02-27-2023 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 27,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Richie Anderson, 3205 Crystal Bay Road, said everybody can have a beef with the City. I've had plenty. I have lived here in the City of Orono for 44 years and had a business in this community and multiple marinas since 1976. I've obviously had issues with the City of Orono for this,that and the other thing,but the Mayor when he got elected, said something that I bought into and that's public/private partnerships and doing good for the City of Orono. Over the years I've sponsored numerous sports teams and coached numerous sports teams when my kids were in it. The Orono hockey rink got built. Me and another gentleman put the new locker room together. We built a little league field at Bederwood Park, I was there with Gronberg scoping out and we built that fencing, the whole shootin' match. We put an Ice Arena behind the elementary school here for the kids to play in. So my concept is,we can all bitch and moan about this,that or the other thing, but the fact of the matter is, at the end of the day,you have to do something positive for the City of Orono.You know we located the generator at our property now in Smith's Bay because you didn't have an automatic generator. We did that. I sponsored through public/private relationships the therapy dog for$10,000. I've hauled equipment for public works at the Big Island on my barge. I store the Big Island docks, I helped the funding of the fire department and relief fund. I've given life vests to every patrol car that you have for the cop shop because they hook up with the Hennepin County Water patrol and that way they can just get on the boat. I gave life jackets to public works so they can go out to Big Island safely. So people can bitch and moan but you're doing a good job. As your LMCD rep I've saved the City over the last two budget periods, plus or minus $30,000. We are currently looking at starting a LID in Crystal Bay through your help. The City of Minnetonka Beach had that fundraiser so to speak the other night.And one thing looking forward in a public/private relationships, I talked to the park guy. I want to put a sport court similar to Shorewood's by the post office. Chelsea Wetrick, Independence,Minnesota. Walsh stated the address as 2485 Independence Road. Chelsea Wetrick said unless you're gonna answer some questions or maybe apologize, it's my three minutes. So anyway, I understand that there's an ethics meeting coming up here soon. I'm thinking you might want to have a part in it. I'm wondering why Crosby keeps running out?Why you guys can't answer some simple questions?You've been accused of stuff. And you just sit here and call people fools and clowns and interrupt and make a fool of yourself. So everybody wants this resolved, everybody in the community,the Council members, everybody. I'm talking to you,Mr. Walsh, can you look at me at least? Too much of a wussy to make eye contact? Thank you. So no, by the way,I'm not afraid of you either. There's a very, very simple way to solve all this.You could have apologized in the beginning. But no, you're stuck on stupid and want to keep going. And he can't even stay in for a meeting. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Walsh closed public comments and opened Mayor/Council reports. Benson said I want to share with everyone that I had the opportunity to attend the foundational program for the League of Minnesota Cities on Friday and Saturday this week. Ifs a great opportunity for newly- elected officials to learn about things like ethics, like good governance, share resources and network with Page 17 of 22