02-13-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 23, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 7. SENIOR PLANNER RECRUITMENT (continued) Barnhart stated size is somewhat of a factor but that there are other factors that need to be looked at. Medina has a population of 5,200 and they have one planner. In that six-month period they had eight land use cases. Wayzata has one staff planner and they have hired a planning director a little over a year ago. In that transition they used a consultant to help with more complex cases. Wayzata had 16 land use cases from July through December. Barnhart noted Orono does not have a December Planning Commission meeting and that Orono's numbers reflect five months rather than six. Barnhart stated Orono does quite a bit more in terms of how they administer the zoning ordinances, which is part of the reason for the extra personnel. Barnhart stated if the City does not fill this spot, he will need to look at what Staff does not address. Seals asked if the customer service issue relates to a lack of people or whether the process or codes are not where they should be. Barnhart stated currently they have enough people to handle customer service needs but that will be hurt if Staff is decreased. Barnhart noted they have talked about online permitting, which will help the intake portion, but that there is also the review of the permit application, which is done by the planners. Barnhart stated the current process is not flawless and that there are opportunities to make some changes. Barnhart stated in his view they need someone to do the work on the back end. Walsh asked if there is the option of not replacing Mike and making the process simpler, such as online permitting and updating the code. Walsh stated if the City needs to, they could employ a consulting firm on a temporary basis to see how it works out as a number of changes are put into place. Barnhart stated that is one option and that the improvements will help eliminate some of the front end pressure. Barnhart stated his bigger concern is that Mike is leaving on May 31St and that June and July are the busiest months. Barnhart stated the goal for his position is to oversee the planners. In addition, the Comprehensive Plan update needs to be started and the City will not be able to avoid hiring a consultant to help with that process. Barnhart stated from his perspective the City will get more benefit from having a staff person rather than a consultant. Walsh commented it is one of those things where you will not know until you try to find out what you can do. Walsh stated people tend to underestimate themselves and that they have the ability to do more. Barnhart stated he understands that but that in the two years he has been here, he has found that the planners are working on the Council or Planning Commission packet Monday through Friday and on Friday they return calls. Barnhart stated that really is not acceptable but that they do not always have time to return the calls. Barnhart noted each application has a comment letter, a letter of completeness, a Planning Commission report, a Planning Commission action report, a staff report, and a draft resolution. Barnhart stated a lot of work is involved in each application because Orono's ordinances require that. Barnhart stated he does know what will happen if they do not fill the position in the near future and that they will need to fill it one way or another. Barnhart stated if they wait until June 15, they will have lost the summer and the residents and Council will start to get frustrated with Staff. Page 9 of 15