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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 12, 2007 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ (8. #07-3260 ROGER O’SHAUGHNESSY, 1265 BRACKETTS POINT ROAD, Continued) Bremer commented the City has had to deal with fence issues for a number of years and that the language should perhaps be reviewed. Gaffron noted the City has made a number of changes to the fence ordinance over the years and that it is conceivable the language was misinterpreted given the fact that this is a lot that abuts a major thoroughfare and is also a lakeshore lot. Gaffron stated in his view a variance is the best way to handle this situation at the present time. McMillan stated perhaps the City should look at revising the language regarding the height of fences and that three and a half feet might not be sufficient. Bremer stated she personally would not have approved the variance application prior to the fence being erected but that she would not require it to be removed. Susan Steinwall stated Mr. O’Shaughnessy was before the City with a number of variance requests at the time the property was developed and that it was not his intent to be in a position where he would have to ask for an after-the-fact variance. Bremer stated she would vote in favor of the after-the-fact variance because there is some ambiguity in the City’s fence code. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. (Council recessed at 8:47 p.m. in order to convene the HRA meeting). 8:00 P.M. – HRA ANNUAL MEETING (Council recessed at 8:47 p.m. in order to convene the HRA meeting). (Council reconvened at 8:55 p.m.) MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT McMillan inquired whether any parties are going to be held for the employees who are retiring. Moorse stated Steve Hansen was given a card and a gift certificate to a restaurant and that he would check on arrangements for Mark Tomczyk. McMillan stated she attended the LCMD Save the Lake dinner and that Gabriel Jabbour gave a great speech on preserving our natural resources and Big Island. McMillan stated the event was well attended. Murphy stated he visited Big Island last week with Gabriel Jabbour and that there is a considerable amount of snowmobile traffic on the island, which would be difficult to stop. Murphy stated it was suggested that some barrier protecting of the buildings be erected in the future during the wintertime. Murphy commented they are attempting to get the steamship, the Minnehaha, to dock at Big Island and that the biggest issue is what type of dock could be constructed to accommodate the steamship. Murphy indicated the issue with a permanent dock is the shifting ice and that one option would be to install casings that timbers could be dropped in each spring and then removed in the winter. Murphy stated a PAGE 11 of 14 Item #04 - CC Agenda 02/26/07 Approval of Meeting Minutes February 12, 2007 [Page 11 of 14]