07-23-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,July 23,2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jane Delaney, 1515 Woodhill Avenue,stated she is here tonight to submit a petition regarding the City's joint application with Verizon to allow cell towers in Orono city parks. Delaney stated she would like to read the letter attached to the petition. "Mayor,City Administrator,Orono City Council,Orono Planning Commission,and Orono Park Commission: We, citizens of Orono, surrounding areas,and parks are requesting that the City's co-application with Verizon for the placement of cell towers at the Orono Public Golf Course and French Creek Preserve and any other location,park or city-owned property be halted until a special meeting can be scheduled for public discussion and city-wide notification. Scheduling a public meeting at the Planning Commission level only notifies residents within 500 feet of the proposed sites. Of the hundreds of residents and park goers we have talked to,none have any idea of the potential co-application. A decision of this magnitude without a city-wide special hearing would forever change our parks for decades to come. All citizens need to hear what the staff and officials' position before the city officially applies for cell towers with Verizon. We request that the City Council at their next council meeting on August 13 discuss as an agenda item the issue of having a city-wide special public hearing." This is submitted by Janey Delaney and Claudia Whitely on behalf of 152 petitioners. Delaney stated they look forward to the Ciry's answer about the next city council meeting. Matt Johnson, 1432 Shoreline Drive,announced he will be running for City Council. Johnson stated he grew up in the area and his youngest daughter graduated from Orono a couple of years ago. Johnson stated up to five years ago he never stepped foot inside the Council's chambers,but with some of the different things going on in the City,he started to get involved. At that time it was a complicated situation with the City Council but over the past couple of years he has noticed a Council that is working in a unified and great direction even though they don't always agree. Johnson stated city elections allow someone like himself to get more involved and that he is interested in being on the Council because the City is moving in a positive direction,the Council is fiscally responsible,and they are addressing the streets. Johnson thanked the City Council for all their hard work. Judy Wood, 1230 Woodhill Avenue, stated she is here tonight to enthusiastically support her neighbors on the cell phone application. 4. ACCEPT DONATION OF ADVERTISEMENT IN ORONO PARENT DIRECTORY Walsh thanked the Orono Foundation for their donation to the Orono parent directory. Walsh noted a picture of the City Council and representatives from the Fire Deparhnent,Police Department,and the Orono Foundation was taken earlier this evening. Printup moved,Dankey seconded,to accept the donation of advertisement in Orono Parent Directory. Vote: Ayes 5,Nays 0. Page 2 of 8