11-14-2022 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. through October.Regarding expenditures they are in good shape, and he noted on paper the finance department is over budget and public works is under budget due to the utility person being budgeted in public works which will now budget out of finance.The fire department will be over budget this year due to an overage from 2021 that was paid in 2022 and was not budgeted. Olson showed a slide on water and sewer and stated through September the enterprise funds are looking good. The Commissioners discussed the water rates, infrastructure, drought,and fixing underground pipes that have leaks when homes go up for sale within the City. Mayor Walsh noted there have been sewer failures in neighborhoods and the City has it in the budget when these things happen to go in and fix it right away. Olson continued his presentation noting at the end of the year sewer will probably have about$150,000 in profit which will go into the Capital Improvement Plan to pay for infrastructure improvements. He noted Met Council charges are a major driver in the City's sewer rates and clarified when the sewer leaves Orono it goes into Met Council's pipes and is processed. He spoke about stormwater,employee health insurance,road projects, and engineering expenditures. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Attorney Mattick had nothing to report. CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT 17. APPOINTMENT OF FIRE CHIEF Edwards noted in October the City Council established the Fire Chief position and established a selection committee who advertised for the position,reviewed applications, and conducted interviews.The committee recommends that James Van Eyll be hired as the Fire Chief in Orono. One key noted is an employment agreement attached to the City Council action.Because Mr. Van Eyll has been the Fire Chief for the City of Long Lake Fire Department,which has been Orono's Fire Department,the employment agreement treats him as if he has been an Orono employee for 15 years regarding things like benefits. Seals shared that Staff pulled together some amazing candidates of well-qualified Applicants.Regarding rhetoric out there about the City of Orono"stealing"a Chief,this was Chief Van Eyll's decision to apply, and when the fire fighters found out he was applying they were ecstatic. Chief Van Eyll has the right skill set,the right qualifications,and he knows the City of Orono. Crosby worked under Chief Van Eyll for 8-9 years, and stated the interview process was terrific with great candidates. In talking about continuity,keeping everyone together,and keeping the fire fighters together,that is what the City has done by hiring Chief Van Eyll because he is the leader. Crosby is proud and happy that he will be the City's first Fire Chief. Crosby moved, Seals seconded,appoint James Van Eyll as Fire Chief with a start date of December 30,2022 and approval of the employee agreement at Exhibit A.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. Page 5 of 7