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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,January 9,2017 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 14. VIDEOTAPING OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS (continued) <br /> Printup stated he would be curious to see that information as well for the Planning Commission. <br /> Loftus indicated the City is able to track the viewer statistics. <br /> Crosby asked how many of the Planning Commissioners were opposed to videotaping. <br /> Landgraver stated it was probably three to two against videotaping. Landgraver indicated Chair Thiesse, <br /> he and a couple of other commissioners were not in favor of it. <br /> Dennis Libby, 1000 Heritage Lane, stated he has benefited tremendously from the videotaping and that in <br /> his view transparency is a basic tenet of Orono's democratic government. Libby stated public officials <br /> need to have a little thicker skin than your average citizen and that the City Council and Planning <br /> Commission are not discussing matters of national security but elements of local city governance that the <br /> residents are entitled to see. <br /> Libby stated he has spent quite a bit of time going over city council tapes, decisions and votes that did not <br /> make it into the public record,and that he would embrace videotaping of the Planning Commission <br /> meetings. Libby suggested the Council consider videotaping the City work sessions as well <br /> Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, stated he was chair of the Planning Commission for a number of years <br /> and that he shares Kevin Landgraver's concerns. Kempf stated the City Council consists of elected <br /> officials,which is a little different from the Planning Commission. Kempf stated he understands how <br /> difficult it is to get people with experience to serve on the Planning Commission. <br /> Kempf stated the taping of the work sessions is considerably more important towards transparency than <br /> videotaping the Planning Commission meetings. Kempf stated in his view the public should hear those <br /> conversations. Kempf stated he would question whether someone is going to spend three hours watching <br /> the Council meeting and then watch the Planning Commission meetings,but that he loves the idea of the <br /> work sessions being videotaped. <br /> Printup noted he brought that up a couple of years ago and that he would be in favor of it. <br /> Seals stated she appreciates the feedback and that it is difficult for some people to speak in public. Seals <br /> stated she knows people are not perfect and that she is hoping people are better than judging how <br /> someone looks. Seals indicated while campaigning this fall she heard questions from citizens how the <br /> Council got to some of their decisions that were put on Consent Agenda. Seals stated videotaping the <br /> meetings gives the community the opportunity to make the choice to watch the meetings if they are <br /> interested or unable to attend the meeting. <br /> Crosby stated he would agree with that and that it is important to see how the Planning Commission <br /> formulates their opinions. Crosby stated being on tape can be nerve racking but that it will get easier with <br /> time. Crosby indicated he would be in favor of it since it gives the residents an idea of how decisions are <br /> arrived at. Crosby stated he also likes the idea of videotaping the work sessions. <br /> Page 14 of 17 <br />