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 he appreciates that and that is why he proposed to hire a city planner and not a senior planner. Barnhart noted Mr. Gaffron knows the history of the City and does the complex land use applications and that Melanie does more of the building permit applications. Barnhart stated two city planners can share that role and that he is looking at this somewhat as a reorganization. Barnhart stated there will be some savings to hiring a city planner and not a senior planner and that he is not planning to propose filling the senior planner position in the future. Barnhart indicated he is trying to maintain continuity and that he would be happy to have a discussion with his department and talk things through. Mattick stated the Council does not need to make a formal motion and that the position will not be advertised at this point. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Seals reported last week they had their first code meeting and that in attendance were a number of builders in the area who shared ideas from other cities that work well. Seals indicated the committee will look into those to see whether the ideas shared will improve the process in Orono. Printup and Crosby stated they had nothing to report. Walsh reported he recently attended the western mayors meeting in Loretto and that there were also some representatives from the Metropolitan Council present. A discussion was had on how to deal with the Comprehensive Plan update. Walsh stated he also attended the code review committee meeting and that it was a very constructive meeting. Walsh stated there are a number of items they can look at to address the permitting process, the variance process, and the City's fee schedule. Walsh stated there are a number of follow-up items they will be working on in the coming month. Walsh stated he has attended their first of the year communications meeting with Council Member Seals, City Administrator Jessica Loftus and City Clerk Diane Tiegs. A discussion was had about the City's website, Facebook site, and the newsletter and how those can all be pulled together so there is some kind of connection between everything. Walsh stated they also discussed updating the City's website, which is eight years old. Walsh stated there are lots of opportunity to get more interaction with that, such as having a live Facebook feed, to help bring more awareness to what Staff and the City are doing regardless if it is planning or finance. Walsh stated he and Council Member Seals over the past couple of weeks have looked at a list of interim city managers. Walsh stated he is not sure how many months they will need an interim at this point but that they have narrowed the list down to two candidates. Walsh requested Council Members Printup and Crosby contact those two individuals by phone or in person so it can be an agenda item for the February 13 meeting. Page 12 of 15