Laserfiche WebLink
■’’t <br />\A <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, March 28,2005 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />0 7. PVRCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE BIG ISLAND <br />VETERANS CAMP PROPERTY, CoutiHuaO <br />Gehring objected, indicating that this is where the fundamental differences lie between him and the <br />City. He believed the public should have input prior to the purchase of the property; whereas, the <br />City feels die public should not have any involvement until after its purchase. <br />Murphy disagreed, stating diat the City has been forced to act quickly since the market is moving <br />ftster than the bureaucracy can afford to delay. <br />Mayor Peterson took offense to Oehring ’s position diat Jabbour posed a conflict of interest, in fact, <br />she stated diat Mayor Jabbour had been a valuable resource to die City on many occasions. She <br />pointed out that, while Gehring kept belaboring his position that the City has no ‘plan* for the <br />property, he missed the fact that die City views this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase <br />die property for future generations. Having encouraged Gehring to bring others who opposed the <br />City’s position to the Council meeting this evening for a discussion, to which none but Gehring <br />was present, she concluded that few support his position. <br />Gehring reiterated that he’d like to see the City involve more people in the broader process. <br />Mayor Peterson questioned Gehring ’s ultimatum presented eariier that he offer up his involvement <br />only if die City chooses to table the purchase agreement. She invited him to be a part of the process <br />once the agreement has been obtain^ as his views may be valuable to the process. <br />Murphy read into die record die headlines from the Metro State section of a recent newspaper <br />which read ‘New parka may quench thirst for green space’ and urged others to peruse the article. In <br />the article, Murphy pointed out that it would be instructive to understand that die parks crunch is <br />coining and various communities have been charged with preserving space for future generations. <br />This, in his opinion, was exacdy what the Orono City Council was trying to do. <br />McMillan concurred, pointing out that diis is a community investment, involving a unique <br />partnership between ^ City, State, and the veterans. The state recognizes this effort to establish <br />public land while providing a trust fund for the vets, whose fundmg has been severely cut over the <br />years. Once this grant has been obtained at the State level, McMillan indicated that the City would <br />have the opportunity to establish a committee to set up a management plan for the park. She was <br />very optimistic, from what she had been hearing, that this be kept in the public domain. <br />VOTE: Ayss 5, Nays 0. <br />Sansevere thanked Gehring for his input, assuring him that the Council was listening to his <br />comments. <br />*18. AUTOMA'nC ELECTRONIC DEFRraULATOR GRANT APPUCATION <br />Mnrphy moved, SaMcvcre seconded, to approve porsolog the Center Point Energy grant for <br />the pnrchaae of three AED’s and to purchase three Cardiac Science AED’s at the retail cost <br />of n,49S per nnit, less trade In vainc, if the Center Point Energy Grant b awarded. VOTE: <br />Ayes4,NayaO. <br />PAGE 13 of 14 <br />; <br />-J <br />, i <br />) <br />i i <br />! :