05-07-2018 Park Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, March 13, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 8 Edwards stated the City Council approved the project tentatively last fall and that it is his belief the consensus of the City Council is that if the grant is received, they would be in favor of allocating the rest of the required funds. Roath noted they listed $5,000 for demotion. Roath asked whether they can do that inhouse. Edwards stated the Public Works Department could possibly perform the work but that it depends on timing. Roath asked if there is a reason why the City cannot go out to bid right now. Edwards stated he could do that. Roath stated the vendor he had talked to had indicated he could start a couple of weeks after road restrictions are lifted. Edwards indicated road restrictions will probably come off around the middle of May and that the City has to find three or four contractors to bid on the project. Roath indicated he will contact some other vendors to see if they might be interested in submitting bids. 7. CASCO POINT PARK PLANTING PROPOSAL – JULIE RUEGEMER Edwards noted the complete proposal for the Casco Point planting is included in the packet. Edwards stated Commissioner Ruegemer was approached by some local residents last year who were interested in doing some native plantings at the park. Chair Rick Meyer and Commissioner Ruegemer met with the Millers on site last fall, talked about the proposal, and asked them to put together a map of the plantings and a more formal proposal. The Millers have now submitted a proposal and are proposing to do the work. Roath asked if there is any risk of blowback to the City. Edwards stated he does not believe there will be any since they are proposing to plant native plants. Edwards indicated the City did receive some complaints where residents were planting non-native plants in the road right-of-way. Edwards stated normal activity by the Public Works Department is to rough mow the park once or twice a year but that they would like to conduct an experiment this year by doing a rough mow early in the spring and then perhaps mowing some paths that can be maintained throughout the year. Edwards stated they will coordinate the native plantings with that mowing. Rief stated there are some non-native grasses that will have to be addressed at some point in time but that this is an example of something that could be done. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to endorse the proposal to provide native plantings at Casco Point Park.