08-22-2022 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,August 22,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Crosby agreed it is the signs which declare"Welcome to the City of Orono"and other signs such as beach and park signs. Edwards stated the Park Commission noted this about 1.5 years ago and have been working a replacement schedule into the Parks Operating Budget to work on two signs per year.He said a few signs are in the building and are awaiting installation,which are made of recycled lumber material so they do not degrade. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Attorney Mattick had nothing to report. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Walsh asked to give an update before Public Comment time and stated a few months ago(in his opinion)Brad Erickson came to the podium and threatened him and said if the Mayor did not resign in 30 days he would not be here the next day.Mayor Walsh noted Mr.Erickson also went to a Planning Commissioner's house and told that person he was carrying a gun that day and that we should be warned. That person filed a police report as the Commissioner took that as a threat.Mayor Walsh also had a neighbor note Brad Erickson was driving through his neighborhood and stopped to ask the neighbor whether they know the Mayor.Mr.Erickson became agitated when the neighbor stated he was friends with the Mayor and Mr. Erickson then yelled at the Mayor's house"I am coming to get you on Monday." Since that time,Mayor Walsh has had a multitude of dark,threatening emails and read some excerpts: • "I look forward to wiping that stupid look off your face." • "p.s. I hope you figure out who I am soon, this is about to take a real nasty turn, the kind you do not recover from. Remember I warned you I cannot hit you physically but I am going to make you wish you were dead." • "Have you ever suffered in silence, Mr. Walsh?I know people who have intimately. They are still among us and want vengeance and will not stop until their thirst for your life as you know it is quenched." Mayor Walsh stated Mr.Erickson also met with a mutual acquaintance recently and told them that when he was finished with the Mayor there would only be a blood line behind his truck.Mr. Erickson also sent texts to that acquaintance about Mayor Walsh which,in his opinion,were threatening him with sexual violence.Mayor Walsh has sent these texts to the City Attorney and he noted they are too graphic to read but those interested can reach out to the City Attorney.Mayor Walsh worries about his safety,his family's safety,the City Council's safety, Staff's safety, and he asked what kind of person says these things?Mayor Walsh opened the public comment time. Crosby asked the public to please be respectful to the City Council and the community at large and in this gallery. Brad Erickson,2485 Independence Road,Independence,said wow,yeah, smooth move.Before he gets started he would like to thank Mr.Printup and Mr. Crosby as he appreciates them meeting with him. Together they saw the video the Mayor sent Mr.Erickson in 2020 and he knows everyone on the City Page 5 of 9