03-13-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 27, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 17. BIG ISLAND DOCK PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT (continued) that time and none of this was a crisis. Jabbour stated the Council should just admit they were wrong and then leave it alone. Walsh stated he would like to bring this item back to the Council. Todd Kemery, Paralyzed Veterans of America, stated the reason he is here is the accessibility factor. Kemery asked whether there will still be accessibility to the island while the committee is being formed. Walsh indicated there will be. Seals stated many people have reached out to her and shared powerful stories about being a veteran. Seals stated she does not mean to speak for the Council or the Mayor, but that it never came to their minds that they should take away the docks to prevent access for the veterans. Seals stated she has had a lot of phone calls and emails and lots of great conversations. Seals stated from listening to everyone tonight, it sounds like a solution would be to keep the docks where they are, and then the second part would be to have a committee to say what else can we do to make it more accessible. Seals stated the reason why she is recommending this is because she can see there are many joys associated with the island but that the Council was thinking of all the challenges. Seals stated it's hard to manage since it's in the middle of the lake and that the docks need to be stored somewhere. Seals stated the Council was thinking there has to be a better way. Seals stated maybe the solution is to keep the docks right now and then the second part would be to enact a committee from the community that includes many from the room. Pam Sawchuk stated she has the Pioneer article right here. Sawchuk asked whether the Mayor is going to ask for a retraction or ask them to clarify and amend what they have reported. Walsh indicated he will be because they never called any of the Council Members. Sawchuk stated the article says they are specifically being removed because of the costs. Walsh stated the intent all along was what Council Member Seal has said. Bob Brown stated that was a great suggestion and would eliminate the idea that any of us have that the docks are going to be removed. Brown stated the Council's other motion was to remove the docks. Walsh stated the intent was wrong and they will correct that. Walsh stated the Council would like some time to make three motions. Walsh stated he wants the veterans to have time to finish but that he needs time for three motions. Seals moved, Crosby seconded, to keep the current Big Island docks and to install them in the spring. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Walsh moved, Printup seconded, to accept the private donations from the following individuals and groups: Shawn Foy, Orono resident; Michael Williams, a St. Louis Park resident; Orono Lions, Page 13 of 23