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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />January 9, 2023 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 6 of 10 <br /> <br />Johnson responded that the city records these meetings, and put them out live. I’m encouraged by the fact <br />that you are here and learning more. That’s what we like to see. Meetings are on video and all the <br />documents are online. <br /> <br />Mr. Dursen asked about a town hall meeting to address why are we doing it, what’s the cost, what’s the <br />alternative? He pointed out the action was on the consent agenda at this meeting. When did the public <br />have a chance for input? <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh responded the public had had a chance for input in August. September, October, November <br />-- pick a month. It is on consent agenda now for refurbishing. He said Orono is the most transparent <br />council. We’ve had these conversations consistently. <br /> <br />Mr. Dursen said what you are saying is the public isn’t engaged. It’s your responsibility to get them <br />engaged. He again asked for a town hall meeting, pointing out the city was having one the next night on <br />pickleball. <br /> <br />Johnson said the City doesn’t have anything for you right now until Long Lake makes a decision. They <br />have told us that after the next council meeting they hope to have a counter or reply to our offer we gave <br />them in October. Where the existing department is going to go is the first question that has to be <br />answered. In meantime we have to go ahead and make sure we have adequate service for our city <br />regardless of what Long Lake decides to do. We hope they are our partner. We have been very clear we <br />hope going forward we have a relationship with them and keep the fire fighters together. I’m still very <br />optimistic that Long Lake is going to come back to us realizing that very same thing but it’s in their court. <br /> <br />Mr. Dursen said the City is spending money now on this equipment, $500,000 to 600,000, and have a fire <br />chief hired at $120,000 a year for three years. He’s not going to be fire chief for three years but we’re <br />going to pay him. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong but I think we as a community have the right to at <br />least have the council present to us what is going on. <br /> <br />Crosby said if the ladder truck had stayed on the CIP Orono’s cost would be about $1.8 million. Instead <br />of spending $1.8 million the City is getting a good value on a used piece of equipment we are getting to <br />refurbish that has really been a need going back 15 years. I was on the department for ten of those years. <br />We should have had this years ago. This truck was a good value without waiting for the build. We are the <br />budget. This isn’t costing us much more money. Orono is the budget for Long Lake Fire. That’s primarily <br />where the money is. <br /> <br />Mr. Dursen said he is not arguing the need but arguing the process. To me you need to let the community <br />know. <br /> <br />Ms. Brantingham said she appreciates the council wants to have all the details sewed up but when Long <br />Lake had its meeting they acknowledged they didn’t have all the information yet but explained what they <br />were wrestling with and asked for citizen input. You have to come out to your citizens and say here’s <br />what we’re wrestling with. The community is in an uproar about this thing. Please reach out and do a <br />council presentation about where you are at. You don’t have to have everything finalized. I would urge <br />you to do more sooner rather than later. <br /> <br />Seals said one of the things James (Van Eyll) is here for is to do a needs assessment. Is he going to be <br />working? Yes, he’s working.