HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-2018 Council Work Session Minutes Orono City Council
Work Session
Monday,June 25,2018
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Wendy Dankey,
Aaron Printup and Victoria Seals. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief,
Police Chief Correy Farniok, Finance Director Ron Olson, Director of Public Works/City
Engineer Adam Edwards, Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart and City
Clerk Anna Carlson.
GUESTS: Matt Johnson
Meeting Start Time: 5:05 p.m.
1. Police Department Response Update
Police Chief Correy Farniok presented an update on the Police Department's process for
responding to civil matters. Farniok also clarified to the City Council that the Police
Department responds to all calls regardless of any civil matters.
There was discussion regarding noise complaints,parking, emergencies versus non-
emergencies and the process for responding to various types of calls.
Farniok mentioned that it is the same dispatcher receives both emergency and non-
emergency calls and also mentioned that all incidents are reported and logged daily.
Mayor Dennis Walsh asked if anyone had any additional questions.
Resident Matt Johnson mentioned that he noticed that the Police Department was taking a
more active role in regards to parking violations on Shoreline Drive near the 1400 block.
Johnson also spoke about his concerns in regards to the crosswalk located in that area and
that he has observed that when you hit the button to control the crosswalk light,the light
goes on instantaneously.
Farniok mentioned that based on his research,there has been approximately 6-7 accidents
near that area in the last year. Farniok noted that distracted drivers take the majority of
the cause for incidents in that area.
2. Curb and Gutter Discussion
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Adam Edwards mentioned that there has been
some recent requests concerning curb and gutter. Edwards noted that he is looking to
find out where the City Council stands on the subject.
Walsh mentioned that if a little curb and gutters solves the issue then we should do that
and that it also finishes the area off aesthetically.
Edwards mentioned curb and gutter has been completed in some areas to solve issues and
Orono City Council
Work Session
Monday,June 25,2018
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
2. Curb and Gutter Discussion—Continued
that the decision to complete it has been based on the necessities of the area where the
issues had arose.
Council Member Wendy Dankey asked why it was beneficial and what the purpose of
having curb and gutter was.
Edwards presented a diagram of Typical Road Sections to the City Council and described
the two options offered. Edwards also noted that it also has an aesthetic appeal.
Dankey asked if it cost more for curb and gutter.
Edwards replied that it does cost more and noted that it comes out of the Stormwater
fund.
Walsh explained some of the benefits of curb and gutter in regards to controlling the
draining of stormwater.
Edwards referred to Forest Arm Lane and the meeting he had with that neighborhood to
address curb and gutter and stormwater draining.
Walsh mentioned that if we just do part of the area it would have done it right the first
time and not necessarily the entire road.
Edwards pointed out that if you only do part of the road it pushes the water to the
neighbor without the curb and gutter and so forth. Edwards noted that the road would be
a prime candidate for curb and gutter installation for the entire road.
There was discussion that followed regarding the allowance of curb and gutter as needed
versus as wanted and the possibility of issues that could arise. The group collectively
agreed that the curb and gutter should remain as currently practiced; it should only be
done for the necessary purpose and if it makes sense for stormwater maintenance or
where an engineer fmds it reasonable, not for aesthetics only.
3. Budget Discussion
Finance Director Ron Olson presented a high level presentation timeline of the Budget
for 2019 to the City Council.
Walsh requested a year to year comparison for the current budget. Walsh noted that he
would like to begin preparing now for the next batch of roads that are up for repairs and
that he would like to know what we will have available for those repairs.
City Administrator Dustin Rief inentioned that potentially we may see that permits could
gain a larger amount of revenues for tentative future projects,but noted that the permit
revenues will be a one-time gain.
Olson mentioned that there is a desire to add a code enforcement staff inember. The cost
would be split between the Police Department and Community Development
Orono City Council
Work Session
Monday,June 25, 2018
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
3. Budget Discussion—Continued
Department.
Printup questioned the additional position for code enforcement.
Crosby asked what exactly would this person do.
Barnhart mentioned that they would assist and respond to complaints, send letters, follow
up and process the inspection of violations. Barnhart is concerned about meeting the
needs of the community in terms of code enforcement efficiency.
Rief inentioned that Barnhart and other departments are in need of the extra help with
certain tasks such as code enforcement.
Barnhart will provide more information in the future in regards to the code enforcement
position.
4. Contract Update Discussion
This item was not discussed at the Work Session
Meeting End 6:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
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nna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor