06-12-2023 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 12,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Johnson said the City Council has worked on this topic for some time and he has been closely involved. He noted that Orono is in receipt of a letter from the Long Lake Fire Relief Association stating that the firefighters wanted to stay together as a unit. He said the City of Orono is in the best position to take on all of the Long Lake firefighters and would be having a series of meetings that includes all firefighters that are interested and coming aboard with the City of Orono because their help and input is needed and the City is committed to increasing response times. Their input would also be needed in structuring the Relief Association, compensation, and furthering conversations about allowing firefighters to participate in multiple departments at the same time.He said he was ready to make a motion. Johnson moved, Crosby seconded,to accept the Fire Department Needs Assessment as presented. Benson asked for additional discussion after the second. Walsh said they were finished with discussion and called the vote. VOTE: Ayes 3,Nays 1 (Benson). Johnson moved,Crosby seconded to adopt Resolution 7374 Resolution for the removal of the Navarre service area from the Long Lake Fire Department service area and resumption of Orono control and operation of the Navarre Fire Station and to adopt Resolution 7375 Resolution for the establishment of the Orono Municipal Fire Department with a phased in timeline beginning in 2024. Benson again asked for additional discussion. Walsh said no more discussion was needed. VOTE: Ayes 3,Nays 1 (Benson). APPOPINTMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER 20. APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY ON THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Walsh said the City Council had interviewed nine great candidates which made the selection difficult. Johnson indicated the nine candidates included one candidate who was not able to be interviewed that evening due to a pre-planned vacation, but was interviewed in person or via phone by each of the members of the City Council. He said he would recommend appointing Maria Veach, the individual who was not able to be interviewed on that day. He said Veach is the CEO and CFO of a local business employing over 400 persons, is a member of multiple groups in the community, and an Orono graduate. She also has a husband that is a firefighter,he added, and she brings a great background. He said he would move the appointment. Johnson moved to appoint Maria Veach to fill the vacancy on the Orono City Council. Page 3 of 9