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. 13. AGENDA TOPICS OR REQUESTS (continued) Walsh stated he does not have a problem with the new business section but that he is wondering whether there should be any limitations on it. Walsh stated he does not want to put any limitations on the minority to have those votes if they feel it is necessary. Loftus stated a new business section is not an uncommon thing on agendas but that the definition of routine does not always fit when there is a split council. Loftus stated the Council can definitely talk about it at a work session if that is what they would like to do and that she knows it has been a regular discussion item from individual council members. Mattick stated every city does it differently and that sometimes there is new business at the end where the Council can vote or there is direction to have Staff put it on the agenda when they can. Mattick stated how much feedback is needed from Staff or how much work is involved will impact the turnaround time. Printup stated in his view it is a good start. Loftus asked if the Council would like to start out by adding a new business section to the work session agendas. Printup commented that might be a good idea. Loftus stated that would allow the Council and Staff to develop some parameters first before placing it on the regular City Council agenda. Walsh stated that would still limit his ability to make a motion during the mayor/council report and that it would be limiting their ability to talk about subjects that might be important. McMillan stated if the Council does this, she would like them all to agree that this is not going to become a political wedge between the majority of the council and the minority in order to get votes on the record. McMillan stated if they are going to bring up new ideas, that's fine, but that they should try not to drop a bombshell and put people on the spot by requiring them to make a decision immediately. McMillan stated she would like it to be a respectful process and that she wants to work as a team. Loftus stated some of the items brought up do not rise to a priority level and that it would be important at the goal setting meeting at the beginning of the year that the Council come to those decisions together. Loftus stated those priorities give the Council a plan for the year and she hopes the Council continues with that. Printup stated discussing new business at the work session is a good start. Walsh stated having it as a specific topic at a work session is fine but that he does not want to limit what can be done at a City Council meeting. McMillan stated it is how something is presented to fellow Council Members. McMillan noted she has been in the minority in the past on the Council but the idea of using some type of vehicle in which to force votes to create a record is not respectful of the process. Page 25 of 26