Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-2023 City Council Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 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,Alisa Benson,Richard Crosby III(left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.),and Victoria Seals. Representing Staff were City Attorney Soren Mattick,City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards,Finance Director Ron Olson, Community Development Director Laura Oakden, City Planner Melanie Curtis,Public Works Superintendent DJ Goman,Fire Chief James Van Eyll,Police Chief Correy Farniok,and City Clerk Anna Carlson. Mayor Walsh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. OATH OF OFFICE 1. Oath of Office A. Council Member Matt Johnson B. Council Member Alisa Benson Mayor Walsh administered the Oath of Office to Matt Johnson,re-elected council member. City Clerk Carlson administered the Oath of Office to Alisa Benson,newly-elected council member. Each signed their Oath of Office in the presence of the assembly. APPROVAL OF AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA 2. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12,2022 3. CLAIMS/BILLS 4. 2022 INTERFUND TRANSFERS & LOAN PAYMENTS This item was removed from the consent agenda 5. APPROVAL TO ACCEPT DONATION—HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST— RESOLUTION NO.7330 6. APPROVAL TO ACCEPT DONATION—WILLIAM AND ANASTASIA HOEFT— RESOLUTION NO. 7331 7. AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE HUNTER BUCHANAN—PART-TIME CSO (CADET) 8. AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE MELISSA KLUKAS—POLICE OFFICER 9. APPROVAL TO DISPOSE OF FIREARM 10. APPROVAL OF 2022 SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT CLOSEOUT(22-014) 11. ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SUPPORT APPROVAL FOR 2023 SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT(23-014) Page 1 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. 12. SHORELINE ESTATES (LA21-000055)-ACCEPTANCE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS— RESOLUTION NO. 7329 13. APPROVAL TO PURCHASE TIRE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT 14. APPROVAL TO PURCHASE PARKS EQUIPMENT 15. APPROVAL OF FIRE LADDER TRUCK REHAB AND EQUIPPING This item was removed from the consent agenda 16. WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT (22-023)—CHANGE ORDER#1 17. SHORELINE ESTATES(LA21-000055)- STORMWATER MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT This item was removed from the consent agenda for a future date. Crosby moved, Seals seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda as revised with items#4,#15 and #17 removed from the consent agenda.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. PRESENTATION 18. APPROVAL TO ACCEPT DONATION—CRIME PREVENTION FUND—RESOLUTION NO. 7332 19.APPROVAL TO ACCEPT DONATION—CRIME PREVENTION FUND—RESOLUTION NO.7333 Craig Anderson,secretary/treasurer of the Crime Prevention Fund, gave a history of the fund and outlined current activities. Steve Anderson,board member,said one of the purposes of the organization is to provide extra funding for specific items and connect the police department with the community. Seals moved, Crosby seconded,to accept the two donations from the Crime Prevention Fund Resolutions 7332 and 7333. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0 4. 2022 INTERFUND TRANSFERS& LOAN PAYMENTS Benson asked for an explanation on the funding for this item.Finance Director Olson explained the 2021 State bonding bill provided funding for Big Island Improvements including ADA accessible trails,toilet facilities,picnic facilities and signage and the money was received into the general fund. This action moves the money to the park fund. Seals moved,Benson seconded to approve the 2022 Interfund transfer.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. 15. APPROVAL OF FIRE LADDER TRUCK REHAB AND EQUIPPING Nancy Brantingham,3185 County Rd. 6,said she was at the Long Lake Fire Dept meeting that was held before the holidays.A number of citizens in Orono asked that the council provide an opportunity to meet and have information about this. She would like to know what the council's response is to that request Page 2 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. and would like to add her voice to theirs. She noted the City of Orono does not have approval from Long Lake that they will go with Orono's proposal and yet here we are with a fire truck. She said feel like we have gotten out in front of our skis. She would like to know more about this whole fire situation and. doesn't feel like residents have gotten enough information. Seals said both she and Council Member Johnson are on the negotiation committee and you are right that there is no agreement in place between the two cities(Orono and Long Lake)but between the cities served by Long Lake Fire there is no back-up engine.This truck would serve as back-up for an engine and as a ladder for the taller buildings in the City. One of the city's greatest responsibilities we have is to provide fire service to our residents.A lot of equipment servicing this area is really old. Orono still has the opportunity to work with Long Lake and the City would be willing to put this truck on loan to them. While this might seem like putting the cart before the horse,this is making sure your fire fighters have the tools they need to get to your house when there is a fire. There are still ongoing talks.Matt and I met with the committee last month.They are supposed to be giving us a response after their next council meeting but that is in their control. Johnson said what's in front of us right here is the conversation about rehabbing of that equipment.He noted that the other piece of this is that at a Future fire services meeting,that neighboring communities also attend,there was a proposal coming from City of Wayzata,and part of the services provided is mutual aid. He explained that under Mutual Aid,when we have a big fire then our neighboring communities assist with that fire and we do the same thing on the police side too. Wayzata and Maple Plain have ladder trucks and when the City of Orono(Long Lake Fire)has a fire that requires a ladder truck mutual aid comes. The Cities don't pay one another for mutual aid. The other departments wanted Long Lake Fire to pay$700,000 for ten years to contribute to their new ladder truck. That spurred a conversation and a great piece of government work. The city found a used ladder truck for$350,000 and it is being refurbished for under$200,000 and Orono will own it. We'll get 10-plus years of service and we took the additional steps of outsourcing different components of this refurbishing,to really get our price down as far as we could. This will allow the city to provide a better level of service to the community since it will be inside the city,instead of coming from abutting cities,adding it is the fiscally responsible thing to do. He said Orono has been paying for 85 percent of the equipment purchases through Long Lake Fire so would be paying 85 percent of this regardless. He said it's a piece of equipment we understood that we need and we did a terrific job as a community creating a solution that saves the taxpayers money. Ms. Brantingham again asked the council to pay attention to the request that was made at the Long Lake meeting for a meeting for our city to continue to provide residents with information on this Long Lake/ Orono whole Fire Department situation.We just need information. Johnson said that time will be most appropriate when we know what Long Lake is going to do. We are waiting for their response. Right now,we're in limbo.In the meantime,we have to make sure you have fire service. Mrs. Brantingham thanked the council for the clarity but said I'm just asking again that the council commit to holding an informational-type meeting like what was done in Long Lake for citizens of Orono, so we understand what is at stake here and what it will cost Orono residents. Benson asked where the truck is currently and was told it is at the public works building. She asked if this dollar amount for rehabbing is for all of the items needed. Page 3 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Johnson explained the$70,000 cost was for refurbing by the manufacturer,multiple vendors are providing equipment for$115,000,and graphics for another$6,600 are included in the refurbishment and equipping costs.as soon as it is fully operational. Edwards clarified the$70,000 included the cost of refurbishing by the manufacturer and work the city could do in-house. Benson noted that in reading the packet there seemed to be different gradations of rehabbing. Edwards said when ladder truck was first purchased the city had McQueen Equipment do an assessment of the vehicle and was provided a comprehensive list for review at the staff level. The first list is what had to be done to put the truck into service;secondly,what would be good to do if the city had the funds, and a third category that was more aesthetics,like$70,000 to change from one shade of red to another. We didn't think that was necessary so we said we weren't going to do that. There were items on the list we already had as a city or could use existing vendors,for instance,tires,where we could use our existing vendor to provide the tire replacement or at a lesser price. Johnson referred to tires going from$9,000 to under$4,000 as an example. Benson asked if$182,000 for rehabbing includes the first two categories but not the third,the aesthetics. Edwards said correct,there were items we decided not to do. The first item, $70,000,those are all of those maintenance-type items.The second item, $115,000,are for equipping which is all of the things you need on an engine like hoses tool sets, extraction equipment,radios; all the things that make an engine do what it needs to do.The graphics are just that.They let people know which department the truck is from. Benson asked if the intention is that when the fire truck is done it becomes part of the fleet and is used right away. Van Eyll said that would be the ultimate goal but we would need an agreement with the city of Long Lake and the fire department to be able to do that.But yes,that would be the ultimate goal. Edwards said the truck has to be refurbished and equipped before it can be offered for training.In unofficial discussions with Long Lake,once it is at that point,they would entertain idea of using it. My understanding is the fire fighters would like to have access to this vehicle as soon as possible. He said once it is ready it can be offered for training. Van Eyll noted,that fire fighters would like to have access as long as it is fully functional and training was completed. Seals pointed out the lead time to order a new ladder truck is three years and the cost is about$2 million. At the future fires services meeting they talked about that even just generally in in the area,all the departments are at risk if one engine is down. It is not like you can bring it to Chunks in Long Lake and they can just fix it. So having even as a backup is a huge value to all the cities.And I think it's good that we're talking about it so that the cities know that we're open to putting it on loan right away and getting the guys trained,because this is this would be a completely different piece of equipment for them. Page 4 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Benson asked if this has been in the works for a while,regardless of the negotiation we have with Long Lake. Edwards said the idea of having a ladder truck to serve our area as part of the Long Lake Fire Department has been on the capital improvement plan for a number of years. It's moved around on the timeline of that capital improvement plan moving forward in recent years. The other factor us the existing engines are nearing their end of life and so are on the replacement schedule. This vehicle could become one of those engines to replace the ones that are aging out. Benson asked if this ladder truck issue is part of the negotiations with Long Lake or if it is something we have been working on as partners or as customers for some time. Van Eyll said when he was chief of Long Lake Fire Department,they had a ladder truck on the capital improvements plan but it was moved around from time to time to be able to satisfy the limited capital funding. In the Future Fire Service meetings,they found out both Wayzata and Maple Plain fire departments were talking about possible replacement of their apparatus and how much they were thinking about charging other surrounding cities to share this equipment. That led to a discussion of is there a way to better utilize those funds and actually own this equipment.Long Lake's two engines are running at about 20 years.A typical engine you want to keep it about 20 years. The last one we bought in 2017 was $475,000 and now they are close to$1 million apiece. Benson said she doesn't argue at all that it makes perfect sense to look at rehabbing something instead of purchasing something new. She asked to be reminded when this truck was purchased. Edwards said in November or December. Benson asked if the expense for the truck was budgeted in 2022. Edwards said no,the truck was in the capital improvements plan and the opportunity to purchase presented itself and so the direction was to purchase it. Benson asked if the improvements were budgeted for this year. Edwards said the costs were added to the 2023 Fire CIP once the city knew it had the truck. Dave Pierson, Webber Hills Road said he doesn't question the value of the truck but does question the process. He said residents just found out at this meeting what it will cost to refurbish the ladder truck-- almost$200,000 on the refurbishing and about$347,000 on the truck itself. To spend$500,000 on this even though it is a good deal,he said,the process seems odd because no one in the community knows what is going on.You've decided to buy this truck, for$500,000,right or wrong.But we as a community have no idea as to why it has to be done,what you just answered somewhat,and then what the cost is going to be and what the alternatives are.He added that it seems to him there ought to be a way to include us [the voters] in what the council is doing. He asked if this was allowed in the contract with Long Lake and it the engine can go into the fire station. He added that Orono has indicated it wants to get out of the deal with Long Lake by 2025 and asked if it is possible the city won't be able to use the new ladder truck until 2025. Page 5 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Johnson said the City of Orono has purchased 100 percent of some of the equipment and/or vehicles, so this is not unprecedented in the existing relationship with Long Lake Fire.He said this isn't a foreign concept in Orono's longstanding relationship with them. Orono owns 100 percent of fire station number two and 50 percent of fire station number one. So, I don't see any reason why all of sudden,we wouldn't be using this equipment to serve our residents when it's ready to go,people are trained,and everything like that.I don't see a path of not using this truck until 2025. Mr.Pierson said he was talking about a legal path to use the truck,for instance, if Orono and Long Lake can't come to an agreement,how does that effect the use of the machinery we now have plus any new machinery. Can Long Lake say this fire truck can't be used or will not be used until the contract is up.He asked if the city had gotten bids or done an RFP for the ladder truck. Mayor Walsh said the truck was purchased from another department that was selling it so there were no bids but bids were taken for the refurbishment. Johnson said this is not the first time the council has had public discussion at a council meeting about purchasing this equipment and the cost for refurbishing.The initial estimates were higher.He said this might be the first time for you but not the first time the council has had public discussion on this topic. Mr.Pierson said many people in the community have said they don't know what is going on.He said there should have been a survey and a town hall meeting to ask people if they are aware that Orono and Long Lake are looking at going to separate fire departments in 2025. Johnson responded that the city is putting the information out in a very public way.Meetings are recorded,published live, and the information is available. I'm encouraged by the fact that you are here and learning more. That's what we hope to see. Mr.Pierson asked referred back to his reasons for a town hall meeting to address why are we doing it, what's the cost to the taxpayers,and what's the alternative?Are you saying that because you've talked about it,does that mean that it should be done?I mean,we're a big community,and why don't we have the right to know how our money is being spent?He pointed out the action was on the consent agenda at this meeting. When did the public have a chance for input? Mayor Walsh responded we have been discussing this for over three years. There have been many discussions with the council between the reasons for engines, cars,and for why we doing this. The public had had a chance for input in August. September, October,November--pick a month. It is on consent agenda now for refurbishing.He said Orono is the most transparent council.Everything is on video,the information is online,and these conversations have been had consistently. Mr.Pierson said what you are saying is the public isn't engaged. It's your responsibility to get them engaged. He again asked for a town hall meeting,pointing out the city was having one the next night on pickleball. Why can't the Council put together a similar meeting so that people can understand how their money is being spent?Part of your responsibility is to is to reach out to the citizens. Johnson said the City doesn't have anything for you right now until Long Lake makes a decision. They have told us that after their next council meeting,they hope to have a counter or reply to our offer we gave them in October.Where the existing department is going to go is the first question that has to be Page 6 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. answered. In meantime we have to go ahead and make sure we have adequate service for our city regardless of what Long Lake decides to do. We hope they are our partner. We have been very clear we hope going forward we have a relationship with them and keep the fire fighters together. I'm still very optimistic that Long Lake is going to come back to us realizing that very same thing but it's in their court. Mr.Pierson said the city is spending money now on this equipment, $500,000 to 600,000, and have a fire chief hired at$120,000 a year for three years. He's not going to be fire chief for three years but we're going to pay him. I'm not saying that's right or wrong but I think we as a community have the right to at least have the council present to us what is going on. Crosby said if the ladder truck had stayed on the CIP Orono's cost would be about$1.8 million. Instead of spending$1.8 million the city is getting a good value on a used piece of equipment we are getting to refurbish that has really been a need going back 15 years. I was on the department for ten of those years. We should have had this years ago. This truck was a good value without waiting for the build. We are the budget. This isn't costing us much more money. Orono is the budget for Long Lake Fire. That's primarily where the money is. Mr.Pierson said he is not arguing the need but arguing the process. To me you need to let the community know and have them be involved in the decision. Ms. Brantingham said she appreciates the council wants to have all the details sewed up but when Long Lake had its meeting,they acknowledged they didn't have all the information yet but explained what they were wrestling with and asked for citizen input.You have to come out to your citizens and say here's what we're wrestling with.And that's going to take a little extra effort so you can have credibility as a council.And I do appreciate your explanations. It was very,was helpful. But I don't necessarily feel that I'd like to spend every other Monday night just in case I might learn something at council meeting. I'd like you to reach out a little bit on your own when you already have information. The community is in an uproar about this thing. Please reach out and do a council presentation about where you are at. You don't have to have everything finalized. I would urge you to do more sooner rather than later. Seals said one of the things James(Van Eyll)is here for is to do a needs assessment. Is he going to be working?Yes,he's working. He's going to be very,very busy figuring out things like,what do we need to have the most efficient,best service for you?What does that look like?And really just starting from scratch and looking under all the rocks, all the things that will be brought back to here,but that's not something you do overnight.It takes time. Johnson said the time is coming when there will be a lot more information to share. We're just short of that. We're doing an assessment.Long Lake has got to make a decision,whatever it is. When those two things come together there will be a lot to talk about. Ms. Brantingham said I would just urge you to do more sooner than later. Okay,then. I'll be finished with that.And I do thank you once again for clarifying. I also think on the video that people might see of this meeting to hear this conversation will be helpful. And that's how we're going to get the information out. But further efforts are required. Kim Carswell, 261 Cygnet Place, said she feels like every time she comes to a meeting this is on the agenda so maybe it would behoove the city to have a separate meeting where people can just hear the Page 7 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. whole story like,what started it,what problem we're trying to solve,what the options are and where we are. Because this always comes up.And I think the bits and pieces are hard to put together for people that just aren't that connected like you are Victoria,like you are Matt. So, I'd encourage some sort of public meeting like I'm seeing about the pickleball courts or the golf course enhancement--that we put that kind of focus on it. Seals moved, Crosby seconded to approve the fire ladder truck refurbishing and equipping. Benson indicated she would like to abstain on the vote. Walsh asked what is your reason for abstaining? Benson said she doesn't feel like she has enough information on this.And I know fire services are a big issue.And I just simply don't feel that I have a good enough handle on this issue to be able to vote. Walsh said you have to have a financial interest to abstain. So,you need to vote one way or the other. City Attorney Mattick said if you want to abstain because there's a financial conflict,then that would be one reason. If you just don't want to vote,you can abstain it and then it ends up counting as a no vote. Benson asked for an explanation of a financial conflict. Mattick said that if,for example, if the city was buying a firetruck from you,or from someone in your family,which I know they're not,but that's the example,there'd be a financial conflict,then the abstention would not only be advisable, but mandated.And so, at that point,what happens is the vote is basically a four to zero because by your abstention you're no longer part of the council as it relates to that item. Abstaining for just,hey,I don't want to vote on it is allowable.But just so you know that when you count votes, it ends up basically counting as a no vote. So,with a full council of five it takes three votes to pass something on here,unless there's a conflict for financial reasons, otherwise, if it's just an abstention, it's counted as an abstention,but it works. Benson said in that case she can change her vote to a no.Again,I'd like to state on this that I am very supportive of fire but to me,this is just an issue that I feel I need more information on to be able to support it financially. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 1 (Benson). COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 20. LA22-000055,ESKUCHE DESIGN O/B/O TRAVIS& SARA WILDENBERG,3838 CHERRY AVENUE,VARIANCES Staff presented a summary packet of information.New owners are requesting variances to conduct a major home addition. City Planner Curtis explained the current home on the site is situated 20 feet from the high-water level of the lake almost entirely within the 75-foot setback.The project would require a 75-foot lake setback, average lakeshore and hardcover variances. Initially the plan included two small Page 8 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. footprint additions and a second story proposed to extend all the way to the foundation of the lake side of the home. Staff recommended denial. The planning commission, at its November meeting,conducted a public hearing and voted 3 to 1 to recommend denial of the application.After the meeting the applicant removed the footprint expansion in the 75-foot setback and pulled the second story addition back 12 feet from the lake.The footprint for hardcover was increased on the street side to make up for the reduction on the lake side. Staff has changed its recommendation to approval on the revised plan,which still reduces hardcover 275 square feet. Sara Wildenberg,currently at 1421 North Arm Drive,the applicant,said they had been looking at lake property for a long time,noticed this one had been vacant about five years and contacted the previous owner and purchased it. She said she and her husband love the design of the house but it is not laid out for a family at all. The Planning Commission in November gave them a lot of good feedback, she added.The proposed addition would be stairs to get to the upper level that will extend over the garage. The area is hardcover right now. Sven Gustafson with Stonewood Renovations explained there were a few other removals lakeside including a planter wall near the lake and a patio and the second level was pulled back 12 feet which does change the impact from the lake quite a bit. Council Member Johnson stated this was a good example of the planning commission making recommendations that improved the plan. He said he was comfortable with the revised plan. Johnson moved, Seals seconded,to ask the staff draft a resolution to approve LA22-000055, Eskuche Design O/B/O Travis& Sara Wildenberg,3838 Cherry Avenue,Variances VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. In further Community Development reporting, Community Development Director Oakden said the department is wrapping up end of year reporting and finished the year with just over 1,400 total permits. They are working on the planning commission packet for next week. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT Finance Director Olson gave a presentation on the final total for 2022 for building permit revenue which he said far exceeded the budget for building permit revenue which was $565,000 but came in at$713,737. The department is still working on overall totals for 2022 for the General Fund. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Attorney Mattick had nothing to report.He said he would have a report at the next meeting in closed session. CITY ADMINISTRATORJENGINEER REPORT City Administrator/Engineer Edwards updated the City Council that Parks and Public Works have been very busy with snow and ice removal to make room for the next batch coming. Page 9 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Walsh thanked the Public Works Department for their work on plowing and clearing the streets for Orono during the past snow events. Johnson said he had received two resident calls thanking the City for taking over the snow removal on the Dakota Rail Trail,adding that it is a great public service. RECESS AND RECONVENE Mayor Walsh recessed the meeting at 7:08 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 7:16 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Brad Erickson,2485 Independence Rd., stated it was unfortunate Mr. Crosby felt compelled to run out again tonight.He said he would need to clear up a few things to set the record straight and bear witness for his grandparents. He said his grandparents were born in Holland,married in 1939, and in less than a year the Nazis invaded and subjected them to things that were unthinkable, so when you send him videos invoking the deaths,the extermination of 6 million Jews,you have opened a door you will not close. Moving onto Mr. Crosby,there are a few things he said he needs to clear up after his(Crosby's) diatribe a month ago about me(Erikson). He called me a clown.He said I'm bistrating him and degredating him. Those are not words but I have been berating him. He passed around a handout for the city that stated that Crosby was crowdfunding for the Proud Boys and showed a picture taken at the State Capitol steps that he said showed Crosby,asking what he was wearing on his knee here and his tactical gear. "He hasn't been a fire fighter in four years but he is down there fighting BLM in and antifa?Give me a break. This is a Stop the Steal rally;this isn't a mask mandate rally." Mayor Walsh informed Mr.Erickson he had had his three minutes and the microphone was turned off and remained off for about two minutes. Janie Delaney, 1315 Woodhill Ave. said she was there to talk about development of historic land in Orono. She said the proposed project targets public land in Orono that has been dedicated to public golf since 1924. Orono Public Golf has the oldest golf league in Minnesota formed in 1948 and still active and was the first course in the state to have grass greens. The course is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. There has been no direct engagement strategy deployed by the city to enlist feedback from the neighborhood,golf community or the citizens other than the two scheduled open houses announced on Jan. 3. The project will decrease City open spaces and increase traffic and noise levels.Noise levels will go from seasonal golf and pedestrian sports to year-round noise levels of high-impact sports.Pickleball has been the subject of lawsuits across the country. Because it is a fast-growing sport courts have been built without adequate consideration for community impact.It is becoming increasingly known that pickleball construction is a project with serious community impacts when built in the wrong location. Already there is not enough parking at the golf course on league nights or busy days. Currently within 6 to 12 miles of Orono there are 85-plus public pickleball courts so it is already well-supported in the community and surrounding area. In 2019 the Orono Activity Center was built and has opened pickleball for the community. Communities around the metro area are looking into retro-fitting tennis courts and making better use of infrastructure that already exists.Casco Point is three miles away and has a skating rink used by youth hockey.A need for youth hockey ice time cannot drive City-wide spending. Page 10 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Benson stated in her first council that"it is an incredible honor to sit before you tonight as a member of the Orono City Council and the privilege is one of great responsibility and inspires both humility and gratitude.I was elected to serve as a representative of the people of Orono. It is important to acknowledge this position required continuous support and guidance and many people I want to acknowledge Orono City staff who has been welcoming and generous with their assistance from the moment I was a council member-elect." She noted that she had participated in an orientation and thanked staff members individually. She added she plans to attend the League of Cities elected officials training the next month. She mentioned the importance of interpersonal relationships in city government. She said she would commit to listening and learning and treat with great care the trust that has been placed in her by the community and thanked everyone watching the meeting in person or on video. Seals said they have been working on the needs assessment for fire to get a fuller picture of what's happening and get it out to the public. Thanks to DJ and the team because they had a lot of snow and the roads were better in the city than they were in the County. Johnson noted he and Seals had attended a Future Fire Services meeting the previous week. There was talk of hiring another consultant but there didn't seem to be a lot of interest in that.He said his recommendation is that the city not send any more staff to these meetings as there isn't any real progress occurring. That could change but it's general conversations you could get off the agenda.He thanked the community for re-electing him.He encouraged the public to continue to come,ask questions and read packets. Edwards said he would appreciate it not being a mandatory meeting but would like to keep the door open to attend to meet with staff counterparts in other communities on fire and other issues. Mayor Walsh congratulated Johnson and Benson and commended police and public works for handling of the snow and Long Lake Fire and first responders for taking care of people.He said he hears a lot about the transparency issue. Going back six to eight years the city didn't have videotaping. This is the council that has brought videotaping of the City Council,parks and planning commission meetings.He stated this is the most transparent council the city has ever had.He added they also brought budgeting for sewer, roads and water and infrastructure that weren't budgeted for before. They brought technology into the city the last eight years. It used to be everything was paper and it would take a few weeks. This council put website and permitting online and all the file cabinets they used to have at the city are gone. Papers have been scanned.People now can click on a property and know everything that has happened on a property. The city also bought 3-D technology for public works and now has information on every project done on those roads so it can budget and plan. The code review committee has updated and reviewed codes and looked at what has worked and what doesn't in other cities. The city went through the comp plan a few years ago. The old plan would not vacate land. This council said it would look at every opportunity of old roads and alleys and things going through peoples' yards and in the middle of the lake that shouldn't be there. "We're not giving away land we are solving problems—things that got done a long time ago that doesn't make any sense."There are two open houses coming up.People used to say this is Oro-NO. This council brought"yes"back to Orono simplifying processes and bringing down costs. ADJOURNMENT Page 11 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 9,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Johnson moved, Seals seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. ATTEST: 4171'4_ 44i) Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh,Mayor Page 12 of 12