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Minutes
<br />City Council Work Session
<br />Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM
<br />City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
<br />ROLL CALL
<br />Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim, Alisa Benson, Jacqueline Ricks, Steve Persian, Jon
<br />Schwingler.
<br />Staff present: City Administrator Adam Edwards, Police Chief Correy Farniok, Community
<br />Development Director Laura Oakden, Parks and Facilities Superintendent Joe Ruthenberg, Public
<br />Works Superintendent DJ Goman, City Clerk Christine Lusian, Planners Melanie Curtis and Matt
<br />Kearney, Communications Specialist Rachel Cotter.
<br />SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCY
<br />Staff provided an overview demonstrating how sustainability and resiliency are integrated into the
<br />city's daily operations and embedded within services, policies, and community engagement rather
<br />than treated as separate initiatives. The city's mission and goals, unchanged since 2017, continue to
<br />guide this work. Discussion covered capital improvement planning, comprehensive plan updates
<br />(including new 2050 requirements), and surface water management, along with coordination among
<br />partner agencies such as the EPA, USAGE, FEMA, BWSR, MDH, MCWD, MPCA, and DNR.
<br />City operations address current needs while planning for long-term stability and opportunity.
<br />Ongoing efforts include environmental and infrastructure improvements, policy implementation,
<br />permitting, grant -supported projects, emergency management, nuisance animal control, medication
<br />disposal, facility efficiency, stormwater inspections, salt -use tracking and reduction, balancing road
<br />safety with lake health, preventative maintenance, native plantings, waste reduction and diversion,
<br />digital presence, and election administration. Continuous training and development across elected
<br />officials, appointed members, and staff strengthen leadership, workforce, and service delivery.
<br />The council recognized that as community needs and challenges evolve, the city is well positioned to
<br />respond effectively. They expressed support for current actions, appreciation for the scope of
<br />existing work, and a desire to expand public awareness. The council emphasized more visible
<br />communication through newsletters, social media, volunteer engagement, and potentially forming
<br />new committees or focus groups to advance sustainability outreach. Direction was given to continue
<br />integrating initiatives into the comprehensive plan, intentionally share progress and successes
<br />through public education and awareness campaigns, and present any new strategies to the council for
<br />consideration.
<br />ADJOURNMENT
<br />Work session ended at 11:25 a.m.
<br />ATTEST:
<br />Christine Lusian, City Clerk
<br />CITY COUNCIL
<br />Bob Tunheim, Mayor
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