05-11-2020 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,May 11,2020 6:00 o'clock p.m. Crosby said all businesses are essential and he believes the lock-down has been overplayed. Citizens need to get back to personal freedoms and have the responsibility of handwashing and distancing. Losing freedom for a virus is not something he is in favor of at all. To say that one business is more important than another is ridiculous because you cannot tell that to the clients, families,and so forth,that those businesses are supporting. There are a lot of people that are making no income whatsoever,they have not gotten a stimulus check or unemployment check yet, and the government needs to think about them. For some reason,government businesses always seem to be essential. Liquor stores and grocery stores are essential, and they can operate without them imploding upon themselves. He would love to see the City get back to business.He asked Mattick if the City does not get the green light soon,what avenue, if any, does Orono have as a city to move forward and get back to work 100%and get back to normal. He knows people are okay with"twilight zone living"; but he is not, it is getting old. He thanked the Police and Fire Departments for all the great work they have done and keeping residents and themselves safe. He also thanked City Staff,because people working at home with small children definitely makes for trying times, especially in close quarters. He wished everyone the best of health. Mattick said there is not an order that says the City Hall has to be closed. The City has been following its emergency response guidelines at this point. The Council could hold its meetings at City Hall; it is being discussed in some places. Items to review are social-distancing and how many people are in a room, etc., but the City can open things up more than they are right now if that is the direction of the Council. Crosby stated that is his direction; he would like to see things get back to normal. Walsh commented that it will be a great discussion point if the State is not there in 2 weeks. He agreed with other members' thoughts; his kids are stir-crazy and his wife is over it. His hair needs to be cut really bad. He is following the 20/20 rule with local businesses: he tips 20%plus an extra$20. He noted The Narrows delivered recently and the food was absolutely fabulous.He said the last 2 weeks have been a blur because he tore his rotator cuff in 3 places and ripped his bicep tendon off his shoulder. He is off pain meds after surgery except for Tylenol. He agrees that the world needs to get back running because otherwise too many people's lives are going to be destroyed by the time things get opened up. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT Rief noted the Orono Spring Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday. Staff is working on social-distancing procedures and there will be a bit of a change when people come into the parking lot. They will receive a sheet for each of the stations that will be put underneath their windshield wiper. He believes what is being discussed is that none of the residents will be required to leave their car. Staff will work a little harder to help make sure that happens. There will be a single pay location for all the City-related stuff and one pay location for anything that Randy's takes in. He referenced Printup's comment about the recycling/sewer Met Council increase. Unfortunately,there is another 13.1%increase for the Met Council,which equates to about$80,000. They are kind of hoping for a drought this year so they can say no to increases for 2022. The City is also required to recycle. The City went through the Request For Proposal (RFP)process last summer. The City had a good rate for a long time. Unfortunately,there were no more extensions left on the contract with Waste Management. When Staff went through the RFP process, Waste Management was the cheapest.He was recently contacted by a Minnetrista Council member to discuss the same subject because they are going through the process and are having to deal with the new normal,what the new cost is,because they were in a similar type of contract. The City saw an increase in recycling,but it is a pass- through cost.The City adds on a little bit for administrative costs,but ultimately it covers only what the Page 16 of 22