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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-14-2022 City Council Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Dennis Walsh,City Council Members Matt Johnson,Aaron Printup(arrived at 6:15 p.m.),Richard Crosby III,and Victoria Seals.Representing Staff were City Attorney Soren Mattick, City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards,Finance Director Ron Olson,Public Works Director David Goman,and Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart. Mayor Walsh called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA Crosby would like to add item 12(LA21-000074)to the Consent Agenda. 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 24,2022 2. COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 24,2022 3. CLAIMS/BILLS 4. APPROVAL OF RENTAL LICENSE 5. AUTHORIZATION TO PAY FOR 2020 STREET MAINTENANCE PROJECT(20-001)— PAY REQUEST NO. 5—FINAL 6. APPROVE REHABILITATION OF LIFT STATION 3 (3400 EAST LAKE STREET)AND LIFT STATION 11 (1813 FAGERNESS POINT ROAD) 7. APPROVAL TO HIRE PART-TIME CLUBHOUSE MANAGER& EVENTS COORDINATOR 8. APPOINTMENT OF 2022 SEASONAL EMPLOYEES 9. APPROVAL OF CRYSTAL BAY PARK PLAYGROUND UPDATES 10. APPROVAL TO HIRE PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 11. LA21-000071—PAUL TAUNTON,3600 IVY PLACE,CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT— RESOLUTION NO.7249 12. LA21-000074—CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT RELATED TO PARK DEDICATION AND SUMMARY ORDINANCE OF SAME - ORDINANCE NO. 268,THIRD SERIES AND SUMMARY ORDINANCE NO. 269,THIRD SERIES Crosby moved,Seals seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda with the addition of item 12,LA21- 000074.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Page 1 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Brian Roath, 1200 Wildhurst Trail, stated there is much concern,confusion,and misinformation in the Orono community about Summit Beach Park and he would like to give a few comments from his perspective both as a resident and as a Park Commissioner.His goal is to clear up the misinformation and set everyone's nerves at ease over the future of that park. In 2019,the Long Lake Rowing Club(LLRC) brought forth the seed of an idea to locate some of their operations at Summit Beach Park.Based on guidance from the Park Commission and City Staff,the rowing club held 2-3 public open houses and received input from the community. In early 2020,the LLRC presented a first-pass to the Park Commission regarding what a facility might look like to start a conversation about a public-private partnership with the City. There were many aspects of the plan that the Park Commissioners had concerns about and did not pass a recommendation to support the plan.The viewpoint at that time was that if anything would work out there would first need to be more iterations of the design based on input from the community and stakeholders. Between March 2020 and January 2022,there was no activity or new proposals.However,the community was worked up and voiced strong opposition as if there is a vetted proposal in front of the City pending a final vote.He noted residents spoke out at a recent Planning Commission meeting,Park Commission meeting,and perhaps even tonight at the City Council meeting. Mr.Roath asked the City Council to please set everyone's nerves at ease as the City is nowhere near making a final decision on the LLRC at Summit,to confirm that the LLRC does not have a current proposal on the table,and explain that any future proposal would require several iterations of input from the community and stakeholders such as the City Council and Commissioners. In the absence of activity, fear has written an increasing narrative and the comments he reads and hears on the matter are not relevant.For example,he reads several people requesting that the Park is not given to a public entity and speaking on behalf of the Park Commission,they do not support that,he knows the City Council does not support that,and the LLRC is not even asking that. Where does the fear originate from?Unfortunately there are some people within the community that are spreading false information and the residents deserve to hear the truth in the midst of the confusion this misinformation has caused.Mr.Roath supports Councilmember Seals' comment at the last Council meeting that the City needs to take back the narrative. He asked the City Council to do what is legally and technically possible to stop misinformation and spread accurate facts about the plans at Summit Beach Park.The Park Commission is excited to see Orono residents and the passion and interest they have in providing feedback,but feedback on misinformation does not help them.The goal of the Park Commission is to provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the City's natural parks and no one wants to take away any parks,impede nature,or disrupt anyone from their current activities.The Commission will not support any plans that do anything but enhance everyone's use of the park.He asked the City Council to please confirm that they are also aligned with this.Finally,Mr.Roath stated he appreciates what the City Council,Commissioners,and City Staff do and it is essential that they give residents and local organizations the opportunity to have ideas and proposals considered and heard.He said they owe the LLRC the opportunity to present ideas, hear feedback,incorporate that feedback,and receive a final vote on their proposal no matter where one stands on the issue.He asked to please not be scared away from a few loud voices,noting he trusts in the City Council's leadership and knows Orono will set the right path forward for Summit Beach Park. Eleanor Winston,765 Spring Hill Road,stated due to the large citizen interest in the LLRC's proposal for Summit Beach Park,she asks that the Orono City Council conduct its proceedings on this topic with the utmost public accountability and transparency.At the January 24, 2022 City Council meeting a special committee was formed to further pursue a tabled application. In response to this new special planning Page 2 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. committee,specific actions that would be in the best interest of Orono citizens are as follows: citizens should be allowed to sit in and listen to the proceedings,the date of the meetings be properly noticed so citizens can attend, and minutes and attendance of the meetings be taken so it can be recorded for the citizens.Ms.Winston noted they have outlined the requests in a signed letter and ask for an official response before any meetings are held.Again,due to the large public interest in this tabled application, they would like the City to handle this in a very transparent and professional manner. She passed the letter to City Staff for the record. Barbara Schmidt,50 Landmark Drive shared to the citizens of Orono:after researching passive versus active parks,she found that passive parks(those with natural resources including trees,water,and open green spaces)add real value to residential properties.Dozens of studies show that anywhere from single- digit to double-digit increases in actual property values happen near passive parks. Generally the more trees in a park,the more value is added to the residential property. That means hundreds,and perhaps thousands of Orono residents have increased property value because of the passive parks in their neighborhood.This is according to the National Park and Recreation Association,the University of Washington,and the University of Wisconsin,among others.Ms. Schmidt added what takes away real property value is noise,traffic,and loss of privacy.This means the park plans the City of Orono is proposing are going to reduce property values in neighborhoods.Whether one lives right next to a park or within a mile radius,traffic,noise,and lack of privacy will most likely affect the property value. Why would the Orono City Council be willing to financially hurt their tax base?This question has bothered Ms. Schmidt and she stated it should bother others,too.Apparently taking public land and giving it to private interest has more to do with the City Council's gain,not the residents. Something else caught Ms. Schmidt's attention,Councilmember Victoria Seals called Orono residents entitled and then corrected herself to say"lucky"instead. If residents are entitled,Ms. Seals,then why do they need more niche activities in their highly-valued passive parks?Rowing and mountain biking are two of the least-diverse or accessible to the average citizen.According to current demographics and approximate team membership,less than half of 1%of Orono residents row and less than half of 1%of Orono residents team mountain bike. So why is the City of Orono taking away their collective property values by millions of dollars for the benefit of just a few individuals,some of whom are not even Orono residents?The numbers just don't add up. She is asking the City of Orono and the Park Commission to stop developing the natural parks and devaluing their properties. For more information,Ms. Schmidt shared the website https://www.standupforpropertyrightsbigwoodswetlands.org. Elizabeth Weir, 765 Bridgewater Drive,noted her concern with Summit Beach Park is the will with which it was donated to the City and to the people of Orono. She read a letter from Louis B. Oberhauser, Mr.Dayton's attorney.Ms. Weir read the final paragraph of the letter: the City of Orono accepted the deed to this property as park property per the recommendations of the Park Commission.Mr. Dayton's desire and purpose of this contribution was to keep this property from being developed with structures that would destroy its natural beauty and have it used in the future as an open space beach for his neighbors. Ms. Weir stated they know in hearing from the family that Mr.Dayton's will was to keep this natural and undeveloped. She is not clear of the status from the LLRC but noted it seems to be tabled and has not gone away. Ms.Weir stated what is legal is one thing(she believes the deeds have no restrictions on them)and what is proper and moral is another thing. She asks the LLRC and the City Council to take that into consideration going forward. Page 3 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Fred Winston, 765 Spring Hill Road, stated Bruce Dayton was his closest neighbor for 45 years before his death and was a close friend.Mr.Winston is concerned about the City Council's numerous mentions on January 24,2022 meeting that Orono parks need active events or facilities in order to appease idle teens and make parks functional.Orono has beautiful parks that are passive and provide walking and hiking opportunities in nature.The last Orono Citizen Survey in 2008 showed results that a super-majority of 89%responded that they wanted passive parks,open space,and natural areas to be a top priority.Mr. Winston noted only 9%wanted to develop active park facilities such as ballfields. Deborah Krump,25 North Stubbs Bay Road, asked regarding the bike trails that are planned,is there a list of parks the City is planning on using and is Bederwood Park one of them. Mayor Walsh noted Ms.Krump can contact the City Administrator and he will email the information and answer any questions she has. Jay Nygard, 1386 Rest Point Road,was not going to say anything until the Park Commissioner spoke and felt he was a bit disingenuous with his comments in that there was no need to be fearful.It was obvious to Mr.Nygard that there was a track and something was going to happen in a park that was going to give a large area to a private entity and Orono would lose control over that.Not only that,Ms. Seals admitted this did not follow the process,went out of bounds,and needs to get back on track.There were issues and real reasons for people to be concerned. What is concerning to Mr.Nygard regarding Mr. Roath's comments and what Ms. Seals has said is that it is time to take back the narrative.To him,that means silence your opposition and that is what Mr.Nygard is hearing here. Richie Anderson,3205 Crystal Bay Road, spoke with Police Chief Corey Farniok regarding a picture of him on the 4th of July with the water patrol,and during the conversation Mr.Farniok stated it would be nice to have the Coast Guard-approved lifejacket in every police car so when water patrol needs the police department they do not have to look around for a lifejacket.Mr.Anderson would like to donate 14 of these lifejackets,one for each patrol car in Orono. Walsh moved,Crosby seconded,to accept the donation of 14 lifejackets.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. Seals clarified regarding the LLRC proposal, she did say the City should bring the conversation back and take back the narrative;however,that was not to silence the community but was actually at the request of residents who said they were not hearing anything from the City Council. She noted it was quiet for two years during the pandemic and then the item popped up at the Planning Commission. She envisions from the resident's seats it is probably scary and they are thinking"what has been happening behind closed doors?" Seals said if they want to interpret that as silencing people,by all means they can.Contrary to some people's belief it was not to take power away from the Park Commission but she wanted to bring them back into the conversation.The City Council had given feedback previously to the LLRC that the City needed the building stripped back and they needed to see a public benefit.The LLRC plan came back to Planning Commission and had not changed given the feedback from the Council. Seals has talked to the Planning Commission and the Park Commission and said there is no plan for the LLRC to come back. She thinks the LLRC knows that there is not a good route to get what they want and what they proposed. Seals is punting it back to the Park Commission because they talk about a park's master plan and she is asking for several public open houses which would be the forum to share feedback on ideas such as a natural playground,an ice rink on the lake,etc. She does not know the outcome as it goes Page 4 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. through the process. Regarding notifications, Seals suggested everyone get on Orono's ListServe as it will tell about all meetings and updates within the City. Crosby asked everyone to have a civil respect and be kind to one another,noting there does not need to be attacks and falsehoods thrown around that things are approved when they are not.This City Council will do their best to keep improving their parks and make sure they have citizen engagement.He stated they invite public comments and engagement as long as it is done in a respectful and civil manner. Johnson stated if the City takes in land with stipulations they will adhere to those.He shared that he received a scathing email from a neighbor accusing the City Council of keeping this entire thing quiet as though there was some kind of"special process"happening for Summit Beach Park. He stated in taking back the narrative:that is not true. People must understand the City makes a lot of decisions but they are all done in a public format with very specific rules.He stated Summit Beach Park hadn't even come before the City Council so they cannot be hiding it. He appreciates the public comments tonight. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT Finance Director shared a slide on screen showing building permit revenues in over the past month. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 12. LA21-000074—City of Orono Text Amendment Related to Park Dedication and Summary Ordinance of Same- Ordinance No.268,Third Series and Summary Ordinance No.269,Third Series This item was added to the Consent Agenda. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Attorney Mattick had nothing to report. CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT 1. 2021 Department Review/Annual Report Edwards shared a draft of the Annual Report and asked for feedback from the City Council on the format and information.He gave a high-level summary presentation of the 2021 Orono Annual Report on screen walking through staffing, departments,and updates within the City in 2021. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Crosby is proud of the job the Park Department is doing and thanked them. Mayor Walsh agreed and thanked the Park Commission for all that they do for the City. Page 5 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. CLOSED SESSION The meeting will be closed as permitted by§13D.05,Subd.3(a),to evaluate the performance of the City Administrator. Johnson moved,Seals seconded,to open the closed session at 7:01 p.m.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. ATTEST: / 11C)) Anna Carlson,City Clerk Dennis Walsh,Mayor Page 6 of 6