Feb 12, 2024 City Council

>> OPPOSED? IF NOT THAT PASSES 4,0.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 7,

[7. Approve Next Work Session Draft Agenda]

WHICH IS THE APPROVED NEXT WORK SESSION DRAFT AGENDA.

>> YEAH, I WANTED TO CHECK IN ABOUT THIS SPECIFICALLY.

COULD YOU CALL IT UP THERE ON THE SCREEN, PLEASE? THE COVER PAGE. LOADING PROBLEM HERE. [NOISE]

[00:05:09]

>> THERE WE ARE. [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU. COULD YOU MAKE IT JUST A TAD BIGGER, PLEASE? THANK YOU.

I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT THE COMMISSION ASSIGNMENTS FOR BOTH PARKS AND PLANNING, BECAUSE I READ IN THIS ITEM THAT WE'RE MAYBE LOOKING AT NEW INDIVIDUALS, BUT WE'RE NOT SURE IF WE NEED THEM OR NOT, ESSENTIALLY.

I'M WAITING TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND IT LOOKS LIKE IF WE DO NEED COMMISSIONERS TO STEP FORWARD, THAT WE ONLY HAVE A MATTER OF A FEW WEEKS IN ORDER TO PUT A NOTICE UP FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED.

>> YES. ON THE WORK SESSION AGENDA, IT'S BEEN THE NORM IN THE FEBRUARY OR MARCH TIME FRAME TO DO THE INTERVIEWS, IF WE HAVE ANY TO DO FOR PARKS COMMISSIONER OR PLANNING COMMISSIONERS.

IT'S A SPACE HOLDER, THAT'S WHY IT SAYS IF NEEDED ON THE AGENDA.

CURRENTLY, NONE OF THE PARKS COMMISSIONERS HAVE A TERM THAT EXPIRES THIS YEAR, AND I BELIEVE PLANNING THERE ARE THREE, BUT I BELIEVE ALL WANT TO REMAIN.

CURRENTLY, WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO INTERVIEW.

>> DO WE HAVE TERM LIMITS ON PLANNING?

>> YES. EACH GETS THREE YEARS PER THEIR TERM AND THEN THEY CAN ASK TO BE APPOINTED FOR THREE TERMS. SO YOU CAN SERVE FOR UP TO NINE YEARS, BUT YOU GET THREE, THREE-YEAR TERMS AND AFTER EVERY TERM, YOU HAVE TO ASK TO BE REAPPOINTED.

>> I MISUNDERSTOOD THEN BECAUSE I THOUGHT IN PAST CONVERSATIONS WITH ADAM YOU MENTIONED THERE WAS A TWO-TERM LIMIT FOR PLANNING. IS THAT NOT THE CASE?

>> WHATEVER THE CODE SAYS.

>> IT'S NOT THE CASE?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S THREE. I CAN VERIFY, BUT I BELIEVE YOU GET THREE TERMS.

>> SO WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT EVERYBODY CURRENTLY SERVING IS WANTING TO CONTINUE IN THAT ROLE.

>> I THINK I STILL HAVE TO HEAR BACK FROM ONE.

BUT YEAH, I BELIEVE EVERYONE'S ASKING TO BE REAPPOINTED.

THAT'S AT THIS TIME.

I STILL WILL BE SENDING CONFIRMATION EMAILS OUT HERE THIS WEEK.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CODE AT SOME POINT JUST TO UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER.

BUT IF THAT'S THE CASE AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SERVING WHO WANT TO CONTINUE, THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T NEED TO INTERVIEW.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY NEW APPLICANTS.

I KNOW WE DO ACCEPT COMMISSIONER APPLICATIONS YEAR-ROUND.

THERE'S A SPOT ON OUR WEBSITE AND WHENEVER WE HAVE ONE, WE ALWAYS ARE INTERESTED IN INTERVIEWING FOR ALTERNATE SPOTS.

WE CAN PLACE PEOPLE THERE FOR FILLING IN THE COMMISSION IF PEOPLE REGULARLY APPOINTED ARE ABSENT.

WE ALWAYS ASK OUR ALTERNATES TO STEP UP AND SIT, BUT AT THIS TIME, I DON'T HAVE ANY NEW APPLICATIONS TO INTERVIEW.

>> HOW MANY ALTERNATES DO WE HAVE ON PLANNING?

>> I HAVE ONE.

>> ON PARKS?

>> TWO.

>> TWO. SO IT'S NOT STANDARD TO ADVERTISE BUT PEOPLE CAN ESSENTIALLY REACH OUT TO THE CITY IF THEY'RE INTERESTED.

>> YEAH, I THINK WE OFTEN WILL ADVERTISE IF WE HAVE COMMISSIONER SPOTS OPEN BUT USUALLY ALTERNATES I KNOW WE JUST ASK PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INTERESTED, THEY'LL MAKE APPLICATIONS, AND THEN AT THE MARCH MEETING, WE WOULD POTENTIALLY DO INTERVIEWS AT THAT TIME.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

THAT'S ALL I NEED TO HAVE ANSWERED THEN. THANK YOU.

>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.

>> SURE. THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE NEXT WORK SESSION DRAFT AGENDA.

>> GOT A SECOND.

>> I'LL SECOND IT.

>> OPPOSED? NO, THAT PASSES 4,0. PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATE.

[8. Personnel Policy Update]

>> YEAH, MY QUESTION ON THIS ONE IS THIS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST GOT LEFT OUT, BUT ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THIS POLICY OR IS IT SIMPLY THAT SOMETHING WAS LEFT OUT? THE PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATE ON GIFTS.

>> IT WAS LEFT OUT WHEN WE DID THE REVIEW A FEW YEARS AGO.

WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO PUT BACK IN IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS IN THE 2018 THE PREVIOUS PERSONNEL POLICY.

I DID MAKE SOME SPACING AND IT HAS A DIFFERENT SECTION OF THE CODE, BUT THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE IS THE SAME AND THEN I ADDED THE ACTUAL STATUTE REFERENCES THAT GOVERN THAT ACTIVITY.

>> SO NO CHANGES?

>>THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO KNOW.

>> CAN I MAKE A MOTION?

>> A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATE?

>> I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> OPPOSED? IF NOT THAT PASSES 4,0 ALSO.

THAT'LL TAKE US TO OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT NUMBER 21 WHICH IS LA 23-62.

[21. LA23-000062, Peter Eskuche, 4423 North Shore Drive, Variances]

PETER ESCUCHE, 4423 NORTH SHORE DRIVE VARIANCES. LAURA?

[00:10:07]

>> YES. I'LL BE PRESENTING THIS ITEM TONIGHT.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL IN FRONT OF YOU TONIGHT YOU HAVE AN APPLICATION.

THEY ARE PROPOSING TO DEMO THE EXISTING HOME AND CONSTRUCT A NEW HOME IN A SIMILAR LOCATION.

THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS A LAKE LOT AND ALSO FRONTS ON THE FOREST LAKE CHANNEL.

THE PROPERTY CONTAINS BLUFF ALONG THE LAKE AND CHANNEL FRONTAGES.

THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO THE LAKE SETBACKS ALONG THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN PROPERTY LINES, AS WELL AS THE BLUFF SETBACKS CREATING A RELATIVELY SMALL BUILDING ENVELOPE FOR THE LOT SIZE.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLUFF SETBACKS FROM THE TOP OF BLUFF.

THERE'S A 20-FOOT BLUFF IMPACT ZONE WHERE NO ALTERATIONS ARE PERMITTED, INCLUDING GRADING, AND A 30-FOOT BLUFF SETBACK WHICH IS A STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENT SETBACK.

THE EXISTING HOME IS NON-CONFORMING AS PARTS OF THE HOME AND DRIVEWAY ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE BLUFF SETBACK AND IMPACT ZONE.

LET ME JUST PULL UP THAT EXISTING SURVEY SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TODAY.

THE EXISTING HOME ENCROACHES INTO THE AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK ON BOTH SIDES, THE SOUTH AND WESTERN SIDE.

THE PROPOSED HOME, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT REQUIRES AN AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK VARIANCE AS THIS IS DICTATED BY THE NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST AS A FLAT MEASUREMENT AND IS REQUESTING BLUFF VARIANCES DUE TO THE PROPOSED PLACEMENT.

THE PROPOSED HOME IS BEING PULLED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE BLUFF THAN THE EXISTING HOME IMPROVING THOSE CONDITIONS, BUT STILL REQUIRES SUBSTANTIAL GRADING WITHIN THE BLUFF AS PROPOSED.

THE DRIVEWAY AND RETAINING WALLS ARE IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED WITHIN THE BLUFF SETBACKS AND DUE TO THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF THE BLUFF STAFF DOES NOT SUPPORT THE APPLICATION AS APPLIED.

IN THE EXHIBIT IN FRONT OF YOU, THE TOP OF BLUFF IS HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN.

THE TWO BLUFFS SETBACKS ARE IN RED AND THE PROPOSED ENCROACHMENTS THAT ARE NOT PERMITTED BY CODE ARE OUTLINED IN YELLOW ARE THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHT.

AND THEY'RE EITHER HIGHLIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS DRIVEWAY AND RETAINING WALL, A LAKESIDE PATH, AS WELL AS SOME GRADING CONTOURS THAT ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE BLUFF JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR ON THAT LEGEND.

JANUARY 16, 2024, PLANNING COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC HEARING.

THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION SAW INCLUDED A PATIO AS WELL AS A SMALL PORTION OF THE HOME WITHIN THE BLUFF SETBACKS.

THE COMMISSION PROVIDED FEEDBACK GENERALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK VARIANCE AND THE BLUFF SETBACK VARIANCE FOR THE DRIVEWAY.

BUT THE COMMISSION WAS CLEAR THAT THEY DID NOT SUPPORT THE PATIO OR ANY PART OF THE HOME WITHIN THE BLUFF SETBACKS.

THE COMMISSION DENIED THE APPLICATION WITH A THREE TO ONE VOTE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THEY MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO REDESIGN PRIOR TO COUNCIL.

THIS IS AN AMENDED PLAN THAT YOU ARE SEEING BASED ON PLANNING COMMISSION'S FEEDBACK.

THE APPLICANT HAS PULLED OUT THEIR FRONT PORCH AS WELL AS PATIO OUTSIDE OF THE BLUFF.

I HAVE THIS IS WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION SAW WHERE YOU CAN SEE RIGHT HERE IS SOME PATIO THAT HAS SINCE BEEN REMOVED, AND THEN A PORTION OF THE PORCH UP HERE.

TONIGHT THE APPLICANT SUBMITTED THIS AMENDED PLAN WITH THOSE REMOVALS.

HOWEVER, THE PLAN STILL REQUIRES VARIANCES FOR THE AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK FOR THE HOME AND ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE BLUFF SETBACK AND BLUFF IMPACT ZONE FOR THE NEW DRIVEWAY RETAINING WALLS, GRADING, AND LAKESIDE PATH.

THE APPLICANT HAS PROVIDED LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM THE NEIGHBORS.

THE NEIGHBORS PROVIDED THOSE LETTERS WITH THE ORIGINAL PLAN AND NO PUBLIC COMMENTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE AMENDED PLAN, AS WELL AS AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

NO ONE SPOKE AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.

STAFF RECOMMENDS DENIAL OF THE APPLICATION AS APPLIED DUE TO THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF THE BLUFF ON THE SITE.

STAFF IS SUPPORTIVE OF AN AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK VARIANCE AND OF THE BLUFF SETBACK VARIANCES REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A DRIVEWAY TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE SITE.

STAFF CANNOT SUPPORT THE EXTENSIVE GRADING WITHIN THE BLUFF IN ORDER FOR THE HOME TO HAVE A WALKOUT BASEMENT, NOR CAN STAFF SUPPORT THE EXTENSION OF THE LAKESIDE PATH WITHIN THE BLUFF.

COUNCIL'S ASKED TO REVIEW THE APPLICATION AND THEN PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO DRAFT A DENIAL RESOLUTION.

THE BUILDER AND APPLICANT, I BELIEVE, ARE HERE TONIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AS WELL.

OR I HAVE ADDITIONAL EXHIBITS AND PLAN SETS I CAN SHOW. THAT'S IT.

>> THE YELLOW THAT'S IN THE BLUFF, THAT LITTLE PATHWAY, THAT'S EXISTING NOW OR ARE THEY CREATING THAT?

[00:15:01]

>> PART OF IT'S EXISTING, PART OF IT'S A NEW EXPANSION.

>> OKAY. THEN OBVIOUSLY THE DRIVEWAY EXISTS GENERALLY ALREADY.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT THEY'RE GRADING IN THE BLUFF, ARE THEY JUST GRADING IN GENERAL TO BE ABLE TO CREATE THE HOUSE IN THE PATIO?

>> YEAH. SO ALL OF THESE LINES WITH THESE BUBBLED ELEVATIONS ARE NEW GRADING CONTOURS.

THIS IS WHAT THE APPLICANT IS SAYING, THAT THEY WILL NEED TO ALTER THESE CONTOUR LINES AND CONDUCT GRADING WITHIN THE BLUFF AREA TO SUPPORT THE ELEVATIONS NEEDED FOR THIS HOUSE.

THEY'RE ALSO PROPOSING RETAINING WALLS IN THESE BLUFF SETBACK SPACES WHICH RETAINING WALLS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THIS SPACE.

THEY'RE PROPOSING SOME DRIVEWAY EXPANSIONS UP HERE TO SUPPORT SOME MANEUVERABILITY.

THEN I'LL GO BACK TO THE EXISTING SURVEY.

THIS IS THE LAKESIDE PATH TODAY.

IT ZIGZAGS DOWN HERE.

THEY'RE LOOKING TO MAINTAIN PART OF IT AND THEN DO AN EXTENSION OF IT ALL THROUGH THE BLUFF AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS LAKESIDE EXPANSION.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO ASK THE APPLICANT REGARDING THAT.

>> WHY IS THE STAIRWAY GOING DOWN TO THE LAKE? IT MUST HAVE A PATHWAY THERE TOO, I'M ASSUMING.

>> IT'S NOT A STAIRWAY ISN'T NECESSARILY DEPICTED, THIS RETAINING WALL PITCH BACK SITUATION IS DEPICTED.

I'D ENCOURAGE YOU TO ASK THE APPLICANT HOW THEY ACCESS THE LAKE.

LAKE STAIRS ARE PERMITTED IMPROVEMENT WITHIN OUR CODE, SO IF THEY WERE TO COME FORWARD WITH A LAKE STAIR PROJECT, IT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW ADMINISTRATIVELY AS LONG AS IT MET OUR CITY STANDARDS.

>> THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS PART OF THAT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY GET AN ACCESS TO THE LAKE.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR STAFF?

>> DOES THE APPLICANT HERE LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT? YOU CAN STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

>> GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS KENNETH SCHMELING.

I'M HERE WITH MY WIFE, JUDY SCHMELING.

WE'RE AT 5115 MINNEAPOLIS AVE, MINIATURES TO MINNESOTA 55364.

I'M ALSO HERE WITH ARCHITECT PETER ESCUCHE FROM ESCUCHE DESIGN, AND MY BUILDER DAVID BIEKER FROM DENALI CUSTOM HOMES.

FIRST OF ALL, THANKS LAURA, AND THANKS TO NATALIE FOR THE GOOD WORK THEY'VE DONE.

I'VE BEEN INTRIGUED BY THE PROPERTY AT 4423 NORTH SHORE DRIVE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT IT IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE LAKESHORE PROPERTIES IN ORONO, AND PERHAPS ON ALL OF LAKE MINNETONKA.

SINCE BUYING THE PROPERTY, MY WIFE JUDY AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH OUR DESIGN AND BUILD TEAMS TO DESIGN A HOME THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS UNIQUE LOT.

AS WE GOT INTO THE DESIGN PROCESS, RECEIVED A SURVEY OF THE LOT AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APPLICABLE SETBACKS, IT BECAME VERY REAL HOW SIGNIFICANTLY CONSTRAINED ON THIS 1.5 ACRE LOT THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE.

IT IS NOTED AND LAURA DIDN'T MENTION IT, BUT THE BUILDING ENVELOPE IS ACTUALLY REPRESENTS 10% OF THE 1.5 ACRES.

ONLY 10% OF THAT BUILDABLE SPACE OF THAT LOT IS BUILDABLE SPACE.

WE HAD SEVERAL PRIMARY GOALS THAT WE WANTED TO ACHIEVE.

WE WANTED TO DESIGN AND BUILD A BEAUTIFUL RETIREMENT HOME FOR MY WIFE AND I.

ONE THAT WAS FUNCTIONAL AND IT WAS A DESIGN THAT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE LOT.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAINTAIN THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF THE PROPERTY AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO BLEND INTO THE SURROUNDING TOPOGRAPHY AND TO BUILD A HOUSE CONGRUENT TO NEARBY HOMES AND TO SIMILAR NEW HOMES BEING BUILT ON LAKE MINNETONKA.

THE CURRENT HOME THAT SITS THERE IS ALMOST 70 YEARS OLD.

IT HAS LAKE VIEWS TO THE SOUTH, CHANNEL VIEWS TO THE WEST, AND A WALKOUT BASEMENT TO THE WEST.

THESE ARE ALL KEY DESIGN FEATURES THAT WE WANTED TO RETAIN.

THE HOUSE DOES SIT RIGHT ON TOP OF THE HILL SO THE DESIGN WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT.

IT WAS CLEAR TO US THAT A TALL TWO STORY HOME WITH HIGH PITCHED ROOFS, A MORE TRADITIONAL DESIGN, WE FELT WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THAT BUILDING SIT SO WE OPTED FOR A FLAT ROOF, MORE MODERN DESIGN.

NEXT, WE WANTED TO BE COMPLIANT WITH ALL THE BUILDING CODES.

AS WE TALKED ABOUT, IT'S A HIGHLY CONSTRAINED LOT.

FIRST, THE NEW HOME WOULD NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE RIPARIAN VIEWSHED OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

MY WIFE AND I HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN THROUGH A SITUATION WHERE OUR RIPARIAN VIEWSHED RIGHTS WERE IMPACTED AND WE ABSOLUTELY VOWED WE'D NEVER DO THIS TO SOMEONE ELSE.

SO WE HAVE MET WITH BOTH OF OUR NEIGHBORS, CHRIS AND DARLA TOOMEY AT 4415 NORTH SHORE DRIVE AND SCOTT ALBRECHT AT 4425 NORTH SHORE DRIVE.

AS LAURA MENTIONED, BOTH NEIGHBORS HAVE SENT LETTERS TO THE CITY SUPPORTING THE PROJECT.

[00:20:01]

NEXT, WE WANTED TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE PROPERTY.

THIS INCLUDES ALL FACETS OF THE PROPERTY, BUT THE CONTEXT HERE, PARTICULARLY PROTECTION OF THE BLUFFS, IT'S ONE OF OUR KEY OBJECTIVES.

THIS INCLUDES POSITIONING THE HOUSE STRUCTURE ON THE LOT TO COMPLY WITH ALL BLUFF SETBACKS WHICH WE HAVE ACHIEVED.

THE BLUFFS ARE A KEY PART OF WHAT MAKES THIS PROPERTY UNIQUE AND PROTECTING THESE BLUFFS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT OUTCOME FOR US.

WE ARE ALIGNED WITH THE CITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE BLUFF TO PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS, AND WE HAVE A VESTED INTEREST TO PROTECT THESE BLUFFS TO PROTECT OUR PROPERTY VALUE.

LASTLY, WE WANTED TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF THE PROPERTY.

THE CURRENT DRIVEWAY HAS A 12.5% GRADE THAT IS NOT SAFE IN OUR MINNESOTA WINTERS, AND WE WANTED TO IMPROVE THAT SITUATION.

THIS IS AN ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FACTOR TO US, AS MY WIFE HAD A REALLY GOOD FRIEND WHO PERISHED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT SLIPPING OFF OF AN ICY ROAD IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

ACCOMPLISHING ALL OF THESE GOALS WAS LIKE THREADING A NEEDLE, AND OFTEN WITH COMPROMISES AND NO PERFECT SOLUTION.

FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVEWAY, AS I SAID, WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

GREAT CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE ELEVATION OF THE HOUSE SO THAT WE COULD REDUCE THE GRADE OF THE DRIVEWAY FROM THE CURRENT 12.5% GRADE TO A MUCH SAFER 8.5% GRADE.

SINCE THE DRIVEWAY IS SHARED WITH OUR NEIGHBOR, THERE'S AN EASEMENT WITH OUR NEIGHBOR.

THERE WERE LIMITATIONS ABOUT HOW FAR WE COULD GO BACK TO START TO CHANGE THAT SLOPE, AND HOW WE COULD ADJUST THE DRIVEWAY TO REDUCE THIS STEEP GRADE.

THE COMPROMISE WAS THAT BY LOWERING THE ELEVATION OF THE GARAGE AND THE HOME, WE IMPROVED THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVEWAY, BUT THEN THAT REQUIRED A VARIANCE TO ACCOMMODATE THE WALK OUT BASEMENT.

EVERYTHING'S KIND OF CONNECTED. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF MANY THAT WE'VE WRESTLED WITH TO DRIVE AT A SOLUTION THAT ACHIEVES THE OBJECTIVES WHILE MINIMIZING OUR VARIANCES.

I BELIEVE OUR VARIANCE APPLICATION HAS DEMONSTRATED THE THREE CRITERIA FOR PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES: UNIQUENESS, REASONABLENESS, AND ESSENTIAL CHARACTER.

CLEARLY, THIS IS A UNIQUE PROPERTY.

IT'S BASICALLY A PENINSULA WITH WATER ON TWO SIDES, BLUFF SETBACKS, AND ONLY 10% OF THE 1.5 ACRE LOT IS BUILDABLE.

REASONABLENESS, WE'VE TAKEN A GREAT DEAL OF CARE IN THE DESIGN TOWARDS REASONABLE USE OF THE PROPERTY.

THEN ESSENTIAL CHARACTER, THE LOT AND THE DESIGN OF THE HOME ARE IN LINE WITH OTHER HOMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND NEW HOMES BEING BUILT ON LAKE MINNETONKA.

WE'VE WORKED VERY DILIGENTLY AND THOUGHTFULLY TO GET TO THIS POINT TO MAXIMIZE SAFETY, MINIMIZE VARIANCES, AND BUILD A BEAUTIFUL HOME ON THIS LOT.

WE'VE TAKEN THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND MADE CHANGES TO OUR PLAN TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES THEY'VE REQUESTED.

WE'RE VERY COMMITTED TO BUILDING A HOME THAT IMPROVES THIS PROPERTY, INCLUDING PROTECTION OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE BLUFFS.

THE BLUFFS ARE PART OF THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE PROPERTY AND WE'LL TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF. THANK YOU.

>> HI, MY NAME IS PETER S. COOKIE, 18318 MINNETONKA, BOULEVARD IN DEEPHAVEN.

DO YOU MIND PULLING UP THE VISUAL SITE PLANS THAT WE CREATED? THE OVERLAY ON TOP OF CANVAS.

>> YEAH, I THINK I HAVE IT UP. JUST HOLD ON.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU, LAURA.

>> THIS ONE?

>> YEAH.

>> THAT TURQUOISE TRIANGLE REPRESENTS BASICALLY THE BOULEVARD AREA.

THE RED REPRESENTS THE EXISTING ENCROACHMENTS.

THAT'S A GOOD DOCUMENT. THIS SHOWS A LOT OF THE RETAINING WALLS LIKE YOU MENTIONED [NOISE] YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT THE PATH AND THE STAIRS ON THE WAY TO THE LAKE.

BASICALLY, IF YOU LOOK AT THAT BOTTOM RIGHT END OF THE PATH, IT GOES RIGHT TOWARDS THE LAKE, AND IT'S PRETTY STEEP, AND AGGRESSIVE.

WE PROPOSE TO JUST STRAIGHTEN THAT OUT, AND MAKE THAT MORE NATURAL.

IF YOU LOOK, THERE'S A LARGE RED WALL IT SAYS OUTSIDE RIGHT THERE THAT SHE'S RUNNING AT.

THAT WAS CREATED WHEN THEY BUILT THE ORIGINAL HOUSE, AND WE FELT THAT THAT WAS ALSO A LITTLE BIT LESS NATURAL BECAUSE THEY BASICALLY JUST LIFTED GRADE UP, AND PUT A RETAINING WALL AROUND IT TO MAKE A BIGGER LOWER LEVEL PATIO OR GREEN SPACE.

WE'VE REMOVED THAT.

[NOISE] CAN YOU SHOW THE LATEST PROPOSED SITE PLAN FROM US?

>> I'VE GOT IT RIGHT HERE. THE SURVEY OF IT OR?

>> NO, THE SITE WE OVERLAID ON TOP OF THE SITE PLAN.

>> THIS ONE?

>> THERE'S ONE THAT SHOWS THE NEW GRADING WITH A REDUCED AMOUNT OF RETAINING WALLS AT THE LOWER LEVEL.

HERE WE GO. GETTING THERE.

>> THIS ON?

>> I THINK IT'S THE PREVIOUS ONE. [NOISE] THAT'S BASICALLY SUMMARIZES THAT TO.

THAT DOES SHOW BOTH THE EXISTING RETAINING WALLS.

[00:25:01]

IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE THE LOWER LEVEL WALKOUT IS TODAY, [NOISE] THAT'S ALL RETAINING WALLS ALREADY.

WHAT WE'VE DONE IS SINCE THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION, BY RAISING THE LOWER LEVEL UP AND CRUNCHING THE HEIGHTS OF EACH CEILING, WE DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO INCREASE THE PITCH OF THE DRIVEWAY, AS KENNETH MENTIONED.

WE TOOK SOME HEIGHT OUT OF THE HOUSE BASICALLY TO REDUCE THE IMPACT, AND HOW LOW THE LOWER LEVEL WALKOUT WENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PROPOSED, RETAINING WALLS ARE BLACK CLOUD.

THOSE [NOISE] DON'T ENCROACH ANY FURTHER THAN THEY ARE [NOISE] TODAY.

WE REDUCED I WOULD SAY MOST OF THOSE ARE BETWEEN 13 -15 FEET SHORTER.

THEY DON'T GO INTO THE BLUFF SETBACK AS MUCH AS THEY DID BEFORE.

FOR THE MOST PART, THAT SUMMARIZES WHAT WE'VE DONE AND WHAT WE CHANGED.

I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

>> WELL, I THOUGHT YOU'VE PULLED IT BACK AND ALL THAT STUFF AND DOWN WHERE I ASKED THE STAFF ABOUT THAT YELLOW THING, YOU STRAIGHTENING IT OUT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO END OUT ON A FLAT AREA, AND IT'S JUST EASIER TO GET THERE.

>> CORRECT.

>> I'M ASSUMING YOU DO. THAT BASICALLY IS BECOMING YOUR LAKE ACCESS?

>> CORRECT. THAT'S A SAFER WAY TO DO IT.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE THE OTHER ONE OBVIOUSLY JUST GOES STRAIGHT DOWN TOWARDS THE LAKE.

>> PETER, JUST AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, SINCE YOU'RE CHANGING THAT LAKE PATH, LIKE YOU'RE STATING.

YOU'RE NOT SHOWING ANY RETAINING WALLS, BUT THAT'S A PRETTY INTENSE GRADE SINCE IT IS BLUFF.

ARE YOU SUGGESTING THAT YOU CAN STRAIGHTEN OUT OR REGRADE THAT? I'M JUST CURIOUS.

>> THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME RETAINING, I HAVEN'T DONE THE ANALYSIS OF IT YET.

FOR THE MOST PART, WHAT'S EXISTING TODAY IS JUST SO STEEP AND UNSAFE AND IT JUST GOES TOWARDS THE LAKE SHORE PROPER.

WE WANTED TO PROPOSE IT TO BE STRAIGHTER, MORE NATURAL.

IT WOULD STILL REQUIRE SOME RETAINING WALL.

>> SO PER OUR NEW CODE, NEW RETAINING WALLS PLACED, ESPECIALLY THIS IS A BLUFF.

BUT EVEN NEW RETAINING WALLS PLACED IN THE 75 IN THIS PLACE WOULD REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING THAT WOULD REQUIRE A PROCESS.

>> THE ONE THAT'S THERE NOW THAT GOES STRAIGHT DOWN, DOES THAT HAVE RETAINING WALLS IN THERE RIGHT NOW? I WOULD SAY IT MUST HAVE.

I'M ASSUMING YOU'D HAVE TO LEAVE ALL THAT STUFF AND YOU WON'T [OVERLAPPING] REMOVE THAT OUT.

>> WE WOULD REMOVE ALL OF THOSE RETAINING WALLS AND GO BACK TO AS CLOSE TO NATURAL GRADE AS WE COULD, AND THEN MINIMIZE.

THE NEW PATH BEING STRAIGHTER, IT DOESN'T REQUIRE QUITE AS AN AGGRESSIVE SET OF RETAINING WALLS, BUT IT WOULD REQUIRE SOME.

>> I MEAN OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT YOU TO HAVE ACCESS AND WE WANT IT TO BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

[LAUGHTER] I LIVED ON A BLUFF TOO AND WE HAD TO GO DOWN, AND WE HAD TO GO THIS WAY AND DOWN, AND THAT WAY AND HAS A LOT OF LANDINGS, BECAUSE I'M JUST A FEW HOUSES FROM THAT SIDE.

SAME BLUFF ISSUES.

HOW CAN YOU HELP US SOLVE ALL THOSE LITTLE BUBBLES WHERE YOU'RE REGRADING IN THE BLUFF SETBACK ZONE?

>> IF YOU LOOKED AT THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION.

>> THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL.

THIS ONE IS THE ORIGINAL, THAT PLANNING COMMISSION [OVERLAPPING].

>> DID YOU SEE HOW MANY RETAINING WALLS WERE PROPOSED? I GUESS IT'S TO YOUR RIGHT OF THE RED, WITHIN THAT FIRST 20 FEET, ALL OF THOSE RETAINING WALLS WERE REMOVED.

THEY STILL GO 10 FEET INTO THE UPPERMOST.

THERE YOU GO. BUT THEY'VE MINIMIZED QUITE A BIT.

>> I MEAN, PER LAW BECAUSE I'M GOING BY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE GRADING.

YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BE GRADING TO BRING IT DOWN IN THAT YOU'RE GOING TO RE-GRADE IN THE BLUFF SETBACK ZONE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE SOLVE THAT?

>> CORRECT. YEAH. I MEAN, PART OF IT IS BECAUSE THEY FILLED QUITE A BIT IN THE BLUFF WHEN THEY BUILT THAT HOUSE AND PUT THAT RETAINING WALL IN.

SO SOME OF IT YOU HAVE TO PROPOSE CHANGING GRADE TO GO BACK TO MORE NATURAL.

OUR IDEA WAS THAT WE WOULD ELIMINATE THAT RETAINING WALL AND GO MORE NATURAL.

BUT IN ORDER TO HAVE WALK OUT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME RETAINING WALL BECAUSE IT COMES IN SO STEEP FROM THE ROAD AND THEN IT DOESN'T DROP QUITE YET.

WE TRIED OUR BEST TO MATCH THE EXACT POSITION OF THE WALKOUT TO WHAT WAS THERE TODAY.

IT'S JUST SLIGHTLY DEEPER BECAUSE WE REDUCED THE DRIVEWAY BEACH.

>> WE DON'T GET HEAVY DUTY BLUFF ONES LIKE THIS WHERE IT'S A UNIQUE PROPERTY, THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

I CAN'T REMEMBER ONE WE'VE HAD THAT'S GOT THIS MUCH BLUFF AROUND IT.

AND THEN TRYING TO REBUILD WITHIN IT, CHANGING THE HEIGHT AND HOW DEEP IT GOES IS A HARD ONE.

>> DID THE ORIGINAL HOME HAVE A WALKOUT?

>> YEAH, THERE'S A WALKOUT.

>> THERE IS A WALKOUT THERE, OKAY.

>> THE CEILING IS JUST UNDER SEVEN FEET, A 1950 HOUSE.

SO WHEN YOU USE MODERN CONSTRUCTION METHODS, IT'S PRETTY HARD TO MATCH THAT.

[00:30:03]

>> BUT RIGHT NOW I THINK THAT WHOLE COVERED PORCH THAT YOU'VE GOT IN THERE AND WITH THE PAVERS, THAT'S IN ONE OF THE BLUFF SETBACK ZONES RIGHT NOW, RIGHT?

>> THE WAY IT IS NOW.

>> THE WAY IT IS NOW?

>> CORRECT.

>> SO WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT IS YOU'RE HELPING SOLVE SOME OF THIS, YOU'RE BRINGING IT BACK ALREADY.

>> SO, WE ANGLED THE HOUSE, AS KENNETH MENTIONED, WE ANGLED IT AWAY FROM THE NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST, SO THAT ANGLE IS A LITTLE FURTHER.

THE HOUSE POINTS FURTHER AWAY, GIVING THEM MUCH MORE BUFFER SPACE.

>> I MEAN, IT IS UNIQUE. IT'S GOT DEFINITELY SOME PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES THAT GO WITH IT FOR SURE BECAUSE IT'S SO SMALL.

BUT I LIKE HOW YOU POINTED THAT. I UNDERSTAND.

I MEAN, IT'S 70 YEARS OLD AND YOU HAVE DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF GRADING SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO THE HOUSE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT ALL WORK.

>> BUT THEIR LAKE ACCESS IS GOING TO BE ON THE CHANNEL, CORRECT?

>> NO. THEY'RE GOING TO GO THERE, AND THEN THEY WALK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, BACK TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

THERE'S NO ROOM IN THE CHANNEL TO PUT IT THERE.

>> THERE'S NO ROOM TO PUT IT.

>> OKAY.

>> NO, THERE'S NO ROOM.

RIGHT NOW THEIR DOCK IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AND THERE'S WALKING UP THERE TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE FLAT LANDING TO WALK BACK TO IT.

SO I MEAN, I'M SUPPORTIVE KNOWING THAT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF THAT THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE BRINGING IT BACK.

YOU'RE HELPING EVERYTHING OUT.

>> CAN WE ZOOM IN ON THAT PEAK AT ALL?

>> SO YOU CAN SEE THE PAVER IS IN THE FRONT, ALL THAT IS ALL GETTING PUSHED BACK TOWARDS THE, THAT'S A GOOD STREET.

>> RIGHT AT THE END OF THE O, WHERE IT SAYS ORONO, YOU CAN SEE THAT LARGE RETAINING WALL THERE.

>> YEAH, THERE'S A LARGE RETAINING WALL THERE, YEAH.

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY GOOD PICTURE.

>> YEAH. WE'RE PROPOSING TO ELIMINATE THAT AND HAVE THE GRADING THERE A LITTLE BIT MORE NORMAL, MORE NATURAL.

>> I THINK MY PERSPECTIVE ON THIS, BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD FROM OTHER APPLICANTS THAT PURCHASE PROPERTIES ON UNIQUE PIECES OF LAND, AND THERE BECOMES A PAYOFF WITH SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF PLAN WHEN IT REQUIRES EXTENSIVE GRADING AND WHEN STAFF IS RECOMMENDING DENIAL BECAUSE OF THAT EXTENSIVE GRADING.

I THINK WE TRY TO WORK WITH APPLICANTS, TYPICALLY, I KNOW WE ALL DO IN TERMS OF ALLOWING FOR SOME CHANGE.

BUT THIS IS SIGNIFICANT, AND THE FACT THAT THERE'S A MULTITUDE OF FACTORS HERE, ALL OF WHICH REQUIRE A GREAT DEGREE OF DISTURBANCE OF THE BLUFFS.

I STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT THIS AS IT STANDS.

>> THERE IS A WAY YOU WERE SAYING TO SUPPORT JUST THE DRIVEWAY PORTION, CORRECT?

>> YEAH. SO STAFF IS RECOMMENDING SUPPORT OF THE VARIANTS FOR THE AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK AND STAFF WOULD ALSO SUPPORT THE BLUFF VARIANCES TO SUPPORT THE DRIVEWAY ACCESS.

SO THERE IS GRADING, A RETAINING WALL AND DRIVEWAY IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE BLUFF AND BLUFF SETBACKS THAT STAFF WOULD SUPPORT THOSE VARIANCES.

>> AND I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THERE ARE GIVE AND TAKES AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I THINK IT WAS WHAT, 10% OF THIS LOT.

IT'S NOT A LOT TO WORK WITH, BUT AS THE APPLICANT STATED, SUCH A UNIQUE PIECE OF PROPERTY DOES COME WITH SOME PAYOFFS.

AND THIS MAY BE A CONSIDERATION HERE BECAUSE IT'S QUITE A LOT OF CHANGE AND I THINK STAFF HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF WORKING WITH THE APPLICANT, IT SOUNDS LIKE, TO ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THESE OTHER REQUESTS ON THIS LOT.

SO I COULD AGREE WITH STAFF'S DECISION ON THIS ONE.

>> I MEAN, THE LAKE ACCESS IS GOING TO BE HIS OWN ANIMAL.

THAT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND YOU DO GET TO HAVE LAKE ACCESS AND IT'S GOT TO BE REASONABLE LAKE ACCESS.

SO HOWEVER THAT NEEDS TO GO, OBVIOUSLY IS ESSENTIALLY NOT PART OF THE CONVERSATION TODAY BECAUSE WE NEED MORE DETAILS ON THAT.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMEHOW OF CUTTING SOME OF THAT BACK.

BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING DONE AND WITH HOW UNIQUE THIS IS TO BUILD TO FIT SOMETHING IN THERE AND YOU'RE PULLING IT BACK.

SO I THINK YOU'RE DOING EVERYBODY A FAVOR BY PULLING IT BACK ALREADY.

AND SO IF SOMEHOW WE CAN MASSAGE SOME OF THAT GRADING, IT'S HARD TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON LOOKING AT IT FROM HERE.

>> ON THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY AERIAL, YOU COULD SEE THE RETAINING WALL THAT WAS THERE TODAY THAT REALLY CREATES THE BLUFF.

>> YOU HAVE ACCESS LAURA? THANKS.

>> SO EVEN JUST TO MAKE THE GRADING WHERE THAT RETAINING WALL WANTED, THEIR HOPE WAS TO PRESERVE THE BLUFF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE,

[00:35:02]

BUT THAT RETAINING WALL IS NOT NATURAL.

EVEN TO GET RID OF THAT WOULD REQUIRE A VARIANCE.

WE'RE ONLY ADDING A FOOT.

IT JUST TAKES SOME WALL TO DO THAT.

>> THAT'S ALSO, I THINK IT'S REASONABLE TO HAVE SOME WALL TO MANAGE THAT ON TOP OF HAVING TO TAKE THAT OUT.

SO I JUST DON'T KNOW.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT EXTENT TO SAY.

I ALMOST THINK IT MIGHT BE WORTH TABLING IT TO COME BACK IN A COUPLE MORE WEEKS TO SEE IF WE CAN MAYBE ALL GO VISIT THE SITE AND LOOK AT IT FIRSTHAND AND SEE IF WE CAN HELP FIGURE THAT OUT TOO BECAUSE IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE WHERE THAT WALL IS, IT'S ALREADY FLAT.

THEY'VE OBVIOUSLY UNNATURALLY ALREADY DONE ALL THAT IN THE BLUFF.

>> WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO SPLIT THIS INTO THREE SEPARATE, THEN? DO THE DRIVEWAY AS ONE PATH FOR ACCESS AS ONE, WALK OUT AS ONE.

WOULD THAT BE MORE DIFFICULT? LAURA.

.> IT'S USUALLY CLEANERS TO REACT TO THE APPLICATION AS IT'S IN FRONT OF YOU.

IF THERE'S MORE INFORMATION YOU WANT, YOU OF COURSE, HAVE THE OPTION TO TABLE AND REQUEST THAT INFORMATION EITHER FROM THE APPLICANT OR FROM STAFF IF THERE'S AN ENOUGH.

>> I MEAN, THE LAKE ACCESS AND YOU CAN DO THAT PROBABLY AT ANY TIME.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT NEEDS TO BE PART OF THIS TODAY.

>> I THINK IT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL TO TABLE SO WE CAN LOOK AT IT.

>> I THINK WE PROBABLY ALL NEED TO GET ON SITE TO LOOK AT THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER BECAUSE I KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A HOUSE AND DO ALL THE DIGGING WITHOUT CREATING SOME ISSUES IN THE BLUFF REGARDLESS.

BECAUSE YOU JUST CAN'T JUST BUILD IF THE WALLS RIGHT HERE, YOU JUST CAN'T STAND WHERE THE WALL ISN'T BUILD IT.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT AND STAGING AND ALL THAT STUFF TO BEGIN WITH.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT ALL AS REASONABLE AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU'RE ALREADY CONSTRAINED TO DOWN TO, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY, 10% OF THE SITE ALREADY, AND YOU'RE PULLING THE HOUSE BACK.

SO WE'RE ALREADY STARTING OUT WITH GOOD FAVORS.

>> THIS IS A DIFFICULT, IF THE VISUALS ARE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND, THEN, WE'D BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING THAT'S MORE THREE DIMENSIONAL OR.

>> I THINK JUST GETTING ON SITE PROBABLY, ALMOST NEED TO WALK THIS REALLY.

AND THEN I'M ASSUMING, WELL, I SUPPOSE THE HOUSE IS STILL THERE, BUT [OVERLAPPING] IF IT'S STAKED A LITTLE BIT, WHERE WE CAN KIND OF SEE, OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN GO DOWN AND WE CAN KIND OF SEE WHERE THE EXISTING WALL IS.

WE KIND OF GET A GOOD FEELING FOR WHERE THAT IS ALREADY, BUT THAT MIGHT JUST HELP EVERYTHING TO REALLY GET ON SITE.

BECAUSE I THINK IT'S HARD TO MANAGE THIS WHEN IT'S COMPLICATED WITHOUT EVERYBODY ON SITE AND LOOKING AT IT EITHER ALTOGETHER OR ONE AT A TIME.

>> YEAH, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN.

>> IF WE CAN COMMIT AS MANY PEOPLE CAN GET OUT THERE BEFORE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING TO GET OUT THERE.

IF YOU CAN MAYBE GET LAURA YOUR PHONE NUMBERS, THAT WE CAN GET A HOLD OF YOU, SO WE KNOW SOMEBODY'S THERE.

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO STOP THERE AND HAVE NOBODY BE THERE.

I KNOW YOU WERE GUYS THAT WERE SELLING STUFF IN THE HOUSE, SO I KNOW YOU'RE HAVING A SALE, BUT I NEVER WALKED IN THERE TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> NO PROBLEM.

>> OKAY.

>> GUESS WE'LL MOTION TO TABLE TO OUR NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS THE 26TH, SO SUNDAY.

>> I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.

>> OPPOSED? THEN WE HAVEN'T GOT THAT TABLE UNTIL THE 26TH.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER, ANYTHING ELSE, LAURA, FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT?

>> I HAVE A PERMIT REVENUE SLIDE.

[LAUGHTER] IT IS SMALL.

IT IS FROM JANUARY.

I'M SURE MAGGIE CAN SPEAK MORE IN HER FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL ABOUT PERMITS AND REVENUES.

BUT FOR JANUARY OF 2024, I HAVE THIS LITTLE SLIDE WHERE 2023 WAS LAST YEAR, 2024 IS THIS YEAR.

THIS LOOKS LIKE A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT, I HAVE A SECOND PAGE THAT SHOWS OUT THE YEAR.

IT IS ONE OF OUR LOWEST MONTHS AS WE USUALLY ARE NOT DOING BIG PROJECTS OR PERMITTING ISSUING LOTS OF THESE ARE INTERIOR MODELS AND THOSE TYPES OF PROJECTS WE'RE WORKING THROUGH IN THE WINTER TIME.

OTHER THINGS WE ARE BUSY PREPPING FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

THAT MEETING IS NEXT WEEK.

THAT PACKET WILL GO OUT, LAND USE APPLICATIONS DEADLINE IS THIS WEEK, SO WE ARE TALKING TO LOTS OF BUILDERS AND PEOPLE TRYING TO GET APPLICATIONS IN.

THEN ALSO JUST A POINT OF NOTE, OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL AND BUILDING INSPECTOR ARE OUT DOING THEIR CREDITS FOR CONTINUING ED.

THEY ARE ALTERNATING DAYS AT A CONFERENCE.

WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE HERE THIS WEEK, BUT THEY ARE IN AND OUT OF THE OFFICE QUITE A BIT.

WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THOSE PHONE CALLS AND SCHEDULING AND STUFF,

[00:40:03]

SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE THIS WEEK.

>> HOW'S THE PIPELINE LOOKING RIGHT NOW?

>> BUSY, LOTS OF PROJECTS, NEW HOUSES AND PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO SPLIT THEIR LOTS AND THEN SOME OTHER PROJECTS COME UP OF SOME DREAMS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO.

WE'RE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU AND FIND A SITE FOR YOU, SO IS IT, CALENDARS ARE FULL.

>> GOOD. NO SHORTAGE OF WORK IT SOUNDS LIKE.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANKS. THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR FINANCE REPORT, MAGGIE.

[22. Fourth Quarter Financial Update]

OUR FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL UPDATE.

>> YEAH. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

TONIGHT I HAVE THE FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR 2023 AND THEN IF WE CAN JUST PULL UP THIS SLIDE.

PERFECT. I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT THESE ARE UNAUDITED FINANCIALS AND AS WE UNDERGO THE 2023 AUDIT PROCESS, THE NUMBERS WILL CHANGE SLIGHTLY AS STAFF BOOKS ACCRUALS.

THERE COULD BE POSSIBLE RE-CLASSING ENTRIES, AND THEN INTEREST WILL STILL NEED TO BE ALLOCATED AS WELL.

STARTING OFF WITH REVENUE, WE ARE IN GOOD POSITION WITH REVENUE.

WE ARE CURRENTLY OVER BUDGET BY 4.5%.

OUR BIGGEST REVENUE SOURCE, TAXES ENDED THE YEAR AT 99.35%, SO THAT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO 100% WHICH IS STILL GOOD.

SOME OF THIS REVENUE MAY HAVE BEEN PREPAID IN PREVIOUS YEARS OR WILL BE COLLECTED IN FUTURE YEARS.

LICENSES AND PERMITS ENDED THE YEAR OVER BUDGET BY 290,000.

MAJORITY OF THAT WOULD BE FROM BUILDING PERMIT REVENUE.

THE REMAINDER OVER BUDGETED AMOUNT IN THAT LINE ITEM WOULD BE FROM MECHANICAL AND SEPTIC AND OTHER PERMITS.

THERE WAS MORE PROJECTS THAN CITY ANTICIPATED THAT OCCURRED.

THE NEXT LINE ITEM THAT IS OVER BUDGETED WOULD BE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL REVENUE.

THIS IS ALL DUE TO THE 0.0 DESK GRANT.

MORE CITIES HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM, SO WE COLLECTED MORE MONEY FOR THE GRANT THAN WE HAD BUDGETED FOR.

THIS IS OFFSET IT BY THE EXPENDITURES WHEN THE FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO OTHER PARTICIPATING CITIES.

THEN CHARGES FOR SERVICE IS SLIGHTLY OVER BUDGET BY 3.8% THIS IS DUE TO PLAN CHECK AND SITE EXAM, WHICH CORRELATES TO BUILDING ACTIVITIES.

THEN YOU CAN SEE ON HERE, INTEREST IS CLOSE TO 0%.

THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT INTEREST HAS NOT BEEN ALLOCATED FOR 2023 YET.

WE ARE ANTICIPATING THAT THIS LINE ITEM WILL BE AT OR AROUND BUDGET ONCE WE ALLOCATE THE INTEREST.

THEN ONTO NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS JUST A QUARTERLY COMPARISON FOR THE YEAR WITH PREVIOUS YEARS.

YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE ENDING OVER BUDGET AS WE HAVE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

ONCE INTEREST IS ALLOCATED, WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSER TO A 6% OVER-BUDGETED AMOUNT. NEXT SLIDE.

THEN THIS IS IN REGARDS TO WHAT LAURA HAD MENTIONED EARLIER.

THIS IS A MONTHLY COMPARISON OF OUR BUILDING PERMIT REVENUE.

I'VE ALSO INCLUDED JANUARY OF 2024 AS LAURA HAD JUST SHOWN.

YOU CAN SEE THAT JANUARY IS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN MOST OF THE OTHER MONTHS. THEN NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS A MONTH TO MONTHS COMPARISON WITH THE OVERALL YEAR COMPARISON.

WE HAVE BUDGET AT 565,000 FOR REVENUE FOR BUILDING PERMIT.

WE'RE ENDING THE YEAR OFF AT 820,000 OVER BUDGET.

NEXT SLIDE. GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE, EXPENDITURES ARE ENDING CURRENTLY AT 199,000 OVER BUDGET OR 1.85%.

NOTE THAT THIS NUMBER WILL CHANGE 2.5% AND 270,000 OVER BUDGET AS WE TOOK OUT THE GOLF COURSE EXPENDITURE AND ARE MOVING THAT INTO THE ENTERPRISE FUND AS THE REVENUE CAN SUSTAIN THE EXPENDITURE FOR GOLF COURSE.

BACK TO GENERAL FUND THOUGH, WE ARE ENDING THE YEAR AT 2.5% OVER BUDGETED.

THIS NUMBER WILL CHANGE SLIGHTLY WITH THE AUDIT PROCESS AS STAFF WILL NEED TO BOOK ACCRUED EXPENDITURES AND WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTING ENTRIES AS WE FIND THEM.

[00:45:04]

STARTING OFF WITH THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED, MAYOR AND COUNCIL IS OVER BUDGET BY 6.2%.

THIS IS DUE TO ADDITIONAL TRAINING THAT WAS NEEDED.

IT'S AN IMMATERIAL AMOUNT IN COMPARISON TO OVERALL GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

LEGAL SERVICES IS ALSO OVER BUDGET.

THIS IS DUE TO A NUMBER OF LARGE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE CITY THAT WERE UNANTICIPATED AND AS WELL AS DATA REQUESTS THAT WERE RECEIVED.

CENTRAL SERVICE IS ALSO SLIGHTLY OVER BUDGET.

THIS IS DUE TO HIGHER UTILITY THAN ANTICIPATED IN THE BUDGET, SUCH AS GAS, ELECTRICITY, AND TELEPHONE BILLS.

BUILDING AND ZONING IS ALSO OVER BUDGET DUE TO CANNABIS MAPPING, SPRUCE PLACE, AND OF OUR PARKING LOT SURVEY, AND THEN COSTS ASSOCIATED TO STAFF TURNOVER AT YEAR END OF 2022, THAT WAS NOT ANTICIPATED IN THE 2023 BUDGET PROCESS.

PUBLIC WORK SPRING PARK IS ALSO OVER BUDGETED, THIS DUE TO ALLOCATION OF PAYROLL THAT FINANCE HAD TO MAKE TO ACCURATELY ACCOUNT FOR STAFF TIME IN REGARDS TO SERVICE PROVIDED TO SPRING PARK.

THESE EXPENDITURES ARE REIMBURSED BY SPRING PARK.

THEN LASTLY, THAT LAST YELLOW HIGHLIGHT, IT WOULD BE FOR PARKS THAT WOULD BE DUE TO HACKBERRY PROJECT LIKE ACCESS MARKING AND THEN THE PICKLEBALL MASTER PLAN.

THIS IS SLIGHTLY OFFSET BY NOT HAVING SEASONAL AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES FOR THE YEAR.

THEN ONTO THE RED HIGHLIGHTED, THESE ARE THE LINE ITEMS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANTLY OVER BUDGET.

FIRE DEPARTMENT IS FINISHING THE YEAR OVER BUDGET APPROXIMATELY 30,000 WOULD BE FOR COST OF STARTING UP THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT.

DUE TO STARTING UP THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE DID NOT BUDGET EXPENDITURES FOR THAT BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE HARD TO DO WITH STARTING UP A NEW DEPARTMENT.

THAT REMAINING 46,000 IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LINE ITEM WOULD BE DUE TO THE OVERAGE IN LONG LAKE FIRE SERVICE COSTS FOR 2022.

THEN ENGINEERING IS ALSO OVER BUDGET.

THIS IS DUE TO GIS, MAPS AND STOP SIGNS.

PUBLIC WORKS IS OVER A BUDGET DUE TO REPAIR ON PATCH TRUCK, REPAIRS TO GRADER, COST OF STAFF TURNOVER, GUARD RAIL REPAIR, BRIDGE SEALING, AND ROAD CRACK SEALING.

THEN SPECIAL SERVICE IS OVER BUDGET BY 158% AND THIS WOULD BE DUE TO TOWARDS ZERO DESK GRANT AND THAT'S OFFSET BY THE REVENUE THAT I HAD MENTIONED EARLIER SO THAT'S A DISTRIBUTION TO THE PARTICIPATING CITIES.

ON INVESTMENTS, HERE ARE THE NEW INVESTMENTS THAT WE HAD DONE IN QUARTER 4 OF 2023.

RATES ARE STILL STEADY, AROUND A 5% MARK AND THE NEXT SLIDE.

THEN 2023, THE TOTAL INTEREST THAT WE HAVE MADE YEAR TO DATE WOULD BE 302,000 AND THIS WILL BE THE INTEREST THAT WILL BE ALLOCATED TO EACH OF THE FUNDS.

GENERAL FUND WILL GET A MAJORITY OF THIS PORTION AS IT IS THE BIGGEST FUND THAT WE HAVE, AND THEN THE FORUM CONSTRUCTION FUND IS RELATED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.

THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION FOR TONIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANKS. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MAGGIE?

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> GREAT PRESENTATION. IT'S YOUR FIRST ONE.

>> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER]

>> MAGGIE JUST STARTED, SO YOU DID A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU HERE ALL THE TIME NOW.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL.

>> ANY OTHER THINGS TO REPORT WITH THE FINANCE?

>> NO. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE 2023 AUDIT PROCESS.

>> THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR PARKS REPORT AND NUMBER 23,

[23. Approval of the Pickleball Masterplan]

APPROVAL OF THE PICKLEBALL MASTER PLAN. JOSH?

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL, A COUPLE ITEMS RIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN FROM THE PARK COMMISSION. READY FOR THOSE? TONIGHT, WE HAVE AN ITEM TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR THE PICKLEBALL MASTER PLAN.

THIS WAS A RECOMMENDATION MADE BY BOTH THE PARK COMMISSION AND STAFF TO THE COUNCIL.

[00:50:03]

SINCE 2021, A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE PARK COMMISSION EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING PICKLEBALL TO [NOISE] THE PARK COMMISSION, FORMED A SUBCOMMITTEE TO LOOK AT VIABLE SITES THROUGHOUT THE ORONO PARK SYSTEM, AND AT ONE POINT HAD SEVERAL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.

THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PARK COMMISSION WAS TO BUILD PICKLEBALL AT THE ORONO GOLF COURSE.

IT WAS A GREAT SITE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

AFTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION, THE PARK COMMISSION DECIDED TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SITES.

WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND STAFF HAVE PROPOSED THAT PICKLEBALL BE ADDED TO THE CITY PROPERTY THAT ALSO HOSTS THE DONATION.

THIS PROPERTY IS IDEAL IN THAT IT WILL NOT DISPLACE ANY OTHER PARK ACTIVITIES.

IT IS FAR AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND IT PROVIDES AMPLE ROOM FOR BOTH COURTS AND PARKING.

THE GOAL OF THE PLAN IS TO FOCUS ON THE BASIC MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS SET BY STAFF AND PARK COMMISSION.

THOSE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ARE NINE COURTS, FENCING FOR THE COURTS, SUFFICIENT PARKING AND THE GOAL TO AVOID ANY DISRUPTION TO THE GARDEN ITSELF, AND THAT WAS A GOAL FROM THE BEGINNING NOT TO MOVE ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL PARK AMENITIES.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE THOSE FUNCTIONS WHEREVER PICKLEBALL WAS GOING IN THE PARKS.

THE DESIRE FOR THIS PROJECT IS A COST CONSCIOUS APPROACH WITH A FOCUS ON CORE PICKLEBALL AMENITIES.

WE WANT THE COURTS, WE WANT THE MOST BASIC AMENITIES.

THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY IS ASKING THAT WE BUILD SOMETHING.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE BEST ONE IN THE WEST METRO.

THEY REALLY JUST WANT THE COURT SPACE.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES CAN BE REVIEWED AT A LATER PHASE IF NEEDED, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT AS A PARK COMMISSION.

AT OUR LAST MEETING, THE PARK COMMISSION VOTED 7-0 IN FAVOR OF RECOMMENDING THE MASTER PLAN TO THE COUNCIL.

THE COST FOR THIS, WE DO HAVE AN ESTIMATE FROM BOLTON AND MENK, AND THIS IS REALLY, AGAIN, JUST A.

[OVERLAPPING] THEY THREW SOME NUMBERS OUT FROM OTHER PROJECTS THAT THEY'VE SEEN IN THE PAST.

WITH THAT, ONCE WE WOULD MOVE INTO A DESIGN PHASE, WE WOULD LOOK FOR ESTIMATES THAT WOULD HELP US ACHIEVE OUR GOALS.

FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT WOULD HEAVILY RELY ON DONATIONS AND GRANTS AND THEN ALSO THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ORONO PARKS LEGACY, THE 501(C)(3), TO RECEIVE THOSE DONATIONS THAT THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY GATHERS AND THEN COULD BE DISPERSED TOWARDS THIS PROJECT.

IF THE MASTER PLAN IS APPROVED, STAFF WILL BEGIN TO PURSUE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH THERE ARE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GO AFTER CURRENTLY.

FOR THIS PROCESS ONCE APPROVED, THE MASTER PLAN, STAFF WILL BEGIN TO PURSUE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.

THE 501(C)(3) WILL INITIATE FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES AND STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO ANALYZE SCOPE AND COST OPTIONS.

ONCE WE GET TO AROUND 30% OF WHAT THIS PROJECT WOULD BE, STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO MOVE INTO DESIGN PHASE, THEN I WOULD BRING A RECOMMENDATION TO BEGIN THAT PROCESS.

DURING THE DESIGN PHASE, SPECIFIC ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT COULD BE REFINED, COST ESTIMATES WILL BE REFINED, AND PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS WITH RESPECT TO DESIGN WILL BE UNDERTAKEN.

THIS PHASE WILL BE COMPLETE UNDER THE COMPLETION OF DESIGN DOCUMENTS, BID SOLICITATION PACKAGE, AND 100% OF NECESSARY FUNDING IDENTIFIED.

THEN WE WOULD MOVE TO CONSTRUCTION.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVING THE PICKLEBALL MASTER PLAN.

THIS WILL ALLOW THE 501(C)(3) TO MOBILIZE AND BEGIN FUND RAISING AND WE'LL ALLOW STAFF TO PURSUE GRANTS.

>> [OVERLAPPING]

>> YOU WERE STILL DOING SOMETHING, SORRY.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING FOR SURE.

IT'S A GREAT FLAT SITE.

I KNOW THEY'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE WE DO NOT DISPLACE OR DISTURB THE DONATION GARDEN.

THAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT AND THEY CAN CO-EXIST FOR SURE.

THERE'S NO HOUSES NEXT TO IT, WE'VE GOT A FIRE STATION OUTSIDE, PARK ON ANOTHER SIDE, HIGHWAY ON ONE SIDE THEN IT'S FLAT, WHICH IS NICE.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU GOT TO ALWAYS DO SOMETHING TO MANAGE THE WATER AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF, WHICH I KNOW WE WOULD WITH THE DONATION GUARD IN THE COURTS, ETC.

[00:55:01]

I KNOW THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A VERY LARGE CONTINGENT OF PEOPLE THAT THIS IS THE FASTEST GROWING, I GUESS SPORTS WE CAN CALL IT IN THE COUNTRY AND IT'S GROWING FAST AND IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING MORE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO HAVE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.

IT'S NICE WE IMAGINED EIGHT YEARS AGO WHEN WE JUST, WE JUST GOT THE PARKS COMMISSION GOING WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO HAVE A PARKS COMMISSION, AND WHAT WOULD BE LIKE TO HAVE A BUDGET IN A PARKS COMMISSION.

IT ALL STARTED WITH, BASICALLY, IN THE BEGINNING, STARTING TO REFURBISH OUR PARKS, WHICH WERE ALL NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND SO NOW WE'VE DONE LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN OUR PARKS, WHETHER IT'S BETTERWOOD AND ALL THE COURTS THAT WE'VE DONE OTHER THERE, THE DOG PARK, LURTON DOG PARK, AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE OVER HERE THAT DIDN'T EXIST BEFORE, A NUMBER OF OTHER PARKS THAT WE'VE COMPLETELY REFURBIATED IN SAGA HILL WITH ALL THE TRAILS AND ALL THE WONDERFUL GRASSES UP THERE AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GO WALKING ALL, AND DO ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

>> BIG ISLAND.

>> WE GOT BIG ISLAND THAT'S AMAZING TOO.

THE FUNDING THAT WE DID FOR THAT, THEY'RE ALL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, SO WE HAD OUTSIDE MONEY, WE HAD CITY MONEY, WE HAD GRANT MONEY BUT IT WAS BECAUSE WE HAD THE ABILITY TO IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO AND WHAT THAT DID IS IT ALSO FOUND US A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE ON THE PARKS COMMISSION.

WE HAVE FABULOUS, DEDICATED PEOPLE ON THE PARKS COMMISSION THAT REALLY CARED ABOUT THE PARKS.

BECAUSE THEY ALSO GET TO THE ABILITY TO IMAGINE WHAT CAN WE DO WITH OUR PARKS TO MAKE THEM BETTER, OR JUST KEEP THEM AS GOOD AS THEY CAN BE AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN ADD AND WE CAN DO AS WE MOVE ON.

IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO BE IN A CITY WHERE WE CAN IMAGINE WHAT CAN WE DO, AND THEN WE CAN PUT THESE THINGS IN PLACE.

I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER GOOD ONE TO SEE IF WE CAN PUT THE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE TOGETHER BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE EVERYBODY JOINING TOGETHER TO DO IT.

IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY, IT'S THE CITY, IT'S GRANTS, IT'S THE PICKETBALL, AND COMMUNITY AND ANYBODY ELSE WHO WANTS TO BE A FABULOUS DONOR TO HELP THIS THING OUT.

WE FORMED THAT 501 C3 A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO TO HELP WITH BIG ISLAND AND WE RAISED A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY FROM PRIVATE DONORS AS WELL AS STATE MONEY, CITY MONEY, ALL SORTS OF STUFF.

SINCE BIG ISLAND PROJECT WAS DONE, AND THAT WAS ABOUT $1,000,000 PLUS PROJECT, THEY'VE REPURPOSED THAT WHOLE THING INTO, I THINK IT'S THE ORONO PARKS LEGACY FUND NOW DEDICATED TO HELP FUND OUR OWN PARKS WHEN WE HAVE PROJECTS LIKE THIS AND I KNOW PROBABLY HACKBERRY MIGHT BE ONE OF THOSE THAT'S PROBABLY COMING TO BECAUSE WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY BIG PROJECTS THERE AS WELL.

BUT JUST KEEPING PARKS UP AND JUST WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP THEM UP TAKES A LOT OF DEDICATED PEOPLE, AND IT TAKES FUNDING IN PLACE.

WE IMAGINED THAT EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND NOW WE'RE ON OUR WAY AND WE'RE DOING THAT STUFF AND WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR EIGHT YEARS AND WE CONTINUE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN THE FUNDING.

I THINK WE STARTED AT ZERO, I THINK WE'RE UP AT $250,000 A YEAR TO HELP KEEP THESE THINGS LOOKING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN.

I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED IN MY ESTIMATION BILL $400,000 A YEAR BUT WE INCREMENTALLY HAVE DONE ALL THESE THINGS, $50,000 A YEAR BUT IT TAKES TIME AND INCREMENTALLY, I THINK PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THE VISION AND SEEN WHAT WE'VE DONE AND WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP US DO THAT AS WELL.

>> IT'S EXCITING.

>> IT IS VERY EXCITING. YEAH.

>> [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]

>> TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

>> I WANT TO STAY OVER HERE.

>> COME ON. [LAUGHTER] THERE WE GO.

>> IS THERE A TEENAGER IN THE AUDIENCE WHO CAN HELP US?

>> [LAUGHTER] OBVIOUSLY, THESE ARE THE SKETCH PLANS THAT ONCE WE GET TO JOSH HAS 30% OF FUNDING, WE WOULD GET MORE INTO THE TECHNICAL PLANS OF ACTUALLY STARTING TO DRAW AND SPEND MONEY TO ACTUALLY GET THE HARDCORE DETAILS OF THE DRAINAGE AND THE WATER MOVEMENT AND THE COURTS AND SPECIFICALLY, BUT WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE GENERAL COSTS AT THIS POINT THAT CAN HELP THE PICKLEBALL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT A PLAN, WE'VE GOT IT APPROVED, AND NOW WE JUST HAVE TO GO START GETTING ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER.

>> WE SEE THOSE COSTS.

>> JOSH THIS WAS ONE OF THE PLANS THAT WAS AT THE OPEN HOUSE, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

>> CORRECT. THERE ARE SOME SMALL CHANGES TO IT BUT YES, THIS WAS ONE OF THE CONCEPTS THAT WAS PRESENTED.

>> IS THIS PLAN D FROM THE OPEN HOUSE?

>> I BELIEVE SO, YES.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? I WANT TO SAY THAT I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE FROM THE PARKS COMMISSION.

[01:00:01]

IT'S A LOT OF HARD WORK AND FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO'S WEIGHED IN OVER EMAIL, OR ALSO THROUGH THE COMMENT CARDS FROM THE OPEN HOUSE.

I'VE READ THROUGH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS.

IT MAKES IT MUCH EASIER TO WRAP OUR MINDS AROUND A PROJECT LIKE THIS WHEN WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS INTERESTED IN SEEING.

I DO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A NEED, A DESIRE TO HAVE MORE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF ORONO.

I KNOW IT'S A FAST-GROWING SPOT.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE LINE THAT I HEAR MOST ABOUT PICKLEBALL.

I KNOW HOW MUCH IT'S IMPROVED PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND THEIR LIVES, SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT.

I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS WITH A PROJECT LIKE THIS AND ALSO TO BE DILIGENT AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, NOT KNOWING IF THESE ARE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR JOSH, YOU, OR ADAM.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS PROPERTY IS ZONED.

IS THIS ZONED IN OUR COMP PLAN AS RESIDENTIAL OR AS PARKLAND?

>> THIS IS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA.

WE DON'T HAVE A ZONING DISTRICT FOR PARKS.

>> THIS IS ACCORDING TO 2040 COMP PLAN, I SAT WITH THE MET COUNCIL OR SO I GUESS I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE RESIDENTIAL PLOT OR PARK.

>> ALL OF OUR PARKS SIT INSIDE RESIDENTIAL ZONES.

>> IF WE WERE TO CONSTRUCT THIS HERE AS OPPOSED TO USING IT FOR HOUSING, DO WE HAVE CREDITS WITH THE MET COUNCIL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE FACTORED INTO THIS DECISION?

>> IT'LL STAY IN THE ZONING, WE'RE NOT CHANGING THE ZONING, SO IF IT'S ZONED FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF UNITS AND WE'VE GOT THAT BUILT IN TO THE SUITE, IT STAYS THE SAME WAY.

>> SO THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE WOULD NEED TO AMEND OUR COMP PLAN WITH OR ANYTHING REGARDING THIS LAND? NO?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO, NO.

>> SO NOTHING NEEDS TO CHANGE OR NO INVOLVEMENT FROM MET COUNSEL.

WE'RE GOOD ON THIS PARCEL?

>> MET COUNSEL WOULD BE INVOLVED IF WE DECIDED TO ADD SEWER.

>> WELL, YEAH, FOR SEWER, AND IF WE HAD TO AMEND THE COMP PLAN, WE'D HAVE TO SEND AN INPUT.

>> OR IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE ZONING.

>> YOU COULD CHANGE THE ZONING WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THEM AS LONG AS IT DIDN'T REQUIRE REVIEW.

>> OUR 3.0 NUMBER.

>> NOTHING ABOUT THIS CURRENT PLAN IS GOING TO IMPACT ANYTHING REGARDING FIRE SERVICE OR ANY OF THE ACTIVITIES AROUND THAT?

>> SO I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE FUNDING AS IT RELATES TO ORONO PARK LEGACY.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S A 501C3.

I MYSELF CONFESS THAT I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION, SO IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FROM MY PERSPECTIVE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING COMING THROUGH THIS 501C3 TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION.

I DON'T RECALL LAST YEAR BEING BRIEFED ON IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF OUR COUNCIL HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON THIS ORGANIZATION OR THIS 501C3 IN THE PAST.

IF THERE'S A WEBSITE, WRITTEN INFORMATION UNDERSTANDING WHO'S ON THE BOARD, I'D LIKE TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PLAN HERE IS TO ALLOW DONATION OR ENCOURAGE IT INTO THIS 501C3 THAT THEN WOULD BE AT A THRESHOLD OF 30% OR 300 OR SO THOUSAND DOLLAR THAN THE CITY STARTS TO WORK TOWARDS ACQUIRING GRANTS OR SETTING ASIDE OTHER FUNDING.

>> THAT'S THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

WE WOULD NOT WANT TO COME TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND ASK FOR ANY CITY FUNDS TO BE EXPENDED UNTIL WE WERE REASONABLY SURE THAT THE MAIN FUNDING SOURCES FOR A PROJECT WERE BEING SECURED.

>> OKAY.

>> GRANTS AND DONATIONS. CORRECT.

>> THIS IS A CITY LOT, OR HOWEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, PARCEL.

>> CITY-OWNED.

>> CITY-OWNED, THANK YOU THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO ACQUIRE ESSENTIALLY PRIVATE OR CORPORATE INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE BEING BUILT ON MUNICIPAL LAND.

AND PART OF WHAT I WANT TO DISCUSS AS A WHOLE IS THIS CONCEPT OF PICKLEBALL ON MUNICIPAL LAND BEING FUNDED BY THAT SOURCE IS TO ALSO UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH A COMMUNITY WHO'S PUTTING IN, IN THIS CASE, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THE CITY WILL THEN

[01:05:01]

MAINTAIN AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF STAFF HAS ANY THOUGHTS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THAT AT ALL, GIVEN THAT PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT GOING TO BE THE ONE MANAGING IT, IT'LL BE THE CITY THAT MANAGES ALL THE POLICIES, ALL THE OPERATIONS OF THIS IS THAT FAIR?

>> YES. WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT FAN BASE SUCH AS THE PICKLE BALLERS, THEY WILL BE ON TOP OF WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE COURTS.

WE HAVE TWO COURTS DOWN AT THOR THOMPSON AND WE ARE ALERTED IMMEDIATELY, STAFF IS, IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CONDITION THERE, SO THEY COMMUNICATE WITH US AND YES, WE'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE THAT ON A STAFF.

>> IT'S PROBABLY NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WHEN WE DID BIG ISLAND, BECAUSE WE RAISED A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY, AND THE 501 C3 WAS JUST INABILITY FOR PEOPLE THEN TO BE ACTUALLY WRITTEN OFF AS A DONATION.

I KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT WE RAISED $120,000 AND THAT DIDN'T HAVE ANY EXPECTATION THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ANYTHING IN TERMS OF MANAGING THE SITE OR CONTROLLING THE SITE.

IT WAS ALL ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SAY THAT THEY WERE PART OF SOMETHING THAT WE PUT TOGETHER AND THAT IS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ORONO.

>> I UNDERSTAND AND AGAIN, APPRECIATIVE OF FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF INITIATIVES WITHIN THE CITY.

I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO PICKLEBALL, I DO KNOW THAT I'M NOT SURE HOW OTHER CITIES FUND THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS IF IT'S ALWAYS SET ASIDE IN CITY BUDGETS OR IF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS ARE TYPICALLY FUNDING THESE INITIATIVES.

BUT I DO THINK WE THEN SOMETIMES GRAPPLE WITH A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY AND WANTING TO SET CLEAR POLICIES AND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THAT PROCESS GOES BECAUSE IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME.

I'VE LOOKED AT THE PARK NOTES, I'VE LISTENED TO THE LAST PARK MEETING, AND I FEEL LIKE I'VE HEARD DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT GIVEN THE SIZE OF THIS PLAN, IS THE INTENTION OF THIS PROJECT TO PROVIDE A LOCAL PLACE, AS I THINK SOME HAVE SAID, TO HAVE A NO-FRILLS PICKLEBALL AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, VERSUS A COMPLEX THAT IS BEING BUILT AND FUNDED TO ESTABLISH A DESTINATION SITE FOR LOCAL OR PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENTS, THAT TYPE OF THING.

THOSE ARE VERY DIFFERENT USE CASES AS FAR AS I SEE.

IS THERE AN UNDERSTANDING FROM PARKS ON IF THIS DESIGN, OR THESE NINE COURTS, ARE DESIGNED IN ORDER TO BE A DRAW FOR TOURNAMENTS AND PLAY FROM A LOT OF SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, OR IT'S AN AMENITY THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DRIVE TO, BUT WE'RE NOT PLANNING AS A CITY OR AS A PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY TO HAVE THIS BE ORGANIZED TOURNAMENTS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> THE DESIRE FOR THE NINE COURTS IS THAT IT COULD ACCOMMODATE DROP IN PLAY.

THAT WAS ONE THING THAT WE HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THAT IF IT WERE TWO OR FOUR COURTS, THAT THOSE COURT TIMES ARE DOMINATED AND THERE'S NOT AS MUCH TURNOVER SO WHAT THEY WANTED WERE MORE COURTS SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE DROP-IN PLAY, MORE STEADY ROTATION OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT AN ORGANIZED GROUP WHERE THEY HAVE A CALENDAR OF PICKLEBALL EVENTS AND THEY'RE NOT MAKING RESERVATIONS AT THESE PLACES OR I GUESS IF IT WERE TO BE BUILT, IT'S FOR DROP-IN PLAY.

>> BUT WOULD THEY DO SOMETHING? SURE.

>> IF YOU WENT TO THE PARKS COMMISSIONER, READ THE NOTES YOU'D ALSO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE THAT CAME AND SAID IF YOU GO TO SOME OF THESE OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY'VE GOT THREE OR FOUR COURTS, THE COURTS ARE FULL AND THERE'S 15 PEOPLE WAITING AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH, I UNDERSTAND THAT. I THINK WE AS A CITY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND HOW INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO BE USED AND IF THE INTENTION IS TO HAVE TOURNAMENT PLAY NOT ALL CITIES DO THAT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT'S FOUR OR SIX COURTS.

NOT ALL CITIES LIKELY HAVE TOURNAMENT-BASED PLAY AND THAT'S A VERY DIFFERENT USE CASE AND SCENARIO THAN A COMMUNITY WHERE WE'RE HAVING DROP-IN PLAY.

I WANT TO BE REALLY UNDERSTANDING, WELL, IF THE SIZE OF THIS COMPLEX IS BEING PROPOSED IN ORDER TO ATTRACT EITHER, I GUESS IT WOULDN'T BE REVENUE PER SE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PAY TO USE BUT IF THE INTENTION IS TO HAVE A PLACE THAT IS A DRAW FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY.

>> IS THERE AN ISSUE IF IT'S ORONO RESIDENTS THAT ARE FACILITATING THE TOURNAMENTS?

>> THERE'S NO ISSUE. I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THAT'S THE PLAN.

I GUESS I'D SAY THERE'S NO ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE COMMUNITY IS ORGANIZED AROUND THAT, IF IT'S A PRIVATE GROUP OR INDIVIDUALS BUT I DO SEE AND AGAIN, IN TERMS OF FORESEEING THE FUTURE A BIT AND ASKING SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS WHO IS GOING TO BE MANAGING TOURNAMENTS EVENTS IF THAT IS THE GOAL OR IS IT SIMPLY FOR DROP-IN PLAY?

>> I THINK JUSTUS SAID, THE FEEDBACK WE'VE GOTTEN REPEATEDLY FROM THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN COMING TO THE PARKS COMMISSION AND STAFF IS THEY ARE INTERESTED IN A FACILITY THAT SUPPORTS THE DROP IN PLAY.

[01:10:04]

DOES THAT MEAN THAT THERE COULDN'T BE TOURNAMENTS OR WE COULDN'T DO OTHER EVENTS THERE? CERTAINLY, IT'S LIKE WITH ANY SPORTING VENUE, THERE'S MULTIPLE CASES FOR HOW IT CAN BE USED BUT WHAT WE KEEP HEARING IS THAT YOU NEED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF COURTS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THAT DROP IN PLAY.

>> I THINK IN LOOKING BACK OVER THE YEARS, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CONCEPT STARTED WITH MAYBE THREE TO FOUR COURTS.

I THINK WHEN IT WAS BEING PROPOSED TO GOLF COURT, IT WAS SIX OR SO AND NOW WE'RE AT NINE.

AND I DO KNOW, HAVING READ THROUGH THE CARDS, THAT THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SIZE AND THE IMPACT NOT JUST ON THE DONATION GARDEN, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS NOT A PERMANENT STRUCTURE THAT OPERATES IN A LEASE SYSTEM, BUT ALSO WITH THE CROWDS AND ALSO THE SIZE OF THE PARKING BECAUSE I DO KNOW THIS IS A SOCIAL SPORT, WHICH IS GREAT.

DOING THE MATH, I THINK WITH NINE COURTS, IT COULD BE EASILY NECESSARY TO HAVE 50 PARKING SPOTS BECAUSE WE NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT DONATION GARDEN FOLKS ARE ALSO NEEDING, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY, FIVE,10,15, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY SPOTS HAS THAT BEEN CONSIDERED THAT WE'RE MAXIMIZING THE COURTS BUT WE ALSO NEED TO UNDERSTAND BY MAXIMIZING AND NOT REDUCING IT TO MAYBE SIX, WHICH WOULD STILL ALLOW FOR PLAY, IS THAT GOING TO BE SUFFICIENT PARKING AT THIS LOCATION?

>> WE'VE CONSIDERED ALL OF THAT, AND THEN THE IDEA IS THAT ONCE WE GET INTO THE DESIGN PHASE MORE, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'D REALLY INVESTIGATE THEN. IS THIS SUFFICIENT?

>> I THINK THE OTHER THING TO RECOGNIZE, WE'RE AT A MASTER PLAN STAGE HERE SO WHAT WE'RE DOING WHEN WE DO A MASTER PLAN IS LOOKING AT WHAT THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE IS ON THIS SITE SO THAT MIGHT BE BUILD OUT.

WE DON'T KNOW THEN THIS IS LARGELY DEPENDENT ON EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES.

IT COULD VERY WELL BE THE CASE THAT THERE'S ENOUGH FUNDING TO DO SIX PICKLEBALL COURTS IN THE ASSOCIATED PARKING WELL, THEN WE WOULD USE THIS AS A GUIDE, BUT FIGURE OUT, WELL, WHICH SIX COURTS DO WE BUILD FIRST AND LEAVE ROOM FOR EXPANSION IN THE FUTURE.

THERE'S A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN.

WE'RE JUST RIGHT NOW AT THE MASTER PLAN STAGE, WHICH IS WHAT'S THE ART OF POSSIBLE AND ABOUT WHAT DO WE THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS ENDEAVOR WOULD COST? THOSE ARE THE TWO QUESTIONS WE WILL [OVERLAPPING].

>> THAT'S A GOOD WAY OF EXPLAINING IT.

AGAIN, THE REASON I'M ASKING THESE QUESTIONS IS TO UNDERSTAND FOR MYSELF AND ALSO TO HAVE OTHERS UNDERSTAND WHETHER NINE COURTS IS WHAT WE, IF WE APPROVE THIS PLAN ARE PROMISING OR IF WE ARE PROMISING THAT WE WILL LOOK AT THIS AS A DESIGN AND MAYBE FUND NINE OR MAYBE GET TO NINE, MAYBE STOP AT SIX.

THAT'S PART OF THE MANAGING, I THINK OF THE EXPECTATION ABOUT THE PROJECT.

COULD YOU SPEAK TO THAT?

>> I THINK HE DID. WHEN YOU APPROVE THIS KIND OF LAYOUT WE'RE SAYING THAT IF FUNDING WAS AVAILABLE, WE THINK WE COULD FIT NINE COURTS ON THIS PIECE OF LAND WITH DISSOCIATED PARKING, SO BY APPROVING IT YES YOU'RE SAYING, HEY, WE AS A CITY COUNCIL THINK THIS IS THE ART OF POSSIBLE AND IF ALL THE OTHER THINGS COME TOGETHER, RESOURCING AND WHAT HAVE YOU, THEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

I DO LIKE THAT YOU POINTED OUT THAT THESE ARE CONCEPT PLANS.

WILL THOSE NINE COURTS BE EXACTLY WHERE THEY'RE DEPICTED ON THAT MAP? NO, PROBABLY NOT.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE SOME THINGS AROUND AS WE DO THE DETAILED DESIGN, BUT THIS IS THE CONCEPT THAT WE THINK WOULD HOLD THE MOST VALUE BASED ON ALL THE FEEDBACK WE HAVE WILL BE TWEAKING.

>> BECAUSE OF THE CONCEPT PLAN [OVERLAPPING] SORRY.

>> NO I JUST SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE TWEAKING WITHIN THE PLAN, BUT THIS IS THE BASIC IDEA TO START THE FUNDING BALL ROLLING AND GETTING THIS THING GOING.

I AGREE WITH YOU. I THINK PARKS HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB WITH THIS.

THE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY WAS WONDERFUL ON THE OPEN HOUSE THAT NIGHT WORKED OUT REALLY WELL.

IT'S EXCITING. I'VE NEVER PLAYED PICKLEBALL BEFORE BUT YOU GET A LOT OF EMAILS AND PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED AND THEY JUST TELL EVERYBODY BE CAREFUL SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO SEE THE ORTHOSURGEON, BUT IT LOOKS AWESOME SO IT'S EXCITING AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT EVERYBODY FROM PARKS HAS DONE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH, I DO AS WELL.

I AM TRYING TO BALANCE THIS UNDERSTANDABLE DESIRE TO HAVE PICKLEBALL IN ORONO, WHICH I FULLY SUPPORT, AND AT THE SAME TIME RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S

[01:15:05]

BEEN A LOT OF INPUT ABOUT WHAT I'LL CALL MORE AMENITY FOCUSED THINGS, WHETHER IT'S SHADE OR BENCHES OR WHATNOT, THAT I'VE GOTTEN THROUGH COMMENT CARDS OR E-MAILS.

I DO, AGAIN, FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY LARGE FOOTPRINT FOR THIS COURT.

I THINK MY PERSPECTIVE IS LESSER NUMBER WOULD ALLOW MORE SPACE, ALLOW MORE BREATHING ROOM AND ENSURE THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH PARKING FOR EVERYBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE USING THAT SITE, AND ALSO ENSURE THAT IF IT WAS DECIDED THAT AMENITIES OR A GATHERING SPOT WAS ALSO HELPFUL, THAT WE WOULD HAVE SOME ROOM FOR THAT.

I DID ALSO WANT TO ASK ABOUT LIGHTING.

ARE CONSIDERING LIGHTING FOR THIS COURSE AN AMENITY OR A NECESSITY?

>> WE ARE NOT.

>> WE ARE NOT. DO WE KNOW OF OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE OUTDOOR COURTS, TYPICALLY OF THIS SIZE, AND NUMBERS TYPICALLY HAVE LIGHTING?

>> I'M NOT SURE. WE JUST WENT OFF OF WHAT MOST OF THOSE REQUESTS ARE SAYING.

THEY DIDN'T WANT LIGHTING.

>> DID NOT WANT LIGHTING.

>> NOT, THEY DON'T WANT THE AMENITIES.

>> I THINK THAT SURPRISES ME.

>> A LOT OF OUR OTHER PARK SITUATIONS, WE DON'T PUT LIGHTING IN BECAUSE THAT TENDS TO BE PUSHED BACK ON BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IF YOU HAVE THEM.

>> AND THE RULES ARE, WHEN IT'S DARK YOU CAN'T BE IN THE PARKS.

>> YES, IT HELPS ENFORCE THE PARK HOURS WHEN THERE'S NO LIGHTING TO EXTEND PAST.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT JOB TO GET THE BALL ROLLING AND GET THIS THINGS MOVING.

SO I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PICKLEBALL, MASTER.

>> SORRY. CAN I OFFER A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT? IF YOU WANT MORE CONTEXT I'VE HAD FOUR PICKLEBALL MEETINGS WITH DIFFERENT RESIDENTS BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH.

AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOME VICTORIA HAS A REALLY GREAT COURT IF YOU WANT TO GO AND LOOK.

ALSO WITH THE PROJECTS, THERE WAS JUST A DECA PROJECT.

I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH DECA.

BUT IN MOUND, DECA PARTNERED WITH THE CITY AND PARTNERED WITH THE ELI HART FOUNDATION TO JUST BUILD THE PARK.

AND IT WAS A PRETTY COOL PROJECT THAT WAS JUST DONE IN MOUND, SO A GREAT WAY OF NOT ONLY THE CITY WORKING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BUT WORKING WITH THE SCHOOLS AND GETTING KIDS INVOLVED.

AND THAT WAS JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, I WANT TO SAY.

>> THAT WAS GREAT.

>> YEAH. REALLY GOOD INFORMATION IF YOU WANTED MORE.

THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL MEETING PEOPLE AND HEARING THOSE STORIES.

>> I GOT A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> YEAH, I'LL SECOND YOUR MOTION.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE OTHER THING I UNDERSTAND AND CAN HEAR THAT THE COUNCIL FEELS FAIRLY COMPELLED TO PASS THIS.

I'M A BIT SURPRISED ABOUT THE LIGHTING REQUESTS BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PICKLEBALL IS IT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO PLAY WELL INTO THE EVENING IN THE SUMMER, AND THAT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT LIGHTING.

>> I WAS AT THE OPEN HOUSE IN THOSE FOUR MEETINGS AND EVERYBODY SAID THEY PLAY TILL DUSK, AND IN THE SUMMER, THAT'S PLENTY OF TIME AND THEY DON'T PLAY IN THE WINTER.

>> DO WE HAVE ORDINANCES AGAINST LIGHTING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> DEPENDS ON THE PARK.

>> DOES IT DEPEND ON THE PARK?

>> SO WE HAVE PARK HOURS.

MOST OF OUR PARKS ARE OPEN ONLY UNTIL 10:00 P.M.

SOME OF THEM HAVE A BEFORE DUSK.

AND THEN WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE ORDINANCES, OR WHAT HAVE YOU PRO OR AGAINST LIGHTING IN PARKS.

BUT WE DO HAVE SOME EITHER BASED ON PRIOR STUDIES AND REACH FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT SAID NO LIGHTS.

AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE BETTERWOOD.

THERE'S A BUNCH OF MINUTES FROM PAST COUNCIL MEETINGS THAT YOU CAN READ IN THE '90S AND THE 2000S WHEN PEOPLE SAID, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE BASEBALL, BUT WE REALLY WANT NO LIGHTS.

AND SO WE'VE NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED PUTTING LIGHTS THERE.

SO IT'S MORE THAT KIND OF THING AS OPPOSED TO A STEADFAST RULE.

THE ONLY PLACE THAT WE HAVE INSTALLED LIGHTS JUST FOR CONTEXT, IS WE DID DO A LIGHTING PROJECT AT THE CASCO ICE RINK A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT WAS PRIMARILY A WINTER USE ACTIVITY AND PEOPLE WANTED TO USE IT AFTER SCHOOL IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY, OBVIOUSLY, NOT THIS YEAR WITH THE WEATHER.

BUT WE DID ADD THOSE, BUT WE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD ANY OTHER PARK.

>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> I WANT TO ADD ONE THING.

>> OPPOSED?

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M AGREEABLE TO THIS.

I'M AGREEABLE IF THE COUNCIL FEELS OBLIGATED AT THIS TIME TO PASS THIS.

>> I ALREADY CALLED FOR THE VOTE, SO EITHER YOU VOTE UP OR DOWN. DID YOU VOTE?

>> I WAS GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR.

>> I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU VOTED SO I CAN KNOW WHAT THE VOTE WAS.

THEN YOU CAN FINISH. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU VOTED.

>> I DID.

>> AND YOU VOTED YES?

>> I VOTED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT MASTER PLAN.

[01:20:01]

I WANT TO SAY FOR THE RECORD THAT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE SIZE AS IT STANDS.

AND I WANT TO GO ON RECORD ALSO ABOUT SOME CONCERNS OF MINE REGARDING THE POLICIES AND THE WAY WE WOULD WORK AS A CITY AROUND PRIVATELY FUNDED INITIATIVES IN CITY LAND.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF AND NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE INFORMATION UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THAT MONEY.

>> OKAY, NOTED. NOW WE'RE UNDER 24,

[24. Golf Course Pavilion Project]

WHICH IS THE GOLF COURSE PAVILION PROJECT.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS TO SEEK APPROVAL OF THE ADDITION OF A PAVILION AT THE GOLF COURSE AND FOR STAFF TO ENGAGE WITH THE ORONO ALLIANCE TO DEVELOP THE DESIGN.

SO LATE IN 2023, A FEW OF THE ORONO ALLIANCE APPROACHED CITY STAFF WITH THE IDEA OF BUILDING A PAVILION AT THE ORONO GOLF COURSE IN TIME FOR THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, THAT IS.

THE PAVILION CONCEPT HAS BEEN FEATURED FOR A WHILE NOW IN THE GOLF COURSES HISTORY.

SO BACK IN 2017, PARK COMMISSION AND STAFF DEVELOPED A MASTER PLAN FOR THE GOLF COURSE.

AND AT THAT TIME, THEY HIGHLIGHTED AN AREA CLOSE TO THE PARKING LOT AND CLOSE TO THREE FAIRWAY AND TWO GREEN, WHERE THEY COULD PUT UP A FEST TENT.

WORK WAS DONE BY PUBLIC WORKS TO GRADE OUT AN AREA, AND A FEW RECEPTACLES WERE PUT IN WITH THE IDEA THAT IN THE FUTURE THEY COULD HOST EVENTS.

WHEN PICKLEBALL WAS BEING PROPOSED FOR THE GOLF COURSE, THE IDEA OF A PAVILION WAS PUT INTO PLACE.

SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE DRAWINGS THAT WE SAW.

THIS HAS BEEN ON THE PARK COMMISSION'S RADAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

THEN THE LIONS BROUGHT THIS FORWARD WITH THE IDEA OF HAVING IT COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE 100 YEAR CELEBRATION.

AND THAT WOULD BE THE WEEK OF JUNE 17TH IS WHEN THE CELEBRATIONS WILL OCCUR.

THE LIONS, AND THEY'VE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH, BUT WHAT THEY HAVE PROPOSED IS A SIMPLE STRUCTURE THAT WOULD MAINTAIN SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS TO THE CLUBHOUSE.

AGAIN, IT'S A PAVILION.

IT DOESN'T GET A WHOLE LOT MORE SIMPLE THAN THAT, BUT IT'S A STRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE A 24 FEET BY 40 FEET AND WOULD BE LOCATED IN THE SAME AREAS WHERE WE'VE ALREADY BUILT A LITTLE AREA FOR A FAST TENT.

THE LIONS WILL SUBMIT A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THE PROJECT AND LOOK TO HAVE THE PROJECT COMPLETED BY EARLY JUNE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PAVILION IS THAT IT CAN SERVE AS A MEETING PLACE FOR GOLFERS, PRIVATE EVENTS, AND GENERAL PARK USE.

THE NEED FOR THIS TYPE OF AMENITY HAS BEEN APPARENT FOR QUITE SOME TIME WITH THE INCLUSION IN THE 2017 MASTER PLAN FOR THE PARK.

THE PARK COMMISSION VOTED 7-0 IN FAVOR OF RECOMMENDING THE PROJECT TO THE COUNCIL AT OUR LAST MEETING.

THE COSTS FOR THIS PROJECT WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH DONATIONS FROM THE ORONO ALLIANCE AND CITY FUNDS AS WELL.

STAFF WILL RETURN TO CITY COUNCIL ONCE COST ESTIMATES ARE GATHERED FOR THE PROJECT, AND ONCE WE HAVE OUR BUILDING PERMIT ONCE WE GO THROUGH THOSE STEPS.

THE PROCESS FOR THE ALLIANCE, THEY WILL COORDINATE WITH STAFF ON FUNDING, DESIGN, AND COMPLETION OF PROJECT.

FOR CITY STAFF, WILL ENSURE PROPER DOCUMENTATION IS IN PLACE.

WE WILL COLLABORATE WITH THE LIONS ON FUNDING, DESIGN, AND COMPLETION OF PROJECT.

STAFF WILL RETURN TO CITY COUNCIL WITH COST ESTIMATES AND FINAL DESIGN APPROVAL AND AN OPEN HOUSE FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON FINAL DESIGN WILL OCCUR PRIOR TO SEEKING APPROVAL OF PROJECT FROM CITY COUNCIL.

STAFF RECOMMENDS THE ADDITION OF A PAVILION AT THE GOLF COURSE.

THE PAVILION WILL ALLOW FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS CORPORATE AND PRIVATE EVENTS AT THE GOLF COURSE, GOLF COURSE CUSTOMER USE AND YEAR ROUND PARK USE FOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING EVENT.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION IN ORONO TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT'S GREAT. THOSE GUYS ARE GREAT.

THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID THIS I THINK 20 YEARS AGO DOWN AT NELSON PARK IN MOUND.

I'M SORRY, NOT MOUND BUT LONG LAKE AND THAT ONE'S STILL THERE, BUT IT JUST GETS BACK TO THE WHOLE IMAGINE AGAIN. IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO.

AND WE HAVE GREAT PARKS PEOPLE, WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GIVE BACK IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE CAN MAKE OUR PARKS BETTER ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

IT'S JUST IT'S A WIN-WIN ALL THE WAY AROUND.

SO I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

FULLY SUPPORTIVE, AND I REALLY THANK THE LIONS FOR STEPPING UP WITH THE IDEA TO HELP DO THIS, BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEY GOLF THERE TOO AND THEY LOVE THE PLACE AND THEY'RE ALL FOR THE BIG 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

[01:25:03]

THEY CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT.

SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE EVERYBODY THERE THE WEEK OF JUNE WHEN THEY'RE PROBABLY HAVE LOTS OF FOOD THERE AND EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON AT FESTIVITIES.

>> SORRY. GO AHEAD.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS ALSO GOING TO SAY THAT I THINK A LOT OF THE PARENTS THAT COME NOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY KIDS PLAYING ON THE COURSE, THAT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR PARENTS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF NETWORKING DONE IN THE PARKING LOT.

IT'D BE NICE TO HAVE MORE FORMAL, AND I SEE THAT YOU'VE BEEN TRACKING WHERE MY BALL GOES AND PUT IN THE PROPER COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE TO STAY SAFE.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

THAT'S USUALLY WHERE I HIT IT THERE. YEAH.

>> RICHARD GLEY. [LAUGHTER]

>> YEAH, IT WOULD BE A GREAT PICNIC AREA AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

IT'S AWESOME. GREAT IDEA.

>> I WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE THE LIONS STEPPING FORWARD TO HELP WITH THIS AS WELL, AND I KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN ON THE MASTER PLAN SINCE 2017.

I DID LISTEN TO THE PARK COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS.

THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DESIGN ABOUT THIS, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER OF SORTS.

THAT'S RIGHT. BUT THE FOOTPRINT IS THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF A FOOTPRINT THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

HOW MANY PICNIC BENCHES DOES THAT HOLD? DO YOU KNOW?

>> I'M NOT QUITE SURE.

>> BUT IT'S NOT INTENDED TO HAVE PERMANENT STRUCTURES UNDERNEATH IT, IT WOULD BE MOVABLE, OR REMOVABLE.

>> YEAH, CORRECT. WE WANT TO USE IT FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES.

IT COULD BE FOR A GRADUATION PARTY, WE WOULD WANT TO BRING CHAIRS IN.

PRIMARILY, IT'LL BE PICNIC TABLES.

>> I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONSIDERATION FOR THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE COURSE AND ALSO FOR THE CLUBHOUSE AND THE DESIGN.

I WOULD REITERATE SOME OF WHAT I HEARD COMING OUT OF THE PARKS COMMISSION, AND I THINK MAYBE FROM THE LIONS AS WELL, WHICH IS THAT IN A DESIGN AND A BUILD LIKE THIS, ON THIS COURSE, GETTING IT RIGHT IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE HAD TIME, IT'S BEEN ON THE MASTER PLAN SINCE, WELL, MAYBE FIVE YEARS OR SO.

WE'RE IN A BIT OF A COMPRESSED TIMELINE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'RE IN FEBRUARY AND WE'RE LOOKING AT LIKE A FOUR-MONTH DEADLINE FOR THIS.

MY THOUGHT IS THAT AS A CONTINGENCY, I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE IDEA AND I UNDERSTAND WE'RE MARCHING TOWARDS 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND AT THE SAME TIME, GETTING IT RIGHT MEANS TAKING TIME SOMETIMES.

MAYBE WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED A REMODEL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE WE TRY TO MARCH TOWARD THE DATE AND REALIZE WE COULD MAKE A DECISION, BUT IT'S ALSO MAYBE OKAY TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME.

IN TERMS OF MY THOUGHTS ON IT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DESIGN PROCESS NOT RUSHED.

I THINK IT CAME OUT OF PARKS MAYBE THAT MATERIALS OR IDEAS FOR DESIGN, THINGS THAT WERE REALLY THOUGHTFUL AND TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THE HISTORY OF THIS COURSE COULD BE TALKED ABOUT MORE.

BECAUSE I THINK IF THIS IS REALLY A COMMUNITY-WIDE PROJECT AND SOMETHING YOU'D BE PROUD OF, IT'S SOMETHING TO TAKE TIME FOR.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY ESSENTIALLY, IS THAT IF WE ARE IN AGREEMENT AND WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE, THAT'S MY FEELING ANYWAY, IN FOUR MONTHS WE CAN DO SOMETHING.

IF THERE ARE DOUBTS OR IT'S STARTING TO BECOME SOMETHING WHERE THE DESIGN GETS MORE DIFFICULT, IS IT AN OPTION TO HAVE ON THE TABLE AT LEAST THAT WE COULD HAVE A FEST TENT FOR THIS YEAR AND JUST TAKE MORE TIME IF NECESSARY.

THERE'S NO PRESSURE, UNDERSTANDING WE WANT TO WORK TOWARDS A DEADLINE BUT IT'S NOT SELLING THAT THE LIONS ARE GOING TO BE TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED IF WE CAN'T MAKE THIS HAPPEN, ESSENTIALLY IN FOUR MONTHS.

>> DO WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN ITSELF, OR IS THERE NONE?

>> THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER.

I THINK IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DESIGNS, I DON'T KNOW.

THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING OFF OF.

>> WE'LL SAY THE LIONS, WHEN THEY CAME TO THE CITY, THEY HAD THAT VERY MUCH IN MIND THAT THEY WANTED A BUILDING THAT WAS GOING TO FIT WITH WHAT THE CLUBHOUSE WAS.

I DO THINK THEY ARE VERY MINDFUL OF WHAT GOES UP ON THAT HILL AND AND THEIR NAME IS ATTACHED TO THIS.

I DON'T THINK THEY'RE PROPOSAL. [OVERLAPPING]

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE, SO EVERYBODY'S GOING TO SEE IT BEFORE IT GETS TO THE COUNCIL, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO LOOK AT IT.

>> I THINK IT LOOKS NICE BECAUSE IT DOES MATCH THE CLUBHOUSE AND THE APPEARANCE OF THE MAIN BUILDINGS, SO IT FITS.

>> PAVILION, IT'S HARD TO DO TOO MUCH TO IT. THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT THERE.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> WE AS THE STAFF TALKING TO THE WINDS UP FRONT, WE EITHER NEED TO GET THIS THING DONE IN THE EARLY SPRING SO THAT IT'S THERE FOR THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE ANNIVERSARY.

OR IF FOR SOME REASON WE CAN'T, THEN WE WOULD WANT TO DELAY UNTIL AFTER THE FESTIVITIES ARE DONE AND THEN DO SOMETHING.

[01:30:04]

WE DON'T WANT AN OPEN CONSTRUCTION SITE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FESTIVITIES.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET IT ROLLING SO IT'S ALL SET.

TWENTY YEARS OR SO THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE THE TIME AND SPACE TO BE ABLE TO BE THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY DISAGREES WITH YOU, BUT THIS IS WHAT GETS THE BALL ROLLING.

IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT IDEA AND A SUGGESTION OF WHAT YOU WANT, THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO ARTICULATE BY SAYING, GENERALLY I WANT MORE TIME THAT IS NOT ARTICULATING, WHAT DO YOU WANT? DO YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING? IF IT IS, TELL US WHAT IT IS.

TELL US WHAT YOUR PLAN IS.

DON'T JUST TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE OR DON'T LIKE.

TELL US WHAT YOUR PLAN IS.

>> MR. MAYOR, I TAKE ISSUE WITH YOUR TONE IN THE WAY YOU'RE SPEAKING TO ME RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT SAYING ANYTHING.

[APPLAUSE]

>> IF I CAN JUST ARTICULATE I THINK. [OVERLAPPING]

>> I'D LIKE TO JUST FINISH MY THOUGHT.

WHAT I AM ARTICULATING IS THAT WE ARE ON A CONDENSED DEADLINE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M ARTICULATING.

THIS IS 100-YEAR HISTORY OF A COURSE.

IT'S A HISTORIC BUILDING.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S A PAVILION.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PAVILIONS.

IF THIS IS THE EXACT DESIGN THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TODAY AND IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE, THEN I WOULD HAVE COMMENTS ON IT.

I WANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AS THIS GOES TO THE PROCESS AND AS DIFFERENT DESIGNS ARE FLOATED ABOUT WHETHER THERE'S WINDBREAKS OR THE ROOF CHANGES OR WHATEVER ELSE, I WANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS THAT I MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND I WOULD RATHER NOT, MY PERSPECTIVE ON THIS, RATHER NOT RUSH TO A DEADLINE AND HAVE A BACKUP OR CONTINGENCY PLAN THAT A FEST TENT OR SOME VERY OTHER NICE ARRANGEMENT WOULD BE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF STARTING THIS PROCESS, I AM FINE TO START THIS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE APPROVAL FOR THE ADDITION OF THE PAVILION AT THE GOLF COURSE.

>> I'LL MOVE.

>> SECOND. I JUST THINK WE NEED TO GO AHEAD WITH IT.

>> OPPOSED? THAT PASSES 4-0. ANY MORE FROM PARKS?

>> YEAH. WE'RE REALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS NICE SPRING WEATHER.

>> OH, I BET.

>> OUR STAFF, WE'RE GETTING OUT AS OFTEN AS WE CAN.

I KNOW OUR TEAM WAS OVER AT LURTON PARK TODAY DOING SOME MAINTENANCE.

WE ARE CURRENTLY REBUILDING ALL OF OUR PICNIC TABLES AT THE GOLF COURSE, SO IT'S NICE.

THEY HAVE THE GARAGE DOORS OPEN.

>> TODAY WAS BEAUTIFUL.

>> BEAUTIFUL, YES. WE DO COOL OFF A LITTLE BIT NEXT WEEK, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT WARMS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. WE'RE STAYING BUSY.

WE ALSO HAVE UPCOMING FOR OUR TEAM, WE HAVE SOME TURF EDUCATION DAYS, SO THAT'S A GREAT TIME FOR US TO BRUSH UP ON OUR TURF MAINTENANCE EDUCATION AND THAT'S APPLIED TO BOTH THE GOLF COURSE AND PARKS AS WELL.

WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM BOTH IN THE CLUBHOUSE.

KIM AND THEN JACK AND RICK ARE MAINTENANCE GUYS.

THEY'RE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB AND THEY'RE WORKING HARD THIS WINTER.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR THIS NEXT SUMMER. THAT'S IT.

>> THANKS JOSH.

>> THANK YOU. THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS REPORT,

[Public Works Report]

DJ, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING SINCE WE PASSED YOUR ITEM ON CONSENT.

>> JUST A QUICK UPDATE IN FORM OF WHAT JOSH TALKED ABOUT.

WE'VE BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE EXCELLENT WEATHER ALSO.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CATCH UP ON SOME TREE MAINTENANCE THAT HAS BEEN GONE BY THE WAYSIDE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF SNOW REMOVAL THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING SO CREWS HAVE BEEN OUT THERE DOING SOME EXTENSIVE REMOVAL AND TRIMMING IN PREPARATION FOR THE ROAD PROJECTS COMING UP.

OUR OVERALL BUDGET FOR SNOW REMOVAL IS DRASTICALLY LESS THAN WHAT IT WAS LAST YEAR.

THAT DOES PRESENT CHALLENGES FOR US WITH SOME SALT STORAGE THAT WILL BE COMING UP THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW TO DO THAT.

BUT BEYOND THAT, WITH THE APPROVALS EARLIER, WE DO HAVE SOME MORE STAFF TURNOVER AND SOME ADDITIONS SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT BUT SOME CHALLENGES THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT ALSO. QUESTIONS?

>> ANY QUESTIONS? NO. THANK YOU, DJ.

>> KEEP BUSY WITH IT TO EACH ROOM.

>> PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT.

ANYTHING JAMES AND IS COREY AROUND? NO. NOTHING. TRAINING REPORT.

>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I'LL SAVE MY COMMENTS FOR THE CLOSED SESSION.

>> THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR CITY ADMINISTRATOR ENGINEER REPORT.

[26. Construction Cooperative Agreement for Wayzata Blvd (CSAH 112) Road Reconstruction.]

>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL,

[01:35:01]

I KNOW YOU PASSED THE ONE ITEM ON CONSENT, BUT JUST TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THE COUNTY IS LOOKING AT COMPLETING THE 112 PROJECT, IN PARTICULAR, PHASE 3, WHICH IS JUST PAST WILLOW GOING OUT TOWARDS LURTON PARK THIS YEAR THAT IS OUT FOR BID.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET SOME MORE DETAILED TOPICS ON THAT SOON.

THE OTHER BIT OF CONSTRUCTION NEWS IS JUST THAT THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS DOING AN EMERGENCY REPAIR ON ONE OF THEIR MAJOR FORCE MAINS DOWN ALONG NORTH SHORE DRIVE.

I THINK WE'VE FORWARDED OUT ON A LOT OF THEIR NOTES, BUT THEY DO HAVE THAT ROAD DOWN TO ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC ONLY SO THAT'S GOING TO GO ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS YET.

OTHER THAN THAT IN THE CITY CONSTRUCTION, WE'VE GOT SEVERAL ITEMS OUT FOR BID, SO WE WILL BE BRINGING SOME THINGS FORWARD TO THE COUNCIL IN THE NEXT FEW MEETINGS AS WE GET THOSE BIDS BACK, AND LOOK FORWARD TO SOME AWARDS FOR OUR SUMMER PROJECTS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> I DON'T THINK WE HAD ANY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS.

DO WE HAVE ANY COMMITTEE REPORTS THAT I'M NOT AWARE OF?

>> NOTHING.

>> NOTHING. WELL,

[Public Comments ]

THAT'LL BRING US TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS, WHICH IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES A PERSON.

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

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION OR TAKE ACTIONS ON ITEMS PRESENTED AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL MAY REFER YOUR ISSUES TO STAFF OR FOLLOW UP OR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING.

SPEAKERS SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME, HOME ADDRESS, AND CITY THEY LIVE IN.

WE WILL START WITH ORONO RESIDENTS, AND ONCE THE ORONO RESIDENTS ARE DONE, WE WILL TAKE ANYBODY WHO'S NOT AN ORONO RESIDENT.

>> JANIE DELANEY,1315 WOODHILL AVENUE.

FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS COUNCIL AND ALL THE PREVIOUS COUNCILS BACK TO 2011, THAT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE DONATION GARDEN THERE.

I MEAN, BACK THEN, EVEN THEN, THEY HAD THE FORESIGHT TO SEE WHAT IT'S GROWING INTO.

IT'S AN AMAZING COMMUNITY RESOURCE.

LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE WAS THERE AS FAR AS THE PAVILION.

I KNOW AT THE LAST PARK COMMISSION MEETING, GORDY HAD SENT JOSH ALTERNATE DESIGNS.

I THINK SINCE I LIVE RIGHT NEAR THE GOLF COURSE AND I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING AT IT EVERY DAY, WE'D LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE CHUNKY WITH SOME CORBELS AND STUFF THAT RELATE TO THAT ERA, INSTEAD OF JUST THE ONE DOWN AT LONG LAKE IS PRETTY SIMPLISTIC AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHAT WITH THEM BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO.

ALYSA. THANKS FOR ASKING ALL THE HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PICKLEBALL BECAUSE IT'S A TOUGH SITUATION.

YOU KNOW, WE FEEL A LITTLE BIT AT THE GARDEN SQUEEZED THERE, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO WORK WITH IT.

AS I'VE SAID FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WE'RE GOING TO CO EXIST THERE AND I JUST WANT TO BRING UP ANOTHER OPTION.

IF THEY DON'T GET THE FUNDING FOR ALL THE COURTS, YOU COULD PUT A SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT WHERE THE THREE COURTS ARE.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT A SOLID SURFACE.

JUST 75 PERCENT OF THAT 80 PERCENT OF THAT PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE FIRE STATION, IS GOING TO BE HARD COVER.

THERE'S OTHER OPTIONS, SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND THE PARK COMMISSION SUGGESTED I HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THAT.

>> AND I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

>> YEAH. SO, I THINK THAT'S IT.

ONE HOUSEKEEPING THING, ADAM.

THE SITE WHERE YOU GO TO GET THE MEETING MINUTES AND THE AGENDAS AND WATCH THE VIDEO IS NOT SECURE, AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING.

SO, IT'S HAPPENED OFF AND ON OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I KNOW WE'VE CHATTED ABOUT IT, ADAM, AND YOU FIXED IT, OR I MEAN, SOMEBODY FIXED IT.

BUT I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO CONSIDER THAT'S.

IT'S FEELING SECURE NOW.

IT IS SECURE.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CHECKED WITH LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE.

YOU'RE AT THE PAGE WHERE YOU GO DOWN TO MEETINGS AND IT IS ON THE CITY FROM THE CITY WEBSITE, BUT I'LL CHECK WITH SOME MORE PEOPLE AGAIN.

THAT'S IT I THINK.

>> THANKS, JANE.

>> COULD YOU GUYS FIND THE VIDEO FOR THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING LAST MONDAY? IT'S MISSING.

>> POSTED.

>> THE VIDEO IS POSTED, IT'S JUST AN AUDIO.

>> IT'S GOT THE VIDEO OF THE SLIDES.

>> DOESN'T HAVE THE VIDEO OF THE JUDGE.

>> OH, ARE YOU GUYS NOT FILMING THAT THEN FROM?

>> THERE WAS A GLITCH ON THE ]OVERLAPPING]

[01:40:03]

>> GOOD TO KNOW.

>> I'M THE CONSULTANT.

>> THANKS.

>> DENNIS LIBBY AND MY WIFE RUBY, AND I WILL HAVE LIVED AT 1,000 HERITAGE LANE IN FOX HILL FOR 22 YEARS AS OF MAY.

AS FULL CONFESSION, I AM A SITTING DIRECTOR FOR THE ORONO PARKS LEGACY POSITION THAT I SOUGHT OUT AFTER SPENDING NEARLY THREE YEARS WITH THE BIG ISLAND LEGACY, WHICH OF COURSE EVERYBODY THAT HAS AT LEAST LOOKED AT THIS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE REALLY DIDN'T TRY TO HAVE ANY FANFARE, MAYBE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO HORN.

BECAUSE I REALLY HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

THE INCEPTION OF THE INSPIRATION OF DOING THE ORONO PARKS LEGACY CAME FROM AN INFORMAL INSPIRATIONAL RECOMMENDATION BY THE MAYOR THAT IN ORDER TO OFFSET SOME OF THE CITY'S OVERHEAD AND COSTS, IT MIGHT BE CONSTRUCTIVE TO TRY TO CREATE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS, WHICH WE DID VERY EFFECTIVELY IN RAISING THE DOLLARS THAT WE RAN.

OBVIOUSLY, OUR CAPABILITIES AS A BOARD WITH A VERY DIVERSE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, IN THE CASE OF DEALING WITH OUR HOUSE ENGINEER, WHO AT THE TIME BEFORE BEING A CITY MANAGER, WAS MANAGING THE PUBLIC WORKS.

WE WERE ABLE TO DEAL WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS REQUIRED TO TAKE A PARK THAT WAS DERELICT AND IN SERIOUS DETERIORATED CONDITION, AND BRING IT BACK WITH ATTRIBUTES LIKE TOILETS AND FACILITIES WHICH HADN'T EXISTED THERE FOR YEARS, TWO ADA COMPLIANT APPLIANCES.

WHEN WE DID A PAVILION AND WE DID A PICNIC TABLE, WE DID FACILITIES AND BENCHES.

WE HAD A QUADRIPLEGIC MARINE ON OUR BOARD THAT COULD ADVISE US, EVEN THOUGH OUR ENGINEER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS REQUIRED.

WE HAD SOMEONE WHO LITERALLY COULD VET THOSE FACILITIES AND APPROVED IT.

SO I SOUGHT THE POSITION WITH THE ORONO PARKS LEGACY BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE BIG ISLAND LEGACY.

AND I'D LIKE TO ASSURE ANYONE WHO WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPRIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, OR ENGINEERING, OR EXECUTION OF THESE PROJECTS, THAT THE TEAMWORK AND WORKING IN CONCERT WITH THE CAPITOL FINANCING.

THE CAREFUL VETTING, COMPLYING WITH EVERY FEDERAL AND STATE AND LOCAL LAW FOR A 51C3 ENTITY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY COVERED.

SO ANYBODY WHO'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPRIETY OF THE PASS THROUGH JUST LET IT BE KNOWN THAT LEGAL COUNSELS HAVE CAREFULLY AND CAREFULLY LOOKED AT THIS, SO IT'S DONE APPROPRIATELY.

IT DOES, IN FACT.

>> RUSH OFF DENNIS. BUT WE'RE AT THREE MINUTES.

>> IF YOU CAN RAISE $1 MILLION TO GET THE PUBLIC COST.

I THINK YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

>> YES.

>> I AM PROUD OF THE FACT THAT I CAN STILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> ON YOUR BEHALF.

>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT SAYING NOBODY? IS THERE ANYBODY THAT'S NOT FROM ORONO THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT?

>> HI, MY NAME IS KELLY GREEDY.

I'M AT 271 GREEN HILL LANE, LONG LAKE.

I AM GOING TO READ A LETTER TO THE EDITOR THAT I SUBMITTED TO THE LAKER ABOUT A WEEK AGO.

ON JANUARY 2, 2024 AT 7:02 PM THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A HEART CALL ONE BLOCK AWAY FROM WHERE THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONDUCTING A BUSINESS MEETING.

ONLY ONE ORONO FIRE FIGHTER AT THAT MEETING CHOSE TO RESPOND.

ON FEBRUARY 1, 2024, EVIDENTIARY HEARING THAT FOR THE CITY OF LONG LAKE VERSUS THE CITY OF ORONO, ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF JAMES VAN ISLE TESTIFIED THAT HE WAS WILLING OR IS WILLING, TO WORK WITH THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN WHICH 100% OF ORONO FIRE'S PAID ON CALL.

FIREFIGHTERS ALSO SERVE YET WHEN THEY WERE CALLED TO THAT LIFE THREATENING HEART EMERGENCY HE ALSO TESTIFIED, IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE, LEAVE.

IN SECONDS MATTER. CHIEF ANIL KNOWS THAT THERE IS NO IF TO CONSIDER IT IS GO.

THIS IS THE STANDARD EXPECTATION OF ANY PUBLIC SAFETY LEADER.

I UNDERSTAND THAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO RESPOND TO 100% OF THE CALLS,

[01:45:08]

AND THAT THERE ARE MANY LEGITIMATE REASONS WHY THEY DON'T.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT PROTOCOL IN ANY DEPARTMENT ANYWHERE NOT TO RESPOND TO CALLS DURING FIRE MEETINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE IN SUCH CLOSE VICINITY TO SAVE A LIFE.

AT THE SAME HEARING, AN EXPERT WITNESS CONFIRMED THIS BY TESTIFYING.

FIREFIGHTERS PLACE THE INTERESTS OF THE CITY ABOVE THEIR OWN, AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT RESPONDING.

THEY DIDN'T RESPOND BECAUSE THEY WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO OR THEY FELT LIKE THEY COULDN'T.

I BELIEVE THESE FIREFIGHTERS ARE BEING PUT IN AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION BY THE CITY OF ORONO.

MAYOR DENIS WALSH'S LONGSTANDING VENDETTA AGAINST THE CITY OF LONG LAKE, SUPPORTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS MAYOR MATT JOHNSON, AND RICHARD CROSBY, IS SYSTEMATICALLY BREAKING APART THE HIGHLY TRAINED AND RESPECTED LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS EFFECTIVELY SERVED THIS COMMUNITY FOR 109 YEARS.

THEY ARE MAKING LIFE AND DEATH DECISIONS WITH NO FORMAL COMMUNITY INPUT.

I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THESE FIREFIGHTERS, THE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SAFETY OF THIS COMMUNITY AND ITS CITIZENS.

I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT AS THE FIRE DISPUTE RAGES ON, CONFLICTS WILL MOUNT, PUTTING CITIZENS AT CONSIDERABLE RISK.

I'M ASKING CITIZENS TO PLEASE ENGAGE BY WRITING YOUR CITY COUNCIL AND SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT THIS VITAL SERVICE.

IT COULD BE YOUR LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY THAT THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT DEBATES ABOUT RESPONDING TO. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT'S NOT FROM ORONO THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME TONIGHT? [APPLAUSE] SEEING NOBODY ELSE, I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT AND I WILL BRING IT

[Mayor/Council Report]

TO THE MAYOR COUNCIL REPORT, COUNSEL MEMBER CROSBY.

>> I'D LIKE TO WISH EVERYBODY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY COMING UP.

I'D LIKE TO GIVE KUDOS AGAIN TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.

WE'RE COMING UP WITH SOME GREAT IDEAS, PUSHING FORWARD AND IMPROVING OUR PARKS.

THESE FOLKS PUT A LOT OF EFFORT AND A LOT OF WORK INTO MAKING OUR PARKS TERRIFIC AND THEY'VE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

DENNIS LIBBY WAS A BIG PART OF THE BIG ISLAND PARK AND THE IMPROVEMENTS WE MADE THERE AND THE HISTORICAL SIGNS AND SO FORTH HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

THE THINGS THAT WE DID AT BETTERWOOD AND THE DOG PARK AND SADASCO, AND ORONO IT'S BEEN GREAT. THE CRYSTAL BAY PARK? THOSE WORKS HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC AND THE GOLF COURSE IS COMPARED TO EIGHT YEARS AGO, IT'S NIGHT AND DAY AND, YOU KNOW, JUST A CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY ALONE DURING THE WINTER AND GETTING FAMILIES TOGETHER FOR THAT CEREMONY.

THE LIONS CLUB HAS BEEN A HUGE PART OF THAT.

THEY'VE BEEN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, YOU KNOW, AND PRIVATE DONORS, THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT DENNIS WAS SPEAKING ABOUT HAS WORKED REALLY, REALLY WELL IN ORONO.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THE PICKLEBALL AND SO FORTH, WE DEFINITELY HEAR YOU AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT. THAT'S IT.

>> ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON, THANK YOU.

>> YES. WE DID DISCUSS A FEW PARK RELATED ISSUES TONIGHT AND I WANT TO THANK THE PARK COMMISSIONERS AND PARK SUPERINTENDENT FOR THEIR WORK.

I DO AGREE WITH OUR JOSHUA'S OR OUR SUPERINTENDENT'S ASSESSMENT MADE AT THE LAST PARK COMMISSION MEETING THAT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PARK ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN PUBLIC MEETINGS BECAUSE SUBCOMMITTEE WORK CAN BE VERY HELPFUL WITH COMMUNICATION AND PLANNING.

BUT WITHOUT IN DEPTH DISCUSSIONS IN MEETINGS, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR RESIDENTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE GET IN OUR PLANNING FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND FEEL WELL INFORMED ALONG THE WAY.

I KNOW I LEARNED A LOT BY LISTENING TO THE SESSIONS AFTER THE FACT, AND I DO APPRECIATE HEARING ALL OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, REGARDLESS OF THE TOPIC, SO THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT FIRE SERVICE MATTERS TONIGHT.

A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH AND LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT I DID ATTEND THE RECENT HEARING IN HENNEPIN COUNTY COURT REGARDING THE LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST ORONO BY THE CITY OF LONG LAKE.

I'M NOT GOING TO FOCUS ON THE LAWSUIT, BUT RATHER TALK ABOUT MY POSITION ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MATTER.

THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I HAVE CONSISTENTLY VOTED DOWN SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT PROJECT, AND I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNCIL AND OUR RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND WHY.

[01:50:01]

FELLOW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT NO VOTES ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROJECT ARE PUTTING RESIDENTS AT RISK.

IT'S BEEN SAID THAT BECAUSE THE DECISION WAS MADE IN YEARS PAST TO START AN ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT, MY JOB AS A COUNCIL MEMBER IS TO APPROVE EXPENSES FOR A PROJECT I DID NOT VOTE TO INITIATE AND I DISAGREE WITH THIS ASSESSMENT.

MY JOB IS NOT TO ENSURE THAT THIS PROJECT MOVED FORWARD.

IT'S TO REPRESENT THE VOICES OF OUR CITIZENS AND TO VOTE IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH MY ASSESSMENT OF WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITY.

WHAT I CONTINUE TO HEAR ON THE RECORD AND ELSEWHERE ARE GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY, INCREASED SPENDING DIVISION IN THE COMMUNITY, A LACK OF A SIMPLE AND SOUND EXPLANATION AS TO WHY A FIRE DEPARTMENT IS NECESSARY.

JUST BECAUSE WE CAN BUY EQUIPMENT AND HIRE PERSONNEL DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD.

WE HAVE BENEFITED FROM SAFE, RELIABLE, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR DECADES, AND WE COULD CONTINUE TO DO SO IF WE CHOOSE.

I ASKED TONIGHT THAT THE COUNCIL CONSIDER THAT UNTIL THE DECISION TO UNDERTAKE A FIRE DEPARTMENT PROJECT WAS MADE.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE WERE NO COMMENTS ON RECORD BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL ADDRESSING DEFICIENCIES IN SERVICE PROVIDED TO OUR CITY BY THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I ASKED THIS COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THAT NO EVALUATION WAS DONE PRIOR TO THE DECISION TO CREATE A FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I WONDER HOW COMMON IT IS THAT IN A CITY OR PRIVATE BUSINESS THAT ONE WOULD LAUNCH A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT ABSENT STRATEGIC PLANNING EVALUATION OR CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS, MOST BUSINESSES OPERATE ON DATA DRIVEN DECISIONS AND CAREFUL EVALUATION.

BECAUSE IT'S SO CRITICAL WHEN DEVELOPING SOMETHING NEW.

CONSIDER THAT THIS START UP PROJECT IN ORONO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE SAFETY OF MORE THAN 8,000 PEOPLE IN THEIR PROPERTY, AS WELL AS PROVIDING MUTUAL AID TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

I ASK THAT THIS COUNCIL CONSIDER THAT THE MAIN REASONS STATED ON RECORD FOR STARTING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT AS A PRIMARY STAKEHOLDER, AND AS THE CITY WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CALLS PER YEAR, ORONO HAS HISTORICALLY PAID ABOUT 85% OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE RATIONALE WAS THAT BECAUSE OF THIS, WE DESERVE MORE CONTROL OVER THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS NOT APPLIED THAT SAME LOGIC WITH RESPECT TO THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT WE ANSWER TO THE RESIDENTS OF ORONO.

OUR RESIDENTS WILL PAY 100% OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND I DO NOT FIND THAT THEY HAVE HAD A SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH REGARD TO THIS PROJECT REGARDING CITIZEN INPUT, BASED ON RESULTS OF LIMITED OUTREACH, INCLUDING ONE HEARING AND ONE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE WRITTEN COMMENT.

AFTER THE PROCESS WAS WELL UNDERWAY, IT'S APPARENT THAT ORONO RESIDENTS EITHER DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF THE FIRE PROJECT AND WANT MORE INFORMATION OR ARE OPPOSED TO IT.

I ASKED THIS COUNCIL TO CONSIDER WHY WE MAILED CARDS TO RESIDENTS LAST YEAR AND HELD A HEARING ASKING FOR INPUT.

IF WE DID NOT INTEND TO ACT UPON OR EVEN DISCUSS THE FINDINGS ON A MACRO LEVEL, I'D LIKE THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THAT IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT FIRE SERVICE IN THE STATE AND NATIONWIDE IS EXPERIENCING SERIOUS RECRUITMENT ISSUES.

YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT CHOOSE TO BECOME VOLUNTEER PATER AND CALL FIREFIGHTERS WITH THE FREQUENCY THAT THEY DID HISTORICALLY.

THIS WAS ONE THEME ADDRESSED BY KEN PRILLMAN, THE EXPERT WITNESS WHO TESTIFIED IN COURT ON FEBRUARY 1.

CHIEF PRILLMAN HAS SPENT HIS CAREER IN FIRE SERVICE AND RECEIVED THE TEXAS FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION CHIEF OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION.

RECENTLY, HE WAS CLEAR THAT RECRUITMENT HAS BEEN DECLINING FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS AND HAD MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE PLANS ORONO HAS LAID OUT TO PROVIDE FIRE SERVICE TO OUR RESIDENTS.

HIS ASSESSMENT MATTERS BECAUSE HE IS A VERY WELL SEASONED PROFESSIONAL, REGARDED HIGHLY BY HIS PEERS, AND HAS WORKED IN MANY FIRE DEPARTMENTS OVER THE COURSE OF HIS CAREER, INCLUDING IN MINNESOTA.

I'D LIKE THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THAT WHILE OUR CITY SURROUNDS OUR NEIGHBORING LONG LAKE, MANY OTHER CITIES SURROUND US.

THESE NEIGHBORS HAVE THEIR OWN FIRE SERVICES.

THEY WILL BE THE ONES WE CALL ON FOR MUTUAL AID.

WHEN WE EXPERIENCE CALLS THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

IF A DECORATED FIRE CHIEF HAS CONCERNS, WHAT ABOUT THE FIRE CHIEFS WHO WILL BE PROVIDING AID OR RECEIVING IT FROM OUR NASCENT DEPARTMENT IN THE FUTURE? I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THAT JUST BECAUSE A PROJECT IS EXCITING AND BECAUSE IT OFFERS CHARTER MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT'S A SOUND DECISION FOR A WHOLE CITY.

THE ONLY ASSESSMENT THAT EXISTS ABOUT THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS WRITTEN BY CHIEF VAN IL.

LAST YEAR, WELL AFTER THE DECISION WAS MADE TO UNDERTAKE THE PROJECT.

[01:55:02]

IT WAS NOT AN ANALYSIS OF WHETHER A DEPARTMENT WAS NEEDED, IT SIMPLY MAPPED OUT WAYS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT MY VOTES IN OPPOSITION TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROJECT ARE IN NO WAY A STATEMENT ABOUT THE WOMEN AND MEN WHO SERVE AS FIREFIGHTERS.

THE COMMITMENT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO SERVICE SHINES BRIGHT, AND THEIR DEDICATION IS COMMENDABLE.

REGARDLESS OF THE DIFFICULTIES WE AS A CITY ARE FACING, MY VOTES IN OPPOSITION TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROJECT IS NOT WHAT'S PUTTING THE RESIDENTS AT RISK.

CREATING A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE IT ALONGSIDE A TIME TESTED DEPARTMENT LIKE LONG LAKE FIRE IS THE GREATER RISK, IN MY OPINION.

IN FIRE SERVICE UNKNOWNS AND LACK OF TIME TESTED OPERATIONS OR RISKS.

I KNOW THAT WE AS A CITY COULD RETURN TO COMMUNICATION WITH LONG LAKE UNDERSTANDING THAT CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATION AND FUNDING CAN BE NEGOTIATED.

I ASKED THIS COUNCIL WHY WE ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE IN A DIRECTION THAT HAS RESULTED IN LITIGATION AND DIVISION, AND ONE THAT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE DOCUMENTED SUPPORT FROM ANY OF OUR NEIGHBORING FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

WE ARE ONLY MONTHS AWAY FROM THE JULY 1 START DATE, WHEN THE ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA OF ORONO IN AND AROUND NAVARRE.

CONSIDER THAT THE JULY 1 DEADLINE THIS COUNCIL SET FOR SERVICE TO BEGIN FOR THIS AREA IS DEPENDENT ON NEW FIRE INFRASTRUCTURE BEING CONSTRUCTED AND OPERATIONAL.

IT'S ALSO CONTINGENT ON THE OUTCOME OF LITIGATION THAT'S UNFOLDING IN REAL TIME.

CHIEF PRILLMAN TESTIFIED THAT IN ALL HIS YEARS OF SERVICE, AND HE'S BEEN IN IT SINCE THE 1970S, HE HAS NEVER SEEN PLANS LIKE THE ONES OUR CITY IS PROPOSING TO BUILD NEXT STATION 2 IN FIRE SERVICE.

NEW AND UNKNOWN IS NOT THE GOLD STANDARD.

FINALLY, I ASKED THIS COUNCIL TO CONSIDER GIVING A PRESENTATION ON THIS PROJECT TO OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND FIRE CHIEFS.

WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? WOULD WE BE ABLE TO ANSWER TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM OUR PEERS? OUR RESIDENTS DESERVE TO SEE EVIDENCE AND HEAR FROM OTHERS, BESIDES THOSE AT THIS DAYS, THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THAT IS HOW WE COULD BUILD TRUST, AND IN THE REALM OF FIRE SERVICE, AS CHIEF PRILLMAN POINTED OUT, TRUST IS EVERYTHING.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

>> COUNCIL MEMBER OF BEACH.

>> SORRY. JUST MAKE SURE SHE GETS ALL THE APPLAUSE HERE.

I THINK IT'S QUITE INTERESTING.

I STRUGGLE WITH NOT WANTING TO SAY MUCH BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE SAID.

I'VE TALKED TO COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON ABOUT WANTING TO SHARE IDEAS, AND SHARE INSIGHTS FROM A FIREFIGHTER WIFE PERSPECTIVE, AND STILL OFFER THAT OPPORTUNITY.

WHEN YOU FIND IT APPROPRIATE IF YOU'D LIKE TO, I'D LOVE TO DO THAT.

I ALSO THINK WHEN WE TALKED, ONE OF MY FIRST QUESTIONS WAS WHEN I SAW CHIEF JAMES LEAVE, AND HE LEFT A VERY COMFORTABLE JOB WITH A TEAM THAT HE LOVED, AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE RIGHT MOVE, ASKING MORE QUESTIONS THERE IN HOUSE MIGHT BE HELPFUL.

I KNOW MY NAME HAS BEEN PUT IN THE NEWSPAPER, MY HUSBAND'S NAME HAS BEEN PUT IN THERE, MY FRIENDS.

[BACKGROUND] I'M SORRY. [OVERLAPPING]

>> SHE'S NOT INTERRUPTING YOU GUYS.

>> IT WAS A NEWSPAPER PICTURE ON FACEBOOK.

[BACKGROUND]

>> YOU ARE A PUBLIC FIGURE?

>> I UNDERSTAND. I'M NOT SAYING THAT I'M OPPOSED.

>> GOD BLESS YOU.

>> I'M WORRIED ABOUT IT, AND FOR A DIFFERENT REASON.

I CALLED MAYOR MINER AFTER THAT, AND HE TOO AGREED THAT THAT NEGATIVITY IS HURTING OUR DEPARTMENT.

HE'S WORKING WITH CHIEF TO DO STUFF TO FIX IT.

I THINK IT'S THE NEGATIVITY AND SAYING THAT IT HAS TO BE ONE OR THE OTHER THAT IS HURTING US.

I DON'T THINK IT HAS TO.

I THINK WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND SAYING THAT WE DON'T HAVE AN EXPERT WHEN ONE IS SITTING IN THE ROOM, WHEN THERE IS ONE WHO HAS MAYBE SOME IDEAS TO SHARE, AND I CAN'T FIND THE TIME TO DO THAT.

I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE TIME AND WHAT YOU WANTED,

[02:00:01]

THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR CONVERSATION, ALYSA? IF YOU HAD IDEAS.

>> THEY'RE ALL UNBIASED EXPERTS, BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> I'M JUST TALKING TO HER.

SHE ASKED ME TO SPEAK TO HER DURING THE MEETING, SO I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO SPEAK TO YOU.

>> WE'RE NOT HAVING AN AGENDA ITEM ON FIRE RIGHT NOW, SO I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DISCUSS.

>> I THINK THAT THAT'S THE PROBLEM, IS THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH DISCUSSION.

MAYBE IT IS JUST A LOT OF ONE WAY COMMUNICATION AND IT'S NOT GETTING US ANYWHERE.

MAYBE IF PEOPLE WERE A LITTLE MORE OPEN TO COMMUNICATION, WE'D GET A LITTLE FURTHER.

I'VE BEEN TRUE TO MY WORD, IN PICKING UP THE PHONE, TALKING DIRECTLY TO THE SOURCE, WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WOULD MAYBE BENEFIT FROM MORE CONVERSATION.

I GUESS I'M DONE.

>> THANKS, MARIA.

>> THAT IS NOT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

ALL I WANTED TO SAY THIS WEEK WAS THANK YOU TO STAFF.

CHRISTINE HAS DONE A FABULOUS JOB OF COMMUNICATION.

I SAY PART OF THIS LACK OF COMMUNICATION IS ON US, AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GET MORE INFORMATION OUT THERE.

I THOUGHT THE LAST WEEK AND TWO, WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB.

BY WE, I MEAN STAFF.

I HAD NO PART IN THAT, BUT GREAT JOB STAFF. THANK YOU.

>> I'D LIKE TO ADD ONE QUICK THING.

THIS IS SOMEBODY UP HERE WHO ACTUALLY WAS A FIREFIGHTER AND WAS RETIRED BECAUSE I SPENT 10 YEARS THERE.

THE CITY OF LONG LAKE DID NOT SERVE ORONO FOR 100 YEARS. THAT'S NOT TRUE.

NUMBER 2, THE CITY OF LONG LAKE BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T CAPABLE AT THE TIME, HAD US TRAINED BY THE CITY OF EXCELSIOR.

THAT'S THE FACT.

THAT WAS THE STATION TWO MEMBERS.

IF SOMEBODY IS TO SAY TO US, WE SUPPORT YOU, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO VOTE, AND GIVE YOU THE EQUIPMENT, AND THE FACILITIES THAT YOU NEED TO DO YOUR JOB, AS SOMEBODY WHO IS ON THE JOB, THAT'S NOT SUPPORT.

THAT'S NOT SOMEBODY WHO GETS BEHIND YOU AND SAYS, YES, WE HAVE YOUR BACK.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE EQUIPMENT THAT YOU NEED TO GO OUT THERE AND SAVE SOMEBODY'S LIFE.

THE SAME AS IF WE SAID TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE EXPECT YOU GUYS TO SERVICE THE COMMUNITY AND KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE SQUAD CAR YOU MIGHT NEED TO GO TO A CALL.

THERE'S BEEN NEGOTIATIONS FOR A LONG TIME HERE.

FOR SOME REASON, THE UPROAR IS COMING FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

THE OTHER CITY TENDS TO COME TO OUR COUNCIL AND ACT LIKE THEY'RE CITIZENS OF ORONO. THEY'RE NOT.

WE'RE HERE TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS OF ORONO AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE'RE DOING WHAT WE FEEL IS BEST FOR OUR TAX DOLLARS.

THERE'S A DISCUSSION ON THE WAY BUSINESSES OPERATE.

I DON'T KNOW A BUSINESS OUT THERE THAT PAYS 7-8% OF THE BUDGET, AND FULLY RUNS THAT BUSINESS.

IF THERE IS ONE, LET ME KNOW BECAUSE THAT WOULD SHOCK ME.

THAT WOULD SHOCK ME.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> RELAX. HEY, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? WHY ARE YOU INTERRUPTING [OVERLAPPING]

>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. WE'RE PAYING 85%-90% OF THE BUDGET AND WE WANT TO BE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT.

WE ARE STARTING OUR OWN DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THAT DECISION RELIES WITH LONG LAKE, NOT WITH ORONO, AND IT'S INTERESTING, YOU GOT TO SAY HOW MANY TIMES HAVE PEOPLE GONE TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM OR YELLED AT THEM, OR INTERRUPTED THEM DURING A COUNCIL MEETING? IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

THERE'S NO DISCUSSIONS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> I DON'T THINK I THINK WE CAN JUST FOCUS.

PERSONALLY, IT'S WHAT I THINK.

THE COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN GREAT.

THAT YOU CAN'T CONTROL ANYBODY ELSE BUT YOUR OWN MESSAGE [OVERLAPPING]

>> NO, BUT I WANT TO DISCUSS OUR HISTORY AND WHERE WE'VE BEEN BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IT.

WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IT. I WAS THERE.

OUR CHIEF, MAKING THE MOVE TO COME OVER WAS A VERY BOLD MOVE, AND I THINK HE SAW THE VISION [OVERLAPPING].

HE SAW THE VISION AND SAW WHAT IS BEST [OVERLAPPING].

>> WHY DO YOU HAVE TO INTERRUPT?

>> BECAUSE I'M ON THE JUDGE SIDE.

>> HE SAW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I WORKED FOR JAMES FOR A LONG TIME, AND HE WAS A FANTASTIC CHIEF, AND HE RUNS A REALLY GOOD ORGANIZATION, AND HE'S GOT THIS COUNSEL'S FULL SUPPORT. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

>> MARIA, I'M GLAD YOU DID CALL CHARLIE.

I THINK THAT WAS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DID.

LIKE YOU SAID, YOU SAID YOU WOULD CALL IF THERE WAS

[02:05:02]

A PROBLEM AND YOU IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM.

I THINK THEY DID TAKE ACTION AND PURGED OUT THE POISON THAT WAS IN THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND I'M GLAD THAT THAT HAS HAPPENED.

[APPLAUSE] [OVERLAPPING] I DO AGREE. RICHARD, WE DO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FUND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR PLACE.

SOMEONE SAID I HAVE SOME LONG-TERM VENDETTA AGAINST LONG LAKE.

I'VE NEVER HAD ANY VENDETTA AGAINST LONG LAKE.

THAT IS JUST AMAZING THE DEPTHS OF DEPRAVITY THAT PEOPLE WILL COME UP WITH THINGS TO TRY AND MAKE A POINT.

BUT THE CONTRACT IS ENDING.

WE HAVE A FABULOUS CHIEF.

MORE EQUIPMENT HAS COME IN.

STUFF IS COMING IN.

HATS ARE COMING IN.

WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FABULOUS DEPARTMENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE WELL FUNDED AND I APPLAUD YOU CHIEF FOR GETTING THAT ORGANIZED TOGETHER.

SINCE THE LAST MEETING, WE DID HAVE THE POLAR PLUNGE AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

I KNOW THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT JUMPED IN.

I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER BENSON JUMPED IN.

I KNOW MY DAUGHTER WHO COACHES THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM OVER AT NORTH SHORE GYMNASTICS, JUMPED IN WITH ALL OF HER COACHES.

I WAS THERE TO TAKE PICTURES.

I'VE JUMPED IN BEFORE, BUT I DIDN'T [LAUGHTER] WANT TO JUMP IN THIS TIME, SO THEY DID ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.

THAT WAS REALLY FUN TO WATCH.

>> THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN EASIER YEAR FOR FAMILY.

>> WELL, THE WATER IS STILL 30 DEGREES, [LAUGHTER] SO IT MAY NOT BE A LOT OF ICE, BUT THE WATER DOESN'T GET ANY WARMER.

I HAD TALKED EARLIER ABOUT IMAGINE.

WE IMAGINED EIGHT YEARS AGO BEFORE I WAS MAYOR, I SAID IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO IF WE HAD A ROADS BUDGET BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE AND NOW ALL OUR ROADS ARE FIXED.

I SAID IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO IF WE HAD A PARKS BUDGET WHEN NOBODY WAS TAKING CARE OF OUR PARKS.

WELL, GUESS WHAT? ALL OUR PARKS ARE IN GREAT SHAPE NOW WHEN WE HAVE A GREAT BUDGET.

I SAID IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO IF WE FUNDED OUR SEWER AND WATER AND COMPLETELY HAD IT FULLY FUNDED SO WE COULD TAKE CARE OF ALL THE SEWERS WHILE WE'RE DOING OUR ROADS, WELL, GUESS WHAT? WE DID THAT TOO. I SAID IMAGINE IF WE TOOK ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S OUT THERE AND BROUGHT IT INTO ORONO, AND STARTED USING IT FOR 3D, FOR ENGINEERING, FOR ALL OF OUR ROADS, FOR GETTING RID OF THE 40 FILE CABINETS OF PAPER OVER THERE, WENT ON LINE PERMITTING YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING ONLINE NOW.

WELL, GUESS WHAT? WE DID THAT TOO.

WE SAID IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO IF WE CAN FULLY FUND ALL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, AND OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, HAVE CIPS THAT ARE FUNDED, SO WHEN WE NEED VEHICLES, WHATEVER THEY HAPPEN TO BE, WE DO IT.

THAT FIRST RESPONDERS, YES THAT INCLUDES OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT TOO.

WE'RE DOING THAT. WE'VE DONE ALL OF IT.

WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO FOR THE NEXT NUMBER OF YEARS MOVING FORWARD, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME THING.

NOTHING'S GOING TO CHANGE.

WE'RE GOING TO FUND IT ALL.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ORONO BEING GREAT.

WE'RE GOING TO DO MORE GREAT THINGS IN OUR PARKS.

WE'RE GOING TO DO MORE ROADS.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE'S WATER AND SEWER, AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE SAFE BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW IN ORONO YOU'RE SAFE.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE STATE THAT PEOPLE MIGHT WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO.

RIGHT NOW, THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH IS ALL CONTROLLED BY THE DEMOCRATS, [BACKGROUND] WHICH IS LOOKING TO TURN US INTO A SANCTUARY CITY AND THAT'S JUST GOING TO BRING MORE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GET AWAY FROM THE POLICE BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GET ARRESTED AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE MORE CRIME IN OUR CITY RIGHT HERE.

LOOK AT ALL THE CITIES THAT HAVE THAT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THEY ALSO WANT TO PASS A BILL, WHICH THEY TRIED TO DO IN BROOKLYN CENTER, AND IT DIDN'T PASS.

I CALLED THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR VOTE, BUT THEY WANT TO PASS A VOTE STATEWIDE THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T PULL PEOPLE OVER FOR MINOR INFRACTIONS, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS.

THE MINUTE YOU SAY BAD BEHAVIOR IS OKAY, YOU'RE GOING TO GET MORE BAD BEHAVIOR.

YOU'RE GOING TO GET MORE PEOPLE COMING OUT HERE AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE HELP SUPPORTING OUR POLICE, OUR FIRE, AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS FIRST RESPONDERS.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW OUR SUPPORT OUT THERE ALL THE TIME, UNWAVERING AND UNAPOLOGETIC FOR IT.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, THAT'S OKAY.

[BACKGROUND] YOU'RE PROBABLY SAFE IN CORCORAN TOO, I IMAGINE.

>> I'M VERY SAFE IN CORCORAN BUT YOU CAN'T SEE IT.

>> VALENTINE'S DAY IS COMING OUT, COMING UP ON WEDNESDAY.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT ALL YOUR LOVED ONES.

I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO.

IT'S ALSO ONE OF OUR GREATEST PRESIDENTS EVER BIRTHDAY TODAY, AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO GO UNSAID, IT'S ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY TODAY.

ONE OF OUR GREATEST PRESIDENTS, IF NOT OUR GREATEST PRESIDENT WHO ABOLISHED SLAVERY, AND YES, HE WAS A REPUBLICAN.

[02:10:03]

HERE I GOT A COUPLE OF QUOTES I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH.

I GOT SOME EXTRA ONES TONIGHT SINCE IT'S VALENTINE'S AND LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY.

I'LL START WITH MY VALENTINE'S QUOTE.

SAYS LOVE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTING TO GET.

ONLY WITH WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTING TO GIVE, WHICH IS EVERYTHING.

THAT'S BY KATHARINE HEPBURN.

ALL THE OLD PEOPLE LIKE ME PROBABLY REMEMBER WHO SHE IS.

DR. SEUSS DID SAY ONE TOO.

HE SAYS, YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN LOVE WHEN YOU CAN'T FALL ASLEEP BECAUSE REALITY IS FINALLY BETTER THAN YOUR DREAMS. THEN MY FAVORITE ONE IS A GOOD IRISH PROVERB SAYS THERE ARE GOOD SHIPS AND WOOD SHIPS, AND SHIPS THAT SAIL THE SEA.

BUT THE BEST SHIPS ARE FRIENDSHIPS AND MAY THEY ALWAYS BE.

I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH A COUPLE OF LINCOLN QUOTES.

HE IS FABULOUS. FIRST ONE IS, SIR, MY CONCERN IS NOT WHETHER GOD IS ON OUR SIDE, MY GREATEST CONCERN IS TO BE ON GOD'S SIDE, FOR GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

THEN HIS LAST ONE SAYS, NOWHERE IN THE WORLD IS PRESENTED A GOVERNMENT, SO MUCH LIBERTY, AND EQUALITY, TO THE HUMBLEST AND POOREST AMONG US ARE HELD AT THE HIGHEST PRIVILEGES AND POSITIONS.

THIS PRESENT MOMENT FINDS ME AT THE WHITE HOUSE, YET THERE IS AS GOOD A CHANCE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AS THERE WAS FOR MY FATHER'S.

WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THE MEETING BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO A CLOSED SESSION.

[Closed Session]

SO THE CITY COUNCIL MAY CLOSE THE MEETING AS PERMITTED BY MINNESOTA STATUTE 13D.05, SUBSECTION 3C3, TO HOLD A CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE DISCUSSION OF LEGAL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES, POTENTIAL LEGAL ACTION, AND STRATEGY REGARDING ORONO AND BONNET AND NIGGARD LITIGATION.

MOVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING AND GO TO CLOSED SESSION.

>> I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> I WANT YOU TO TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK SO EVERYBODY CAN ORGANIZE.

>> HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY.

>> HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> SORRY, GO AHEAD.

>> MOTION TO REOPEN THE MEETING.

>> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION TO ADJOURN.

>> SO MOVED.