02-14-2000 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF iHE ORONO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION __________________HELP AT S;00 P.M., MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14,2000__________________ for keeping ever>'one informed, what responsibility does each member have for keeping the others informed of his or her activities. Right now, the Mayor plays the key role in communication and coordination. We need a set of guidelines to ensure we can operate effectively, regardless of who is mayor. Sansevere indicated any guidelines put together should not discourage Mayor Jabbour from continuing his efforts and involvement. Moorse suggested the most eff ective way for the Mayor, Council and City Administrator to develop an understanding about what is expected of each, and how they can best work together, is to take a day to work with a consultant/facilitator who is familiar with city governance issues. Dick Flint asked whether it would be better to wait until after the next election to do this. Jim Murphy indicated an important part of the legacy of the Mayor and City Council is their philosophy and perspective on governance - their thoughts about how the Mayor, Council and City Administrator can most effectively work together for the best interests of the City. If the current Council can work through these issues and provide the next Council with a framework for governance, they will have given the new' Council a good head start. Dick Flint asked whether, rather than spending a full day on a Friday, it might work to spend a half day on Friday and a half day on Saturday. Murphy indicated two full days would be ideal, but two half days would work well, since many positive things can happen during the informal social time in the evening between the Friday session and the Saturday session, 1'he Council indicated they are willing to move ahead w ith an off-site facilitated session. 3. Highway 12 Water and Sewer Project Connection Charges Moorse indicated the reduction in connection charges is being proposed for two reasons. 1. Tlie projected revenues e.xceed the project expenditures. 2. The connection charges are high compared to those in other cities. This puts the City at a disadvantage in its efforts to attract quality development, particularly in the area guided for medium-density residential development. Moorse indicated the owners of the property in the northwest quadrant of Willow and 12 may expect to receive a credit against the connection charges, based on a sewer and water assessment paid in 1965. Glenn Cook, the City's consultant engineer, has indicated it docs not appear they would be eligible for a credit. This issue will be further explored prior to bringing final connection charge reductions to the Council. rhe Council indicated support for the connection charge reduction.