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Orono City Council <br /> Work Session <br /> Monday,July 8,2019 <br /> Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. <br /> PRESENT: Mayor Dermis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II,Matt Johnson,Aaron <br /> Printup, and Victoria Seals. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief, Community <br /> Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, and City Clerk Anna Carlson. <br /> Guests: Mark Ostby MPCA,Amy Hadiaris MPCA, Curt Frethum of Elhers <br /> Meeting Start Time: 6:00 p.m. <br /> 1. Communication between City Council Members& Staff(Added) <br /> Mayor Dennis Walsh began the Work Session by addressing communication standards and expectations <br /> between City Council Members and City Staff. He mentioned that it seems that we have some <br /> dysfunction with our current communication standards and would like to reiterate what that actually is. <br /> Walsh stated that it should be understood that all communication between Council and Staff needs to go <br /> through the City Administrator Dustin Rief. Walsh added that additional reasoning behind this <br /> discussion is because it is clearly addressed as a rule in our City Code. This rule is expected for Staff <br /> and City Council Members. Walsh added by saying if City Staff is getting emails from Council <br /> Members they should reply by copying Dustin and likewise for staff sending emails to City Council <br /> members. He clarified that any email,text, or any communication needs to be copied to Dustin. Walsh <br /> added that we have had City Council Members in the past who have had resigned because of this issue, <br /> and because they did not stop emailing staff directly and were called out on it,they resigned. Walsh <br /> stated that it is a terminable offense if staff email and text with Council Members directly without the <br /> knowledge of the City Administrator or copied on communication to and from both staff and Council <br /> Members. The City Administrator needs to be in the loop on all matters concerning the City and is the <br /> true Chief Executive Officer for Orono. Walsh noted that he wanted to make sure that everyone is <br /> aware of this rule. <br /> Council Member Richard F. Crosby II asked if personal issues like property concerns or complaints <br /> need to be copied to Dustin as well. <br /> Walsh recommended that all issues regardless should be copied to the City Administrator to be safe. It <br /> protects City Council members and staff and keeps the structure in place. Same rules apply to Soren <br /> Mattick our City Attorney. The City Attorney is on the clock, he is charging every time you call him. <br /> When we start getting two to three thousand dollars bills from him every month and have people calling <br /> him all the time, that's going to be a problem. The first in line for questions should be the City <br /> Administrator, he may already have the answer. Walsh noted that the City Administrator will relay all <br /> questions to the attorney. Walsh also stated that nobody is above the rules and that he wanted to start <br /> the meeting on a serious note. <br /> Council Member Victoria Seals asked if the City Administrator needed to be copied on a simple <br /> question about an agenda item. <br /> Walsh stated it was important to keep the City Administrator in the loop for everything. Seals <br /> mentioned that it would be difficult to copy everyone every time but it is fine if that's the way we <br /> should do it. <br /> Walsh said he does not want us to potentially get council members or staff into trouble. <br /> Page 1 of 3 <br />