HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2018 Council Work Session Minutes Minutes of the
Orono City Council Work Session
Monday,February 26,2018
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Wendy Dankey,
and Aaron Printup. Representing staff were Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, Police
Chief Correy Farniok, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Adam Edwards, and City
Clerk Anna Carlson.
Meeting Start Time: 5:05 p.m.
1. Trails—Maintenance of Dakota Trail
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Adam Edwards began presentation of the Trails
and the city's process for maintaining its trails. Edwards noted that there is a program
within Three Rivers that allows municipalities to opt in to perform winter maintenance of
their trail system. To do so,the city would need to fill out an application and identify
which section of the trail we intend to do maintenance and what kind of maintenance the
city plans to do on that portion of the trails and why. The City would also need to submit
a proof of insurance and sign a waiver accepting liability for damages that may occur on
the trails during maintenance. Edwards reached out to Three Rivers to find out what
other cities opt in for winter maintenance on the trails, finding that there are none that opt
in. It's not our asset,
The group collectively discussed the liability issues that could arise from maintaining the
trails and the issues that it could create with the inconsistency of maintenance along the
trails.
2. Hiring& Training Standards
City Administrator, Dustin Rief presented a Human Resources Update. Rief mentioned
that he has been searching for ways to improve our process internally. Rief mentioned
that Standards for training and hiring has already begun within the Public Works
Department.
Edwards mentioned that there are three main areas for hiring and training standards
within Public Works. The city has implemented a hiring process that relates to
maintenance works comprised of a series of two interviews. The city has altered the
second interview into a performance based interview. During the second interview
candidates are asked to do two exercises. The first exercise includes identifying certain
tools and explain how it's used, or how it works. The second exercise is an equipment
exercise, and candidates use equipment and judgement is based off of the subject's ability
to do the task.
Edwards felt that it was a very good way of filtering the candidates and that it showed
their potential, their willingness to ask questions, and their abilities to perform a task and
operate equipment.
2. Hiring&Training Standards—Continued
Mayor, Dennis Walsh asked if they tell the candidates that they will be tested beforehand.
Edwards answered yes.
Rief mentioned that the city has come up with a list of questions to help distinguish
information that the new employee may need to learn and be safe.
Edwards mentioned the biggest challenge is to find out if one would actually pass the test
outside of the classroom. To attempt to tackle this issue, we have created a spreadsheet
of tasks to check off as the employee progresses through employment.
Council Member, Wendy Dankey mentioned that she likes how they are currently doing
this process, are they using it in all and other areas.
Rief mentioned that we would like to work on it with every department. We intend to
work on the finance department first and simultaneously work on the other departments.
3. Orono Schools Event Update—Correy Farniok
Orono Schools Superintendent, Karen Orcutt started off with a huge thank you. Orcutt
noted that the team worked great together. The support of the schools and the police
department was incredible.
Orono Police Chief, Correy Farniok started by addressing the various partnerships that
were used during the School Lock Down. Without having those partnerships developed
it would have been very difficult to work out a solution. Building those relationships
early on is key in working out a successful solution for this situation. When the situation
came about a helpful team of four investigators from Minnetonka, Hennepin County
Sheriff's Office and FBI task forces showed up to help out. Farniok mentioned that the
partnerships between the City, School, and Police Department made this situation
successful.
Farniok noted some of the positives that came from this situation. We had peer support,
and others that could envision various aspects of the issue which was useful in coming up
with a plan and critically solve the problem. There were some positive things like the
school sending out updates every 15 minutes. We learned relaying the same message
from the school, city and police department instead of separate updates could be more
beneficial for future purposes. The focus was the kid's safety and that was the priority.
The Police Department tried to work around the inconveniences,but the safety of the kids
and school staff was the priority. Farniok also described the central meeting area for
parents and the updates that went on there. Farniok noted that the communication was
great. It was good to have a city official there. The school staff working in that situation
was phenomenal.
3. Orono Schools Event Update—Correy Farniok—Continued
Farniok mentioned possible areas for improvement. We could have set up of EOC
differently and more efficiently for any possible future situations. We should consider
the Media staging area to be set up in a different than what was used in this situation.
Using the Council Chambers could have been used instead of the EOC area for a press
conference.
Orcutt mentioned that they have a team structure for emergencies in place and crisis
teams running out of the school as well preparing for any kind of action needed for any
situation.
Council Member Aaron Printup mentioned the GoFundMe me page. He would like to
focus on the positive side of the situation and encourages the council stay on the positive
side.
Walsh mentioned that team work and alliances with the school, city, and police
collaboration building that partnership made this situation work.
Council Member, Richard Crosby mentioned that the collaboration was great. Crosby
felt that the Police Department and special task forces did an outstanding job protecting
the kids and staff along with establishing and achieving other objectives.
Farniok mentioned that we should take the positive things that have come from this
situation and share it.
Orcutt noted that the GoFundMe me page was not put on by the school. The information
released on this page was both true and false and the information was not released by the
school.
Orcutt also mentioned that the Blue Ribbon Committee will look at themselves, and
prioritize needs and wants for this type of committee.
Council Member, Aaron Printup would like to relook at this type of committee after some
time has passed. We need to continue passing the positive scenario message.
Meeting End Time: 6:55 p.m.
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Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor