05-26-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 11, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 22 Marge Beard said that Three Rivers Park would like thoughts/comments/feedback from the Mayor and Council before the next step, which is public engagement. Walsh stated the City is always supportive of trails. He said Hennepin County just came through and put trails along the Old Highway 12 corridor and there are trails along East Long Lake Road. They are positive about trails and connecting them as much as possible if it makes sense. Seals requested to see the map which shows where the trail would be along East Long Lake Road, which was complied with. She said she would be conscious of the trail’s location with the neighbors. The age- old tale is that people are happy about a trail coming in but not on/next to their property. She felt easements on people’s property should be avoided as much as possible and noted the neighbors are fairly vocal about change. She stated digital outreach is nice and some people will be reached, but it will not provide the interaction/feedback the group wants. She suggested extending the feedback period, as some events will eventually be rescheduled where a lot of interaction can occur like the Fire Department’s pancake breakfast. Minnesota will not be shut down until 2021, and hopefully some events will happen later this year. Crosby agreed with Seals as far as getting residential feedback and not necessarily having it in a digital format, even if it delays things slightly. Mr. Shurson/McCullough said his group agrees that it is much better to connect in-person than virtually. They will keep in touch with Staff as things develop. They will keep the feedback component open as long as they can to get good feedback and are not opposed to having individual listening sessions if there are areas of special concerns, such as the neighborhood along East Long Lake Road. They are in the middle of forming how public engagement will look. Even when they are not able to meet personally, they will take a look at measures to make sure people are safe and health restrictions are adhered to. They value the personal, one-on-one contact. Don Haberman said he and his wife are building a home at 2799 Pheasant Road. They understand they need to have a framing inspection done and be approved before they can put in their dock. They have the house framed, contractors are pouring the basement soon, the windows and doors are in, but the HVAC and plumbing are not in. They are wondering if they can get approval by the City to put the dock in as soon as possible. Walsh stated it did not sound like an unreasonable request to him. The normal process is to go to Barnhart; he noted that Barnhart would need some direction from the Council. Crosby said he would give full support to the request and appreciates Mr. Haberman coming to the Council and asking first. Seals agreed with Crosby. Johnson also agreed and stated he would get rid of the ordinance if it was up to him. Walsh indicated Mr. Haberman had the Council's support.