01-13-2020 Council Work Session Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday March 13, 2017 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 3 expansion of the definition for private events. Blackstone stated anyone with extended family that lives in the area, particularly those with children and siblings of those children, this could impact their holiday parties and family get-togethers. Blackstone stated the ordinance has the potential to be unevenly applied and in her view it is overreaching. Walsh stated in his view the ordinance is too broad and difficult to enforce. Walsh stated the City does not need more regulations. Walsh noted the City does have an ordinance on the books today but that the City has had problems enforcing that. Walsh stated the City Attorney has said if you cannot enforce certain regulations, you should get rid of them. Walsh noted no public comments were received at the Planning Commission but that the Council has received some input on it tonight and it appears the City Council is in agreement with those comments. Seals moved, Crosby seconded, to table Application No. 17-3897, City of Orono, Text Amendment: Special Events. Printup commented the City has to be careful to not get into situations where there are a lot of loopholes. Walsh stated he feels bad for the neighbors but the Council has to consider what is enforceable and what is not. Walsh stated he wants to avoid unintended consequences. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Reeder asked what the City Council would like to see happen with the ordinance. Walsh suggested the City Council discuss it at a future work session. Seals stated the City Council should perhaps look at the current ordinance and ask whether it is worth further debate. Seals stated this issue is causing disturbance to a neighborhood so the City Council does not want to ignore it.