07-10-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 26, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 11 have been a lot of half-truths, innuendo and no truths. For example, when it came to a fire chief, he said, the City did not take James Van Eyll. It accepted applications and had great candidates. Van Eyll had a leg up because he has all the information and the Council had a lot of respect for him, Walsh said, and even he said he know the future of fire goes through Orono. He said the City did not take the ladder truck. It was only after Orono decided to buy it that Long Lake decided to re-create history and say they had wanted it, according to Walsh. He said Minnetonka Beach did not leave the Mound Fire Department because of service but because of costs because they could get service for half the price. Walsh also disputed the idea that Orono is taking Long Lake firefighters or their pension money. Any of them are welcome to apply and the City just wanted to give them an opportunity, if they do join Orono, to keep their pensions whole, he said. The one member of the Long Lake City Council who has attempted to keep the lines of communication open with Orono has been called a traitor, he said. Orono provides police service and public works for a number of cities and backs up other cities for other functions like water and sewer, he said. He also questioned why Long Lake had to hire a public relations company, asking if they were trying to put lipstick on a pig. He contended Long Lake has not been forthcoming with its residents on several topics. 9. CLOSED SESSION Walsh moved, Veach seconded, to enter into closed session as permitted by the attorney-client privilege (section 13D.05, subdivision 3 (b)) to discuss litigation strategy regarding the City of Long Lake vs. City of Orono. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (After a five-minute recess, the City Council was in closed session from 7:47 p.m. to 8:09 p.m.) Walsh moved, Crosby seconded, to reopen the Orono City Council meeting at 8:09 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. The City Council continued to discuss the three documents that had been prepared by Councilmember Benson and distributed toward the end of the meeting. Johnson asked if the handouts that were given by Benson had been part of the packet. Benson said they were not because it was not an agenda item. Johnson questioned if it is permissible for Council Members to hand out materials to the Council and be placed on chairs for the public to pick up. Attorney Mattick said there is nothing to prohibit Council Members from handing out materials. Johnson asked if such materials could have a disclaimer stating they were the opinion of one Council Member because he felt there were many inaccuracies. Edwards said something could be added that it was distributed by Councilmember Benson. Benson said she would have liked to have made her presentation an agenda item but doesn’t have that power and was not permitted to show the documents at an earlier meeting.