02-27-2023 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 8 of 12 whole story like, what started it, what problem we're trying to solve, what the options are and where we are. Because this always comes up. And I think the bits and pieces are hard to put together for people that just aren't that connected like you are Victoria, like you are Matt. So, I'd encourage some sort of public meeting like I'm seeing about the pickleball courts or the golf course enhancement -- that we put that kind of focus on it. Seals moved, Crosby seconded to approve the fire ladder truck refurbishing and equipping. Benson indicated she would like to abstain on the vote. Walsh asked what is your reason for abstaining? Benson said she doesn’t feel like she has enough information on this. And I know fire services are a big issue. And I just simply don't feel that I have a good enough handle on this issue to be able to vote. Walsh said you have to have a financial interest to abstain. So, you need to vote one way or the other. City Attorney Mattick said if you want to abstain because there's a financial conflict, then that would be one reason. If you just don't want to vote, you can abstain it and then it ends up counting as a no vote. Benson asked for an explanation of a financial conflict. Mattick said that if, for example, if the city was buying a firetruck from you, or from someone in your family, which I know they're not, but that's the example, there'd be a financial conflict, then the abstention would not only be advisable, but mandated. And so, at that point, what happens is the vote is basically a four to zero because by your abstention you're no longer part of the council as it relates to that item. Abstaining for just, hey, I don't want to vote on it is allowable. But just so you know that when you count votes, it ends up basically counting as a no vote. So, with a full council of five it takes three votes to pass something on here, unless there's a conflict for financial reasons, otherwise, if it's just an abstention, it's counted as an abstention, but it works. Benson said in that case she can change her vote to a no. Again, I'd like to state on this that I am very supportive of fire but to me, this is just an issue that I feel I need more information on to be able to support it financially. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 1 (Benson). COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 20. LA22-000055, ESKUCHE DESIGN O/B/O TRAVIS & SARA WILDENBERG, 3838 CHERRY AVENUE, VARIANCES Staff presented a summary packet of information. New owners are requesting variances to conduct a major home addition. City Planner Curtis explained the current home on the site is situated 20 feet from the high-water level of the lake almost entirely within the 75-foot setback. The project would require a 75-foot lake setback, average lakeshore and hardcover variances. Initially the plan included two small