Jan 22, 2024 City Council

>> WELL, THAT'LL TAKE US TO NUMBER 1,

[1. City Council Minutes of January 8, 2024]

THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 8TH, COUNCILMEMBER BENSON.

>> THANK YOU. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENT FORMAT FOR THE MEETING MINUTES THIS TIME, AND I UNDERSTAND IN TALKING TO ADAM THAT IT'S BECAUSE OF THE BRAND NEW SOFTWARE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ESSENTIALLY HAVING TRANSCRIPTION AVAILABLE AND VIDEO.

BUT THAT THE MEETING MINUTES ARE GOING TO BE ESSENTIALLY A PAIRED DOWN VERSION OF THAT.

IS THIS GOING TO BE THE CONSISTENT FORMAT GOING FORWARD?

>> YES, THAT'S THE INTENT. THE INTENT IS ONCE WE GOT THE TRANSCRIPTIONS SOFTWARE WORKING WHERE WE HAD THE VERBATIM TRANSCRIPTS AVAILABLE, THAT WE WOULD TAKE THE OFFICIAL MINUTES AND SHRINK THEM TO JUST DEALING WITH CITY BUSINESS AND LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE TRANSCRIPTS.

THE MINUTES IN THE FORMAT THAT THEY'RE IN NOW OR A FORM VERY CLOSE, THE CITY CLERK CONTINUES TO REFINE THAT WITH THAT VENDOR.

THAT'S WHAT THEY SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> THIS MIGHT BE A BETTER QUESTION LATER WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS.

BUT HAS THERE BEEN ANY COMMUNICATIONS THUS FAR OVER LIST SERVER OR WHATNOT DUE TO THESE CHANGES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE MINUTES ARE NOW LOOKING DIFFERENT AND HOW TO GO ABOUT ACCESSING THEM? IS THAT CLEAR OR HAS THAT BEEN COMMUNICATED OUT?

>> WE DIDN'T DO ANY KIND OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.

>> NOT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, BUT MORE JUST LIKE A NOTIFICATION IS WHAT I'M SAYING.

THIS MAY BE A BETTER QUESTION FOR LATER ON WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMUNICATION.

>> WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT. THE OTHER THING WE'VE HAD A FEW THINGS GO OUT WHEN WE HAVE THE NEW BASED SOFTWARE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE THE VIDEO AND THE TRANSCRIPTS AND THEY WERE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

I THINK WE SENT SOMETHING OUT ON THAT, BUT THAT WAS A LITTLE WHILE AGO.

>> MY THOUGHT IS IT WAS A BIG CHANGE FOR ME TO SEE AND I THINK IT'S ALWAYS APPRECIATED WHEN CHANGES HAPPEN TO HAVE NOTIFICATION ABOUT THOSE SO THAT WOULD BE MY ONLY THOUGHT.

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS.

>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THEM?

>> SURE. MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 8TH, 2024.

>> SECOND.

>> I'LL SECOND.

>> NUMBER 4, AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH VECTOR SOLUTIONS,

[4. Authorization to enter into a contracts with Vector Solutions, First Due and First Arriving]

FIRST DUE AND FIRST ARRIVING.

>> YES. THANK YOU. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF VAN EYLL ON THIS ONE.

>> YES. GO AHEAD COUNCILMEMBER BENSON.

>> THESE THREE CONTRACTS, I WOULD SAY SOFTWARE, BUT THEY'RE NOT SOME INVOLVE HARDWARE AS WELL.

I WANT TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT VECTOR VERSUS FIRST DUE THESE TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES.

IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM WHAT I READ IS THE VECTOR SOFTWARE IS ONE THAT INVOLVES LEARNING

[00:05:02]

SOFTWARE AND IT ALSO TRACKS TRAINING, THAT TYPE OF THING.

>> CORRECT. VECTOR SOLUTIONS HAS TWO PLATFORMS, ONE OF THEM BEING TARGET SOLUTIONS, WHICH IS THE ONLINE TRAINING MODULE, AND TRACKS TRAINING THROUGH THAT.

THAT IS SANCTIONED BY THE MINNESOTA BOARD OF FIREFIGHTER TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

THEN ALSO CHECK IT, WHICH CAN BE UTILIZED FOR OUR APPARATUS CHECKS ALONG WITH TOOLS AND GEARS AND SOME ASSET MANAGEMENT STUFF FOR US TOO.

>> THE SECOND ONE FIRST DUE IS THE ONE THAT TRACKS THINGS LIKE DATA OR CALLS ATTENDANCE THAT OTHER TYPE OF DATA.

>> THE CONTRACT FOR VECTOR IS 36 MONTHS.

IT'S A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT?

>> IT CAN BE. I THINK THERE'S OPTIONS FOR ONE YEAR, TWO YEARS, AND THREE YEARS IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

>> BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THE OTHER TWO, FIRST DUE AND FIRST ARRIVING WERE QUOTING FOR 12 MONTHS.

THE FIRST ONE VECTOR WAS GIVEN A QUOTE FOR 36 MONTHS.

>> I MIGHT HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT, BUT IT COULD BE.

>> I WAS WONDERING IF THE INTENTION IS TO CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR OR 36 MONTHS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONTRACT FOR THREE YEARS, THAT WOULD BE CHEAPER FOR US, BUT WE CAN SWITCH IT TO ONE YEAR IF THAT FITS THE COUNCILS'.

WE DID BUDGET FOR THIS THROUGH THEIR GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET.

THE TOTAL COST IS ABOUT JUST UNDER 17,000 FOR THESE THREE.

>> COULD BE. I DIDN'T ADD THEM UP RIGHT NOW.

>> IS IT POSSIBLE WITH THIS TYPE OF SOFTWARE TO, EITHER VECTOR OR FIRST DUE, HANDLE BOTH FUNCTIONALITIES OR IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE THESE TWO DIFFERENT SOFTWARE COMPANIES TO PURCHASE SOFTWARE FROM THESE TWO DIFFERENT OR IS THERE ANY OVERLAP OR KIND OF A VENN DIAGRAM THERE WHERE YOU COULD GET FUNCTIONALITY OUT OF BOTH OF THESE AND ONE?

>> FIRST DUE DOES OFFER SOME OTHER ADD ONS TO IT.

THE PROBLEM WITH FIRST DUE IS THEY'RE NOT SANCTIONED BY THE MINNESOTA BOARD OF FIREFIGHTER TRAINING AND EDUCATION, SO IT MAKES IT A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT TO KIND OF WORK WITH.

THE VECTOR SOLUTIONS AND FIRST DUE TO BOTH HAVE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE TO GO WITH, WHICH ISN'T INCLUDED IN HERE BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED THAT RIGHT AWAY.

THIS STUFF WE KIND OF NEED RIGHT AWAY TO GET IN PLACE AND THEN HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING WHEN THE BUILDINGS ARE READY FOR US.

THEN SCHEDULING SOFTWARE, WE'RE ALSO LOOKING WITH THE POLICE AND THEIR POWER DMS SCHEDULING SIDE TOO.

>> THEN FINAL QUESTION IS ON THE FIRST ARRIVING THE SOFTWARE, THAT IT'S ESSENTIALLY IN HARDWARE I SUPPOSE BECAUSE IT INVOLVES TV SCREENS AND THAT TYPE OF THING BEING MOUNTED TO SHOW CALLS OR UPCOMING TRAINING, THAT TYPE OF THING IN A FIRE STATION.

>> ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET FIVE DIFFERENT DISPLAYS FOR THE SOFTWARE? FIVE DIFFERENT SCREENS?

>> YES. WHEN WE TOOK A LOOK AT WHERE WE WOULD HAVE A SOUTHERN STATION AND A NORTHERN STATION AND THEN I WAS UP AT CITY HALL, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A SCREEN INSIDE AN AREA WHERE THEY'RE SITTING WHETHER IT'S A TRAINING ROOM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THEN ALSO OUTSIDE IN THE APPARATUS BAY, AND THEN ONE UP BY CITY HALL.

IF YOU PUT TWO AT EACH STATION, ONE ON THE SOUTHERN STATION, ONE ON THE NORTHERN STATION, AND ONE AT CITY HALL I'M STILL OFFICING OUT AT CITY HALL.

>> IS THAT PRETTY STANDARD, THAT NUMBER OF SCREENS ON DISPLAY?

>> I THINK THAT'S THEIR MINIMUM, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MINIMUM. THAT'S THE MINIMUM YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE FIVE.

>> I THINK THEIR THING WAS UP TO FIVE.

THEIR INITIAL FEE, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

DASHBOARD SET UP UP TO FIVE STATIONS.

>> OKAY. THANKS. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DO I HAVE A MOTION?

>> I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 4, THE AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH VECTOR SOLUTIONS, FIRST DUE, AND FIRST ARRIVING.

>> I HAVE A MOTION, DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND.

>> OPPOSED?

>> YOU WANT TO JUST STATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE TO. I THINK I'VE BEEN PRETTY CLEAR OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF MONTHS THAT I'M NOT SUPPORTING EXPENDITURES FOR THIS, BUT I DON'T NEED TO STATE A REASON BUT THAT WOULD BE IT.

>> NON-FUNDING.

>> WHAT'S THAT?

>> NON-FUNDING.

>> OKAY. THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR PRESENTATIONS NUMBER 8.

[8. 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Presentation]

MAGGIE YOU'RE GOING TO BE UP.

[LAUGHTER] 2022 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT PRESENTATION.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

TONIGHT, WE HAVE TYLER SEE FROM ABDO SOLUTIONS HERE WITH US TONIGHT TO PRESENT THE 2022 AUDIT RESULTS.

>> THANKS.

>> ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THE AUDIT PRESENTATION ON SCREEN? PERFECT.

>> IT'S WORKING ON ALL RIGHT.

>> PERFECT.

>> MY NAME IS TYLER SEE. I'M AN AUDIT MANAGER AT ABDO AND LIKE MAGGIE SAID,

[00:10:02]

I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE 2022 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT.

HERE, THIS IS REALLY A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE AUDIT.

DON'T WANT TO GET YOU TOO CUT UP IN THE DETAILS, BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU MAIN POINTS OF WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW, AUDIT RESULTS AS WELL AS THE FINANCIAL RESULTS.

WHAT I'LL BE GOING OVER TODAY THEN, IF YOU WANT TO MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE, IS FIRST OF ALL OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS AUDITORS AS WELL AS THE AUDIT OPINION.

I'LL THEN BE GOING OVER THE GENERAL FUND RESULTS AS WELL AS THE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL FUND RESULTS AND THEN THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.

THEN I'LL END IT WITH WHAT WE'D LIKE TO CALL KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE HERE.

FIRST OF ALL, OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS AUDITORS IS TO ISSUE AN OPINION ON THE CITY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

WE ARE ISSUING WHAT'S CALLED AN UNMODIFIED OPINION, WHICH IS A CLEAN AUDIT OPINION, SO THE OPINION YOU WOULD BE STRIVING FOR IN A FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT.

AS PART OF OUR AUDIT, WE ALSO DO SOME TESTING AROUND MINNESOTA LEGAL COMPLIANCE, SO SOME STATE STATUTE TESTING.

WE DO HAVE ONE INSTANCE OF NONCOMPLIANCE TO NOTE FOR LAST YEAR'S AUDIT, WHICH I'LL GO OVER ON THIS NEXT SLIDE HERE.

WE DO HAVE TWO AUDIT FINDINGS FOR THIS YEAR'S AUDIT.

THE FIRST AUDIT IS A INTERNAL CONTROL FINDING, WHICH IS CALLED THE MATERIAL AUDIT ADJUSTMENT.

DURING THE COURSE OF THIS LAST YEAR'S AUDIT, WE DID HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTING ENTRIES TO THE CITY'S ACCOUNTING RECORDS THAT WERE MATERIAL IN NATURE TO CORRECT THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS.

JUST BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THESE ADJUSTMENTS, WE DID HAVE TO REPORT THIS INTERNAL CONTROL FINDING.

THEN THE SECOND FINDING IS THE LEGAL COMPLIANCE FINDING I MENTIONED ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE.

THIS IS A TIME PERIOD OF PAYMENT FINDING.

BASICALLY, CITIES ARE REQUIRED TO PAY BILLS WITHIN 35 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

THROUGHOUT OUR SAMPLE TESTING DURING THE AUDIT, WE DID FIND A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WERE PAID AFTER THAT 35 DAYS.

THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE TIME PERIOD FOR PAYMENT LEGAL COMPLIANCE FINDING.

TWO FINDINGS FOR THIS YEAR'S AUDIT AS WELL AS A CLEAN AUDIT OPINION.

NOW MOVING INTO THE FINANCIAL RESULTS.

HERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE IN COMPARISON TO THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S BUDGETED EXPENDITURES AND THE CITY'S FUND BALANCE POLICY.

ORONO'S FUND BALANCE POLICY IS MAINTAINED A FUND BALANCE AT 45% OF YOUR FOLLOWING YEAR'S BUDGET.

THIS GRAPH SHOWS FROM 2019 ALL THE WAY TO 2022 THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN MEETING AND EXCEEDING THAT FUND BALANCE POLICY.

FOR 2022, YOU ENDED AT 47.5% OF YOUR BUDGETED GENERAL FUND MANAGERS.

NOW FOR 2022 HERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET TO ACTUAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR.

ON THE LEFT COLUMN, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE YOUR FINAL BUDGETED AMOUNTS.

THE MIDDLE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE ACTUAL RESULTS.

ON THE RIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE VARIANCE WITH THAT FINAL BUDGET.

LOOKING AT TOP LINE REVENUES, YOUR REVENUES WERE ABOUT $200,000 ABOVE YOUR FINAL BUDGET.

THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO BUILDING PERMIT REVENUE AS WELL AS SOME GRANT REVENUE ABOVE EXPECTATION.

YOUR EXPENDITURES WERE BELOW BUDGET IN 2022, ABOUT $300,000 BELOW BUDGET.

SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS DID SPEND UNDER THAT FINAL 2022 BUDGET.

SOME OF THE NOTABLE DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE POLICE, GENERAL GOVERNMENT, AND PUBLIC WORKS, ALL BEING UNDER BUDGET IN 2022.

THE GENERAL FUND ALSO TRANSFERRED $300,000 INTO THE CITY'S CAPITAL FUND.

ALL IN ALL, THE CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE WAS ALMOST $600,000 AND THAT BOTTOM LINE $5.2 MILLION IS YOUR YEAR END OR 2022 YEAR END GENERAL FUND BALANCE.

HERE LOOKING AT YOUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES BY TYPE FROM 2020-2022, PROPERTY TAX REVENUE LICENSE AND PERMITS THEN YOUR OTHER REVENUE SOURCES.

OTHER REVENUE SOURCES WOULD BE THINGS LIKE CHARGES FOR SERVICES, GRANT REVENUE, INTEREST EARNINGS, BASICALLY ALL THOSE OTHER CATEGORIES.

OF COURSE, IN THE GENERAL FUND, YOUR MAIN SOURCE OF REVENUE WOULD BE YOUR PROPERTY TAX LEVY, AND THEN I GUESS JUST ALL THESE REVENUE SOURCES HAVE BEEN JUST GRADUALLY INCREASING IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

NO VOLATILE ACTIVITY REALLY THE LAST THREE YEARS.

SAME GRAPH HERE, BUT NOW JUST LOOKING AT YOUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY TYPE.

LOOKING AT GENERAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC WORKS AND YOUR OTHER EXPENDITURES, MAINLY PARKS & REC, AND THEN TRANSFERS OUT TO OTHER FUNDS.

MAYBE ONE THING TO POINT OUT HERE IS IN 2021, YOUR TRANSFERS OUT WERE LARGER, SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A SPIKE IN THAT 2021 OTHER CATEGORY.

BUT OTHERWISE YOU'RE SEEING BASICALLY GRADUALLY INCREASES AND A LITTLE BIT OF YOU UP AND DOWN PUBLIC WORKS DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH STREET REPAIR AND THAT KIND OF THING THAT YOU DO.

HERE WE'RE LOOKING AT YOUR SPECIAL REVENUE FUND BALANCES.

ON THE TOP HALF OF THE SLIDE, YOU SEE ALL YOUR DIFFERENT SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, AND THEN THE FUND BALANCE CHANGE BETWEEN 2022 AND 2021.

IN TOTAL, YOUR SPECIAL REVENUE FUND BALANCES INCREASED TO ABOUT $150,000.

[00:15:05]

THE MAIN INCREASE THERE IS YOUR PARK FUND, WHICH IS AT THE TOP LINE OF THAT, OF THE TOP HALF OF THE SLIDE, WHICH INCREASED $122,000.

YOU DID YOU DO HAVE A LEVY GOING INTO THE PARK FUND NOW, AS WELL AS YOU HAD A LARGE DONATION IN 2022 IN THE PARK FUND AS WELL.

NOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT YOUR DEBT SERVICE FUNDS.

THE CITY CURRENTLY HAS THREE OUTSTANDING BONDS AS OF YEAR END 2022.

ON THE TOP HALF OF THE SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE YOUR CASH BALANCES IN ALL OF THOSE FUNDS AS WELL AS THE YEAR END BONDS OUTSTANDING FOR EACH OF THOSE FUNDS.

IN THE BOTTOM HALF, YOU SEE YOUR FUTURE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS.

YOU'LL SEE AFTER 2023, THERE IS A DECENT DROP IN YOUR DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

THAT'S DUE TO THE 2016 REFUNDING BOND WHICH MATURED AT FEBRUARY 1, 2023.

NOW YOUR CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDS.

SAME FORMAT AGAIN. TOP HALF, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ALL THE CITY'S DIFFERENT CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDS AND THE CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE FOR 2022 AND 2021 ON THE BOTTOM HALF THERE, YOU SEE YOUR RESTRICTED, ASSIGNED, AND UNASSIGNED BALANCES.

THE MAIN BALANCE FOR YOUR CAPITAL PROJECT FUND WOULD BE IN YOUR PROJECT CONSTRUCTION FUND WHICH HAD OVER $15 MILLION IN IT AT THE YEAR IN 2022.

THAT WOULD BE THE UNSPENT BOND PROCEEDS OF YOUR 2021 BOND ISSUANCE FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.

NOW MOVING INTO THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.

ALL OF THESE SLIDES FOR THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME FORMAT.

LOOKING AT THE TOP HALF, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE OPERATING ACTIVITY FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, 2019-2022.

YOU SEE IN THE ORANGE THE OPERATING RECEIPTS AND THEN YELLOW THE OPERATING DISBURSEMENTS, AND THEN THE BLACK IS THE DEBT PAYMENTS FOR THE WATER FUND.

THEN THE BOTTOM HALF THERE YOU CAN SEE YOUR CASH BALANCE FROM 2019-2022 WHICH HAS BEEN BUILDING THESE LAST FOUR YEARS.

IT'S ABOUT $1.6 MILLION AT THE END OF 2022.

THEN SEWER FUND, SAME FORMAT HERE.

OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS UP TOP FOR THE LAST FOUR FISCAL YEARS.

THEN ON THE BOTTOM YOU SEE THAT UNRESTRICTED CASH BALANCE WHICH HAS BEEN BUILDING THE LAST FOUR YEARS AS WELL.

IN 2022, THE SEWER FUND CASH BALANCE WAS $3.1 MILLION.

THEN STORMWATER FUND AS WELL, OPERATING ACTIVITY ON THE TOP HALF.

CASH BALANCE ON THE BOTTOM HALF.

KIND OF THE SAME PATTERN AS THE WATER AND SEWER FUNDS WITH THAT CASH BUILDING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN THE STORMWATER FUND AS OF YEAR END 2022.

NOW YOUR RECYCLING FUND, WHICH HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH BREAK-EVEN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

THAT CASH HAS BEEN REMAINING STEADY AND THERE'S ABOUT $67,000 IN IT THERE FOR YEAR END 2022.

I THINK THERE'S ONE MORE ENTERPRISE FUND, YOUR CABLE TELEVISION FUND.

THIS FUND HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT VOLATILE WITH HOW IT'S BEEN OPERATING DEPENDING ON YOUR COSTS FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

AT THE YEAR END 2022, ABOUT $4,000 LEFT IN THAT FUND.

HERE, THIS SLIDE JUST SHOWS YOUR CASH AND INVESTMENT BALANCES THE LAST THREE YEARS BROKEN OUT BETWEEN YOUR DIFFERENT FUNDS.

THERE'S AN AREA FOR GENERAL FUND.

RIGHT NOW FOR 2021-2022, THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDS HAD THE MOST CASH BECAUSE OF, AGAIN, THOSE BOND PROCEEDS FROM THE 2021 BOND.

IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS ONE ALSO HIGHLIGHTS YOUR CASH IN INVESTMENT BALANCES IN TOTAL.

THIS JUST SHOWS YOU THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF WHERE YOUR CASH IS AT.

THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF YOUR CASH RIGHT NOW IS RESTRICTED, AND AGAIN, THIS IS YEAR END 2022.

IT WAS RESTRICTED BECAUSE OF THOSE BOND PROCEEDS.

YOU THEN HAVE CASH SET ASIDE FOR CAPITAL, UNRESTRICTED CASH OF $4.7 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND, ALMOST SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IN THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.

THEN YOU HAVE ABOUT $0.5 MILLION IN YOUR INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS FOR INSURANCE, IT, THOSE KIND OF THINGS ARE YOUR INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS.

NOW, A FEW KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.

HERE WE TAKE A LOOK AT ORONO AND WE COMPARE THE CITY TO SOME PEER GROUPS.

FOR ORONO, WE'RE COMPARING YOU TO CLASS IV CITIES, WHICH IS ALL CITIES IN THE STATE OF A POPULATION OF 10,000 OR LESS, AND THEN ALSO CITIES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

YOUR TAX RATE, WHICH ENDED IN 2022 AT 19% IS A GOOD AMOUNT BELOW THE AVERAGE FOR CLASS IV CITIES, AS WELL AS CITIES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

THEN YOUR TAXES PER CAPITA IS THE NEXT GRAPH OVER THERE.

THAT ONE ABOVE THE AVERAGE FOR CLASS IV CITIES, BUT A LITTLE BIT BELOW THE AVERAGE WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT JUST HENNEPIN COUNTY.

NOW, YOUR DEBT PER CAPITA HERE.

[00:20:02]

SAME FORMAT, JUST COMPARING ORONO TO CLASS IV CITIES AS WELL AS CITIES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

OF COURSE, WHEN YOU ISSUED THE 2021 BOND, THE DEBT PER CAPITA DID HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE.

THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THE AVERAGE FOR CLASS IV CITIES AS WELL AS HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR DEBT PER CAPITA.

THEN HERE WE'RE LOOKING AT FIRST OF ALL, CURRENT EXPENDITURES PER CAPITA.

SO GAIN, JUST COMPARING CLASS FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY TO ORONO.

CURRENT EXPENDITURES WOULD BE JUST ALL YOUR EXPENDITURES OUTSIDE OF CAPITAL AND DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS.

LAST VIDEO IS ABOVE THE AVERAGES FOR BOTH OF THOSE PEER GROUPS.

THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES PER CAPITA.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN I WAS REVIEWING THIS PRESENTATION EARLIER TODAY, I NOTICED THAT, THAT GRAPH WAS INACCURATE BECAUSE WE WERE TAKING THE WRONG AMOUNT FOR ORONO.

ORONO WASN'T REALLY THAT HIGH ABOVE THE AVERAGES FOR CLASS 4 CITIES AND HENNEPIN COUNTY.

WE WERE ACTUALLY TAKING A TOTAL EXPENDITURES INSTEAD OF JUST THE CAPITAL.

THAT ONE ISN'T ACCURATE RIGHT NOW.

YOUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ARE GOING TO BE TOTALLY VOLATILE; IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHEN PROJECT TAKES PLACE, WHEN YOU HAVE BIG EQUIPMENT PURCHASES; STUFF LIKE THAT.

THAT'S MY LAST SLIDE SO I'LL OPEN UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE AUDIT.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE AUDITOR?

>> I HAVE A COUPLE I GUESS IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

YOU SAID THE DEBT PER CAPITA, THAT WILL BE CHANGING COME 2023 NEW YEAR BOND, CORRECT?

>> YEAH. THE DEBT PER CAPITA INCREASED A LOT IN 2021 BECAUSE YOU ISSUED A NEW BOND.

BUT AS YOU PAY OFF THAT DEBT, IT'S GOING TO BE DECREASING YEAR OVER YEAR.

SO YOU ALREADY SEE IN 2022 A LITTLE BIT OF A DECREASE FROM A REGULAR YEAR-OVER-YEAR SCHEDULED DEBT PAYMENT.

THAT'LL KEEP COMING DOWN UNTIL YOU ISSUE A NEW BOND IN THE FUTURE FOR SOMETHING ELSE AND IT'LL GO BACK UP.

THERE IS A BOND THAT WILL MATURE ALREADY IN 2023.

>> IN FEBRUARY, YEAH.

THEN JUST WITH THE CAPITAL PROJECTS BEING VOLATILE, IS IT BETTER TO LOOK LONGER THAN A FOUR-YEAR TERM JUST BECAUSE OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES CAN BE SO VARIABLE?

>> YEAH, IT DEFINITELY COULD BE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAD A REALLY BIG PROJECT 10 YEARS AGO OR SOMETHING.

IT MIGHT BRING MORE CONTEXT TO THE LAST NINE YEARS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE JUST USED THE FOUR YEAR MARK.

THAT'S OUR TYPICAL TEMPLATE; IS A FOUR-YEAR LOOK ON THESE ONES.

>> I JUST KNOW WHEN IN NEW PROJECTIONS, WE'RE LOOKING AT 10-YEAR PLAN.

>> YEAH.

>> JUST MAKING SURE. AWESOME. THANK YOU.

>> YEAH, THANKS.

>> APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

>> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> YEAH, I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE ENTERPRISE OR THE WATER FUND; SEWER AND STORM WATER.

YOU MENTIONED THE BALANCES AS OF 2022.

HOW DO WE COMPARE THERE TO OTHER CITIES OF OUR SIZE?

>> THAT'S JUST THE CASH BALANCES.

OFFHAND, I DON'T HAVE ANY AVERAGE CASH BALANCE.

IN WATER FUND, I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT OFFHAND.

BUT I KNOW THAT THESE FUNDS ARE MEANT TO BE SELF SUFFICIENT.

THEY'RE MEANT TO FUND FUTURE CAPITAL PROJECTS, FUTURE WATER AND SEWER NEEDS WHICH DEFINITELY AREN'T CHEAP SO IT'S A GOOD THING TO SEE BUILDING RESERVES FOR SOME OF THOSE FUTURE EXPENSIVE PROJECTS.

>> YEAH. THANKS FOR HAVING ME HAVE A GOOD MEETING.

>> APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT TODAY?

>> WE DO NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A FINANCE REPORT MAY?

>> WE DO NOT.

>> THAT WAS IT RIGHT THERE.

>> YEAH, THAT WAS.

>> DO WE HAVE A PARKS REPORTERS? JOSH IS HERE TODAY? NO. I DON'T THINK JOSH IS HERE EITHER.

>> NOR IS PUBLIC WORKS.

>> NOR IS PUBLIC WORKS? WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

A SEE A DJ BACK THERE.

[LAUGHTER]

>> GOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE?

>> NOTHING DJ? ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL GO TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT WHICH IS NUMBER 9,

[9. Authorization to hire a part-time firefighter]

AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE A PART TIME FIREFIGHTER. CHIEF.

>> MR. MAYOR, THANK YOU. SO THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING PART-TIME FIREFIGHTERS FOR OUR WEEKDAY DAYTIME DUTY CREW TO COVER OUR STATION 2 CALL AREA JULY 1ST OF THIS YEAR.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HIRING EIGHT TOTAL INDIVIDUALS; ONE TONIGHT AND THAT'LL FILL OUT OUR EIGHT FOR THE YEAR SO WE ARE ON TRACK.

THE APPLICANTS MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM, A PHYSICAL EXAM, PROBATIONARY PERIOD.

ALL APPLICANTS HAVE TO PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

TAYLOR ANDERS IS A EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER WITH TWO OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

SHE HAS FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A FIREFIGHTER I, FIREFIGHTER II, AND EMT.

SHE'S EXCITED TO BECOME A CHARTER MEMBER OF THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT AND LOOKS FORWARD TO CREATING THE BEST DEPARTMENT AROUND.

I RECOMMEND TAYLOR FOR A CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER AS A PART TIME FIREFIGHTER WITH EFFECTIVE START DATE JANUARY 23RD OF 2024 FOR FIREFIGHTER TRAINING AND OTHER SUCH DUTIES WILL BE BEGINNING ON JANUARY 23 OF 2024 PAY RATE BEING $20 AN HOUR.

[00:25:04]

BENEFITS ARE POLICE & FIRE PERA.

CONDITIONS OBVIOUSLY AS EXPLAINED ABOVE, PASSING EXAMS AND PROBATIONARY PERIOD BACKGROUND CHECKS.

>> SO THIS PERSON HASN'T BEEN WORKING FOR LONG LAKE, HAS NEVER WORKED FOR LONG LAKE, IT'S DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND THAT KIND OF STUFF?

>> OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF?

>> CHIEF, WHAT DOES THAT PUTTER RUN IN TOTAL FOR STAFF?

>> ABSOLUTELY. SO WITH MYSELF, THAT PUTS US AT A TOTAL OF 19 FIREFIGHTERS; 10 PAID ON CALL, EIGHT PART-TIME, AND ONE THEN FULL-TIME, AND MYSELF.

I CAN LOOK AT MY ORG CHART REAL QUICK BUT I KNOW IT WAS EIGHT PART-TIME AND WE WERE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY 18 PAID ON CALL BY THE END OF '24 SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?

>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER TO TAYLOR ANDERS AS A PART TIME FIREFIGHTER AT THE RATE OF $20 AN HOUR WITH THE START DATE OF JANUARY 23RD, 2024. DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> I'LL SECOND.

>> OPPOSED?

>> YOU NOTE THAT PASSES 3-1.

>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

>> THAT I'LL BRING US TO OUR ATTORNEY REPORT. SOREN.

[Attorney Report]

>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

I DO HAVE A BRIEF UPDATE.

WE FORTUNATELY RECEIVED AN ORDER REGARDING ONE OF THE LAWSUITS THAT THE CITY'S INVOLVED IN.

TJ BONNETT SUED THE CITY OF ORONO.

THE GIST OF IT WAS THE CITY INSTALLED A TRAIL MARKER AT THE TRAILHEAD TO ALERT THE PUBLIC WHERE THE TRAIL WAS.

HE TOOK EXCEPTION TO THAT MARKER AND SUED THE CITY.

THE CITY WAS ABLE TO MAKE A SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION TO THE JUDGE AND THE JUDGE GRANTED THE CITY'S MOTION AND THAT CASE HAS BEEN DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE AT THIS TIME.

THERE STILL IS A TIMELINE FOR MR. BONNETT TO DECIDE WHETHER HE WOULD LIKE TO APPEAL IT OR NOT.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT APPEAL, BUT THE ORDER WAS JUST RENDERED LAST WEEK.

SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE CITY.

THAT IS A CLAIM THAT HAS BEEN COVERED BY THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITY'S INSURANCE TRUST ON YOUR BEHALF WITH OUTSIDE A COUNSEL APPOINTED.

I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT.

I BELIEVE THE COURT'S ORDER WAS CIRCULATED LAST WEEK BY ADAM SO THAT'S THE STATUS OF THAT LAWSUIT.

IF OTHER THINGS DEVELOP, I WILL BRING THAT FORWARD TO THE COUNSEL AND WE MAY GO INTO CLOSED SESSION BUT AT A HIGH LEVEL REPORT, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE ON THAT LAWSUIT.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING, WE'VE HAD I THINK THREE OR FOUR OR FIVE OF THOSE HERE PROBABLY IN THE LAST 30, 45 DAYS.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE HAVE A TRUE APPRECIATION OF GETTING DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU WENT TO TRIAL, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A CASE, AND THEY HAD RULE ON THE MERITS.

IT DIDN'T EVEN GET TO THAT POINT.

THEY GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THE JUDGES DOESN'T THINK THERE IS ANY POINT TO MOVE FORWARD AND THEN THEY JUST DISMISS IT BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> YEAH, THAT'S CORRECT. IT WAS DISMISSED ON SUMMARY JUDGMENT WITHOUT A TRIAL.

>> BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THESE FARCICAL LAWSUITS THAT ARE ONE BY ONE GETTING DISMISSED LIKE THAT.

>> WE'VE HAD GOOD NEWS.

>> GOOD WORK.

>> I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER UNLESS THERE'S QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> GREAT. WELL, THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR CITY ADMINISTRATOR ENGINEER REPORT NUMBER 10.

[10. Approve Next Work Session Draft Agenda]

IT'S THE FIRST ONE ON THEIR APPROVED NEXT WORK SESSION DRAFT AGENDA.

>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, IT'S A PRETTY STANDARD AGENDA ITEM FOR US SETTING UP FUTURE WORK SESSION ITEMS. THIS ITEM WE HAVE FOR THE NEXT WORK SESSION ON THE 12TH, AVERAGE LAKE SHORE SETBACKS PART 3.

LAURA WILL COME GIVE AN UPDATE OF WHERE WE'VE GOTTEN ON THAT.

THE OTHER THING TO NOTE IS WE DID HAVE TWO SUBJECTS PROPOSED.

I HAD PENCILED THEM IN FOR MARCH 11TH IF THEY'RE APPROVED.

THOSE WERE BOTH PROPOSED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON, ONE TITLED ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIAL CIVILITY, AND THE OTHER SAYS TECH USE AT THE DIAS BUT IT MEANT TECHNOLOGY USE.

>> OKAY. I FIGURED AS MUCH.

COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU WANT TO ELABORATE ON THOSE AT ALL?

>> SURE, I RECOMMENDED STARTING WITH THE CIVILITY ISSUE BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY MUNICIPALITY LIKELY STRUGGLES WITH, AND MANY OF THEM HAVE POLICIES AROUND EXPECTATIONS DURING MEETINGS AND WHATNOT.

AS I MENTIONED IN MY MAYOR COUNCIL REPORT AT THE LAST MEETING, THERE ARE MUNICIPALITIES OUT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT HAVE WORKED HEAVILY IN THIS AREA AND THAT HAVE TEMPLATES FOR [NOISE] CIVILITY PLEDGES OR OTHER TYPES OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO ASSIST WITH CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS IN ORDER THAT THEY RUN EFFECTIVELY AND THAT THEY DON'T DEVOLVE.

MY THOUGHT WAS THAT GIVEN THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN AN ONGOING WAY IN MEETINGS AND THAT THERE ARE TEMPLATES AND OTHER FOLKS ARE GRAPPLING WITH THE SAME THINGS THAT WE

[00:30:01]

MIGHT AS A COUNCIL BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS IN 2024.

REGARDING TECHNOLOGY USE AT THE DAIS, THIS DID NOT COME FROM ME INITIALLY.

ANOTHER MEMBER OF COUNCIL HAD MENTIONED CONCERNS DURING ONE OF OUR CLOSED SESSIONS ABOUT THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY, SPECIFICALLY CELL PHONES AT THE DAIS DURING REGULAR MEETINGS, WHICH COULD BE INTERPRETED AS AN OPEN MEETING VIOLATION CONCERN.

THIS WASN'T INITIALLY COMING FROM ME, BUT AS I SAID EARLIER IN ONE PASS MEETING THAT IF A FELLOW MEMBER OF COUNCIL HAS CONCERNS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY USE AT THE DAIS, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT.

>> I KNOW THAT'S A SCHEDULE THAT YOU GOT IT HERE ON MARCH 11TH, I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY TWO SUBJECTS THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM TALKING ABOUT.

I THINK THERE WAS A SUBJECT I'D LIKE TO ADD AS WELL, BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE AN HOUR TO SPEND.

I THINK ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE TO TALK ABOUT APPROPRIATE AND INAPPROPRIATE USES OF STAFF TIME, AND THEN STAFF EXPECTATIONS OF THAT TIME BEING USED, AND HOW IT'S USED AND THEN HOW WE USE IT LATER ON IN COUNCIL MEETINGS, I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT.

IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT ALL THREE OF THEM IN THERE, I'D START WITH THE TECH USE BECAUSE THAT'S AN EASY ONE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, I THINK.

THEN I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE APPROPRIATE, INAPPROPRIATE USES OF STAFF TIME AND STAFF EXPECTATIONS AND THEN THE LAST ONE WOULD BE ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIAL CIVILITY, SO WE CAN HAVE THE REST OF THE HOUR TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE.

>> ALL THREE OF THEM IN ONE WORK SESSION.

>> BECAUSE LIKE TODAY WE HAD 35 MINUTES OF DOWN TIME.

>> IT'S A DIFFERENT SUBJECT, BUT I'M FINE WITH THAT AS A STARTING OFF POINT, A JUMPING OFF POINT, IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT AND I'D LOOK TO STAFF TO HAVE ANY GUIDANCE ON THESE SUBJECTS, NOT KNOWING WHERE THESE MIGHT GO, IF THAT'S GOING TO BE ENOUGH TIME TO TOUCH ON ALL THREE OF THESE OR WE COULD HAVE DIFFERENT ONES, I'M OPEN.

>> WE CAN CERTAINLY PREPARE SOMETHING THAT STARTS US OFF, AND IF WE DECIDE WE WANT TO DIVE DEEPER INTO SOMETHING, WE CAN SCHEDULE SUBSEQUENT.

>> WE CAN ALWAYS AGREE AT THERE IF SOMETHING GOES TOO LONG, WE CAN LOOK AT A DIFFERENT MEETING, AND IF WE WANT TO GO FURTHER WITH IT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT WITH STAFF IS THAT THESE THINGS CAN OBVIOUSLY START TAKING A LOT OF STAFF TIME TOO, TO START RESEARCHING THINGS, ETC.

I THINK IT STARTS WITH THE CONVERSATION, AND I THINK THE CONVERSATION, THE PLACE IS STARTED AND NOT SPEND A WHOLE LOT OF TIME TRYING TO GET PREPARED, BUT JUST SEE WHERE THE CONVERSATION TAKES US.

THAT'S WHY I PROPOSE FOR MARCH 11TH, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SECOND THAT.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT, BUT I JUST WANT TO CLEAR THE RECORD ON THIS TECH USE OF THE OPEN MEETING.

AT ONE OF THE CLOSED SESSIONS, I BROUGHT UP A CONCERN THAT AFTER PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE BEING MADE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON WAS RECEIVING TEXT MESSAGES FROM MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.

I NEVER SAID THAT IT WAS A OPEN MEETING VIOLATION, THE PUBLIC SECTION WAS CLOSED AND RECEIVING INFORMATION, SO IT WAS AN OPEN MEETING VIOLATION THAT WAS IN QUESTION.

NONETHELESS, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA OF HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE THREE ITEMS. I JUST WANTED TO CLEAR THE RECORD ON THAT STATEMENT, BUT I'LL SECOND YOUR MOTION.

>> NOW THAT IT'S BEEN SECONDED, I'D LIKE TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION BECAUSE YOU DID NOT MENTION THAT IT WAS ME YOU HAD CONCERNED ABOUT IN THE CLOSED SESSION.

YOU NEVER MENTIONED WHO YOU JUST SAID YOU HAD CONCERNS ABOUT TEXTING.

I DO NOT USE MY CELLPHONE DURING MEETINGS,, AND I'D BE THE FIRST ONE TO SAY I'M HAPPY TO HAVE IT HERE BECAUSE I DON'T TEXT OR RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES DURING MEETINGS AND I NEVER HAVE.

I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DISPLAY MY CELL PHONE DURING MEETINGS, THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR ME.

>> WELL, AGAIN, THAT'S A GOOD CONVERSATION TO HAVE DURING OUR WORK SESSION ABOUT USING IT AND SO WE CAN ALL GET ON THE SAME PAGE WITH IT.

>> YES. I'D LIKE TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I BELIEVE YOU JUST STATED THAT I WAS TEXTING OR RECEIVING TEXTS ACTIVELY DURING MEETINGS AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> OKAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I SECOND IT.

>> OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES 4:0.

>> THAT'LL BRING US TO NUMBER 11,

[11. Orono Fire facility in Navarre (23-044) Draft Design Review]

WHICH IS THE ORONO FIRE FACILITY IN NAVARRE DRAFT DESIGNED REVIEW 23-44.

>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I PUT OUT IN THE PACKET OUR DRAFT SITE LAYOUT AND BUILDING LAYOUT FOR THE FUTURE ORONO NAVARRE FIRE STATION AND THE NEXT BUILDING OR OUTBUILDING JUST TO RECEIVE ANY COMMENTS OR CONCERNS THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE ON THAT.

THE PACKET WAS ALSO SENT OUT TO VARIOUS MEMBERS OF STAFF AS WELL AS THE CITY OF LONG LAKE, SO THEY WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENT.

MY INTENT IS TO GATHER UP ANY OF THOSE COMMENTS, PACKAGE THEM TOGETHER, MEET WITH THE DESIGN TEAM, AND SEE HOW WE CAN GO ABOUT ADDRESSING ANY ISSUES OR CONCERNS WE HAVE AS WE PUT

[00:35:04]

TOGETHER THE FINAL PACKET SO WE CAN GET IT OUT FOR BID.

>> WELL, I KNOW I HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT AND IT WAS STARTING TO GET BUTTONED UP PRETTY WELL.

I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FROM LONG LAKE AND THAT WE'LL BE ADDRESSING, SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY PROBLEM WITH THOSE ALL GETTING ADDRESSED.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLANS THEMSELVES.

>> I DO. ADAM AND I HAD A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO DISCUSS BEFORE THE MEETING.

BUT I DID WANT TO STATE FOR THE RECORD, OR HAVE IT BE CONFIRMED, THAT THE ESTIMATE THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY LOOKING OUT FOR THIS FACILITY IS ABOUT $750,000.

>> CORRECT. THAT'S THE ESTIMATE WE HAVE.

>> THAT'S AN ESTIMATE, BUT THAT'S NOT BASED ON ANY TYPE OF SPECIFICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE OR BID SPECIFICATIONS?

>> NO, THAT INITIAL ESTIMATE WAS MADE BY THE ARCHITECT BASED OFF OF STATE SITE LAYOUT, BUILDING LAYOUT, AND APPLYING STANDARD COST PER SQUARE FOOT TYPE ESTIMATES FOR THAT TYPE OF BUILDING.

>> THE FUNDING FOR THIS IS COMING OUT OF THE THREE MILLION DOLLAR BONDING.

ARE THERE CONCERNS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANY TYPES OF UP CHARGES OR WHATNOT GIVEN THE TIGHT TIMELINE HERE?

>> AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE IN THE SPECIFICATIONS AND IN THE PLANS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT SEVERAL CRITERIA IN THERE TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S NO INTERRUPTION TO EXISTING FIRE SERVICES.

ANYTIME YOU START CONSTRAINING HOW A CONTRACTOR DOES THEIR BUSINESS, YOU CAN EXPECT THAT IT'S GOING TO COST YOU MORE EXACTLY HOW MUCH BASED ON THE CONSTRAINTS WE MIGHT PUT.

I COULDN'T HAZARD GUESS, BUT AS A GENERAL RULE, YES, THE MORE CONSTRAINING WE ARE, THE HIGHER THE COST WOULD BE.

>> I KNOW I DID TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TO TRY TO HAVE A FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AT SITE TO MANAGE ANY TRAFFIC ISSUES OF PEOPLE COMING AND GOING SO THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY THERE, MAKING SURE ALL THE ISSUES OF TRAFFIC OR CARS OR ANYTHING THAT CAN BE THERE WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF FROM A SITE PERSPECTIVE.

>> WHAT SPECIFICALLY WERE THE CONCERNS OF EITHER IT WAS THE ADMINISTRATOR IN LONG LAKE? WHAT ARE THEIR CONCERNS EXACTLY BESIDES ACCESS? ARE THERE ANY OTHERS IN PARTICULAR?

>> THE CONCERNS I RECEIVED FROM THE LONG LAKE CITY ADMINISTRATOR WERE BATHROOM LOCATION, OFFICE LOCATION, SOME OF THE SHEETS IN THE DRAFT PLAN SET DIDN'T HAVE NUMBERS YET, HOW WE WERE GOING TO STAGE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS DURING CONSTRUCTION.

WHAT THE PLAN WAS FOR PARKING FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

THE WAY THAT THE CIVIL SET LAID OUT THE CONSTRUCTION ENTRANCE WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO LONG LAKE AND ANY DEMOLITION IN THE HELIPAD AND APRON AREA IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO LONG LAKE. THOSE WERE THEIR COMMENTS.

>> I ONLY HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

I THINK THIS ONE IS FOR CHIEF VAN EYLL.

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY USEFUL OR HELPFUL FEEDBACK FROM OTHER CHIEFS WHEN YOU PRESENTED ON THIS RECENTLY AT THE CHIEFS MEETING, AT THIS DESIGN, OR ANY CONCERNS FROM OTHER, ANY QUESTIONS?

>> I DID NOT PRESENT IN THIS BUILDING, AT THE CHIEFS MEETING.

>> YOU DID NOT?

>> I CAN SEND YOU THE POWERPOINT THAT I PRESENTED.

>> OKAY.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BUILDING.

>> I JUST THOUGHT I'D ASK. WE GOT AN UPDATE THAT YOU'D PRESENTED SOMETHING ABOUT ORONO FIRE.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS THIS.

>> OKAY. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> ANY OTHER OBJECTION AT ALL? BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'RE VOTING ON ANYTHING. WE'RE JUST GIVING YOU COMMENTS.

>> THANKS. ANY OTHER CITY ADMINISTRATOR OR ENGINEER REPORT TONIGHT?

>> ANY OTHER OTHER?

>> NO. I'M JUST GETTING BACK FROM A WEEK OF VACATION.

I'M PLAYING CATCH UP, SO I HAVE NOTHING NEW.

>> THANKS. THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS.

[12. Council Committee Reports - Communication Committee]

I KNOW WE HAD A COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE WITH MARIA.

I'LL LET MARIA TAKE THAT AWAY.

>> GREAT. THAT WAS MY FIRST COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE UPDATE OR A MEETING.

THIS IS MY FIRST UPDATE ON THAT.

I WANT TO START BY SAYING WE RECOGNIZE IT'S OUR JOB AS CITY COUNCILMEMBERS TO PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY STAFF, TO BE PROACTIVE IN COMMUNICATIONS.

WE FEEL YOU DESERVE BETTER, AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE CAN DO BETTER.

THAT'S WHAT CONSTITUTED US MEETING AND REVAMPING THIS COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE.

PEOPLE ARE FINDING UNREPUTABLE SITES THAT LACK INFORMATION, CONTEXT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY'RE FIGHTING THE SITES THAT THEY FIND THEIR INFORMATION ON LACK OF FACE.

THE MOST UNFORTUNATE PART OF THE INFORMATION SOURCES THAT ARE OUT THERE CURRENTLY ARE THE LACK OF CONNECTION WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CAN GET THINGS DONE.

[00:40:01]

WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THERE TO BE A FACE AND AN ABILITY TO HAVE CONTEXT ALONG WITH CONVERSATION WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

WE'RE GOING TO START BY BEING PROACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING TOWARDS RESOLVING THE COMMUNICATION ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.

AS A REMINDER, WHAT WE CURRENTLY ARE DOING WITH THE CITY IS WE HAVE THE MAYOR COUNCIL REPORTS THAT ARE COMING OUT MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.

>> THE NEWSLETTER.

>> THE NEWSLETTER, SORRY.

THE COUNCIL REPORTS THAT WE DO HERE.

THE COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR THAT YOU'RE DOING MONTHLY.

>> YOU CAME TO THE LAST ONE.

>> I DID, AND ANYBODY CAN COME.

I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY GREAT, MET SOME NEW PEOPLE, SAW SOME NEW FACES.

THERE'S COMMUNICATIONS ON UTILITY BILLINGS THAT ARE MAILED OUT.

YOU CAN SEE US AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO COMMUNICATE.

WE HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE, A FEW OF THEM IN FACT, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T FOUND THEM, LET US KNOW.

WE'D LOVE TO HELP POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THERE'S THE LISTSERV EMAIL THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY, WHICH YOU CAN FIND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

THAT BEING SAID, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS NOT ENOUGH.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET BETTER AND IT STARTS WITH COMING WITH IDEAS ON WHAT THAT MEANS AND WORKING WITH THE CITY STAFF TO GET THAT DONE.

SOME THINGS THAT WE DISCUSSED DURING OUR MEETINGS OR A COMMUNICATIONS CALENDAR, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH THE CITY AT SCHEDULED EVENTS.

TREE LIGHTING WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE, I THINK OF A WAY THAT YOU COULD CONNECT AND GET SOME INFORMATION IN REAL TIME FROM REAL PEOPLE.

WE'RE EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES TO HIRE A COMMUNICATION STAFF MEMBER.

QUITE FRANKLY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

STAFF IS GOING TO LOOK INTO IDEAS OF IS THAT A 10-HOUR, A WEEK JOB OR IS THAT A FULL TIME POSITION, AND IS THAT WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS? WE ARE GOING TO LOOK INTO EXPANDING OUR REACH ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

ON THE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS WE HAVE.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE GOLF COURSE OR WITH THE CITY AS A WHOLE, FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK TO BE MORE PROACTIVE IN THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK TO EXPAND OUR LISTSERV EMAIL FOLLOWING.

THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO SIGN UP FOR THE TYPE OF INFORMATION YOU WANT OR ALL OF IT AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP TRYING TO EXPLORE OUTLETS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR CITIZENS TO CONNECT WITH US, TO GET THE INFORMATION THAT THEY DESIRE.

WE ALSO, AS ALISA POINTED OUT, WE ARE UTILIZING A NEW AGENDA FORMAT, SO WHEN WE RECAP IT, IT'S HOPEFULLY HIGHLIGHTING HIGH LEVEL TOPICS.

IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE A DIVE IN.

WE CAN BE MORE PROACTIVE AGAIN AND TELLING YOU WHERE TO GET THAT INFORMATION.

BUT HOPEFULLY THAT JUST HIGHLIGHTS, HEY, IF THERE IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC, IT'S EASY TO FIND THE ONES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU.

I WANTED TO FOLLOW THAT UP BY JUST SAYING, JUST BECAUSE I DON'T DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE GOSSIP THAT'S PULSING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY IN SMALL GROUPS, THE GOSSIP THAT'S BRINGING NEGATIVITY AND DIVISION DOESN'T MEAN THAT I'M NOT WILLING TO TALK ABOUT IT.

NOT WILLING TO WORK ON TOUGH ISSUES, NOT WILLING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, I FOUND THAT A LOT OF IT IS MISSING CONTEXT, AND IF PEOPLE DON'T WANT CONTEXT, IT'S HARD TO CHANGE A CONVERSATION.

I FOUND FOCUSING ON POSITIVITY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHIER PERSPECTIVE ON CHALLENGES.

FOCUSING ON POSITIVITY CAN EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

FOCUSING ON POSITIVITY CAN BUILD MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WHICH ULTIMATELY DRIVES THE RESULTS.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT I'VE SAID, AT LEAST YOU KNOW WHERE I STAND AND KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.

ANYTHING I MISSED DENNY?

>> I THINK YOU HIT IT ALL. THAT WAS GREAT.

I THINK THAT'S THE ONLY COMMITTEE MEETING WE HAD. SURE [NOISE] MORE.

WHAT THAT BRINGS US TO IS OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION,

[Public Comments – (Limit 3 Minutes per Person)]

WHICH IS LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES PER PERSON.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY DISCUSSION OR TAKE ACTION ON ITEMS PRESENTED AT THIS TIME.

HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL MAY REFER TO STAFF FOR FOLLOW UP OR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING, SPEAKERS SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME, ADDRESS, AND CITY OF RESIDENCE AT THE PODIUM BEFORE SPEAKING.

WE WILL START WITH ORONO RESIDENTS, AND ONCE WE ARE DONE WITH ORONO RESIDENTS, WE WILL CALL UP NON-RESIDENTS OF ORONO.

ADAM KEEPS THE TIME, THREE MINUTES AT A CRACK AND WE WILL STICK TO IT.

IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO COME UP FROM ORONO, PLEASE COME ON UP AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> OKAY. SEEING NOBODY FROM ORONO, IS THERE ANYBODY THAT'S NOT FROM ORONO THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT AND SPEAK TO THE PODIUM?

>> KRISTA [INAUDIBLE], 80 VALLEY VIEW ROAD, LONG LAKE MINNESOTA, TONIGHT I JUST WANTED TO BRING SOME THANKS.

[00:45:02]

THERE'S A LOT OF, AS MARIA MENTIONED, NEGATIVITY SURROUNDING THE FIRE ISSUE AND SO TONIGHT I WANTED TO FOCUS ON REALLY GIVING SOME SHOUT-OUT AND THANKS TO ALISA FOR CONSTANTLY COMING TO FIRE EVENTS.

THE 5K, THE FIRE SAFETY NIGHT, THINGS LIKE THAT, REALLY SUPPORTING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WHAT I NOTICE IS THAT WHEN SHE IS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, SHE'S TALKING TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEIR FAMILIES.

SHE'S LISTENING TO THE CITIZENS AND WHAT THEY WANT AND WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

I JUST THANK YOU FOR SITTING HERE WEEK AFTER WEEK AND HOLDING YOUR POSITION THAT YOU HEAR SO STRONGLY OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AS A REPRESENTATIVE UP HERE.

THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAD TONIGHT WAS A REALLY BIG THANK YOU FROM THE FIRE FAMILY.

>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT'S LIKE TO COME UP?

>> KELLY GRADY, 271 GREEN HILL LANE, LONG LAKE.

I JUST WANTED TO COME UP HERE TO BASICALLY REMIND EVERYONE THAT ON NOVEMBER 8TH, THAT I ATTENDED THE COURT PROCEEDINGS REGARDING THE CITY OF LONG LAKE MINNESOTA'S REQUEST TO HOLD THE CITY OF ORONO IN VIOLATION OF THE TEMPORARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, AND THAT THE JUDGE MILLER RULED THAT ORONO VIOLATED THAT COURT ORDER IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BATTLE.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A FIRST IN MINNESOTA HISTORY THAT A CITY HAS BEEN HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT.

I WAS TALKING TO SOME PEOPLE AND THEY JUST DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHAT IT CAN MEAN IS THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE TO OBEY A LAWFUL ORDER OF THE COURT.

AS SUCH, THE JUDGE DID ORDER THE CITY OF ORONO TO PAY THE CITY OF LONG LAKE MINNESOTA'S ATTORNEY'S FEES.

I BELIEVE THAT IS CURRENTLY AROUND $42,000 AND HAS A POSSIBILITY OF $2,000 FOR FUTURE VIOLATIONS.

BUT I DID JUST WANT TO COME UP AND REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT ORONO CITY COUNCIL WILL BE PARTICIPATING WITH LONG LAKE IN MEDIATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON JANUARY 30TH AND REMIND THIS COUNCIL OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GOOD FAITH.

EVERYONE HAS SEEN REPEATEDLY A VERY STAUNCH.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. GET OVER IT.

STOP BOTHERING ME WITH THIS TYPE OF RHETORIC COMING FROM SEVERAL CHAIRS ON THE PODIUM AND THAT DOESN'T REALLY LEAD ME TO FEEL THAT YOU ARE HEADED INTO MEDIATION IN GOOD FAITH.

AT THE PROCEEDING ON NOVEMBER 8TH, JUDGE MILLER CONCLUDED WITH A STERN REMINDER THAT IT IS INCUMBENT ON EACH OF YOU AS PUBLIC SERVANTS TO SERVE CONSTITUENTS WHO NEED FIRE PROTECTION.

SHE CONTINUED, YOU ARE CALLED UPON TO FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE FOR ALL OF YOU, NOT SOME OF YOU.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT REMINDER, I THINK, THAT WE ARE BETTER AS A COMMUNITY WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, AND THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS GOING TO BE A BETTER ENTITY WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER AND NOT PULLING IT APART.

ADDITIONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT A FOLLOW-UP OR ADDITIONAL PROCEEDINGS ARE HAPPENING RELATED TO THE INJUNCTIVE ORDER ON FEBRUARY 1ST, AND IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND SO PEOPLE ARE WELCOME TO GO AND THEY CAN GO AND SEE THE PROCEEDINGS FOR THEMSELVES.

WHAT I SAW FROM THE JUDGE, AS SHE SAID REPEATEDLY THAT THE BEHAVIOR FROM ORONO WAS BEFUDDLING TO HER IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT I HOPE MAKES EVERYBODY WORK TOGETHER BETTER, AND STOPS MOVING FORWARD IN A DECISION-MAKING THAT TEARS THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT APART. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE TONIGHT?

>> AND HAIRCUT. VERY NICE.

>> AND I SHAVED.

[LAUGHTER] BRAD ERICKSON, 21150 HORSESHOE TRAIL IN CORCORAN.

SO YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT A FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE WORLD CAN'T DO IS ENTER A BURNING BUILDING ONCE RIOTERS, OR DEMONSTRATORS, OR PROTESTERS, OR ANTIFA, OR WHOEVER THE HELL PROUD BOYS THROWS INTO YOUR BUILDING, THEY CAN'T GO IN THERE TO PUT YOUR BUILDING OUT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TOLD DURING THE RIOTS OF 2020.

PUT YOUR PROPANE AWAY BECAUSE THEY'LL START YOUR BUILDING ON FIRE.

THEY'RE PUTTING PEOPLE ON PLANES,

[00:50:01]

THEY'RE COMING UP HERE TO TARGET YOU GUYS.

PUT YOUR STUFF AWAY, THEY'LL THROW IT IN, THEY'LL START YOUR BUILDING ON FIRE, AND WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ADDRESS AS A CITY WITH ALL YOUR FIRE CONCERNS IS THAT YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, CAN YOU? EXCEPT PLANT YOUR FLAG OUT THERE AND INVITE THEM OUT FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT REASON.

THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME CONFUSION LAST WEEK ABOUT THE THIN BLUE LINE FLAG THAT YOU SO PROMINENTLY DISPLAY OUT THERE.

I JUST WANT TO READ FROM WIKIPEDIA WHAT IT MEANS TODAY, AND I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER TAKING IT DOWN.

WHERE IS MR. CROSBY, BY THE WAY? BECAUSE THIS PERTAINS TO HIM, OUR OWN LITTLE J-SIX ARE HERE.

I'M GOING TO READ WORD FOR WORD.

THE THIN BLUE LINE IS A TERM THAT TYPICALLY REFERS TO THE CONCEPT OF THE POLICE AS THE LINE WHICH KEEPS SOCIETY FROM DESCENDING INTO CHAOS.

I WANT TO STOP FOR A SECOND AND SAY, JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT IN FAVOR OF POSTING UP LIKE THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE ANTI-POLICE, ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT, ANTI-DEMOCRACY, OR ANY OF THE ABOVE.

THE THIN BLUE LINE IN THE THIN BLUE LINE REFERS TO THE BLUE COLOR OF THE UNIFORMS OF MANY POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

THE THIN BLUE LINE SYMBOL HAS BEEN USED BY THE BLUE LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT SINCE 2014 AND IT HAS BECOME EMBLEMATIC OF WHITE NATIONALIST, NEO-NAZI, AND ALL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

PARTICULARLY DISPLAYED BY ATTENDEES AT CHARLOTTESVILLE AND J-SIX.

SO BEING THAT THIS CAT FROM J-SIX DONATED THE FLAG TO THE CITY AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S GONE ON, I KNOW ALPHA NEWS DID A THING ON IT, AND YOU POOH, POOHED THAT WHOLE DEAL.

YOU NEED TO RECONSIDER YOUR STANCE.

[NOISE]

>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND WE WILL GO TO THE MAYOR COUNCIL REPORT.

[Mayor/Council Report]

COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON.

>> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO MENTION THAT AT THE LAST POLICE COMMISSION MEETING IN DECEMBER, CHIEF ARNIOCH SPOKE ABOUT ALL THE WAYS THAT THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY IN 2023 AND IT WAS A LOT OF ENGAGEMENT.

THE CHIEF AND OFFICERS PUT IN A GREAT DEAL OF ENERGY, EFFORT, AND TIME INTO CREATING REALLY POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE THAT'S UPCOMING, WHICH IS THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH, AT SURFSIDE BEACH AND MOUND.

THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE 2024 POLAR PLUNGE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

SO IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TEAM, YOU CAN DO SO OR PARTICIPATE IN OTHER WAYS BY GOING TO THE PLUNGEMN.ORG WEBSITE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.

THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON.

>> AFTER OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, I ATTENDED A PINNING CEREMONY.

A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A FIREFIGHTER, JEFF KRALL, KNOWN HIM MOST OF MY LIFE GROWING UP.

HE WAS BEING PROMOTED SO I WENT OVER THERE TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR HIM AND THE OTHER LONG LAKE FIREFIGHTERS SAW MR. VICH GETTING PROMOTED THERE AS WELL.

THAT WAS A NICE EVENT AND WE WERE WARMLY WELCOMED BY LONG LAKE AND THE CHIEF OVER THERE.

IT WAS A NICE EVENT AND IT WAS REALLY NICE TO SEE THE FIREFIGHTERS WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND A NEW FIREFIGHTER GETTING TAKEN OFF OF PROBATION, I BELIEVE THEY CALL IT.

SO I WENT TO THAT. OTHER THAN THAT, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE HERE JUST TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT YOU VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO HELP OUR CITY.

ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE IS RICHIE ANDERSON, HE'S BEEN OUR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LMCD.

HE TOOK THAT POSITION OVER AFTER IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF FLUX.

THE THING THAT HE'S DONE IS HE'S COMMITTED TO DOING WHAT WAS GOOD FOR ORONO.

IN THAT TIME HE SAVED THE CITY OF ORONO'S TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY, MADE THE SYSTEM BETTER, PUT A LOT OF HEART, SWEAT,

[00:55:01]

AND TEARS IN DOING THAT.

I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE MY APPRECIATION FOR HIS EFFORTS. THANK YOU.

>> COUNSEL WOMAN VEACH. I'M JUST GOING TO REITERATE YOU CAN REACH ME, SET UP A MEETING WITH ME.

I'D LOVE TO TALK, GET TO KNOW, YOU GET TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.

YOU CAN FIND ME. MY INFORMATION'S ON THE WEBSITE. THAT'S IT.

>> WELL, SINCE THE LAST MEETING, WE HAD THE COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR AND THAT WAS FABULOUS.

I KNOW MARIA CAME AND I THINK THE ONE BEFORE THAT, MATT, YOU HAD CAME FOR ABOUT THE LAST 10 OR 15 MINUTES AND FOUND IT TO BE VERY USEFUL.

WE HAD A GREAT MEETING AND LOTS OF GREAT PEOPLE HAD GREAT QUESTIONS, SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME COME AND SEE AND BE SEEN.

THE NEXT ONE IS ACTUALLY ON VALENTINE'S DAY IN FEBRUARY, SO MAYBE WE'LL HAVE VALENTINE HEART COOKIES OR DOUGHNUTS, THAT'S FOR SURE. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT'S GOTTEN TO BE A LITTLE BIT HILARIOUS IS FOLLOWING SOME OF THIS SOCIAL MEDIA STUFF BECAUSE THERE'S CERTAIN PEOPLE, I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT ARE CONSTANTLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

FRIENDS OF ONE OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBER UP HERE.

NOT ME, THAT'S FOR SURE.

BUT THEIR JOB AND ALL THEY'RE DOING IS TRYING TO TEAR DOWN FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS UP HERE.

THEY'RE TEARING DOWN THE CITY.

DISPARAGING THE CITY, WHICH IS DISPARAGING THIS STEP.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

>> WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?

>> I DIDN'T INTERRUPT YOU, SO WHY DON'T YOU RESPECT, RESPECT, RESPECT.

I DON'T INTERRUPT YOU, SO HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR YOURSELF.

>> RESPECT?

>> YEAH. I GOT TO TELL YOU, ALL THESE PEOPLE DO IS COME UP WITH CONSPIRACIES EVERY WEEK.

THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF WHOPPERS JUST THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT A FEW OF THE WHOPPERS CAUSE I'LL TELL YOU IF YOU READ MY ARTICLE THAT COMES OUT IN THE ORONO NEWSLETTER EVERY 60 DAYS, YOU'LL NOTICE SAY PUT IN THERE.

DON'T GO TO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR YOUR INFORMATION.

GO TO THE SOURCES.

COME TO THE COUNCIL, CALL THE COUNCIL MEMBER, CALL STAFF, GET IT DIRECTLY.

ONE OF THEM, OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THE POLICE FLAG IS RACIST.

THEY SAID WE'RE CUTTING TREES DOWN TO DEVELOP THE GOLF COURSE AND THE ORONO LIONS ARE BUILDING A STRUCTURE JUST FOR THEMSELVES.

THEY SAID ORONO WASN'T SAFE BECAUSE WE'RE THE 17TH SAFEST CITY.

WE WERE THE SECOND AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE TEN TIMES MORE CRIME, COMPLETELY FALSE.

SOMEONE POSTED THE LATEST COUNCIL AGENDA, DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD LINK, SO WE'RE HIDING SOMETHING THAT'S JUST BALONEY.

LET'S LOOK AT THAT ALL IN A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL.

CUTTING DOWN THE TREES AT THE GOLF COURSE.

THERE'S A THING CALLED GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE.

ALL THE GOLF COURSES HAVE THEM.

IT'S AMAZING. THEY TRIM TREES, THEY CUT TREES DOWN.

THEY CUT BAD TREES DOWN.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THE GREENS AND ALL THE GOLF COURSES NEED THE MORNING SUN.

IF THE TREES GET TOO BIG THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 20 YEARS, THEY NEED EITHER TRIM OR THEY GOT TO COME DOWN BECAUSE THE GREENS WILL DIE.

THOSE ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND TO SAY THAT THE ORONO LIONS WHO HAVE STEPPED UP AND THEY'RE AMAZING BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE THIS ACTUALLY IN LONG LAKES PARK, THEY BUILT A STRUCTURE FOR LONG LAKE ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO AND IT'S STILL THERE, AND THEY WANT TO PONY UP AND GET THE LABOR AND THE COST TO PUT IT UP, THAT'S ALREADY ON THE MASTER PLAN AND NOBODY'S CUTTING DOWN TREES FOR THAT.

IT'S JUST AMAZING. THEY SAY ORONO ISN'T SAFE BECAUSE WE'RE NOW THE 17TH, SAVIST CITY. OH MY GOD.

THERE'S 854 CITIES IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE IN THE TOP 2 PERCENT OF THE SAFEST CITIES.

MAYBE WE WENT FROM THE TOP 1 TO THE TOP 2, BUT WE ARE ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN MINNESOTA.

IT'S A TESTAMENT TO OUR FABULOUS POLICE FORCE OVER HERE.

WE'RE SITTING OVER HERE AS WELL, AND CORE IN THE JOB THAT THEY DO.

I GOT TO TELL YOU WHEN IT COMES TO THAT FLAG.

LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT THE FLAG.

THE THIN BLUE LINE IS A SYMBOL USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COMMEMORATE FALLEN OFFICERS AS WELL.

IT REPRESENTS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE BOTTOM STRIPE REPRESENTS THE CRIMINALS AND THE TOP STRIPE REPRESENTS THE PUBLIC.

DISPLAYING A THIN BLUE LINE FLAG IS A GREAT WAY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR POLICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO PROTECT US ON A DAILY BASIS.

THE THIN BLUE LINE REFERS TO A PHENOMENON IN WHICH POLICE OFFICERS STAND BETWEEN CRIMINALS AND THE VICTIMS AS A LITERAL REPRESENTATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT'S DUTY TO PROTECT ITS CITIZENS.

THE PHRASE, THE THIN BLUE LINE, WAS FIRST USED IN 1877 BY SIR ROBERT PEEL, FOUNDER OF LONDON'S METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE.

HE USED IT TO DESCRIBE HOW TWO OFFICERS STOOD GUARD BETWEEN AN ANGRY MOB AND SEVERAL PEOPLE BEING HELD FOR EXECUTION.

THE THIN BLUE LINE CONCEPT WENT ON TO DESCRIBE HOW TWO GUARDSMEN MAINTAINED ORDER DURING A RUGBY MATCH IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND IN 1902, AND EVENTUALLY BECAME COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH POLICE PRESENCE AT SPORTING EVENTS, WHETHER PROTECTING PLAYERS FROM THE FANS OR CROWD CONTROL.

IT CAME TO PROMINENCE IN AMERICA IN 1984 AS A WORK OF SYMBOL OF SUPPORT FOR POLICE.

NOWADAYS, MANY DEPARTMENTS FLY FLAGS BEARING A THIN BLUE LINE, AND THE CITY OF MEDINA, THEIR POLICE FORCE, THEY WEAR IT ON THEIR UNIFORM.

[01:00:04]

IN SHORT, THE THIN BLUE LINE FLAG MEANS, REFERS TO POLICE OFFICER STANDING IN SOLIDARITY AGAINST ALL THAT SEEK TO THREATEN OR HARM SOCIETY.

IT SEPARATES ORDER FROM CHAOS, PROTECTS THOSE WHO CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES.

SHOWS THE POLICE WHO CARE.

WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY REPRESENT.

WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN HISTORIC MISUSE OR MISREPRESENTATION OF THE THIN BLUE LINE FLAG FOR ALTERNATIVE PURPOSES, ITS INTENDED PURPOSE IS VERY SIMPLE, SOLIDARITY AND RESPECT FOR POLICE OFFICERS.

IT IS DISPLAYED TO SHARE ENCOURAGEMENT AND GRATITUDE FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO KEEPING THE PUBLIC SAFE.

IT IS ALSO DISPLAYED TO HONOR THE LIVES LOST IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

WHEN YOU DISPLAY A THIN BLUE LINE FLAG, YOU SEND A MESSAGE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL THAT YOU APPRECIATE THEM AND SUPPORT THEM.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHY THE CITY AND MEDINA'S POLICE FORCES WEARS IT ON THEIR UNIFORMS. YOU DIDN'T DO LOS ANGELES, SO IT'S JUST AMAZING WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE WHO SAY, WE DO NOT WANT TO FLY THE FLAG IN ARTICLES, DO YOU HAVE ANY RESPECT? WHY IS INTERRUPTING MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD? IT MUST BECAUSE YOU'RE GOOD AT IT.

YOU'RE REALLY GOOD AT IT.

WHY DON'T YOU HAVE SOME RESPECT AND JUST LET SOMEBODY ELSE TALK BECAUSE YOU'VE HAD YOUR TIME AND NOBODY INTERRUPTED YOU.

YOU'RE GOOD AT INTERRUPTING INTERRUPTING EVERYBODY.

THE WHOLE DEAL WITH THIS IS, AGAIN, DON'T GO TO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR YOUR INFORMATION BECAUSE THEY POST THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH REALITY WHEN IT COMES TO SAFE CITIES.

IN FACT, WE JUST HAD A CARJACKING OVER IN THE TOGO ROAD AREA, NAVARRE, AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, PEOPLE ALL OF A SUDDEN SAID, OH, MY GOD, ORONO'S NOT SAFE.

WHAT IT DID IS IT SHOWED THAT THE MINUTE THEY CALLED POLICE, WE TRACKED THEM DOWN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

THEY KNOW IF THEY COME TO ORONO, THEY'RE GOING TO JAIL.

THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT, AND WE ARE TAKEN CARE OF BY OUR MEN IN BLUE AND LADIES IN BLUE RIGHT OVER THERE.

NO, I DON'T, ACTUALLY, I ACTUALLY DON'T.

OUR NEXT MEETING IS RIGHT BEFORE VALENTINE'S DAY, SO MY THEME OF MY COUPLE OF QUOTES I'VE GOT IS VALENTINE'S THEMES.

THE FIRST ONE IS BY WALTER WINCHELL.

SAYS A REAL FRIEND IS ONE WHO WALKS IN WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD WALKS OUT.

WITH SOCIAL MEDIA THESE DAYS, SOMETIMES KIDS CAN GET ISOLATED, PARENTS CAN GET ISOLATED, AND EVERYBODY'S GOT TO REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE NEED FRIENDS.

REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THEM, CALL THEM.

A GOOD FRIEND IS ONE WHO WALKS IN WHEN EVERYBODY WALKS OUT.

THE LAST ONE IS BY WINNIE THE POOH.

HE'S ABOUT AS FAMOUS AS YOU GET.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T KNOW HIM AS A DAY WITHOUT A FRIEND IS LIKE A POT WITHOUT A SINGLE DROP OF HONEY LEFT INSIDE.

WITH THAT, WE ARE GOING TO CLOSE THE MEETING TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.

[13. Closed session to discuss Orono and Long Lake litigation]

WE MAY CLOSE THE MEETING AS PERMITTED BY MINNESOTA STATUTE 1305 AND SUB D3C3 TO HOLD A CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGED DISCUSSION OF LEGAL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES, POTENTIAL LEGAL ACTION AND STRATEGY REGARDING ORONO AND LONG LAKE LITIGATION.

MOVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.