01-11-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 11, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 19. CODE ENFORCEMENT (continued) Printup stated he is not sure how to frame a motion dealing with Item 1 and that he is comfortable with the status quo in that regard. Printup stated people move to Orono to be left alone and that he would like to error on the side of people being left alone. McMillan stated a motion probably does not need to be made on Item 1. Walsh stated last year when he talked to one of the City's former inspectors about this property, he said he had known about the violations for a long time but that he was told not to do anything about it because nobody had complained. Walsh stated the City might need to define egregious because the city inspector felt that was egregious. McMillan stated that was a past employee and that she is not sure how he feels currently. McMillan noted Staff is currently working on 20 open cases, including hazardous buildings, weeds and parking of vehicles. In the past Staff has kept the Council updated on the various cases. Those cases are all in various stages at the present time. Staff has tried hard to get voluntary compliance but sometimes it takes a while. McMillan stated as it was said at the last meeting, people sometimes unintentionally have violations and that it is good to try to educate the residents on the different regulations. McMillan noted the City has started to do new things with the newsletter by including language dealing with right-of-ways and what items are allowed to be located there. McMillan stated it is the City's responsibility to educate the citizens since there are people who have just moved to Orono that might not be aware of the regulations. McMillan stated the more that can be done in the newsletter and on the City's website, the better it will be. McMillan noted the City also becomes aware of noncompliance when the property owner submits variance request. Walsh stated in his opinion there needs to be a vote on Item 2. McMillan stated he can make a motion on it if he would like. Walsh moved, Printup seconded, to direct the City Attorney to move forward on civil as well as criminal prosecution of the outstanding noncompliant issues on the property located at 1386 Rest Point Road. McMillan stated she would allow comment on this item if there are any neighbors at the meeting this evening. Peter Lanphor, 1380 Rest Point Road, stated he and his wife have been waiting five years to get resolution on these matters currently before the City Council. Lanphor stated nobody likes to complain about a neighbor, but that this individual is a former planning commissioner and city council member who knows the rules but yet has decided on his own, without approval, to violate city and state statutes. Lanphor stated he has removed one wind turbine but that there are still six or seven poles up. Lanphor stated these are violations and that they would like them resolved. The City has a responsibility to enforce the Code even when it is not always easy to do. Page 22 of 24