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Orono City Council <br /> Work Session Minutes <br /> I. ,� Monday, February 13, 2023 <br /> ,e' C, <br /> r�k�s H oti1L Council Chambers <br /> 5:00 p.m. <br /> PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Victoria Seals, Alisa Benson and Matt <br /> Johnson. Staff members present were City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards, Finance <br /> Director Ron Olson, Public Works Superintendent DJ Goman, Community Development Director <br /> Laura Oakden, Golf and Parks Superintendent Josh Lemons, and City Clerk Anna Carlson. <br /> 1. Brush and Leaf Disposal <br /> City Administrator Edwards began discussion with an explanation of why the item was in <br /> front of the Council tonight. He pointed out the main reasons for the brush site and <br /> relayed the evolution of the site since 2017. <br /> Mayor Walsh added why the city began the brush site and the changes that have occurred <br /> since the establishment of the site. <br /> Edwards noted that the volume has considerable increased along with costs for chipping <br /> and it has created a reason to reevaluate the site and discuss its future. <br /> Public Works Superintendent Goman explained that the site has seen more volume in <br /> recent years and added that one way to reduce volume could be to limit use. He added <br /> that he is looking for council input about site concerns. <br /> There was discussion about possibly adding charges, reaching out to other cities to see <br /> what they are doing, the usefulness of having a larger storage area for chips, tracking use, <br /> and varying site hours to help facilitate proper use. There was also discussion about <br /> removing the contractor access and to see if that makes a difference over the next year. <br /> Walsh noted it may just need to be managed differently, however, we should continue to <br /> provide the services for residents. <br /> Edwards added that we have asked brush site workers to come in to help mitigate abuse <br /> of the site from contractors and that seems to also help with volume. He noted that staff <br /> has had discussions about the location of the site and have considered other possible <br /> options for site location. <br /> Council Member Johnson noted that whatever changes we end up making, we should <br /> communicate it to the public to make them aware. <br /> 2. Added Item —Council Member Benson <br /> Mayor Walsh added and item of concern to the work session agenda. He noted that is has <br /> come to his attention that Council Member Benson has been attending the Northwest <br /> Hennepin County Mayors association since January. He asked why Benson had attended <br /> the meeting. <br /> Page 1 of 2 <br />