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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> September 11,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT <br /> 17. APPROVAL OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY EXTENSION <br /> Edwards updated the City Council,noting the approval of the prosecuting attorney's contract extension <br /> was on the agenda. His existing extension expired in September and this extension would be through <br /> 2024. The police chief has been working with the contracted communities to put together a Joint Powers <br /> Agreement in order to have all the cities covered by the Orono PD served by the same prosecuting <br /> attorney.He said Farniok saw the end of 2024 to be the next opportunity to do that. <br /> Johnson moved,Crosby seconded,to approve the Prosecuting Attorney Contract Extension. <br /> VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0 <br /> On the Engineering side,Edwards said,the Fox street project is nearing completion. Glendale Drive was <br /> milled that day.Light poles for the Navarre parking lot are on order. The public works facility under <br /> construction is a little ahead of the overall schedule. The roof is all done as well as the majority of the <br /> plumbing. Early April completion is still projected. <br /> COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORT <br /> 18. FIRE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE <br /> 19. FUTURE FIRE SERVICE MEETING <br /> Johnson reported on the fire negotiating committee and the Future Fire Services Meeting. He said some <br /> questioned why Orono was at the table,but he said it was pointed out Orono is still part of the community <br /> and may serve other communities with fire. Legislators were asked about funding for the services fire <br /> departments are providing.On the negotiations side,the team got together and is still collaborating,trying <br /> to anticipate negotiations that are ahead and find common ground.He anticipates negotiations will <br /> continue after mediation. He said it is important to come up with an exit plan that both cities understand. <br /> Benson asked if the assumption is that everything is on the table for the mediation session on Sept. 26. <br /> Walsh said they can't talk about it but everything is on the table and they will be going in with an open <br /> mind. The City has not ruled out anything,he said. <br /> Edwards explained that the City is only allowed to have two Council members at Future Fire Services <br /> because of bylaws, and if three or more attend there is a quorum of the Orono Council. <br /> Walsh said Veach felt strongly that the two Council members on the negotiation committee. Veach and <br /> Johnson, should be the ones to attend the Future Fire Services Meeting as well. <br /> Benson said the Fire Services Meeting group formed in 2021 and that that time Orono was not interested <br /> in participating,per Mayor Walsh. Johnson attended two times in the past several years and former <br /> Councilmember Seals attended. Her concern is that when she was sworn in,Johnson said he did not find <br /> Page 5 of 8 <br />