07-13-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 13, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. Jabbour noted the City Council represents the citizens of Orono and that he expects the Mayor to passionately and aggressively protect the vision of Orono. Jabbour stated if the Council wishes to change that vision in some way, there is a process called a Comprehensive Plan Amendment that would allow for that change along with public input. Jabbour stated he does not want the citizens to become scared as a result of a newsletter and that the City Council needs to be accessible to the residents. Jabbour stated with humility he would again ask the City Council to consider the value of Orono's brand. Michael Kuruvilla, Montessori School, stated a little over three weeks ago he heard that the road in front of the school will be closed for six months while they are doing the upgrades. Kuruvilla indicated he has approximately 80 students at the school, with parents who drop their kids off in the morning and pick them up in the evening Monday through Friday. Kuruvilla stated when you have a school or business where people have to come every day, two times a day Monday through Friday, a road closure will dramatically hurt that business. Kuruvilla stated he understands the road needs to be rebuilt but that in his view the County could builda road where the traffic can be kept open in both directions. Kuruvilla stated he also spoke with the Long Lake City Council who indicated they are supportive of that idea. Kuruvilla stated he would encourage the City Council to support that option as well and that he would like to work with the City to keep the road open in both directions. Kuruvilla stated he is a part of this community and that his school provides an education to the children of the area. Kuruvilla stated if the road is closed for six months, a number of people will be out of a job and he would lose his business. Rich Anderson, North Shore Marina, Shoreline Drive, stated he would strongly urge the City Council to line up with Gabriel Jabbour on the Big Island issue. Anderson stated his marina was involved in dealing with some of the emergencies and that the situation on the 4' of July was extremely disruptive. Anderson indicated he went to the meeting with the LMCD and the Water Patrol and that in his view the Water Patrol at the meeting downplayed the issue. Anderson stated they also got thrown under the bus by the North Memorial ambulance guy and that they did not follow the agreement that they had established ahead of the meeting. Anderson stated they had offered to pay for paramedics on the water patrol boats for the 4' of July but that they did not provide those. Anderson indicated they were told they were off duty for the 4' of July. Anderson noted the LMCD staff was all off on the 4'b of July but yet it is their duty to monitor the lake. Anderson stated Gabriel Jabbour stood up for the City at the LMCD meeting and that the City now needs to stand up for Gabriel Jabbour. Anderson noted Gabriel Jabbour is one of the few volunteers picking up the trash afterwards and that the City really needs to support him on the LMCD. Council Member Walsh thanked Rich Anderson for helping out on July 4'. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT 6. #15-3739 GEORGE STICKNEY OF BPS PROPERTIES, 300 SIXTH AVENUE NORTH, PRELIMINARY PLAT Page 6 of 28