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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> February 27,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> we giving staff direction to put more information into these?I'm saying no,I think we already exceed it <br /> so that's my vote on that and maybe now's a good time for a motion? <br /> Edwards explained staff was asking for a motion on which set of minutes to approve, and then direction <br /> on what the expectation is on minutes --two separate but related items. <br /> Johnson said I think we should do it in reverse order,because then we'll answer our question on this other <br /> one.So my motion is to keep our method that we're currently using for maintaining the minutes, status <br /> quo. <br /> Crosby said he would second it. <br /> Benson asked to have a little more discussion. I would just like to understand what it is about verbatim <br /> capturing because I would agree with Councilmember Johnson.I think it's tricky to leave flavor up to <br /> anybody, whether it's a Council member or a transcriptionist. That's why for where we are right now,with <br /> some of the issues that we're grappling with, having a verbatim capture,I don't see the downside to that. <br /> Maybe we pay a little bit more in the interim for 100 percent accurate notes. There's a distinction between <br /> what's appropriate best practices for other cities, and then there may be what's appropriate for us,as a <br /> City. And I think those two things right now are different. I'm trying to understand from other Council <br /> members,what is the downside to a verbatim capture at this time? <br /> Walsh said I think everybody appreciates your opinion of the matter.But I think you're making the <br /> opinion that you want verbatim minutes for a particular agenda of what's going on that you're projecting <br /> on the Council through what's happening in the public. And that's your opinion. <br /> Benson said she was elected by the public so she is here to represent the public. <br /> Walsh pointed out the other four Council members were also elected by the public. <br /> Benson responded she meant no disrespect and she does respect the order of meetings. I know how much <br /> this Council has supported the idea of transparency. So I'm trying to understand what it is about this ask <br /> that doesn't support that. <br /> Walsh said you have your opinion of what you want, and your opinion is valid. We have different <br /> opinions, of course, and the three opinions that rule the roost are the three opinions that vote yes or no on <br /> every item. That's how the Council works. <br /> Crosby said the videotaping of the meetings is full transparency and it doesn't leave opinions. Somebody <br /> can sit there and watch it and get the tenor of the meeting and so forth in the conduct of everybody that's <br /> present. It doesn't leave it up to opinions, or somebody deciphering it. I think the way the minutes have <br /> been is fine and nonpartisan. <br /> Benson pointed out the videos have no closed captioning.Folks who don't have the ability to watch or <br /> listen to the videos are unable to understand exactly what's happening in those meetings with some of <br /> Page 5 of 22 <br />