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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 13, 2017 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />Edwards indicated he does not know that offhand. <br />Gaffron stated to his recollection it was approximately $70,000 per dock. <br />Edwards displayed some pictures of the docks being pulled out of the water. <br />Crosby asked how often the Minnehaha stops at Big Island. <br />Edwards stated he does not know that at this time but that it has been at least a couple of years since they <br />have docked there. <br />Seals asked how often the docks are used. Seals stated as a boat user she has never used the docks and <br />that they would just beach their boat. Seals stated she is wondering whether the docks are really needed. <br />Edwards stated the City does not have any cameras or counters on Big Island to determine how often the <br />docks are used but that he has heard from some residents that they utilize the docks. Edwards stated the <br />City does not have a boat of their own to check on the docks or the park. <br />Mayor Walsh asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this item. <br />There were no public comments. <br />Walsh stated by way of history, the park was owned by the veterans and they were experiencing some <br />financial problems, which led to them wanting to sell the land. Three Rivers was originally going to be <br />the buyer of the park and make it a regional park. The veterans were not in favor of making it a regional <br />park and as a result approached the City of Orono. The State of Minnesota provided a $2 million grant <br />and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District was given an easement over a large portion of the park in <br />exchange for $800,000. In addition, the Lurton family had donated $1 million to the City, which went <br />towards the purchase. Walsh stated the Lurton family was unaware of that allocation and had threatened <br />litigation after the fact, which resulted in the City smoothing that over. MN/DOT also provided $3,000 <br />and the City of Orono contributed $1,550,000. <br />Walsh stated what he has done over the past few years is to look at how to possibly unwind some of this <br />but that it is difficult given the different parties and the easement. Walsh stated the City deemed it a <br />passive park, which means that no building can occur in the park. Walsh stated if you look at who is <br />really the model for a regional park, which this is really a regional park, the entity responsible for regional <br />parks in the area is Three Rivers. Walsh noted Three Rivers owns a number of islands in the area and <br />does not have any docks at any of their other passive parks. Walsh stated vandalism has been an issue <br />whenever the City attempts to make improvements to the park and that the City does not have the <br />resources to monitor the park since Orono is not a regional park manager. <br />Walsh stated the park will stay a passive park and that his suggestion would be to follow the Three Rivers <br />model for a regional passive park. Walsh stated if people want to throw their anchor and get out and walk <br />around, they will still be able to do that. Walsh noted Three Rivers owns some land adjacent to the City <br />park on the island and that perhaps the City could have Three Rivers mow their portion for a small fee. <br />Walsh asked how often the City mows the park. <br />Page 3 of 18 <br />