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>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.
[Roll Call]
FIRST, THE ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR.WE WILL START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE, JOIN US.
ALLEGIANCE] THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.
OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[Approval of Agenda]
DO WE HAVE ANYONE THAT CARES TO MAKE A MOTION ON THE AGENDA BEFORE US?>> I HAVE A FEW THAT I'D LIKE TO REMOVE OFF CONSENT.
IF I MAY. NUMBER IS 4 AND 5, PLEASE.
>> I'D LIKE TO REMOVE NUMBER 2.
>> NUMBER 2. ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE CARE TO ASK US TO REMOVE ANY CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS THAT HAVEN'T ALREADY BEEN REMOVED? MINUTES ARE PART OF THAT. THE CONSENT AGENDA
[Consent Agenda]
IS NOW DOWN TO ITEM 3, I GUESS, IS THAT RIGHT? [LAUGHTER] THE CONSENT AGENDA, AGAIN, THESE ARE ITEMS THAT ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE.WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION WITH NO DISCUSSION, UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER, OR STAFF, OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REMOVES THE ITEM FOR A SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND ACTION.
I WOULD ENTERTAIN AT THIS POINT A MOTION TO APPROVE OUR ONE REMAINING ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> THIS IS FOR THE WORK SESSION, CORRECT?
>> MY ONLY QUESTION IS GIVEN WHAT WE JUST DISCUSSED AT THE WORK SESSION, ADAM, THIS WILL BE AN AMENDED SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'LL BE MOVING FORWARD INTERVIEWS AND THEN ADJUST THE OTHER [INAUDIBLE] TOO.
>> JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL WORK SESSION NEXT MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:00, AT WHICH TIME WE WILL BE INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED WELL IN ADVANCE OF THAT MEETING, BUT BECAUSE WE HAD A PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING THAT COULD NOT BE HELD THIS MONTH BECAUSE OF QUORUM ISSUES, WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE FULLY STAFFED FOR OUR FEBRUARY MEETING.
IT'S BEEN MOVED, SECONDED, WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.
NOW, IT'S TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[Public Comments]
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL.COUNCIL WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION, SO DON'T BE OFFENDED IF WE DON'T TALK BACK WITH YOU OR TAKE ACTION ON ITEMS PRESENTED AT THIS TIME.
HOWEVER, COUNCIL MAY REFER ISSUES TO STAFF FOR FOLLOW UP CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING.
SPEAKERS SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME, HOME ADDRESS, AT THE PODIUM BEFORE SPEAKING.
THE COUNCIL WILL FIRST OPEN THE PODIUM TO CITY OF ORONO RESIDENTS BEFORE OPENING IT TO ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT? YES, SIR.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST LOVE SEEING ALL THAT YOU DID IN YOUR WORK SESSION, IT WAS HELPFUL TO ME AS A CITIZEN TO BE ABLE TO HEAR.
>> I'M SORRY. OF COURSE, ADAM. SENIOR MOMENT.
NANCY BRANTINGHAM, 3185 COUNTY ROAD 6.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THAT AS A CITIZEN, IT IS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME TO HEAR THE DISCUSSION AMONG YOU BECAUSE WE GET A SENSE OF WHAT'S REALLY UNDER ISSUES THAT WE ARE NOT FULLY TUNED INTO.
TO THAT POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR OPENING THE POSSIBILITY THAT CITIZENS CAN PULL ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALLOWING THAT ALLOWS ME AS A CITIZEN, AGAIN, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE DISCUSSION AND THE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW ON AN ISSUE.
I UNDERSTAND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME HAVING INPUT.
I JUST WANT TO HEAR THE DISCUSSION.
I ASKED MR. MADDOCK ABOUT THIS ISSUE A MOMENT AGO FOLLOWING YOUR DISCUSSION,
[00:05:06]
AND HE TELLS ME THAT IT'S UP TO YOU AS A COUNCIL.IT'S TO YOUR DISCRETION TO ALLOW CITIZENS TO PULL, SO I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO KEEP ALLOWING THAT POSSIBILITY. THANK YOU.
>> I'M TERRY, 791 BOULDER DRIVE, RELATIVELY NEW RESIDENT.
I'VE LIVED IN ORONO OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST 50 OR 60 YEARS.
I WAS JUST IN QUESTION OF SEWER AND WATER BILLS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE DISCUSSED THAT AT ALL PRIOR TO THIS.
IF NOT, WHEN I MOVED HERE FROM MOUND ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I JUST REALIZED THAT THE SEWER BILLS WERE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER HERE.
I LOOKED INTO IT ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, AND I GOT A BILL FROM MEDINA, ORONO, OBVIOUSLY, AND LONG LAKE.
THEN I HAD LIVED IN MOUND, AND I KNEW THEY WERE A LOT CHEAPER IN MOUND.
WITH THE WATER COMING IN AT ABOUT, THEY LISTED 1-7 OR 8, THOSE ARE, I THINK, THE THOUSANDS OF GALLONS THAT ARE USED.
THE THREE I CHECKED WERE MEDINA, LONG LAKE, AND ORONO, AND THEY WERE ALL AT FOUR.
ORONO IS ROUGHLY TWICE AS EXPENSIVE AS BOTH OF THOSE CITIES, AND I'M NOT SURE ABOUT MOUND, BUT CONSIDERABLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN MOUND.
I CAME TO THE CITY AND TALKED TO SOMEBODY IN THE SEWER AND WATER DEPARTMENT OR THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY SAID IT ALL RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF LIFT STATIONS THAT ARE IN ORONO.
I CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW ORONO COULD HAVE ANY MORE LIFT STATIONS THAN MOUND SINCE I WAS TOLD IT'S BECAUSE ORONO HAS SO MUCH PROPERTY RIGHT AROUND THE LAKE.
I HAVE REALLY NO WAY TO CHECK INTO THAT OR ANYTHING, BUT I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THAT COULD BE ADDRESSED OR AT LEAST LOOKED INTO HERE AT THE CITY.
>> CERTAINLY. YES, WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT.
>> MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL IS NEW, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
>> MR. MAYOR, JUST AS AN UPDATE, JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW.
WE ARE DOING A RATE STUDY THIS YEAR.
>> [INAUDIBLE] CARSWELL, 261 CYGNET PLACE.
I JUST WANTED TO ASK THOSE OF YOU TO SPEAK IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE AT THE END OF THE MEETING ABOUT HOW YOU VIEW WORKING WITH THE PLANNING AND THE PARK COMMISSION AS THE FOLKS THAT HAVE APPLIED OR CONSIDERED TO APPLY MIGHT HELP THEM AND MAYBE GENERATE SOME MORE INTEREST. THANK YOU.
>> JENNY DELANEY, 1315 WOODHILL AVENUE.
I'D LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER FURNISHING OUR CITIZENS A DETAILED COST ANALYSIS OF THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I LIKE TO PERUSE THE CHECKBOOK EVERY MONTH WHEN IT COMES OUT, AND OFTENTIMES, THERE ARE ITEMS IN THERE THAT I KNOW HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED AT A COUNCIL MEETING, AND THERE'S NO DEPARTMENT THAT IT'S CHARGED TO.
NOW, I KNOW NOT EVERYTHING COMES OUT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUT MIGHT COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND OR SOME OTHER FUND, BUT WE HAVE TWO DATES SINCE THIS ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT BEGAN.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COSTS ARE ON FACILITY, COSTS, PARTS, ALL OF THAT THING.
I THINK IT'S TIME. ALSO, MAYBE ON THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE, BUT IT WOULD BE REALLY GOOD TO HAVE A THOROUGH COST ANALYSIS, WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM AND WHAT WE PAID FOR. THANK YOU.
>> MIKE HART, 2510 CASCO POINT ROAD.
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR STEPPING OUT AND BEING PART OF THE SERVICE TO OUR CITY. I KNOW IT'S A BIG JOB.
IT CAN BE THANKLESS AT TIMES, AS WE'VE SEEN WITH PAST REGIMES.
IT JUST GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT'S A TIME SUCKER FOR YOU, BUT WE DO APPRECIATE.
MOST OF THE CITIZENS, EVEN THOUGH WE VOCALLY SPEAK SOMETIMES IN A NEGATIVE FASHION TO WHAT'S BEING SAID AND DONE.
TO THAT POINT, THERE'S A BUNCH OF THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT UP HERE NOW THAT I HAVE A FORUM WHERE I THINK IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE HEARD,
[00:10:02]
BUT I'M GOING TO STAY WITH ONE OR TRY AND STAY WITH ONE TONIGHT, AND THAT'S THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW BEFORE ANY MORE RESOURCES ARE SPENT ON THE DUPLICATION OF WHAT WE HAD BEFORE.
THERE'S STILL AN OPPORTUNITY TO MODIFY WHAT WE HAD WITH A NEW MODEL WITH A PAID ON CALL STAFF, GAIN CONTROL THAT THE PREVIOUS REGIME SAID WAS SO UNFAIR AND DO SO AT A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER COST, ALONG WITH KEEPING OUR RELATIONSHIPS NOT ONLY WITH LONG LAKE, BUT WITH ALL THE COMMUNITIES AROUND US INTACT.
THERE'S A PIECE HERE THAT IS JUST BEING LOST IN ALL THE TRANSLATION, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY STARTED WITH YOU AND LONG LAKE AND THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS ON HOW THAT MAY OR MAY NOT GO FORWARD.
MYSELF, PERSONALLY, I'D LIKE TO SEE GO BACK TO A JOINT, MAYBE SOME TYPE OF DEPARTMENT THAT IS ONE OF ITSELF, AND IF WE NEED THE POWER AND THE STRUCTURES OF THE FINANCES, THAT'S ALL FINE.
BUT THAT'S GOING ON AND WITHOUT SAYING.
WITHOUT GOING TOO FAR INTO WHAT I SUGGESTED, THE CITIZENS HAVE TO HAVE SOME MORE INPUT INTO WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN LONG THE LAST THREE YEARS WHEN THESE DECISIONS WERE MADE, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS.
TRUST ME. I TRIED MANY TIMES TO VOICE MY OPINION.
THE REALITY IS THE CITY OF ORONO WAS APPEARING TO PAY, THESE ARE ROUND NUMBERS.
PLEASE, DON'T QUOTE ME. I'M OFF A PERCENT OR TWO. THESE ARE ROUND NUMBERS.
THE REALITY IS THE CITY WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE PAYING 90% OF THE COST AND THAT WE WERE SUPPORTING LONG LAKE FIRE.
WELL, THE REALITY IS WE ARE USING 80% OF THE SERVICES, ROUGHLY.
AGAIN, I'M ROUND NUMBERING, SO WE OVERPAID BY 10%.
AGAIN, THIS IS VERY SIMPLE WAY OF PUTTING IT.
I KNOW THERE'S SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT COME INTO PLAY, BUT REALLY IT COMES BACK TO SOME SIMPLE THINGS WHEN THAT ARGUMENT WAS MADE ABOUT THE POWER AND THE MONIES THAT WERE SPENT.
THE CITIZENS GRABBED ONTO THAT, WE'RE PAYING FOR 90% OF THIS, AND IT'S RIDICULOUS.
WE WERE PAYING 10% MORE THAN WE SHOULD.
I'M NOT DIMINISHING THE COST OF THE 10% BY ANY MEANS.
IF IT WAS A $900,000 BUDGET THAT IT WAS IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO BEFORE WE MADE ALL THE CHANGES, THAT'S $90,000 A YEAR THAT WE WERE PROBABLY OVERPAYING. TON OF MONEY.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT I SEE NOW THAT'S BEEN SPENT ON THE FORMATION OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.
THAT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET, MAN.
THAT $90,000 WAS GONE IN THE FIRST WEEK THAT WE STARTED PLAYING THIS DOUBLE ENTITY THAT WE'VE GOT GOING ON HERE.
I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE RE-LOOKED AT CLEARLY AND STATED CLEARLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REVIEW OF THE REST OF IT.
I UNDERSTAND THE POWER THING AND THAT THE INVESTMENT INTO THE NEW EQUIPMENT THAT WAS SET SO MANY TIMES AND THE FACILITIES WASN'T BEING DONE OR WASN'T BEING CONTROLLED BY ORONO.
I THINK SOME GOOD NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT TWO YEARS AGO.
IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT IT WASN'T.
I'VE GONE TO THE LONG LAKE MEETINGS AND LISTENED TO THE MAYOR AND LISTEN TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'VE TALKED TO THE FIRE PERSONNEL THAT I CAN ALONG THE WAY OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND IT'S A TRAVESTY THAT'S HAPPENED THAT WAY.
BUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO BRING TO POINT SINCE LAST JULY, THE CITIZENS OF ORONO ARE PAYING FOR TWO FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FOUR FIRE STATIONS.
THAT BEING SAID, NAVARRE, CASCO POINT AREA, HAVE TWO OF THOSE FIRE STATIONS.
GUESS WHAT? EITHER ONE OF THEM ARE BEING USED. EITHER ONE OF THEM.
THE ORIGINAL LONG LAKE NUMBER 2/NAVARRE FIRE STATION WAS BUILT APPROXIMATELY 15 YEARS AGO.
MIND YOU, THERE WERE OTHER THINGS THAT CAME INTO PLAY.
IT WAS BUILT ON THE PREMISE THAT THE RESPONSE TIMES WERE NEEDED AT THAT END OF THE CITY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO LONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXCELSIOR, MOUND ETC.
KEEP THAT IN MIND AS I CONTINUE TO TALK HERE AND I'LL TRY AND GET THROUGH AS QUICK AS I CAN HERE. THAT RESPONSE TIME.
NAVARRE NUMBER 2/LONG LAKE NUMBER 2 IS NOT BEING USED BECAUSE LONG LAKE'S REFUSED TO LET THE NEW ENTITY USE THAT STATION.
FULLY SERVICEABLE STATION, FULLY EQUIPPED, AS I KNOW, IS SIMILAR TO STATION NUMBER 1.
THEN WHEN THAT WAS NOT ALLOWED LATE IN THE GAME LAST SPRING, THEY DECIDED THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT UP A TEMPORARY NUMBER 2/NUMBER 1 FOR ORONO UNDERNEATH THE WATER TOWER INTO THE OLD GARAGE THERE.
THEY REMODELED THE GARAGE AT THE EXPENSE OF A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR.
NOW, I'M COMING BACK TO THAT $90,000 DIFFERENCE, THERE WENT TWO YEARS WORTH OF THAT. GUESS WHAT? THAT STATION IS NOT AND HAS NOT BEEN USED.
NOW, THEY'LL TELL YOU THAT IT HAS BEEN AND IS BEING USED.
I'LL STAND ON MY GRAVE, SAYING IT'S NOT BEING USED.
I TELL YOU WHAT, I EVEN WENT AS FAR AS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THE CHIEF AND ONE OF HIS ASSISTANTS BACK IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, AND ONE OF THE REASONS IT WASN'T BEING USED IS THAT THE NEW RECRUITS/THE TOOL THAT WAS USED TO RECRUIT PEOPLE SAID THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO WORK OUT OF A BARN/A DOUBLE GARAGE.
[00:15:05]
HOW INSULTING IS THAT? FIRST OF ALL, THAT THEY KNEW FULLY WELL WHAT THEY WERE GETTING TO.SECOND OF ALL, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAID TO THEM WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO WORK OUT OF WAS STATION NUMBER 2.
I GOT TO KEEP GETTING THESE STRAIGHT BECAUSE OF LONG LAKE 2, NAVARRE 1.
NAVARRE NUMBER 2, AND THAT ONCE THAT WAS FOUND OUT THAT LONG LAKE WOULDN'T LET THEM USE THAT, THAT IT WASN'T.
NOW, LET'S GET TO THE RESPONSE TIMES.
THE SERVICE NEEDED FOR THE TEMPORARY OR ORONO STATION 1 IS LOCATED RIGHT BACK HERE AT THE OLD PUBLIC WORKS GARAGE.
ALL THESE TIMES ARE BY GOOGLE MAPS.
I'M NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ANYTHING.
AGAIN, THIS IS ROUND NUMBERING.
IT'S A 12-15 MINUTE COMMUTE TO THE NAVARRE/CASCO POINT AREA, WHICH IS A BIG CHUNK OF THE CITY.
IT'S WIDELY KNOWN THAT RESPONSE TIME IS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL PIECES OF MEDICAL OR EMERGENCY THAT TAKES PLACE.
IN FACT, AGAIN, IT WAS USED AS ONE OF THE REASONS TO BUILD THAT STATION 15 YEARS AGO.
THIS AREA COULD GET SIGNIFICANTLY FASTER TIMES FROM THE ADJOINING TWO CITIES.
LET ME JUST TELL YOU WHERE WE'RE AT.
LONG LAKE, NAVARRE STATION NUMBER 2, WHICH ISN'T BEING USED, 2-4 MINUTES.
TEMPORARY STATION, 2-4 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME.
I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO COME BACK AND SAY, WELL, IF IT WAS MANNED, WE CAN'T GET THE VOLUNTEERS, ETC.
I'M THROWING THAT ALL OF ASIDE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT RELEVANT TO WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
MOUND FIRE IS A SIX-MINUTE RESPONSE TIME.
EXCELSIOR FIRE DISTRICT IS EIGHT MINUTES.
WHAT DID I JUST RATTLE OFF? TWELVE TO 14 MINUTES EXISTING FROM HERE, EIGHT MINUTES, SIX MINUTES, AND TWO MINUTES.
WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE IF YOUR FAMILY MEMBER WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN FRONT OF CULVER'S, HAD A HOUSE FIRE OUT ON CASCO POINT ROAD OR SOME OTHER EMERGENCY WAS TAKING PLACE? I'M PAYING FOR FOUR STATIONS IN TWO DEPARTMENTS.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? I'M SORRY.
>> NOW ORONO FIRE WILL DISPUTE THOSE RESPONSE TIMES AND START COMPARING THEM TO OLD RESPONSE TIMES VERSUS CURRENT RESPONSE TIMES WITH THE NEW FIRE STATION MODEL.
THEY'RE COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES.
WE'VE NOW WITH THE PAID ON CALL WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAIL, AND I DON'T PRETEND TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE NUANCES OF HOW IT ALL PUTS TOGETHER WITH THE NEW PAID ON CALL.
THERE'S PEOPLE THERE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT CAN JUMP IN A TRUCK AND GO AND WE'RE NOT WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME FROM THEIR BUSINESS OR THEIR HOME TO GET IN A TRUCK AND THEN GO.
IN FAIRNESS TO THOSE RESPONSE TIMES, THAT'S WHY I JUST TOOK THEM STRAIGHT OUT OF GOOGLE MAPS AND WENT STRAIGHT WITH THE CITIES.
THIS CHANGE HAS GOT TO STOP BEFORE THE NEW AGREEMENT ENDS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
WE'VE GOT ANOTHER 11 MONTHS THAT COULD PUNCH IT HAPPEN.
THEY'VE BEEN ON THIN ICE FOR SIX MONTHS, SEVEN MONTHS, THAT THEY'VE BEEN LUCKY THAT NOTHING'S HAPPENED THAT, IN FACT, THAT RESPONSE TIME WOULD HAVE BEEN NEEDED, AND SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IN NEED OF THAT SERVICE.
EMERGENCIES DON'T HAPPEN AND WAIT.
THEY JUST DON'T. I'VE LISTENED TO SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.
I'VE HAD PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS WITH MANY DIFFERENT FIRE OFFICIALS AROUND, AND THEY ALL WANT TO KEEP COMING BACK TO THIS MODEL THAT, AT THIS TIME OF DAY, AND THIS TIME OF THE WEEK, AND THIS TIME OF THE DAY.
I UNDERSTAND IT'S HARD WE'RE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO FORM A 24 HOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
BUT THIS COMPARISON TO THE OLD VERSUS NEW HAS NOT BEEN FAIR.
IT HAS NOT BEEN EQUAL, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU AND WHOEVER'S INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATIONS GOING FORWARD.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO A STRAIGHT ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT, I RESPECT YOU AS A NEW COUNCIL, AND NOW THE TWO COUNCILS HAVE LOOKED AT IT, AND THEY'VE SAID THAT'S THE BEST ROUTE TO GO, LET'S GO WITH IT.
BUT LET'S MAKE SURE THAT IT'S EFFICIENT.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT IT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE STILL HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR ADJOINING CITIES.
WHAT I'M TOLD IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS IS THAT THE NEW FIRE SCENARIO IS THAT IF THERE'S A STRUCTURE FIRE, IF THERE'S SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT NEED HELP, THEY IMMEDIATELY CALL FOR RESPONSE, MUTUAL AID FROM OTHER CITIES.
IN THE PAST, IT'S LIKE WHEN SOMETHING GOT OUT OF CONTROL OR WAS SAW THE NEED THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE HERE WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, WE NEED TO CALL IN MORE.
NOW THE RESPONSE IS THAT WE CALL EVERYBODY RIGHT AWAY.
WE OVERRESPOND, SO WE'RE OVER EQUIPPED.
I TELL YOU WHAT, I'M NOT SO SURE WHERE ORONO STANDS RIGHT NOW WITH SOME OF THE ADJOINING COMMUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO MUTUAL AID.
I'M NOT SO SURE WHERE IT STANDS.
BECAUSE I'VE HAD PLENTY OF CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE.
IT'S VERY DISCERNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THESE CITIES AROUND US AND THE RESPECT THAT WE HAVE BACK AND FORTH ISN'T GOING.
I'M NOT HERE TO CONDEMN WHAT'S GONE IN THE PAST.
I'M HERE TO SAY GOING FORWARD, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THESE RELATIONSHIPS.
DO WE HAVE TO BE FIDUCIARIES OF THE CITY? ABSOLUTELY. ALL THESE ARGUMENTS THAT PEOPLE STOOD UP AT THE PODIUM AND SAID, WE'RE PAYING FOR LONG LAKE, WE'RE SICK OF PAYING FOR LONG LAKE. GUESS WHAT? WE CAN FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK FOR ALL OF US.
WE CAN GO BACK TO ORIGINAL MODEL AND NOT SPEND ALL THESE RESOURCES.
I'M GOING TO FINALLY COME BACK TO SAYING, THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER PIECES OF THIS THAT HAVE COME INTO PLAY.
FUNNY HOW THAT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT THAT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WHEN IT WAS DISCUSSED TO BUILD A NEW ONE.
IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE FIRE.
IT WASN'T BIG ENOUGH IT WAS THE WRONG SPOT [INAUDIBLE] AND BEHOLD,
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BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET THE RESOURCES OR THE EXISTING RESOURCES BACK INTO OUR POSSESSION.WE HAD TO MODIFY IT TO USE IT.
WE'RE DUMPING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THAT PLACE. THEN WHAT? WE GOT A DEPARTMENT THAT ALLEGEDLY COORDINATE THE ARCHITECTS, AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT CONSULTED WITH THE CITY SAID IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR USE BY THE CITY, WASN'T BIG ENOUGH.
I LOOK AT ALL THOSE FINANCIALS, THE PERSON THAT WAS UP BEFORE ME LOOKING AT THE FINANCIALS.
THERE ARE SO MANY PIECES OF THIS THAT ARE BEING I DON'T WANT TO SAY SWEPT UNDER THE RUG, BUT THEY'RE NOT BEING PORTRAYED ACCURATELY.
BECAUSE THAT FACILITY AS IT IS, AND AGAIN, I'M GOING TO STAY WITH FIRE OR NOT PUBLIC.
>> CAN YOU WRAP IT UP HERE AND KEEP IT WITH FIRE.
>> THAT FACILITY IS WORTH SOMETHING TO SOMEBODY, WHETHER IT'S THE CITY OR NOT.
GUESS WHAT? WE'RE NOT A GROWING CITY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO DOUBLE IN POPULATION IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THAT 30,000 FOOT FACILITY? IS IT GOING TO BE A NEW FIRE STATION? I DON'T KNOW. WE GOT ANOTHER ONE A MILE AWAY FROM IT THAT WE SHARE WITH ANOTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WE SUPPOSEDLY OWN 50% OF.
THERE'S SO MANY MORE PIECES OF THIS THAT GO ON AND ON.
BUT I'M GOING TO COME BACK TO THE RESPONSE TIME TO A MAJOR PORTION OF THE CITY IS INADEQUATE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED AND RESOLVED NOW AND NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN, IN FACT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A DEADLINE TO THAT YOU HAVE TO RESOLVE AT ALL.
IT JUST HAS TO. THERE'S NO REASON THAT MY FAMILY OR ANY OF YOUR PEOPLE OR ANYBODY IN THE CITY THAT COMES THROUGH THERE CAN'T GET FIRE PROTECTION IN THAT AREA OF THE CITY IN A FASTER FASHION WHEN WE'RE SPENDING THIS MONEY.
>> I WILL TALK TO YOU. CONTINUE GOOD WORK.
>> MAYOR TUNHEIM, ORONO CITY COUNCIL CITY STAFF.
I LIVE AT 10:40 EAST CIRCLE DRIVE IN WAYZATA.
I'M THE OWNER OF LAKE MINNETONKA REAL ESTATE TWO LC.
INFORMED ORONO VOTERS OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVOLVING MATT JOHNSON AND DANNY WALSH IN MY COMPANY'S LAWSUIT WITH THE CITY.
I'LL ADDRESS THIS MOMENTARILY WHEN WE COME BACK FOR MINUTES.
BUT I REQUESTED MY COMMENTS IN A JANUARY 2ND LETTER TO MAYOR TUNHEIM BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD.
ON FRIDAY, I SENT A LETTER POINTING OUT THE MEETING MINUTES INADEQUACY, AS THEY ONLY NOTED THAT I SPOKE AND ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.
KEY DETAILS OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S AGENDA FOR THE ENTIRE MEETING WERE ALSO MISSING IN MY OPINION.
TODAY ON BEHALF OF MY COMPANY, PAUL TAUNTON AND KENDALL NYGARD, EACH SUING THE CITY IN SEPARATE MATTERS, SENT A LETTER HIGHLIGHTING LONG LAKE'S ADVANTAGEOUS TREATMENT IN ITS LAWSUIT WITH THE CITY OF ORONO.
MISS NYGARD, MR. TAUNTON, AND MY COMPANY REQUEST EQUAL PROCESS TREATMENT AND NOT NECESSARILY EQUAL OUTCOME, BUT EQUAL PROCESS IN DEALING WITH THE CITY OF ORONO.
WE HAVE CONCERN OVER THE LACK OF OUTREACH OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS FOLLOWING THE CITY COUNCIL'S CLOSED SESSION ON JANUARY 13TH, 2025.
STEPS TOWARDS RECONCILIATION WITH LONG LAKE AND THE FIRE MATTER INCLUDE A LETTER TO THE COURT OF APPEALS LAST FRIDAY INDICATING A LIKELY SETTLEMENT, APPOINTING A NEW CONTRACT NEGOTIATING TEAM, ALLOWING FIREFIGHTERS TO USE LONG LAKE FACILITIES AND OTHER ONGOING DISCUSSIONS.
THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR FOSTERING DIVISION, MISUSING PUBLIC PROCESSES, ERODING TRUST AND SELF DEALING, LEADING LITIGANTS TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS.
THE CURRENT COUNCIL ELECTED ON PROMISES OF CIVILITY, FAIRNESS, INTEGRITY, AND PARTIAL TREATMENT OF CONSTITUENTS IS REQUESTED TO EXTEND THE SAME COLLABORATIVE AND INCLUSIVE RESOLUTION EFFORTS AND PROCESS TO ALL CURRENT LITIGANTS STEMMING FROM THE WALSH ADMINISTRATION TO REBUILD TRUST AND FOSTER A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT CULTURE.
WE ASK FOR THE SAME PROCESS SO THAT ALL PARTIES MAY BE TREATED FAIRLY.
I LISTENED TO YOUR WORK SESSION EARLIER TODAY AND HEARD A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR INVESTIGATING A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO MAY BE SELF DEALING.
I HAVE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO YOU A REQUEST THAT THIS COUNSEL INVESTIGATE MATT JOHNSON AND DANNY WALSH, AND AN ATTORNEY SWORN MADDOCK IN RELATION TO THEIR ACTIONS REGARDING MY PROPERTY.
I'VE ASKED THAT TWICE IN WRITING, AND FROM THIS DS.
NOTHING HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED TO ME ABOUT THAT AT THIS TIME.
I SUBMITTED TO YOU A LETTER TENDING TO SHOW REASON TO INQUIRE.
[00:25:03]
AS A REMINDER, ATTORNEY MADDOCK STATED THAT MY COMPANY'S PURCHASE OF THE RIPARIAN RIGHTS WASN'T EFFECTIVE.WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? WE MIGHT ASK. GOING TO THE LMCD AND ASKING FOR A MULTIPLE DOCK LICENSE IS THE EQUIVALENT OF ASKING FOR A BUILDING PERMIT.
EVERY PROPERTY OWNER IN THE CITY OF ORONO NEEDS TO ROOF THEIR HOUSE, REPLACE THEIR WINDOWS, TEAR DOWN A STRUCTURE, BUILD A NEW STRUCTURE, ETC.
THEY NEED TO ASK PERMISSION FROM THE CITY.
THE ORONO CITY ATTORNEY SHOULD NOT BE ISSUING TITLE OPINIONS ON RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS PROPERTY WHEN THEY APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT.
EVERY RESIDENT AND PROPERTY OWNER IN ORONO BECOMES SUBJECT TO AN ATTORNEY'S TITLE OPINION WHEN THE CITY AND HE HAVE NO BUSINESS ISSUING SAID TITLE OPINION.
FINALLY, I'VE HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE OFFERING SUPPORT AND INSIGHT INTO THE HAPPENINGS, AND IN THE COMING WEEKS, I WILL BE EXPLORING ANOTHER LAWSUIT BY MATT JOHNSON AND THE FELD SHAWN'S AGAINST THE LMCD AND THE OWNERS OF YOUR BOAT CLUB, JOHNSON'S STATEMENTS AND THE CITY'S ACTIONS AROUND RENTAL LICENSES OWNED BY THE OWNERS OF YOUR BOAT CLUB, THE APPOINTMENT OF JOHNSON TO THE CODE COME AND THEIR ACTIVITIES, AND THE CHANGES TO CITY CODE AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RELATED TO VACATING CITY OWNED PROPERTY AND LAKE SHORE.
FOR ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER DISCUSS ISSUES THEY'VE HAD WITH MATT JOHNSON, SWORN MADDOCK, AND THE LIKE, MY CELL PHONE NUMBER IS 952 4731 AND, AND MY EMAIL IS DAN@WIST.COM.
THIS IS A LETTER FROM THE CITY OF ONO'S ATTORNEY TO LONG LAKE, AND THE COURT, INDICATING THAT SETTLEMENT IS LIKELY THAT WAS FILED ON FRIDAY.
ONE LAST COMMENT, MAYOR TUNHEIM.
WHEN I SENT YOU THE LETTER ON JANUARY 1ST.
THIS UNDERSCORES THE DISPARITY IN HOW AND THE DIFFERENCE IN PROCESS.
DAN, I RECEIVED YOUR LETTER, AND I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO RESPOND SINCE THIS MATTER INVOLVES AN OUTSTANDING LAWSUIT INVOLVING THE CITY.
ONCE THE NEW COUNSEL IS SWORN IN, WE WILL ASK FOR A MEETING WITH OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO REVIEW OUTSTANDING LEGAL ISSUES, AND IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO HAVE YOUR POINT OF VIEW WHEN DISCUSSING THIS MATTER.
I WANT TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT THE COUNCIL MET WITH INSIDE COUNSEL TO DISCUSS MY LITIGATION, AND I THINK IT'S INAPPROPRIATE GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE.
>> MR. HEATHER, YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
[6. County Commissioner Updates]
AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE WITH US, HANA AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER HEATHER EDELSON.>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE. I'M GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ON YOUR ELECTION. LET'S SEE.
WELL, I SEE WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIX THE POWERPOINT BECAUSE MY NAME'S LIKE HALF C. MY NAME IS HEATHER EDELSON.
I AM EIGHT MONTHS IN THE ROLE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPRESENTING ORONO AND 16 CITIES IN TOTAL. IT'S MY TRUE HONOR.
I CAME TO THIS ROLE FROM REPRESENTING DINA AT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR SIX YEARS.
TODAY, I'M MAKING MY ROUNDS TO ALL THE COUNCILS.
BUT BEFORE I START, I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME.
THE LAST PERSON THAT SPOKE, I WAS GOING TO GIVE MY CELL PHONE NUMBER TWO BECAUSE I WANT RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF ME.
I'M GOING TO JUST COPY THAT RIGHT AWAY.
[00:30:01]
MY NUMBER IS 651 785 8696.IF ANYTHING COMES UP, TEXT ME.
I'M GOOD AT THAT, OR YOU CAN EMAIL, AS WELL, AND I TRY TO RESPOND QUICKLY.
A LITTLE BIT PERSONALLY ABOUT ME, THOUGH.
YOU CAN GATHER THAT I LIVE IN DANA IF I REPRESENTED DANA AT THE CAPITOL.
THEY ARE SAM CALEB AND JOSH. I HAVE TWINS.
THEY'RE 15, AND THEY HAVE THEIR PERMIT.
I HAVE THAT MAGNET ON THE BACK OF MY CAR, STUDENT DRIVER.
I WANT TO LEAVE IT THERE BECAUSE AT NIGHT, I FEEL LIKE A STUDENT DRIVER.
THEN I HAVE A 12-YEAR-OLD WHO'S MR. SPORT, AND LOVES BASKETBALL, AND SO WE WERE JUST AT THE TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND.
MY HUSBAND WORKS WITH OUR NEW MAYOR'S DAUGHTER WHO JUST HAD A BABY.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT FRONT.
WITH THAT, ADAM, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'LL BE DOING THANK YOU.
HENNEPIN COUNTY, REALLY, WHAT JUST SO TO PRESENT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT IS REALLY WHAT THE COUNTY DOES. I'M GOING TO DO THIS.
THEN EVERY YEAR, YOU CAN JUST ANTICIPATE ME COMING, AND I'LL HIGHLIGHT DIFFERENT THINGS WE'RE DOING.
DISTRICT 6 IS COMPRISED OF 16 CITIES.
THERE'S TWO OF US AS COMMISSIONERS THAT HAVE 16 CITIES, MYSELF AND KEVIN ANDERSON, WE SHARE MOUND TOGETHER.
SIXTEEN CITIES, 182,000 RESIDENTS.
WITH THAT, YOU CAN GO AHEAD TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
YOU'LL SEE THAT WE HAVE SEVEN LINES OF BUSINESS, HEALTH, INCOME, JUSTICE, THAT'S PUBLIC SAFETY.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND CONNECTIVITY.
CONNECTIVITY IS GOING TO BE TRANSPORTATION.
NEXT SLIDE. HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST BUDGETS OUTSIDE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
I WAS ON WAYS AND MEANS AT THE CAPITOL, AND SO WAYS AND MEANS, OUR STATE BUDGETS AT $70 BILLION.
YES. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS A $3 BILLION BUDGET, AND WE JUST HAD A LEVY INCREASE OF 5.5.
FOR ME, IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT LEVY NOT AS LARGE AS IT WAS LAST YEAR.
IT WAS AT 6.5 INCREASE LAST YEAR.
JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF A REFERENCE OF WHERE OTHER COUNTIES ARE RIGHT NOW.
RAMSEY COUNTY'S AT 4.75 FOR THEIR LEVY INCREASE, WHERE YOU HAVE ANOKA AT 16.9.
DAKOTA WAS 9.9 LEVY INCREASE, AND WASHINGTON WAS THAT 5.9.
QUESTION, I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND SO $3 BILLION HOW MUCH OF THAT IS PROPERTY TAX BASED IS ABOUT ONE THIRD OF IT.
TWO THIRDS COMES FROM FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.
A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER DOES OR WE DO AS COMMISSIONERS WHEN WE'RE APPROVING THE BUDGET, A LOT OF IT IS SPELLED OUT FOR STATE AND FEDERAL.
WHEN PEOPLE COME IN, AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING.
I'M LIKE, WELL, THERE'S A BUNCH OF STUFF YOU HAVE TO DO, JUST LIKE YOU, AS THE CITY COUNCIL, HAVE TO BUY SEWAGE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. THANKS, ADAM.
HERE'S BREAKDOWN OF THE BUDGET.
I AM THE NEW CHAIR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
MY BACKGROUND, WAS I WAS AN OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST.
MENTAL HEALTH IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.
BUT I ALSO DID A LOT OF WORK AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY AND WAS THE VICE CHAIR ON PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AT THE CAPITOL FOR YEARS.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO NOTE IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND THE BREAKDOWN OF THAT, 42% IS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OF THE COUNTY.
THIS THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF OUR LEVY.
WE ALSO HAD TO HAVE 10 MILLION WAS ACCOUNTED FOR.
THAT'S A LEVY POINT FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE THAT'S BEEN GROWING AT HCMC HOSPITAL.
THIS IS A NATIONAL TREND WE'RE SEEING.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING TO OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, HENNEPIN COUNTY, BECAUSE IT IS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
WE HAVE LOBBYISTS IN WASHINGTON, DC.
WE HAVE LOBBYISTS HERE AT THE CAPITOL.
REALLY LOOKING FOR SOME RELIEF THERE AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. NEXT SLIDE.
>> I'M GOING TO TRY TO JUST WALK THROUGH QUICKLY.
I'M TRYING TO KEEP IT TO UNDER 20 MINUTES.
HUMAN SERVICES IS ONE OF, AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, ONE OF THE LARGEST PARTS OF OUR BUDGET.
I WILL JUST SAY WHEN I WAS SPEAKING WITH, I SAW THE POLICE CHIEF HE WAS LEAVING, AND HE SAID THE EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER REALLY IS WORKING AND I KNOW THAT ORNO SHARES THAT, I THINK WITH SEVEN OTHER CITIES.
IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK ALL OF OUR CITIES REALLY VALUE AND APPRECIATE, ESPECIALLY AS OUR AGING POPULATION IS AGING AND JUST BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT RESPONSE.
WITH THAT, DISABILITY WAIVERS IS ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT WE DO.
WHEN PEOPLE SAY, WELL, WHAT DOES THE COUNTY DO? I THINK IF YOU HAVE ONE EXAMPLE IS A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY,
[00:35:01]
YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THE COUNTY DOES AND WE'RE CERTIFYING AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING THOSE WAIVERS APPROVED.THERE'S THAT PROCESS WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE DEEMED CERTIFIED WITH A DISABILITY WITH THE STATE.
WE ACT AS THE INTIMATE PERSON IN THE MIDDLE.
WE DO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, WHICH IS GROWING.
WE JUST HAD OUR FIRST OPIOID SUMMIT.
MINITAKA HOSTED IT, AND THE MINITAKA POLICE CHIEF WAS LEADING THAT INITIATIVE.
BUT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IS HAPPENING IN OUR SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES AS WELL.
THEN, WE HAVE CHILD PROTECTION AND VULNERABLE ADULTS.
IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE WAYS I STARTED MY CAREERS, IN MY EARLY 20S.
I WAS A GUARDIAN AT LITEM WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY, REPRESENTING KIDS IN A COURT PROCEEDING AND CHILD PROTECTION AND SO TOUGH AREA.
WHY I DID THAT IN MY EARLY 20S, I DON'T KNOW, INTERESTING.
THAT'S THE CHART YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THERE.
YOU'LL SEE THAT THE GRAPH IS SHOWING 2020-2023.
THE NEEDS ARE GROWING, THEY'VE DOUBLED.
WHEN I SAY ECONOMIC SUPPORTS, THOSE ARE CASH BENEFITS, FOOD ASSISTANCE, CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE, AND HOUSING SUPPORTS.
THIS IS AN AREA WHERE, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE GO UPSTREAM, IT'S HARD AT THIS POINT BECAUSE WE'RE PLAYING CATCH UP, BUT I DO THINK WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO HAVE THAT NUMBER GO BACK DOWN IS REALLY TRYING TO GET IN THERE AND INTERVENE, MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.
NEXT SLIDE. PUBLIC SAFETY IS A BIG PART OF THE COUNTY, WHICH I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ALWAYS ATTRIBUTE TO US.
WE ARE THE RECEIVER OF THE CALLS WHEN YOU CALL 911.
I THINK FOR ORNO, WE ARE, I TEXT MY STAFF, AND THEY HAVEN'T TEXT BACK YET.
BUT FOR MOST, IS IT? YES. THANK YOU, ADAM.
SO 911 WHEN YOU CALL, WE'RE TRIAGING THOSE NUMBERS AND TRIAGING MAKING SURE THAT YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS ARE RESPONDING, AND NO NORTH MEMORIAL DOES YOUR AMBULANTORY SERVICE.
BUT YOU'LL SEE THE EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKERS COPE, AND THEN NEXUS.
COPE IN NEXUS IT'S A CRISIS MOBILITY TEAM.
IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S HAVING A CRISIS AND YOU NEED HELP, THERE WAS JUST A FAMILY LIKE A WEEK AGO THAT CALLED AND SAID, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO? I WANT TO DO AN INTERVENTION, OUR SON IS, I THINK ADDICTED, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
ARE WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT THEM WITH COP TO HAVE THEM COME OUT AND REALLY WORK WITH THE FAMILY? VERY HELPFUL THERE.
THEN, LAST ON THE LIST IS REALLY IMPORTANT, IS WE OWN ALL THE JAILS.
THE HENNEPIN COUNTY JAIL, WE OWN THE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY.
NOW, YES, THE SHERIFF IS DULY ELECTED ON HER OWN, WHICH WILL BE ON MY NEXT SLIDE.
BUT YOU'LL SEE THAT WE ALSO HAVE PROBATION, WHICH IS ACTUALLY THE BUILDING I'M IN.
NEXT SLIDE. ADAM. PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE SHERIFF AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS.
SHERIFF IS STAFFING THOSE JAILS BUT WE ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASING THE BUDGET FOR THAT.
I WILL SAY THAT THE SHERIFF HAS NEEDED INCREASES BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE PEOPLE DETAINED.
IT'S HONESTLY BECAUSE OF DRUG ADDICTION.
IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST AREAS, YOU SEE IT ON THE NEWS.
FENTANYL IS RAVAGING A LOT OF THE COMMUNITIES, AND WE REALLY HAVE TO GET A HANDLE ON HOW TO STOP THAT.
THE SHERIFF HAS HONESTLY JUST DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB DOING A LOT OF YOUTH OUTREACH.
HAVE AN INTERN FOR A DAY PROGRAM THAT STARTS TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, AND SHE'LL BE MEETING WITH ALL OF THE INTERNS.
THE INTERNS ARE COMING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMING FROM ALL OVER AND WE'LL BE MEETING WITH THE SHERIFF.
I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS COMING AT ONE POINT AS WELL.
BE IT SCHOOL PROGRAM IS JUST ONE I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT.
THAT'S THE TRUANCY PROGRAM WHERE IF A YOUTH IS NOT SHOWING UP TO SCHOOL THAT WE CAN GO AND INTERVENE.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, THE TRUANCY NUMBERS THAT WE'RE SEEING.
OFTENTIMES, ALMOST 95% OF THE TIMES ARE CORRELATED TO JUVENILE CRIME AND SO HOW DO WE GET AHEAD OF THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. NEXT SLIDE.
HOUSING IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE THAT I TALKED ABOUT THE TWO THIRDS OF OUR BUDGET IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL AND THE STATE.
HOUSING IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS.
THE METRO SALES TAX UNDER THE REPAIR GROW PROGRAM, WE RECEIVED A METRO SALES TAX IN THE 2023 SESSION.
I THINK THAT IS THE PROJECTION OF I DON'T HAVE THE NOTE ON IT, BUT IT'S $20,000,000 THAT WE'LL BE RECEIVING ANNUALLY.
THAT'S A HUGE BENEFIT FOR US TO HELP AND DO SOME OF THE WORK IN TERMS OF GETTING PEOPLE HOUSING.
THERE'S BLOCK GRANTS THAT WE RECEIVE, AND THEN ALSO WE HAVE THAT SHELTER ALL POLICY, WHICH I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT.
IF THERE'S EVER SOMEONE WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING AND YOU SEE A CHILD IN A FAMILY THAT YOU CAN ASK THEM IF THEY HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT, IF THEY DO NOT CALL THAT CELL PHONE THAT I GAVE YOU, AND I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE HOUSING.
[00:40:02]
HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS A RULE ON THAT.WE DO NOT LET CHILDREN SLEEP OUTSIDE.
AS MUCH AS WE CAN INTERVENE, THAT'S GREAT.
THE ONE THING I ALSO JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT UNDER REPAIR AND GROW IS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THERE'S ALL THIS INITIATIVE THAT WE WANT TO BUILD.
RIGHT NOW, A LOT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY.
THERE'S A LOT OF COSTS THAT WERE UNFORESEEN, AND SO THE REPAIR AND GROW PROGRAM IS TO HELP MAKE THEM WHOLE AND STABILIZE THEM. GO AHEAD, ADAM.
THERE'S THE HEALTH. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS HENNEPIN COUNTY IS A SUBSIDIARY.
THE HCMC MEDICAL CENTER IS THE SUBSIDIARY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY, BUT ULTIMATELY, LIKE I SAID, THE 10 MILLION THAT WE HAD FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE, IF THERE'S COST THEY CANNOT COVER, WE COVER THEM.
WE OWN ALL OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE PARKING LOT, AND THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS THAT WE DO WITH THEM, THAT'S ALL COMING FROM COUNTY FUNDS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED IS ON THE SECOND BULLET IS THE BALL PARK SALES TAX EXTENSION.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TWINS, NEW OWNERSHIP.
THE TWIN STADIUM HAS BEEN PAID FOR AND RIGHT NOW, WE REALLY NEED THAT EXTENSION TO HELP US PAY.
NORTH MEMORIAL HAS BEEN STRUGGLING, AND HCMC, AGAIN, UNCOMPENSATED CARE, BUT THERE'S SO MANY OTHER NEEDS, AND SO WE'RE REALLY HOPING TO GET THAT THIS SESSION.
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN, I'VE BEEN OFFERING IT TO ALL CITY COUNCIL, SO I'M GOING TO HAVE A MASS EMAIL.
THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO ALL COUNSELS, IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN ME, I WOULD LOVE YOU TO COME SEE THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.
IT'S A NEW FACILITY THAT WE DID IN OUR CAPITAL PLAN.
IT'S WHERE A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS GO IF THERE WAS A DEATH THAT WAS UNFORESEEN LIKE FOR INSTANCE, LIKE A DRUG OVERDOSE, OR A SHOOTING.
WHILE THESE ARE TRAGIC THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK IT'S REALLY INTERESTING FOR YOU TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND HOW GREAT WE RUN THIS FACILITY.
THEN, THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE 15 MILLION.
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING IN THE NEWS IS THE YOUTH THAT HAVE COMPLEX NEEDS, COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, WHERE THEY MIGHT BE COMMITTING A CRIME, BUT THEY HAVE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.
THAT'S WHAT THIS FACILITY IS FOR.
THEN, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE SEVEN COUNTIES, SUCH AS DAKOTA, WASHINGTON, RAMSEY, TO BUILD ANOTHER FACILITY THAT WE CAN SHARE THE COST OF, BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE A STEPPED SYSTEM TO HELP YOUTH.
NEXT SLIDE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DON'T OFTEN THINK OF IS THE EDUCATION COMPONENT.
WE HAVE A SCHOOL BASED, WE HELP WITH SCHOOL BASED SOCIAL WORKERS.
WE ALSO DO A LOT OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN OUR LIBRARIES, SUCH AS LITERACY TUTORING.
I WAS THE CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE RED ACT AT THE CAPITOL, WHICH I'M SOMEBODY THAT HAS DYSLEXIA, AND SO LITERACY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
WE ARE EXPANDING ACTUALLY TO 12 LIBRARIES, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR LITERACY HELP.
NEXT SLIDE. I'M ALMOST DONE, YOU GUYS JUST TWO MORE SLIDES HANG WITH ME.
WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF HENNEPIN COUNTY, THEY THINK OF SOME OF THESE THINGS.
PROBABLY NOT ELECTIONS AS MUCH.
BUT LIBRARIES, WE HAVE 41 OF THEM, 10 OF THEM ARE IN DISTRICT 6.
THE SERVICE CENTERS, RIDGE DALE IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST OUTSIDE OF EDINA.
ELECTIONS. ELECTIONS, WE OWN ALL OF THOSE ELECTION MACHINES THAT ARE HERE.
WE DELIVER THEM TO YOU, YOU OF COURSE, HELP US MAINTAIN THEM AND STAFF THE WORKERS BUT WE DELIVER THE BALLOTS, WE TAKE THE BALLOTS.
I'M GOING TO BE CERTIFYING THE ELECTION FOR 60B.
WE HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY THERE AND THEN ASSESSMENT SERVICES, WE'RE FOR PROPERTY TAXES, LOOKING AT YOUR ASSESSMENT SERVICES.
THERE'S, I THINK FIVE CITIES THAT WE DO NOT DO IT FOR THAT ARE LARGER THAN 30,000, AND THEY'RE WANTING US TO TAKE THAT ON. NEXT SLIDE.
PUBLIC WORKS, AND THEN I HAVE JUST TWO MORE, AND WE'RE DONE.
PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION.
THE ONE THING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ON THIS IS THE HENNEPIN THE HRC, WHICH IS THE HENNEPIN ENERGY RECOVERY CENTER.
THAT'S OUR INCINERATOR IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.
THERE ARE CALLS TO CLOSE THIS.
WITH PUBLIC POLICY, THIS IS MY SEVENTH YEAR IN.
I'M VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN WE MAKE BIG SWEEPING CHANGES.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS, THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TRASH. WE'RE NOT THERE YET.
I KNOW PEOPLE WANT TO CLOSE IT, WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE TO THE POINT WHERE I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE COULD DO THAT THERE ARE NO LANDFILLS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY SO WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING OUR TRASH IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S COUNTY.
THERE'S BEEN SOME STUDIES ABOUT HOW CLEAN IS THE HERC.
THERE'S SOME DISPUTE OVER THAT.
BUT WITH THAT SAID, WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH TRYING TO CONTINUE TO REDUCE WASTE.
WE DID GET FUNDING FOR AN ANAEROBIC DIGESTER, WHICH THINK OF THAT AS LIKE YOUR STOMACH DIGESTING FOOD.
[00:45:02]
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH.WE ARE ACTUALLY ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES SO THAT WE CAN DO A SORTING FACILITY.
ALSO, IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE HERC, I WOULD BE HAPPY ALSO TO OFFER THAT AS A TOUR.
THEN, SO CLIMATE AND RESILIENCY, OTHER THINGS IS ACTUALLY NEXT SLIDE.
THIS LEADS ME INTO MY NEXT SLIDE, AND THIS IS AFTER THIS, YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
PART OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS MAKING SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH TREES.
CITIES CAN APPLY FOR THESE TREE CANOPY GRANTS.
WE HAVE A GOAL OF PLANTING ONE MILLION TREES.
THERE'S YOUTH ACTIVITY GRANTS.
LONG LAKE JUST GOT ONE FOR THE YOUTH FACILITY THAT IS A SPORTS FACILITY THAT THEY JUST OPENED.
I THINK IT WAS WELL, WE CAN CIRCLE BACK ON THAT.
THEN, BUSINESS RECYCLING GRANTS, SO THOSE ARE SAY, FOR INSTANCE, ON A BUSINESS OR A SENIOR LIVING FACILITY, WE'VE USED THIS A LOT ON, TRYING TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF STYROFOAM IN SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES BECAUSE STYROFOAM IS NOT RECYCLABLE.
IT IS LITERALLY GOING TO A LANDFILL OR IT'S BEING INCINERATED.
THERE'S LINKS IF YOU CLICK ON THAT.
ADAM, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU CAN SHARE THE SLIDES WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR, YOU CAN ACTUALLY JUST CLICK ON THOSE LINKS, AND THEN PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW, CALL ME OR EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT INFORMATION IS REALLY VALUABLE.
THANKS FOR COMING. MY QUESTION IS, WITH REGARD TO THE HERC, WHAT'S THE RATIONALE FOR CLOSING IT?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, COUNCIL MEMBER.
THERE'S A GROUP, I THINK IT'S CALLED THE ZERO WASTE COALITION.
THEIR BELIEF IS THAT IT IS CAUSING HARM TO RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA BY AIR POLLUTION AND SO THEY THINK A LANDFILL WOULD BE A BETTER OPTION.
>> HOW MUCH ARE YOU GUYS COMPOSTING OR PUSHING COMPOSTING?
>> ACTUALLY, WE ARE PUSHING COMPOSTING A LOT.
I ACTUALLY DO HAVE A CHART THAT I CAN FOLLOW UP, COUNCIL MEMBER, TO SHOW YOU.
WE HAVE INCREASED A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE'VE INCREASED MAYBE 15% COMPOSTING, BUT IT'S NOT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.
THAT'S WHAT WE WERE THINKING WITH THE ANAEROBIC DIGESTER, AGAIN, LONG BEFORE I GOT HERE.
BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH.
>> YOU MENTIONED THE TREE CANOPY, JUST WENT OVER THAT QUICK, WHEN YOU GUYS WERE SAYING REMOVAL AND PLANTING OF ASH TREES, WHERE ARE YOU DOING THAT? ARE PRIVATE CITIZENS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT? ARE YOU DOING THAT IN PUBLIC SPACES? HOW DOES THAT WORK?
THE TREE CAN'T BE GRANTS OR ACTUALLY GRANTS THAT WE GIVE TO THE CITY.
WE DO NOT DO GRANTS FOR A PUBLIC PROPERTY.
I DO THINK THAT THE STATE WAS DISCUSSING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I THINK WHAT WE HEARD FROM AT THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE I WAS ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE IS PEOPLE WERE SAYING, I KNOW ONE OF OUR FIRST HOMES, WE HAD THIS GIANT ELM TREE AND IT COST $2,500 TO TAKE IT DOWN, SO I THINK THAT IS A REAL QUESTION.
WE DON'T HAVE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, A SOLUTION FOR THAT YET.
BUT THE TREE CANOPY, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US PLANTING MORE TREES.
WHAT I'VE BEEN TELLING EVERY COUNCIL IS, AS MUCH AS WE CAN GET GRANTS, DISTRICT 6 IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PAYERS OF PROPERTY TAXES IN DISTRICT 6, AND I REPRESENTED EDINA AT THE LEGISLATURE.
YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW I GOT HECKLED.
BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I WANT TO SEE US GET GRANTS FOR OUR DISTRICT.
PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS FEEL THE SERVICES, BUT THE GRANTS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.
AS A IMPORTANT WAY FOR IT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HAVING FUNDS THAT WE PAY AND ALSO COME BACK.
>> GREAT. I GUESS TO THAT POINT, DO YOU FEEL LIKE IN REPRESENTING DISTRICT 5 COMPARED TO MANY OF THE OTHER DISTRICTS, DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE ARE GIVEN A FAIR SHAKE, OR ARE YOU YOU FEEL LIKE THEY'RE THE WEALTHY ONES OUT WEST, YOU DON'T NEED OUR GRANTS OR OUR SERVICES AS MUCH AS THE INNER CITY MIGHT NEED.
>> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, MAYOR.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS YES, IN GOVERNMENT FROM MY EXPERIENCE AT THE LEGISLATURE, AND ALSO THE COUNTY IS PERCEIVED, IT IS, IT'S A SAFETY NET PART OF GOVERNMENT.
BUT I WILL SAY PART OF THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S LOOKING THROUGH THIS AND MAKING SURE, LIKE, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID IS I PULLED OUR CAPITAL BUDGET TO SEE WHERE OUR INVESTMENTS ARE GOING.
[00:50:02]
WE'RE BUILDING THE WEST TONKA LIBRARY, DELTA LIBRARY IS COMING, REALLY MAKING SURE.I THINK IF YOU HAVE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THAT.
I KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE CHALLENGING BECAUSE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T NECESSARILY WORK LIKE THAT, LIKE A CITY, FOR INSTANCE.
JUST BECAUSE THERE MIGHT BE MORE EXPENSIVE HOMES IN ONE AREA, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY GET MORE SERVICES AND SO IT'S CHALLENGE.
BUT MY JOB, MAYOR AND COUNCIL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH AS OUR DISTRICT, THERE'S VALUE TO THAT, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO GET THAT.
>> YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT UNCOMPENSATED MEDICAL IT'S CREATING HUGE PROBLEMS FOR MEMORIAL AND HCMC.
DO WE CHARGE ANYTHING WHEN PEOPLE COME IN AND CAN'T REALLY AFFORD MEDICAL? IS THERE A NOMINAL FEE THAT PEOPLE OR DO PEOPLE JUST FEEL FREE TO COME IN BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN COME IN FOR FREE AND WALK OUT AGAIN?
>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
HCMC IS KNOWN AS THE HOSPITAL ESSENTIALLY, WITH EMTALA LAWS, WHICH IS A FEDERAL LAW THAT SAYS A HOSPITAL SHOULD NOT DENY CARE, THAT IS NOT ENFORCED THE SAME WAY.
WHAT I WOULD SAY IS HOSPITALS IN THE REGION, IF SOMEBODY IS UNINSURED OR UNDER-INSURED, I KNOW HOSPITAL LEADERS WOULDN'T DENY THIS, BUT THEY WILL SEND THEM TO HCMC.
MY MOTHER IN LAW JUST HAD A KIDNEY STONE THE OTHER DAY AND BECAUSE SHE HAD MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, I THINK SHE GOT A ROOM VERSUS SOMEBODY THAT DID IT AND I WON'T SAY WHAT HOSPITAL.
BUT THESE THINGS ARE REAL CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, SO YES.
>> WE DO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE MA OR THAT WE'RE APPLYING FOR MA WHEN THEY'RE NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE CONNECTED TO THAT COUNTY.
THERE'S UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE THAT DON'T QUALIFY.
THERE LAW WAS PASSED FOR CHILDREN TO BE QUALIFIED, BUT NOT FOR ADULTS.
THERE'S THAT AS AN ISSUE AS WELL.
>> I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A VERY HELPFUL ROLE OUT HERE WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
VERY HELPFUL, AND I FULLY SUPPORT IT.
WE DO SHARE THAT ROLE WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES.
I'M JUST WONDERING IF ANY CHANGES ARE COMING WITHIN THAT PROGRAM?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE QUESTION.
NOT AT THIS MOMENT, BUT I'M ALWAYS OPEN TO IDEAS.
GENUINELY, I GRABBED THE POLICE CHIEF BEFORE HE WAS HEADING OUT JUST TO CONNECT WITH HIM ON IT.
[NOISE] IF THERE ARE SUGGESTIONS ON THIS, I LOVE POLICY AND TRYING TO SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THINGS.
THERE'S ALWAYS WAYS TO IMPROVE AS A COUNCIL AS ANY GOVERNMENT AS ANY BUSINESS.
ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS, OUR AGING POPULATION IN MINNESOTA WILL HAVE MORE NEEDS.
IF YOU'RE SHARING AN EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER WITH SEVEN CITIES, IS THAT GOING TO BE SUFFICIENT? SHOULD WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND LOOK AT PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE?
>> THE MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT, AND THAT HAS REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THE OFFICERS HAVE NEEDED TO DO IN REAL-TIME.
MAYBE IT'S RELATED IN PART TO AGING, BUT ALSO THAT MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT IT'S SIGNIFICANT.
I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER MESSAGE IS THAT WE HAVE THE MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT THAT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT'S WEST SUBURBS VERSUS MINNEAPOLIS.
THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THAT ROLE, AND IT'S VERY APPRECIATED.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT AND TALKING TO US AND APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN OUR COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTY.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS.
I'M HAPPY TO COME OUT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, I THINK WE BACK UP TO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES,
[1. City Council Minutes]
WHICH WAS PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTARY.>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, DAN GUSTAF, 40 EAST CIRCLE DRIVE, WAYZATA.
I PREPARED A SPEECH AND SUBMITTED A LETTER, AND THOSE ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THE MINUTES, AND THAT'S PRETTY TROUBLING AS A NON-RESIDENT OF ORONO, RESIDENT OF ORONO, RESIDENT OF WAYZATA, I'VE LIVED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES, AND THAT IS NOT IN STANDARD KEEPING AS I WANDER AROUND THE STATE AND DEAL WITH CITY COUNCILS.
I WOULD THINK OUTSIDE OF MY ISSUE, THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOUR RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS HAVE TO SAY AND WHAT YOU SAY TO EACH OTHER IN YOUR DELIBERATIONS, ETC.
[00:55:03]
I THINK IT'S GOOD GOVERNANCE, BEST PRACTICE, AND REALLY SIMPLE.I'D ASK THAT THE MINUTES BE REFLECTED TO, I ALMOST THINK THEY SHOULD BE TABLED AND BROUGHT BACK.
IF IT WERE ME, I'D REQUEST A TABLE AND HAVE THEM REDONE, BUT I'M OPEN TO HAVING MY LETTER REFERENCED, AND MY CONCERNS ABOUT MATT JOHNSON, DANNY WALSH, AND THE LIKE NOTED IN THOSE MINUTES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JUST GOING TO SAY, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, MINUTES DO MEET ALL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IN KEEPING WITH NORMAL BEST PRACTICES FOR MINUTES.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN PAST. WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN.
[NOISE] CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE COURT RECORDINGS, THIS IS NOT A COURT OF LAW, SO IT PRESERVES A DIFFERENT FUNCTION, WHICH IS TO RECORD THE DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL MAKES, WHICH THEY DO.
FURTHER, SINCE I KNOW A NUMBER OF YOU ARE NEW, WE DO HAVE AND RETAIN VIDEO RECORDINGS OF MEETINGS AS WELL AS, SINCE WE INTRODUCED OUR NEW MEETING PROCESS, VERBATIM TRANSCRIPTS.
IF ANYBODY NEEDS THEM, BUT THE MINUTES THEMSELVES ARE AS SUPPOSED TO BE.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE MINUTES? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THEM AS IS?
>> WE APPROVE THE MINUTES AS IS.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? [NOISE]
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING, AS ADAM MENTIONED, THAT HAS COME UP BEFORE MULTIPLE TIMES, AT LEAST IN MY TENURE.
THE WAY THE MINUTES LOOKED THEN SEVERAL YEARS AGO WERE MUCH MORE DETAILED, INCLUDING ALL AGENDA ITEMS, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
THERE HAVE BEEN ARGUMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS OVER TIME, AND THEY HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME TO THIS FORMAT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER CITIES WHO ARE ALSO FOLLOWING STATUTE WITH REGARD TO RECORD KEEPING, HAVE THEM ORDERED VERY DIFFERENTLY, DO HAVE MORE DETAIL INCLUDED, AND THERE'S ARGUMENTS TO BE MADE FOR AND AGAINST THAT.
WE SEEM TO HAVE REACHED SOMETHING HERE THAT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS IT'S MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS.
IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT HAVE MUCH DETAIL.
I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO DISCUSSING THIS AGAIN. THAT'S MY OPINION.
I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE RECORD IS BEING ACCURATELY KEPT, BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S REASONS THAT WE'VE ARRIVED AT THE CURRENT FORMAT OVER TIME.
I WOULD ALSO MENTION ONE OTHER THING THAT OVER TIME, THERE HAVE BEEN COMMENTS MADE TO ME OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS REGARDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT ANYONE WHO GIVES THE PUBLIC COMMENT MUST NOT ONLY STATE THEIR NAME BUT ALSO THEIR FULL ADDRESS.
THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS RAISED, AT LEAST TO ME ABOUT THAT AS A PRACTICE, GIVEN THE FACT THAT IT MAY DISCOURAGE SOME INDIVIDUALS FROM WANTING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT WHO DO NOT FEEL THAT IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO SHARE PUBLICLY.
THAT IS ONE PIECE OF THIS THAT I JUST WANTED TO PUT OUT FOR THE REST OF COUNSEL WHO PROBABLY WASN'T PRIVIER, HASN'T BEEN AWARE OF THAT IN THE PAST.
NOW THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING IT, I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.
>> OTHER COMMENTS? I'LL CALL THE QUESTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED SAY, AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.
[2. Claims/Bills]
WHICH WAS ALSO PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, CLAIMS, AND BILLS.>> I WAS THE ONE THAT PULLED THAT.
I GUESS I JUST HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT SIX ITEMS THAT WERE LISTED.
FROM PAGE 1, THE CRANE BUILD OUT, WAS THAT FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING? ABM EQUIPMENT IN SUPPLY.
>> I'M NOT SURE. IF YOU HAVE A LIST OF THESE ITEMS YOU'D LIKE US TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
>> IF THAT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE.
I GUESS IT JUST A FEW QUESTIONS.
>> THERE'S HUNDREDS OF ITEMS ON THERE.
>> THAT'S WHY I HAD SIX, AND I GUESS ONE OF THEM PERTAINED TO ONE OF THE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WE HAD ON PAGE 3, WE HAD THREE CHECKS WRITTEN TO THE CITY OF LONG LAKE.
FIRST ONE BEING WATER, THE SECOND ONE BEING SEWER.
[01:00:03]
I WAS JUST WONDERING HOW MUCH LONG LAKE CHARGES US FOR WATER VERSUS HOW MUCH WE CHARGE OUR CITIZENS FOR WATER.THAT WOULD BE ONE WE PROBABLY HAVE TO COME BACK TO AS WELL.
>> YES, BUT THOSE ARE ALSO OUTLINED IN OUR FEE SCHEDULE.
>> VERSUS HOW MUCH LONG LAKE CHARGES US? COMING BACK TO THAT, WHEN LONG LAKE DELIVERS WATER TO ORONO, DO THEY DELIVER IT RIGHT TO THE HOMES, OR DO THEY DELIVER IT TO OUR WATER TOWER?
>> NO, THEY DELIVER IT TO THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY, AND THE CITY OF ORONO'S SYSTEM TAKES IT FROM THERE TO THE PROPERTIES.
WAY IT'S BILLED IS BASED ON THE USAGE AT THE INDIVIDUAL HOME.
I GUESS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WATER, IN THE CASE OF THE WATER THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE CITY OF LONG LAKE, THEY PUMP IT, TREAT IT, SHIP IT TO THE EDGE OF THE CITY, THEN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TAKES OVER, AND SHIPS THE REST OF THE WAY TO OUR RESIDENTS.
>> IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GO BACK INTO OUR WATER TOWER, IT JUST CONTINUES FLOWING?
>> RIGHT. FOR THOSE PORTIONS, NO, AS PART OF NORMAL OPERATIONS, THOSE ARE ON SEPARATE SYSTEMS. WE DO HAVE INTERCONNECTS WITH THE CITY OF LONG LAKE AS WE DO WITH OUR OTHER NEIGHBORING CITIES.
WHEN WE DO TRADE WATER BACK AND FORTH, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN THEY HAVE A MAINTENANCE ISSUE, WE PROVIDE THEM WATER, WHEN WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE ISSUE, THEY PROVIDE US WATER.
SAME THING WE DO WITH SPRING CITY OF SPRING PARK, CITY OF [INAUDIBLE] BEACH DOWN ON OUR SOUTHERN WATER SYSTEM.
BUT WHERE WE HAVE INSTANCES WHERE EITHER WE PROVIDE ROUTINE WATER TO SOMEBODY ELSE OR WE RECEIVE WATER ROUTINELY, IT GOES DIRECTLY.
THE REASON WE HAVE THOSE IS BECAUSE OUR SYSTEM DOESN'T CONNECT INTO THAT AREA FROM WHERE OUR PRODUCTION AND OUR STORAGE IS.
>> ON PAGE 7, HOLTON ELECTRIC.
IT'S CLASSIFIED AS A FIRE DEPARTMENT ELECTRICAL REMODEL.
>> THAT ONE, ACTUALLY, I DO THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THAT'S FOR ELECTRICAL WORK IN THE OLD PUBLIC.
>> IN THE OLD PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
PAGE 8, THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA INSURANCE.
IS THAT AN AMOUNT THAT WAS PAID THAT'S ON PAGE 8.
IT'S AN AMOUNT OF $151,000, IS THAT A YEARLY PAYMENT TO THE LEAGUE FOR OUR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE?
>> FOR OUR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE.
>> THAT'S WORKERS' COMPENSATION.
>> WORKERS' COMPENSATION. THANK YOU. THEN ON PAGE 9, IT HAS A CITIZEN SERVICE FOR PAYING 30,000.
WHICH PART OF OUR IT IS THAT? I'M NOT SAYING IT'S WRONG. I'M JUST ASKING.
>> CITIZEN SERVICE IS THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT WE USE TO MANAGE PERMITS LICENSES, AND THAT SORT OF THING.
EVERY BUILDING PERMIT, MOST OF THE LICENSES THAT COME IN, THAT'S THE INTERFACE WITH THE PUBLIC.
ON PAGE 10, IT'S A NEW SIREN FOR ENGINE E1 FOR $4,000.
I KNOW THAT ENGINE'S BEEN COSTING US A LOT IN MAINTENANCE.
IS THAT A NORMAL THING FOR THE SIREN TO GO OUT? THAT'S A PRETTY EXPENSIVE PART OF IT IS.
>> NO, THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THAT SIREN.
I THINK IT WAS A SOLENOID OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT MOVED IN STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, AND SO IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
>> I CAN COME BACK TO THAT ABM EQUIPMENT 1.
PER THE DESCRIPTION, IT WAS FOR A WATER AND SEWER VEHICLE, A CRANE BUILD OUT FOR THAT VEHICLE.
>> YES, THAT WOULD BE FOR THE UTILITY TRUCK, WHICH HAS A CRANE ON IT.
THEY WERE JUST VERY LARGE TICKET ITEMS, SO I WAS WONDERING HOW THOSE WERE PAID OUT AND LIKE WHAT THE INSURANCE ITSELF TO IF THAT WAS A YEARLY OR TWICE YEARLY, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT? OTHERWISE, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS AND BILLS THAT WERE PART OF THE AGENDA.
>> I WILL SAY A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I GUESS I WOULD JUST ASK IF WE'VE GOT QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC BILLS, WOULD YOU LIKE US TO ASK THOSE PRIOR TO THE MEETING?
>> IF YOU COULD LET US KNOW THINGS LIKE THAT AHEAD OF TIME, THEN WE DEFINITELY CAN HAVE LOOKED IT UP AND MAKE SURE WE'RE READY TO ANSWER THOSE.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? OTHERWISE, I CALL THE QUESTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION,
[01:05:01]
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.
NEXT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 4 ORIGINALLY FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[4. Rename Management Assistant to Deputy City Clerk]
RENAME MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT TO DEPUTY CITY CLERK.>> I PULLED IT JUST BECAUSE I WANTED TO SHARE WHAT I LEARNED, WHICH I DIDN'T KNOW THAT IS THAT NOLA IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HER CERTIFICATION.
>> SHE HAS, YES, BEEN WORKING ON THE CITY CLERK CERTIFICATIONS.
>> SHE WILL BE FINISHED THIS YEAR?
>> IT'S MULTI-YEAR THING, DEPENDING ON [INAUDIBLE] I DON'T KNOW.
I SPOKE TO CHRISTINE ABOUT THIS EARLIER, OUR CLERK, AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO HAVE AS WE'RE MOVING INTO THIS NEW TITLE CHANGE.
I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT NOLA IS WELL ON HER WAY TO ACHIEVING THAT.
SETS US UP FOR SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE WITH THIS ROLE.
THAT'S ALL I HAD. NO OTHER QUESTIONS, AND WITH THAT, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO RENAME THE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT TO DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND APPROVE THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
>> IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION?
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NOT ALL THOSE SIGNIFY THEIR APPROVAL OF THAT MOTION BY SAYING AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN.
MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 5 IS HIRING A FIREFIGHTER.
[5. Hire Firefighter]
>> HAVE YOU PULLED THAT ONE AS WELL?
>> I DID. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS.
THIS COVER PAGE HAS INCLUDED IN THIS AGENDA ITEM, NOT JUST A HIRING, BUT ALSO ACCEPTING A RESIGNATION.
I'M WONDERING IF CHIEF FEENIE WOULD GIVE US AN UPDATE ABOUT PERSONNEL AS IT STANDS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON.
OUR NUMBERS ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN SINCE LAST YEAR, AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, WHICH IS 22 FIREFIGHTERS.
WE'VE KIND OF GIVE AND TAKE WITH THE LAST TWO HIRINGS, WHERE WE'VE LOST ONE, AND WE'VE ADDED ONE.
I CAN GIVE A MORE SPECIFIC BREAKDOWN AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING OR SEND IT OUT TO COUNCIL AS TO HOW MANY, BROKEN DOWN BY PART TIME, PAID ON CALL AND FULL TIME EMPLOYEES.
>> WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS HIRING AN INDIVIDUAL FOR A PART TIME POSITION TO REPLACE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT?
>> THEN THE DEPARTMENT WILL REMAIN AT 22 AFTER THIS.
>> YEAH. WHATEVER THAT NUMBER IS, I BELIEVE IT'S 22, BUT I CAN GIVE YOU A FULL BREAKDOWN HERE.
I CAN EMAIL THAT OUT TO ADAM, WHO CAN SEND IT OUT TO THE COUNCIL FOR YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF VAN EYLL WHILE WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS MOTION? I GUESS AT THAT, I WOULD ENTERTAIN THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A FIREFIGHTER AS ITEM 5.
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE HIRING OF THE FIREFIGHTER PART TIME.
>> I'D LIKE TO ADD ONE THING HERE ON THIS ITEM.
THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I WANTED TO HAVE IT PULLED OFF CONSENT BECAUSE IT IS RELATED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I'VE RECEIVED SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT MY STANCE ON THIS ISSUE, AND I WANT TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE HERE AND THAT I SUPPORT THIS HIRE, BECAUSE IT IS REPLACING A PERSONNEL, AND ALSO BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ACTIVE NEGOTIATING TEAM IN MAYOR TUNHEIM AND ALSO COUNCIL MEMBER PERSIAN, WHO ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM LONG LAKE AT THIS TIME.
THE CONTEXT FOR THIS HIRE IS THAT BOTH MEMBERS FROM BOTH COUNCILS ARE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN TALKS AT THIS TIME.
UNDER THIS CONDITION, I DO APPROVE THIS HIRE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I'LL CALL THE QUESTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM SEVEN ON THE AGENDA,
[7. Fourth Quarter Financial Update]
WHICH IS THE FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL UPDATE.TONIGHT, I WILL GIVE A QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL UPDATE.
[01:10:02]
I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT THESE NUMBERS ARE PRELIMINARY.WE ARE WORKING ON 2024 AUDIT AT THIS MOMENT, AND THESE NUMBERS WILL CHANGE AS WE APPROACH FINAL AUDIT DATES IN MAY.
STARTING OFF, I HAVE THE 2024 GENERAL FUND REVENUE.
FOR THE YEAR, WE ARE LOOKING GOOD AT 102.5% OF THE BUDGET.
OUR BIGGEST REVENUE SOURCE IS PROPERTY TAXES.
WE ARE AT 98.67% WITH THE REMAINING BUDGET BALANCE TO BE COLLECTED IN FUTURE YEARS.
THE OTHER LARGEST BIG REVENUE SOURCE WOULD BE CHARGES FOR SERVICE.
WE'RE AT 102.2%, AND THEN FOLLOWED BY LICENSE AND PERMITS AND THEN OTHER GOVERNMENTAL REVENUE.
WE ARE LOW ON THE INTEREST REVENUE LINE ITEM ON THAT.
WE HAVE 2021 AND 2022 INVESTMENTS THAT ARE AT A LOWER YIELD.
AS THOSE FALL OFF, THEN WE'LL GET BACK UP IN OUR INTEREST REVENUE.
THEN NEXT SLIDE, I DO HAVE A QUARTERLY COMPARISON.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE LABELS FALL OFF A LITTLE BIT, BUT THAT'S THE PAST FIVE YEARS, EACH QUARTER IN EACH OF THOSE YEARS.
YOU CAN SEE THAT WE'RE TRENDING AT OVER 100% THIS YEAR AGAIN ON FAIR REVENUE.
THEN THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES, I DO WANT TO NOTE ON THE CURRENT SLIDE, THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AS OF WHAT WAS IN THE COUNCIL PACKET.
THE NUMBERS ARE UNAUDITED, AND 2024 INVOICES ARE STILL COMING IN.
WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT EXPENDITURE, AND WE'RE REALLOCATING EXPENDITURES AS WE LOOK THROUGH THE AUDIT PROCESS AND CLEAN UP OUR FINANCIALS.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THERE ARE THREE DEPARTMENTS THAT'S OVER BUDGET.
THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE PUBLIC WORKS.
THEY'RE AT 113.3%, ALMOST 0.4%.
THAT'S MAINLY DUE TO RIGHT OF WAY TREE MAINTENANCE AND STREET MAINTENANCE.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE SPECIAL SERVICES AT 204%.
THAT'S OFFSET WITH THE REVENUE STREAM THAT COMES IN.
THEN WE BILL OUT THE PARTIES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE EXPENDITURES, AND WE SEE THAT OVER BUDGET ON THE REVENUE AND THEN TRANSFERS TO OTHER FUND.
WE ARE OVER BUDGETED ON THAT AS WELL.
THAT WAS DUE TO PAYING BACK THE POLICE CAPITAL FUND FOR A 2023 POLICE VEHICLE PURCHASE.
THAT WAS A PRIOR YEAR CORRECTION ON THAT LINE ITEM.
>> WHAT WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE SPECIAL SERVICES?
>> LEGAL AND CONSULTING FEES THAT WERE CHARGED BY CAMPBELL KINESIN AND THEN BOLTON AND MINK.
FOR SOME OF THOSE, I THINK THEY'RE LAND USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS.
WE PAY THE FIRMS FOR THOSE, AND THEN WE PASS THOSE FEES OFF TO THE PARTIES THAT APPLIED FOR THEM.
>> GENERALLY, THINGS LIKE LARGE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT?
>> OVERALL, GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES ARE LOOKING GOOD.
WE'RE UNDER-BUDGETED OVERALL AT 97.1%.
THEN I DID WANT TO NOTE THE NEW INVESTMENTS THAT WE PURCHASED IN QUARTER 4 OF 2024.
I'M TRYING TO LOCK IN SOME OF THOSE RATES, KNOWING THAT WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT FEDS MIGHT CUT RATES THIS YEAR STILL TO COME, AND THEN TRYING TO LEVEL OFF THE MATURITY OF OUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AS WELL.
THEN AND THEN THE LAST SLIDE I HAVE IS OUR 2024 INTEREST THAT WE HAVE EARNED, WHERE WE HAD EARNED 553,000, AND THAT WAS ALLOCATED BETWEEN EACH OF THE FUNDS BASED ON THEIR FUND BALANCE PER EACH MONTH, AND THEN TRY AND DIVERSIFY OUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO BETWEEN SOME CDS, GOVERNMENT BOND, AND THEN SOME LIQUID CASH WITH MONEY MARKET AND CHECKING ACCOUNT.
WITH THAT, I END MY FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL UPDATE.
>> YOU DON'T NEED ACTION FROM US ON THIS, CORRECT?
>> NO. IT'S JUST A QUARTERLY UPDATE ON HOW
[01:15:01]
OUR GENERAL FUND AND OUR INVESTMENTS ARE PERFORMING.>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I READ THIS RIGHT.
THE EXPENDITURES FOR FIRE PROTECTION IN 2024, IT WAS 1.431 MILLION
>> YES. OUR EXPENDITURE, AND THEN WE HAD A BUDGET OF 1.437.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE THIS OFF TOP OF YOUR HEAD OR IN THE MATERIALS, BUT WHAT DID WE END THE YEAR ON AS FAR AS A RESERVE BALANCE ON OUR BALANCE SHEET VERSUS OUR BUDGET FOR 2025?
>> I DON'T HAVE OUR CURRENT RESERVES RIGHT NOW.
I KNOW THAT PER THE LAST COUNCIL, THEY HAD SET THE LIMIT FROM 45% OF OUR 2025 OPERATING BUDGET DOWN TO 40%.
AS WE GO THROUGH AUDIT PROCESS AND THE CLEANUP, WHEN THE AUDITORS COME OUT, THEY WILL BE PRESENTING THAT NUMBER AND WHERE WE'RE AT IN REGARDS TO THAT THRESHOLD.
>> IF YOU COULD GET THAT INFORMATION BACK TO US, WE'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> WHAT'S THE TIMING OF THE AUDIT PROCESS?
>> YES. WE JUST FINISHED OUR PRELIMINARY AUDIT THIS LAST TUESDAY.
THEN FINAL FIELDWORK, I BELIEVE, WILL BE AT THE END OF APRIL, AND THEN THEY WILL BE PRESENTING AT ONE OF THE MAY COUNCIL MEETINGS OR THE EARLY JUNE COUNCIL MEETING.
I'M TRYING TO HAVE IT DONE IN ONE OF THE MAY COUNCIL MEETINGS, BUT IT HAS TO BE FINALIZED BY JUNE 30TH.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVE ON NOW TO THE ATTORNEY REPORT.
[Attorney Report]
>> MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO UPDATE OTHER THAN WHAT WE DISCUSSED AT YOUR STUDY SESSION THIS AFTERNOON.
>> THANK YOU. CITY ADMINISTRATOR ENGINEER REPORT.
[8. Approve Communications Specialist Position and Recruitment]
>> MR. MAYOR, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 8, WHICH IS APPROVED COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST POSITION AND RECRUITMENT.
THIS ITEM WOULD CREATE A NEW POSITION ON THE CITY STAFF.
IT'S SOMETHING THE CITY HAS BEEN LOOKING AT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.
THIS WOULD CREATE A SPECIALIST LEVEL POSITION, WHICH WOULD BE A GRADE SEVEN IN OUR OVERALL SCALE.
THE INTENT TO THE POSITION WOULD BE TO CONSOLIDATE ALL THE COMMUNICATION RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY SPREAD ACROSS THE STAFF INTO ONE POSITION HOPEFULLY BY A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL THAT HAS THOSE SKILL SETS AND EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE TO PERFORM THOSE DUTIES.
IT HAS BEEN A POSITION THAT MANY OF YOUR PREDECESSORS HAVE ASKED US TO LOOK AT.
WE DID TRY SOME OTHER THINGS EARLIER ON TO IMPROVE OUTGOING COMMUNICATIONS ACROSS THE CITY.
WE'VE DONE THINGS LIKE UPGRADE THE WEBSITE.
WE'VE DONE DIFFERENT SOCIAL MEDIA THINGS.
WE'VE TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITIES, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, AND TRIED TO SPREAD THEM ACROSS THE STAFF.
PRIMARILY, THAT IMPACTS OUR ADMINISTRATIVE FOLKS IN EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS, WHICH IS OKAY, BUT NONE OF THOSE FOLKS ARE NECESSARILY COMMUNICATIONS EXPERTS.
AGAIN, THE IDEA OF THIS POSITION WOULD BE TO CONSOLIDATE THOSE DUTIES BACK INTO ONE PERSON.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE THE POSITION REPORTING TO THE CITY CLERK WHO HEADS OUR ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT, AND THAT CURRENTLY HAS THE BRUNT OF THOSE DUTIES, NEWSLETTER AND THE WEBSITE.
CONTROL. WHAT ELSE? THE POSITION WAS INCLUDED IN THE 2025 BUDGET.
WE DO HAVE THIS POSITION BUDGETED SHOULD IT BE APPROVED IN THIS YEAR.
WE DID BUDGET IT FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
AT THIS POINT, BY THE TIME WE WOULD HIRE SOMEONE, WE'D BE LOOKING AT PROBABLY THREE QUARTERS OF A YEAR OF EXPENDITURES FOR THAT SALARY.
I GUESS I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL.
>> I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY WILL THIS PERSON BE DOING THAT'S DIFFERENT OR THAT YOU'RE HOPING IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT AS FAR AS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC THINGS YOU'RE HOPING THIS PERSON DOES THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT, I KNOW WE DO THE NEWSLETTER, AND YOU HAVE THE WEBSITE, BUT WHAT ARE YOU HOPING THIS PERSON'S GOING TO BRING TO THE TABLE THAT WE DON'T ALREADY HAVE?
>> I'M PERSONALLY HOPING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO'LL FOCUS ON THE COMMUNICATIONS ROLES WITHIN THE CITY, PROVIDE IT THE ATTENTION THAT IT DESERVES.
[01:20:01]
EXAMPLES, JUST DAILY MONITORING OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS, DAILY MONITORING WHAT'S GOING ON OUR WEBSITE, PROVIDING ALL THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS EXPERTISE FROM AS SIMPLE AS PREPARING SOME COPY FOR A NEWS RELEASE OR SOMETHING TO GO ON THE WEBSITE TO PREPARING THE VARIOUS GRAPHICS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT ALSO CAN SUPPORT THOSE MESSAGES.I'D ALSO LIKE THIS POSITION TO BRING BACK IN HOUSE A FEW ITEMS WE ACTUALLY CONSULT OUT RIGHT NOW [INAUDIBLE] EVERY YEAR WITH MY CITY ENGINEER HAT ON.
I DO A PAIR OUR CONSULTANT BOLTON MINK TO MAINTAIN A WEBSITE FOR US TO KEEP OUR BIG STREET PROJECT INFORMATION UP TO DATE.
THE GRAPHICS AND ALL THAT, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING BACK IN HOUSE.
>> WHO WILL BE APPROVING WHAT THIS PERSON PUTS OUT THEN?
>> WHO WILL BE APPROVING WHAT THE PERSON PUTS OUT?
>> RIGHT. IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE PUTTING OUT.
>> ULTIMATELY, THE PERSON REPORTS TO THE CITY CLERK.
SHE WILL BE PROVIDING THE DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITY, AND THEN THE CITY CLERK REPORTS TO ME.
EVERYTHING THAT DOES OR DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE CITY STAFF, ALWAYS ME.
>> DOES THE CITY HAVE A COMMUNICATION PLAN AT THIS POINT?
>> WE DON'T HAVE A FORMAL COMMUNICATION PLAN.
WE HAVE VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A DEDICATED PUBLIC AFFAIRS OR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT IN IT.
WE HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES, WE HAVE OTHER COMMUNICATION POLICIES THAT WE HAVE BUT NOTHING THAT'S CONSOLIDATED, NOR DO WE HAVE A NECESSARY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN PUT TOGETHER HOLISTICALLY THAT SAYS WE WANT TO GET THESE MESSAGES OUT TO THESE STAKEHOLDERS OF THIS TYPE ON ALONG THESE TIMELINES.
WE'VE BEEN MUCH MORE REACTIONARY WHEN WE'VE NEEDED TO TRY TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR A SPECIFIC ISSUE OR PROJECT OR SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ON.
>> IN MY EXPERIENCE, THAT COMMUNICATION PLAN WILL HELP TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE MESSAGES, PROPER MESSAGES BASED ON AUDIENCE, TIMING, USING THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, BEING STRATEGIC AND PROACTIVE ABOUT COMMUNICATION.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS RESOURCE WOULD BE ABLE TO PRODUCE WITH SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION FROM THE STAFF A COMMUNICATION PLAN, AND HAVE THAT BE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL.
>> IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THE JOB DESCRIPTION, THAT IS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE DID INCLUDE IN THERE.
IT NECESSARILY WOULDN'T BE THE ULTIMATE DECIDER ON THAT PLAN AT THE STAFF LEVEL, BUT A KEY CONTRIBUTOR IN HELPING US GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
>> I WAS CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS PERSON REPORTS TO THE CLERK.
>> YEAH. ORGANIZATIONALLY, WE PUT IT THERE.
THE CLERK'S JOB DESCRIPTION HAS [INAUDIBLE] ADDITIONAL DUTIES TO MANAGE COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES, THE WEBSITE, THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE COULD ALTERNATIVELY HAVE ASSIGNED THE POSITION AS AN EXAMPLE TO OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT, OR HAVE SOME OF OUR OTHER SPECIALTY SUPPORT STAFF LIKE IT, HUMAN RESOURCES.
IT JUST SEEMED TO BE A FIT THERE.
WE JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, APPROVED THE JOB DESCRIPTION CHANGE FOR THE DEPUTY CLERK.
AS MANY OF YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, ONE OF HER ADDITIONAL DUTIES WAS TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER THE QUARTER OR THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, WHICH THEN SHE WORKS WITH THE CLERK, SO THAT DUTY WOULD MOVE TO THIS NEW POSITION AND STILL REPORT TO US.
IT ALSO PUTS THE POSITION IN THE, CALL IT THE CITY HEADQUARTERS, AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING IT OUT IN ONE OF THE OTHER SPECIALTY DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC WORKS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IT'S IN THE CITY HEADQUARTERS. THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT PICKS UP THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.
WE'RE LOOKING AT CITIES AROUND THIS AREA OF SIMILAR SIZE OR WHATNOT, HOW COMMON IS THIS POSITION?
>> I THINK WHEN WE WERE LOOKING FOR COMPS FOR THIS POSITION IN THE METRO AREA, WE LOOKED AT CITIES OF OUR SIZE, GIVE OR TAKE A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK WE CAME UP WITH EIGHT OR NINE COMPS IN THE CITY OR IN THE METRO AREA.
THEN DEPENDING, OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU GET INTO BIGGER CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND THEY HAVE ENTIRE COMMUNICATIONS OR COMMENTS.
WE HAVE EITHER COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AND INFORMATION OFFICERS AND COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS.
[01:25:02]
WE'RE LOOKING TO START SMALL.>> JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HOW MANY PROJECTS HAVE WE CONTRACTED OUT THAT WOULD LIKELY FALL UNDER THIS ROLE?
>> THE PREDOMINANT ONE WAS THE EXAMPLE I GAVE IS EVERY YEAR, I'VE JUST WORKED IT INTO THE BOLTON AND MAKE PROPOSALS FOR THEIR CONTRACT SUPPORT FOR OUR STREETS STUFF.
OTHER THAN THAT, I'VE USED THE LEAD OF MINNESOTA CITIES FOR SOME PUBLIC AFFAIRS ASSISTANCE IN THE PAST.
WE HAVE LOOKED AT, BUT THEN NOT ACTUALLY AWARDED OR A PORTRAIT ON SOME OTHER SPECIALTY COMMUNICATION SUPPORT FOR SPECIFIC ISSUES OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THERE THAT WE FOUND WHEN WE'VE GONE OUT AND ASKED FOR PROPOSALS.
FOR SINGLE ISSUE ITEMS, IT CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE.
WE LOOKED AT TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER SOME SIMPLE COMMUNICATIONS ON FIRE ISSUE, AND I THINK WE WERE GETTING PROPOSALS BACK JUST TO PREPARE A FEW MESSAGES OF $60,000.
I REMEMBER THOSE RATES, SO WE STEPPED AWAY AND SAID, WHAT CAN WE DO IN HOUSE? NOW, WE LOOKED AROUND AT IT, BUT IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE.
THE OTHER CHALLENGE WITH CONTRACTING OUT SOMETIMES THAT I FIND, PARTICULARLY FOR SPECIAL ISSUE ITEM IS YOU HAVE TO BRING THE CONTRACTOR, THE CONSULTANT AND YOU SPEND A LOT OF INTERNAL STAFF TIME BRINGING THE CONSULTANT UP TO SPEED ON WHAT EVEN IS GOING ON OR THE BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE BEFORE THEY CAN HELP YOU CRAFT A MESSAGE PRODUCT.
PART OF IT IS BIGGER ORGANIZATIONS I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN WHERE YOU HAVE ON STAFF FOLKS, YOU DON'T HAVE THAT RAMP UP TIME.
THEY ARE AWARE JUST BY BEING AS PART OF THE STAFF AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CITY, AND WHAT THEY TIE IN BETTER TO HELP SUPPORT YOU ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE.
>> THOUGHT I WAS DONE, BUT MAYBE THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE.
THIS WOULD BE A FULL-TIME POSITION, AND IN THE EVENT THAT THIS PERSON IS NOT BEING UTILIZED IN THAT CAPACITY FULLY, WOULD THERE BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER TYPES OF PROJECTS OR WHATNOT? IT SOUNDS LIKE BEING THAT THIS IS NEW, THERE'S NOT A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING AT THIS TIME THIS POSITION IS WITH A FULL TIME INDIVIDUAL IF THEIR DUTIES ARE GOING TO BE ENOUGH AT THIS TIME TO FILL A FULL-TIME OF ROLE?
>> I GUESS, I PERSONALLY I AM FULLY CONFIDENT, I CAN TAKE ALL OF THEIR TIME.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE ALSO HAVE BUILT INTO THIS POSITION LIKE ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS IS THEY ARE THERE TO HELP BACKUP AND SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE ROLE.
ONE OF THE ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THIS PARTICULAR POSITION IS THEY BACKUP THE FRONT DESK.
WHEN WE HAVE ILLNESSES OR PEOPLE ROTATING ON LUNCH OR IF THE DEEM CLERK, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF ELECTIONS.
THEY CAN HELP WITH FRONT DESK PROCEDURES WHILE THE ELECTIONS ARE GOING, THOSE THINGS.
THE IDEA AND ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS, FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO TO SUPPORT THE CITY MISSION.
IT'S NOT JUST A NARROW FOCUS YOU CROSS TRAINED TO BACKFILL THE OTHER RULES IN CITY.
>> I WOULD SEE THIS ROLE AS BEING REALLY PIVOTAL AND IMPORTANT IN WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON THE FIRE SITUATION.
ONE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS IN THE LAST MEETING WAS A REQUEST FOR A PUBLIC FORUM.
THAT SEEMS TO FIT NATURALLY INTO THAT ROLE.
I THINK THERE'S PLENTY FOR THAT PERSON TO DO.
>> THANK YOU, BECAUSE I PROMPT TO SOME STUFF FOR COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON'S QUESTION.
THE OTHER AREA WHERE WE HAVE TO OUTSOURCE THIS KIND OF THING IS WHEN WE'VE BEEN DOING SOME OF OUR FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF THOSE.
THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES. PARTICULARLY LIKE WITH SOME OF THESE RECENT PARK THINGS, WE'LL HAVE TO GET TO CONSULT OUT TO BOLTON MC AS AN EXAMPLE TO HELP PREPARE GRAPHIC AIDS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE OR ENGAGEMENT, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHERE WE COULD WORK.
NOT THAT WE WOULDN'T NEED A CONSULTANT FOR A BIGGER OUTREACH, BUT SOME OF THAT SMALLER STUFF THAT THEY JUST HAVE IN HOUSE.
>> I GUESS I WAS LOOKING AT IT LIKE YOU WERE TOO AS A GIVE AND TAKE, AS FAR AS COMMUNICATION, BUT THEN I STARTED THINKING ABOUT IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF ONE PERSON WHO HAS IT THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO MAYBE SPEAK FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON AT THE CITY.
[01:30:03]
HOW WOULD YOU, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?>> I WAS THINKING IN TERMS OF BEING A SPOKESPERSON, JUST ARRANGING THAT EVENT.
>> I CAN SEE. JUST ARRANGING EVENT.
I MISUNDERSTOOD THE WAY THAT YOU WERE.
>> NO, AND WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THIS POSITION TO BE LIKE THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
>> THIS IS GOING STRAIGHT OUT.
THIS IS LETTING THE PUBLIC KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON RATHER THAN GIVE A TAKE.
>> THEY'D BE DOING THE ROUTINE MESSAGES OF LIKE, REMEMBER, CLEANUP DAYS COMING AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
THEY'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT DIRECTLY FOR BIGGER THINGS, THEY'D BE IN MORE OF A SUPPORT ROLE TO WHATEVER THE PROJECT MANAGER WAS FOR THAT PARTICULAR THING.
AGAIN, PUT IT. CITY ENGINEER HAT ROLE ON, YOU KNOW, THEY'D BE WORKING WITH ME TO PREPARE THE UPDATES FOR CITY PROJECTS AND TO PUT THOSE UPDATES ON SITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA THE SAME.
THEN THERE ARE SOME INHERENT ROLES FOR PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS EXAMPLE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
OUR CRISIS CRISIS INFORMATION WOULD STILL BE THROUGH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
BUT THIS PERSON IN A BIGGER CRISIS TO SUPPORT THEM, BUT THEY THEY WOULD STILL HAVE THAT PRIMARY ROLE OF PUTTING OUT CRIME ALERTS AND WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC ON SOME EMERGENCY RESPONSE TYPE.
>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE AS A BENEFIT TO SOME TYPE OF A CONSOLIDATION OF THIS FUNCTION INTO ONE ROLE WOULD BE TO REALLY CREATE, I THINK IT WAS TALKED ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION PLAN, BUT REALLY HELPS CREATE COMMON CONTENT.
IT ALSO HELPS CREATE THAT COMMON APPROACH TO OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, WHICH IS OUTLINED IN THE DOCUMENT HERE.
TO ME, THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR A CITY TO HAVE A COMMON THEME, A COMMON APPROACH TO MESSAGING OUTWARDLY, SO I THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA.
>> I HAD OCCASION TO ATTEND A REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS, I THINK IT'S CALLED.
ALL THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE NEW TO ME.
BUT AT THE JANUARY MEETING, WE HAD A CONSULTANT THAT CONSULTS WITH CITIES AND WAS SORT OF TALKING ABOUT TRENDS AND THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR CITIES TO LOOK AT.
THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT THEY BROUGHT UP WAS COMMUNICATIONS.
IT'S OFTEN OVERLOOKED AND VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR KEEPING CITIZENS APPRISED OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND THE COMMON MESSAGING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH THAT, SO THIS FALLS NICELY IN LINE WITH WHAT THEY WERE RECOMMENDING.
>> IF THE ITEM IS APPROVED THIS EVENING, THAT WOULD BE THE APPROVAL OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
WE WOULD BEGIN THE RECRUITING PROCESS.
AGAIN, I KNOW A NUMBER OF YOU ARE KNEW THE WAY OUR RECRUITING WORKS HIRING PROCESS IN THE CITY IS THAT WE WILL BE BRING WOULD BRING AN APPLICANT BACK TO YOU FOR APPOINTMENT.
YOU ALSO GET THE FINAL SAY ON THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WOULD FILL POSITIONS.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? NO. I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST POSITION AND THE RECRUITMENT OF THAT INDIVIDUAL?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE THE COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST POSITION AND JOB DESCRIPTION AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO INITIATE THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?
>> SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN.
>> MR. MAYOR, THIS IS MY NORMAL UPDATE.
>> PARTICULARLY IN THE ENGINEER WORLD, I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW, I PUT IT IN THE WEEKLY UPDATE THAT I EMAILED TO YOU ALL, BUT JUST TO HIGHLIGHT, I'VE BEEN WORKING RECENTLY WITH RIVER PARK DISTRICT.
THERE IS A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ONE OF OUR REGIONAL TRAILS TO MAKE COME IN EARLIER THAN IT MIGHT OTHERWISE THAT WOULD COME OFF OF THE DAKOTA TRAIL ALONG NORTH SHORE, AND THEN MAYBE UP OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD.
THE ROUTE THAT THREE RIVERS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY HAVE, AS PART OF THEIR TRAIL MASTER PLAN, WOULD USE THAT TO CONNECT THE A LOOSE LINE THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF OUR CITY.
IT'S AN AREA THAT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED.
BUT WHAT'S OCCURRING IS THAT THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS LOOKING TO REPLACE SOME OF THE INTERCEPTORS, SO BIG SEWER PIPES THAT RUN ALONG THE COUNTY ROAD.
ORIGINALLY, THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DIRECTIONALLY BORE THOSE,
[01:35:03]
SO IT WOULD BE MINIMAL DISTURBANCE.MOST OF THE WORK THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO DO WILL BE OPEN CUT, OPEN TRENCH, WHICH IS QUITE DISTURBING TO THE ROAD RIGHT OF WAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PUSH THE, MET COUNCIL AND THE COUNTY AND COOPERATION WITH THREE RIVERS IS, IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT ALL THIS DISTURBANCE INTO THE COUNTY RIGHT AWAY WHERE WE HAVE A REGIONAL TRAIL TEMPLATE, LET'S GO AHEAD AND RESTORE THAT RIGHT OF WAY IN A WAY, SUCH THING.
EVEN IF WE CAN'T BUILD THE TRAIL IMMEDIATELY, WE'VE GOT THE SPACE, AND THEY'VE DONE THE PRELIMINARY GRADING WORK AND ALL THAT, SO IT BE FEASIBLE.
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE COMING.
IT DOES MEAN THAT THE MET COUNCIL MAY BE SIX MONTHS BEHIND NOW AND STARTING THEIR PROJECT, WHICH THEY WERE GOING TO START.
THEY WERE GOING TO GO OUT FOR A BIT LATER THIS YEAR AND TRY TO START THE WINTER TWO YEAR PROJECT.
>> WHAT WAS THE ROUTE TO CONNECT THE DAKOTA DELUS.
>> COMING OFF OF THE DAKOTA OVER BY WHERE THE CRYSTAL NEIGHBORHOOD IS.
>> YES, 151. COMING ALONG 51 AND THEN GOING UP.
>> ON BROWN. OLD CRYSTAL BAY, PERFECT.
THERE IS A TRAIL THAT GOES THAT STARTS NORTH OF THE LOOSE LINE, I ASSUME, IT'LL BE CONNECTING THAT.
>> CORRECT. THE INDEPENDENCE TRAIL THAT RUNS HERE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING, CONNECTS BAKER PARK AND PARKS NORTH COMES SOUTH AND GETS AS FAR AS THE LOOSE LINES LINE.
THIS IS THAT CONNECTS THAT, THE REST OF THE WAY DOWN AND AROUND OVER TO THE DAKOTA.
>> ARE THERE ANY RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES, OR DO THEY OWN THE RIGHT OF WAY ALONG THAT ROAD?
>> THE COUNTY OWNS THOSE ARE BOTH COUNTY ROADS SEGMENTS.
THE COUNTY ROAD OWNS THAT RIGHT OF WAY.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I THINK WE HAVE GOING THROUGH THERE IS PROBABLY FAMILIAR.
IF YOU LOOK AT IT IN DETAIL, THERE'S A LOT OF WETLAND ON EAST SIDE.
>> THAT'S WHERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGE IS.
THEY'LL BE LOOKING AT, CAN WE ADJUST THE TRAVEL WAY OF THE COUNTY ROAD OVER A LITTLE BIT, SO WE CAN FIT A TRAIL ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.
AGAIN, WHEN THEY RESTORE AFTER THEY DIG THE TRENCHES FOR THE PIPELINE.
ADVANTAGES NOW THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AS THEY DO THAT, THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ALL THE WETLAND IMPACTS AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF, SO WE ONLY DO THAT ONCE.
>> CAN I JUST ASK FOR CLARIFICATION WHEN THE COUNTY COMES AND THEY HAVE ROAD PROJECTS LIKE THIS.
ARE YOU THE PERSON CONTACT PERSON FOR THE CITY?
>> WE MET COUNCIL FOR UTILITY PROJECTS AS THE CITY ENGINEERS THEIR PRIMARY.
>> THAT'S ALL THE UPDATES I HAVE.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL, I GUESS.
[Mayor/Council Report]
I'M NOT SURE IT'S COMMITTEE REPORTS AS MUCH AS JUST COUNCIL REPORTS.JUST A QUICK UPDATE ON SOME FIRE DEPARTMENT STUFF.
I APPRECIATED THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE EARLIER AS WELL.
JUST WANTED TO UPDATE THE GROUP THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING VERY GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY OF LONG LAKE UP TO JUST RESTORE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LONG LAKE.
WE THINK THAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE VERY PRODUCTIVE AT THE VERY LEAST SHOWING A VERY GOOD SIGN OF PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TWO CITIES.
SINCE OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, WE'VE HAD EIGHT DIFFERENT MEETINGS WITH THEM.
THERE'S NO DEFINITIVE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, SO IT'S PREMATURE TO REALLY SHARE ANYTHING, BUT I JUST WANTED TO UPDATE THE GROUP THAT WE HAVE HAD AND CONTINUE TO HAVE VERY POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH LONG LAKE.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON.
>> I JUST WANT TO SHARE. I'D ALLUDED TO THIS EARLIER.
I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT AFTER OUR PREVIOUS MEETING OR FIRST MEETING OF THIS YEAR, I'VE RECEIVED PERSONALLY A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ABOUT MY POSITION RELATED TO THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SPECIFICALLY HIRING FOR IT.
WE ADDRESSED PERSONNEL ISSUES AGAIN TONIGHT, SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT TO SHARE A FEW THINGS.
FIRST, MY DECISIONS RELATED TO HIRING ARE BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE THAT OUR CITY IS IN ACTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE AND GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CITY OF LONG LAKE REGARDING FIRE SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
SECOND, I DO SUPPORT THE PROCESS BEING USED TO CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS.
I ALSO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE NEGOTIATING TEAM AND SUPPORT THEIR ROLES AS NEGOTIATORS WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ORONO.
THESE FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO MY ASSESSMENT OF ORONO, FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING HIRING.
[01:40:03]
THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL ON. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL PERSON BART.
>> I ALSO HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT.
WE ARE I BELIEVE AT THE END OF OUR AGENDA.
ANYTHING ELSE THAT ANYONE WANTS TO ADDRESS OR ADD? NO, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT OR AN ASK FROM A CITIZEN ABOUT HOW WE PLAN TO BE WORKING WITH THE PARKS AND PLANNING COMMISSIONS.
I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT.
I THINK THAT WE AS A COUNCIL BELIEVE THAT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH THOSE COMMISSIONS IN A WAY THAT REALLY REINFORCES THE DECISIONS AND WHAT THEY PRESENT TO US AS A DIRECTION TO GO WITH CERTAIN THINGS.
I'M SPEAKING ON MY OWN BEHALF.
I LOOK TO THEM AS THE EXPERTS AND THE EXPERTISE IN THE ROOM WHEN IT COMES TO TOPICS RELATED TO PARKS AND PLANNING. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT.
>> THANKS. WITH THAT, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN.
MOTION CARRIES, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.