06-12-1995 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JUNE 12, 1995 t #2 - Park Commission 1nten6eNi,s - Robert Langguth - Continued; Kelley inquired if he was familiar with the philosophy of Orono and its parks and • maintenance. Langguth said he has spoken with Gerhardson about the parks. He said he was happy with the present park system but not familiar with the individual parks but saw the need to expand. Jabbour asked for his opinion on what the functions of parks should be, i.e., active, passive, wildlife preserves. Langguth voiced a need for active parks with festivities held at the parks. Jabbour suggested Langguth read the City's management plan for his information. ANDREW RONNINGEN Ronningen said he has lived in Orono for two years and plans on living here the rest of his life. He would like to make an investment into the City and saw the Park Commission as a good way to begin. His contributions have been a career, overseas job, raising a family. He has read the comprehensive plan and felt the current state of the City was good. Ronningen said he has lived in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and Alaska and has seen what works and does not work. He said the level of quantity and quality of Orono parks is good and would like to maintain that and add a tong term vision. His background at St. Thomas was noted. Callahan asked what prompted him to apply for the position and whether he had any specific ideas. Ronningen said a person accumulates wealth but needs to leave their children with a good environment and building a strong park system is one way to accomplish this. Kelley asked about the Casco Point area • where Ronningen lives and what his ideas would be for that area. Ronningen said the park on CoRd 15 serves alot of young kids and has a good ice rink. The park on the other end, consisting of 8 acres, was kept was natural. He said he is working to develop a Casco Point homeowners association. He thought a first event would be to hold a picnic at the park to make use of it with walking dogs and kids running and would not want it further developed. Jabbour asked Ronningen if he had enough time with his job responsibilities to fulfill the Park Commission obligations. Jabbour noted the many hours involved, and the meetings with other agencies beyond the one monthly meeting of the commission. Ronningen said he wants to do it wholeheartedly and was not involved in alot of extracurricular activities. MAMIE J 1N An said she has lived in Orono a couple of years and likes to participate in her community. Jin was on the park and recreation board for Maple Grove and familiar with parks though the two are structured differently. An said Maple Grove was in the process of updating their comprehensive plan and was not coming into this totally cold. Callahan asked if she has read the Orono comprehensive plan or sat in on any meetings. An had not. Kelley asked why she moved to Orono. Jin said that Maple Grove was expanding rapidly, and she preferred more green areas, liked the climate of the City, and noted she had grown up in the western suburbs. • 2