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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, May 23, 2022 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 3 of 8 <br /> <br /> <br />Mr. Alexander noted the average rent would be approximately $1,800-2,000 per month. <br /> <br />Seals thinks this is the most favorable of the plans they have seen. Out of transparency she stated she <br />would prefer not to do any developments there but knows they have to work with the Met Council and the <br />Applicant has done the best they can on this plan. <br /> <br />Printup asked if they decided to keep trails off Old Highway 12. <br /> <br />Edwards replied there was a proposed plan to have the Independence Trail or Wayzata Boulevard Trail <br />extend beyond and go further to the West. About a year ago the City said they were not interested in that <br />extension on the north side of the road. <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh noted the easements are in place for the future if they want to extend the trail on the south <br />end. <br /> <br />Crosby noted concern about the detached garages as he is not crazy about the look. As much tuck under <br />as they can get would be his preference. <br /> <br />Mr. Alexander noted the garages will be architecturally mirroring the units themselves. <br /> <br />Crosby likes the green space on the project. <br /> <br />Seals noted anything architecturally they can do to make each unit look not “all the same,” as the second <br />picture down on the left shows, would be her recommendation. <br /> <br />Crosby asked about fire stops between units. <br /> <br />Mr. Alexander believes the Code says it is required for party walls to be fire rated and they will follow the <br />Code to the letter. They will also include sprinkler systems. <br /> <br />PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> <br />Gabriel Jabbour, 985 Tonkawa Road, noted he spoke at the Park Commission and feels he should speak <br />to the City Council, as well. He is dumbfounded that the public comments are three minutes, and is <br />dumbfounded that public comments are down on the agenda. When the Council Members took office he <br />thought he would support them his own way, let them do their own thing and put his differences aside for <br />the good of the community. He is here to tell them he cannot do it anymore. He is talking about the <br />process of item 11 tonight and stated Orono’s sister city, Long Lake, sent a letter with their heart pain <br />about the Fire Department on the 17th. There is a response letter on the agenda on the Consent Agenda <br />and Mr. Jabbour loves how much work they put into stuff like that. He asked when the Council Members <br />had the chance to digest the letter and write a response, noting there was no chance for a quorum. Plus, <br />the City Council’s response is on the Consent Agenda, like the citizens do not need to know, and the letter <br />was not part of the online packet. Mr. Jabbour said that is very much like “Putin-style government.” He <br />can assure the City Council that their methodology is not a good thing for the City, they are not engaging <br />people, and they are spending money like drunken sailors. He pointed to one Council Member and said