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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,January 23,2017 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 7. SENIOR PLANNER RECRUITMENT (continued) <br /> Barnhart stated he appreciates that and that is why he proposed to hire a city planner and not a senior <br /> planner. Barnhart noted Mr. Gaffron knows the history of the City and does the complex land use <br /> applications and that Melanie does more of the building permit applications. Barnhart stated two city <br /> planners can share that role and that he is looking at this somewhat as a reorganization. Barnhart stated <br /> there will be some savings to hiring a city planner and not a senior planner and that he is not planning to <br /> propose filling the senior planner position in the future. Barnhart indicated he is trying to maintain <br /> continuity and that he would be happy to have a discussion with his department and talk things through. <br /> Mattick stated the Council does not need to make a formal motion and that the position will not be <br /> advertised at this point. <br /> MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT <br /> Seals reported last week they had their first code meeting and that in attendance were a number of <br /> builders in the area who shared ideas from other cities that work well. Seals indicated the committee will <br /> look into those to see whether the ideas shared will improve the process in Orono. <br /> Printup and Crosby stated they had nothing to report. <br /> Walsh reported he recently attended the western mayors meeting in Loretto and that there were also some <br /> representatives from the Metropolitan Council present. A discussion was had on how to deal with the <br /> Comprehensive Plan update. <br /> Walsh stated he also attended the code review committee meeting and that it was a very constructive <br /> meeting. Walsh stated there are a number of items they can look at to address the permitting process,the <br /> variance process, and the City's fee schedule. Walsh stated there are a number of follow-up items they <br /> will be working on in the coming month. <br /> Walsh stated he has attended their first of the year communications meeting with Council Member Seals, <br /> City Administrator Jessica Loftus and City Clerk Diane Tiegs. A discussion was had about the City's <br /> website,Facebook site, and the newsletter and how those can all be pulled together so there is some kind <br /> of connection between everything. Walsh stated they also discussed updating the City's website,which is <br /> eight years old. Walsh stated there are lots of opportunity to get more interaction with that, such as <br /> having a live Facebook feed,to help bring more awareness to what Staff and the City are doing regardless <br /> if it is planning or finance. <br /> Walsh stated he and Council Member Seals over the past couple of weeks have looked at a list of interim <br /> city managers. Walsh stated he is not sure how many months they will need an interim at this point but <br /> that they have narrowed the list down to two candidates. Walsh requested Council Members Printup and <br /> Crosby contact those two individuals by phone or in person so it can be an agenda item for the <br /> February 13 meeting. <br /> Page 12 of 15 <br />