07-23-2007 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 23, 2007 7:00 o'clock p.m. (Mayor /Council Report, Continued) Gaffron stated on Wednesday morning he is to be meeting with the bank that holds the letter of credit on Creekside and Long Lake City Staff to discuss the issues that development has with Long Lake over city sewer and water. McMillan noted the Corn Days Parade is coming up soon and suggested the City Council consider participating in the parade in some fashion. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Kellogg had nothing to report. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 11. RESTRUCTURING OF PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT Gaffron addressed the City Council regarding the proposed restructuring of the planning and zoning department, noting that the changes are long overdue. Gaffron expressed a concern that he does not have a job description for his new position. Gaffron stated that some level of detailed information needs to be • provided to Staff members on the day the restructuring is effective, and that a clear delineation of who is reporting to who is required. Gaffron requested the Council give consideration to the appointment of another staff person to help address the zoning issues. Gaffron requested some definition be given to what interim basis means for Melanie Curtis. Curtis stated she concurs with the comments of Planning Director Gaffron and that she does have a question on what interim exactly means and that there needs to be a further delineation of the duties and responsibilities of each staff person. Bremer noted that Curtis did write her own job description and that there does need to be a job description for Gaffron as well. Bremer stated it might be necessary that Gaffron simply say at some point that that is no longer his job and that someone else will need to handle it. Bremer stated she also is unclear on exactly what interim means and that the City will need to look at the situation over the next few months and consider making some changes if necessary. Bremer stated the term interim is not a reflection on the ability of Curtis to do the job but simply because this is a new situation to the City and staff will be going through a transition period. Murphy stated he does echo the comments already made and that there does need to be better communication at city hall among both staff members and Council. Murphy recommended job descriptions be developed for each position and that Staff and Council will need to work through these issues as they arise. White recommended Staff and Council look at the need for additional help over the next few months and • that the restructuring is a reflection of the confidence that the Council has in the current staff. PAGE 14 of 17