HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2025 CC Minutes - work sessionMinutes
City Council Work Session
Monday/January 27, 2025, 5:00 PM
City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
ROLL CALL
City Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim, City Council Members Alisa Benson, Steve Persian, Claire Berrett, Jacqueline Ricks
Staff present: City Administrator Adam Edwards, Attorney Soren Mattick, Finance Director Maggie Jin, Community Development Director Oakden, and City Clerk Christine Lusian.
REVIEW GOALS AND PRIORITIES
Mayor Tunheim introduced the topic of reviewing goals and priorities. Administrator Edwards
explained that he was looking for a brief review and high-level direction for future work
sessions. The group agreed that the mission, vision, goals, and community management plan
were acceptable, but each are big topics that would need their own work session in order to
review more closely. Edwards will schedule a future work session at least two weeks out.
Members raised concerns on the lack of quorum on the planning commission and asked to
interview applicants sooner so they can be seated for the next meeting. The group agreed to hold
a special meeting on Monday, February 3 at 6pm to interview applicants for planning
commission so that appointments could be made on February 10.
SPECIAL ELECTIONS
Tunheim introduced the topic of special election, lack of ordinance guidance, interpretation of
law of when a special election will be held. The group discussed the options of waiting until the
next general election or calling for a special election on one of the uniform election dates.
Mattick added that the election does not have to be held before the next general election and that.
the two parts to consider are 1) drafting an ordinance that defines when Orono will hold a special
election and 2) deciding on whether to call a special election on a uniform election date or hold it
at the time of the next general election. The majority of members agreed to consider at the
February 10 city council regular meeting: 1) a special election ordinance and 2) a resolution
calling for a special election and directed staff to post a draft ordinance.
COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT
Tunheim introduced the topic and the group agreed on the importance of holding each other
accountable to standards, but not policing anyone. Members discussed the points of concern, like
phones at the dias, conflict of interest, intellectual property use ( city logo), discourse versus
disrespectful behavior, and ex parte communication. The group directed staff to bring a loose
draft based on the Red Wing's code of conduct, the above topics, and to reference the Minnesota
Mayor's Handbook and include a complaint process.
oNo Minutes
City Council Work Session
Monday, January 27, 2024, 5:00 PM
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City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
ADJOURNMENT
Work session ended at 5:57 p.m.
ATTEST: CITY COUNCIL
Christine Lusi Ci Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor