02-27-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 13, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. Edwards stated two to three times per year. Walsh stated perhaps an agreement could be reached with Three Rivers to mow the City's portion. Walsh stated the City should take an inventory of what is there against what the City bought and then look at possibly selling the park this spring or summer to the best operator. Walsh stated one of the things they did talk about with the Parks Commission was having private/public partnerships. Walsh noted an Excelsior group came to the City asking permission to put public ski paths on Big Island and the City allowed that. Walsh stated the current public partnership is that the City owns the land but that someone else may want to use the park on a passive basis. Walsh stated he would open that idea up to the public about how to make use of the island through a public/private partnership. Walsh stated perhaps someone from the public might want to put a dock out there and that Orono will listen to that request. Walsh stated Orono is not a regional park operator and that they should not be in the business of operating a regional park. Printup moved, Crosby seconded, to no longer provide dock access to Big Island, to revise the Park Management Plan, and to start the process to sell the docks. Dankey stated she has observed the docks but that she has not witnessed anyone using them. Dankey stated the City could perhaps place a camera out there to see what type of usage there is. Walsh noted the park is not limited to just Orono residents. Seals asked if there would be any issues with selling the docks. Edwards stated the docks are currently in storage at Shorewood Yacht Club, which is at Tonka Bay Marina. Walsh stated these are commercial docks and need to be removed via a crane. Edwards noted the City has the free storage for a limited time only and that it might be necessary to move them at some point in the spring. Edwards stated it would be pretty expensive to get a crane and tractor trailers and move them somewhere else. Seals stated Wayzata just put in some temporary docks that are already full and that Excelsior has limited parking for boats. Seals stated while she has never sold a commercial dock before, there has to be a need for them somewhere. Walsh commented there are a number of residents who reside on the lake who might be interested in them. Loftus strongly recommended the other stakeholders in the park be given notice of this since the management plan would change. Loftus stated those stakeholders have seen and agreed to the management plan and that the Council might value their input. Loftus stated the Council might also be interested in receiving public input to see whether there is a desire to retain the docks. Loftus noted one Page 4 of 18