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01-09-2023 City Council Minutes
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01-09-2023 City Council Minutes
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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> January 9,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Johnson said the City of Orono has purchased 100 percent of some of the equipment and/or vehicles, so <br /> this is not unprecedented in the existing relationship with Long Lake Fire.He said this isn't a foreign <br /> concept in Orono's longstanding relationship with them. Orono owns 100 percent of fire station number <br /> two and 50 percent of fire station number one. So, I don't see any reason why all of sudden,we wouldn't <br /> be using this equipment to serve our residents when it's ready to go,people are trained,and everything <br /> like that.I don't see a path of not using this truck until 2025. <br /> Mr.Pierson said he was talking about a legal path to use the truck,for instance, if Orono and Long Lake <br /> can't come to an agreement,how does that effect the use of the machinery we now have plus any new <br /> machinery. Can Long Lake say this fire truck can't be used or will not be used until the contract is up.He <br /> asked if the city had gotten bids or done an RFP for the ladder truck. <br /> Mayor Walsh said the truck was purchased from another department that was selling it so there were no <br /> bids but bids were taken for the refurbishment. <br /> Johnson said this is not the first time the council has had public discussion at a council meeting about <br /> purchasing this equipment and the cost for refurbishing.The initial estimates were higher.He said this <br /> might be the first time for you but not the first time the council has had public discussion on this topic. <br /> Mr.Pierson said many people in the community have said they don't know what is going on.He said <br /> there should have been a survey and a town hall meeting to ask people if they are aware that Orono and <br /> Long Lake are looking at going to separate fire departments in 2025. <br /> Johnson responded that the city is putting the information out in a very public way.Meetings are <br /> recorded,published live, and the information is available. I'm encouraged by the fact that you are here <br /> and learning more. That's what we hope to see. <br /> Mr.Pierson asked referred back to his reasons for a town hall meeting to address why are we doing it, <br /> what's the cost to the taxpayers,and what's the alternative?Are you saying that because you've talked <br /> about it,does that mean that it should be done?I mean,we're a big community,and why don't we have <br /> the right to know how our money is being spent?He pointed out the action was on the consent agenda at <br /> this meeting. When did the public have a chance for input? <br /> Mayor Walsh responded we have been discussing this for over three years. There have been many <br /> discussions with the council between the reasons for engines, cars,and for why we doing this. The public <br /> had had a chance for input in August. September, October,November--pick a month. It is on consent <br /> agenda now for refurbishing.He said Orono is the most transparent council.Everything is on video,the <br /> information is online,and these conversations have been had consistently. <br /> Mr.Pierson 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. Why can't the Council put together a similar meeting so that people can understand how their <br /> money is being spent?Part of your responsibility is to is to reach out to the citizens. <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 their next council meeting,they hope to have a counter or reply to our offer we <br /> gave them in October.Where the existing department is going to go is the first question that has to be <br /> Page 6 of 12 <br />
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