HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-2019 Council Work Session Minutes Orono City Council
Work Session
Tuesday, MA,y 28,2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Aaron Printup
and Victoria Seals. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief, Finance
Director Ron Olson, Police Chief Correy Farniok, and City Clerk Anna Carlson.
Guests: Long Lake Fire Department Chief James Van Eyll, John Hall, and Shane Gardner
Meeting Start Time: 5:04 p.m.
1. Heritage Preservation
City Administrator Dustin Rief stated Council Member Victoria Seals had a resident
reach out to her in regards to heritage preservation districts for Orono. Rief requested
guidance and input from the Council about heritage preservation for Orono.
Mayor Dennis Walsh stated that it may be better to look into this later in the year after the
budget is established. Walsh recommended readdressing it later in the year after Council
Members had a chance to review the information received in regards to heritage
preservation.
Rief mentioned staff will look into how many houses we have that are over one hundred
years old.
2. Budget Priorities
Finance Director Ron Olson presented a high overview of the significant factors that
make up the budget. Staff has until June 7ffi to get their budget into the City
Administrator for review. He briefly ran through revenue and expenditure estimates for
2020. Olson also noted the City's tax levy can increase by 4.78%without increasing the
City's tax rate due to the City's increased Taxable Market Value.
Walsh mentioned if the Council can be comfortable with raising the levy to help fund the
roads budget to get that specific budget to where it should be. He noted if the City wants
to increase the pavement fund, it could be raised roughly by 3%. Council needs to figure
out what they are comfortable with. He added that he would like to see what we have
done for the permits over the last few years so Council can compare and use it to figure
out estimates. Walsh recommended the Council to consider incrementally increase the
levy now so we don't have to make such a huge jump to get where we want to be.
Seals agreed that by making the increase of 3% since the City has the option to lower it if
needed.
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Orono City Council
Work Session
Tuesday, Ma -28,2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
3. HR Performance Review Update
Rief gave a brief update to the Council in regards to the draft HR Performance Review
Competency Matrix.
Seals mentioned that there is a lot of information provided. Seals asked if the matrix has
been set up in the HRWize software, and if not how do we get it there. She added that
the Council is looking for action on the performance review process now if possible.
Walsh recommended the Council add a Work Session to work on this and get it up and
rolling.
Discussion followed in regards to the different ways of beginning the process.
4. Fire Discussion
Rief gave an overview of the information presented.
Discussion followed regarding ownership between Long Lake and Orono, structure of the
department, and partnerships. All parties will continue to meet regularly to work
together, review and discuss possible changes that could be made to the contract in the
future.
Meeting End 6:50 p.m.
ATTEST:
Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor
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