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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 7, 2016 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Brenda Johnson noted a year or two there was an intergenerational forum and that the younger generation <br />wanted trails. Johnson stated in that context, she likes the idea of the trail but that the Park Commission <br />is thinking of trails not as transportation when it should be and that those dollars should come from that <br />portion of the City budget. Johnson stated trails help take stress off of the streets and are good for the <br />planet. <br />Johnson stated she likes the idea of the trail extension but that she does not like the fact that it is not part <br />of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Johnson stated bikeways and pathways should be considered <br />transportation, with the maintenance costs coming out of the road maintenance budget. <br />Loftus noted Item No. 4 in Staff s memo Iists some options for funding and that it is within the Park <br />Commission's power to recommend a particular funding source. <br />Brenda Johnson stated she would recommend the majority of the money not come from the Park Fund. <br />Loftus stated the City has to pay for part of the construction, which amounts to approximately $300,000, <br />which does not include the trail. Loftus stated that money is scheduled to come out of the Community <br />Investment Fund, which has approximately $700,000 in it. <br />Edwards noted the City's state aid funds are already designated for 2017 and cannot be used for this <br />project. <br />Meyers indicated he is in favor of making a trail connection when it becomes available and that it would <br />benefit both Orono and Long Lake. Meyers stated he likes the option of half of the funds coming from <br />the Community Investment Fund and half from the Park Fund. <br />Bryce Johnson stated his friendly amendment was to lessen the cost, and if that is not the case, they do <br />not need the amendment. <br />Meyers stated it might be best to take it out and let the County decide whether the trail should be asphalt <br />or gravel. <br />Meyers moved, Brenda Johnson seconded, to rescind the previous motion and friendly amendment. <br />VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. <br />Meyers moved, Pesek seconded, to recommend to the City Council to move forward with the <br />construction of the trail extension, with the recommendation that half of the funds for the project <br />be allocated from the Community Investment Fund and half of the funds be allocated from the <br />Park Park. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 1, Bryce Johnson opposed. <br />5. NORTH ARCM TRAIL ENGINEERING PROPOSAL <br />Edwards noted a copy of the letter from Bolton & Menk has been included in the commissioners' <br />packets. Bolton & Menk has provided an estimate of $3,000 to conduct the study and a cost of $115,000 <br />to $230,000 to construct the trail depending on the configuration chosen for the trail. <br />Edwards stated the initial proposal looks at putting a trail connection from West Branch Road to the <br />Lakeville Legacy Park along the south side of North Arm Drive. Edwards noted there are some terrain <br />Page 10 of 13 <br />