09-25-2006 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 25, 2006 7:00 o'clock p.m. (IS. POLICE SERVICE CONTRACT, Continued) • Good stated she is not able to predict whether the number of calls to Long Lake will be decreased and that it is important to service the whole area. Good stated they would end up with a hole in their roster if the force is reduced by one officer, and that they would be required, when people are taking leave of some type, to fill that position with an overtime officer. Good stated there is not an easy answer to the council's questions. Sansevere stated he is not suggesting that the department reduce an officer's position. Murphy stated if there is not some type of agreement between the two cities, the hours of protection to Long Lake would need to be reduced to 35 hours. Murphy reiterated that it needs to be fully explained to Long Lake exactly what services will no longer be provided and what services would be provided. Good stated if that position is not funded eventually, it would in all likelihood be eliminated. Murphy stated he was simply trying to propose an alternative to buy some time to.allow the two cities to sort through the issues that should be addressed. Gilbert stated the contract has been discussed in previous years and that if Long Lake had not chosen to change their level of service, in all likelihood the contract would have remained as is. Murphy stated in his view this issue should have been addressed a long time ago. Sansevere stated there are repercussions that the City of Long Lake and Orono will feel from this decision • and that those should be taken into consideration. Gilbert stated the City of Long Lake tried to take those into consideration prior to their decision. Sansevere encouraged the police chief and the Mayor of Long Lake begin discussions now rather than wait until all interested parties are able to meet. Peterson stated the City of Orono needs to respect Long Lake's decision, and inquired how the good will gesture would be perceived by Long Lake. Gilbert stated he views it as a good will gesture on the part of Orono and that in his view the contract should be reviewed and perhaps rewritten. Gilbert stated it is possible the Long Lake City Council will find that it was not a good decision but that at the time it was made, based on the information that was before them, they felt it was a good decision. McMillan nominated Council Members Murphy and White to meet with the City of Orono. McMillan moved, White seconded, to draft an agreement to be sent to Long Lake which would start dialogue that would outline a good will gesture for six months of continuation of police protection for the first six months of 2007, beginning with an agreement on setting the criteria for how that decision will be made, subject to the agreement being accepted by the City of Long Lake. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 2, Peterson and Sansevere Opposed. U PAGE 12 of 14