HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-2026 - Minutes City Council - Regular Meeting W
Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
a Monday,May 11, 2026, 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
Acting Mayor Benson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Orono City Council members present: Acting Mayor Alisa Benson, City Council Members Steve Persian,
Jacqueline Ricks, and Jon Schwingler. Members absent: Mayor Bob Tunheim.
Staff present were City Attorney Soren Mattick, City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards, and
Community Development Director Laura Oakden.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA
1. City Council Minutes
2. Claims/Bills
3. Hire Police Chief
This item was removed from the Consent Agenda
4. Hire seasonal Employees
5. Compensation Adjustment—Brush Site Attendant
6. Absentee Ballot Board and Election Judges—Resolution 7680
7. Waste Hauler Licenses
8. LA26-000013, 900 Dakota Avenue,Variances—Resolution 7681
9. LA26-000005, 336 Westlake Street,ALS Variance—Resolution 7682
Persian moved,Ricks seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda with Item 3 removed.VOTE: Ayes
4,Nays 0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
3. Hire Police Chief
This item was pulled to highlight the selection process. The process for filling the vacant Police Chief
position included advertising the position, application screening, interview panels,physical and
psychological evaluations,and reference checks.
Ricks moved,Schwingler seconded,to approve the appointment of Chad Stensrud as Orono Police
Chief with a start date of May 26.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0.
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
10. Funding Request from Long Lake—Hwy 12 Access Gate Repairs
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SLON� Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, May 11,2026, 6:00 PM
Wc City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
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Council reviewed a funding request from the City of Long Lake seeking Orono's contribution of one-
ninth of the repair costs,totaling $2,439.33,for an emergency access gate to Highway 12 from Wayzata
Boulevard across from Mill Street. Council voted 4-0 to postpone the discussion until the next meeting
when the Mayor is present to participate.
Persian moved,Schwingler seconded,to postpone the request until the next meeting when the
Mayor is present. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT
City Administrator Edwards reported on the process to hire a new Public Works director.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT
Acting Mayor and Council provided reports.
ADJOURNMENT
Ricks moved,Schwingler seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.to Tuesday,May 26,2026,
at 6:00 p.m.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0.
ATTES
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Ch"me Lust, City Clerk Alisa Benson,Acting Mayor
Minutes approved by Orono City Council May 26, 2025. Meeting videos and transcripts available
at oronomn.gov.
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