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Orono City Council <br />Work Session Minutes <br />Monday, April 24, 2023 <br />Council Chambers <br />5:00 p.m. <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Alisa Benson, Richard F. Crosby II, and <br />Matt Johnson. Staff members present were City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards, Golf <br />and Parks Superintendent Josh Lemons, Community Development Director Laura Oakden, <br />Planners Natalie Nye and Melanie Curtis, and City Clerk Anna Carlson. <br />1.Planning & Park Commission Interviews <br />Applicant Commission Interview Time <br />Michael Huddy Park 5:00 – 5:15 <br />Ted Schultze Planning 5:15 – 5:30 <br />The Council members present interviewed the commission candidates. <br />2.Retaining wall Discussion <br />Community Development Director Laura Oakden introduced the Retaining Wall <br />discussion. She discussed the city code related to the subject, implementation, and issues <br />that tend to show up with retaining walls. <br />City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards explained the various retaining wall <br />variations and their construction and impacts as shown on the presentation slides. <br />Oakden finished the presentation by discussing DNR Shoreland Regulations and <br />recommendations for best practices. She noted that additional research is needed for staff <br />to develop best practices since the current code is somewhat restrictive. Staff is asking <br />for direction from the council in regards to how to proceed and is asking for feedback <br />related to retaining walls. <br />Mayor Dennis Walsh noted that he is not sure if the process should be changed or moved <br />out of the typical process by bringing it to Council. He added that he would like final <br />decisions and approval to be brought before Council. <br />Council Member Matt Johnson would like to get staff recommendations and encouraged <br />them to research the topic further to make sure that the right people are making <br />recommendations for approval. <br />Council Member Crosby discussed giving more flexibility to residents and is opening to <br />reviewing changes relating to in-kind wall replacements. <br />Council gave direction to staff to bring this topic back to a work session for additional <br />discussion. <br />Adjourned: 5:55 p.m.