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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, April 8, 2019 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />__________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 11 of 12 <br /> <br />Johnson stated he attended the meeting as a private resident to enter into a dialogue with the LMCD <br />because the City’s counsel did not have an opportunity to meet with the LMCD prior to the LMCD letter <br />going out. Johnson stated at the meeting he announced that he was in attendance for that item but that he <br />was told there was going to be no public comment allowed at all on the issue and that any comments <br />would be limited to the five minute public comment portion, which does not allow someone to engage in <br />a dialogue or clear up any misstatements. <br /> <br />Walsh stated the LMCD chair also specifically said no questions or any dialogue. <br /> <br />Johnson commented that is a pretty ineffective way to get things done. Since Orono is a pretty significant <br />stakeholder in the LMCD, that was disappointing. Johnson stated he did take an opportunity after the <br />meeting to remind the chair that it was a missed opportunity to have some discussions about how to serve <br />their constituents better. Johnson stated he did not make any progress on the issue but that he invited <br />everyone there to attend Orono’s City Council meeting. <br /> <br />Crosby stated it is concerning, especially since they are so willing to take Orono’s money. <br /> <br />Walsh stated it is concerning when the LMCD is attempting to take over Orono’s jurisdictional authority. <br /> <br />Seals stated she was pretty disappointed after watching the meeting. The representatives to the LMCD <br />Board are appointed and serve at the leisure of their City. With the LMCD Board not willing to have an <br />open dialogue, that was a missed opportunity. Seals stated it is not appropriate to go after a senator for <br />not informing the LMCD about the legislation when it is not his job to inform the LMCD and that it is the <br />LMCD’s job to know about it. Seals stated since the LMCD Board has 14 cities that pay their bills, they <br />should try to get everyone on board and let them know what they are doing. Seals stated she is <br />completely in support of the letter written by Mayor Walsh and that the Orono City Council is here to <br />support the local marinas. <br /> <br />Crosby indicated he is in agreement with the letter. <br /> <br />Walsh moved, Crosby seconded, to approve the letter subject to any minor edits by the City <br />Attorney and to authorize Mayor Walsh to sign the letter. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. <br /> <br />Richie Anderson, 3205 Crystal Bay Road, stated he talked with all of the other marina owners in Orono <br />and that they are supportive of the letter. The letter also makes a strong case for not allowing the LMCD <br />to tell the City that they need to allow residents to rent out a dock spot because they have parking and <br />sanitary facilities. Anderson commented this should have been done a long time ago. While the <br />Minnesota Legislature gave them authority, there comes a time when the buggy whip is no longer needed <br />because there are now cars. <br /> <br />Walsh stated the City is going to take one fight at a time and that they want to make sure Orono’s position <br />on this topic is very clear. <br /> <br />CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT <br /> <br />Rief reported the Public Works Department is preparing for the upcoming snow storm and that Staff has <br />also been working on the upcoming improvements to council chambers. Staff went through a quoting <br />process with two firms and now in the process of revising the quote based on some discussions they have