04-24-1995 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON APRIL 24, 1995 (Mayor /Council Report - Continued) • Callahan brought to the Council's attention a letter from Janet McMillan regarding the Melamed development's use of the French Lake Preserve name. Hurr commented that the term "preserve" is a term other developers have used. Moorse opined that the name would be used less once the development has occurred. PUBLIC HEARING ( #5) APPLICATION FOR GRANT TO ASSIST IN PURCHASE OF LAND FOR PARK AND OPEN SPACE USE IN SAGA HILL AREA 9:30 -10:05 P.M. The Affidavit of Publication was noted. Moorse reported that the proposal of the Saga Hill Preservation Committee is to acquire 11 acres of open space, which is located adjacent to the 9 acre parcel being acquired through tax forfeiture by the City of Orono. The Committee is asking the City to sponsor a grant application through the DNR to fund 1/2 of the project. The remaining money needed is to be be raised through private funding. The two key questions are 1)should the land involved in the application be preserved as open space/park land; and 2)will the Saga Hill group and Minnesota Land Trust be successful in raising the $100,000 required to match the grant amount. The application has to be made by the City by May 1. Irene Silber asked that the City consider Saga Hill area as a priority for open space • stating that the land is the largest remaining parcel in an urban setting serving a high - density area. Callahan questioned whether the land would serve the neighborhood only and whether it would draw people from other areas. Kelley asked the Park Commission for their opinion. The members of the Park Commission voted in favor of the grant application but told the group not to depend on any park funding. Lisa Kuegler of the Minnesota Land Trust reported that the grant's intention was for an annual funding; but at this time, no money has been appropriated for 1996. This is the first year of the program. Kuegler reported receiving a favorable indication of the approval of the application if made. Renay Leone, Executive Director of the Minnesota Land Trust, said they are a non -profit organization, whose intent is to preserve open space in Minnesota. They have successfully acquired 20,000 acres and are privately funded through memberships and foundation grants, such as the McKnight Foundation. All acquisitions are subject to board review. Park Commissioner Susan Wilson is a new board member of the Minnesota Land Trust. 14