10-11-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 11, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. (Park Commission Comments, Continued) year until someone can be trained to take over that role. Huddy stated the Park Commission is requesting to extend McDermott's term another year in order to train someone for the chair position. Murphy inquired how many years McDermott has been the chair. McDermott indicated he has been the chair for approximately five years. McMillan noted the Park Commission used to have a vice chair. McDermott stated no one was willing to accept the vice chair role the last couple of years. Sansevere stated he personally is against term limits, noting that this is a volunteer position and that someone with a great wealth of experience is an asset and should be allowed to remain. Sansevere noted another member of the Park Commission was lost a year or two ago because of term limits. Sansevere inquired how long a person has to remain off a committee before reapplying for the position. Barrett stated it is his understanding the person should step down for at least one year. Murphy noted by and large the people with the City are volunteers and that the City may not have done an adequate job of recruiting someone for the vice chair's position. Murphy stated the City should have addressed this situation sooner, but that in his opinion there are people on the Park Commission who • could step up into this position. Sansevere concurred that there are other people on the Park Commission currently who could assume the chair position, and that one reason the members of the Park Commission did not volunteer to take over could be the fact that they do not want to lose McDermott. Huddy stated at the last Park Commission meeting a poll was conducted and not one member of the Park Commission was willing to step up to assume the chair. Huddy noted that McDermott had recommended someone step up into the vice chair to prepare for becoming the chair. Huddy stated in his opinion there will not be a smooth transition. Sansevere stated he would like a recommendation from the Park Commission for a vice chair or a short transitional period. McMillan stated at times people are hesitant to assume a role of this type and that some people are not aware they have the potential until they are given the opportunity. McMillan pointed out the rest of the Park Commission would help the person who assumes the chair position. White stated the Council would need to discuss this at their next work session. White noted that McDermott was responsible in large part for the Navarre Park and that it would be difficult to replace him given his experience. McMillan stated she would encourage the Park Commission to continue to consult with McDermott once • his term limit is over to gain his insight into different issues facing the Park Commission. PAGE 7