12-14-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 14, 2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Jim Cornick, Jr., Lizz Levang, Aaron Printup, and Dennis Walsh. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, Finance Director Ron Olson, Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, Senior Planner Michael Gaffron, Planner Melanie Curtis, Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards, 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. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Item Nos. 8, 10, 15, 21, and 22 were added to the Consent Agenda. Council Member Walsh stated he would like to add an item under the City Attorney's report relating to what was discussed in the closed session of the City Council on November 9. Walsh stated it is his understanding the City Council needs to make a motion during a regular meeting on whether they would like to move forward. Walsh moved, Printup seconded, to add Item No. 26 under City Attorney's Report. Mayor McMillan noted the item raised by Council Member Walsh involves potential litigation and that she would not be in favor of having a public discussion on the issues. McMillan asked whether Staff had any new information on the matter. City Attorney Mattick indicated he does not have anything additional to what was discussed in closed session. Walsh stated it is not a matter of litigation but that it is a matter of the City Council deciding whether to litigate or not to litigate. Walsh stated the Council should inform the public on why they are either pursuing litigation or not pursuing litigation and that the individual Council members should discuss why they are voting either in favor or not in favor of pursuing litigation for alleged violations. McMillan stated there is a list of code violations and that she does not have the entire list before her tonight. McMillan stated she does not want to single out one particular property owner when there are other property violations. McMillan asked Council Member Walsh whether he is speaking of the entire list or one specific property owner. Walsh indicated he is speaking of the November 9 work session discussion and whether the Council is going to enforce the City's regulations. Walsh noted the vote can only happen at the City Council level in an open session. McMillan noted the City is in litigation with the specific property owner and that she would advise against doing that. Page 1 of 44