06-26-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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If Long Lake/Orono Consolidation Committee Joint City Council Meeting Monday, June 5,2000 Page 5 followed by an election for a new seven member City Council in November, 2001. The Consolidation Committee decided the legal name of the new city would be Orono, with the City Charter guaranteeing the identities of Long Lake and Navarre by the establishment of historic districts. The Consolidation Committee felt the combination of the name Long Lake/Orono was too cumbersome, with the name Orono being consistent with the name of the School District. 5. PUBUC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Peterson thanked Fifield for his presentation, and invited questions and comments from the residents in attendance at tonight's meeting. Ron Epseth, Long Lake, inquired why the Consolidation Committee decided to vote on the merger during the primary versus the general election when typically the voter turnout at the primary is relatively low. Peterson stated the Consolidation Committee did discuss this issue at length, with the Committee feeling that the people running for City Council this year should know the e.xact term of office they are running for. Also, a vote at the primary would give some additional time to allow the merger to be implemented prior to the start of the new year. Dave Pieison, Long Lake, commended the Consolidation Committee on their efforts. Pierson indicated he was opposed to the merger, noting the two cities have existed for over 94 years. Pierson questioned why the merger has to be voted upon so soon, and suggested the question of merger be voted upon at the time of the general election when voter turnout is considerably higher. George Pillsbury, Orono, commented he was excited about the possibility of merging the t\vo cities and working together as one community. Pillsbury stated in his view the people who care about the merger will come out and vote on this issue. Pillsbury commended the Consolidation Committee and the residents for working together on this issue. Jeff Schmitz, Long Lake, indicated he is opposed to the merger, and questioned how his taxes will be impacted if the two cities merge. Schmitz expressed some concern that the City of Orono has a number of roads in relatively poor shape, while Long Lake's roads are in good shape. Schmitz also expressed conce.n that the residents of Long Lake will be paying for expansion of sewer and water to Orono residents, noting that the entire City of Long Lake is already hooked up to City sewer and water. «■ I ■ I ■!!« M ■I rm i 11 ■!■ TTM I