05-10-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orono City Council Work Session Minutes Monday, April 26, 2021 Council Chambers 5:00 p.m. Page 1 of 2 PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Victoria Seals, and Matt Johnson. Staff members present were City Administrator/Engineer/Public Works Director Adam Edwards, Finance Director Ron Olson, and City Clerk Anna Carlson. 1. 2022 Street Maintenance Project Mayor Dennis Walsh started discussion of this item. He mentioned that his priority list was included in the packet. His main goal with roads is to try to get as many done as possible for 2022 because the goal is to get Fox Street done in 2023, which will take up the majority of the budget. Walsh asked the Council if they had any changes, additions or input on the list. The Council members present agreed with the list presented in the packet. Staff was directed staff to go ahead and move forward. City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards noted that staff will seek estimates from Bolton and Menk and will bring it forward at a future Council meeting. Edwards added that there are a few smaller streets noted in the packet that will need to be maintained in the near future as well. Walsh added that the City will also get a lot of those smaller road projects taken care of along the way as well. 2. Council Delegation of Administrative Responsibility Changes Walsh started discussion mentioning that the Council is responsible to the citizens regarding input given to the media. The Council would like media inquiries directed to Council regardless if it is a no comment statement or otherwise. He added the few sensitive projects that are coming up regarding Fire, Public Works Facility, and a few other conversations can be directed to the Mayor and Council for input as well. Walsh noted the Council wants to avoid staff running into any issues related to information and that the Council would rather handle the inquiries. Edwards asked the Council if they would like staff to handle all types of media inquiries in this manner or mainly specific types. He noted that it is protocol to give the facts, any other inquiry not related to the facts will be relayed to the Mayor or City Council. Walsh stated the Council would be comfortable with the staff using best judgment about what the questions are but he would rather the Council be the complete filter for the majority of media inquiries when possible.