05-13-1991 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MAY 13, 1991 ( #18)BEDERWOOD PARR CONTINUED Callahan added, "As I understand it, OBA was serving food from the concession stand which caught the attention o Health Authority, who then approached the City. That has since been corrected." Gary Larson stated that prior to this meeting, the OBA and neighbors had some positive dialogue. OBA is trying, to get the residents to put their energy toward the mutually beneficial solution of finding OBA a permanent site, rather than focusing on the problems with the existing site. Larson indicated that there is some momentum building with this School Board for the School property. Goetten commended Larson and the neighbors for taking the time to talk together. Liz Levang agreed that the exchange of verbal communication between' the 'two groups- was positive. She wanted to remind everyone, however, that this is not just an issue involving the Bederwood Park area residents, it involves the general public. Levang stated that the neighbors have tried to assist the OBA with their efforts to secure the School property, which is best suited to this kind of use. She said, " Bederwood Park' does not lend itself well to this kind of use, and it goes against the Comprehensive Plan. Bederwood is a neighborhood park and its use by OBA turns it more into a community playfield. The best times for most people to use the Park are the same times that OBA is using the Park. The neighbors agreed that they could live with this use through the 1,392 season. If that is going to change, we need to know when we can expect OBA to leave so the Park can revert back to its original use." Butler asked if the participants in OBA's program are all from the Orono School District. Mayor Peterson stated that is correct. Butler referred to earlier conversation regarding the City facilities and the need for Orono to have an identity. She stated that programs such as the OBA's are one way to give Orono an identity. To the Bederwood Park neighbors Butler said, "I know that situations are always worse when they are happening in your front yard. However, keep in mind that what you are arguing about, is constructive recreation of 9 through 12 year old children on an organized basis that gives them a focus and something of which to be proud, and something to achieve other than building pipe bombs. I have four sons and am grateful for programs such as that of the OBA." It was moved by Butler, seconded by Mayor Peterson for the purpose of discussion, to adopt the Park Commission's - 17 -