05-26-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, May 26, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Levang noted the Council consented the application for the plat approval extension but that she would like the Council to think about setting an end to how many extensions someone can receive. Levang stated this particular person has had seven extensions and that in her view that is quite a number of them without any work being performed. Levang recommended in the future there be some type of review of that. Gaffron asked if she is looking for a recommendation from Staff. Gaffron stated in his view it is a worthy discussion. Gaffron noted developers have a two-year window in which any code changes cannot impact their plan. Gaffron stated in his view three to five extensions is more than enough. Gaffron stated during that time neighbors can change, the Council and Planning Commission can change, and the code changes and that going through a new review process makes sense after a certain period of time. Levang stated five years in her view would be very reasonable. Gaffron noted the City also had a commercial application extended a number of times. Gaffron stated Staff will bring back a recommendation. McMillan stated Staff has commenced scanning and digitizing of the City's paperwork and files, which is terrific, and that she would like to thank Staff for undertaking that project. McMillan stated another project is the golf course and drainage, which has been addressed by the Public Works Department this spring in a very quick manner. In addition, the Public Works Department has addressed a number of park issues that were outstanding for a number of years. McMillan stated in her opinion all the projects have had good management oversight and that there were a number of volunteers and part-time staff helping. The Park Commission was also actively involved in those improvements. McMillan indicated she would like to thank the Planning Commission for their volunteer efforts as well as the Park Commission and Staff. McMillan stated because of their hard work and dedication, the City is making progress on a number of projects. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 13. SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE NO. 147 Police Chief Farniok stated the Police Department has developed a draft social host ordinance for consideration by the City Council. The ordinance has been modeled from several similar programs utilized by surrounding agencies. The ordinance is designed to deter and discourage underage consumption as well as hold individuals criminally responsible for hosting a gathering where people under the age of 21 are consuming or possessing alcohol within the confines of a private residence. Farniok noted the Police Department over the past couple of years has been called to several private homes and discovered a gather of persons under 21 years of age possessing and consuming alcohol with parents or adults at the residence. There have been several cases that the actions of allowing underage drinking lead to other criminal activity, including a sexual assault of a person under the age of 18. Page 17 of 22