10-10-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 26, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) Lizz Levang, 4010 Bayside Road, Orono, stated like Margaret Radke, she finds the fliers sent to the residents of Orono and surrounding communities to be disrespectful and divisive, which she has stated in the past. Levang stated as an elected official, she accepts that her votes will be scrutinized and even challenged. Levang stated this publication goes far beyond the bounds of decency and instead discredits citizens, city staff, volunteers and neighbors with its criticism. Orono citizens and its neighbors do not deserve to find this propaganda in their mailboxes and for fellow citizens to be treated with such an egregious level of irresponsibility and carelessness. Levang stated the newsletters contain sensationalized headlines and stories steeped in falsehoods. Levang indicated she has filed a complaint with the Secretary of State, Office of Administrative Hearing. Levang stated while she would like to address the many false allegations in the fliers, there is not enough time tonight. Levang stated what she would like to do is raise the issue about transparency and the allegation that she and Mayor McMillan voted against videotaping the Planning Commission out of an unwillingness to be transparent. Levang stated nothing could be further from the truth. Levang stated she voted against this proposal for several reasons. Levang stated the first reason is that there are essential differences in the roles of the Planning Commission and the City Council. Planning Commissioners are unpaid volunteers, appointed by the City Council and serve as advisors to the City Council. The votes they make are advisory only. Every application processed by the Planning Commission comes to the City Council for continued study and ultimately a final vote. On the other hand, City Council members are elected officials and are elected based on citizen votes. City Council members are also paid. Every application the City Council processes comes with a recommendation by the Planning Commission, which are either upheld by the City Council or denied. Levang stated she also takes offense at the ungrateful attitude these fliers have shown to Orono's Planning Commissioners who work tirelessly as volunteers for the City. Levang stated it is not unusual for their meetings to run past midnight. Levang stated it is important to note that on two occasions Planning Commissioners have said that they do not want videotaping. The first occasion was on February 3 and then again on May 16 where the commissioners said no to videotaping. Levang questioned whether she is to disrespect the Planning Commissioners. Levang stated as all Planning Commission recommendations are reviewed and voted on by the Council, it would be a redundant process. More importantly, the vast majority of applications before the Planning Commission are residential in nature and not commercial. Levang stated this is an important distinction. By videotaping, it would be putting Orono citizens on display as well as their lifestyle choices, such as how many bathrooms they have, where their bedroom is, and further providing details of their life that is not the business of anyone with a computer. Levang stated people move to Orono for privacy and one appearance before cameras is enough. Levang noted for the record that every application before the Planning Commission is noticed in the newspaper of record, posted on the City website, sent out to those on the City's listserv, put on the bulletin board of the post office of record and posted at city hall. Applications are also placed on the City's website in advance of the Planning Commission meeting. Page 10 of 26