02-08-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 11, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 12 CONSENT AGENDA – Continued 7. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION OF CHRISTINE MATTSON 8. ADOPT STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY OF ORONO ON BEHALF OF ITS CITY ATTORNEY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT This item was removed from the Consent Agenda. 9. APPROVAL TO ACCEPT DONATION – WILLIAM AND ANASTASIA HOEFT 10. AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE 2021 SQUAD CARS Crosby would like to pull item No. 8 from the discussion and have the Police Chief discuss it. Crosby moved, Seals seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Walsh noted they will move item No. 8 to after the Swearing in of the Junior Cadets. Walsh stated they would hold a public hearing regarding the Orono Police Department consideration of the purchase of body-worn cameras for the Police Officers. The City is providing an opportunity for the public to comment on this subject. Walsh opened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. Staff noted they received two emails notifying that they could not attend in person. Angela Hennessey wrote to support the police department in purchasing body cameras and thinks they are a necessity in our times for the protection of citizens and officers; she is surprised they do not have them already. Another email is from Pat Hennessey, who is strongly in favor of the police department wearing body cameras and feels they should already have been wearing them. He asked the Council to do what needs to be done ASAP to get cameras on the police. Walsh asked if anyone was present who would like to make a public comment and asked them to approach the podium and state their name and address for the record. Seeing none, Walsh closed the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING The Orono Police Department is considering the purchase of Body Worn Cameras for the police officer and is providing an opportunity for public to comment on this topic Walsh opened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. Police Chief Correy Farniok noted that there may not be anyone in the public audience tonight but we did receive two emails providing public comment on Body Worn Cameras. One email was received from Angela Hennessey indicating support of the Police department to purchase body worn cameras and that she thinks they are important to the safety especially in times like these and she is surprised that our department does not have them already. The other email is from Pat Hennessey also indicating support for body worn