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Minutes
<br /> City Council Work Session
<br /> Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM
<br /> W EsHos City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
<br /> ROLL CALL
<br /> Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim,Alisa Benson, Jacqueline Ricks, Steve Persian, Jon
<br /> Schwingler.
<br /> Staff present: City Administrator Adam Edwards, Police Chief Coney Farniok, Community
<br /> Development Director Laura Oakden, Parks and Facilities Superintendent Joe Ruthenberg, Public
<br /> Works Superintendent DJ Goman, City Clerk Christine Lusian, Planners Melanie Curtis and Matt
<br /> Kearney, Communications Specialist Rachel Cotter.
<br /> SUSTAINABILITY&RESILIENCY
<br /> Staff provided an overview demonstrating how sustainability and resiliency are integrated into the
<br /> city's daily operations and embedded within services,policies, and community engagement rather
<br /> than treated as separate initiatives. The city's mission and goals,unchanged since 2017, continue to
<br /> guide this work. Discussion covered capital improvement planning, comprehensive plan updates
<br /> (including new 2050 requirements), and surface water management, along with coordination among
<br /> partner agencies such as the EPA,USACE, FEMA, BWSR, MDH, MCWD, MPCA, and DNR.
<br /> City operations address current needs while planningfor long-term stabilityand opportunity.
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<br /> Ongoing efforts include environmental and infrastructure improvements,policy implementation,
<br /> permitting, grant-supported projects, emergency management,nuisance animal control, medication
<br /> disposal, facility efficiency, stormwater inspections, salt-use tracking and reduction,balancing road
<br /> safety with lake health,preventative maintenance, native plantings,waste reduction and diversion,
<br /> digital presence, and election administration. Continuous training and development across elected
<br /> officials, appointed members, and staff strengthen leadership,workforce, and service delivery.
<br /> The council recognized that as community needs and challenges evolve,the city is well positioned to
<br /> respond effectively. They expressed support for current actions, appreciation for the scope of
<br /> existing work, and a desire to expand public awareness. The council emphasized more visible
<br /> communication through newsletters, social media, volunteer engagement, and potentially forming
<br /> new committees or focus groups to advance sustainability outreach. Direction was given to continue
<br /> integrating initiatives into the comprehensive plan, intentionally share progress and successes
<br /> through public education and awareness campaigns, and present any new strategies to the council for
<br /> consideration.
<br /> ADJOURNMENT
<br /> Work session ended at 11:25 a.m.
<br /> ATTES7 CITY COUNCIL
<br /> Chri Wsian,0 ity Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor
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