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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />October 9, 2023 <br />6:00 o'clock p.m. <br />19. AUTHORIZATION TO DIRECT STAFF TO BEGIN PROCESS FOR CREATING A <br />FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION <br />The purpose of this action item is to convene fire fighters for the purpose of establishing a Relief <br />Association to oversee fire fighter pensions, Van Eyll said. <br />Veach asked if she had a conflict of interest on this item. <br />Attorney Mattick said there was no personal conflict because this is a Fire Department procedural action. <br />Benson said she could not support this action for reasons stated earlier. <br />Johnson moved, Crosby seconded, to direct staff to begin the process to create a Fire Relief <br />Association. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 1 (Benson). <br />Van Eyll said some additional interviews are in process. <br />Johnson congratulated the Chief for bringing in the inaugural group of fire fighters in place. He called it <br />an important step. <br />CITY ATTORNEY REPORT <br />Attorney Mattick had nothing to report at the time, noting there is a closed session at the end of the <br />meeting. <br />CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT <br />Edwards said on the engineering side most major construction projects are wrapping up. The Tonkawa <br />force main was put into operation. At the new public works facility there is a lot of concrete going in <br />including flooring in part of the facility and curbing of the parking lot. They are still on track for April <br />project completion. <br />COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS <br />20. LONG LAKE FIRE ADVISORY BOARD <br />Crosby apologized for missing the last Council meeting due to a funeral. He said he thought the last <br />Advisory Board meeting had positive momentum for departments working together in the future. A lot of <br />that has been dashed, he said, due to lack of communication and Long Lake not fulfilling its obligations <br />The Orono Fire Department is happening and moving ahead. He is concerned that as the City of Long <br />Lake's biggest client Orono can't get the chief out here to have a conversation with the Council. That is <br />not the future of a working relationship, he said. People are putting egos ahead of the job and that is <br />unfortunate. <br />Veach said again she thought it was a pretty successful meeting. She also went to the Long Lake meeting <br />as she believes personal conversation is the best way to move forward. Their in -person conversations <br />have been fruitful, she said. A request has been made to have another meeting. <br />Page 7 of 10 <br />