01-26-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 26, 1998 015 - Gary DeSantis - Sailors World Marina - Continued) • Flint questioned why the City was becoming involved in this matter. Goetten said DeSantis would like support from the City for his request that the LMCD grant permission to keep the 10 slips. DeSantis felt it was an issue of defining goals. His goal is to de- intensify the use of the site. One way to do so is by brokering. DeSantis said he has demonstrated by his improvements to the property and by cleaning up of the soils, regardless of City support, good faith in his operation and had thought the City was happy with his operation. He would like to show the LMCD that the City is satisfied with how his business is being run. He noted that the only condition he has not complied with is the landscaping plan, and that is due to the soil clean up. Gaffron agreed. Flint felt his question was not answered. He supported submitting a letter regarding DeSantis being a good business owner but does not feel the City should otherwise be involved. DeSantis said his goals are predicated on having the number of slips available. He would need to intensify the use to build up his operation if he loses the income from the slips. He felt this should be of interest to the City. He reiterated he would have to change the dock complex and increase rental activity. DeSantis said he believed the City was not in favor of this occurring. JoEllen Hurr, who is a past Council member and familiar with this operation, said she has trouble seeing a hardship to allow the 10 slips to continue. She feels the hardship is self - created. Hurr said DeSantis knew that he would loss these slips and should have responded to it sooner in his business plan. She noted he was also not in compliance as his approval did not include for the brokerage. She feels the agreement was made in good faith and the operator should follow it. DeSantis responded that the agreement was not made with him. Hurr said she understood that but he bought the operation. Goetten closed the discussion and asked for Council to consider what action should be taken. Peterson asked for clarification on what DeSantis is requesting from the Council. Gaffron said DeSantis would like a letter showing support of his business plan making use of the 10 slips in order to maintain a lower level of intensity. He indicated that an advisory should also be included that stipulated the brokerage was not sanctioned. Past approvals of the use of this site have not been based on a sales operation. Adding a sales operation will require an amendment. The letter of support is requested for the intensity of use as well. Goetten indicated that even if the Council supports the business by a letter, there are other issues that need to be resolved. Peterson felt that the City would be opening up the ability for other marinas to act in the same manner if a letter of support was given. Gaffron said he was unaware of a similar situation but supporting one operation may require supporting the other operations as well. Flint said his concern is with the request for more slips. • 22