09-12-2022 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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