01-23-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 10 of 10 Edwards said he would appreciate it not being a mandatory meeting but would like to keep the door open to attend to meet with staff counterparts in other communities on fire and other issues. Mayor Walsh congratulated Johnson and Benson and commended police and public works for handling of the snow and Long Lake Fire and first responders for taking care of people. He said he hears a lot about the transparency issue. Going back six to eight years the City didn’t have videotaping. This is the council that has brought videotaping of the City Council, parks and planning commission meetings. He stated this is the most transparent council the City has ever had. He added they also brought budgeting for sewer, roads and water and infrastructure that weren’t budgeted for before. They brought technology into the City the last eight years. It used to be everything was paper and it would take a few weeks. This council put website and permitting online and all the file cabinets they used to have at the city are gone. Papers have been scanned. People now can click on a property and know everything that has happened on a property. The city also bought 3-D technology for public works and now has information on every project done on those roads so it can budget and plan. The code review committee has updated and reviewed codes and looked at what has worked and what doesn’t in other cities. The City went through the comp plan a few years ago. The old plan would not vacate land. This council said it would look at every opportunity of old roads and alleys and things going through peoples’ yards and in the middle of the lake that shouldn’t be there. “We’re not giving away land we are solving problems – things that got done a long time ago that doesn’t make any sense.” There are two open houses coming up. People used to say this is Oro-NO. This council brought “yes” back to Orono simplifying processes and bringing down costs. ADJOURNMENT Johnson moved, Seals seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ATTEST: _____________________________________ _______________________________________ Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor