10-10-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 10, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT (continued) McMillan stated she can understand the idea of giving the developer a chance to present their idea without having a lot of interference from the neighborhood but that it is a big thing for the residents and they would like to be heard. McMillan stated another option would be to erect a sign up along the road saying sketch plan proposal. McMillan stated she would like the City to take a look at that in November and what other cities are doing. McMillan stated as more and more of these developments come up and the proposals are radically different from what the property is zoned for, the City should perhaps have a more inclusive approach right from the get -go. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 13. AGENDA TOPICS OR REQUESTS City Administrator Loftus stated she added this item on the agenda because it has come up as a concern or a question from time to time as to how items get included on the City Council agenda. Loftus stated if the Council is unsatisfied with how it is currently being handled, there are a few options to discuss, such as adding a new business section or discussing how to use the mayor/council reports. Loftus noted this is not really an action item for the Council but that Staff is looking for some direction on how they would like to proceed. Levang suggested discussing this item in a work session. Levang recommended Staff provide some history and background on what happens in other cities and what Staff feels is best for their work load. McMillan stated she is okay with adding a new business section toward the end of the agenda. Printup commented that is not too unusual. Levang stated she would like to see some parameters placed around that and that it is helpful to have a Staff report on the item. McMillan stated in the past under mayor/council report they attempted to try to get a consensus without a formal vote. McMillan stated since they have been struggling with that, a new business section would be a way to formalize it but that she would like to ensure it does not become any council member's special project list. Printup stated what he has struggled with is trying to get clear direction on how someone can raise a topic for future discussion. Printup stated he is looking for a place to talk about something to give it that starting point but that it does not necessarily need to be in the form of a motion. Printup stated it could be a consensus to discuss it further in the near future and then everyone will know whether there is going to be a discussion on it in the future. McMillan stated some parameters on a new business section would help to keep it from becoming political and also prevent someone from forcing a vote that same night or requiring Staff to change their work load in order to deal with it right away. Page 24 of 26