Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,August 22,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Gary Gutzke, 705 County Road 19,works in three cities nearby including Minnetrista, Orono,and <br /> Independence. They are good cities to work in and all do a good job,and he takes breaks out here in the <br /> Orono parks, dog park,and he noted the City does a really good job at maintaining and taking care of <br /> their parks, streets,and roads.He noted one street that is not good is North Arm Drive in Minnetrista and <br /> he does not know why they don't fix it. Orono does a good job,they take care of their streets,permits and <br /> taxes are in line,it is easy to work in, and easy to get permits and deal with.Mr. Gutzke stated they have <br /> done a good job at parks,the grass is mowed,the trees are trimmed, everything looks good, and he is <br /> proud of the City Council and what they are doing. <br /> Jay Nygard, 1386 Rest Point Road,thanked the Councilmembers for dressing up tonight because he has <br /> not seen this in a long time,especially from Walsh who went toodling out without his shoes the other day. <br /> It is quite comical that they feel the need to dress up. He noted Mr. Walsh brought up protecting Orono's <br /> interest and its citizens as well as the Charter within the City.Mr.Nygard said the Charter in the City is to <br /> follow State Statutes and to have a Comprehensive Plan and follow that.Unfortunately that is not what is <br /> going on at all. This City is being run like the wild,wild west of ordinances because the City Council <br /> does not care about ordinances anymore. They have people biking where it is illegal,they are trying to <br /> give away parks,and while Mr. Walsh and others allowed Mr.Erickson to purchase a property at West <br /> Lake Street they violated State Statute on a number of reasons and it does not seem like anyone up here <br /> cares. Other residents are held to Statute and the City Council holds other people to little things when it <br /> comes to variances,but State Statute is what they follow.He asked"isn't that part of the Charter,Mr. <br /> Walsh?"Mr.Nygard said there is a Statute that requires all cities with a Comprehensive Plan to put any <br /> sale of public property or purchase through the Comprehensive Plan to see if it agrees and they did not do <br /> that for the fire lane on West Lake Street.He stated"you all violated State Statute and the law and so did <br /> Mr.Erickson by pushing this."Mr.Nygard continued saying this is all according to the League of <br /> Minnesota Cities which he heard from Mr.Printup earlier was an important thing.He asked if they follow <br /> League of Cities all the time or just on some things?He read from the League of Minnesota Cities: a City <br /> is specifically prohibited from selling land to one of its officials.Mr.Nygard noted Bob Erickson, as a <br /> member of the Planning Commission, is an official and they violated the law.Mr.Nygard also read that <br /> Statutory cities have the power to sell land or buildings they no longer need to anyone other than public <br /> officials and employees.Mr.Nygard asked, "What the hell is going on with you guys?Fire lanes are <br /> precious in this community and you're giving them away. You're selling them to other people.You are <br /> all violating State Statute."He stated from someone who has been persecuted and criminally prosecuted <br /> by the City four times without a conviction and criminally persecuted for going green,they all need to <br /> learn to follow the law themselves.Mr.Nygard said, "Turbine Guy, signing off." <br /> Kendall Nygard stated"Mrs. Turbine Guy," 1385 Rest Point Road/5658 Judith Road,Bokeelia,FL, stated <br /> to Dennis Walsh: she has a$1,200 check just like Bob Erickson and his wife gave two times for his 2024 <br /> reelection campaign. She is sure he will not take it but it is here. She noted she has a$100,000 donation <br /> check to the City of Orono(turning toward the community in the chambers)and apparently there are fire <br /> lanes available for them. She said a$100,000 donation and one gets a fire lane.Ms.Nygard has one she <br /> really likes at the end of Rest Point Road and thinks her 28-foot Criss Craft Constellation would be <br /> parked there and have a beautiful view of West Arm Bay and Jennings Bay.Ms.Nygard stated,"if they <br /> are only$100,000,my gosh what a bargain.Lake Minnetonka lakeshore for$100,000?Please!"She said <br /> Page 7 of 9 <br />