[00:00:03]
[Roll Call]
NOVEMBER 13, 2023, ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING.NOTE, ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT EXCEPT COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON TONIGHT.
WE ALWAYS START OFF WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND IF WE DO HAVE ANY VETERANS IN THE HOUSE, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME UP HERE AND HELP US START THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
IS THERE ANY VETERANS IN HERE TONIGHT? YOU'RE A VETERAN.
COME ON UP HERE. I DON'T KNOW VETERANS AFTER VETERANS DAY HERE ON SATURDAY. YOU START US OFF.
>> WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. WELL, WE STARTED OUT WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA,
[Consent Agenda]
WHICH WE APPROVE ON ONE MOTION AND I'LL GO OVER THAT LIST BEFORE WE PASS IT.WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A STAND AT THE CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT?
>> I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT THIS EVENING.
I'D LIKE TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE THROUGH 23 ON CONSENT.
ADD ITEM NUMBER 2425, AND ALSO 28.
>> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OF THOSE HERE.
WHAT WE'VE GOT AFTER CONSENT, THAT'S A LONG ONE TONIGHT.
IS NUMBER ONE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23RD.
NUMBER TWO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23RD, THREE CLAIMS AND BILLS FOUR CAPITAL LEASE AGREEMENT RESOLUTION NUMBER 7427.
NUMBER FIVE, APPROVAL OF THE NEXT WORK SESSION AGENDA.
NUMBER SIX, APPROVAL OF RENTAL LICENSES.
NUMBER SEVEN, EXCEPT DONATION FROM GEAR WEST SKI AND BIKE INC, RESOLUTION NUMBER 7420.
THANK YOU GEAR WEST FOR YOUR DONATION.
NUMBER EIGHT, EXCEPT DONATION FROM GLORIA RICH, RESOLUTION NUMBER 7421.
THANK YOU, GLORIA, FOR YOUR DONATION AS WELL.
NUMBER NINE IS AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER.
NUMBER 10 HAS AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE A CSO, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER.
NUMBER 11 IS APPROVAL TO PURCHASE A UTILITY TRUCK.
NUMBER 12 IS RE-APPROVAL TO PURCHASE TRUCK CHASSIS.
NUMBER 13 IS RE-APPROVED TO PURCHASE WATER SOFTENER VALVES FOR THE SOUTH WATER PLANT.
NUMBER 14 IS 2022 STREET MAINTENANCE PROJECT CLOSEOUT.
NUMBER 15 IS APPROVAL TO RECRUIT FULL-TIME BUILDING MAINTENANCE SLASH CUSTODIAN.
NUMBER 16 IS APPROVAL OF TREE LIGHTING EVENT FUNDING.
NUMBER 17 IS APPROVAL OF FIREWORKS DISPLAY PERMIT.
NUMBER 18 IS LA 23-50, LUCID BUILDERS 3359 CRYSTAL BAY ROAD VARIANCES RESOLUTION NUMBER 7422.
NUMBER 19 IS LA 23-53 PILLAR HOMES PARTNER INC 3765 WATERTOWN ROAD, VARIANCE RESOLUTION NUMBER 7423.
PEOPLE DESIGN NINE AT TACO OR ROAD VARIANTS RESOLUTION NUMBER 7424.
ROBERT TRIPS SNYDER, 1513 BAY RIDGE ROAD, ATF VARIANCE RESOLUTION NUMBER 7426.
NUMBER 22 IS LA 22-59, TOM RYAN 2245 WATERTOWN ROAD, PRELIMINARY PLAT AND REQUESTS FOR MATERIALS.
NUMBER 23 IS FINANCE DIRECTOR, RESIGNATION AND RECRUITMENT.
WE'RE BEGRUDGINGLY GOING TO ACCEPT [LAUGHTER] OUR FABULOUS RON OLSON WAS RETIRING FROM THE CITY OF ORONO HERE IN DECEMBER AFTER AN ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
>> NUMBER 24 IS LA 23-51, CAPLINGER AND QUR'AN BUILDERS ON BEHALF OF ERIC AND MERISSA WINEGARDEN, 2795 SHADY WOOD ROAD VARIANCES AND CUP RESOLUTION NUMBER 7417.
NUMBER 25 IS LA 23-54 TEXT AMENDMENT ORDINANCE 284.
NUMBER 28 IS RECLASSIFICATION OF TITLE ONE, CHAPTERS ONE THROUGH 10, AND TITLE 5, CHAPTER 46, RESOLUTION 7428.
IS THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS ON HERE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER ABOUT?
>> I'D LIKE TO HAVE ASK TO HAVE NUMBER NINE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA BASE.
>> NUMBER NINE, IS AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE A PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER.
>> THANK YOU. I'VE GOT A MOTION.
WE'RE TAKING NUMBER NINE OFF. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
[00:05:02]
WE WILL PULL UP NUMBER NINE HERE.
[9. Authorization to Hire Part Time Firefighter]
NINE IS WERE WE ARE SEEKING TO GAIN APPROVAL FOR HIRE PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER FOR WEEKDAY DUTY CREW.>> CORRECT, YES. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THIS ITEM IS TO HIRE A PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER FOR OUR WEEKDAY DAYTIME DUTY CREW STARTING JULY 1ST OF NEXT YEAR IS WHEN THE DUTY CREW WILL BE STARTING.
SELECTION PROCESS INVOLVE ADVERTISING FOR THE POSITION, SCREENING AND AN INTERVIEW.
THE CANDIDATE, JAKE MARTIN, WHO'S NEW TO EMERGENCY SERVICES, HE WILL NEED TO BE ENROLLED IN AN EMT CLASS AND THEN THEY'LL MOVE INTO THE FIREFIGHTER CLASSES AFTER THE FIRST YEAR.
HE EXPRESSED HIS EXCITEMENT TO BECOME A CHARTER MEMBER OF THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
LOOKS FORWARD TO CREATING THE BEST DEPARTMENT POSSIBLE.
I RECOMMEND JAKE MARTIN FOR A CONDITIONAL OFFER AS PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER WITH AN EFFECTIVE START DATE IN NOVEMBER 14TH 2023 FOR LIMITED ADMINISTRATIVE TIMES AND DUTIES, FIREFIGHTER TRAINING AND OTHER SUCH DUTIES WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 1ST OR AFTER JANUARY 1ST, 2024.
STARTING RATE OF $20 AN HOUR, BENEFITS ARE POLICE AND FIRE PARA CONDITIONS OF THIS JOB OFFER, PASSING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL EMT CLASSES, AND THE FIREFIGHTER CLASSES.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, I'M MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER TO JAKE MARTIN AS A PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER AT THE RATE OF $20 PER HOUR WITH A START DATE OF NOVEMBER 14TH, 2023.
>> WOULD WE LIKE TO ASK WHY IT WAS REMOVED FOR MORE QUESTIONS?
>> NOPE. THERE'S NOT A PUBLIC HEARING. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> NOTE THAT PASSES 40. THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR FINANCE REPORT. RYAN.
[26. Third Quarter Financial Update]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND ADAM THERE IS A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION IN THE FOLDER.
THIS IS THE THIRD QUARTER BUDGET REPORT, LETS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2020.
IT'S THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO REMIND YOU THIS IS A NON-ADJUSTED FINANCIAL REPORTS, SO WE HAVE NOT WENT THROUGH AND ACCRUED EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN PAID OR NOT BEEN PAID.
IT'S JUST AS THE NUMBERS ARE IT'S A CAPITALS IT'S AS WILL SO WE CAN GET STARTED AT THEM.
THE FIRST IS REVENUES, AND WE ARE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE AND REVENUES, AS YOU CAN SEE, LICENSES AND PERMITS WERE ALREADY OVER BUDGET FOR THAT BUDGETARY EVEN LINE ITEM GROUP AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES.
WE HAD A MUCH LARGER PARTICIPATION OF CITIES AND THE TOWARDS ZERO DEATH GRANT THIS YEAR.
THERE WAS MORE STATE GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE SO THAT'S WHY THAT ONE IS SO HIGH.
IT'S ACTUALLY OFFSET BY EXPENDITURES OVER ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE WHERE WE PAY THE PARTICIPATING CITIES THEIR SHARE OF THE GRANT MONEY WE RECEIVE AT ALL.
BUT WE HAVE TO GIVE BACK TO OTHER CITIES.
MAJORITY OF IT PROBABLY ABOUT, 55-90% OF IT GOES TO OTHER CITIES.
TAXES I JUST LIST THERE IN YELLOW, JUST A REMINDER, WE RECEIVE OUR TAX SETTLEMENTS TWICE A YEAR, HALF OF IT IN JUNE, THE OTHER HALF OF IT IN DECEMBER.
WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED OUR SECOND-HALF TAX SETTLEMENT.
BEING AT 50.86% IS EXACTLY WHERE WE WOULD WANT TO BE FOR TAX COLLECTORS.
>> IS IN MID-DECEMBER, DECEMBER 15TH OR?
>> IT'LL BE DECEMBER 7TH, I BELIEVE, RIGHT AROUND THERE.
[LAUGHTER] SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST, THEIR CHARGES FOR SERVICES WE'RE AT 90% WILL FINISH THE YEAR AT THAT AT ABOUT 100%.
A BIG PIECE OF THAT IS WITH OUR MOUNTAIN FIRE SERVICE CONTRACTS, THEY HAVE FULLY PAID FOR THEIR 2023 POLICE SERVICES, SO THERE WILL BE SOME LITTLE BIT OF MONEY COMING BACK IN, BUT WE'LL END UP AT 100.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO WAY OVER BUDGET ON THAT ONE AND FINES THOSE ARE COURT FINES, IT'S SPEEDING TICKETS TO THE LAKE WE'RE AT 74%, SO WE PROBABLY WILL HIT 100% OF THAT LINE ITEM 2.
WE GET BELOW THAT AND YOU SEE SOME NUMBERS WHERE WE'RE VERY LOW, LIKE INTEREST.
[00:10:05]
WE HAVE NOT SPREAD OUR INTERESTS TO THE VARIOUS FUNDS.WE HAVE MULTIPLE FUNDS MORE THAN JUST THE GENERAL FUND AND WE'LL TOUCH ON INTERESTS IN A LITTLE WHILE.
WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING FAIRLY WELL ON INTERESTS THIS YEAR BETTER THAN WE HAVE IN THE RECENT PAST.
WE WILL BE AT BUDGET ON THAT LINE ITEM 2 AND THE BOTTOM ONE, OTHER SOURCES AND TRANSFERS IS A PRETTY INSIGNIFICANT REVENUE LINE. WE'RE AT 36%.
PART OF THE REASON IS WE CHANGED WHERE WE'RE BUYING THE POLICE SQUADS FROM WHAT THE CREATION OF THE POLICE CAPITAL FUND.
NOW WHEN WE TRADE IN A SQUAD, THE REVENUE FOR THAT WILL GO INTO THE POLICE CAPITAL FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF MORE.
WHEN WE'RE BUYING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND WE SOLD A SQUAD, IT WOULD RETURN TO THE GENERAL FUND.
WE PROBABLY WILL BE UNDER BUDGET ON THAT LINE ITEM OR THAT GROUP, BUT IT'S NOT A REAL SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON THAT LINE ITEM AND THERE'S AN EXPLANATION FOR IT.
THE NEXT SLIDE WILL SHOW US THE REVENUES.
YOU'VE SEEN THIS SLIDE FOR MANY YEARS IN A ROW AND YOU CAN JUST SEE THAT VERY FAMILIAR PATTERN OF REVENUE COLLECTIONS A LOT OF IT'S DRIVEN BY THE TAX COLLECTIONS THAT YOU SEE IN QUARTER 2 AND THEN IN QUARTER 4.
BUT WE WILL PROBABLY BE OVER 100%.
WHEN I PROJECTED, I JUST GO TO 100%, BUT IT'LL PROBABLY BE MORE LIKE 102,103% AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
ONCE AGAIN, FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE BEEN HAVING A RUN OF POSITIVE BUDGET VARIANCES ON THE REVENUE SIDE.
THIS IS THE BUILDING PERMIT SLIDE.
SINCE I WAS DOING A FINANCIAL REPORT TONIGHT, I TOLD LAURA I WOULD HANDLE THIS ONE.
FOR SOME REASON, THE LAST COLUMN IS NOT SHOWING UP, BUT WE ARE ABOVE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR ALREADY.
I HAVE THE BUDGET LINE IN THERE AT 565.
WE'RE UP OVER $700,000 FOR THE BUILDING PERMIT REVENUES THIS YEAR, WHICH IS A SURPRISE TO ME.
WE HAVE ONE MORE SLIDE THAT SHOWS THIS IN A LITTLE DIFFERENT WAY.
YOU CAN SEE IT'S THE MONTHS OF APRIL, JULY, AND THIS LAST ONE IN OCTOBER.
THEY HAVE JUST BEEN OVER THE TOP AND GOOD FOR THE REVENUE BUDGET.
CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT I WAS EXPECTING TO SEE THOSE MONTHS.
>> I HAVE TO SAY I THINK IT'S BECAUSE LAURA STUCK WITH THE VIKINGS COLORS EVEN [LAUGHTER] THOUGH I WAS AGAINST IT, ALLIE, TURN OF EVENTS AT ALL.
>> WELL, I WAS READY TO ABANDON THE VIKINGS COLORS, BUT I'M GLAD I DIDN'T TURN.
>> THAT WOULD BE THE REVENUES.
SO ONCE AGAIN, THE GENERAL FUND REVENUES ARE LOOKING REALLY GOOD. ONCE AGAIN.
THEN WE COME TO EXPENDITURES AND OVERALL WE'RE AT 75% FOR THE YEAR, THREE-QUARTERS OF THE WAY THROUGH, SO WE'RE ACTUALLY IN GOOD SHAPE THERE.
MAYOR-COUNCIL IS A LITTLE OVER BUDGET AT THIS TIME.
SOME OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH TRAINING AND THEN I THINK WE CHANGED TO WHERE WE WERE PAYING ANOTHER LINE ITEM OUT OF FROM CENTRAL OFFICES TO MAYOR-COUNCIL AND GET THAT LINE ITEM BUDGETS, IT'S SAVINGS ELSEWHERE IN THE BUDGET ON THAT ONE, BUT WE WILL FINISH THE YEAR PROBABLY AT ABOUT 102, 103% OF BUDGET.
LUCKILY, IT'S A $42,000 DEPARTMENTS, SO IT'S NOT A HUGE IMPACT ON THE OVERALL BUDGET.
GO DOWN TO LINE LEGAL SERVICES.
WE'VE HAD A LOT MORE USE OF OUR ATTORNEY RECENTLY.
THERE HAVE BEEN THINGS GOING ON WITH LAWSUITS, WITH DATA REQUESTS, WITH AUDITEES, AND THAT IS DRIVING THE LINE ITEM OVER BUDGET.
CENTRAL SERVICES AS WHAT WE CAN CONTROL A LITTLE BETTER AND WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT TO SEE IF WE CAN BRING THAT IN AT 100% OF BUDGET.
THAT'S WHERE WE PAY FOR OUR OFFICE SUPPLIES, HEATING, GAS OR GAS HEATING, OR THE SAME ELECTRICITY, INSURANCE FOR THE CITY AT THE DEPARTMENT THAT COVERS CITYWIDE PIECES.
ADAM AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT EVENTUALLY MAYBE RENAMING THAT TO BE INSTEAD OF CENTRAL SERVICES, WE'LL CALL IT FACILITIES.
THEN THAT WILL BE MORE CLEAR THAT THIS IS THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE BUILDINGS, THE CAMPUS, NOT NOT SO MUCH ANYONE DEPARTMENT.
THEN THE LAST ONE IS PUBLIC WORKS.
[00:15:04]
SPRING PARK IS LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING OVER BUDGET.THOSE ITEMS ARE OFFSET BY REVENUES WITH THE SPRING PARK SERVICE CONTRACT.
THE REASON THE EXPENDITURES ARE GOING TRENDING A LITTLE OVER BUDGET HERE IS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WE BUY A PIECE OF SOMETHING OR SAY THEY HAD A WATER MAIN BREAK.
WE PAID WHITMER TO GO DIG IN AND FIX THE WATER MAIN BREAK.
WELL, THEN WE PASS THAT THROUGH TO SPRING PARK.
ONCE AGAIN, THE EXPENDITURES WILL BE A LITTLE OVER BUDGET.
THE REVENUES WILL OFFSET IT, AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PUBLIC WORKS TO DRIVE HOME THE FACT THAT KNOW HAVE WHITMER OR HAVE WHOEVER THE CONTRACTOR IS BUILD SPRING PARK DIRECTLY SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO HIRE O MY REPLACEMENT WILL NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY WE'RE OVER BUDGET ON A DEPARTMENT WHEN IT IS TRULY PREVENTABLE.
THE ITEMS IN RED, YOU CAN SEE EACH ONE OF THOSE ARE ALREADY AT 100%.
START WITH THE FIRE PROTECTION, OBVIOUSLY, LATE LAST YEAR AFTER THE BUDGET WAS PRETTY MUCH SET, WE HIRED FIRE CHIEF.
REALISTICALLY, THE ONLY BUDGETED ITEMS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR THE FIRE CHIEF.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE HIRED A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE HERE.
WE'VE SENT JAMES HAS WENT TO SOME TRAINING.
WE'VE HAD SOME OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES LIKE DESIGNING A LOGO.
SO WE ARE OVER BUDGET, BUT IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
ALSO IN THAT LINE ITEM, IF YOU REMEMBER EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE DID RECEIVE A $40,000 OVERAGE INVOICE FROM LONG LAKE.
SO THAT'S ALSO INCLUDED IN THAT AVERAGE NUMBER.
SO A LITTLE BIT OF IT'S THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT, MOST OF IT IS ACTUALLY THE OVERAGE FROM LONG LAKE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
ON THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, WE'RE WELL OVER BUDGET.
ONCE AGAIN, THE ONLY SAVING GRACE ON THAT IS A SMALL BUDGET LINE, $20,000, AND THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH GIS.
SOME OTHER ITEM COULD SPEAK TO IT IF YOU WANTED TO.
BUT IT'S A LOT OF GIS AND GETTING OUR MAPS AND ALL ARE STOP SIGNS, SO WE CAN LOOK AT THEM ON OUR CARTOGRAPHIC MAPS.
THERE'S A LOT GOING ON AND I BELIEVE WE INCREASE THAT BUDGET FOR 2024 JUST BECAUSE IT'S ALL NECESSARY WORK.
THEN SPECIAL SERVICES IS OVER BUDGET, BUT I WOULD REFER BACK TO THE REVENUES WHERE I POINTED OUT TOWARDS ZERO DEBT GRANT THAT WAS PART OF THE [NOISE] BUDGET LINE ITEM WAS SO OVER.
WELL, THIS IS THE LINE THAT THOSE EXPENDITURES ARE PAID OUT OF.
SO WE'RE OVER BUDGET ON THAT LINE.
BUT IT IS OFFSET BY THAT OVERAGE ON THE REVENUES BUDGET.
THAT'S THE EXPENDITURES AT THIS POINT, AND LIKE I SAID, 75% IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE SHOULD BE COMPLETING THE YEAR AT BUDGET.
THE NEXT SLIDE, AS PART OF THE QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT, A REPORT NEW INVESTMENTS.
WE DID BUY ONE CD IN THE LAST QUARTER.
IT'S AT 5.1%, WHICH IS A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN ZERO.
IT'S WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN ZERO.
AT THIS POINT IN THE YEAR BECAUSE WE'VE HAD OUR ANYWAYS SINCE OUR SECOND OR FIRST HALF TAX SETTLEMENT AND WE HAVE A FEW MORE WEEKS TO GO BEFORE WE GET OUR SECOND HALF SETTLEMENT AND WE END OF SUMMER, FALL IS VERY EXPENSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING PROJECTS OFF.
I THINK THERE'S A FINAL FINAL PAY REQUEST ON TONIGHT'S YEAR.
YEAH, WE DON'T DO A WHOLE LOT OF INVESTING AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE HIGH MONEY NEEDS.
THEN AFTER THE NEXT TAX SETTLEMENT COMES IN, IN THE SPRING WE'LL BE DOING MORE INVESTING WITH NEW INVESTMENTS.
ON THAT NOTE, THE NEXT SLIDE, I BELIEVE, SHOWS THE TOTAL INTERESTS THAT WE'VE EARNED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
THIS IS NOT MARKING THE INVESTMENTS TO THEIR CURRENT VALUE.
YOU CAN SEE ON THE FIRST FOUR LINE ITEMS THERE THAT TOTAL 239,000 ARE THE INTERESTS WE'VE RECEIVED FROM OUR OPERATING FUNDS THAT ARE INVESTED UNTIL WE NEED THEM.
IF YOU REMEMBER, THE GENERAL FUND SHOWED $164,000 IN INTEREST.
WELL, THEY ARE THE BIGGEST FUNDS, SO THEY GET A LION'S SHARE OF THIS, AND THAT'S WHY I COULD SAY ONCE INTEREST IS ALLOCATED WILL BE FINE FOR GENERAL FUND IN THAT LINE ITEM.
THEN THE BOTTOM LINE THERE IS THE 4M CONSTRUCTION FUND.
[00:20:01]
THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY FROM THE BOND SALE WENT.YOU CAN SEE THAT INTERESTS PAID BY THE INVESTMENTS THIS YEAR TO DATE, ARE 282,000, WHICH IS MORE THAN WE'RE PAYING AN INTEREST [NOISE] ON THE BONDS.
THAT'S ANOTHER GOOD INDICATION.
THAT'S IT FOR INVESTMENTS AND THEY BELIEVE THAT'S IT FOR THIS RATHER BRIEF PRESENTATION.
SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
>> GREAT JOB GRAPHICS, TERRIFIC MAKING ONLINE INTERESTS.
>> ALL THOSE GOOD PERMITS SLIDES [LAUGHTER], TRIPLE AND GOLD.
>> NOT SURE WHY THEY RAN OFF THE SLIDE ON MY SCREEN, [OVERLAPPING]
>> I GUESS THE FAVORITE ONE TO LOOK AT IS THE LAST ONE RIGHT NOW [LAUGHTER].
SO CITY ATTORNEY REPORT IS ON?
>> MR. MAYOR I DON'T HAVE ANY UPDATE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
>> ALL RIGHT, THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT NUMBER 27,
[27. Authorization for Design of Temporary Fire Facility]
AUTHORIZATION FOR DESIGN OF TEMPORARY FIRE FACILITY. MADAM.>> MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT REMEMBER.
A FEW A FEW WEEKS AGO, FEW COUNCIL MEETINGS AGO THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE BEGINNING OF LOOKING AT THE REUSE OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY FOR A TEMPORARY FIRE FACILITY AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF A TEMPORARY FIRE FACILITY IN THE NEVADA AREA.
ARCHITECT COMPLETED THAT PRELIMINARY PHASE OF THAT WORK [NOISE] IS ATTACHED IN YOUR PACKET.
IF YOU REMEMBER AT THAT TIME, UNLIKE SOME OTHER DESIGN PROPOSALS WHERE WE'VE GOTTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE COUNCIL UPFRONT FOR THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABLES AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, WE DECIDED TO PUT THIS THROUGH COUNCIL IN A FEW AUTHORIZATIONS.
COMING BACK NOW, AFTER THAT REPORT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TO YOU TO LOOK FOR AUTHORIZATION TO CONTINUE INTO DETAILED DESIGN AND PREPARATION OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE OF THE DESIGN.
THAT'S IN A NUTSHELL WE ALSO GOT TWO COST ESTIMATES FROM THE ARCHITECT.
PERSONALLY BELIEVE THE ONE FOR THE REMODEL OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY IS REALLY HIGH.
WE HAVE AFTER THE REPORT AND THAT ESTIMATE, WE ALSO GOT SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE STATE FARM MARSHALL'S OFFICE ON THEIR EXACT REQUIREMENTS FOR SO I THINK THE REQUIREMENTS ARE MUCH LESS THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT, AND SO WE'LL BE LOOKING AT AGAIN.
WE MAY ON THAT PARTICULAR ONE JUST HAVE TO DO SOME [OVERLAPPING] ERRORS AND UPGRADE.
MOST OF THE STRUCTURE AND THE REST OF THE FACILITY SEEMS TO BE FINE AND WE'LL MEET NEED.
THEN THE OTHER ONE WE DID LOOK AT HOW WE CAN ADD TWO BAYS ONTO THE EXISTING NAVARRO FIRE STATION PROPERTY AND HOW THAT MIGHT PLAY OUT, THAT REALLY THE BULK [NOISE].
>> THAT WAS REALLY JUST TO SEE IF IT WAS POSSIBLE, JUST A SCHEMATIC DESIGN AS A SEPARATE STAND-ALONE FACILITY.
>> CORRECT. NOW AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AS AUTHORS [NOISE] TO MOVE TO THAT NEXT STEP, WHICH IS DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
>> THAT MAKE SENSE. ANY QUESTIONS FOR ADAM? WELL, I MOVED TO AUTHORIZE WORK ASSOCIATED THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT PHASE OF THE DESIGN PROCESS.
>> PASSES FOUR, ZERO. ANYTHING ELSE ADAM?
>> NO FROM THIS PERSPECTIVE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR, A LOT OF PERSONNEL ACTIVITY RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY.
[LAUGHTER] AS YOU KNOW, YOU ALL MET OUR NEW CITY CLERK, CHRISTINE, WHO STARTED TODAY WAS HER FIRST DAY.
SHE WAS AT THE WORK SESSION WITH YOLANDA OR SHE'S STILL.
>> NO, I THINK SHE'S LEFT HOME.
>> THEN OF COURSE, THE BIG NEWS AROUND STAFF THE LAST WEEK IS RON WILSON'S RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IN DECEMBER.
AS YOU APPROVE TODAY, WE'LL BE LOOKING TO BEGIN THAT RECRUITMENT TOMORROW AND THEN YOU CAN REPLACE THEM ON BUT WE'LL TRY TO GET [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE SEND OFF. WE NEED TO GET THE SEND-OFF INVITATIONS OF THE PARTY.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PARTY, RIGHT?
>> THERE IS NO PARTY NECESSARY.
>> I'D ALSO LIKE JUST ON THAT NOTE TOO, TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE THINGS RON HAS AGREED TO DO, EVEN THOUGH THEY'LL BE LEAVING US FULL-TIME IN DECEMBER AS HE'S AGREED TO STAY ON AT A TIME AS NEEDED BASIS SO THAT WE CAN [OVERLAPPING] TRANSITION TO [OVERLAPPING] DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THAT. I KNOW I APPRECIATE THEM.
>> WELL, THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS.
[29. Future Fire Services Committee Update]
I THINK WE HAVE ONE. MARIA VEACH OVER HERE, THE FUTURE FIRE SERVICES COMMITTEE UPDATE.>> SURE. I GUESS THE MAIN TAKEAWAY THERE IS THE GROUP CONTINUES TO SEEK STATE FUNDING.
[00:25:05]
IT'S PRETTY EXPENSIVE ENDEAVOR AND TAKES A LOT OF STATE SUPPORT.>> NO. I THINK THE FUTURE FIRE SERVICES, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A BROAD GROUP OF NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.
RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE REALLY HAVE FOCUSED ON ENGAGING WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND TRYING TO GET THE LEGISLATURE TO SPONSOR A TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT THE FUNDING OF FIRE DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE FOCUSED ON SO THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT.
THIS MEETING WAS ACTUALLY VERY BRIEF AND THEY GAVE SOME UPDATES ON THAT.
I WOULD SAY THAT THE MAYOR OF MEDINA IS LEADING THAT CHARGE AND TRYING TO ENGAGE WITH THE STATE LEVEL LEADERS AND TRYING TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THAT TASK FORCE.
THEY HAVE DRAFT LANGUAGE AND ALL THAT STUFF PUT TOGETHER.
>> WELL, THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[Public Comments]
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE 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 SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME, ADDRESS, AND THE CITY OF RESIDENCE AT THE PODIUM BEFORE SPEAKING.
THE COUNCIL WILL FIRST OPEN THE PODIUM BUT CITY OF ORONO RESIDENCE BEFORE OPENING THE PODIUM TO ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT IS NOT ORONO RESIDENT.
ADAM HAS GOT THE TIMER, IT'S A THREE MINUTES.
IS THERE ANYBODY FROM ORONO THAT COULDN'T SPEAK TONIGHT?
>>CHERYL CALSETH 725 STONE BAY DRIVE.
WHEN MY NOW GROWN SONS WERE YOUNGER, I RECALL HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH THEM ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF A TRUST BANK.
YOU MAKE DEPOSITS INTO THE TRUST BANK ACCOUNT AND TRUST BUILDS OVER TIME.
YOU TAKE TOO MANY WITHDRAWALS FROM THAT ACCOUNT AND TRUST DECLINES.
I REMEMBER BACK IN THE 90S WHEN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL CENTER WAS MERGING WITH FAIR VIEW.
I WAS A NURSE IN THE MEDICAL ICU AND PART OF A LEADERSHIP MEETING THAT THE DIRECTOR OF NURSING, BOTH CAMPUSES HAD TO TALK ABOUT BRIDGING THE TWO ENTITIES.
THE METAPHOR OF A BRIDGE WAS A GOOD ONE SINCE RIVERSIDE AND THE US WERE DIVIDED BY THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
I HEARD MANY PEOPLE SAY THAT WE NEED TO EARN EACH OTHER'S TRUST, THAT IT WOULD TAKE TIME AND BUILD GRADUALLY.
I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND STOOD UP TO SAY I DISAGREED.
EVERYONE WOULD GET MY TRUST RIGHT FROM THE START.
MY THOUGHT WAS THAT WE WERE ALL TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE COULD FOR OUR PATIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR COLLEAGUES, OUR COLLEAGUES AND THEIR HOSPITAL THAT EMPLOYED US.
WHEN YOU'RE A NURSE, YOU'RE PART OF A TEAM WITH COMMON GOALS.
IN MY LIFE, I GIVE TRUST FREELY.
MY FAMILY MOVED TO INDEPENDENCE FROM MAPLE GROVE BACK IN 99.
WE WANT IT TO BE PART OF A SMALLER COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT.
EXCELLENT ORAL SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS A PERFECT FIT.
AFTER MY HUSBAND DIED IN 2016, I WANTED IT TO REMAIN IN THAT COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY SO I BUILT A TOWNHOUSE ON STONE BAY AND MOVE TO ORLANDO IN 2018.
TRUE TO FORM I TRUSTED THAT THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR, WE'RE PROBABLY DOING THE BEST JOB FOR THE CITIZENS OF ORONO.
I ASSUMED INCORRECTLY THAT THEY HAD A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LARGER COMMUNITIES THAT COMPRISE OUR AWARD-WINNING SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I HONESTLY DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO HOW DECISIONS FOR THE CITY OF ORONO WERE BEING MADE.
UNTIL I BEGAN TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO VOTE FOR MY LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES IN THE 2020 ELECTION.
I ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUMS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THAT WAS WHEN I STARTED [NOISE] TO KNOW.
OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE TRUST THAT I FREELY GAVE TO YOU BACK IN 2018 AS A NEW RESIDENT HAS BEEN WIPED OUT.
I NO LONGER TRUST THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THE DIVISIVENESS THAT PLAYS OUT FOR ALL OF US TO SEE AT THESE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND IN THE LOCAL PAPER IN THE STAR TRIBUNE.
CAN WE TRUST YOU WHEN YOU SAY YOU CAN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A TEMPORARY FIRE STATION IN SIX MONTHS? CAN WE TRUST THAT OUR TAXES WILL NOT SKYROCKET IN 2025? SHOULD WE REALLY TRUSTED ORONO'S PARTICIPATING IN COURT-ORDERED MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH? I'VE SEEN AND HEARD ENOUGH FROM THE MAYOR AND THE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNCIL TO NOT TRUST ANY DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE.
I'M GUESSING I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE IN THIS ROOM THAT FEELS THAT WAY.
IN CLOSING, I SUGGEST YOU CONSIDER HOLDS POSTING A TOWN HALL SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT WHERE YOU TAKE QUESTIONS FROM ORONO TAXPAYERS AND ACTUALLY ENGAGE IN A DIALOGUE AND THAT COULD BE THE FIRST DEPOSIT INTO THE REBUILDING TRUST ACCOUNT. THANKS
>>ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO THEY'D LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK.
I SEE NOBODY ELSE FROM ORONO IS THERE ANY ELSE.
ANYBODY THAT'S NOT FROM ORONO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK TONIGHT.
[00:30:04]
I LIVE AT 271 GREEN, HELENE IN LONG LINK.I AM CALLING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE PEOPLE HERE AND OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COURT PROCEEDINGS THAT I ATTENDED LAST WEEK.
WHEN I WATCH THE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND THE CITY OF LONG LAKE VERSUS THE CITY OF ORONO REGARDING THE CONTEMPT FOR VIOLATING THE JULY 2023 INJUNCTIVE ORDER FOR TEMPORARY RELIEF INCLUDED JUDGE MILLER'S DISAPPOINTMENT, EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT.
I WOULD EVEN SAY THAT MEDIATION DID NOT RESULT IN ANY PRODUCTIVE RESOLUTION.
OFTEN DURING THE PROCEEDINGS, JUDGE MILLER SEEMED TO SCOLD THE CITY OF ORONO FOR THEIR QUOTE.
THIS IS A QUOTE FROM HER LACK OF COMMUNICATION WHICH IS BEFUDDLING TO THE COURT.
QUOTE, YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO COMPLY WITH YOUR CURRENT AGREEMENTS.
QUOTE, HOW IS YOUR FIRE CHIEF VAN ISLE REACHING OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TEXTING FIREFIGHTERS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE COURT ORDER QUOTE AND INVITING THEM TO YOUR RECRUITING EVENTS IS CROSSING A LINE.
THESE ARE QUOTES FROM A JUDGE, NOT FROM ME.
ALTHOUGH SHE DIDN'T MAKE A RULING, SHE DID INDICATE THAT CONTINUED MEDIATION WILL BE REQUIRED AND WEREN'T EACH PARTY THAT SHE WOULD BE REQUESTING IMMEDIATE HIS REPORT TO VERIFY THAT ALL PARTIES ARE ENTERING THE MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH AND WORKING TOWARDS A COMMON RESOLVE, NOT JUST GOING THROUGH COURT-ORDERED MEDIATION, COURT ORDERED MOTIONS WHICH LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT SHE BELIEVES THAT THAT IS HAPPENING.
WHAT I READ IN THE TRANSCRIPT FROM THE COFFEE FROM THE MAYOR, IT DOES MAKE ME CONCERNED THAT ORONO IS NOT ENTERING COURT-ORDERED MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH.
BECAUSE AS THE JUDGE MENTIONED, SHE DID SAY THAT YOU ARE CALLED UPON TO FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE ALL OF US FOR NOT AND NOT SOME OF US.
SHE ALSO, AS I REFERENCED, BE FUNNELING OF YOUR LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE CITY OF LONG LAKE.
I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'RE GOING INTO MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH.
WHEN THE MAYOR IS ON-CAMERA ON A FEW DAYS AGO SAYING THAT THE PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE QUOTE VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT FOR SURE.
THERE IS SOMEONE DOING A LITTLE BLOCKING AND TACKLING IN FRONT OF US RIGHT NOW.
BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP WHAT WE'VE ALREADY GOT MOVING TOWARDS US ON MONDAY, WE'RE GOING TO APPROVE THE DESIGN FOR THE ARCHITECTS TO FINALIZE THE DESIGNS FOR WHAT WE HAVE TO FIX OVER AT PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING AND THEN HAVE THAT DONE SO WE CAN ADD A BIT AND FIX A BIT AND THEN STARTING AND MOVING FIRETRUCKS AND PERSONNEL HERE AND THERE AND THEN DESIGN THE ADDITION THAT WE'RE GOING TO ADD IT IN THE FIRE STATION AS WELL.
IT BLOWS MY MIND THAT YOU BELIEVE TRULY THAT YOU COULD BE HEADING INTO INTER-MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH AND MAKE CONCRETE STATEMENTS LIKE THAT REPEATEDLY IN COFFEES WITH THE MAYOR AND UP HERE ON THIS PODIUM.
>>IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT'S NOT FROM ORONO THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? COME ON UP.
>>BRAD ERICSSON, 21150 HORSESHOE TRAIL IN CORCORAN.
I'D LIKE TO READ FROM THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 28TH, FROM THIS VERY CHAMBERS, FROM MR. CROSBY, FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING.
WHAT HE SAYS HERE I'M GOING TO READ DIRECTLY FROM THE MINUTES.
I WANT TO COMMENT ON SOME OF THIS, MR. CROSBY NOW, SOME OF ERIKSON'S COMMENTS, I BEING MR. ERICKSON.
CROSBY SAID ERICKSON REBELS AND THE FACT THAT THE CRICKET DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS GONE AFTER THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS UNTRUE.
BUT THERE IS NO DISCUSSION ABOUT JOE BIDEN WHO IS SHOVELING MONEY OVER TO THE UKRAINE TO PAY FOR KICKBACKS.
I DON T KNOW ABOUT THAT STUFF.
MAYBE YOU DO BECAUSE YOU SPEND MORE TIME IN WASHINGTON DC THAN I DO.
HE SAID, 'ERIKSON'S FREE SPEECH IS SLANDER, DEGRADATION, PUT DOWNS AND THREATS, WHICH IS ALSO FALSE CLEARLY.' HE SAID, 'INSTEAD OF HAVING POLITE DISCOURSE, HE SLANDERS AND THREATENS PEOPLE.
FREE SPEECH IS IMPORTANT FOR THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE.
AND PROTESTING IS NOT NECESSARILY AN INSURRECTION,' WHICH IS TRUE.
CROSBY CONTINUED CALLING SOMEBODY AN ANTI-SEMITE BECAUSE THEY WANT IT DOESN'T MAKE IT SO.
HE ALSO SAID, 'I HAVEN'T LEARNED MY LESSONS FROM HISTORY BECAUSE OF MY PROFESSION FOR HATING NAZIS,
[00:35:02]
I'VE TURNED MYSELF INTO ONE.' WOW. THEN AT THE NEXT MEETING HE SAYS HE DIDN'T SAY THAT.WHAT IS IT DID YOU SAY OR DID YOU NOT SAY IT? LOOKS LIKE YOU SAID T IN THE PERMANENT RECORD? IN ANY CASE, JUST SO YOU, EINSTEIN'S ARE CLEAR, THERE WAS THIS FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE MAYORAL RACE RECENTLY.
THE WEIRDO THAT WAS FRATERNIZING, I'LL SAY WITH THE PROUD BOYS AND THAT STUFF.
YOU KNOW, LIKE MR. CROSBY BACK DURING THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE, SHE LOST WITH LESS THAN 20% OF THE VOTE.
I AM REALLY INTERESTED AND ENCOURAGED BY THAT AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT SELECTION TO SEE HOW WELL YOU DO, MR. CROSBY.
I ALSO WONDER IF SHE WAS UNWILLING TO DENOUNCE THESE HATE GROUPS AND THEN LOST HER ASS.
I WONDER IF YOU'RE GOING TO DENOUNCE THOSE WHO HATE GROUPS.
THE ONES THAT YOU STOOD UP HERE IN FRONT OF THIS LOGO FOR THIS CITY AND PROUDLY CROWDFUNDED FOR THAT ONE, BY THE WAY, I BELIEVE CODY FAR AWAY.
>>THANK YOU. BRAD, IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO OR NOT FROM ORONO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT?
>> CHRISTOPHER BIG VALLEY OF EURO LONG LAKE.
I HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THE DECISION YOU GUYS MADE TONIGHT SO CONFIDENTLY FOR ZERO TO APPROVE YOUR PLANS FOR FIRE STATION ONE AND TWO, WHEN THE JUDGE SPECIFICALLY ASKED YOU IN COURT, YOU HAVE PLANS AND YOUR LAWYER SAID, NO, WE DON'T, WE HAVEN'T BEEN TALKING TO LONG LAKE ABOUT IT AND SHE SAID, YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE PLANS, WHICH YOU CLEARLY HAVE 21 PAGES PLUS OF PLANS, BUT IN A LARGER SENSE, YOU'RE BEGINNING SOMETHING ON MONDAY.
THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION IS BEFUDDLING TO THE COURT.
IT'S BEFUDDLING TO YOUR CITIZENS.
IT'S BEFUDDLING TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.
I THINK YOU GUYS THINK THAT LONG LAKE'S LAWSUIT IS FRIVOLOUS.
THAT DOESN'T MAKE THE JUDGE'S ORDERS FOR FRIVOLOUS, AND I THINK YOU NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THE JUDGE WHO'S NOW GOING TO BE OFFENDED BY YOUR LACK OF LISTENING TO HER IN WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
AND AGAIN, HOW CAN YOU BE GOING INTO MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH, WHATEVER YOUR PURPOSE IN MEDIATION IS, WHETHER IT'S WORK WITH LONG LAKE OR FIGURE IT OUT.
YOU HAVE TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO LONG LAKE AT SOME POINT AND YOU'RE NOT BEHAVING THAT WAY.
YOU'RE NOT AND YOU CAN'T TELL ANYBODY THAT YOU'RE GOING INTO MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION THAT LONG LAKE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT TODAY FOR IT AND NOTHING.
WE HAD 21 PAGES, THREE-QUARTERS OF $1 YOU SPENT TO HAVE THE PLANS WRITTEN WITHOUT A SINGLE IOTA OF CONVERSATION WITH LONG LAKE.
THAT IS NOT WORKING WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS.
THAT'S WHAT SHE'S ASKING YOU TO DO AND YOU'RE NOT DOING IT.
>> ANYBODY ELSE THAT'S NOT FOR MORNING I'D LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT.
NOBODY FURTHER, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL COME TO
[Mayor/Council Report]
THE MAYOR COUNCIL REPORT. COUNCIL MEMBER OF EACH.ON THE PERSONAL SIDE FIRST, MY SON HAD HIS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND AND IN ROGERS AND BOTH ARE NO TEAMS, THE RED AND THE BLUE PLAYED EACH OTHER AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP, WAS SUPER FUN TO WATCH, AND MY DAUGHTER SING AT CHURCH AND HAD A SOLO THIS WEEKEND SO I WAS A BIG, PROUD MOM WEEKEND FOR ME.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, I GUESS TO SOME OF US AND CHERYL, IF YOU DON'T MIND AND I'D LIKE TO HIT ON A FEW THINGS THAT YOU SAID SPECIFICALLY.
TRUST IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO ME AS WELL.
I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE FELT UNHEARD AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHERE THE FRUSTRATION COMES FROM, AND I'M DOING MY BEST TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS, IN MY OPINION, A BINARY OPTION.
I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING AND BE A GOOD PARTNER.
I'VE MET WITH 100% OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO MEET ME.
EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT SAID I WOULD LIKE A CONVERSATION, SO I WOULD WELCOME THAT.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET AND TALK, I WOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME THAT.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLIC SAFETY, WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING. IT'S AN INVESTMENT.
IT IS REAL MONEY, BUT IT IS AN INVESTMENT, AND IN MY OPINION, IT IS NOT, EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE HAVE BEEN NEEDS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
[00:40:02]
THERE ARE NEEDS OF EQUIPMENT THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, AND I DON'T THINK BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE MEANS THAT WE CAN'T BE A GOOD PARTNER.I THINK EVERYTHING THAT I'VE DONE, EVERY MEETING I'M GONG TO, EVERY PERSON I'VE TALKED TO WOULD AGREE TO THAT.
ALTHOUGH YOU MIGHT HEAR THAT SENTIMENT HERE IN MY CONVERSATIONS AND I CAN SPEAK TO, WE HAVE A FIRE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING COMING UP THIS WEEK.
OUR LAST ONE, AND I THINK I TOLD EVERYONE, I THOUGHT IT WENT REALLY WELL.
IT WAS SUPER PRODUCTIVE, RICHARD WAS THERE.
IT WAS GREAT CONVERSATION, WHICH IS HARD TO DO WHEN THERE'S A LAWSUIT.
PEOPLE CLOSE UP SO IF YOU WONDER WHY GOOD CONVERSATION CAN'T HAPPEN, THROW IN A LAWSUIT AND IT DOES, IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT, AND SO THAT WAS REALLY REFRESHING TO HEAR THAT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT MEETING WASN'T RECORDED WHICH WAS A BUMMER BECAUSE THREE WEEKS LATER WE GOT THEM MEETING NOTES AND THEY WERE POSTED AND NOBODY TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WAS TAKING NOTES ACTIVELY IN THAT MEETING BECAUSE WE HAD A RECORDER THAT UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T WORK BUT THEN MEETING NOTES WERE THEN POSTED WITHOUT REVIEWING IT, SAYING MARIA SAID X, Y, OR Z.
THAT BEING SAID, WITHIN 24 HOURS OF ME REACHING OUT AND SAYING, CAN YOU ASK FOR MY INPUT OF HOW I RECALLED IT? THE MEETING NOTES WERE TAKEN DOWN AND SAID LET'S REVIEW IT AT OUR NEXT MEETING.
THAT TO ME IS A SIGN OF TRUST AND RESPECT AND IT SHOWS THAT THINGS ARE GOING THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN MY OPINION.
I STILL THINK WE CAN MAKE AN INVESTMENT AND FIND AMICABLE SOLUTIONS.
I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE TO BE INDEPENDENT.
IF YOU WANT THE WHY, I THINK WE'RE LOOKING FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION, AND THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY EVERY DEPARTMENT AROUND THE STATE AT EVERY MEETING, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR WHAT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST, AND I THINK THIS COMES TO, I REMEMBER AT A FIRE BANQUET TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT FIRST STARTED AND MAYBE JAMES YOU KNOW, BUT APPARENTLY THEY USED TO JUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND THERE WAS A PHONE TREE BACK IN THE DAY AND IT WOULD SAY THERE'S A FIRE, YOU'D CALL YOUR FRIEND AND TELL THE NEXT FIREFIGHTER.
WELL GOOD THING THINGS CHANGED, RIGHT? WE GOT SERVICE MUCH QUICKER.
NOT SAYING WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THAT WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO. THAT WAS GREAT.
THAT DIDN'T DIMINISH THAT, BUT CHANGE COMES AND IT'S NEEDED.
I DO THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING GOES TO A LONG-TERM APPROACH, WHICH I THINK CAN BE GREAT AND WILL BE GREAT.
I THINK WE HAVE THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP IN PLACE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER MET ADAM.
HE AND HIS TEAM ARE PHENOMENAL.
WHEN I SEE SOMEONE LIKE RON STEPPING DOWN, IT MAKES ME REALLY SAD.
LOSING GREAT PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU'RE HEARING THE VOICE OF A FEW PEOPLE.
IN MY EXPERIENCE, THERE IS A LOT OF VOICES OF STILL UNDERSTAND.
JOHN I JUST SAW YOU'RE HERE, AND I APPRECIATE IT.
I REALLY THINK EVERY TIME I MEET OUT AND MEET SOMEONE IN PERSON, GREAT THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DON'T SPEAK FROM AN IPAD OR CRAFT A STATEMENT.
THIS IS FROM MY HEART SO I THINK THAT WE HAVE ADAM IN PLACE.
THE WHY, IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE A TEAM THAT CAN HANDLE IT, THAT CAN THINK BIG PICTURE, CAN THINK FUTURE, CAN THINK OUT OF THE BOX, AND THAT'S WHY.
I GUESS I JUST DID CLOSING WOULD SAY I WELCOME ANYONE THAT WANTS CONVERSATION TO EMAIL, CALL, I'D LOVE THAT AS WELL, AND THERE WE GO. ENOUGH FOR MARIA.
>> I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO THINK.
MARIA, THAT WAS NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE VETERANS.
MY MY SON AND MY AND MY DAD ARE BOTH VETERANS, SO A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THEM. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> REALLY LIKED WHAT MARIA HAD TO SAY.
I'D LIKE TO START OUT BY THANKING OUR VETERANS, PEOPLE THAT JOINED THE MILITARY AND SIGN UP.
THEY MAKE SUCH A SACRIFICE FOR OUR FREEDOMS. IT'S AMAZING AND MOST VETERANS ARE INCREDIBLY HUMBLE AND I DON'T THINK EVEN NECESSARILY THEY CAN APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO FOR US.
BUT WE'RE ALL OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS AND WE HAVE ONE HERE TOO AND JOHNNY AND ANY OTHER VETERANS IN THE AUDIENCE.
FROM THE BOTTOMS OF OUR HEARTS, WE THANK YOU.
TALKING ABOUT THE FIRE DISCUSSION, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OBVIOUSLY A REALLY LONG TIME I DO BELIEVE ORONO,
[00:45:05]
HAS NEGOTIATED WITH FAITH AND TRYING TO GET POSITIVE THINGS DONE AND MOVED FORWARD.FOR FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S BEEN A FINANCIAL SITUATION AND IT'S OUR MONEY THAT'S ON THE TABLE AND WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITIZENS OF ORONO'S DOLLARS.
WE MADE A DECISION TO BREAK THE CONTRACT WHEN IT WAS OVER AND MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, NOT RENEW THE CONTRACT, I THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT DECISION.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL IF SOMETHING COULD HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT.
I DON'T THINK WITHOUT HAVING A CONTROLLING INTEREST IN IT, LONG LAKE WAS INTERESTED IN ANYTHING THAT WAS BEING PROPOSED AND THERE WERE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ITEMS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE.
I WAS NOT IN MEDIATION SO OBVIOUSLY AND THAT'S CONFINED WITH PRIVILEGE ANYWAY, BUT I CAN'T REALLY COMMENT ON WHAT HAPPENED IN MEDIATION.
BUT THIS COUNCIL IS DEDICATED TO MAKING SURE OUR CITIZENS ARE WELL PROTECTED AND SERVED PROPERLY.
I SERVED ON THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 10 YEARS, SERVING THIS COMMUNITY.
HAVING THIS DEPARTMENT DIVIDE IS NO JOY OF MINE WHATSOEVER.
I STILL VALUE THE PEOPLE THERE AND I WISH WE COULD COME TO SOME TYPE OF MEANINGFUL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LONG LAKE, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE TWO PARTIES THAT ARE WILLING TO DO THAT.
I'M NOT SURE IF WE HAVE ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE, BUT WE'RE STILL WILLING TO TALK.
I FELT LIKE MARIA DID IT THE LAST FIRE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING, THINGS WERE VERY POSITIVE.
THERE WAS DISCUSSIONS OF THE CHIEF COMING HERE AND MAKING A PRESENTATION AND THAT'S STILL HAS NOT HAPPENED.
THAT'S CONCERNING TO ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN 85 TO 87% OF THE SALARIES BEING PAID BY THE CITY OF ORONO SO THAT TO ME SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER.
BUT AS COMMUNITIES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL CONTINUOUSLY WORK AND MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
WE LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER, I THINK THAT'S REAL POSITIVE THIS COUNCIL'S DONE SOME GREAT THINGS WITH PARKS, THE ROADS, BUDGETING.
RON OLSON IS A HUMBLE MAN, BUT HE'S BEEN A COMPLETE ROCKSTAR ON BUDGETING SO YOU HAVE MY ADMIRATION YOU'VE BEEN TERRIFIC.
THE CITY OF ORONO, WHETHER THEY ALL REALIZE IT OR NOT, THEY'RE GRATEFUL.
ADAM'S BEEN A TERRIFIC LEADER, WE'VE GOT A GREAT STAFF HERE.
IT'S EXCITING SO ON A PERSONAL NOTE, MY OLDEST DAUGHTER CELEBRATED HER ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY YESTERDAY SO THAT WAS EXCITING.
WENT OVER THE WALSH'S AND DANIELLE SHARED THE INFORMATION ON MORGAN, BUT WE'RE REAL PROUD OF HER AND MIZUKI, TENNESSEE THIS WEEKEND, WHICH WAS GREAT BECAUSE I HAD TWO DAUGHTERS.
I WENT TO MISSOURI SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING COLLEGE SWEATSHIRT NIGHT TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS BUT THAT'S IT.
>> ALSO HAPPY VETERANS DAY AND I CONCUR ABOUT ALL THE FIRE DISCUSSIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT ARE THERE.
LAST WEEK WAS A BIG WEEK ON THE WALL SHOWS.
LAST WEDNESDAY WAS THE NATIONAL SIGNING DAY FOR ALL THE KIDS DOING COLLEGE SPORTS AND SO WE PARTICIPATED WITH FOUR OTHER PEOPLE OVER AN ORONO ON WEDNESDAY.
MY DAUGHTER, THIS IS A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PICTURE OF HER THAT THEY PUT OUT.
SHE ACCEPTED THE OFFER TO BE ON THE MINNESOTA GOPHER GYMNASTICS TEAM STARTING NEXT SEASON IN 2024, 2025 SEASON AND WAS ALSO ACCEPTED INTO THE SCHOOL OF BIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AS WELL, IT'S AN AMAZING PROCESS.
THERE WAS FOUR OTHER FABULOUS KIDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS, ONE DOING VOLLEYBALL, ONE DOING LACROSSE, ONE DOING SOFTBALL, AND ONE TO ONE EQUESTRIAN.
IT'S AMAZING, THE KIDS ARE AMAZING THESE DAYS.
OVER IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IT'S NOT BACK, IT'S NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE IN THE DAY WHEN I WAS BACK IN COLLEGE.
I HAVE AN ENTIRE PLACE WHERE THEY CALL IT OR ALL THE ATHLETES LIVE.
IT'S CALLED THE ATHLETES VILLAGE THEY ALL LIVE TOGETHER.
[00:50:01]
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN FOOD HALL, ALL THEIR OWN NUTRITIONIST, ALL THEIR OWN COUNSELORS.MAKES YOU WANT TO JUST GO OUT AND BE A GYMNAST OR ANY SPORT AND I KNOW WE'VE GOT ANOTHER CHAMPION GYMNAST AND THE AUDIENCE RIGHT THERE.
AT A TIME, RYAN TOLD ME HE WAS A MEN'S CHAMPION AT GYMNASTICS AT THE U2 SO CONGRATULATIONS.
[LAUGHTER] WE HAVEN'T HAD A GOPHER MY HOUSE SINCE MY DAD AND MOM BOTH WENT TO UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.
I WENT TO UNIVERSITY OF MADISON, THOUGH I DID SPEND THREE MONTHS ON THE WRESTLING TEAM AT MINNESOTA BEFORE I TRANSFER THERE SO HAVEN'T HAD A GOPHER ITEM FOR 40 YEARS IN MY HOUSE, BUT NOW WE ARE FULL-ON GOPHER SO WE ARE IN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME AND MY DAUGHTER IS JUST A FABULOUS YOUNG LADY AND SHE'S GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE OTHER SIGHNEES THAT WERE THERE ALSO FOR THAT DAY.
IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND THEN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WE WENT TO NORTH SHORE GYMNASTICS AND DID A SIGNING EVENT OVER THERE AS WELL SO ALL THE PARENTS AND THE KIDS COULD WATCH THAT AND SEE WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES ARE THAT ARE EIGHT YEARS OLD AND 10 YEARS OLD AND 14 YEARS OLD, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE YOU WORK HARD AND YOU DEDICATED AND YOU CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT'S FOR SURE SO IT'S VERY EXCITING.
HAD COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR THIS LAST WEEK.
MAYBE IT'S A WEEK AGO AND I THINK LIKE 10 OR 12 PEOPLE THERE WAS BULL ATTENDED, HAD SOME FABULOUS PEOPLE.
IN FACT, I ALREADY GOT A LETTER FROM ONE OF THEM HERE THAT SAID THAT WE ATTENDED COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR AND ENJOYED IT THOROUGHLY.
WE FELT IT WAS INFORMATIVE AND INVITING, HE SAID ONE OF OUR CONCERNS WAS REGARDING THE NEWSLETTER BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON OVER AT STONE BAY, THEY WERE NOT GETTING THE APARTMENTS.
THEY WEREN'T GETTING THE NEWSLETTER AND I SAID, WELL, I WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET THE NEWSLETTER BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHY YOU WOULDN'T GET IT AND SHE WAS LIKE YOU TOOK ACTION AND YESTERDAY, THE RESIDENTS OF STONE BAY RECEIVED THE NEWSLETTER.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
WE HAD A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAME TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'RE DOING WITH OUR POLICE, WITH OUR PUBLIC WORKS AND HOW FAST WE RESPOND AND TAKE CARE OF STUFF AND THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE STAFF THAT WE HAVE AND THE SUPPORT WROTE WE HAVE WHETHER IT'S FINANCE AND HR, AND ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS, ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT WE HAVE.
WE HAVE A GREAT SUPPORT NETWORK WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN ORONO AND I THINK LIKE RICHARD SAID, OUR GOAL IS MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF RESIDENTS IN ORONO 100% AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
WE HAVE THANKSGIVING COMING UP SO I WANT EVERYBODY WISH EVERYBODY A THANKSGIVING.
I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU A THREE THANKSGIVING QUOTES.
FIRST ONE IS FROM HENRY DAVID THOREAU SAYS, I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I AM AND HAVE, MY THANKSGIVING IS PERPETUAL.
THE NEXT ONE IS A NATIVE AMERICAN SAYING.
GIVE THANKS FOR UNKNOWN BLESSINGS ALREADY ON THEIR WAY.
THE LAST ONE IS FROM ERMA BOMBECK.
SAYS THANKSGIVING DINNERS TAKE 18 HOURS TO PREPARE.
THEY ARE CONSUMED IN 12 MINUTES.
HALFTIME ON THE FOOTBALL GAME IS 12 MINUTES, THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE.
>> HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.
>> HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.