Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 5,2014 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> contractor. At the present time the Public Works Department does not have a lot of money budgeted for <br /> the parks and that Staff does not walk the parks on a regular basis. Struve indicated currently any work <br /> outside of those items is usually complaint driven. <br /> Struve stated in terms of budget, currently there is no money budgeted for seasonal part-time help. Struve <br /> noted the City will be starting the 2015 budget process sometime this summer, and that if the Park <br /> Commission feels a part-time park keeper would be beneficial, he could make that request but that they <br /> would need to define what the part-time person would do. Struve noted the Public Works Department <br /> also does not have a lot of equipment available for the park keeper to utilize. <br /> Meyers commented they would probably need a truck, a blower and other equipment. <br /> Struve stated there would be some initial startup costs. The Public Works Department also performs <br /> some weed applications. Struve stated if the Park Commission is interested in hiring seasonal help,they <br /> would need to create a budget to acquire some of that equipment and outline the maintenance standards <br /> that should be followed and the costs associated with those items. Struve stated it may be too late to <br /> make the request for 2015 but that they could consider it for 2016. <br /> Meyers stated he brought up the subject to see whether it would be cost effective to hire someone <br /> part-time that would be dedicated to checking the parks on a regular basis. <br /> Berg asked if there is any way to start an internship program for people who might be interested in <br /> working for a public works department. <br /> Struve stated there are rules with PERA that would need to be complied with and that larger cities <br /> generally have a parks department that handles maintenance issues. Struve stated there are also liability <br /> issues that would need to be considered. <br /> Meyers stated maintenance issues are something that will be discussed on the park tour and that they <br /> could consider whether a part-time student could handle that. Meyers noted the contract mowing is more <br /> cost effective, which may also be the case with the part-time park keepers. <br /> Berg asked if the Park Commission has a budget to have sand hauled in. Berg noted in the past the City <br /> has done riprap work and had sand brought in and graded. Berg asked if the Public Works Department <br /> performed those tasks. <br /> Struve indicated they did but that there have been changes with the Watershed District and how riprap is <br /> viewed. Struve stated he does not know where the Watershed District stands on hauling in sand. <br /> Berg asked if the City has ever pursued creating neighborhood associations to maintain their local parks. <br /> Meyers stated the Navarre Community Initiative informally adopted the Navarre Park and has helped to <br /> maintain and improve that park. Meyers noted it has been difficult to fill the vacancies on the Park <br /> Commission and that it will likely be equally as difficult to create neighborhood park associations. <br /> Meyers stated the City will need to provide some information on where residents can go if they are <br /> interested in helping out with a specific park but that the Park Commission should probably come up with <br /> a maintenance list first. <br /> Page 6 of 10 <br />