06-28-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 14, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 13 CONSENT AGENDA – Continued Crosby moved, Seals seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Hillegass, 2465 French Lake Road, is here to serve a summons and complaint in a civil matter against the City, the City Councilmembers, and others involved in a dispute they have had that lasted almost five years regarding a septic system. He did not cause the problem, he fixed the problem, it was complicated to fix, and took longer than the City was willing to wait. Therefore, the City brought a criminal complaint against him which he could go to jail for. He thinks that is overreach and part of his request to the Council is that they reconsider what they are doing in that area. A zoning matter or a minor offense shouldn’t be punishable by a steep fine or jail time. His friend Matt Ashland is here to serve. Mr. Hillegass noted there was some question on Attorney Mattick’s part about who should be served if he is trying to serve the City; his reading of the law is the chief executive of the City which in this case could be the Mayor or the City Administrator. Because the City Administrator is not present this evening, Attorney Mattick has invited Mr. Hillegass to come back the following day to serve the Clerk. Mr. Hilegass would like the City’s permission to do it in person so he does not have to ask Matt Ashland to come back again and if not, he will hire a sheriff to do it if necessary. Mayor Walsh will give Mr. Hillegass permission to do whatever he wants but is not any authority that can tell him what is right or wrong. If he wants to serve the Council it will be at his own prerogative and Mr. Hillegass can follow through on whatever he thinks is the right way to do it. Mr. Hillegass replied the law allows the City to waive the need to serve it by a third party. Walsh moved, Crosby seconded, to waive the service need for a third party. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Attorney Mattick clarified for the record that he did not give Mr. Hillegass any advice, he simply stated a concern about who was being served, but he cannot advise Mr. Hillegass. Mr. Hillegass stated as a City resident, he thinks he is entitled to know what the opinion is and how it should be served. He asked is that not the case? Attorney Mattick replied no, in his opinion. Mr. Hillegass clarified Attorney Mattick works for the Council but not for the residents in any way. Attorney Mattick replied that is right, he works for the Council. Mr. Hillegass would ask the Mayor and Councilmembers to ask the Attorney to provide the information necessary. Attorney Mattick stated any time they want to go in to a closed session, they certainly can.