03-13-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 27, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) the City made sure that it was not sold. A bill was introduced and passed in the MN Legislature giving the public sector one legislative year to get the money together for the purchase. Since that time the City has spent several hundred thousand dollars providing services, such as water boats, firefighters, and water tanks buried on the island. Jabbour stated the City cannot simply refuse to provide 911 services to Big Island. Jabbour stated at the same time, the City got challenged on the Park Dedication Fund and they came up with a plan. Jabbour noted he is repeating this for the audience. Jabbour stated the purchase of Big Island was a phenomenal opportunity for the City, and in the hallway there is a picture of the island signed by a conservative Republican Governor telling the City what a great job they did. Jabbour stated at that time the City made an absolute commitment to the veterans. The veterans had another buyer for the Island but they reversed that sale and allowed the City two years to come up with the money. Jabbour stated he is absolutely dumbfounded that with all the resources, the knowledge, the engineers, the marina owners, etc., that the Council did not reach out to someone and ask for an explanation of why the purchase happened. Instead, the Council just arbitrarily made a decision on it, with very little discussion. Jabbour noted he personally testified, along with Mayor McMillan, in front of the legislature, and that the City received the funding. Jabbour stated the Council gave no hint about a commitment made to the veterans when they voted on the docks. Jabbour stated the City Council should look at the last 11 years. The veterans were given this island in the 1930s by a private individual who was sympathetic to all the veterans coming home from World War I with shellshock. For the last 11 years, the veterans have enjoyed use of the island every single year, and that he could personally tell the Council about the thousands of people that went out with him to the island. Jabbour indicated they put those docks in there so people could enjoy the $7 million investment. In addition, the Water Patrol responds and uses those docks. Jabbour stated they have to be a floating dock because as the water goes up or down, the dock needs to be at a certain height. Jabbour noted the docks are identical to the dock the sheriff put out. Jabbour stated it amazes him that Orono, the richest city in the five -state area, is having a hiccup over a measly $8,000. Jabbour stated it is unfortunate the City does not feel they owe it to the veterans. Mayor Walsh noted there is a five minute limit on public comments and that he would like that limit to apply to everybody. Jabbour stated he would strongly encourage the City Council to reverse their decision on the docks and move on like life never missed a beat. Jabbour stated he cannot imagine the City begging for $8,000 when they had a $635,000 surplus in the budget last year. Jay Nygard, 1386 Rest Point Road, stated he is a lifetime resident of Orono and that he has served on the City Council, on the Planning Commission, and served in the Navy. Nygard stated he is ashamed and that he cannot believe what this has come to. Nygard stated he could go in depth about it, but that the City Council will be here for a few years leading the community and that they have to be able to think ahead and know what they are actually voting on. Nygard stated they are following a guy who has been backpedaling for a week and saying stuff that is not true. Nygard stated that is not what they came here to do. Page 2 of 23