HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-2019 Council Work Session Minutes Orono City Council
Work Session
Monday,July 22, 2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Matt Johnson,
and Victoria Seals. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief, Finance
Director Ron Olson, Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, Maggie Ung
Accountant, Correy Farniok Police chief, Soren Mattick City Attorney, and City Clerk Anna
Carlson.
Guests: James Van Eyll Fire Chief and Rich Anderson
Meeting Start Time: 5:00 p.m.
1. Budget
Finance Director Ron Olson presented the budget item to the Council. Olson explained that
there has not been any significant changes since the last time the Council was updated.
Olson noted that items such as Fire Department Budget and a Code Enforcement Employee
were in need for discussion.
Long Lake Fire Chief James Van Eyll provided a presentation for the Fire Departments
portion of the budget.
Van Eyll mentioned three budget options for consideration: Purchasing a global door code
system; upgrading their current 2 '/2 LDH discharge valve and piping to a 3 valve and piping
to improve water flow, and duty uniforms for all paid-on-call firefighters. These
considerations would cost approximately $33,000. Other increases to the budget include:
pay, insurance, fuel, medical, station upkeep, and some line items which have been adjusted
based on past trends.
Van Eyll would like consideration to budget for an Administrative Assistant, four full time
duty officers, a duty crew; which is made up of part-time fire fighters, and a full time fire
inspector/training officer.
Walsh and staff agree in regards to considering the improvements for the security system,
valves, and uniforms. Walsh would prefer staff and the Fire Chief to explore what more the
City could do to support some of these things with the resources we currently have.
Crosby asked the Fire Chief for a report of the all daytime calls for 2019.
Olson presented the discussion for a code enforcement officer options.
Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart presented the options for staffing.
Barnhart also presented statistics in regards to current response times. Staff is asking
Council for guidance for code enforcement. Barnhart said that currently our City's Building
Official and Community Development Director handle all enforcement. If the City had a
person dedicated to response we could reasonably expect the numbers to decrease.
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Orono City Council
Work Session
Monday, July 22,2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
Walsh added that we still want to be a complaint based system. He noted that the City may
need to address some ongoing issues. Walsh added that Council looks to staff for
information to figure out what is needed and what goals should be established.
Johnson agrees with Walsh, the main thing as a citizen is that you want to know that the City
is reacting to complaints.
Crosby mentioned that a good portion is acknowledging the complaint. Crosby added that at
least an attempt within 24hours should be the goal and a week to reply to our response.
Crosby also stated that he thought that the numbers are reasonable. Crosby would like a
directive sent by the City Administrator in regards to the goal for response time.
Johnson added that it is good to see the numbers, and that it appears we are using our
systems. The least amount of time staff is using is on Code enforcement. I wonder if that is
the resource we need to improve on since it is the smallest portion of time spent. He added if
the City wants to put better resources towards something than we should.
Barnhart mentioned that are we using our resources effectively however, we could be better.
Johnson would like to know what the procedure is that leads up to the numbers shown. He
added that he would like to know what percentage of our complaints are road related.
Barnhart mentioned the numbers shown are only code related.
2. Performance Review—Update
Rief gave a brief update of the performance review process and the goals for when the City
plans to implement it.
Johnson asked if Council was getting a summary of all of the reviews of each employee.
Rief mentioned that we don't have a system set up that can capture that at this point. Rief
added that he could give a general overview.
Walsh asked Johnson if he is looking for something more specific in regards to the Planning
Department. Walsh asked if an annual summary would be good.
3. Communication Discussion
Rief mentioned that a Council Member had asked if we could discuss the item further. Rief
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Orono City Council
Work Session
Monday, July 22, 2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
gave a brief overview of the plan for communication. He mentioned that he will provide a
memo to staff discussing how to handle issues.
Council Member Victoria Seals stated how she perceived the ordinance. Seals added it was
good to have the ordinance sent over to her to reference. She also added that Council can
change it if they wanted to.
Matt Johnson asked if there was a reason why we don't post the work session packet online.
Rief mentioned that he had a couple concerns with having it out there and that he had
checked around with other Cities to see what they have been doing.
Johnson mentioned that it is about transparency and that it should be out there.
Rief will direct staff to post the work Session Packets online going forward.
4. Docks as Principal Uses
Barnhart discussed the item, he is looking for guidance from Council in regards to docks as
principal uses. Barnhart mentioned staff does not recommend change because it may open
up many other possibilities that could cause issues later on.
Johnson thinks that people should be able to use their property as the feel fit. Johnson added
that he thought property rights are being affected here by not allowing it.
Council discussed the various concerns and benefits for allowing docks as principal uses.
5. Oversized Accessory Building size
Barnhart presented the oversized accessory building size item. He mentioned that the
previous council created the standards for the ordinance. If we would like to change it we
can do that. Council will revisit this item at a future Work Session.
Meeting End Time: 6:58 p.m.
ATTEST:
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Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor
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