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MINUTES OF THE
<br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
<br /> JANUARY 23,2023
<br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m.
<br /> to give an informed vote either for or against.And that's why I had asked to abstain from that vote.And at
<br /> the time,there was a lot of focus in that meeting.And I know because I've listened to the audio recording,
<br /> there wasn't a video,but I've listened to and actually transcribed the audio recording from that meeting.
<br /> And I, in seeing it now, can recognize that attorney Mattick did leave open an option for abstention.At
<br /> the time I was in that meeting, listening to the discussion from our city attorney,I felt that there was a lot
<br /> of focus on financial conflict,which there was none, or an option to, as I think attorney Mattick had said,
<br /> well, if you just don't want to vote, and it was neither a financial conflict or a lack of desire to vote out of
<br /> any lack of preparation, on my part.It was a third category,which was not feeling that it was a vote that I
<br /> could do well, in an informed way,which is what I pledged to do for this city. So that's why I asked for
<br /> the abstention. The discussion that followed did not leave me to feel that the abstention was a viable
<br /> option,because I didn't have a financial conflict.And essentially, as it was explained again,that it would
<br /> essentially count as a no. Well,I didn't want it to count as a no,I wanted it to count as an abstention,
<br /> which is what it was,I've contacted or I did contact the League of Cities about this.And it's clear after
<br /> talking to or hearing from our city attorney today that abstentions are viable options, and that they will be
<br /> counted as such. So in the future,that's very helpful information to have.And I just wanted to clarify this
<br /> because it's very important that I communicate clearly in meetings and communicate clearly with our staff
<br /> and our city attorney. Because these issues are not insignificant,they are complex and fire, in particular,
<br /> as we heard again tonight, is one that is has gained a lot of public interest and attention for good reason.
<br /> And I don't take any vote as something that is simple, or without significance.I also want to say that I'm
<br /> incredibly supportive of all of our emergency services,and that goes for fire and police.And that no vote
<br /> on January 9 had nothing to do with a lack of support for our first responders.It had to do with my feeling
<br /> at the time that I need to be informed about issues, especially ones that involve large financial outlays
<br /> before I make them. So that's all I want to say about that.And if at any time anybody has any questions
<br /> for me or concerns about that you're welcome to contact me. On a different note,I also attended the first
<br /> open house for the proposal,the US sports grant proposal,to look at building some pickleball courts and
<br /> hockey infrastructure at the Orono Golf Course. I attended the first one and I will also be attending the
<br /> second one tomorrow night here at City Hall at six o'clock.And I found that it was a really good
<br /> opportunity to meet community members,residents,members of the public and hear from them directly,
<br /> which is really important. In city governance we have the ability as residents and community members to
<br /> affect a lot of change in our communities.And I really appreciate people showing up for these events and
<br /> talking to staff and elected and appointed officials,regardless of your views on the issue. I always
<br /> appreciate feedback.
<br /> Johnson said Long Lake has their city council meeting tomorrow. As of last night,their agenda was on
<br /> there,but not their packet.But the fire services is on there and they're having a closed session to talk
<br /> about it.I think once we hear back from Long Lake and their decision based on our proposal,which we
<br /> have not received that feedback,then we'll have more to share.It's clear the residents want to hear more
<br /> about that when we have more to share. That should be short coming here,hopefully. We've been saying
<br /> that for a while, but that's what they've told us,Victoria and I,that after this meeting,they're going to
<br /> hopefully send us a response to our proposal.
<br /> Seals said not be redundant,but we are having another open house tomorrow, so if you can come, come.
<br /> It'd be great to hear everyone's thoughts on the golf course. I think the one thing going into it,I do think
<br /> it's important to look at, and Ron would be better at this, is that prior to COVID the golf course was in the
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