The council focused on the pressing matter of repairing flood damage in three significant areas: the access road to Lake Shady, the riverbank near the TH52 bridge, and erosion in Alice Park. After soliciting bids from eight contractors, the council received two responses, choosing to accept the lower bid from Excavating at $32,383. This bid came in slightly under the expected cost and operates as a unit price contract, potentially varying with the actual materials used. Importantly, the city anticipates that 75% of these project expenses will be reimbursed through the Minnesota Hazard Mitigation program, easing the financial impact on Oronoco’s budget. The timeline for repairs is contingent upon acquiring a permit from the Department of Natural Resources, with hopes of completing the work by Thanksgiving.

On the communication front, the council proposed a strategy to improve information sharing among city officials and committees. A member emphasized the importance of “a reoccurring update from the city administrator” to ensure transparency and prevent siloed conversations, which have previously led to decision-making challenges. The motion to adopt this proactive communication approach received wide support. The council also discussed creating a centralized location for contact information and updates, though caution was advised to ensure compliance with open meeting laws.

Further deliberations during the meeting involved planning and zoning issues. The council discussed the potential sale of land within River Park, weighing options between subdividing the land into individual residential lots or selling it as a whole to a developer. A member highlighted past experiences with developers who used lower-quality materials. The discussion also included infrastructure considerations, with Joe explaining that any sale would require infrastructure developments such as roads and sewer systems. He recommended a geotechnical evaluation of the site before any construction to ensure foundational integrity, given the history of waste treatment facilities on the property.

The city council also addressed a vacancy in the water and sewer committee, approving a job description for a new public works assistant. This position, offering a pay range of $25.50 to $29.50 per hour, is set to be posted shortly, with the aim of having recommendations for council approval by mid-October. Discussions clarified that a previous committee member’s resignation stood firm, necessitating the reposting of the position.

In financial matters, updates on a grant application for parks and trails were provided. The city is seeking approximately $10,000, with a $2,500 matching contribution, to install outdoor fitness equipment in Orno Park. While the matching funds are budgeted for 2026, there is potential for reallocating unused salary funds from a prior budget if the grant is awarded. A decision on the grant is expected by the end of the year, with funding potentially available by February 2026.

Another topic was a draft contract relating to first responders and Oronoco Township, developed in collaboration with the fire department and the township. Although specific financial details are still under negotiation, the draft outlines desired services and aims to initiate further discussions with involved parties.

Finally, the council addressed procedural efficiency, discussing the timing of planning and zoning meetings and the preparation of council packets. A proposal was made to shift Planning and Zoning meetings to the first week of the month to better align with public hearing schedules. Additionally, the council considered setting a firm deadline for submitting meeting materials.