Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />August 28, 2023 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 3 of 15 <br /> <br />Crosby pointed out that if changes like this were submitted to staff in advance they could be made before <br />the meeting. <br />Benson moved, Johnson seconded, to table Item 1 to add the dollar amounts. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays <br />0. <br />5. BODY WORN CAMERAS AUDIT <br />Benson said she asked to have this pulled from the consent agenda because it is a new program and she <br />thought it would be nice to hear about it from the Police Chief. She added she had asked the Chief ahead <br />of time. <br /> <br />Chief Farniok explained by legislative authority the City has to have an audit after the second year to <br />make sure it met all the requirements. Over the course of the last two years body cameras have been in <br />use auditors took between 45 and 50 samplings of calls to make sure the Orono PD is following policy <br />and retaining data according to the retention schedule. They came back with their report and their audit <br />and Orono PD passed in all areas, he said. Audits will need to be conducted every two years. The first <br />year the cost was about $3,800 for the audit. In future years it will be about half that, he said. <br />Benson moved, Crosby seconded, to approve the Body Worn Cameras Audit as presented. VOTE: <br />Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />6. WORK SESSION DRAFT AGENDA <br />Benson said she pulled this because the City is in the budget cycle and the next work session the Council <br />is scheduled to discuss the City’s preliminary levy. <br /> <br />City Administrator Edwards said on Sept. 11 they would be going through the preliminary levy and <br />general fund budget for 2024 and those items that will impact the levy in time for the Sept. 25 City <br />Council meeting when the Council will be voting to adopt the preliminary levy. <br /> <br />Benson clarified City Council work sessions are open to the public but are not public hearings. <br /> <br />Benson moved, Veach seconded, to approve the Work Session Draft Agenda. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays <br />0. <br />10. OLD PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY REMODEL (23-044) – ARCHITECT CONTRACT <br />Benson said the consent agenda is for routine items that are not controversial or have previously been <br />discussed. She said this is not a routine item and should be discussed. <br /> <br />Edwards said he uses his best judgment based on experience or earlier Council guidance. He said this <br />item was an outcome of direct Council guidance from the second meeting in July to go out for the <br />contract. He said it is the right of any Council member to pull items off the consent agenda and that is <br />why it is voted on at the beginning of the meeting. <br />