Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> June 26,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Veach said she would like to see the matter discussed and asked if it were to be added as an agenda item <br /> would the staff vet the information. <br /> Edwards said if a Council Member wants an item added to the agenda the advice from staff is that you do <br /> it at the beginning of the meeting or request it at a future meeting during Mayor and Council Reports as <br /> was done this evening. <br /> • <br /> Benson explained one Council Member cannot direct staff to do anything, it has to be done by the <br /> majority of the Council. <br /> Edwards pointed out that at the beginning of the meeting,the Council sets the agenda and that would be <br /> the time to have a motion and a second to add an item. <br /> Walsh said the number one problem is this is propaganda,and he won't add something to the agenda that <br /> is propaganda. It is inappropriate to ask that one's own opinion become an agenda item or to take 10 <br /> minutes during the Council Reports. <br /> Benson said if the Council wants to discuss the materials as an agenda item or direct staff to vet them, she <br /> would support that. <br /> Crosby said his concern was the lack of transparency of having the handouts in the gallery without the <br /> rest of the Council's knowledge.He said to have one person go through the comment cards is like having <br /> one person count the votes,noting it is a small sampling of a large population.It is violating the oath of <br /> office trying to undermine the Council as a whole. The point is,he said,he didn't see it. The people out <br /> there saw it and he was furnished with it. He said if he decided to put something he believed in on every <br /> chair without discussing it with the Council,he would be undermining the whole Council and the staff <br /> and it would not be good. <br /> Edwards said he would take some of the responsibility for getting overwhelmed with work this afternoon <br /> and for the work session and not making sure a copy was placed at every Council member's place at the <br /> table. <br /> Walsh said he would not sully the Council meeting with an agenda with people putting up their own <br /> opinions. <br /> Veach said she would love to know the options for process going forward, and she also believes in open <br /> meetings as trust is built and trust is earned. She asked about the options if one doesn't feel they are being <br /> heard to get something on the agenda. <br /> Edwards said it could be a consensus or a vote of the Council to get something on the agenda. The other <br /> way would be at the beginning of the meeting during the approval of the agenda.Usually, it is something <br /> that other people know about or know is needed,he said,and it takes a second and a vote. <br /> Walsh said the Council needs to direct staff to put together information,not a Council member.If at least <br /> three think it's a worthy topic,they can ask staff to vet it and bring it back to a work session.That is <br /> different than one Council Member bringing their own information to the table and saying staff vet that, <br /> he said. <br /> Page 10 of 11 <br />