08-08-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 8, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 14. SCHOOL SUBCOMMITTEE (continued) McMillan noted Superintendent Borg used to address the Council yearly, which is another option the Council can pursue. McMillan stated she would rather the City be inclusive and invite everyone together than trying to put together the subcommittee first. Walsh stated he is not trying to be exclusive with the subcommittee and that this conversation has been going on for a while. Walsh noted he has heard a lot from the school and that they would love to have dialogue on a consistent basis. Walsh stated the City could also reach out to the Westonka School District. Walsh commented both school systems are very good and are good draws for the community base and tax base and that it makes sense to have one. Walsh moved, Printup seconded, to create a school committee as presented. Levang stated she likes the Mayor's approach and that subcommittees are not as transparent as having the school representative appear at a Council meeting. Levang stated if the City is really moving towards transparency, they should have a dialogue that includes the public coming to either a work session or a Council meeting. Cornick asked if there was a subcommittee in the past. Levang stated there has not been. Cornick stated his question is, if there was one, why did it go away. Cornick asked whether it would be more appropriate for the school to be communicating with Staff and not individual Council Members. Loftus stated City staff speaks with school staff on a weekly basis about different items and that she does not feel there is a lack of communication. Cornick stated a subcommittee might involve more conflict. McMillan stated the subcommittee would be rather exclusive rather than inclusive. Cornick stated he would support sitting down with the superintendents and hearing what their comments are. Cornick indicated he would have liked the request to have come from them. Walsh concurred Staff has a lot of discussions with school staff but that when you bring in the boards, you get a higher level of discussion on issues. Walsh stated he would like the subcommittee to look at long-term issues and how the parties can work together. Cornick commented that seems to be more of a school board discussion. Walsh stated in his view there is no reason not to have it. Walsh stated in his view this is not a work session issue and that the individual Council Members either support a school committee or they don't. McMillan stated there should be specific issues for the committee to handle and that she would like to reach out to the school first since they did not request it. Page 15 of 17