HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-2026 - Minutes City Council - regular meeting 8?-0A/0 Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
A .1.. Monday,March 9,2026, 6:00 PM
C` City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
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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, Steve
Persian,Jacqueline Ricks, and Jon Schwingler.Members absent:None
Staff present were Community Development Director Laura Oakden,Public Works Superintendent DJ
Goman, City Clerk Christine Lusian, City Attorney Soren Mattick.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA
1. City Council Minutes
2. Claims/Bills
3. Upcoming Work Sessions
This item was removedfrom the Consent Agenda
4. Commission Appointments—Resolution 7669
This item was removedfrom the Consent Agenda
5. Donation to Susan Lurton Dog Park—Resolution 7668
6. City Code Update—Solid Waste—Ordinance 321
This Item was removedfrom the Consent Agenda
7. Replace Capital Equipment—Trailer
This Item was removedfrom the Consent Agenda
8. Replace Capital Equipment—South Water Plant Filter Valves and Actuators
This item was removed from the Consent Agenda
9. Easement Approval—Smith Avenue Cul-de-sac
This item was removedfrom the Consent Agenda
10. LA25-000036, 1200 Wildhurst Trail,After-the-Fact Variances and Conditional Use Permit—
Resolution 7670
11. LA26-000003, 2245 French Lake Road,Variances—Resolution 7671
Benson moved,Persian seconded,to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda as amended with six
items removed.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Maureen Bellows, 3400 Watertown Road, provided comments.
3. Upcoming Work Sessions
Removed by Benson to discuss adding a work session focused on the finances and operations of the
Public Works Department ahead of Capital Improvement Plan(CIP)and budget planning. Staff will work
with the Council to identify a time to add this work session to the schedule.
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ONWO
Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, March 9, 2026, 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
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Benson moved,Ricks seconded,to approve the upcoming work sessions.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
4. Commission Appointments—Resolution 7669
Benson asked questions to clarify the Planning Commission alternate positions.
Benson moved,Persian seconded,to adopt Resolution 7669 appointing members of the Parks and
Planning Commission.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
6. City Code Update—Solid Waste—Ordinance 321,
Benson confirmed with legal counsel that the ordinance is in compliance.
Benson moved,Persian seconded,to adopt Ordinance 321 Solid Waste.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
7. Replace Capital Equipment—Trailer
Ricks clarified the style of trailer and Benson asked about the suspension.
Ricks moved,Persian seconded,to approve the purchase of the trailer from Lano Equipment for
$16,160.28.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
8. Replace Capital Equipment—South Water Plant Filter Valves and Actuators
Benson asked questions to better understand the bid and expenses for the project.
Benson moved,Persian seconded,to approve the purchase of the South Water Plant Filter Valves
and Actuators from Quality Flow Systems,Inc. in the amount of$67,880.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
9. Easement Approval—Smith Avenue Cul-de-sac
Benson asked questions to better understand the history of the easement.
Benson moved,Persian seconded,to approve the easement and compensate the property owner in
the amount of$2,000.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT
12. Police Chief Resignation and Recruitment
Tunheim expressed gratitude for Chief Farniok's service following the City Council's 5-0 vote to
approve his resignation for retirement. The Council also approved the job description, recruitment, and
appointed Tunheim and Benson to the interview panel.
Benson moved,Persian seconded,to accept the resignation of Police Chief Correy Farniok,effective
May 30,2026,and approve the job description and recruitment process. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
13. 2025 City of Orono Annual Report
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0 Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday,March 9,2026, 6:00 PM
o` City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
1kESH09-t
Ricks moved,Schwingler seconded,to accept the 2025 City of Orono Annual Report and authorize
distribution to the public. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
Tunheim asked the Council to establish the City Administrator/Engineer annual review process and the
Council agreed to follow the same process used the previous year.
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT
14. Hosting Braver Angels Event
Tunheim requested and the Council supported the city of Orono co-hosting with the city of Long Lake an
upcoming Braver Angels event. This free event invites residents from both communities to explore ways
to engage in respectful dialogue, find common ground without compromising values,and strengthen
relationships despite disagreements. The event will take place Thursday,April 23 from 6-8:30 PM at the
Orono Activities Center, 795 Old Crystal Bay Rd N.
Mayor and Council provided reports.
Tunheim reintroduced a previous question regarding paving the road into the French Creek Preserve and
expressed support for paving the full length. The Council discussed paving the entire road versus leaving
the final segment gravel. Some members preferred maintaining a small gravel section for its rural
aesthetic and others supported paving the full length for water quality and maintenance considerations.
The current contract includes paving the entire length at no additional cost and Council action would only
be required if a change were requested prior to paving.
ATTORNEY REPORT
None
ADJOURNMENT
Schwingler moved,Ricks seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.to Monday,April 13,2026,
at 6:00 p.m.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0.
ATTEST:
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Christian, lerk Bob Tunheim,Mayor
Minutes approved by Orono City Council April 13,2025.Meeting videos and transcripts available
at oronomn.gov.
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