06-27-2005 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY,!COUNCIL MEETING • Monday, June 27, 2005 7:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL The Council met on the above mentioned date with the, following members present: Mayor Barbara Peterson; Council members Bob Sansevere, Jim Murphy, Jim White, and Lili McMillan; City Attorney Thomas Barrett; Representing staff were City Administrator Ron Moorse, Planning Director Mike Gaffron Planner Janice Gundlach; and Recorder Kristi Anderson. Public Works Director Greg Gappa and Engineer Tom Kellogg were absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve /Amend Items 12 and 15 were added to the Consent Agenda; while item 8 was removed for discussion. 1 White moved, McMillan seconded, approving the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. • PRESENTATION 1A. North Hennepin Mediation Program Beth Bailey of the North Hennepin Community Mediation Services gave a brief presentation to the Council explaining the program's core belief that people have the ability to resolve their own disputes. Begun in 1983, the program provides 100 volunteer mediators which conduct over 1400 mediations each year within its contracted communities. I� . Murphy asked what the qualifications were of the volunteer mediators used by the service Bailey replied that, while the Supreme Court stipulates!a set of basic requirements, the program has additional standards it adheres to. She pointed out that a volunteer does not have to possess a degree in mediating, but must be a good listener and is required to attend initial 30 hour mediation training and an additional 6 hour refresher each year. Sansevere inquired as to the cost to each contracted community Bailey responded that, in addition to state and private funding, the program fees for each community are tied to the size of the community itself. She indicated that they would recommend an 18 month contract at the fee of $3000, and an annual renewal rate of $2,000. Bailey pointed out that there are no fees for those who participate in the mediation services where contracts in those communities exist. • McMillan commented that she felt this was a worthwhile service to provide to Orono citizens. Mayor Peterson stated that the city already approved the contract at its last City Council meeting and the Orono Police Department has already posted the service on its,website and begun making referrals. Pagel 1 of 12