05-27-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, May 27, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 23 ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Kristi Anderson, Cynthia Bremer, Lizz Levang, and Aaron Printup. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, Finance Director Ron Olson, Assistant City Administrator of Long-Term Strategic Planning Michael Gaffron, Public Works Director/City Engineer Jesse Struve, City Attorney Soren Mattick, Consulting City Engineer David Martini, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor McMillan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. OPENING PRESENTATION 1. DEDICATE PLAQUE HONORING CHIEF JOSEPH ORONO President, Larry Sisk stated the Sons of the American Revolution are dedicated to preserving the history of Orono’s patriotic ancestors and of America through family ancestry. The Sons of the American Revolution also supply important information about American history to students, award medals to ROTC candidates, and help preserve the history about the founding of Orono. Chief Joseph Orono was the leader of the Penobscot Tribe in Maine who gallantly supported the Americans during the Revolutionary War. In 1806, Chief Orono’s efforts were recognized by naming the Penobscot River Valley Township in his honor; thereby creating Orono, Maine. New Englanders who settled on the shores of Lake Minnetonka bestowed the name Orono on the new township at its creation in 1889, and 2014 marks the 125th anniversary of Orono. Sisk stated they are here tonight to honor Chief Joseph Orono, who had a French father and a Penobscot Indian mother. Chief Joseph Orono sided with the Americans and believed in the concept of freedom. Sisk, on behalf of the Minnesota Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, presented the City with a plaque honoring Chief Joseph Orono. Mimi Bendickson, Daughters of the American Revolution, stated their organization is interested in keeping American history alive and promoting patriotism. Matt Bendickson, President of the Children of the American Revolution organization, invited the audience to a pancake breakfast benefit being held at the Wayzata Depot on July 4. Bendickson stated the proceeds go to patriotic charities and other events involving veterans and their families. Printup stated by being a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, he has learned about Chief Joseph Orono and how Orono was founded in his honor. Printup stated the history of Orono also includes someone named George Brackett, who settled the area of Brackett’s Point in 1880. Brackett’s Point was originally named Starvation Point. George Brackett came from the region of Orono, Maine, and when this area was initially settled, it reminded George Brackett of his boyhood town and they named the area Orono.