HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-2025 CC Minutes O
f v� Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
ti Monday,February 24,2025,6:00 PM
F 0 City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
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Mayor Tunheim called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Orono City Council members present:Mayor Bob Tunheim,City Council Members Alisa Benson, Steve
Persian,Jacqueline Ricks and Claire Berrett. Members absent:None
Staff present were City Attorney Soren Mattick and City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved by consensus.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. City Council Minutes
2. Claims/Bills
3. Upcoming Work Session Schedule
This item was removed from the consent agenda
4. 2024 Fund Transfers
5. Resignation and Recruitment—Public Works Maintenance Worker
6. Rehabilitation of Lift Stations 4 and 27
7. Street Improvements Brown Road N. (25-002)Award
This item was removed from the consent agenda
8. Engagement of Legal Defense Services
This item was removed from the consent agenda
9. Seasonal Weight Restrictions—Resolution 7557
10. Purchase Office Furniture
This item was removed from the consent agenda
11. Appoint Seasonal Employee 2025
Benson moved,Ricks seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda with items 3,7,8 and 10 removed.
VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ritche Anderson, 3205 Bristol Bay Road;Jim Tyson, 1295 Elwood Ave.; and Kendall Nygard, 1386
Rest Point Road and Florida provided comments.
3. Upcoming Work Session Schedule
Benson asked for a future work session topic on how RFPs for service contracts such as engineering firms
are solicited.
Persian asked to have a future work session topic on fire service coverage in terms of what departments
are serving different parts of Orono and does it make sense for response time.
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f A
Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
ti Monday,February 24,2025,6:00 PM
tf* C City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
l44.ES H 0-
The Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff.
Ricks moved,Benson seconded,to adopt the work session schedule through June as amended.
VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
7. Street Improvements Brown Road N. (25-002)Award
Ricks asked about the$43,000 line item in the award for having a construction oversight and why that is
necessary.
The Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff.
Ricks moved,Persian seconded,to award the bid for the street improvement project on South
Brown Road. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
8. Engagement of Legal Defense Services
Berrett asked if this was a firm the City had used before.
City Attorney Mattick said no,but that this is a firm that has expertise with election issues. The case is
not covered by the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Fund.A judge has been assigned and a quick
timeline set for hearing the case.
The Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff.
Ricks moved,Benson seconded,to approve the engagement of legal defense services. VOTE: Ayes
5,Nays 0.
10. Purchase Office Furniture
Berrett said the new communications employee needs appropriate furniture but the cost seems high and
she suggested the City look at alternatives such as gently used items.Benson noted that council has not
typically needed to weigh in on operational purchases like office furniture in the past and staff is tasked
with taking care of matters like this.
The Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff.
Persian moved,Ricks seconded,to approve the purchase of office furniture. VOTE:Ayes 5,Nays
0.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Mattick provided his report during Item 8.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT
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��f VO Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
y �, Monday,February 24,2025, 6:00 PM
F 6% City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
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12. Council Code of Conduct
The City Council is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation,and discuss and adopt a
Code of Conduct and Statement of Values.
The Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff.
Benson noted the code needs to be a living document and be reviewed regularly.
Berrett moved,Benson seconded,to revise the Code to add that language and bring it back to the
Council. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
City Administrator Edwards updated the Council on discussions between the City Administrators of
Orono and Long Lake.
The Council discussed the appropriate time for a public forum on the matter of the Orono Fire
Department.
Mayor Tunheim allowed additional public comments.
Kelly Prchal,4705 Watertown Road; and Kelly Grady,Long Lake,provided comments.
Edwards reported he has also been in discussion with the City of Minnetonka Beach concerning backup
public works support for their one employee.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT
Mayor and Council provided reports.
CLOSED SESSION
13. Annual Performance Review of the City Administrator
Benson moved,Ricks seconded,to enter into closed session at 7:25 p.m.to discuss a process for the
Annual Performance Review of the City Administrator. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
(The City Council was in closed session from 7:27 p.m. to 7:42 p.m.)
ADJOURNMENT
Benson moved,Persian seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m.to Monday,March 10,2025,
at 6:00 p.m.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
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�O V Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday,February 24,2025,6:00 PM
4.
e c.` City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
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ATTEST:
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Christine l i Jerk Bob Tunheim,Mayor
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Minutes approved by Orono City Council March 10, 2025. Meeting videos and transcripts available at
orononm.gov.
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