01-26-2015 Council Work Session Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Monday, January 26, 2015 5:00 P.M. Present: Mayor Lili McMillan, Council Members Lizz Levang and Jim Cornick; representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, Senior Planner Mike Gaffron, City Planner Melanie Curtis, Public Works Director — City Engineer Adam Edwards and City Attorney Soren Mattick. Administrator Loftus noted the resignation of Andrew Mack and the BCBS grant process which is mid -stream. The Navarre Community Initiative will be picking up the ball for the grant project moving forward. Mayor McMillan introduced a celebration titled "Navarre Night" that is proposed for April 30th. The event would focus on Navarre History and include a book signing from author Joan Wolfe on her the newly released Navarre, the Hub of Lake Minnetonka. Loftus presented a sketch that the architect recommended for a new focal point in the Council Chambers. The council discussed the new wood build -out with logo and supported the concept. Administrator Loftus informed the council that the building official intends to retire this summer after thirty years of service. She recommended proactively planning for his successor to have some overlap for training purposes given summer is a very busy time for the building department. The council discussed the advantages of having the position in-house rather than outsourcing and asked to review a recruitment request in February. Pursuant to the previous council meeting, an opportunity was provided to discuss public input at City Council meetings. Councilmember Walsh submitted comments via email due to his absence that he requested be distributed to the group. Mayor McMillan also suggested language to clarify the public comments section on the agenda. Both suggestions were intended to invite comments and clarify the public input process. Councilmember Cornick asked whether the city has received any resident complaints on our current system and whether we should develop a handout for the public on when to speak at meetings. The councilmember's in attendance supported the language proposed by Mayor McMillan and no one favored a formal comment card system. Senior Planner Mike Gaffron provided an update on code amendments in progress, including a table identifying proposed text changes. Additionally in the works are non -zoning items not requiring Planning Commission hearings, as well as specific zoning items that will require Council consideration and direction in order to move forward. Gaffron and Attorney Mattick introduced the easement/access issue on the Whalen property. Past activities in relation to providing access to that property were reviewed and the