HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-8-2025 CC Minutes - Work Session Minutes
City Council Work Session
Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM
W EsHos City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim,Alisa Benson, Jacqueline Ricks, Steve Persian, Jon
Schwingler.
Staff present: City Administrator Adam Edwards, Police Chief Coney Farniok, Community
Development Director Laura Oakden, Parks and Facilities Superintendent Joe Ruthenberg, Public
Works Superintendent DJ Goman, City Clerk Christine Lusian, Planners Melanie Curtis and Matt
Kearney, Communications Specialist Rachel Cotter.
SUSTAINABILITY&RESILIENCY
Staff provided an overview demonstrating how sustainability and resiliency are integrated into the
city's daily operations and embedded within services,policies, and community engagement rather
than treated as separate initiatives. The city's mission and goals,unchanged since 2017, continue to
guide this work. Discussion covered capital improvement planning, comprehensive plan updates
(including new 2050 requirements), and surface water management, along with coordination among
partner agencies such as the EPA,USACE, FEMA, BWSR, MDH, MCWD, MPCA, and DNR.
City operations address current needs while planningfor long-term stabilityand opportunity.
p g
Ongoing efforts include environmental and infrastructure improvements,policy implementation,
permitting, grant-supported projects, emergency management,nuisance animal control, medication
disposal, facility efficiency, stormwater inspections, salt-use tracking and reduction,balancing road
safety with lake health,preventative maintenance, native plantings,waste reduction and diversion,
digital presence, and election administration. Continuous training and development across elected
officials, appointed members, and staff strengthen leadership,workforce, and service delivery.
The council recognized that as community needs and challenges evolve,the city is well positioned to
respond effectively. They expressed support for current actions, appreciation for the scope of
existing work, and a desire to expand public awareness. The council emphasized more visible
communication through newsletters, social media, volunteer engagement, and potentially forming
new committees or focus groups to advance sustainability outreach. Direction was given to continue
integrating initiatives into the comprehensive plan, intentionally share progress and successes
through public education and awareness campaigns, and present any new strategies to the council for
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
Work session ended at 11:25 a.m.
ATTES7 CITY COUNCIL
Chri Wsian,0 ity Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor