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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, January 11, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 4 of 12 <br /> <br />8. ADOPT STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY OF <br />ORONO ON BEHALF OF ITS CITY ATTORNEY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT – Continued <br />services and also to allow the Prosecuting Attorney Steve Tallen to access those records for court purposes. <br />The agreement is very similar to what was passed five years ago with just minor changes but it is no different <br />than what other cities across Minnesota are doing. <br />Crosby asked if there are any significant changes in this agreement compared to the old one. <br />Chief Farniok said it is continuing and the only change is if they were ever to change the Prosecuting <br />Attorney from Steve Tallen to a different firm, they would most likely need to pass another Resolution <br />accepting that. <br />Johnson moved, Seals seconded, to adopt the State Of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements With <br />The City Of Orono. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT <br />12. INTERIM BUILDING SERVICES <br />Barnhart said the Building Services Committee is working through the review of the responses received to <br />the Building Services Request for Proposal (RFP); they have received three RFPs and the Committee is <br />reviewing those right now. He is asking for authorization for the Committee to choose the interim Building <br />Official and interim Building Inspector without having to come back to the City Council. He has provided <br />the information regarding anticipated interim costs. When the Building Official and Building Inspector job <br />posting closes in early February, the same Committee will likely be interviewing the candidates and will <br />provide recommendation to the City Council. <br />Walsh noted one RFP was from out of state, and another was MNSPECT who have 18 cities or more nearby <br />and they have higher standard for technology. He clarified they did not ordinarily work under an hourly <br />wage, but rather a percentage of fee, but because Orono’s values are so much different it did not make <br />sense. The City essentially rejected the proposals and asked them to come back with an hourly proposal, <br />which they have done. Walsh and Johnson spoke about it and Johnson was going to talk to MNSPECT and <br />negotiate a bit on the fees as this is new for the City, as well. Once the City receives that feedback they can <br />march this forward and get it in place. At that point they can start to figure out what they will hire internally, <br />whether it is a Chief Inspector or just an Inspector; or a Chief Inspector and an Inspector, as the City roughly <br />spends approximately $215,000 per year. Walsh said they could easily employ two people and perhaps <br />handle it all themselves, but even if they have that they will need back up if someone is on vacation or they <br />get overloaded. <br />Johnson said in the search there are good, viable candidates for the City and that is good news. He said the <br />fine-tuning should be wrapped up by the end of the week and they just need Council permission to make <br />that commitment on behalf of the Council so they do not have to wait to get it done. <br />Barnhart clarified he is asking for authorization for the interim contract or interim agreement. <br />Seals moved, Crosby seconded, to authorize the Committee to hire a contractor on behalf of the <br />City Council. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0.