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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,July 11,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Mayor Walsh noted it is not a practical difficulty so the City cannot give a variance for that.However,the <br /> good news is that this is a good thing to bring to the Code Review Committee which Mayor Walsh and <br /> Johnson are on. The goal of the committee is to look at things such as this;when someone has bigger <br /> acreage, if the Code Committee made a change Mr.Peterson would not even have to come back to the <br /> City as long as the proposed design meets the setbacks. He noted right now they would deny the variance <br /> but would recommend Mr.Peterson bring the issue to the Code Review Committee to be looked at. <br /> Seals moved,Johnson seconded,to deny LA22-000029,2880 Fox Street,Variance.VOTE: Ayes 4, <br /> Nays 0. <br /> The City Council gave guidance to recommend the Code Review Committee review this item. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> Crosby asked to add one thing to the public comment time: he asked that public comments be made in a <br /> respectful manner.He clarified they should be respectful to oneself,respectful to the Council,and <br /> respectful to the citizens of Orono. He thanked the public and noted the City Council welcomes <br /> comments. <br /> Brad Erickson,2485 Independence Road,Independence,has had a business in Orono for quite a few <br /> years.He was present 2 weeks ago and personally delivered a thumb drive to City Administrator Edwards <br /> with a couple of videos from this Mayor. He is not sure if everyone has had a chance to view these <br /> videos. Suffice it to say,he is present tonight to ask the City Council for help.They need to move forward <br /> with a resolution of censure for this Mayor. In 45 years,Mr.Erickson has never, ever,been more serious <br /> about anything.He noted he has been sick to his stomach for three months because of this,because he <br /> thought they were done. Mr.Erickson was hoping Mr.Printup would be present tonight as he has been <br /> helpful,and Mr.Edwards has been helpful,as well.Mr.Erickson does not do politics,the City Council <br /> knows what he does,and he asked to quit acting like they do not know each other because he expects they <br /> will get to know each other a whole lot better in the next couple of weeks.Mr.Erickson's attorney is on <br /> vacation this week and Mr.Erickson is asking the City to have a vote on this,stating the material coming <br /> out of this office in this City is unacceptable and cannot be permitted to continue. However they need to <br /> do this,whether through attorneys or making a motion to put this on the next agenda. <br /> Eric Vogstrom,2710 Pence Lane,commented on the wake board surfing issue,noting he has a wake boat <br /> and his kids really enjoy it and he hopes the Council can support the residents. <br /> Barbara Peterson, 1261 Arbor Street, is a former Orono Park Commission member and former City <br /> Council member,as well as a four term Mayor and sat in the seat where Mr. Walsh sits. Having sat in that <br /> chair for years she was thoroughly embarrassed to witness and watch the video of the last City Council <br /> meeting. She noted Mayor Walsh has a motto in the newsletter every quarter which states"my motto is <br /> citizens first and that will never change."Ms. Peterson thinks Mr.Walsh probably wants to remove that <br /> from his newsletter.The fact that Mayor Walsh referred to two former mayors(one from Orono and one <br /> from Long Lake)as clowns and then very disrespectfully put a newspaper in front of his face while one of <br /> them was speaking is totally unacceptable. Mayor Walsh should care more about the job he is doing for <br /> the residents in this City than his own ego. <br /> Page 4 of 6 <br />