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City Council Minutes Page 9 June 17, 2019 ----------------------------- Councilmember Westgaard thanked everyone for their input and for attending the meeting. He explained the City Council's job is to determine if the petition has met the criteria to establish a lake improvement district and he is comfortable approving. He stated the number of signatures tells the Council a majority of property owners are in favor. He indicated Council oversight on the budget and the board of directors gives him some comfort. He explained there is an appeal process in place through the DNR for those who do not feel their property belongs in the district which is outside of Council control. Councilmember Wagner indicated the Council is considering the petition establishing a lake improvement district, not setting budgets or identifying projects at this time. She indicated a majority of the residents seem to be in favor of the lake improvement district with the majority of opposition coming from residents along 189th Avenue. She explained she is comfortable with the DNR explanation of the boundary. She believes the lake improvement district will give the residents a voice and believes the districts have worked well in other areas. Councilmember Ovall concurs with Councilmembers Westgaard and Wagner on the Council's decision this evening being consideration of the petition. He believes the improvement district is a good mechanism for communicating and advocating lake improvements. He stated there is a civic process in place for those in opposition. Councilmember Christianson added he sees this as an opportunity for residents along the lake to take control over their backyard rather than the government. He understands concerns of those along 189`'' Avenue but cannot disagree with the scientific evidence supporting the boundary. Mayor Dietz indicated a key factor for his decision is that a majority of lake residents are in favor of the district. He said the lake improvement district means everyone on the lake can be involved and he doesn't see a downside to establishing the district. He likes that the district can elect a board and provide recommendations to the City Council. He said he did have concerns about the boundary but the DNR has addressed those concerns and the city needs to rely on the DNR as experts. He added lake dredging is a priority for the city. He said the city was providing $100,000 of the $750,000 that may be assessed to property owners because the city owns property on Lake Orono. Also, the city has already secured $1.5 million from the state and allocated $1 million from LOST funds to help pay for a dredging project. Moved by Councihnember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to adopt resolution 19-22 Making Findings of Fact and Approving an Order Establishing the Orono Lake Improvement District. Motion carried 5-0. 8.2 Hilltop Woods Estates Second Addition, 20655 Victoria Drive a. Easement Vacation b. Plat Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. p 0 1 E a E I 1 1 NATURE