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Home My WebLink About02-23-2026 - Minutes City Council �� 0 Minutes City Council Regular Meeting y 11 Monday,February 23,2026, 6:00 PM F> c.` City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono,MN 55356 lifts N ugh. Mayor Tunheim called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Orono City Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim,City Council Members Alisa Benson(left at 6:58 p.m. and returned at 7:13 p.m.), Steve Persian,Jacqueline Ricks,and Jon Schwingler.Members absent:None Staff present were City Attorney Soren Mattick,City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards, Community Development Director Laura Oakden,and City Planner Melanie Curtis. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA 1. City Council Minutes 2. Claims/Bills This item was removed from the Consent Agenda 3. Meeting Calendar 2026 4. Establish and Rename Police Special Revenue Funds 5. Donation from the Gillespie Center 6. Benefit Adjustment 7. Hire Police Officer 8. Purchase Capital Equipment—Electronic Control Devices 9. Purchase Capital Equipment—Pressure Washer System 10. Maintenance Quote—Video Inspection of Sanitary Sewer System 11. Contract—Parks Mowing Services 12. LA26-000001, 860 Brown Rd. S.,Variance-Resolution 7666 13. LA26-000004,3590 North Shore Drive,Variances—Resolution 7667 This item was removed from the Consent Agenda. Persian moved,Schwingler seconded,to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda as amended with items 2 and 13 removed.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. PRESENTATIONS 14. DECA Student Advocacy Joe Huber,DECA teacher at Orono High School,and Sydney Nguyen, a senior at Orono High School and DECA's advocacy campaign leader,shared how the organization supports students in developing leadership and business skills while contributing to the Orono school community. She also invited Council Members to serve as judges for the upcoming State Career Development Conference on March 2 and welcomed ideas for partnerships and youth engagement. 15. Community Day at Saints CHS Field Page 1 of 3 iii.04,-- Minutes City Council Regular Meeting Monday,February 23,2026, 6:00 PM F �` City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Will Young of the St. Paul Saints,presented an opportunity to host an"Orono Community Day"at CHS Field to have the Orono-area community attend and recognize people the City Council identifies as community"stars"and/or local businesses. A special ticket offer would be available to community residents as well as opportunities for a community charitable drive and youth group involvement. The Council expressed interest and directed that staff be available to support their work as needed,including facilitating connections and providing information. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 2. Claims/Bills Pulled by Council Member Ricks to allow for a deeper discussion regarding an invoice for"Hackberry Park Revitalization"and to review the status of the park project. Ricks moved,Benson seconded,to approve the claims and bills. VOTE:Ayes 5,Nays 0. 13. LA26-000004,3590 North Shore Drive,Variances—Resolution 7667 Pulled by Council Member Ricks to confirm the variance approval includes a condition for two required native tree plantings to be located within the lakeyard. The resolution approved variances necessary to construct a new home on the property. Persian moved, Schwingler seconded, to adopt Resolution 7667 approving LA26-000004 North Shore Drive,Variances. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 14. LA25-000036, 1200 Wildhurst Trail,After-the-fact Variances and Conditional Use Permit The Council was requested to review and provide guidance on an application related to unpermitted patio, retaining wall, and shed improvements. The Council directed staff to prepare a resolution with findings for denial for formal action at the next council meeting. The City will continue working with the property owner on next steps to bring the property into compliance. Ricks moved,Benson seconded,to direct staff to prepare findings for denial. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. Benson left the meeting at 6:58 p.m. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT None CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT Page 2 of 3 WMinutes City Council Regular Meeting ,, Monday,February 23,2026,6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 15. Upcoming Work Sessions City Administrator Edwards presented changes to the upcoming work session schedule,including canceling the March 23 City Council meeting and work session. Several topics for spring work sessions were discussed. The Council discussed a date and time to conduct interviews with commission applicants,selecting Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. Benson rejoined the meeting at 7:13 p.m. 16. Lilac Lane Pavement Restoration The City Engineer provided an update on coordination with the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services(MCES)project,including a discussion regarding the road at the end of Lilac Lane near French Creek Park. The consensus of the City Council was to postpone a decision until the next meeting. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT 17. Minnesota Mayors Coalition—Safety over Partisanship Tunheim asked if the City Council was willing to have him sign a joint letter concerning public safety and the ICE Surge,or if councilmembers considered it partisan. The consensus of the council was that the letter is non-partisan and is important. Mayor and Council provided reports. ADJOURNMENT Persian moved,Ricks seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m.to Monday,March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. ATTEST: OOP it......_ c 2( Christi lillinsian,ly'' Clerk Bob Tunheim,Mayor Minutes approved by Orono City Council March 9,2025.Meeting videos and transcripts available at oronomn.gov. Page 3 of 3