[00:00:02]
>> WELCOME TO THE MONDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 2023, ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
I KNOW ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT EXCEPT MR. CROSBY THIS EVENING.
[Roll Call]
WE ALWAYS START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, SO I INVITE YOU TO STAND UP AND FACE THE FLAG.>> PROBABLY NOBODY KNOWS BUT MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS THE VIKINGS AND THE 9ERS, SO GO VIKINGS.
[Approval of Agenda]
NEXT THING WE'VE GOT IS THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.THAT'S ONE VOTE WILL APPROVE EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE VOTED ON THE AGENDA, AND I'LL GO THROUGH THAT LIST BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT.
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO TAKE ANYTHING OFF.
WITH THAT SAID, WE'D LIKE TO TAKE A STAB AT THE CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT.
[Consent Agenda]
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ANY OTHER ITEMS YOU WANTED OFF?
>> I DO. I'D LIKE TO PULL ITEMS 4, 8, 9, PLEASE.
>> FOUR, 8, AND 9. ANY OTHERS? WHAT WE'VE GOT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT IS, NUMBER 1, THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 9TH.
NUMBER 2, THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 9TH.
NUMBER 5, APPROVAL TO HIRE CITY CLERK, CHRISTINE LUSIAN. IS THAT RIGHT? NUMBER 6, UPDATE PARK SUPERINTENDENT JOB DESCRIPTION AND SCORE.
NUMBER 7, CARMAN BAY LAKE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LEVY – RESOLUTION NO. 7418.
NUMBER 8 AND 9, WE HAVE PULLED OFF.
NUMBER 10 IS LA23-000046, 3407 EASTLAKE STREET – RESOLUTION NO. 7415.
IS THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ANYBODY LIKE TO HAVE PULLED OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT? SEEING NO OTHER OBJECTIONS, I'VE GOT A MOTION WITH ADDITIONAL PULLS OFF FOR 8 AND 9, DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> REGULATIONS TO CHRISTINE [OVERLAPPING]
>> A NICE JOB ON THAT CARMEN'S BAY LID.
THEY GOT THAT STARTED AND PROVIDES WEED TREATMENT TO THE CARMEN'S BAY AND THEY'VE DONE A NICE JOB, DONE IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
>> THAT'S REALLY CLEANED UP THE LAKE FOR THEM AS WELL TO THEM TOO.
I KNOW RICHIE IS STILL TRYING TO DO CRYSTAL BAY, SO HOPEFULLY THEY CAN GET ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET THAT LET LID PUT IN PLACE.
BECAUSE WHAT THEY'VE DONE ALONG.
THE CRYSTAL BAY ROAD WERE RICHIE LIVES HAS BEEN AMAZING, WHAT THEY'VE DONE IN JUST INTERESTED A LITTLE AREA.
I GUESS I'LL GO TO WE HAD THREE ITEMS PULLED OFF BEFORE WE GET TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE NUMBER 4 APPROVAL OF THE NEXT WORK SESSION.
COUNCILMEMBER BENSON, YOU HAD A QUESTION.
>> YES. ADAM, I'M JUST WONDERING IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT REGARDING THE AVERAGE LAKE SHORE SETBACK WE'RE GOING TO BE HEARING ABOUT OR DISCUSSING AT THAT SESSION.
>> IT'S A CONTINUATION OF OUR PREVIOUS WORK SESSION, SO IF YOU REMEMBER THE LAST WORK SESSION, STAFF RECEIVED SOME GUIDANCE FROM COUNCIL TO GO BACK AND LOOK AND GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.
LAURA, OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WILL BE BRIEFING YOU ON WHAT SHE'S FOUND OUT AND SOME RECOMMENDATIONS OF POSSIBLE WAYS FORWARD.
>> THE QUESTION IS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> SURE. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NEXT WORK SESSION AGENDA.
>> WE GOT A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
I'LL BRING US THE NUMBER 8, APPROVAL PEER ENROLLMENT FOR THE PART-TIME FIREFIGHTERS RESOLUTION NUMBER 7419.
COUNCILMEMBER BENSON HAD A QUESTION.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M NOT IN SUPPORTIVE, SO I DON'T WANT IT ON CONSENT.
>> THEN WITH SOMEBODY THAT CAN MAKE A MOTION AND THEN WE CAN HAVE THE VOTE.
>> I DO WANT TO CLARIFY MY REASON FOR NOT SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE PASSING THIS RESOLUTION IS ONLY NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE DIRECTION THAT THE CITY ORONO IS TAKING IN REGARD TO FORMING AN INDEPENDENT FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I DON'T SUPPORT THE FORMATION OF THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE IT EXPOSES OUR RESIDENTS TO UNNECESSARY RISK AS WELL AS INCREASED TAXES STARTING NEXT YEAR.
I DON'T SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION FOR THOSE REASONS.
>> MIGHT DISAGREE WITH THOSE REASONS.
I CONSIDER THEM TO BE ACCURATE, BUT I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 7419, THE RESOLUTION DECLARES THE POSITION OF PART-TIME FIREFIGHTERS IS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR FIREFIGHTING AND QUALIFIES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE POLICE AND FIRE PLAN OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE'S RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION.
[00:05:02]
THEN WE HAVE NUMBER 9, WHICH IS APPROVAL OF LEASE FOR HUNTINGTON BANK FOR 2017 PUMPER TRUCK.
COUNCILMEMBER BENSON PULLED THAT OFF AS WELL
>> I DID. AGAIN, NOT QUESTIONS ON THIS.
IT'S JUST THAT I OPPOSE THIS AGREEMENT FOR THE REASONS THAT I STATED IN THE LAST ITEM.
>> WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ALLOW STAFF TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH HUNTINGTON BANK.
>> HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> MR. MAYOR, SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
WE CAN CHANGE THAT MOTION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT.
I THINK YOU HAVE A COPY. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FINAL [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE DO. I DO. I DO HAVE THE CONTRACT.
>> I WOULD CHANGE THE MOTION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH HUNTINGTON BANK.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ENTER INTO THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH HUNTINGTON BANK.
>> DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THAT?
[Public Hearing]
THAT'LL BRING US TO A PUBLIC HEARING.JUST PULL THIS UP HERE REAL QUICK.
WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS TO GAIN COUNCIL APPROVAL TO CERTIFY DELINQUENT UTILITIES TO HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR COLLECTION WITH THE PAYABLE 2024 PROPERTY TAXES.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING IF THERE'S ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND DISCUSS HER PROTESTS OF THE DELINQUENT UTILITIES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE APPROVING TONIGHT.
IF THERE'S NONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MAYBE I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> I CAN MAKE A MOTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION PROVIDING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE DELINQUENT 2023 WATER AND SEWER UTILITY SERVICE CHARGES, RECYCLING PROGRAM FEES, ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT PROGRAM, STORMWATER CHARGES, AND GENERAL SERVICE CHARGES TO THE HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR COLLECTION WITH THE 2024 PROPERTY TAXES.
>> I KNOW. THAT'S WHY NO ONE ELSE WANTED IT.
>> I HAVE A MOTION, DO I HAVE A SECOND?
NOW WE'LL COME TO OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT, MELANIE.
[Community Development Report]
WHICH IS NUMBER 12, LA 23-51-27905, SHADYWOOD ROAD VARIANCES AND CUP RESOLUTION NUMBER 7417.>> THANK YOU. THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO CONSTRUCT A NEW HOME IN THE SAME FOOTPRINT AS THE EXISTING HOME ON THE PROPERTY.
SITE CONSTRAINTS INCLUDE THE CHANNEL SETBACK OF 75 FEET, THE 75-FOOT LAKE SETBACK, THE NARROW WIDTH, THE EXISTING HOME LOCATION, THE LOW ELEVATION AREAS OF THE PROPERTY.
APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE PROPERTIES, AREAS WITHIN THE 75-FOOT SETBACK FROM EITHER THE LAKE OR CHANNEL.
EXISTING HOME IS 13.5 FEET FROM THE CHANNEL WHERE A 75-FOOT SETBACK IS REQUIRED.
ADDITIONALLY, THE HOME IS NON-CONFORMING WITH RESPECT TO THE FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS.
THE APPLICANT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW HOME ON THE EXISTING FOOTPRINT WITH A GARAGE EDITION AS WELL AS MAKE OTHER HARDCOVER CHANGES ON THE PROPERTY.
THE NEW HOME WILL BE ELEVATED ON FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEMALE REGULATIONS.
THE EXISTING HOME HAS A LOW WALKOUT RAMBLER.
ACCORDING TO THE COMPARISON PLANS, THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF THE NEW HOME BY APPROXIMATELY 14 FEET OVERALL, RESULTING FROM THE PLACEMENT OF FILL AND THE ARCHITECTURAL CHANGES TO CEILING HEIGHTS AND ROOF STRUCTURE.
THEIR PLANS INVOLVE REDUCING THE TOTAL SITE HARDCOVER BY 1,600 SQUARE FEET, INCLUDING 528 SQUARE FEET WITHIN THE 75-FOOT SETBACK.
THEY'RE GOING TO REORIENT THE DRIVEWAY AND REDUCE THE FOOTPRINT OF THE DRIVEWAY.
THE LAKESIDE SPORT COURT AND PAVER PATIO WILL BE REMOVED AND THE LAKESIDE DECK WILL BE REDUCED BY ABOUT HALF.
WHEN HOME IS ELEVATED ON FILL WITHIN THE FLOODPLAIN, FEMA REGULATIONS REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A FIELD RESCUE BENCH AROUND ALL BUILDINGS PROPOSED TO BE ELEVATED ON FILL.
THE FILL MATERIAL MUST CONTINUE AT THE REQUIRED ELEVATION AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BUILDING TO CREATE A 15-FOOT WIDE RESCUE BENCH.
THE HOME HAS SETBACK APPROXIMATELY EIGHT FEET FROM THE PROPERTY LINE ON THE CHANNEL SIDE AND CONFORMS ON THIS 10-FOOT SETBACK ON THE OTHER SIDE.
THE WIDTH OF THE HOME DOES NOT ALLOW SUFFICIENT ROOM ON EITHER SIDE TO FULLY COMPLY WITH THE 15 FOOT PERIMETER FILL REQUIREMENT.
OUR CITY CODE REQUIRES A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ADDRESS THIS DEPARTURE FROM THAT REQUIREMENT.
ADDITIONALLY, THE FLOODPLAIN FILLING IN MITIGATION SHOWN IN THE PLANS FALL UNDER THE WATERSHED DISTRICTS PER VIEW, SO A FLOODPLAIN MITIGATION PERMIT IS CURRENTLY BEING REVIEWED BY THE DISTRICT.
AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IN OCTOBER, THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC HEARING AND ADDRESSED
[00:10:02]
THE QUESTIONS BY STAFF AND THE APPLICANT.THERE WERE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THAT MEETING.
STAFF IS CONTINUING TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 14-FOOT UPWARD EXPANSION OF THE PORCH ALONG THE CHANNEL.
STAFF DOES NOT SUPPORT THE VERTICAL EXPANSION OF THE PORCH SO CLOSE TO THE CHANNEL.
IT'S 13.5 FEET WERE 75 FEET AS REQUIRED.
STAFFORD RECOMMENDS THE APPLICANT REDESIGN TO REDUCE THE MASS OF THE PORCH AREA BY EITHER LOWERING OR CHANGING THE ROOF PEAK, REDUCING THE FOOTPRINT SIZE OR CONVERTING ALL OR A PORTION OF THE PORCH FOOTPRINTS OF PATIO OR DECK TO MINIMIZE THAT IMPACT.
STAFF HAS PREPARED A DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL FOLLOWING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT AS APPLIED.
HOWEVER, STAFF DOES RECOMMEND THE COUNCIL FOLLOW THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE PROJECT EXCEPT THE PORCH EXPANSIONS.
THE MOTION OR THE ACTION REQUESTED THIS EVENING IS FOR COUNCIL TO DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT A RESOLUTION CONSISTENT WITH THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION IN THE PACK OR A RESOLUTION IN THE PACKET FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AS WELL.
I HAVE ELEVATION PHOTOS OF THE HOME AND OTHER INFORMATION.
THE APPLICANT IS HERE. THANK YOU.
BUT I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
>> WHERE THE DECK IS IS IN THE SAME SPOT, IT'S JUST HIGHER?
>> YES. EVERYTHING IS JUST HIGHER.
IT IS STILL IN THE AVERAGE LEAKS OR SETBACK.
>> BUT IT'S THE SAME OVERALL FOOTPRINT THAT WAS THERE BEFORE.
>> THEY'VE ADDED WITHIN THE SETBACKS? YES. THE GARAGE ADDITION IS A NEW EDITION.
I CAN SHOW YOU THE EXISTING CONDITIONS SURVEY TO ELIMINATE THAT A LITTLE BIT.
IT'S JUST BASICALLY A RECTANGLE AND THE PROPOSED HOME IS ADDING ON THIS, THE GARAGE HERE ON THE STREET SIDE.
>> ON THE DECK ON THE CHANNEL FROM THE PICTURES AND EVERYTHING THAT I COULD SEE, REALLY, WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS IT ALMOST LOOKS THE SAME, EXCEPT THAT THEY'RE PUTTING A GABLED ROOF ON IT.
>> YES, THAT WITH THE ELEVATION CHANGE OF THE HOME, IT'S JUST A LARGE LBL.
>> BECAUSE OF THE FILL FOR THE FEMA REGULATIONS.
IF EVERYTHING WAS GOING UP BECAUSE OF THAT, THE REAL MAIN DIFFERENCE WOULD BE JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE PUTTING A PEAK ON THE DECK?
>> IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE PEAK?
>> NO, I BELIEVE IT'S JUST VAULTED.
>> MELANIE, JUST TO CLARIFY IN THE GARAGE, DID YOU SAY THE FOOTPRINT IS REMAINING THE SAME?
>> THE HOME FOOTPRINT IS REMAINING THE SAME AND THEY'VE ADDED A GARAGE ADDITION IN THE ALLOWED AREA.
THERE'S NO VARIANCE NEEDED FOR THE GARAGE.
>> DOES THE APPLICANT HERE LIKE TO COME UP AND HAVE WORDS THAT SAY ABOUT YOUR PROJECT? IT'S A TOUGH SPOT, THAT'S FOR SURE AS LONG THAT CHANNEL, MAYBE IT'S A BUSY CHANNEL TOO.
>> I'M ERIC GAEL WITH KK BUILDERS.
I GUESS I'M HERE FOR QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
BUT I GUESS THE REASON FOR THE INCREASED MASS AND THE PORCH WAS JUST TO FIT IN WITH THESE AESTHETICS BASICALLY.
JUST FELT THAT IF WE WOULD HAVE PUT A FLAT ROOF ON THERE, IT SEEMED TO BE MORE CONSISTENT.
>> I WOULD JUST TELL YOU, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ROLE YOU PLAYED IN THE DESIGN.
THE INCREASE TO THE SIZE OF THE PROPERTY WAS ALL IN A CONFORMING AREA.
BRINGING IT UP TO FEMA, I THINK WAS GOOD.
WHAT WERE YOU SUGGESTING WOULD BE A WAY TO REDUCE THE MASSING OF THE DECK?
>> THE ROOF OF THE DECK OR THE PORCH IS RELATIVELY FLAT NOW, AND SO THE CHANGE IN ROOF IN ADDITION TO THE CHANGE IN THE ELEVATION IS REALLY EXACERBATING THE HEIGHT SO CLOSE TO THE CHANNEL.
STAFF WOULD SUGGEST EITHER AN ALTERED ROOF LINE OR SOME OTHER WAY TO MITIGATE THAT IMPACT.
THE PROPERTY OWNER IS PLANNING ON PLANTING SOME ADDITIONAL SHRUBS OR HEDGES OR I DON'T REMEMBER,
[00:15:01]
ARBORVITAES ALONG THE CHANNEL.>> ALMOST BEGS THE QUESTION, WHAT'S THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY IF WE GET BACK TO THAT, I'VE SAID I WANT A GABLED ROOF, OBVIOUSLY AESTHETICS IS NOT A PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY WHEN YOU HAVE A FLAT ROOF NOW.
INCREASING THE FEMA ISSUE TO ME IT IS WHAT IT IS.
BUT NEEDING TO GO UP INTO GABLE ROOF, THERE'S NO PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY IN MORE THAN IT'S AESTHETIC.
WHAT WAS THAT FEMA INCREASE, HOW MUCH DID THE HOUSE? WAS IT THREE FEET OR SOMETHING?
>> THEY HAD TO COME UP, I THINK IT WAS THREE FEET.
>> ROUGHLY THREE FEET OR SO, FF I REMEMBER RIGHT READING.
>> BASEMENT FOR ELEVATION CURRENTLY IS 930.3 AND THEY ARE ELEVATING IT TO 933.5.
THEN WHAT'S THE HEIGHT OF THAT, THE EXISTING, THE TOP OF THE ROOF NOW OF THE SCREEN PORCH?
>> I CAN MEASURE IT IN A SECOND.
I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW ACCURATE DEGREE OF REPRESENTATION IS, BUT I CAN.
>> IT ALSO HAS THAT OPEN AREA UNDERNEATH IT THAT'S NOT LIVING SPACE OR ANYTHING.
LOOKS LIKE IT'S EVEN WITH THE FIRST FLOOR POTENTIALLY.
I'M FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROPERTY.
I HAPPENED TO SHOW IT WHILE IT WAS FOR SALE FOR THESE PEOPLE TO BUY AND SO ON NAMED.
YOU'RE STRUCK BY HOW CLOSE THIS IS TO THE CHANNEL.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT AND THE PROPERTY, THAT DECK GOING UP, IT'S GOING TO FEEL LIKE IT'S HANGING OVER THE TOP OF THE CHANNEL.
I UNDERSTAND STAFF'S CONCERN THERE.
I JUST DON'T KNOW BECAUSE IN MY OPINION, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO KEEP IT BECAUSE THEY'RE USING THE SAME FOOTPRINT OF THE HOUSE, THE DECK'S GOING IN THE SAME SPOT, SO I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PUT REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS ON THE MASSING.
YOU GIVE THEM A MAXIMUM HEIGHT?
>> YEAH. YOU COULD. REALISTICALLY, LIKE I SAID, IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE GABLE ROOF ON THERE, THE ROOF IS A LOT OF THE MASS, SO IT'S STILL GOING TO BE BIG WHEN YOU PASS BY IT ON THE CHANNEL.
BUT IF IT'S SCREENED WITH VEGETATION, IT MIGHT NOT HAVE AS SIGNIFICANT OF AN IMPACT, BUT WITH THE GABLE ROOF ON THE END OF IT.
>> MY THOUGHT IS THAT WHATEVER THE EXISTING ROOF HEIGHT IS RIGHT NOW, WE COULD ADD THREE FEET TO IT BECAUSE THEY'RE FORCED TO GO UP THAT TO MEET FEMA AND THEY CAN DETERMINE THE ROOF LINE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S SIX FEET FROM THE EDGE AND IT NEEDS TO BE 10.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE 75 FEET, I THINK.
>> SIDE YARD SETBACK IS 10 FEET ON THE OTHER SIDE, RIGHT?
>> YEAH. TEN FEET ON THE INTERIOR SIDE.
>> I DON'T KNOW. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD APPLICATION WHERE SOMEBODY, THEY'RE REDUCING HARDCOVER, THEY REDUCED DRIVEWAY, THEY DID THEIR EXPANSION IN THE RIGHT AREA.
THEY'RE NOT PLAYING WITH THAT, SO IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF HOW BIG OF A CONCERN THAT MASSING IS.
COULD MAYBE THE BUILDER COME BACK UP? NO, I THINK YOU'RE GOOD.
WE'LL JUST PUT YOU ON THE SPOT WITHOUT ANY HELP.
>> IS THERE A REASONABLE WAY DO YOU THINK TO REDUCE THAT ROOF SO IT ADDRESSES THE CONCERN OF THE OVER-MASSING OF THAT?
>> YOU COULDN'T PUT A FLAT ROOF ON THERE, BUT IT'S JUST, I GUESS THIS WOULD BE OUR PREFERRED METHOD.
[00:20:03]
WE LOOKED AT A FLAT ROOF AND IT JUST SEEMED A LITTLE STRANGE.>> THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE GOT NOW THOUGH, A FLAT ROOF CONNECTED TO A GABLED ROOF.
>> WE ALSO HAD TO LIFT IT UP SOMEWHAT BECAUSE DIDN'T HAVE TO, BUT THE EXISTING ONE IS ACTUALLY DOWN BELOW THE EXISTING FLOORS.
ONCE THE EXISTING FLOOR RAISES UP, WE RAISE THAT UP UNLESS WE WENT UP TO MATCH.
>> AS WE SAID, IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE IT WAS JUST A WALK OUT.
YOU BROUGHT IT UP. BUT IT'LL BE A WALKOUT WHEN YOU'RE DONE.
>> YEAH, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO WALK OUT ON THE SAME LEVEL.
>> IT'S A WALK OUT AND UP RIGHT NOW.
>> NOW, IT'S A WALK OUT AND DOWN.
>> BECAUSE IT'S DROPPED BELOW THE MAIN LEVEL.
>> I DON'T KNOW. I GUESS I'M OPEN TO IDEAS OF A GOOD REMEDY, I GUESS OTHERWISE, I THINK THAT WAS MY QUESTION. STAY THERE.
>> THAT'S REALLY IT'S HOW STRONGLY WE FEEL ABOUT JUST SAYING, EITHER WAY THEY'RE GOOD WITH SAYING OKAY, THE AESTHETICS, KEEP UP WITH IT OR YOU GOT TO GET RID OF THE GABLED ROOF, THE MASSING THEM.
>> THEN WE'RE NOT GOING TO TELL HIM WHAT KIND OF ROOF.
THE ONLY CHOICE WE HAVE IS TO I THINK IS PROVIDE THEM A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF THAT ROOF AND THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT ROOF FITS THAT.
IT WOULD MAKE MORE FUNCTIONALITY IF IT GOES OUT.
IF IT'S A WALKOUT, YOU JUST GOT TO GET RID OF THE GABLED ROOF PART OF IT.
AFTER DESIGN, I THINK THE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS IS PRETTY FLEXIBLE ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS THEY CAN GO WITH IT.
>> I'D SAY I DON'T FEEL A NEED TO TRY TO GET WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE IN THE WEEDS OF A REDESIGN FOR AN APPLICANT, BUT THIS HOME HAS ALREADY BEING RAISED AND I DON'T FIND IT A PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY TO HAVE A ROOF THAT MAY LOOK WEIRD OR INCONSISTENT NECESSARILY WITH A DESIGN WHERE THE DESIGN IS BY CHOICE TO DO THE GABLED ROOFING WHEN IT'S IN THIS TYPE OF SENSITIVE AREA.
SO I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF FOLLOWING THE STAFF'S DIRECTION ON THIS ONE.
>> OKAY, YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> SURE. I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE THE RESOLUTION IN FRONT OF ME.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING, IT'S JUST DIRECTING STAFF THEN. MAKE A MOTION TO.
>> MELANIE WAS THE RESOLUTION AND THE PACKET.
>> THAT'S THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION.
>> THE COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED BY STAFF JUST SAYS DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT RESOLUTION CONSISTENT WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
>> THAT'S WHAT I DON'T HAVE IN FRONT OF ME.
I'VE GOT OUR AGENDA FOR THE NIGHT, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE DIRECT STEP THAT DIRECTION IN FRONT OF ME.
SO DID YOU GUYS GO THROUGH THE PICTURES TO SEE WHERE THIS ACTUALLY GOES BY THE CHANNEL.
DID YOU SEE HOW THIS IS ALL BLOCKED OFF AND LIMITED? LIKE YOU LITERALLY, WHEN WE PLAN OUR HEDGE ON THIS, WE PLAN OUR HEADS ON HIS BACKSIDE OF THE SEAWALL.
YOU WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO SEE THIS ROOF.
YOU CAN'T SEE HOW TALL THAT WEEBING WILLOW IS BUT WE JUST TRIM THAT BECAUSE IT WAS DYING.
WHEN IT FILLS IN, YOU LITERALLY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THAT ROOF FROM THE CHANNEL OR THE FRONT SIDE OF THE HOUSE.
>> THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THIS PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES, BUILDING LIKE IN-KIND WHEN YOU'RE IN NON-CONFORMING AREA ALREADY.
THAT'S THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE'S BUSHES THAT BLOCK IT BECAUSE SOMEBODY 10 YEARS FROM NOW, COULD BUY YOUR HOUSE AND CUT DOWN ALL THE BUSHES.
>> IT'S GOING TO LOOK JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ALONG THE WHOLE STRIP.
I MEAN, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OUT OF LIKE.
IF WE DIDN'T DO THAT ROOF TO THAT ROOF LINE THAT'S CURRENTLY THERE IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE A LEAN TO SHED.
>> WHEN I MEANT LIKE IT JUST MEANT THAT WHAT YOU CURRENTLY HAVE.
THAT'S THE DISCUSSION THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET THROUGH.
>> YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEAN? IF WE DIDN'T DO THE ROOF LINE AND HOW IT'S PRESENTED, IT WILL LOOK LIKE.
>> THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.
>> THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.
[00:25:02]
>> THAT SOUNDS LAKE MINNETONKA.
>> IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT I CAN ANSWER?
>> YOU DID A GOOD JOB ON THE DESIGN.
I MEAN, THE REST OF IT, YOU DID A REALLY GOOD THOUGHTFUL DESIGN I THINK.
SO IT'S JUST THIS LAST PIECE WE'RE WORKING THROUGH.
>> DID YOU MAKE THE MOTION I CARE?
SO I MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO DROP A RESOLUTION.
OR LA23-000051, 2795 SHADYWOOD ROAD, VARIANCES AND CUP – RESOLUTION NO. 7417.
>> CONSISTENT WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
>> CONSISTENT WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATION. THANK YOU.
>> WHAT WAS IT THAT FAST IS 40.
LAURA, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS? JUST A FEW THINGS. WE HAD A LAND USE APPLICATION DEADLINE LAST WEEK, SO WE'RE WORKING THROUGH A FEW NEW APPLICATIONS, MAKING SURE THEY'RE COMPLETE.
FOR OUR NOVEMBER PLANNING COMMISSION WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING ON THOSE TEXTS AND MOMENTS AND YOU'LL SEE THAT IN YOUR UPCOMING WORK SESSION.
SO WORKING THROUGH SOME OF THOSE THINGS AND THEN JUST BUSY WITH PYRIMIDINE AND CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THAT'S BUSY TIME OF YEAR FOR THAT STUFF SO I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THAT'LL BRING US TO RUN OR FINANCE REPORT.
[Finance Report]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DON'T HAVE A LOT TONIGHT.
I JUST WANTED TO TOUCH BASE ON OR NEW BROADCASTING SYSTEM.
IT DOES SEEM TO BE WORKING WELL.
WE HAVE TO DO A LITTLE UPDATE ON.
WE'RE WAITING FOR ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT STILL.
ONCE WE HAVE THAT, WE CAN FIX UP THE WEBSITE A LITTLE BETTER WHERE IT WILL BE OBVIOUS WHERE TO GO BECAUSE RIGHT NOW YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEO FROM A LINK DOWN BELOW AND IT'S JUST LIKE THE OLD VIDEO WAS OR IF YOU CLICK ON THE LINK, YOU CAN HAVE CLOSED CAPTIONING AND YOU CAN HAVE THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING.
YOU CAN IN THAT TRANSCRIPT, YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH CLICK ON ANY PART OF THAT AND IT WILL BRING YOU RIGHT TO THE VIDEO.
SO IT WILL HAVE MUCH MORE FUNCTIONALITY OR IT DOES HAVE IT AND I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT TO THE COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE MAY BE WATCHING OR STREAMING FROM HOME.
>> MAYOR I THINK THE ONLY THING I THINK I HEARD IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TALKING LOUDER OR INTO THE MICS BETTER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T PICK UP THE SOUND AS WELL, POTENTIALLY.
>> YES, WE DO HAVE TO BE BETTER AT SPEAKING.
>> THAT WAS THE ONE THING I'VE HEARD. OTHERWISE, I THINK IT'S GREAT.
WE'RE AGAIN, ALL THAT STUFF IN PLACE AND GETTING BETTER.
SO ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR RYAN.THANKS.
[City Attorney Report]
>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT ON IT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
[City Administrator/Engineer Report]
CITY ADMINISTRATOR, ENGINEERING REPORT.>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL JUST A COUPLE OF UPDATES ON THE ENGINEERING FRONT.
WE'RE CLOSING UP OUR ANNUAL PROJECTS.
THE NAVARRO PARKING LOT IS NOW COMPLETE, LESS A LITTLE BIT OF RESTORATION.
LIGHT POLES WENT IN THIS WEEK, WHICH IS GOOD.
LIGHT POLES HAVE A VERY LONG LEAD TIME, SO WE WEREN'T EXACTLY SURE WHAT THEY MEAN.
>> IT'S GETTING DARKER QUICKER.
>> AT THE PARTNER WOULD FORCE MAIN REPLACEMENTS SITE, CRUISER OUT TODAY, PREPPING THE ROADWAYS FOR PATCHING, WHICH SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY WHICH WILL NOT BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR, BUT IT'S STILL ON TRACK FOR ITS PLANNED COMPLETION TIME OF SPRING OF NEXT YEAR.
THEY'RE FINISHING UP THE EXTERIOR WORK FOR THE WINTER.
WE JUST GOT THE ASPHALT IN THIS WEEKEND FOR THE BASE COURSE.
THE PARKING AREAS ARE NOW ASPHALTED AND THEN PREPPING SO THAT THEN THE INTERIOR SUB-CONTRACTORS CAN BE WORKING THROUGHOUT THE WINTER TO DO ALL THE INTERIOR WORK, SO THAT IS PROGRESSING AS IT SHOULD.
LOOKING GOOD OVER THERE. THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT, THE BIGGEST THING FOR ME AS YOU APPROVED IT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING AND THE SELECTION OF OUR NEW CITY CLERK SO WE WILL BE WELCOMING CHRISTINA INTO THE FOLD HERE WITH A START DATE IN MID NOVEMBER.
>> YOU GOT A FEW MORE WEEKS OF SCRAMBLING, A LITTLE BIT.
>> A FEW MORE WEEKS OF SCRAMBLING, BUT WITH THE FEELING THAT CRITICAL HOLE IN OUR STAFF.
SO EXACTLY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> HOPE SHE'S BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB, STEPPED UP, BUT DOESN'T WANT TO BE DOING ANY LONGER THAN SHE HAS TO.
[00:30:04]
[LAUGHTER] SHE'S ALSO VERY HAPPY THAT CHRISTINA'S COMING ON BOARD HERE.>> YES AND THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE A COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS FROM LAST TIME, DO WE?
[Council Committee Reports]
WELL, THAT'LL BRING US TO PUBLIC COMMENTS THEN.[Public Comments]
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL.THE COUNCIL WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION OR TAKE ACTION ON ITEMS PRESENTED AT THIS TIME.
HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL MAY REFER ISSUES TO STAFF OR FOLLOW-UP OR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING.
SPEAKERS TO STATE THEIR NAME AND HOME ADDRESS AND CITY AT THE PODIUM BEFORE SPEAKING.
THE COUNCIL WILL FIRST OPENED THE PODIUM TO CITY OF MONO RESIDENTS BEFORE WE OPEN THE PODIUM TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERNET RESIDENTS OF ORONO.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE 3 MINUTES AND ADAM IS OR TIMEKEEPER OVER HERE.
>> I'LL CALL SETS 725 STONE BAY DR ORONO. GOOD EVENING.
I'D LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE NEXT MESSAGE FROM MAYOR IN THE ORONO HAPPENINGS NEWSLETTER INCLUDE WHAT MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN REQUESTING FOR MONTHS.
A SOUND REASON WHY ORONO NEEDS TO GO ALL ALONE TO CREATE ITS OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHEN MANY OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE MOVING TO FIRE DISTRICTS, SHOULD BE AN EASY REQUEST AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE YOUR REASONING.
THE REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE OVER AND OVER, AND YET IT'S IT'S IT'S BEEN IGNORED.
I ASSUME THIS CORNER OF THE NEWSLETTER WAS INTENDED TO COMMUNICATE SO PLEASE ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.
THIS NOT ABOUT POLITICS IT'S ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW RESOURCES ARE BEING MANAGED.
IT'S ABOUT EXPECTATIONS SETTING, LISTEN TO YOUR CITIZENS AND BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
I'VE YET TO HEAR ANY CITIZEN DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS SUPPORT THE DIRECTION OF THE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR AND IT'S TAKEN IN THIS COMMUNITY AS IT RELATES TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ALL I SEE IS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ABOUT THE EXPENDITURES AND REASONING.
BUT WHAT IS APPARENT TO ME IS THIS COUNCIL IS ISOLATING THE COMMUNITY FROM ITS NEIGHBORS.
I HAVE A LOT OF ADMIRATION FOR PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO STEP UP AND RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE AND UNDERSTANDS YOUR JOBS ARE DIFFICULT.
I KNOW YOU CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE.
HOWEVER, I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYONE IN MY STONE BAY COMMUNITY WHO THINKS WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
RESPECT GOES BOTH WAYS, SO PLEASE SHOW SOME FOR THE CITIZENS YOU REPRESENT AND ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, WHY?
>> IS THERE ANY OTHER ORONO RESIDENTS.
>> NANCY BRANTINGHAM 3185 COUNTY ROAD SIX.
I'D LIKE TO READ FROM A LETTERS TO THE EDITOR BY FOUR FORMER ORONO MAYORS, THIS RANDOMNESS STAR TRIBUNE THIS PAST WEEK.
AS FORMER MAYORS WHO HAVE HELPED GROW AND NURTURE ORONO FOR THE PAST 50-60 YEARS.
WE WERE ONCE AGAIN APPALLED BY THE EMBARRASSING AND INTIMIDATING CONDUCT OF THE CITY'S SITTING MAYOR, DENIS WALSH, WHO ALLEGEDLY THREATENED A FIREFIGHTER FROM OUR NEIGHBORING LONG LAKE COMMUNITY.
THIS BELLIGERENT STYLE OF GOVERNANCE, IF WE CAN CALL IT, THAT HAS NO PLACE IN OUR CITY.
THIS IS NOT HOW THINGS USED TO BE IN ORONO.
MAYORS ARE ELECTED TO BE GUIDING LIGHTS, NOT BULLIES, PICKING FIGHTS.
THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WALSH ARE LIKELY TRUE SINCE SOME OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME LEGAL THREATS FROM HIM.
SUCH CONDUCT BY AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AT ANY LEVEL HAS NO PLACE IN PUBLIC LIFE OR IN GOVERNANCE.
BUT TO SEE IT TIME AND AGAIN, IN OUR SMALL, CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY INDICATES A DISTURBING PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR THAT CANNOT CONTINUE.
THE MAJORITY OF THE CURRENT ORONO COUNCIL AND ORONO RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP THAT HAS MADE THE CITY WHAT IT IS TODAY.
WE ASK THAT THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY ABIDE BY OUR LEGACY OF IMPROVING THE COMMON GOOD AND STAND ON THE SIDE OF RIGHT, NOT MIGHT.
IF THE CURRENT MAYOR WANTS TO CONTINUE THIS BELLIGERENT BEHAVIOR, HE SHOULD DO SO IN ANOTHER ARENA, AND LEAVE HIS ROLE TO SOMEONE THAT ORONO CITIZENS CAN RESPECT AND TRUST.
SOMEONE WHO CAN BETTER OUR LIVES AND NOT CHRONICALLY BELITTLE THEM.
I WOULD JUST ADD THAT I ALSO FIND THE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY FIREFIGHTER FARLEY QUITE BELIEVABLE AS I HAVE WITNESSED BULLYING BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC BY OUR MAYOR AND IT IS SAD AND IT'S JUST DEPRESSING AND IT'S EMBARRASSING TO ME AS A RESIDENT OF ORONO SINCE I WAS IN THE TENTH GRADE AND I'M ABOUT TO BE 70, SO THAT'S BEEN SOME TIME. THANK YOU.
>> IS THERE ANY OTHER ORONO RESIDENTS NATHAN, WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP? YOU SEE NONE. IS THERE ANY OTHER NON OR NO RESIDENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT.
>> HI, MY NAME IS KELLY GRADY.
I LIVE AT 271 GREEN HILL LANE AND LONG LAKE.
AT THE LAST ORONO COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS FISCAL YEAR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY OF LONG LAKE NOT
[00:35:04]
TO ALLOW CHIEF AND I ALSO PERFORM BLUE CARD TRAINING OR TO BRING ORONO, FIRE CHIEF AND I'LL ON AS A PART OF THE DUTY CREW PROGRAM.IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY, IF NOT MOST LONG LAKE FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS RECOMMENDATION FROM COUNCIL FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
IT WAS FELT BY MANY THAT SHE FAN AISLES FOR YOUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT INCLUDED CHERRY-PICKED INFORMATION IN AN ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY A NEED FOR A NEW DEPARTMENT THAT DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE RESPONSE TIME OF LONG LAKE FIREFIGHTERS.
MANY FELT BETRAYED BY THE MISUSE OF INFORMATION TO MAKE THE DEPARTMENT OF FEEL APPEAR IN ACT.
AS EVIDENCED OF FURTHER BETRAYAL THE RECOMMENDATION OF CHIEF AND I ALWAYS FIRE NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO PREMATURELY ANNEXATION TO AND IT'S CALLED AREA, WHICH GOES DIRECTLY AGAINST THEIR REQUEST.
THE FIREFIGHTERS REQUESTS TO KEEP THE DEPARTMENT WHOLE AND TO VOTE AGAINST ANY ACCELERATED TIMELINES THAT WOULD IN ANY WAY DISMANTLE OR SEPARATE THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE END OF THE EXISTING CONTRACT WITH YOU ALL WHICH YOU DID NOT.
ADDITIONALLY, THEY HAVE AN ONGOING CONCERN THAT IT SIMPLY DOES NOT BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY TO DISMANTLE THE OPERATIONALLY SUCCESSFUL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND IN TURN CREATE TOO SUPERFLUOUS DEPARTMENTS WITH UNCERTAIN FUTURES AS PER THE RECOMMENDATION OF JAMES VAN ISLE.
MANY FEEL UNEASY IN CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH MR. VAN ISLE FOLLOWING THE GAME OF TELEPHONE THAT LED TO THE THREATS FROM MAYOR WALSH TO FIREFIGHTER.
ADDITIONALLY, OPEN LITIGATION AND ONGOING CONTENTIOUS DELIBERATIONS OVER THE FUTURE OF FIRE WOULD BE PUTTING THEM IN A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT.
MANY FEEL THAT THIS OFFER IS AN ATTEMPT TO GET BACK INTO THE GOOD GRACES OF THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT FEEL BETRAYED BY MR. VAN ISLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECRUIT THEM TO ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TRAIN THEM ON ORONO'S NEW MACHINERY OR EQUIPMENT, THAT THEY FEEL THAT IT WOULD CAUSE MORALE TO PLUMMET AND MORE THAN THIS SITUATION HAS ALREADY DONE WITHIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
LASTLY, BLUE CARD TRAINING IS VERY SERIOUS TRAINING AND IF IT WAS BEING SUPPLIED BY MR. VAN ISLE, MANY FEEL THAT THIS WOULD BE AN UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION TO VERY SERIOUS TRAINING THAT IS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS, TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN THE PURPOSE AND THE REASONS THAT THEY ARE SERVING THE DO NOT WANT OR NEED THIS ADDITIONAL DISTRACTION.
FURTHER, THESE IDEAS WERE FLOATED BY LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP AND THEY WERE DETERMINED THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU.
>> ANYBODY ELSE THAT SNAP FROM ORONO THEY LIKE TO COME UP THIS MORNING?
>> CHRISTINE OF ORONO LONG LAKE.
FIRSTLY, I JUST WANTED TO BRING UP THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY SAVED THREE OUT OF FOUR HOMES IN FIRE PATHS, SO KUDOS TO THEM AS THEY CONTINUE TO DO A PHENOMENAL JOB.
THEY HAD A REALLY SUCCESSFUL FIRE SAFETY OPEN HOUSE TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE YOU HIRED SOME OF THEIR FIREFIGHTERS.
YET YOU CONTINUE TO DRAG YOUR FEET AND DELAY THE APPROVAL OF THEIR 2024 BUDGET.
THIS IMPACTS THE EXISTING DEPARTMENT THAT SERVES EACH OF YOUR HOMES CURRENTLY.
THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WOULD COME TO YOUR HOME AND SAVE YOU IF YOU HAD A HEART ATTACK OR YOUR HOME IF IT WAS ON FIRE.
AS A FIRE WAVE I DO NOT APPRECIATE THE UNDER-FUNDING AND THE REFUSAL TO MOVE THE BUDGET FORWARD.
YOU'RE PUSHING BACK OVER 40 TO $50,000 TO BRING VAN ISLE TO DO SOME DUTY CREW TRAINING.
AFTER SPENDING MILLIONS ON YOUR OWN TRUCKS ON A DEPARTMENT THAT WILL SOON SERVE YOU, WHILE JUST LEAVING THE EXISTING DEPARTMENT IN THE DUST.
A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED, AND YOU GUYS CLAIM YOUR BUILDING ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DO JUST THAT AND YET YOU REMAIN VERY SHORT-SIGHTED ON THE OPTICS OF CONTINUING TO UNDERFUND LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND REFUSING TO FUND THEIR BUDGET.
FINALLY I FIND IT REALLY DISTURBING MEETING AFTER MEETING THAT YOU ARE ALL WILLING TO SPEND 30 MINUTES, 60 MINUTES, 90 MINUTES ONE NIGHT TALKING ABOUT EASEMENTS, TALKING ABOUT PICKLEBALL WITH YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE MORE THAN A TWO-MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT LONG LAKE FIRE.
>> ANYBODY ELSE FROM NON ORONO RESIDENCE RESIDENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP?
>> CHELSEA WINDERICK, I HAVE A NEW ADDRESS, 21150 HORSESHOE TRAIL. YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT THOUGH.
YOU ARE NOT WINNING ANY POPULARITY CONTESTS HERE, ARE YOU? IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.
[00:40:04]
YOU WANT TO DO WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT TO DO, BUT YOU JUST WANT TO DO LOT'S TO DO, FULL SAD.I'M REALLY UPSET CROSBY ISN'T HERE.
I WANTED TO CHAT WITH HIM. I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU GUYS IN AWHILE, I'VE BEEN MISSING YOU.
LOOKING FOR SOME ANSWERS STILL BUT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE YOU'RE MAN ENOUGH TO DO ANY OF THAT, SO I GUESS I'LL JUST WAIT. THANK YOU.
>> BRAD ERICKSON, 21150 HORSESHOE TRAIL.
I ALSO WAS HOPING MR. CROSBY BE HERE TONIGHT, I HAD SOME COMMENTS FOR HIM.
I'M WONDERING WHY HE NEEDS THE PROTECTION OF TWO FULLY EQUIPPED OFFICERS EVERY WEEK THAT HE IS HERE, TO WALK FROM HERE 50 FEET OUT TO HIS CAR.
SOMETIMES THESE MEETINGS GO FOR FOUR HOURS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE GUYS GET PAID, BUT I IMAGINE IT'S UPWARDS OF $20 AN HOUR, MAYBE 25, 30, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT ANYWAY, THE THING I BROUGHT UP LAST WEEK ABOUT FRANKLIN TENNESSEE IS A REAL THING AND IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW OVER MAYORAL CANDIDATE GABRIELLE HANSON.
BUT SHE'S ACTUALLY GOT PROUD BOYS SHOWING UP UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME NOW I THINK THEY CALL THEMSELVES THE ACTIVE GROUP.
THEY'RE PROTECTING THIS CANDIDATE SUPPOSEDLY FROM GOD KNOWS WHAT.
BUT THE WAY I KNOW THAT THEY'RE PROUD BOYS IS SEE THAT THE MAIN GUY, HIS NAME IS BRAD ALSO.
HE'S GOT A TATTOO OF THE PROUD BOY LOGO RIGHT ON HIS CHEEK.
IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS WHO THESE GUYS ARE.
THAT'S WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT BECAUSE SEE ON MY PHONE I HAVE A TEXT FROM MR. CROSBY'S COUNTERPART ABOUT HOW THEY TOO HIRED THE PROUD BOYS DOWN AT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION FOR PROTECTION.
I WONDER WITH ALL HIS PENT-UP FEAR IF THIS NEXT ELECTION CYCLE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE.
YOU ALL MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT THAT AND THEN KEEP AN EYE ON THIS CAT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU KNOW, BUT I'M GUESSING YOU KNOW THE WHOLE STORY.
THEN WHAT ABOUT THE 2021, JANUARY 6TH STUFF? WHEN IS HE GOING TO ANSWER ABOUT THAT? HE WANTS TO BEMOAN ME COMING UP HERE AND EXERCISING MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT BUT HE FLIES OR DRIVES OR WALKS OR TAKES A CAMEL OUT TO WASHINGTON DC TO EXERCISE HIS.
I DON'T GET IT, IF IT'S SUCH A BIG DEAL, WHY DOESN'T HE JUST SAY WHAT HE DID? I MEAN, EVERYBODY KNOWS IT WAS A PEACEFUL PROTEST.
YOU KNOW, WHY DOESN'T HE JUST SAY THAT? I BROUGHT A RED AND WHITE CHECKERED SHEET OUT THERE AND I HAD A LITTLE PICNIC.
WHY DIDN'T HE JUST TELL US WHAT HE WAS DOING OUT THERE BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO KNOW AT THIS POINT? IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED, BUT IT'S WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AND NOT DOING TO RESOLVE IT.
ALSO, I ALMOST GOT ARRESTED A COUPLE OF TIMES BY THIS FINE OFFICER.
I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT I SAY, APPARENTLY IN ORONO.
THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH THING KIND OF ONLY GOES ONE WAY, IS THAT HOW THIS WORKS UP HERE? IN ANY CASE, [BACKGROUND] GOD BLESS YOU GUYS.
>> ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? I SEE NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THE EVENING.
WE WILL GO TO MAYOR COUNCIL REPORT. COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON.
[Mayor/Council Report]
>> THANK YOU. EARLIER THIS YEAR, I COMPLETED A TRAINING ON COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THE COURSE EMPHASIZED TRUST AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION SKILLS NECESSARY AS A MEMBER OF COUNCIL.
TRUST WAS DEFINED AS THE FIRM BELIEF IN THE RELIABILITY, TRUTH, ABILITY, OR STRENGTH OF SOMEONE.
BUILDING TRUST WAS IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS ELECTED OFFICIALS ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
WAYS THAT TRUST CAN BE BUILT INCLUDE BEING AVAILABLE, APPROACHABLE, HONEST, AND BY COMMUNICATING REGULARLY.
I WILL POINT OUT THAT MAKING A MISTAKE DOES NOT HAVE TO EQUATE WITH BEING UNTRUSTWORTHY.
EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES, INCLUDING ELECTED OFFICIALS.
BUT HOW WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND CORRECT OUR MISTAKES IS KEY TO REPAIRING TRUST WHEN IT'S BEEN BROKEN.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE TRUST THAT HAS BEEN PLACED IN ME AS A MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, I'M COMPELLED TO COMMENT ON ISSUES MADE PUBLIC THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY.
[00:45:03]
IN THE DAYS SINCE OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, NEWS HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE MAYOR OF ORONO WAS ACCUSED OF MAKING VERBAL THREATS TOWARD A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT.WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE DETAILS OF THE ACCUSATION, I WILL SAY THAT I WAS DEEPLY TROUBLED AND SADDENED TO LEARN ABOUT THE INCIDENT.
THE FIREFIGHTER IN QUESTION GAVE A SWORN STATEMENT TESTIFYING TO THEIR CLAIM AND THIS SPEAKS TO THE GRAVITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MATTER.
FOR THE RECORD, I DO NOT CONDONE ACTIONS THAT THE MAYOR OF ORONO HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF.
THREATS OF ANY TYPE ARE NOT OKAY FOR ANY REASON, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE AS RELATED TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
WE IN THIS COUNCIL HAD BEEN ELECTED OR APPOINTED TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF ORONO.
WE HAVE VOLUNTARILY STEPPED INTO PUBLIC ROLES THAT REQUIRE AN ADHERENCE TO CONDUCT THAT IS HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.
USING A POSITION OF AUTHORITY TO ACT OUT AGAINST ANY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY FOR ANY REASON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
I STAND BEHIND THE RIGHT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SPEAK FREELY TO THIS COUNCIL, OR ABOUT THIS COUNCIL WITHOUT FEARING RETRIBUTION, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF INTIMIDATION FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR POSITION OR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
IT CAN TAKE COURAGE UNDER THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES TO PUBLICLY ADDRESS MEMBERS OF COUNCIL WHEN ANY HINT OF POSSIBLE REPRISAL OR NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES IS PERCEIVED.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WILL BE STIFLED AND CAUSE THE VERY PEOPLE WHOM WE WERE PUT HERE TO REPRESENT TO FEEL DIS-EMPOWERED AND UNWELCOME.
THAT IS NOT THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESSFUL CITY GOVERNANCE.
MY HOPE IS THAT MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, INCLUDING MYSELF, HOLD THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY MISTAKES OR ERRORS IN JUDGMENT WE MAKE AT ANY TIME AND DO THE NECESSARY WORK TO REPAIR TRUST WHEN IT HAS BEEN BROKEN.
>> WE DO HAVE A FAB MEETING COMING UP.
SORRY. THAT'S EXCITING I THINK GOING ON.
>> WELL, I GUESS TRUST IS AN INTERESTING WORD.
BEING DEEPLY TROUBLED IS AN INTERESTING PHRASE.
IN THIS COUNTRY, WE ARE FOUND THAT YOU'RE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW SINCE I WAS THE ONE WHO HAD A CONVERSATION WITH CODY FARLEY, THAT HIS STATEMENT THAT HE HAD ABOUT ME IS A FABRICATION.
BUT IT IS. BUT IT'S A LIE AND I WAS THERE, AND IT IS A FABRICATION.
WHAT'S SAD TO ME IS THE DESPERATION THAT IS GOING ON THAT WOULD CREATE THIS ENVIRONMENT, AND THAT'S WHAT SAD TO ME AND DEPRESSING FROM OUR 10-YEAR-OLD, THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE 70 THAT TALKED ABOUT THOSE SAME WORDS.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT. IT'S A FABRICATION.
IT IS WHAT IT IS AND IT'S A FABRICATION.
I'M SAD FOR CODY THAT HE'S HAD TO GO TO THOSE LENGTHS.
ANYWAYS, PUTTING THAT ASIDE, EVERYBODY IS BACK FROM MEA.
I WAS STUCK IN THE AIRPORT WITH ANOTHER ORONO FAMILY IN BOSTON FOR A COUPLE OF EXTRA HOURS AND WE DIDN'T GET IN TILL 02:30 IN THE MORNING LAST NIGHT.
BUT WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH COLLEGE TOURS.
WE HAD LOTS OF LOBSTER ROLLS BEING IN MAINE AND MASSACHUSETTS UP THERE SO THAT WAS A BLAST.
I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ORONO GIRLS SWIM AND DIVE TEAM, THEY ARE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, FIRST STATE CHAMPIONS, FIRST TIME IN THEIR HISTORY IN ORONO.
CONGRATULATIONS OUR HATS GO OUT TO THEM FOR THAT TEAM AND THE TEAMWORK THAT THEY PUT TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.
THAT'S A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT, SO DEFINITELY OUR HATS GO OFF TO THEM.
OUR COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR THAT WE HAD EARLIER THIS WEEK ON WEDNESDAY WAS AN ABSOLUTE BLAST.
WE HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF GREAT PEOPLE THERE TALKING, AND TALKING ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT ISSUES, AND I THINK THE BIG CONCLUSION THAT THEY CAME WITH IS SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT THE PLACE TO GO GET YOUR INFORMATION.
IF YOU WANT THE INFORMATION, COME TO COFFEE, TALK TO US CORRECTLY.
THAT'S NOT WHERE YOU GO TO GET YOUR INFORMATION THAT YOU GUYS LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE.
HALLOWEEN'S COMING UP, I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE SAFE.
THINK ABOUT YOUR KIDS OUT THERE.
THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND. IT'S GOING TO BE COLD.
I KNOW MY KIDS, THIS WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR WHERE I DON'T HAVE MY KIDS ACTUALLY TRICK-OR-TREATING BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE AT PARTIES.
BUT WE'LL STILL HAVE A COUPLE OF TRICK-OR-TREATERS AND THAT'S ABOUT ALL I GET ANYMORE.
IN TERMS OF THE NEWSLETTER THAT SOMEONE HAD BROUGHT UP, BY THIS NEXT NEWSLETTER WE'LL HAVE A VERY LONG DISSERTATION ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
[00:50:05]
THAT SHOULD ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THIS NEXT EDITION WHICH GOES OUT IN THE MAIL PROBABLY THIS WEEK SOMETIME.>> NEXT WEEK. IT WILL GO IN THE ISSUE NEXT WEEK.
BUT THAT IS ALL PUT IN THERE AS WELL.
I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH A QUOTE TODAY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU LOVE MY QUOTES.
IT SAYS, "YOU CAN'T LEAVE FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDS OF TIME WHILE SITTING DOWN".
>> AYE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.