03-13-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 27, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 22 the coordination and all three cities to be in a place where they would be willing to do the project. We think we're there. The City of Medina has agreed and wants to take the lead in managing the project. Their Public Works Director put together a feasibility study. They have already done bids; they do bids a little differently than we do for roadwork with an annual materials bid. So we have some costing for what we think the project will cost. You have before you today the copy their feasibility study, but we're looking for approval of the Joint Powers agreement, which is the agreement between the three cities. We are the first City to have this on our agenda, so there is still a chance that I may have to come back for an amendment, but at the staff level we feel confident that we're at a decent place with that. The JPA has also just been reviewed by our City attorney. Johnson moved, Crosby seconded, to approve the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) Exhibit B. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. RECESS AND RECONVENE Mayor Walsh recessed the meeting at 7:16 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 7:21 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Walsh opened public comments noting that Councilmember Crosby was no longer present and that public comments are limited to three minutes. If things do get out of control, he said he would end public comments and move on. Dave Pierson, 2160 Webber Hills Road, said he just wanted clarification on a couple of things. You know that I'm concerned about the direction of Orono going to their own fire department, whether it's right or wrong, that will be determined. But I do have two questions. One on the fire truck? Can it, by contract with Long Lake, can that fire truck be put into service? So you could put that fire truck in the fire in the firehouse and it could go into service, even though it hasn't the Long Lake part, people have not approved or disapproved or whether that can happen, and use of that truck because it's your truck. So I'm just asking that question. Is it? Can it be put into service by Orono into the Long Lake Fire Department before the end of the contract? It was pointed out by the Council that Public Comments is not a question and answer session. Pierson said I'm not asking you for the answer. I'm just saying that's my question. I'd like to know that answer. How you choose to answer it, that's up to you guys. But that's my question. I would like to see from your Chief, who was the Chief of the Long Lake Fire Department, does he have any complaints or thoughts about the failure of the Long Lake Fire Department over the last number of years? Is there a document as to why people are maybe unhappy with the Long Lake Fire Department, why you may be unhappy with the Long Lake Fire Department, the Orono people are unhappy or if the Long Lake people aren't happy? I think we deserve to see why you're going the direction that you're going. Nancy Brantingham, 3185 County Road 6, and that's Orono even though I accidentally said Long Lake last time, but that's my mailing address. This is my third time standing up to request a public hearing on issues related to the fire department. Others have also requested that. I want to thank Councilmember Seals, in particular, for approaching me the last time after the meeting and inviting me to be in