COUNTY ROAD SALTS DIRECTLY TO THE LAKE.
IS THERE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE, SUCH AS A DROUGHT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS? A HISTORICALLY WARM WINTER, LITTLE ICE OR SNOW COMBINED WITH ICE OUT ON MARCH 5TH.
THEN WE HAD EXTREME WET SPRING, SUMMER WHERE THE LAKE RAISED TO NEARLY 6 " ABOVE SEASONALLY HIGH.
REMEMBER I SAID EARLIER, COONTAIL IS VERY VOLATILE WITH EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.
DO WE KNOW IF WE HAVE MILFOIL PROBLEM OR COON TAIL PROBLEM? ERIC, DO YOU HAVE THE RESULTS? NO, WE DON'T. SINCE COONTAIL IS A NATIVE WEED, CAN THERE BE A LAKE WIDE TREATMENT PERMITTED BY THE DNR? MY UNDERSTANDING, NO.
>> I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU GET TOGETHER WITH ERIC AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE AND DEFINITELY SHARE ALL THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE IT'S DEFINITELY A NEIGHBORHOOD LAKE ISSUE.
WE'RE JUST AN ADMINISTRATOR AS WHO WE ARE.
[01:10:01]
>> THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED, I UNDERSTOOD A PERIOD OF TIME.
>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO WHO'D LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT?
>> MY NAME IS MARY KAPIS, AND I'M A HOMEOWNER ON FOREST LAKE BAY.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT IS JUST MY EXPERIENCE TALKING TO MY NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE LIVING ON THE WATER.
IT'S BEEN A VERY PLEASANT EXPERIENCE, KNOCKING ON DOORS, AS I'M SURE WHEN YOU'RE CAMPAIGNING, IT'S THE SAME THING. KNOCKING ON DOORS.
WE HAVE FLARED 100% OF THE HOMES ON THE LAKE AT LEAST ONE TIME.
WE HAVE FOLLOWED UP WITH SOME TICKLERS TO GET KEEP INTERESTS GOING.
I'LL SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE AND WHAT I'M HEARING FROM NEIGHBORS BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
QUICKLY ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE, WE ARE POSTING DAILY INFORMATION AS WE'RE LEARNING MORE.
IT'S A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF US.
WHAT ARE THE WEEDS? WHAT GETS TREATED? WHAT WON'T BE TREATED? AGAIN, WE'RE FOCUSING ON INVASIVE WEEDS WITH THIS PROJECT.
WE HAVE 50 PLUS MEMBERS ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.
THERE'S A VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY SO FAR THAT WE'RE ENJOYING SHARING STORIES, CHALLENGES, UNA ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT IN BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF FOREST LAKE BAY AND WHAT WE'RE ENJOYING ABOUT BEING HOMEOWNERS.
AS I WALK AROUND, IT'S FASCINATING.
I'M ENJOYING MEETING MY NEIGHBORS.
WHAT I'M STRUCK BY, I MOVED FROM ANOTHER BAY.
I'M STRUCK BY THE PILES AND PILES OF WEEDS ON PEOPLE'S STOCKS.
THE ENERGY AND TIME THAT'S BEING SPENT RAKING, LIFTING, DRYING, HAULING UP THE HILL, PUTTING ON TRUCKS, PICK UP TRUCKS, TAKING TO THE DISPOSAL SITES.
ONE NEIGHBOR IN PARTICULAR, WHO IS AGED.
THIS COUPLE IS AGED, THEIR ELDERLY COUPLE WAS AT THEIR HOUSE DROPPING OFF INFORMATION, AND SHE'S IN A BLOW UP RAFT.
WITH A LIFE JACKET, WITH A RAKE, WITH A PADDLE, PADDLING OUT TO WHERE THE RING OF MILFOIL IS.
AROUND THEIR DOCKS, IT'S EASY TO MAINTAIN, BUT WHEN WE GET OUT FURTHER, IT'S REALLY HARD TO TACKLE THAT WEEDS OUT THERE. SHE'S RAKING.
HER HUSBAND'S GOT HER TIED UP, PULLING HER IN WHILE SHE PULLS THE WEEDS IN, AND AGAIN, LOADING EVERYTHING ONTO THE DOCK.
THEY HAVE NOW TAKEN EIGHT TRIPS TO THE DUMP, PICK UP LOADS OF WEEDS, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A CLEAR PATH TO GET THEIR BOAT OUT AND ENJOY THE BAIT.
OTHER STORIES, NEIGHBORS HAVE TOLD ME THEY'VE HAD CHILDREN TIED UP IN THE WEEDS, STRUGGLING TO SWIM AND HAVE HAD HOW THEIR NEIGHBORS RESCUE.
WE RECENTLY HAD A GOLDEN DOODLE JUMP OFF ONE OF THE BOATS, TRIED TO MAKE IT TO SHORE, GOT TANGLED IN WEEDS. IT ENDED WELL.
ANOTHER SWIMMER JUMPED IN AND WAS ABLE TO FREE THE PUPPY AND GET THAT DOG TO SHORE.
AS I GO AROUND THERE ARE FOUR OR FIVE THINGS THAT NEIGHBORS KEEP SAYING TO ME ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.
NUMBER 1, WE WANT IT TO BE FAIR.
I WILL SIGN THE PETITION IF IT'S FAIR, IF EVERYONE PARTICIPATES.
WE ALL PARTICIPATE, AND WE ALL CELEBRATE WHEN THIS WEEDS, THE INVASIVE WEEDS ARE UNDER CONTROL.
SECONDLY, IS IT SUSTAINABLE? PEOPLE ARE ASKING, ARE YOU GOING TO HIT IT HARD AND THEN WALK AWAY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS?
THE THREE MINUTES [INAUDIBLE].
HOLD EVERYBODY TO THAT. I APPRECIATE.
THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT?
>> YEAH, MY NAME IS RICHIE ANDERSON.
I LIVE AT 3205 CRYSTAL BAY ROAD.
THIS IS WHY THIS OPEN FORUM IS GREAT BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS NOT GOING TO WANT TO PARTICIPATE.
I HEARD A NUMBER OF 70%, AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH 70% BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT CARMEN'S BAY DID.
WHEN CARMEN'S CAME UP HERE, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD 70, 75%, THERE WAS OPEN FORUM, AND THOSE THAT WERE AGAINST IT HAD OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ALSO BEFORE IT WENT TO ENACTMENT.
NOW, THE COONTAIL, THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE USED FOR THE HERBICIDE TREATMENT APPROVED BY THE DNR, THE COONTAIL, WHAT WE WANT TO HAVE COME BACK IS COONTAIL IN THE NATIVE SPECIES.
WHEN YOU WIPE OUT THE MILFOIL AND CURLY PINE WEED, IT ALLOWS THE NATIVES TO COME BACK.
THE HERBICIDE SHOULDN'T TAKE OUT THE COONTAIL OTHERWISE, IT WOULDN'T BE APPROVED BY DNR BECAUSE IT IS A NATIVE SPECIES.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED ON THE MAP OF CRYSTAL BAY, BUT THE FLOWERING RUSH IS A MAJOR INVASIVE SPECIES.
YOU CAN NOTICE ON THE TOP SIDE OF CRYSTAL BAY, AND THE LMA HAS BEEN THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE BEEN GOING AFTER THIS FLOWERING RUSH.
[01:15:01]
FLOWERING RUSH TAKES OVER ANY PART OF THE BAY.LMA, WE'VE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LMA ME AND GABRIEL TO WIPE OUT FLOWERING RUSH.
WE DIDN'T DO IT LAST YEAR CAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY.
HOWEVER, THEY ARE THE GUYS THAT ARE TACKLING THE MOST INVASIVE SPECIES.
NO COMMENT OBVIOUSLY FROM YOU GUYS.
BUT THE 70% OF 200 AND SOME NAMES IN CRYSTAL BAY.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WHEN WE GET TO 140, WE'LL COME BACK AND SEE WHAT THE FLAVOR IS FOR HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE 70% NUMBER, TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU. THANK YOU.
I LIVE AT 970 FOREST ARMS LANE.
I THINK 70% IS MORE THAN FAIR.
I'VE LIVED THERE MY ENTIRE LIFE.
I SAW SOME HUGE ISSUES AS FAR AS NO SNOW ON TOP OF THE ICE, THE GROWTH OF THE WEEDS EARLY, THE SHALLOW WATERS, THE BOOMING WEED POPULATION AT FURTHER DEPTHS THAN I'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE BECAUSE OF THE SHALLOW WATERS THAT THEN HAD HUGE RISES IN THE WATER TABLE THAT MADE THIS AN ISSUE MUCH MORE THAN I'VE EVER SEEN IN THE PAST ON FOREST LAKE BAY.
I THINK IT'S A ONE-OFF SITUATION, AND I'D LOVE TO SEE IT JUST WAIT FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
I HOPE IT DOESN'T PASS THIS YEAR MYSELF AND NEXT YEAR, MAYBE IT JUST WON'T BE AN ISSUE FOR US.
I THINK THAT AS I GO AROUND AND I START TO TALK TO PEOPLE IN OUR BAY, THAT I THINK MOST OF THEM WERE ILL INFORMED WITH HOW IT WAS PRESENTED TO EVERYONE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK OF MILFOIL AND THAT THIS TREATMENT WAS GOING TO KILL EVERY WEED AND EVERYONE'S SHORELINE.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT SAID THIS TO ME, IT'S MIND BLOWING.
I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO KEEP WEEDING MY SHORELINE. NEITHER DO I.
WE HIRED SCUBA DIVERS THIS YEAR TO DO IT, AND I DON'T WANT TO KEEP HAVING TO DO THAT BECAUSE I STILL HAVE TO RAKE IT UP.
BUT THAT WAS HOW IT WAS CONVEYED TO THE ENTIRE LAKE THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR WEED ISSUE ON YOUR SHORE AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANYTHING.
IT'S NOT THE CASE. WHAT I SAW WAS COONTAIL EVERYWHERE, AND I SEE VERY LITTLE MILFOIL, AND I HOPE THAT THE SURVEY FROM ERIC SHOWS THE SAME THING. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT?
>> HI, MY NAME IS SANDY WHISTLER, 2863 NORTH FOR DRIVE.
I'M ACTUALLY THRILLED THERE'S DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE THAN AS TYPICAL.
I'M HERE TO URGE MY FELLOW ORONO NEIGHBORS TO PAY ATTENTION AND VOTE IN NOVEMBER. HERE'S WHY.
THE ANNUAL COST OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR IS ALMOST 2.5 TIMES WHAT IT WAS IN 2022.
THE PROJECTED COST FOR 2025 IS THREE TIMES AS MUCH.
WHY IS THAT? WE'RE A CITY OF 10,000 PEOPLE, YET WE'RE CREATING A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INDEPENDENT FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ANSWER LESS THAN ONE CALL PER DAY.
IN 2023, THERE WERE 311 CALLS IN THIS AREA OF ORONO.
APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THESE CALLS ARE MEDICAL CALLS.
MEDICAL CALLS DO NOT REQUIRE THE SAME FIRE VEHICLE RESPONSE AS OTHER CALLS.
FIRE AND POLICE FOR THAT MATTER ARE FIRST RESPONDERS.
[INAUDIBLE] CONFIRMED FOR ME ON AUGUST 16 THAT ONCE THE PARAMEDICS ARRIVE ON A SCENE, THEY ARE IN CHARGE.
I AM NOT CRITICAL OF THEM AT ALL.
I'M A NURSE AND A FORMER EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NURSE.
MY POINT IS 70% OF THE CALLS ARE MEDICAL AND ONCE THE PARAMEDICS ARRIVE ON THE SCENE, THE PARAMEDICS, NOT THE FIREFIGHTERS, ARE IN CHARGE.
UP FOR ELECTION IN THIS NOVEMBER, ARE COUNCIL MEMBER VEACH, CROSBY, AND MARIA WALSH.
COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE] VEACH DID NOT RUN FOUR YEARS AGO.
SHE WAS APPOINTED JUNE OF LAST YEAR TO REPLACE A COUNCILWOMAN WHO COINCIDENTALLY HAS THE SAME CONFLICT OF INTERESTS AS MISS VEACH, A CURRENT FIREFIGHTER WIFE, WHO IS INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
MR. WALSH WAS THE SOLE CANDIDATE ON THE BALLOT FOUR YEARS AGO.
HOWEVER, NOW, THERE ARE CHOICES.
THERE ARE CHOICES FOR THE OPEN COUNCIL SEAT AND FOR THE MAYORS.
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS I FOUND INTERESTING IN THE 2025 WORKING PRELIMINARY BUDGET, PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND RESERVES FROM 45% TO 35%.
THE CELL TOWER ANTENNA LEASE REVENUE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE FIRE CAPITAL FUND.
EBEN COUNTY IS NO LONGER CHARGING CITIES WITH A POPULATION UNDER $30,000 ASSESSMENT FEES.
OUR TOWN OF 10,000 PEOPLE IS CREATING AN ENTIRELY NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 300 CALLS OR SO A YEAR.
TO DATE, THERE'S BEEN NO PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING THE CREATION OF THIS COSTLY INDEPENDENT FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHAT COULD CONCERNED CITIZENS DO?
[01:20:01]
ATTEND MAYOR WALSH'S COFFEE WITH THE MAYORS, SEPTEMBER 11TH, OCTOBER 9TH, AT 9:00 IN THIS ROOM.ATTEND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN'S VOTERS FORUM, OCTOBER 1ST, 7:00 IN THIS ROOM FOR THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL AND MORAL CANDIDATES.
CHECK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR HOW YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS.
THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE HELD IN THIS ROOM.
MOST CRITICALLY, VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5TH.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO, WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT?
>> RYAN TURBEVILLE 997 WILD HURST TRAIL, AND MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS WERE HERE.
I'VE NEVER MET BEFORE, AND WE WEREN'T HOME FOR THE DOOR KNOCKING, AND I'M NOT HERE FOR THE WEED CONTROL.
SO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, I BELIEVE, WOULD HAVE HAD ITS FIRST MAJOR TASK THIS PAST WEEKEND, WHEN THERE WAS A FIRE IN TONKA BAY.
THERE WERE FIVE FIRE DEPARTMENTS DISPERSED, AND IF I'M WRONG ON ANY OF THESE FACTS, I'D LOVE TO BE CORRECTED AFTER THIS.
ORONO NORTH SHORE FIRE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.
NOW, IS THAT BECAUSE AND I DON'T KNOW THE REASON, I'LL ASK.
WAS THAT BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBORS, WE FORMED A COUNCIL THAT CAN'T GET ALONG WITH OUR NEIGHBORS WELL ENOUGH TO GET HELP WHEN HOPKINS RESPONDED, AND ORONO WITHIN MILES DID NOT, SO IS THAT WHAT WE'VE RESORTED TO IN THIS COMMUNITY? WE HAVE NO NEIGHBORS, WE HAVE NO NEIGHBORHOOD, WE HAVE NO NEIGHBORLY FRIENDLY THINGS. IS THAT WHERE WE'RE AT? WE JUST GOT A REPORT ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHY DIDN'T WE HEAR THERE WAS A FIRE, AND I'M PRETTY SURE IT WAS TONKA BAY.
WHY WASN'T THAT PART OF THE REPORT? WHERE IS ORONO FIRE FOR THIS EVENT?
>> THIS IS NOT A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.
ACTUALLY, THE CHIEF ACTUALLY SPOKE TO THAT EARLIER.
>> SO I GOT A MINUTE 43. I'LL WAIT.
>> SO I UNDERSTAND ON THE VIDEO, YOU CAN'T HEAR WHAT PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE ARE SAYING AND I WATCH VIDEOS QUITE OFTEN.
THIS COUNCIL, I WOULD ASK TO MIMIC WHAT THE PREVIOUS RESIDENT SAID THAT WE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON, THE ATTITUDE THAT WE PUT OUT TOWARDS THE RESIDENTS, THE DISCORD.
OTHER COUNCIL MEETINGS I'VE BEEN TO, OTHER COMMUNITIES.
THERE'S NOT POLICE THERE, BUT THERE'S A POLICE PRESENCE AT EVERY ORONO COUNCIL.
WOULD SOMEBODY ASK WHY? IT'S THE DISCORD PUT FROM THE COUNCIL BACK HERE THAT THEN MAKES YOU FEEL THREATENED THAT YOU NEED POLICE HERE.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO SUPPLY RESOURCES TO HAVE POLICE SIT AT EVERY SINGLE COUNCIL MEETING? IF MY HOUSE STARTS ON FIRE, AND I'M IN THE AFFECTED AREA.
IF MY HOUSE STARTS ON FIRE, IS MOUND OR EXCELSIOR OR OTHER LOCAL ARE THEY GOING TO SHOW UP TO HELP MY HOUSE?
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.
>> IT WAS A BAD DECISION, AND IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AT THE NEXT ELECTION.
>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP THAT'S NOT FROM ORONO?
>> KELLY GRADY 271 GREEN HILL LANE, LONG LAKE.
A FEW MEETINGS AGO, MARIA MADE A REQUEST THAT MEMBERS OF THE LONG LAKE PLURAL OF THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT NO LONGER DO UNANNOUNCED VISITS AT THE ORONO FIRE STATIONS, AND THAT IT WAS FELT THAT IT WAS INTIMIDATION.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I THINK THAT THAT STATEMENT IS MISLEADING AND ALSO HYPOCRITICAL.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WASN'T MEMBERS, THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY A SINGULAR MEMBER, THAT IT WAS CHIEF CODY FARLEY, WHO STOPPED BY ORONO FIRE FOLLOWING A LATE NIGHT WIRE DOWN CALLS, WHICH HAPPENED IN MULTIPLE CITIES THAT NIGHT.
I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF THEM.
ACCORDING TO FARLEY, HE FELT THAT IT WAS A NICE EXCHANGE.
I DON'T THINK HE EVEN WENT INTO THE BUILDING.
HE CHATTED WITH FOUR OF THE SIX FIREFIGHTERS OR LLFT FIREFIGHTERS AS WELL, AND HE REALLY FELT THAT IT WAS AN OLIVE BRANCH.
THE COLLABORATION I'VE SEEN THIS COUNCIL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK THEREOF COMING FROM THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S ALSO HYPOCRITICAL BECAUSE WHAT YOU ASK IS FOR PEOPLE TO DO ONE THING, AND YET YOU DO ANOTHER YOURSELF.
AT THE JULY 17 FIRE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING, YOU THANKED CHIEF FARLEY FOR BRINGING A DIRECT COMMUNICATION TO ORONO, SEEMING TO IMPLY THAT THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE INDIRECT COMPLAINTS MADE.
[01:25:03]
YET, THEN YOU MAKE THIS INDIRECT REQUEST FROM THE DAIS, AND IT'S NOT A DIRECT FORM OF COMMUNICATION.FURTHER, THE STOP AND CHAT IS A TACTIC THAT YOU DEPLOY.
IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED HERE THAT YOU FEEL IT'S WELL WITHIN YOUR DUTIES TO STOP BY THE LONG LAKE CITY HALL AND HAVE PRIVATE UNPLANNED CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO DISCUSS FIRE NEGOTIATIONS AND SEE WHERE THERE MIGHT BE ROOM FOR COLLABORATION AND COMPROMISE.
YOU DID THE SAME WITH THE CITY OF WAYZATA.
WHY SHOULD WE ALL ACCEPT THAT YOUR INTENTIONS ARE PURE, BUT CHIEF FARLEY'S ARE MALICIOUS.
I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE FINGER POINTING THAT THIS COUNCIL DOES, AND SEEMINGLY NEVER TURNS THAT FINGER AROUND ON ITSELF.
THIS INCLUDES MAYOR WALSH, WHO AT THE MOST RECENT COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR, WHO INSTEAD OF ANSWERING MULTIPLE QUESTIONS FROM ORONO RESIDENTS THAT YOU JUST DEFLECTED.
THE RESIDENTS ASKED YOU ABOUT THE BUDGET, THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH CITIZENS, AND YOUR INABILITY OR UNWILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE A BUDGET TO THE ORONO TAXPAYERS.
YOU WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE OVERAGES RELATED TO THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
YET OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, YOU WERE ABLE TO DISCUSS RATES AND DATES RELATED TO LOANS.
YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING RELATED TO FIRE.
YOU ALSO REPEATEDLY POINTED THE FINGER BACK AT THE LONG LAKE CITY COUNCIL, WHICH JOHN DYVIK RECENTLY, ADDRESSED AT THE AUGUST 20TH MEETING, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE CITIZENS, ORONO CITIZENS TO GO WATCH THAT MEETING.
HE TALKED ABOUT WHY ORONO'S FLAT TAX RATE STILL MEANS CONTINUED DOUBLE DIGIT INCREASES WITH ORONO, HOW ORONO HAS HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF LONG LAKE FIRE BUDGETS AND EXPENDITURES AND HOW ORONO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERFUNDING THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S THIS DISINGENUOUS BEHAVIOR THAT HAS LED TO THE GENERAL MISTRUST OF THIS COUNCIL?
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT'D LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT THAT'S HERE?
>> I'VE TRIED TO FIND SOME INFORMATION.
>> COULD YOU SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS?
>> DAVID INCH 5780 NORTH FARM DRIVE.
ANYWAY, I HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MATT.
WHEN I LEFT HERE, HE CALLED ME A LIAR.
I SENT HIM A TEXT MESSAGE, AND I SAY SPECIFICALLY, WHAT WAS I LYING ABOUT? CRICKETS. ANYWAY, WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED HAPPENING, I SAID TO, DO I NEED TO GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL, AND HE SAYS, BRING IT ON.
APPARENTLY I THOUGHT HE KNOWS SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WHEN YOU'RE SITTING BEHIND THAT CHAIR, YOU HAVE A SPECIAL LICENSE, POSSIBLY.
I DID THIS WORK FOR HIM, $26,000.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO PAY THE BILL.
I'VE TOLD HIM, I'VE SENT TEXT MESSAGES.
IT'S HARD TO RESPOND TO A TEXT MESSAGE WHEN YOU'RE 100% IN THE WRONG.
HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT? I THINK HE JUST NEEDS TO MAN UP.
WHAT I'VE DONE IS I GET HOME LATE TONIGHT, BUT I'M GOING TO PRINT UP ALL OF THE TEXT MESSAGES WE'VE HAD, ALL OF THE NON RESPONSES FROM MATT.
HE'S JUST GOT TO MAN UP, HE'S GOT TO CALL ME.
MY SON CALLED THE CITY INSPECTOR, AND HE'S JUST EXPRESSED HIS CONCERNS ABOUT MATT, OF COURSE.
HE SAID, I GOT TO BE CAREFUL WHAT I SAY, HE WAS OUT ON A JOB.
AND JAKE SAID SOMETHING TO HIM AND HE SAYS, WELL, I GOT TO BE CAREFUL WHAT I SAY.
THAT'S MY BOSS. SO DOES THAT MEAN ONE COVERS FOR THE OTHER? THERE'S NO SAYING SOMEBODY HAD ONCE SAID THERE'S HONOR AMONG THIEVES.
I'M NOT SAYING YOU GUYS ARE THIEVES, BUT WHAT I HAVE NOTICED IS ONE TRIES TO COVER FOR THE OTHER ONE, AND IT KIND OF REMINDS ME OF WASHINGTON, DC.
BUT I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WHAT WOULD YOU DO? I KNOW YOU CAN'T ANSWER, BUT THIS IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY, AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE, AND I'M GONNA BE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
MY WIFE'S BEEN RESEARCHING STUFF.
SHE'S TALKED TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
WE'RE GOING TO BRING AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN.
I WANT TO SEE YOU OUT OF HERE.
YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE DO WORK AND NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THEM.
THAT'S NOT THE WAY A MAN OPERATES.
YOU'RE BEHIND THE PULPIT, ON THE MIC, BUT YOU'RE NOT HONEST.
WHEN YOU CALL SOMEBODY A LIAR, IT USUALLY MEANS YOU'RE THE LIAR.
YOU DON'T THROW THAT OUT THERE.
I DON'T WANT TO WASTE EVERYBODY'S TIME, BUT THAT'S THE WAY I FEEL.
>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? THERE SEEM NONE, I'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND WE WILL MOVE IT TO THE MAYOR COUNCIL REPORT.
[Mayor/Council Report]
COUNSEL CAN YOU KEEP THE LANGUAGE DOWN? BE APPROPRIATE, PLEASE?>>. I ATTENDED THE GUNS AND HOSES EVENT FROM WEST METRO FIRE VERSUS THE CRYSTAL AND NEW HOPE POLICE.
[01:30:02]
THEY HELPED COLLECT DONATIONS FOR THE NEAR FOOD SHELF.LIKE TO ALSO MENTION THE BACK TO SCHOOLS COMING UP. WE ALL KNOW.
JUST WANTED TO REITERATE THERE IS THE TRAFFIC CHANGE ON OLD CRYSTAL BAY IN SIX, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG DRIVERS, PLEASE MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS.
I'D LIKE TO ALSO MENTION THAT THE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ARE HOSTING THEIR FEMININE PRODUCTS DRIVE FOR AT FRESHMAN ORIENTATION ON AUGUST 29, OUTSIDE THE HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE, IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING.
THEN FINALLY, WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY NATIONAL DOG DAY.
THOUGHT TODAY WOULD BE THE TIME TO GO FIND A SPOT AT LURTON PARK, BUT WITH THE HEAT ADVISORY, DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT, SO GO TO REIN CHECK ON THAT ONE.
I GO NEXT. HI, COUNCILMAN MC CROSBY.
FIRST, I'D LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING INTO LABOR DAY WEEKEND.
I'D LIKE TO WISH ALL THE KIDS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL THE BEST OF LUCK AND HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR AND KILL IT THIS YEAR, DO A GREAT JOB, STUDY HARD AND PLAY HARD AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN.
IT MIGHT NOT BE MY PLACE HERE, BUT I GUESS WHEN THE COUNCIL GETS ATTACKED, MY ADVICE TO YOU, SIR, WOULD BE HANDLE IT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
THIS IS YOUR DISAGREEMENT WITH THIS COUNCIL MEMBER IS NOT A CITY ISSUE, BUT IT'S A PERSONAL ISSUE.
I'M NOT GOING TO I'M NOT TAKING SIDES ON THIS, BUT MY ADVICE TO YOU WOULD BE, IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO TAKE IT TO COURT, YOU TAKE IT TO COURT OR DO WHATEVER YOU THINK YOU NEED TO DO ON A PERSONAL MANNER, BUT THIS IS NOT COMING HERE AND ATTACKING A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO CAN'T DEFEND HIMSELF IS NOT CITY BUSINESS [OVERLAPPING] CAN YOU HOLD, SIR.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE IT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
LISTEN, I'M NOT HERE TO MAKE A DECISION ON THAT.
BUT WHAT I'M SAYING TO YOU IS ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, IF IT'S PERSONAL BUSINESS AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CITY, WHICH IT DOESN'T.
THAT WAY YOU HANDLE IT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER AND YOU DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, OKAY? THANK YOU FOR WAITING. I APPRECIATE YOU SITTING THERE.
TAKE CARE, I HAVE A GOOD EVENING, SIR. THANK YOU FOR STAYING.
>> HE SHOW YOUR PROFESSIONALISM.
>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY. COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON.
>> I HAVE NO COMMENT. I HAVE NOTHING. OKAY. THANKS, MAN.
>> LET'S SEE HERE. WELL, I WOULD SAY IT'S SCHOOL IS STARTING.
MY OLDEST DAUGHTER, WE JUST DROPPED HER OFF TO THE U, AND IT WAS KIND OF FUN.
SHE HAD GOPHER GYMNASTICS DAY AT THE STATE FAIR TODAY.
I THINK THAT'S CHANNEL FIVE AT THE FAIR.
WE WERE DOING A LITTLE SKIT WITH ALL THE GYMNASTS AND COOKIES AND WALKING ON THEIR HANDS AND DOING CART WHEELS.
THAT WAS FUN SEEING AROUND T RIGHT BEFORE WE CAME HERE.
I GOT TO HEAR THAT RIGHT AWAY.
MY YOUNGEST IS STARTING CROSS COUNTRY PRACTICE.
OBVIOUSLY, SCHOOL IS STARTING. IT'S ALL HAPPENING.
DON'T FORGET ORONO FOOTBALL PLAYS THEIR INAUGURAL GAME THIS YEAR AGAINST ZIMMERMAN.
MAKE SURE TO COME AND CHEER FOR THE ORONO SPARTANS AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, WE HAVE DONE AT.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE IT OUTSIDE.
HEY. WHY DON'T YOU JUST STEP OUT IN THE HALLWAY THERE?
>> I KNOW THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, WE'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB UP HERE, LONG TERM DECISIONS, AND NOBODY CAN SAY THAT WE HAVEN'T MADE GREAT LONG TERM DECISIONS FOR THE CITY OF ORONO.
ONE OF THOSE GREAT LONG TERM DECISIONS IS ACTUALLY PUTTING A FIRE DEPARTMENT TOGETHER.
I'VE NOTICED THERE'S BEEN A POST BY LONG LAKE RESIDENTS THAT HAVE SAID, THEY JUST WANT TO UNDO THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I GOT TO TELL YOU, THE ONE THING NOBODY HAS SAID IS, WHAT BENEFIT TO ORONO IS THERE TO GET RID OF OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT? THERE IS NO BENEFIT.
WE'RE ACTUALLY PROVIDING AN UNBELIEVABLE SERVICE MODEL THAT HAS NEVER BEEN PROVIDED TO ORONO BEFORE.
WE'RE TAKING CARE OF EVERYBODY, JUST LIKE WE SAID EIGHT YEARS AGO FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT IN PUBLIC SAFETY, AND AS PROUD AS CAN BE THAT WE HAVE PUT THAT TOGETHER AND WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE, AND WE HAVE A GREAT CHIEF.
[01:35:01]
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT.SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH A COUPLE OF QUOTES WITH SUMMER ENDING.
THESE ARE SUMMER ENDING QUOTES.
FIRST ONE IS BY JOHN STEINBECK.
SAYS, "WHAT GOOD IS THE WARMTH OF SUMMER WITHOUT THE COLD OF WINTER TO GIVE ITS SWEETNESS." THE LAST ONES BY THE MOVIE GREASE, SUMMER LOVING HAD ME A BLAST, SUMMER LOVING HAPPENED SO FAST.
ANYWAYS, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO
[Closed Session]
GO INTO A CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS BARBARA SCHMITT VERSUS CITY OF ORONO.COURT FILED 27 CV 201-70-7609, CERTIFICATION OF APPEALS 824 0089. D.
>> OKAY. WE'LL TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTE BREAK TO CLEAR THE ROOM, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK FOR A CLOSED SESSION.
>> THERE'S SO MANY MOTIONS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.