05-23-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 23, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT (continued) Levang stated work is starting on the donation garden and that she would like thank Jim Cox and Jim Gilman for donating four truckloads of horse manure that was then spread as well as some other fertilizer. Levang stated she would also like to thank Jane Delaney and Sue Schwaba for donating some fencing and the City of Long Lake for hooking up the water. Levang indicated the vegetables will soon be planted and that she has already been receiving calls from the agencies that they donate produce to. Printup stated it was frustrating that the funding for Highway 12 got political but that he is thankful to State Representatives Hertzog and Osmek for fighting hard for the funding. Printup stated the other side of the aisle played some political maneuvering and the funding was lost. Printup stated in his view it would be worthy for the City to send a letter to the governor asking for a special session. Printup stated the City Council has an opportunity tonight to make a motion directing Staff to re -send the letter from Chief Farniok as well as send a letter to the media and the governor stating that the City of Orono would like him to call a special session to discuss the matter. Printup stated this is a good opportunity for the City of Orono to take the lead on this matter. Levang indicated she would be supportive of the letter since that stretch of the highway is unsafe and a lot of the people she has talked to have had near misses or arc now starting to avoid using the corridor. Levang stated a letter would be something the City could easily do. Walsh stated he would also be supportive of it. Walsh noted his neighbor's niece was killed on Highway 12 last year and that the funding is important to improve the safety along that stretch of road. McMillan asked if Orono should attempt to get a coalition together with some of the other cities. Printup stated the Chief of Maple Plain has also suggested that but timing is of essence. McMillan stated a special session can happen at any time. Printup stated the governor has stated he would think about a special session, which is why it is important to move forward on this matter as quickly as possible. Printed recommended the City Council direct Staff to write a letter stating Orono's position on the Highway 12 funding to be sent to the governor's office as well as the media. Printup stated the funding all along was a bipartisan effort and that the political maneuverings that went on has led to disheartening people about the way government functions. Levang stated it got put in the omnibus, which was the problem. Printup stated the City has the opportunity tonight to draft a letter or resolution. Loftus stated Staff can draft a letter and send it tomorrow but that the City Council would need to approve a resolution. McMillan noted the next Highway 12 Coalition meeting is June 3, which would a chance to find out what the group would like to do. McMillan noted she received a few e-mails about it and that people were not happy about the outcome. McMillan stated the upcoming meeting would be a chance to discuss whether it would be better to do a cooperative effort. Page 21 of 23