Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,March 6,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Bryce Johnson stated the difference between the two options was the conservation protected area and not <br /> doing as much clearing in the non-easement property. Johnson stated in his view a lot of the growth is <br /> new growth and could be easily cleared. <br /> Meyers stated in this case the clearing could be done in phases. Meyers stated the Park Commission <br /> could also send both options to the Council and let them decide,but that he would recommend moving <br /> forward with Option 2. <br /> Roath asked if a different approach could be to approve a certain amount towards the clearing, and based <br /> on what is received in the bids, perhaps a larger area could be done. Roath stated the Park Commission <br /> could cap the clearing at $30,000 and get as much cleared as possible. Roath stated the Park Commission <br /> could decide on a number between the two bids and then the Public Works Director could work with the <br /> contractor to see how much can be cleared. <br /> Edwards stated the bid request could be worded that way. <br /> Meyers stated he would prefer a motion with a hard number on it rather than a range. <br /> Edwards stated the Park Commission could allocate $18,000 for clearing and another$8,000 for <br /> restoration,which is Option 2. Edwards stated they could propose that amount, and if the bids come in <br /> lower than expected,they could expand the footprint out into that nine acres. <br /> Roath stated they could also propose $25,000 or another amount for clearing,which will likely amount to <br /> more than the 4.5 acres. Roath stated he is hearing that the more clearing that is done, the better. <br /> Edwards indicated he used $4,000 an acre,which is based off of MN/DOT's numbers and is a <br /> conservative number. Edwards stated it is likely they could get more than an acre done for$4,000. <br /> Walsh stated what would be helpful is to know how the nine acres was arrived at. Walsh stated if the nine <br /> acres is important,he is not sure why they are proposing 4.5 acres. <br /> Ruegemer stated to her understanding the nine acres is the original pasture land but that she is not sure <br /> how important it is to go back to that footprint. <br /> Meyers stated the area to the left on the map is more pasture land and is connected to the woods. Meyers <br /> stated the Park Commission thought it would be better to clear the areas that offers more of an interest to <br /> visitors to the park. <br /> Bryce Johnson noted a portion of the land was tax forfeited farm land and the portion on the right is the <br /> historic pasture land. Johnson stated that is also where there is the biggest contrast with the Big Woods. <br /> Johnson stated they could make the path wider to the Big Woods but that he is not sure it is that critical to <br /> do since it is over a mile of trails. Johnson stated he would rather have three benches in the proposal than <br /> all the extra clearing since the clearing could be done in later years. <br /> Meyers stated the City could simply ask the contractor to clear as much as they can for$18,000 but that <br /> they want a minimum of 4.5 acres done. <br /> Page 7 of 11 <br />