04-10-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 21, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 8 Walsh said he pulled this item off the consent agenda because the only topic is potential 2024 road fixes, which shouldn’t require an hour so the meeting could start at 5:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. Walsh moved, Crosby seconded, to approve changing the time of the April 10 City Council work session to 5:30 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. CITY CLERK REPORT 13. APPROVAL OF AMENDED 2023 ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS–RESOLUTION NO. 7355 Clerk Carlson said the purpose of this action item is to amend Resolution No. 7355, the City of Orono appointments for 2023, by appointing City representatives for the Northwest Hennepin League of Municipalities and adding a deputy chair to the Orono Park Commission. The Council has shown interest in participating in the Northwest Hennepin League of Municipalities so at the request of the mayor, two members would be appointed to represent the City at those meetings. The amendment calls for Dennis Walsh and Matt Johnson to be appointed to the NWHLM and current Park Commissioner Cameron Porter to serve as the Deputy Park chair. Benson pointed out no member of Council has chosen to attend the NWHLM since 2017 until she was invited to attend and started doing so. Also, the 2023 annual appointments for Orono were voted on at the December meeting before her term of office began, which did not give her a voice or an opportunity to express her interests or skills in those 2023 appointments. She noted neighboring cities make those appointments in January as required by State Statues 412.121. She had been invited to attend the Northwest Hennepin League meetings and has had an active interest in it. I think it's important for Council Members who have an interest in learning and growing in their role to have a chance to do so. As it's written, I don't support this proposed amendment, given the historic lack of interest on the part of the this current Council, despite many opportunities to attend. Also, she noted the way this is written it effectively prevents her from attending. She added, regardless, she believes that Orono should look at amending its practice of making committee appointments in December instead of January, and also making it a regular agenda item rather than on Consent. Walsh said he hadn’t been able to attend NWHLM meetings for a few years because of family responsibilities, but now that his children can drive, his evenings are more free. And based on the behavior of Councilmember Benson and her actions at those meetings, he could not in good conscience put her as a representative of this City in an organization like that. Walsh moved, Crosby seconded, to approve amended 2023 Annual Appointments Resolution 7355 as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 1 (Benson).