[00:00:01]
>> WELCOME TO THE TUESDAY, MAY 28,
[Roll Call]
2024 ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING.NOTE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT EXCEPT COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON TONIGHT.
WE ALWAYS START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SO I INVITE YOU TO STAND AND FACE THE FLAG.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. WHAT WE DO NEXT IS THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND THE CONSENT AGENDA ALL THE SAME TIME.
[Approval of Agenda]
I'LL GO THROUGH ALL THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TAKING OFF CONSENT FOR THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS LONGER, RAISE YOUR HAND.OTHERWISE, WOULD SOMEBODY LIKE TO TAKE A STAB AT THE CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT?
[Consent Agenda]
>> I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT THIS EVENING AND MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ITEMS 1-14 AS NOTED IN THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> TONIGHT, WHAT WE'VE GOT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS NUMBER 1, THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES, NUMBER 2, THE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE, NUMBER 3, CLAIMS AND BILLS, NUMBER 4, ELECTION RECAP, NUMBER 5, WASTE HAULER LICENSES, NUMBER 6, HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN RESOLUTION 74/78, NUMBER 7, POLICE VEHICLE PURCHASE, NUMBER 8, FORKLIFT PURCHASE, NUMBER 9, A POINT IT MANAGER, NUMBER 10, HIRE SEASONAL EMPLOYEES, NUMBER 11 IS LA 24-16 AT 33/39 CRYSTAL BAY ROAD, VARIANCES RESOLUTION 74/79.
NUMBER 12 IS LA 24-17, 1090 WILD HURST TRAIL VARIANCES RESOLUTION 74/80.
NUMBER 13 IS LA 24-22, 1355 VYING PLACE VARIANCE RESOLUTION 74/81, AND NUMBER 14 IS LA 24-24, 2980 GOLDEN ROD WAY VARIANCE RESOLUTION 74/82.
IS THERE ANY OF THOSE ITEMS ANYBODY LIKE TAKEN OFF TONIGHT FOR THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS MORE? I SEE NONE. I HAVE A MOTION FOR MR. CROSBY. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER VEACH. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED? NOTE THAT PASSES 4-0.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FABULOUS PRESENTATIONS TONIGHT.
[15. Police Officer Swearing In Ceremony/Explorer Recognition]
WE HAVE TWO POLICE OFFICERS SWEARING IN CEREMONIES IN THE EXPLORE RECOGNITION TONIGHT.I'LL TURN IT OVER TO OUR CITY ADMINISTRATOR, ADAM.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE CEREMONY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
PLEASE SILENCE ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES, BUT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TAKE PICTURES AT ANY TIME.
BEFORE WE BEGIN THE FORMAL CEREMONY FOR THE BADGE PINNING AND THE OATHS OF OFFICE FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS, WE'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE SOME RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR POLICE EXPLORER POST.
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CHIEF FARNIOK FOR THAT SECTION.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCIL. THANK YOU.
TONIGHT IS A TRUE PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE OUR EXPLORER GROUP.
THEY ATTENDED THIS YEAR IN ROCHESTER AT THE ANNUAL EXPLORER CONFERENCE.
THERE'S OVER 700 EXPLORERS PARTICIPATING IN DIFFERENT EVENTS AS TEAMS AS INDIVIDUALS.
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO HAVE THIS GROUP OF OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS STANDING BEFORE US.
THEY DID A FABULOUS JOB OVER 700 COMPETING AT THE COMPETITION.
THEY CAME BACK WITH THE AWARDS YOU SEE BEHIND ME.
SEVERAL FIRST PLACES, SECOND PLACE, AND THROUGHOUT BOTH IN TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL.
SO I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE COLTON BECK, IZZY MEGAN, HUNTER FOX, ANDERS FUNG, AJ, GRANT.
I DO ALSO WANT TO EXTEND THANK YOU TO OUR FABULOUS AND ADVISERS BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES WHO TRAINED SO ADVISORS COME HERE.
WE HAVE OFFICER RAY SHERMAN, DREY ENGLISH AND OFFICER JAMES MONK, AND MIKE FREER COULD NOT MAKE IT, BUT IT'S TRULY THIS GROUP OF ADVISORS AND OFFICERS THAT TRAIN THESE INDIVIDUALS.
THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE POSTS CORRECT ME.
HOW MANY IS THIS? IS YOUR FIRST YEAR COMPETING? FIRST YEAR OF COMPETITION.
>> SECOND YEAR DO WE HAVE ANY FIRST YEAR? WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FIRST TIME COMPETING AND SECOND YEAR COMPETING.
SO GOING IN THIS COMPETITION IS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE.
THEY HAVE TROOPS OR GROUP EXPLORER POSTS FROM NEW YORK AND WISCONSIN AND NORTH DAKOTA.
SO THIS ISN'T JUST A MINNESOTA COMPETITION.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND DEDICATION TO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE VOLUNTEERS, ONE NIGHT OF TRAINING A WEEK FOR FOUR WEEKS PREPARING AND THEN THE THREE DAY COMPETITION.
I JUST WANTED TO PRESENT THEM AND LET YOU BE AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF THIS INDIVIDUALS HERE.
[00:05:01]
>> THAT'S SO NICE. AWESOME [APPLAUSE]
>> IF WE HAVE A MOMENT, WHY DON'T WE BRING ALL THE EXPLORERS AND THE TRAINING WAS UP FROM HERE, AND THEN I'LL INVITE THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WE'D LIKE TO COME DOWN AND GET A PICTURE WITH THE OFFICER AND THE EXPLORERS.
>> TO RECOGNIZE I FORGOT AND I APOLOGIZE.
OFFICER RAY SHERMAN WAS GIVEN THE ASSOCIATE ADVISOR OF THE YEAR AWARD.
HE WAS RECOGNIZED AND NOMINATED BY AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE POST, AND HE WAS PONDERED WITH THAT RECOGNITION SO CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND].
>> WELL, ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU, EXPLORERS AND THE TRAINERS FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU'VE DONE.
CHIEF, WHY DON'T YOU HOLD UP THE TROPHIES REAL QUICK.
>> THIS IS SOME SERIOUS WEIGHT.
>> THIS IS A TRAVELING TROPHY TOO FOR CRIME PREVENTION.
IT'S A TRAVELING TROPHY AND IF YOU NOTICE PRIOR TO THIS, WE HAD FOR HOW MANY YEARS?
>> WE HAD IT IN 2022 WE HAD COMPETED IN [INAUDIBLE].
>> YEAH WE HAD [LAUGHTER] THEN WE HAVE A FIRST PLACE FOR JOB INTERVIEW.
I BELIEVE THAT IS EASY FOR JOB INTERVIEW.
>> THE FIRST PLACE FOR PRIME CONVENTION, ABOUT THE TEAM TECH, WHO IS INVOLVED IN THAT? ALL RIGHT.
>> WE HAVE A FOURTH PLACE FOR TRAFFIC CRASH.
A FOURTH PLACE FOR HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION, FIFTH PLACE FOR ARREST AND SEARCH.
THEN INDIVIDUALS FOR FIFTH PLACE FOR SAMPLE POLICE EXAM INTERVIEW.
THAT WAS, AS WELL AS FIFTH PLACE FOR THE FEMALE 5K.
GREAT JOB [LAUGHTER] TONY IS HERE.
TONY WAS OUR DEPUTY CHIEF WENT DOWN AND WATCHED THE 5K WITH THEM. [LAUGHTER].
>> WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. GREAT JOB. [APPLAUSE]
>> DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO THE CITY OF ORONO POLICE OFFICER SWEARING IN CEREMONY.
TODAY, WE WILL ADMINISTER THE OATHS OF OFFICE AND CONDUCT THE BAND CEREMONY FOR OUR NEWEST OFFICERS.
TODAY'S HONOREES ARE POLICE OFFICERS NICHOLAS SCHWARTZ AND STEPHEN THOMAS.
OVERSEEING TODAY'S CEREMONY IS POLICE CHIEF COREY FARNIOK, AND ORONO MAYOR DENNIS WALSH WHO WILL ADMINISTER THE OATHS OF OFFICE.
SINCE THE CITY OF ORONO WAS CREATED IN 1889, WE'VE HAD DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE WILLING TO ANSWER THE CALL TO SERVE THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS AND PRESERVE THE PEACE.
IN THE EARLY DAYS, THIS FUNCTION WAS PERFORMED BY CONSTABLES.
HOWEVER, SINCE 1962, THAT FUNCTION HAS FALLEN TO THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
TODAY, THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO SERVES THE COMMUNITIES OF MINNETONKA BEACH, SPRING PARK, AND MOUND.
THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT PRIDES ITSELF ON MAKING THE COMMUNITIES FEEL SAFE THROUGH ENFORCEMENT AND BY BUILDING STRONG, LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES.
THE FIRST PART OF TODAY'S CEREMONY CONSISTS OF THE OATH OF OFFICE.
SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN AN OATH TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THEIR STATE, AND THE LAWS OF THEIR AGENCY'S JURISDICTION.
THE SWEARING OF AN OATH INDICATES THE HIGH LEVEL OF PUBLIC TRUST THE OFFICERS ASSUME, AND REFLECTS THEIR DEDICATION TO THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.
IN THE SECOND PART OF TODAY'S CEREMONY, OFFICERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR BADGE.
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BADGE, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT INSIGNIA, SYMBOLIZES THE AUTHORITY THAT IS ENTRUSTED TO THEM.
THE POLICE BADGE IS A SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, AND TRUST.
IT REPRESENTS THE WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE ONE'S OWN SAFETY TO ASSIST OTHERS.
[00:10:02]
IT IS A SYMBOL AND A PROMISE TO UPHOLD THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, POLICE CHIEF COREY FARNIOK WILL SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS.
>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, IT'S TRULY AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE AND HAVE THE CEREMONY IN APPROVAL OF NICHOLAS AND STEPHEN.
THEY'VE BEEN PART OF OUR TEAM FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STEP IN THE PROCESS INTO THE COMMUNITY, INTO OUR TEAM, TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, TO SERVE, AND DO IT WELL.
THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS ARE DOING IT WELL.
AS AN EXAMPLE, PRETTY MUCH THE FIRST DAY THAT STEPHEN STARTED, WE WENT TO A HEART SAVE EVENT AT WESTONKA SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE WE TRAINED THE 9-12 STUDENT BODY IN PROFESSIONAL CPR.
AS A NEW OFFICER ON FTO, HE WAS GIVEN A TASK AND HE JUMPED IN AND NEVER HESITATED AND IN AND A GROUP OF KIDS STANDING AROUND HIM AND DIDN'T HESITATE ONE MINUTE.
FROM THAT POINT ON AS WE HAD CHOSEN THE RIGHT OFFICER FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR TEAM, AS WELL AS NICK.
NICK STARTED OFF HIT PRETTY HARD IN FTO, AND TRULY WE'VE SEEN A GROWTH IN HIS KNOWLEDGE, HIS EXPERIENCE, HIS TENACITY TO GO AFTER AND EXPAND THE SCOPE OF MAKING AND TAKING DRUGS, DOING PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT CONDOS, AND IT'S TRULY A PLEASURE TO HAVE BOTH OF THESE AS A NUMBER OF OUR TEAMS. WE APPRECIATE AND JUST ANOTHER STEP AS PART OF THE INTRODUCTION TO [INAUDIBLE].
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MAYOR DENNIS WALSH, WILL NOW SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY FOR COMING TONIGHT.
WE HAVE TWO FABULOUS NEW OFFICERS HAVE SWEARS TONIGHT.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE DOING THAT.
I KNOW WE ALSO HAVE THE GARDEN CLUB WHO'S GOT FLOWERS TO PRESENT THE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILY.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING THE CITY FOR ALL THE STUFF THAT WE DO HERE AS WELL.
>> WE HAVE NICHOLAS FIRST. WE WILL NOW ADMINISTER THE OATHS OF OFFICE TO THE CITY'S NEWS POLICE OFFICERS.
I WILL ASK EACH OFFICER AND THEIR SELECTED FAMILY MEMBERS TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM AREA AND TURN.
THE MAYOR WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH.
THE FAMILY MEMBER WILL PIN THE BADGE, AND THEN THE CHIEF WILL ENSURE THAT EACH OFFICER SIGNS THEIR OATH PRIOR TO DEPARTING, AND THEN WE'LL DO A PHOTO.
OUR FIRST OFFICER IS NICHOLAS SCHWARTZ.
WOULD YOU AND YOUR GUESTS PLEASE COME FORWARD? I SAY YOU'RE ALREADY THERE.
NICHOLAS JOINED OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST OF 2023.
NICK WAS PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED AS A CARETAKER FOR MANKATO REHABILITATION CENTER.
NICK HAS AN AAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
NICK COMPLETED HIS FTO AND IS ON SOLAR PATROL.
HIS BADGE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, FAITH.
>> NICK, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME. I STATE, YOUR NAME.
>> DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR UNDER OATH.
>> DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR UNDER OATH.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> AND OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
>> AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
>> AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
>> AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF POLICE OFFICER.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF POLICE OFFICER.
>> TO THE BEST OF MY JUDGMENT AND ABILITY.
>> TO THE BEST OF MY JUDGMENT ABILITY.
>> OFFICER SCHWARTZ WILL NOW RECEIVE HIS BADGE.
[APPLAUSE] FLOWERS ARE BEING PROVIDED BY THE ORONO GARDEN CLUB ITEM, IF YOU WANT TO PRESENT THOSE NOW.
>> THAT'S THE CUTEST. [APPLAUSE].
>> MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE].
[00:15:26]
SEEN NICK IN ACTION ALREADY.HE WAS ACCOMPANYING ONE OF THE OFFICERS HERE DETECTIVE COUNCIL FOR MANY MANY TIMES.
IT'S NICE TO GET HIM SWORN IN AND WELCOME TO THE ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> OFFICER STEPHEN THOMAS, AND GUEST, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD?
>> YOU ARE ALL COMING UP OR IT'S JUST ONE?
>> [LAUGHTER] STEPHEN JOINED IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR.
PREVIOUSLY, HE WORKED AS A POLICE OFFICER IN SOUTH LAKE MINITAKA POLICE DEPARTMENT SINCE 2020.
STEPHEN HAS AN AAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM NORTH HANPIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND STEPHEN HAS COMPLETED HIS FTO AND IS ON SOLO PATROL.
JOINING OFFICER THOMAS AT THE FRONT IS HIS SON NOAH AND I GUESS TWO OTHERS I DIDN'T HAVE NAMES FOR.
>> WHICH ONE ARE YOU? GIVE ME SHAKE.
WHICH ONE ARE YOU? PLEASURE. NICE TO MEET YOU. YOU ARE?
>> GEMMA, PLEASURE AND NICE TO MEET YOU AND PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.
[LAUGHTER] PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME. I, STATE YOUR NAME.
>> DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR UNDER OATH.
>> DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR UNDER OATH.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> AND OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
>> AND OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
>> AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
>> AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF POLICE OFFICER.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF POLICE OFFICER.
>> TO THE BEST OF MY JUDGMENT AND ABILITY.
>> TO THE BEST OF MY JUDGMENT AND ABILITY.
>> OFFICER THOMAS WILL NOW RECEIVE HIS BADGE.
>> ONCE AGAIN, FLOWERS ARE BEING PRESENTED BY THE ORONO GARDEN CLUB.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOLD THE FLOWERS? I GET A PICTURE AT THE ORONO GARDEN CLUB HERE.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS DOES CONCLUDE OUR CEREMONY TO OUR NEWEST OFFICERS AND PROMOTEES.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, OFFICERS, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S GOING TO BE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, I'M ASSUMING BACK IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THERE'S GOING TO BE A RECEPTION AND THERE'S CAKE.
YOU GUYS DON'T LIKE CAKE, DO YOU? [LAUGHTER] THEY'RE ALREADY LOOKING FOR IT.
THE CAKE'S BACK IN THE OTHER ROOM.
THANKS AGAIN. [APPLAUSE] WELL, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE NEW OFFICERS, KEEPING ORONO SAFE.
[00:20:03]
THAT'S FOR SURE. THANK YOU FOR THE ORONO GARDEN CLUB FOR PROVIDING THOSE FLOWERS.I THINK IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE EVER HAD THAT ON A CEREMONY OF SWEARING IN OFFICERS OF ANY KIND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE ALSO LOOKING TO DONATE SOME TREES TO ORONO TO START PLANTING AT THE GOLF COURSE, ETC.
THANKS FOR PARTNERING WITH US ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ORONO AND OUR PARKS AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.
THANK YOU. THAT'LL LEAD US TO OUR NEXT PRESENTATION,
[16. Orono Parks Legacy 501c3]
WHICH IS THE ORONO PARKS LEGACY 501C3.I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A BONUS AUDIENCE.
>> WE HAVE THE PRESENTATION COMING UP.
I'M KJERSTI DUVAL, AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF ORONO PARKS LEGACY.
VERY HAPPY TO BE JOINING YOU GUYS HERE TONIGHT.
WE'RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE OUR PROGRESS AND HOPEFULLY START FORMING A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY COUNCIL AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
I THINK WE CAN GO TO THE FIRST SLIDE.
THIS ALL BEGAN WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED BIG ISLAND LEGACY, WHICH WAS A CITIZEN-LED NONPROFIT 501C3 THAT WAS FORMED TO SUPPORT IMPROVEMENTS AT BIG ISLAND.
IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, I WAS ACTUALLY MOVING TO ORONO AROUND THE TIME THAT THIS WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER.
BECAUSE THIS IS KIND OF THE UNIVERSE I WORK IN, IT REALLY CAPTURED MY ATTENTION, AND I REALLY WANTED TO GET MORE INVOLVED.
BIG ISLAND LEGACY WAS FOCUSED ON ONE PROJECT; BIG ISLAND PARK.
THEY STARTED A CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT WAS SUCCESSFUL.
GOSH, COULD THIS ORGANIZATION DO MORE? THAT WAS A GROUP OF CITIZENS KIND OF COLLECTING TOGETHER AND SAYING, WELL, WHAT IF WE EXPANDED THE MISSION OF BIG ISLAND LEGACY AND REALLY LOOKED AT ORONO PARKS CITYWIDE? THAT BEGAN THE EVOLUTION.
AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING FOR BIG ISLAND PARK, WHICH WAS BACK IN 2022, THAT WAS KIND OF WRAPPING UP, THERE BEGAN AN EVOLUTION.
IT TOOK A WHILE. AT THE TIME, THE BIG ISLAND BOARD WAS REALLY FOCUSED ON BIG ISLAND.
A LOT OF THOSE MEMBERS DEPARTED, AND WE STARTED TO BUILD BACK A NEW MISSION AND RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS TO THE BOARD.
OVER 2023 AND '4, THAT EVOLUTION HAPPENED.
WE RECRUITED SOME NEW LEADERS.
WE SECURED NONPROFIT COUNCIL TO GUIDE THAT PROCESS.
NOT ONLY ANY NONPROFIT COUNCIL, BUT THE BEST IN THE STATE, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I'VE WORKED WITH MANY OTHER NONPROFITS THAT DO PARKS, AND SHE IS ALSO AN ORONO RESIDENT, CLAIRE TOPP AT DORSEY.
FINALLY, IN 2024, SOMETHING HAPPENED, PICKLEBALL WAS LOOKING FOR SUPPORT.
I'M SO SAD TO SAY THAT OUR CITIZEN LEADER FOR PICKLEBALL IS NOT WITH US TONIGHT.
BUT CAROLYN MELBURG WHO HAS NOW JOINED OUR BOARD IS THE VOICE OF THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY FOR THIS EFFORT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT COMING FORWARD.
NEXT. I TALKED ABOUT THE MISSION EXPANDING BEYOND BIG ISLAND.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT AS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD IS THERE, ENHANCE ORONO PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES BY ALIGNING PHILANTHROPIC AND PUBLIC INVESTMENT WITH COMMUNITY VISION TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.
OUR VISION GOES A LITTLE DEEPER.
YOU CAN SEE WE'RE REALLY ADVOCATING FOR THE ROLE OF PARKS AS A CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.
ENHANCING PARKS, CAPITAL PROJECTS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN BIG ISLAND.
ALSO, PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ECOSYSTEMS ARE HEALTHY AND THAT ORONO IS RESILIENT MOVING FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE.
FINALLY, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
HOW ARE PARKS [NOISE] AND CAN WE SUPPORT THAT? NEXT.
WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT.
THE BOARD WILL SELECT PROJECTS TO SUPPORT THOSE PROJECTS MIGHT COME FROM RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY, BE COMMUNITY-LED, THEY MIGHT COME FROM THE CITY.
THERE MAY BE PARTNERSHIPS AROUND PARKS LIKE BIG ISLAND, OR THEY MAY BE COMING FROM THE BOARD ITSELF.
I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT NONPROFITS LIKE THIS HAPPEN IN COMMUNITIES OF EVERY SCALE.
SO, FOR INSTANCE, IN EXCELSIOR, THERE'S A NONPROFIT ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMONS, CALLED COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMONS.
IN MINNEAPOLIS, THERE'S MINNEAPOLIS PARKS FOUNDATION, AND IN KNIFE RIVER UP ON THE NORTH SHORE,
[00:25:02]
WHICH IS ANOTHER COMMUNITY I WORK WITH, THAT'S A COMMUNITY OF 200 PEOPLE.THEY HAVE A 501(C)(3) TO SUPPORT LAKE SUPERIOR BEACH AND KNIFE RIVER TRAIL.
THE NONPROFIT IS REALLY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES AND HOW THAT GETS DEFINED IS COMPLETELY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. WE CAN GO NEXT.
ORONO PARKS LEGACY SUPPORTS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND THERE'S SOME EXAMPLES THERE, BIG ISLAND PARK, THE PICKLEBALL INITIATIVE, AND ORONO ORCHARDS GOLF COURSE, WE WOULD BE OPEN.
THAT'S NOT A DONE DEAL, BUT WE WOULD BE OPEN TO HELPING WITH SOME OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WE KNOW NEED TO BE MADE.
THEN ON THE ACTIVATION SIDE, WE'VE ALREADY PARTICIPATED IN HELPING THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL.
BRING PEOPLE INTO THE PARKS AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES, MEMORIES, AND EXPERIENCES.
NEXT. THE WORK AHEAD, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO GROW OUR CAPACITY.
WE'VE ALREADY RECRUITED QUALITY BOARD MEMBERS.
WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO RECRUIT QUALITY BOARD MEMBERS SO THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEARN FROM THEM AND ALSO STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA.
NONPROFITS WORKING ON PUBLIC INTEREST PROJECTS WITH CITIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES IS NOT NEW.
BUT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE AND MAKE MORE AND MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE, AND WE WOULD DO THAT THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.
FINALLY, WE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECTS THAT WE SUPPORT.
AGAIN, THAT WOULD HAPPEN THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.
BUT PROVIDING RELIABLE INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE, ANNOUNCING THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT WOULD HAPPEN ON OUR WEBSITE. NEXT.
>> QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT TO US.
I MENTIONED WE HAVE NONPROFIT COUNSEL.
WE ALSO HAVE WHAT I CONSIDER THE BEST NONPROFIT ACCOUNTANT IN THE METRO REGION CEA ADVISING US.
WE WANT TO BE WORTHY OF TRUST.
WE HAVE ADOPTED THE RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICE POLICIES, CONFLICT OF INTEREST, DOCUMENT RETENTION, AND WHISTLEBLOWER POLICIES TO GUIDE US, AND OF COURSE, THE QUALIFIED BOARD MEMBERS.
NEXT. HERE'S WHO WE ARE TODAY.
I'M KJERSTI. I KNOW THAT'S A VERY STRANGE SPELLING, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE A CH.
BRIAN IS IN THE ROOM TODAY WITH ME.
CAROLINE, WHO IS OUR PICKLEBALL VOICE FROM THE COMMUNITY.
JENNIFER, WHO ALSO IS A NEWER RESIDENT TO ORONO, BUT HAS DEEP EXPERIENCE IN THE HEALTH SECTOR AND MARKETING.
DENNIS, RIGHT AT THE CENTER, WHO, OF COURSE, IS A LEGACY FROM THE LEGACY, THE ORIGINAL LEGACY, AND PART OF THE BIG SUCCESS THERE. WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT.
HOW WILL WE RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT PARTNERSHIP.
WE WANT TO RAISE AWARENESS AND CONFIDENCE WITH OUR PARTNERS.
THAT PARTNER COULD BE THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY.
IT COULD BE THE CITY, IT COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE.
HOW DOES THAT AWARENESS AND CONFIDENCE TURN INTO ACTION POTENTIALLY WITH AN MOU OR SOME OTHER AGREEMENT? WE ALSO WANT TO PROVIDE CLEAR GUIDANCE TO OUR FUNDRAISING PARTNERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WE WANT TO MAKE ALL OF THE GUIDANCE AROUND HOW TO DONATE, WHAT THAT MEANS, ET CETERA AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE. WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE.
THE WEBSITE IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS JUST A SCREENSHOT, BUT THERE'S ALREADY A TON OF CONTENT THERE AND THAT WILL BE FORTHCOMING SHORTLY.
[INAUDIBLE] I THINK WE'VE GOT A COUPLE MORE.
HOW WILL WE INFORM THE COMMUNITY? OBVIOUSLY, THE WEBSITE WILL BE UP.
BUT IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE OUR ANNUAL FILINGS.
YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHO'S ON THE BOARD AND HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS.
OUR DIRECTORS AND PARTNERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT FORUMS LIKE THIS SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PROJECTS WE'RE SUPPORTING.
NEXT. JUST COMING BACK AGAIN TO OUR VISION.
THESE ARE THE GOALS WE THINK WE SHARE WITH YOU TO ENHANCE OUR PARKS, TRAILS, AND OPEN SPACES, TO PRESERVE AND CARE FOR OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, AND TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVATION PARKS.
WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ORONO PARK'S LEGACY AROUND SOME OF THE INITIATIVES WE SEE COMING DOWN THE PIKE.
THAT IS A NON-BINDING AGREEMENT.
IT REALLY JUST ACKNOWLEDGES ALIGNMENTS AND GOALS, AND OF COURSE, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO OWN ANYTHING, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GOVERN ANYTHING.
[00:30:02]
WE JUST WANT TO SUPPORT ENHANCED OUTCOMES THAT ARE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.WE WOULD BE A PRIMARY PHILANTHROPIC PARTNER, AND THAT WOULD BE THE LIMIT OF OUR INFLUENCE OVER THE PROJECT, BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO PLAY THAT ROLE.
AGAIN, WE'RE AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY, SO WE WOULD BE A PARTNER IN THESE EFFORTS, AND THAT WOULD HAPPEN THROUGH AN AGREEMENT.
WE WOULD INVITE TO CONSIDER WORKING TOGETHER WITH US ON AN MOU AND PARTICIPATING IN THE DISCUSSION MOVING FORWARD ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO START TO INFORM WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT.
FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH PICKLEBALL SUPPORTERS ON THAT INITIATIVE AS IT DEVELOPS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, I'LL TAKE QUESTIONS.
>> WELL, I KNOW YOU TALKED A COUPLE OF TIMES ABOUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU'VE WORKED WITH.
I THINK YOUR DISCUSSION WAS FABULOUS.
I DON'T THINK IT GIVES JUSTICE TO THE DEPTH OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND YOUR BACKGROUND SO IF YOU COULD MAYBE JUST GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND OF ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE AND THAT EXCEPT SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS?
FORMERLY, I CAME OUT OF GOVERNMENT.
I WORKED FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AS THE PLANNING DIRECTOR.
DURING MY TENURE, WE DID US BANK STADIUM, DOWNTOWN COMMONS PARK, NICOLET MALL REDEVELOPMENT, AND I'M CURRENTLY IN MY CONSULTING CAPACITY WORKING ON THE CENTRAL MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT, THE RELAX SITE.
I'M ALSO AN AFFILIATE OF THE MINNESOTA DESIGN CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WORKING ON THE EMPOWERING SMALL MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, WHICH IS STATE-FUNDED WORK.
DOING THINGS LIKE THIS. THAT'S HOW I'M WORKING WITH [INAUDIBLE].
I'M ALSO A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND URBAN PLANNER.
THOSE ARE MY PROFESSIONAL DEGREES.
BUT NOW I'M PRIMARILY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION POLICY AND FUNDING SIDE.
>> I THINK YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB, AND THAT WAS A GREAT TRANSITION FROM WHAT WE DID AT BIG ISLAND TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW FOR THE FUTURE.
I THINK IT'S GREAT AND WE'VE GOT THE GARDEN CLUB HERE TOO WHICH IS HELPING.
WE'VE GOT ALL THESE GREAT 501(C)(3) THAT ARE DOING STUFF.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
>> I DO. I'M WONDERING WHAT THE NAME CHANGE IS, IS THIS THE ORGANIZATION THAT'S NOW REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA? IS IT 501(C)(3)?
>> YOU ARE. I THINK YOU SOMEWHAT ANSWERED MY QUESTION ABOUT HOW THIS NONPROFIT PRIORITIZES ITS PROJECTS.
IS THIS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE TO US, THEN, ADAM, THE SLIDE PRESENTATION?
>> AFTER. I MAY HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS ANOTHER TIME, BUT THAT'S IT FOR NOW. THANK YOU.
>> I THINK AN MOU WOULD BE A GREAT START JUST TO PUT IN PLACE WHAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE I KNOW AND I THINK WHEN I HAD TALKED TO YOU ORIGINALLY ABOUT EVEN COMING ON TO THE PARKS COMMISSION, WHICH WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ON SO THANK YOU FOR THAT, THAT YOU WERE JUST SURPRISED THAT WE ALREADY HAD A 501(C)(3) AND ALREADY DONE STUFF COMING FROM, OBVIOUSLY, MINNEAPOLIS, WHICH DOES A LOT, BUT IT'S NOT A UNIVERSAL THING WHERE EVERYBODY HAS THIS MECHANISM TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS IN YOUR PARKS, AND ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY BLESSED OUT HERE IN ORONO WITH LOTS OF OPEN SPACE AND LOTS OF PARKS.
I'M GLAD YOU RECOGNIZED THAT, AND WE'RE WILLING TO STEP IN [OVERLAPPING].
>> [INAUDIBLE] JUST TO JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON.
>> THERE IS A LOT OF GRASSROOTS INTEREST AND AN OPPORTUNITY. I MEAN, IT IS.
IT'S AN INCREDIBLY WELL-RESOURCED COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF JUST SO MUCH BEAUTY.
I MEAN, SO MUCH NATURE, SO MUCH BEAUTY, AND SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR MORE.
>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE, OBVIOUSLY, COUNSEL DIRECTION TO SAY THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO WORK WITH STAFF TO COME UP WITH AN MOU THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE.
THEY DON'T NEED TO BE LONG DOCUMENTS.
THAT'S FOR SURE. THEY'RE USUALLY PRETTY SHORT DOCUMENTS.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING I NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I'M TERRIBLY FAMILIAR WITH, SO FOR DIRECTING STAFF, AND I'D LIKE TO TABLE THAT UNTIL I HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER.
>> WELL, I THINK I'VE SUGGESTED IF WE HAVE COUNSEL DIRECTION, THAT WOULD BE COUNSEL DIRECTION.
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OBVIOUSLY A LONG TIME, AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD STEP TO MOVE FORWARD AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT, AND EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW IT.
IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW.
>> I THINK IT'S REAL POSITIVE.
I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE IT FORWARD.
>> THERE'S NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED.
WE'RE NOT APPROVING ANYTHING TODAY, BUT APPROVING TO GIVE DIRECTION TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATION WITH STAFF TO SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE TO PUT TOGETHER.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU'VE DONE THIS BEFORE.
[00:35:01]
WE'RE NOT CREATING THE WHEEL. THAT'S FOR SURE.>> YOUR RESUME IS QUITE IMPRESSIVE.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, THIS IS MY PASSION.
>> IT REALLY IS PUBLIC INTEREST AND PLACE-MAKING.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SIT DOWN AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
NOT MY FIRST MOU, BUT MY FIRST HOMETOWN MOU.
>> IT MAY BE, AND I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS CORRECT OR NOT, BUT ADAMS, WOULD THIS BE THE FIRST MOU THAT THE CITY HAS SIGNED?
>> NO, WE DO MOUS ALL [INAUDIBLE].
MOU IS QUITE NORMAL, AND AS WE HAD IN OUR GRANTS DISCUSSION EARLIER, A LOT OF TIMES THOSE GRANTS COME WITH MOUS AS WELL.
I THINK WE COULD PROCEED WITH BEGINNING STAFF-LEVEL COORDINATION ON THAT.
OF COURSE, IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ANY APPROVAL BUT IT WOULD NOT BE UNUSUAL FOR US TO JUST WORK WITH AN ENTITY IN OUR COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP A DRAFT MOU.
>> YEAH, THAT'D BE GREAT THANK YOU.
>> WELL, THANKS CHRISTINE I APPRECIATE IT.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND HELP.
>> I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION.
>> WELL, THAT'LL TAKE US TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT.
[Public Safety Report]
>> SO I WILL BE BRIEF TONIGHT.
WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUICK LITTLE UPDATES FOR IT.
AS WE LOOK AT THIS SLIDE AGAIN, THERE REALLY HASN'T BEEN ANY CHANGES ON THIS SLIDE.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING ONE PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER THROUGH THEIR EXAMS. SHE SHOULD BE DONE TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH, AND THEN WE HAVE TWO OTHER PART-TIME FIREFIGHTERS FOR INTERVIEWS.
ALL THREE OF THOSE HAVE EXPERIENCE IN FIREFIGHTING.
THEN WE HAVE ONE PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER THAT'S INTERESTED IN MOVING TO THE AREA WITH THEIR PARENTS AND IS INTERESTED IN BEING A FIREFIGHTER FOR US.
SO WE HAVE A FIREFIGHTER THAT'S GOING TO REACH OUT TO CHASE AND HAVE A DISCUSSION.
THE REST OF THIS STUFF HAS BEEN GOING WELL.
WE'VE BEEN GETTING A BUNCH OF STUFF IN.
WE RECEIVED ALL OF OUR LDH LAST WEEK THAT'S BEEN PUT ON THE TRUCKS.
YEAH, HOSE. EXACTLY. LARGE DIAMETER HOSE.
SORRY. USING ACRONYMS. THEN THE REMAINING SPARE SETS OF OUR TURNOUT GEAR ARRIVED ON FRIDAY, SO WE HAD 22 SETS DELIVERED.
SO WE'RE DOING REALLY WELL WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S COMING IN, AND WE'LL BE READY FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS ON JULY 1ST.
I'LL STAND FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> THAT'S AWESOME. I THINK 2-3 WEEKS AGO, WHENEVER THE LAST MEETING WAS, I THINK WE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT WE ARE READY.
WE'RE READY TO GO. WE'RE STAFFED.
WE HAVE MACHINERY. WE HAVE HOSES.
WE HAVE ALL THE STUFF WE NEED TO DO.
SO I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR THOUGHTS.
>> I HAVE ONE. REGARDING THE TRAINING, I KNOW THAT YOUR DIAGRAMS HAVE INDICATED THAT THAT WAS STARTED OR YOUR TIMELINE INDICATED THAT WAS STARTED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR?
>> OUR REGULAR SCHEDULED TRAINING ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, YEAH.
WE'VE BEEN MEETING OFF AND ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY.
>> BUT THE TRAINING WITH THE CREW HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE APRIL?
>> REGULAR SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY NIGHTS TRAINING? YES, CORRECT.
>> I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT BETTER ABOUT TRAINING AND WHAT INFORMATION YOU COULD OFFER ON YOUR HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE WITH TRAINING AS IT RELATES TO THE TIMELINE HERE BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TRAINING IS SOMETHING THAT CAN TAKE YEARS TO DO WITH A CREW WHO'S GOING TO BE DISPATCHED TOGETHER.
THIS IS ABOUT TWO OR THREE MONTHS WITH A CREW THAT'S BEEN ASSEMBLED, AND THAT'S HAVING REGULAR WEEKLY TRAININGS.
SO I'M JUST WONDERING, HOW IT IS OR WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU'RE DOING THAT ENABLES THIS CREW TO BE READY, GIVEN THAT THEY'VE BEEN TRAINING JUST [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHERE YOU'RE GETTING YOUR INFORMATION.
THE TRAINING THAT TAKES A COUPLE OF YEARS IS THE FIREFIGHTER 1, FIREFIGHTER 2, EMT AND TO BE A SEASONED FIREFIGHTER TYPICALLY TAKES ABOUT THREE OR FIVE YEARS SOMEWHERE IN THERE TO BE A GOOD RESPONDER.
MOST OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THAT AND I THINK OUR AVERAGE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ARE ALMOST 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FOR OUR 22 FIREFIGHTERS, WHICH ACTUALLY IS FAIRLY GOOD IN THE INDUSTRY.
WE'VE BEEN TRAINING TOGETHER SINCE APRIL AND MOST FIREFIGHTERS, AND THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT.
SO YOU MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS, YOU BUILD THE TEAM AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
SO I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHERE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE 2-3 YEARS I THINK THAT'S MORE ON THE INITIAL TRAINING AND THEN THE SEASONING OF IT.
OVER HALF OUR FIREFIGHTERS HAVE COME FROM ONE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THEN THE OTHER HALF HAD BEEN BLENDED TOGETHER, SO FROM DIFFERENT FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND DIFFERENT JOBS.
[00:40:01]
IS NOT THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS, BUT THE COLLECTIVE TRAINING AS THE TEAM.
THAT'S WHAT I'M REFERRING TO WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE TRAINING.
THAT'S WHEN I SAY IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT TYPICALLY CREWS THAT WORK TOGETHER HAVE HAD MANY MONTHS TO TRAIN TOGETHER.
>> NOT NECESSARILY, I MEAN, YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME IN AND OUT ALL THE TIME FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND PAID ON CALL, AND YOU HAVE SOME THAT STAY FOR 20 YEARS AND SOME THAT STAY FOR 3-5 AND GO TO A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.
SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR YOU TO HAVE NEWER PEOPLE ON THE DEPARTMENT THAT YOU'RE WORKING WITH AND TRAINING WITH AND THEN START RESPONDING TO CALLS.
>> HOW ROUTINE IS IT AROUND THE AREAS THAT YOU'VE WORKED IN TO HAVE A TEAM ASSEMBLED AND TRAINED TOGETHER FOR TWO OR THREE MONTHS BEFORE THEY START?
>> WELL, I DID IT WHEN I WAS HIRED IN 2008 FOR LONG LAKE.
I RESPONDED THE SAME DAY INCIDENCE.
>> BUT THE TEAM AS A WHOLE WASN'T ASSEMBLED AND BEEN TRAINING FOR 2-3 MONTHS?
>> NO, THE TEAM PEOPLE ARE INTERCHANGEABLE.
I MEAN, PEOPLE COME IN AND COME OUT ALL THE TIME.
>> WHEN WE STARTED AT LONG LAKE STATION TOO, WE HAD A CLASS OF 20-30 PEOPLE THAT WERE ALL BRAND NEW TO THAT STATION.
SO YOU LITERALLY HAD 80% OF THE GROUP AS BRAND NEW BACK THEN IN '06.
SO THEY WORKED TOGETHER RIGHT AWAY.
THEY TRAINED TOGETHER, THEY GO TO CALLS TOGETHER.
THE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE HERE, I GUESS, IF YOU WANT CORRELATED DIFFERENCES, THE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE HERE AND TIME ON THE JOB IS MUCH HIGHER THAN IT WAS IN THE PAST.
SO THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT BACK THEN, AROUND '06 THERE WAS A LOT MORE PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS WHO HADN'T COMPLETED FIRE 1, FIRE 2 AND EMT TRAINING.
BUT TODAY, THE STAFF THAT THEY'VE GOT THAT THEY'RE HIRING AND THEY'VE HIRED IS AT A MUCH HIGHER TRAINING LEVEL.
AS FAR AS PEOPLE TRAINING TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER ON CALLS, LIKE THE CHIEF SAYS, I WOULD AGREE 100%.
THERE ARE NEW PERSONNEL THAT JOIN ON, AND THEY WORK TOGETHER ON CALLS, AND THE TRAINING NOT ONLY ENHANCES YOUR SKILLS.
BUT AGAIN, IT BRINGS COMRADERY AND COLLECTIVENESS TO THE CALL.
>> YEAH. TYPICALLY THOSE NEW ONES THAT ARE JOINING IN ARE JUMPING RIGHT INTO CALLS AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF RIGHT AWAY.
>> I MEAN, THIS HAS BEEN NICE THAT WE'VE HAD OVER SIX MONTHS OF BEING ABLE TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND START WORKING WITH EACH OTHER.
>> I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WHERE ARE YOU HEARING THAT FROM? BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.
HAVE YOU TRIED ASKING ANYBODY? DO THEY FEEL READY?
>> I'M NOT GOING TO ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.
I JUST WANTED TO ASK QUESTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT.
>> SEEMS LIKE THE UNDERLYING QUESTION IS SAYING THAT WE'RE NOT READY, AND I THINK THE CHIEF HAS SAID THAT WE'RE READY AND THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
>> MY QUESTION, I DIDN'T SAY THAT ANYBODY'S NOT READY.
MY QUESTION IS ABOUT TRAINING AND WHAT IS IDEAL AND WHAT IS STANDARD.
THAT'S ALL THAT I WANTED TO ASK.
>> THIS METHOD TO ME IS MORE THAN IDEAL BECAUSE AGAIN, THE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE AND THE PERSONNEL THAT IS HIRED ON THIS TEAM IS TREMENDOUSLY HIGH.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
>> WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS GUY?
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, CHIEF. IS THAT IT?
>> YES, THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TONIGHT.
THAT'LL TAKE US TO OUR CITY ADMINISTRATOR ENGINEER REPORT NUMBER 17.
PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY 21-39, CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 3.
>> DON'T KNOW IF THE ATTORNEY HAD A REPORT.
[Attorney Report]
>> ATTORNEY YOU HAVE A REPORT.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME'S LEO COOK.
>> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE. THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
SON WILL BE UNABLE TO MAKE THE NEXT MEETING TOO, BUT WE HAVE SOMEONE ELSE GREAT COMING OUT TO TAKE CARE OF YOU GUYS. SO THAT'S ALL.
>> IT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT REPORT.
I'M GLAD WE GOT IT IN. MAYOR, THANK YOU.
>> WELL, WE DID TELL SON THAT I'M SURE BECAUSE YOU'RE HERE IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH CALMER NIGHT.
>> THAT'LL BRING US TO ADAM AND NUMBER 17.
[17. Public Works Facility (21-039)- Change Order 3]
>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, ITEM NUMBER 17 IS CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 3 FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT.
IN YOUR PACKAGE YOU HAVE A SUMMARY OF THE ITEMS FOR THE CHANGE ORDER.
THE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 3 WILL BE THE LAST CHANGE ORDER FOR THIS PROJECT AS IT COMES TO A CLOSE HERE.
CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 3 TOTAL IS $50,000, $350,388.14.
THAT WILL BRING THE TOTAL FOR ALL THREE CHANGE ORDERS WE'VE HAD TO $101,333.67,
[00:45:11]
WHICH REPRESENTS A 0.63% OF THE OVERALL CONTRACT.I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THE PLAN CONTINGENCY FOR THIS PROJECT WAS $100,000.
>> I THINK THAT'S ABOUT AS GOOD AS YOU GET WHEN YOU WORK RIGHT INTO YOUR PLAN CONTINGENCY.
THAT'S AMAZING. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, ADAM.
HOW MUCH OF THIS ABOUT $100,000 IS COMING OUT OF THE SEWER FUND VERSUS THE WATER FUND?
>> THIS BATCH IS ALL COMING OUT OF THE FACILITIES FUND.
>> IT'S ALL COMING OUT OF FACILITIES.
WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA? THAT'S NOT CORRECT.
IT'S NOT COMING OUT OF WATER AND SEWER ONES?
>> LINE NUMBER 5 SAYS THE PROJECT IS FUNDED FROM A VARIETY OF FUNDING SOURCES.
THIS CAN INCLUDE THE FACILITIES FUND, THE SEDENTARY SEWER FUND, AND THE WATER FUNDS.
>> THERE ARE PORTIONS OF THIS PROJECT THAT ARE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THOSE OTHER FUNDS.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS COMES OUT OF THE FACILITIES FUND, WHICH WAS THEN COMES FROM THE FACILITIES BONDING THAT WE DID A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
>> ON THAT NOTE, CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS?
>> THE TOTAL COST OF CONSTRUCTION TO DATE IS $16,168,333.67.
>> ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAND, THE WETLAND CREDITS? I JUST WANT TO HAVE A TOTAL OF THE PROJECT.
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT SPREADSHEET RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME THIS SECOND, BUT IT'S JUST SHY OF 17 MILLION.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S SEE IF ANYTHING ELSE.
DOES ANY OF THIS AFFECT UTILITY RATES FOR SEWER WATER? ANY OF THIS CHANGE ORDER OR ANYTHING RELATED?
>> THE CHANGE ORDER, NO, IT HAS NO IMPACTS DIRECTLY ON SEWER WATER RATES.
>> THERE ARE SOME INDIRECT COSTS OBVIOUSLY WHEN WE'RE PAYING FOR PARTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE OUT OF THE SEWER AND WATER FUNDS, THEN THE REVENUES FOR THOSE FUNDS COME FROM SEWER AND WATER.
>>IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE RATE, BUT IT DOES COME OUT OF THOSE FUNDS WHERE THEY'RE FUNDED BY SEWER AND WATER BILLS.
>> THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A RATE INCREASE BECAUSE OF THESE CHANGES OR BECAUSE OF THIS PROJECT?
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU, ADAM.
ANY OTHER ENGINEER OR CITY ENGINEER REPORT AT ALL?
>> NO. WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF PROJECTS, WELL, TENTATIVELY UNDERWAY.
WE KEEP GETTING DELAYS WITH THE WEATHER, BUT OUR STREETS PROJECT WAS DUE TO START THIS WEEK IS NOW LOOKING LIKE NEXT WEEK.
WE DID START WORK ON THE NAVARRE GARAGE EXPANSION PROJECT THIS WEEK AND THE SEWER LINING PROJECT WE HAVE FOR THIS YEAR IS UNDERWAY.
THEY'RE DOING THE MEASUREMENTS AND THE FLUSHING OF THE LINES THAT WILL BE LINED WILL RETURN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS TIME TO DO THE ACTUAL LINING OF THOSE SELECTED SEWER LINES. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU, ADAM. I KNOW LAURA'S HERE TODAY AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PLANNING DIRECTOR ISSUES TONIGHT.
DID YOU HAVE ANY UPDATES YOU WANTED FOR TONIGHT? ANY FACETIME?
>> BRIEFLY, MAYOR. SORRY TO INTERRUPT, LAURA.
DID YOU WANT A MOTION FOR THAT CHANGE ORDER?
>> THAT'S WHY YOU KEITH. LIKE IT.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CHANGE ORDER.
>> BY CROSBY. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> SECOND BY VEACH. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED? NOTE THAT PASSES 4-0.
THAT'LL TAKE US TO OUR COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS.
[Council Committee Reports]
I DON'T THINK I SAW ANYTHING ON HERE THAT TALKED ABOUT ANY COMMITTEE REPORTS.DID WE HAVE ANY COMMITTEE REPORTS?
>> I THINK WE HAD ONE INDIRECT ONE.
WE HAD A COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE THAT I KNOW I CALLED YOU AT THE LAST MINUTE THAT YOU COULDN'T MAKE BECAUSE WE DID HAVE A GROUP THAT REACHED OUT TO US, AND THIS WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR ALL ORONO RESIDENTS, BUT WE HAVE THIS COMPANY CALLED MIDCO, MID CONTINENT.
THEY ARE AN INTERNET COMPANY, AND THEY ARE BASED IN SOUTH DAKOTA AND I THINK THEY'VE GOT 600,000 MILES OF FIBER, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
[00:50:01]
MINNETRISTA AND INDEPENDENCE IN LINING THOSE CITIES WITH FIBER, STARTING OUT WEST AND WORKING EAST.THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY LIKE TO TALK TO US ABOUT DOING THE SAME THING IN ORONO, WHERE THEY WOULD START ON THE VERY WEST SIDE, WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN INDEPENDENCE AND IN MINNETRISTA.
THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE SOMEWHERE IN 12, MOST LIKELY 24 MONTHS BECAUSE WE'RE A LITTLE MORE SPREAD OUT THAN THE NORMAL CITY, BUT THEY WOULD GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD BRING FIBER TO EVERYBODY'S HOUSE.
THEY SAID THEY ARE A RURAL BROADBAND FIRM THAT DOES A STREAMING SERVICE AS WELL, SO THEY COULD OFFER TELEPHONE STREAMING SERVICE AS WELL AS FIBER INTERNET.
THE FIRST STEP THAT WE HAD WAS OBVIOUSLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY A VERY LARGE OPERATION THAT IS INTERESTED IN THE OUTLYING SUBURBS HERE OF THE TWIN CITIES, AND WE'RE RIGHT IN THE HUB.
THEY KNOW WE'RE UNDER SERVED, AND ADAM WAS GOING TO SEND THEM OUR FRANCHISE AGREEMENT THAT WE'VE GOT WITH, I KEEP WANTING TO SAY COMCAST, BUT MEDIACOM, BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD JUST MIRROR IMAGE WHATEVER AGREEMENT WE HAVE.
HE SAID, IT'S PRETTY TYPICAL FOR CITIES TO HAVE TWO FRANCHISES FOR PEOPLE TO WORK WITH.
THEY SAID, IF THAT LOOKS GOOD, WE'D BRING SOMETHING TO COUNCIL, BUT AT SOME POINT WHEN THEY TALK, IT LOOKS GOOD BECAUSE THEY GOT TO HAVE THEIR ATTORNEYS LOOK AT IT, BUT IF WE DID THAT, THEY WOULD, IN 24 MONTHS, BRING FIBER TO EVERY HOME IN ORONO.
THAT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY FOR THE OUTLINE AREAS WHERE WE GET INTERMITTENT SERVICE.
I KNOW THIS WEEK, OUR INTERNET SERVICE DIDN'T WORK HALF THE WEEK, SO WE'RE USING OUR HOT SPOT ON OUR PHONES ALL THE TIME TO GET INTERNET ACCESS ON OUR COMPUTERS.
THEY HAD REACHED OUT A WHILE AGO AND ADAM MET AND IT WENT OUT THROUGH THAT, SO THAT WAS EXCITING.
JUST KNOW THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE COMING AND THAT WOULD BE A BIG CHANGE FOR ORONO BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE HAD I THINK EVEN IN THE RECENT COUNCIL MEETING AND THE LAST ONE BEFORE THAT WHERE PEOPLE ARE JUST WONDERING WHAT DO WE GOT TO DO TO GET SERVICE.
THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH LOW DENSITY OUT HERE.
NOBODY HAS A WHOLE LOT OF INTEREST, BUT THIS FIRM REALLY SPECIALIZES IN THE LOW DENSITY AREAS WHERE EVERYBODY ELSE SHIES AWAY.
BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT'S WHY THEY'RE NOT IN THE INNER SUBURBS OF MINNEAPOLIS BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY PROVIDERS, AND IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.
WE'RE OUT HERE, THERE ISN'T, AND THEY SEE A MARKET THAT'S RIGHT FOR THE PICKING THAT THEY CAN COME IN AND THEY CAN THEN BE THE MAIN REVENUE SOURCES FOR EVERYTHING OUT IN THE OUTER SUBURBS, I GUESS, WE'LL CALL IT.
>> IT WAS JOHN AT OUR LAST MEETING THAT HAD SAID HE WAS GOING TO CONTACT YOU ABOUT MEDIACOM AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF THEM, SO MAYBE AN UPDATE FOR HIM WOULD BE NICE.
>> YES, HE'S BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MEDIACOM.
>> BY THE TIME OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER COMES OUT IN JULY.
MAYBE WE'LL HAVE MORE UPDATE BY THEM BY THE TIME WE GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSER AS TIME DRIBBLES ON HERE WITH THIS FIRM, BUT THAT'S AN EXCITING ONE BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN A LONG TIME OF JUST CONSTANT STRIKEOUTS.
NOBODY WANTED TO COME OUT HERE BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NO DENSITY.
AT SOME POINT, THEY JUST STOP RETURNING YOUR CALLS AT ALL, AND YOU GET THE MESSAGE AFTER A WHILE.
WITH THAT, THEN I WILL BRING US TO PUBLIC COMMENTS,
[Public Comments - (Limit 3 Minutes per Person)]
WHICH IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE COUNCIL WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION OR TAKE ACTION ON ITEMS PRESENTED AT THIS TIME.
HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL MAY REFER MARIE FOR ISSUES TO STAFF, FOR FOLLOW UP, OR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING.
SPEAKERS SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME, HOME ADDRESS AT THE PODIUM BEFORE SPEAKING.
THE COUNCIL WILL FIRST OPEN THE PODIUM TO ORONO RESIDENTS BEFORE OPENING THE PODIUM TO ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
WITH THAT, IS THERE ANY ORONO RESIDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? IF THERE IS, PLEASE COME UP AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL. I'M CLAIRE BARRETT AT 1085 BROWN ROAD SOUTH IN ORONO.
I WANTED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ORONO GARDEN CLUB.
THANK YOU TO CHIEF ANIAK [PHONETIC] FOR ALLOWING US TO BE PART OF THAT REALLY WONDERFUL CEREMONY THIS EVENING.
YOU'LL BE HEARING A LOT MORE FROM US, HOPEFULLY, IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE ABOUT SOME PROJECTS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY ON.
I JUST WANTED TO READ YOU OUR FOUNDATION STATEMENT.
NOT FOUNDATION LIKE A FOUNDATION, BUT FOUNDATION LIKE HERE'S OUR BASE.
THE ORONO GARDEN CLUB IS A 501C3 PUBLIC CHARITY WITH THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING ALL THINGS SPECIAL ABOUT ORONO, CULTIVATING PRIDE IN ORONO,
[00:55:01]
STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEIGHBORS, CELEBRATING THE BEAUTY AROUND US AND GROWING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.WE WELCOME NEW NEIGHBORS, WE COMMEMORATE CIVIC EVENTS AND INVOLVE ORONO RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORS OF ORONO IN POSITIVE SUPPORT OF OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY. THAT'S ALL.
>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM ORONO TONIGHT THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP?
>> CARL CALL SETH 725 STONE BAY DRIVE.
I'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON TONIGHT'S PUBLIC WORKS AGENDA ITEM 17.
ON DECEMBER 13TH, 2021, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 16 MILLION TO BOND FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY AND A FIRE STATION.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT MEANT FIRE DEPARTMENT OR PHYSICAL STATION, BUT ON OCTOBER 10TH IN 2022, THE MEETING MINUTES REFLECT THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED FOR THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.
IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY FROM A PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THE $16 MILLION BOND INCLUDED 13 MILLION FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND THREE MILLION FOR FIRE.
AS OF TONIGHT, WE'RE SITTING AT $16,168,333 JUST FOR PUBLIC WORKS ALONE.
IT SAYS ON IN TONIGHT'S AGENDA THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY A VARIETY OF SOURCES, INCLUDING FACILITIES, SANITARY SEWER AND WATER FUNDS.
I READ IN THE DECEMBER 12TH, 2022 COUNCIL PACKET THAT ENTERPRISE FUNDS LIKE WATER AND SEWER AND THIS IS A QUOTE, "ARE DESIGNED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE BUSINESS TYPE ACTIVITIES OF THE CITY.
THESE FUNDS DO NOT RECEIVE ANY PROPERTY TAX REVENUE." THE GOAL FOR ENTERPRISE FUNDS IS TO BE FULLY FUNDED BY RATES WITHOUT DEPENDING ON SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
IN THE SAME PACKET, IT ALSO SAID THAT WATER SERVICES, AND THIS WAS BACK IN 2022, WATER SERVICES 1,087 CUSTOMERS WHILE SEWER SERVICES 2,287 CUSTOMERS.
A 2022 END OF YEAR PROJECTION FOR WATER AND SEWER HAS A 2023 LINE ITEM OF TRANSFERS TO EOI SLASH FACILITY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, BUT THERE'S A ONE MILLION DOLLAR ON THE WATER FUND AND A $1.66 MILLION ON THE SEWER FUND AND THERE'S A 2024 PROJECTION FOR ANOTHER $75,000 FOR WATER AND $100,000 FOR SEWER.
AM I TO UNDERSTAND THAT BY THE END OF 2024, $2,285,000 WILL HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM THESE TWO ENTERPRISE FUNDS TO HELP ORONO GET CLOSER TO THE $16 MILLION PRICE TAG FOR THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH MONEY THE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT HAS RECEIVED FROM SEWER AND WATER.
HOW IS IT THAT THE FEES COLLECTED FROM THOSE OF US WHO USE CITY WATER AND SEWER CAN BE RE ALLOCATED TO PUBLIC WORKS, AND IT DOESN'T SUGGEST THAT IF INDEED THOSE FEES ARE NOT NEEDED TO MAINTAIN SEWER AND WATER, THEN WE'RE BEING OVERCHARGED.
WHEN I MOVED TO ORONO IN 2018, MY QUARTERLY PSN ACCOUNT CHARGES WERE ABOUT $228 FOR A THREE-MONTH PERIOD.
SINCE THE CITY WENT TO MONTHLY BILLING, MY RATES HAVE GONE UP ABOUT 19%, WHICH ISN'T OUTRAGEOUS.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD REFER YOU TO STAFF FOR THOSE QUESTIONS.
THEY CAN GET YOU ALL THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
>> I'M GOING TO READ THE LETTER THAT I SENT TO COUNCIL AND IT'S PENNY PSYCHE FROM 2874 CASCO POINT ROAD, PART OF THE TEST AREA FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, WITHOUT A VOTE OF THOSE BEING AFFECTED IS THE ANTITHESIS OF TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT.
AS I SAID EARLIER, A REVOLUTION WAS FOUGHT FOR THAT VOICE.
EXIT CHANGED THE STATUS QUO OF PUBLIC SAFETY NEED TO BE FULLY EXPLAINED AND ENDORSED BY THE MAJORITY OF THOSE AFFECTED.
AT THE NEW FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE, THE SERVICE THAT BEGINS ON JULY 1ST, 2024 WILL BEGIN 18 MONTHS AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL ORONO CONTRACTED LONG LAKE SERVICE PERIOD.
ORONO IS INDEPENDENTLY CHANGING THE SERVICE CONTRACT TO A PORTION OF ORONO WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF LONG LAKE'S CONTINUED FIRE SERVICE OF LONG LAKE, WHICH HAS SERVED ORONO WELL.
THE CITY OF ORONO BELIEVES THAT THE CHANGE WILL BE AS SAFE AND AS SOUND A SERVICE THAT LONG LAKE HAS PROVIDED TO ALL OF ORONO, BUT THEY ARE RUNNING A TEST AREA WITH LESS THAN HALF THE FULLY TRAINED AND CERTIFIED FORCE PERSONNEL.
BECAUSE THE CITY OWES ITS CITIZENS AS GOOD OR BETTER SERVICE THAN THE EXISTING SERVICE TO MAKE MAJOR CHANGES,
[01:00:01]
AND THEY ARE WILLING TO WARRANTY THAT LEVEL OF SERVICE.HOMES OWNED BY THE FIRE CHIEF, THE MAYOR, AND ALL THE ENDORSING COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL, OF COURSE, BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE TEST AREA.
IF THE CHANGES TO THE SERVICE ARE CONSIDERED SAFE FOR SOME OF ORONO, IT NEEDS TO BE AS SAFE AS FOR ALL THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED.
THIS ENTIRE PROCESS WOULD BE BETTER IMPLEMENTED IF THERE WERE A JOINT DECLARATION 8-10 YEARS AHEAD OF THE SPLIT.
THERE WOULD BE A RECORD OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESPONSES UNDER BOTH CITIES.
CALL IT ORONO AND LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR LONG LAKE AND ORONO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I SAW THE FIRE TRUCK TAKE A PRACTICE RUN IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AFTER THE CONTRACT TO BUILD ADDITION ON THE PARK EQUIPMENT, STORAGE FACILITY ENTERED FROM LYRIC.
IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WOULD BE USING THE PRIVATE DRIVEWAY CUT ACROSS THE STREET TO MANEUVER THE TRUCK TURN AROUND FROM LYRIC TO BACK INTO THE FENCE PARK, EQUIPMENT YARD, AND NEWLY BUILT GARAGE.
AS A FORMER ARCHITECT, I FIND THIS BIZARRE AFTER INVESTMENT IN DESIGN AND FEES, AND AWARD OF CONTRACT.
THAT IS THE RELEASE OF FUNDS TO BUILD.
THE CHART OR THE CHANGE IN SERVICES IS NOT AN ISSUE OF FUNDS, OF POWER, OF OWNERSHIP OF ORGANIZATION.
IT'S ABOUT SAFETY, LIVES, AND COOPERATION.
THANKS. THEN THAT COMMENT ABOUT THE COST OF THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
I WAS THE ARCHITECT ON THE MINDA GARAGE AT MAPLE WOOD.
AND WE'VE ALMOST GOT THE SIZE OF THAT GARAGE.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU'VE GOT A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY OR MINDA.
THAT'S A HUGE GARAGE OR MAYBE THE FIRE STATION WOULD BE IN THERE.
>> THANK YOU, PENNY. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> ANYBODY ELSE FOR ORONO THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? NOBODY ELSE FROM ORONO.
IS ANYBODY ELSE FROM ANYWHERE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TONIGHT? HE'S SAYING NOBODY ELSE.
I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND I WILL BRING US TO MAYOR, COUNCIL REPORT. COUNCIL MEMBER VINCENT.
[Mayor/Council Report]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. YESTERDAY WAS MEMORIAL DAY, AND I DO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT THE VALUES AND FREEDOMS WE HOLD DEAR.
THEIR SELFNESSLESS AND DEDICATION DESERVES OUR COLLECTIVE RECOGNITION AND RESPECT.
I WANT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE THE RESPONSIBILITY SHOULDERED BY FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO GRIEVE THE LOSS OF THEIR LOVED ONES.
OUR DEBT TO THOSE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN CANNOT BE REPAID, BUT IT CAN BE REMEMBERED ALWAYS AND HONORED WITH GRATITUDE.
I HAVE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT, WHICH IS THAT I PLAN TO ATTEND THE FOLLOW UP FORUM, LONG LAKE FIRE SERVICES UPDATES OPEN HOUSE, HOSTED BY THE CITY OF LONG LAKE TOMORROW NIGHT, WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH FROM 6:30-8:30 PM AT THE CALVIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN LONG LAKE.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT LONG LAKE HAS HOSTED A FORUM TO DISCUSS FIRE SERVICE ISSUES.
AND TOMORROW'S FORUM WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS SUCH AS THE ONGOING LEGAL CASE BETWEEN ORONO AND LONG LAKE AND UPDATES ON THE CHANGES TO FIRE SERVICE IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF ORONO STARTING JULY 1 OF THIS YEAR.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SEVERAL FEATURED SPEAKERS, CHIEF MIKE HYLAND, AND ASSISTANT CHIEF CODY FARLEY OF LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND ALSO RETIRED LIEUTENANT ENGINEER AND AMT, TODD NEWCOMER.
AND FINALLY, CHIEF JEFF LEAR OF THE WEST SUBURBAN FIRE DISTRICT WILL BE SPEAKING.
WEST SUBURBAN WAS CREATED WHEN THE LORETTO AND HAMEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS MERGED ON JULY 1 OF LAST YEAR.
WEST SUBURBAN PROVIDES FIRE SERVICE TO MULTIPLE CITIES AND IS A HIGHLY REGARDED EXAMPLE OF HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY COMBINED TRAINED PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES TO PROVIDE QUALITY, COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE.
CHIEF LEAR ALSO WAS NAMED AS THE MINNESOTA FIRE OFFICER OF THE YEAR IN 2022.
AND I'M INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF WEST SUBURBAN FIRE DISTRICT.
THE FORUM WILL ALSO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SPEAK.
RESIDENTS FROM MINITAKA BEACH, MEDINA, LONG LAKE, AND ORONO.
THE CITIES SERVED BY LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEIR INPUT AND HAVE VOICES HEARD.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS EFFORT BY THE CITY OF LONG LAKE TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR OPEN AND DIRECT CONVERSATION WITH OUR SHARED COMMUNITIES.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FIRE SERVICE OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW NIGHT AND DO REQUEST THAT A QUORUM NOTICE BE POSTED IF FELLOW MEMBERS OF ORONO CITY COUNCIL PLANNED TO ATTEND.
>> I THOUGHT YOU HIT ON THE MEMORIAL DAY THING VERY NICELY. I TOO.
HOPE EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY AND WERE ABLE TO
[01:05:03]
REFLECT ON THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF.I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK UPDATE ON WHAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
RECENTLY, I TOURED THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, AND THE NEW TEMPORARY FIRE STATION HERE WAS VERY IMPRESSED IN THE ORGANIZATION AND THE SETUP SEEING TEAMS BUSTLING ABOUT WAS VERY EXCITING, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT SERVICE OR A GREAT FACILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR WELL INTO THE FUTURE.
I'VE REACHED OUT AND MET WITH NEIGHBORING CITIES REPRESENTATIVES IN LONG LAKE AND WITH WISTA.
WE DISCUSSED CREATING CONNECTIONS AND CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS.
I'VE CONNECTED WITH CITIZENS, ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND ENGAGING IN FEEDBACK.
I'VE ATTENDED THE PAVILION GROUND BREAKING THIS MORNING, WHICH WAS REALLY EXCITING AS WELL AND THE WEATHER HELD OUT NICELY FOR THAT.
THEN I TOO, WILL BE ATTENDING THE LONG LAKE DEPARTMENT UPDATE TOMORROW NIGHT.
I CONTINUE TO BE ENERGIZED BY ALL THE GOOD CONVERSATIONS AND THE EXCITING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE CITY AND LOOK FORWARD TO MORE GOOD NEWS AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REITERATE A THANK YOU GOING OUT TO ALL OUR VETERANS OVER MEMORIAL DAY.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN REALIZE THEIR SACRIFICES UNLESS THEY'VE DONE IT THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS SACRIFICE TOO AT HOME, AND THEIR LOSSES ARE MEASURABLE.
EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN THEY COME HOME AND THEY HAVE PTSD OR ISSUES DEALING FROM BEING OUT IN THE FIELD, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM.
ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS AND RECOGNIZE THAT OUR FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
IT'S GUARANTEED AND DONE BY OUR VETS NOT OUR POLITICIANS.
GOD BLESS THEM AND THANK THEM.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE OUR OFFICERS TONIGHT.
>> THE YOUNG CADETS ARE IMPRESSIVE IN THEIR AWARDS, AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT COMES FROM TOP DOWN FROM OUR CHIEF DOWN TO THE OFFICER CORPS DOING A FANTASTIC JOB SO THANK YOU, CORE.
I WENT TO THE ORONO ORCHARD GOLF COURSE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE PAVILION TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO DO, A SHOUT OUT TO OUR PARKS PEOPLE JUST FOR DOING AN INCREDIBLY OUTSTANDING JOB.
I LOOK AT THE COURSE AND PARKS AROUND THE CITY AND REMEMBER THEM FROM YEARS AGO, AND THE TRANSFORMATION HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING.
AND THIS IS PEOPLE DONATING A LOT OF THEIR PERSONAL TIME AND THEIR PASSION AND THEIR TALENTS, AND IT'S EXCITING.
THE LIONS GROUP BEING INCREDIBLY GENEROUS WITH THEIR DONATION AND PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS HAVE COME INTO PLAY, AND THEY HAVE ON BIG ISLAND AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT IT'S REALLY BROUGHT THE CITY AHEAD, AND THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED OVER ALL THESE YEARS HAS BEEN FANTASTIC, INCLUDING BUDGETING FOR THE ROADS, AND THEY'RE BRINGING UP THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY BECAUSE WE'VE GROWN THE EXISTING ONE WITHOUT ROOM TO EXPAND AND IT'S TERRIFIC THAT THEY TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE I'M IN THE FINANCIAL BUSINESS, AND I'M STILL AMAZED ON THE DOLLARS THAT WE BORROWED AT SUCH AN INCREDIBLY CHEAP INTEREST RATE.
IT'S LIKE FREE MONEY, AND MOST CITIES WOULD BE LIKE GOD, THAT'S JUST WONDERFUL.
IT'S LIKE HITTING THE JACKPOT, AND WE HAVE A PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY THAT'S GOING TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED PLUS YEARS.
IT'S AN OUTSTANDING VISION, AND IT'S EXCITING TO BE PART OF IT.
IT REALLY IS. BUT I THANK EVERYBODY FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS. DEFINITELY THANK YOU TO ALL THE VETERANS OUT THERE FOR SURE THAT GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND CELEBRATED ANY VETERANS AS WELL AS PUT FLOWERS ON THE GRAVES AND EVERYBODY ELSE AND CELEBRATE AND KEPT THEM ALL IN MIND.
WE GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF COMING UP BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF JUNE.
THE BIGGEST ONE, OF COURSE, IS THE JUNE 12 COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR.
I KNOW EVERYBODY LOVES TO COME TO THAT AND TALK AND SHARE STUFF AND GET ALL THE FACTS AND THE INSIGHT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REACHING OUT OF THAT,
[01:10:01]
THERE IS A TIME TO COME AND SIT RIGHT THERE AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS. THAT'S IT.I WAS ALSO AT THE PICNIC SHELTER PAVILION GROUND BREAKING THIS MORNING.
IT IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS WHILE I'VE BEEN MAYOR.
THE LIONS GAVE $40,000 TOWARDS THE $80,000 PROJECT, WHICH IS FABULOUS.
RICHIE ANDERSON, I THINK, WAS UP HERE AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND PLEDGED ANOTHER $2500 SO IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE.
THEN HERE IN THE SAME ROOM TODAY, WE HAVE MORE EXAMPLES OF THESE GREAT PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE ORNEL PARKS LEGACY OVER HERE.
WE'VE GOT THE ORONO GARDEN CLUB THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO MORE AND MORE.
NONE OF THIS EXISTED EIGHT YEARS AGO.
ALL OF THIS IS NOW BECAUSE OF ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE CREATED THROUGH THE PARKS COMMISSION AND THE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WITH THE BACKING OF THE COUNCIL AND ALSO BRINGING AN ACTUAL BUDGET FOR THE PARKS TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS AND TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT WE CAN GET PROJECTS DONE.
IT'S ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT THE WALK.
BUT WHEN YOU WALK THE WALK AND YOU GET PROJECTS DONE, THAT'S HOW YOU GET MORE PROJECTS DONE WITH PEOPLE COMING UP.
I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR DEDICATION IN THE NEW ORONO GARDEN CLUB AND ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU I KNOW WILL DO VERY WELL. I APPRECIATE THAT.
COMING UP ON JUNE 13 IS THE ORONO PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE FOR ALL THE OPEN HOUSE.
ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO COME FROM 3:00 TO 6:00 P.M. THAT'S ON A THURSDAY AND COME AND SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, MEET ALL THE STAFF, ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS.
>> OKAY. 3:00 TO 5:00. I CHANGED MY CALENDAR.
THE WEEK OF JUNE 17TH, THE WHOLE WEEK, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE GOLF COURSE, THE 100 YEAR ORONO ORCHARD GOLF COURSE CELEBRATION, AND WE WILL HAVE MUSIC.
THERE'LL BE ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITIES.
WE WILL HAVE A DEDICATION FOR THE PAVILION FOR THE I THINK, LEO FESSER FAMILY, WHO ACTUALLY WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL WOODHILL PEOPLE THEN HELPED BUILD THE ORONO GOLF COURSE.
THEN HIM AND HIS FAMILY FOR THE FIRST 40 OR 50 YEARS WERE THE SUPERINTENDENTS RUNNING THE ORONO GOLF COURSE SO THEY'VE GOT SOME FAMILY MEMBERS COMING IN FROM OUT OF TOWN TO ATTEND THE DEDICATION IN HIS HONOR IN HIS NAME.
THAT'S ANOTHER FABULOUS WAY OF RECOGNIZING ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE DONE IN ORONO AND THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE DONE STUFF FOR US. THAT'S JUST AMAZING.
ON MONDAY, JUNE 24TH, WHICH WILL BE OUR SECOND COUNCIL MEETING IN JUNE.
I KNOW THE CHIEF VAN LE WILL BE GLAD TO BRING ALL OF HIS FIREFIGHTERS UP HERE.
WE WILL BE SWEARING IN ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS AT ONCE.
IT'LL BE A GRAND CELEBRATION WITH A LOT OF FABULOUS PEOPLE HERE SO I INVITE YOU TO COME TO THAT.
LIKE I SAID, A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF JUNE.
I WON'T EVEN GO INTO JULY BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SO MANY GOOD STUFF GOING ON THERE, TOO.
WHAT ELSE DO WE GOT GOING ON HERE? I GOT A FEW PERSONAL THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON.
I'VE HAD IT'S COMING ORONO GRADUATION IS NEXT THURSDAY.
I GOT A DAUGHTER GRADUATING ON THURSDAY AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE HER INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ATHLETIC DORMS ON SUNDAY.
SHE'LL BE GONE THREE DAYS AFTER SHE GRADUATES SO WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT OF, JITTERS WITH THAT, HOW THAT'S ALL GOING TO WORK.
BUT WE STILL HAVE ONE LEFT AT HOME.
WE STILL GOT TWO YEARS LEFT WITH HER, SO WE'RE ENJOYING ALL OF THAT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MORGAN BEING OFF TO COLLEGE AND THEN TRAVELING AROUND WITH HER WHEN SHE DID COMPETITION WITH THE GYMNASTICS TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY.
MY DAUGHTER TAYLOR, RIGHT NOW IS THE BIG DEAL.
ALL THE SECTIONS MEETS FOR TRACK ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
LAST WEEK, SHE RAN THE 800 AND WAS PLACED FIRST, THE FASTEST TIME.
THIS THURSDAY, SHE RACES AGAINST THE EIGHT OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE BEHIND HER FOR WHO GOES TO STATE.
NOT A LOT OF GIRLS HAVE GONE TO STATE IN THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT WE'VE HAD A NEW TRACK COACH AND CROSS COUNTRY COACH OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
I ACTUALLY CAME THAT ARE RUNNERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON.
THEY WERE ALSO TRACK COACHES OVER AT WAYZATA AND THEY ARE FABULOUS. THEY DO A GREAT JOB.
THEY'VE GOT PEOPLE ORGANIZED AND RUNNING, SO WE EXPECT A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE GOING TO STATE THIS YEAR AS WELL, BECAUSE I KNOW MY DAUGHTER ALSO ANCHORS THE 400 AND 800 RELAY.
THAT'LL BE A BLAST. THEY WILL HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH THAT, SO PROUD DADDY, THAT IS FOR SURE.
I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH ONE QUOTE HERE BY RONALD REAGAN.
I THINK I POSTED THIS ON FACEBOOK, TOO.
HE WAS BACK IN 1982, MAY 31, AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.
HE TALKED ABOUT GIVING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, THE UNITED STATES AND THE FREEDOM FOR WHICH IT STANDS, THE FREEDOM FOR WHICH THEY DIED MUST ENDURE AND PROSPER.
THEIR LIVES REMIND US THAT FREEDOM IS NOT BOUGHT CHEAPLY.
IT HAS A COST. IT IMPOSES A BURDEN.
JUST AS THEY WHOM WE COMMEMORATE WERE WILLING TO SACRIFICE,
[01:15:01]
SO TOO MUST WE IN A LESS FINAL, LESS HEROIC WAY BE WILLING TO GIVE OF OURSELVES.HE SAID THAT BACK 42 YEARS AGO, IT STILL RESONATES TODAY AND I THINK THAT TO ME, MEANS GIVING BACK TO YOURSELVES IN LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS, THAT'S NON PROFITS, THAT'S DOING THE RIGHT THINGS FOR THE CITY AND ALL THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING FOR IT.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COMING TONIGHT, AND WE'LL SEE IT ALL THE DIFFERENT FABULOUS EVENTS THAT WE WILL HAVE OVER THE NEXT MONTH SO WITH THAT, I MOTION TO ADJOURN.
SO MOOD. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> WE HAVE A GREAT EVENING, EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.