06-16-2014 Planning Commission Packet

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Orono City Council Meeting Report / May 27, 2014 6:59 Meeting got started a bit early with the following Council Members/Staff present; Mayor McMillan, Council Members Anderson, Bremer, Levang and Printup.Staff included City Administrator Loftus, Finance Director Olson,Assistant City Administrator of Long-Term Strategic Planning Gaffron, soon to be ex-PublicWorks Director Struve, City Attorney Mattick, Consulting City Engineer Martiniand Recorder Young. Conspicuously absent was Planning Coordinator Curtis. Because there was no explanation for her non-attendance there was a considerable buzz/concern in the audience regarding her well being. The meeting was called to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 7:02 Dedication Plaque Honoring Chief Joseph Orono Council Member Printup (a member of the Sons of the American Revolution) Introduced the president of the SAR, Larry Sisk, who talked about the role of the organization in promoting patriotism and keeping American history alive.With the 125th anniversary of Orono to be celebrated this year Mr. Sisk talked about Chief Joseph Orono, a leader of the Penobscot Tribe in Maine who had a French father and an Indian mother. Chief Orono gallantly supported the Americans during the Revolutionary War and had the Penobscot River Valley named after him and the town of Orono Maine. For some reason people came to the shores of Lake Minnetonka and in 1889 named the new township Orono. 2014— 1889 = 125 years (for the math challenged). Other people spoke representing Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution but I didn't take very good notes because a few of us in the audience were discussing Melanie's absence.The most puzzling aspects of the presentation to me was; a) why there are Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution and 2) these people are not that old to be considered sons, daughters and children of an event that happened over 235 years ago (again 2014— 1776 = 238). Wouldn't it be more efficient and accurate to have one organization called Descendents of People of the American Revolution? 7:15 Police Explorer Program Recognition Chief Farniok talked about the Police Explorer program and Officer Szczepanik introduced the award winning explorers. I couldn't hear very well because the microphone wasn't turned up enough so my notes are not very good. Jesse fixed the microphone but it was too late for my notes.