03-13-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 27, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 17. BIG ISLAND DOCK PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT (continued) Mike McElhaney, Maple Plain, stated he is here tonight on behalf of the Commissioner of the Department of Veteran Affairs and that he is here to read a letter from him. "Dear Members of the Orono City Council. This letter is in reference to Minnesota Veterans for Veterans efforts and the retention of the big island docks. It has been brought to my attention that a generous donor has come forward with an offer to cover the incurred costs involved in putting in and removing the docks for the coming season. The docks have been essential in enabling Minnesota veterans and their families to share in the beauty of Big Island. The core of my concern remains with the necessity of adequate accessibility for our veterans who need assistance due to mobility issues. Hopefully this new financial support will allow sufficient time and resources for an in depth study to find ways to make the docks and Big Island accessible to all Minnesotans. Big Island is a crown jewel of Lake Minnetonka and a recreational destination for thousands of people in the region. As such, all citizens and communities that enjoy all the island has to offer should be encouraged to contribute and continue to support the increased costs that are being incurred by the City of Orono. After almost nine years of use, disabled veterans should not be the victims of any operational cost in the scope of things that are so minimal. Finally, I would be supportive of a joint venture that enables all citizens of Minnesota to enjoy and preserve the beauty of our lakes and, in particular, Big Island on Lake Minnetonka. Sincerely signed Larry Shellito, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs." Van Erickson noted he sent the Mayor and Council an email this afternoon and that he would like to read it so everyone would have a chance to hear it. Erickson stated he is here on behalf of his father-in-law, Bill Lurton, who donated property which is now the dog park just west of here. "As a long-term resident of Orono and to honor the memory of my wife, I gifted 49 acres of land to Orono for use as a passive park. A short while after making this gift numerous years ago, part of the property was condemned by MN/DOT. Subsequently, I modified the gift covenant to allow the City of Orono to utilize some of the proceeds from the condemnation for a portion of the purchase of Big Island Park. I worked with Jim White and Gabriel Jabbour, who were both very honest and upfront and made sure that I was totally in agreement with designating where these proceeds were going, which was in excess of a million dollars. I was then and am now supportive of the City's actions to purchase Big Island with the help of the condemnation money. As a major contributor in the purchase of Big Island, I was excited in 2006 that the Big Island Park would be open and available to all people. As a veteran myself, I was excited that the veterans will still be able to access and enjoy the park. If the docks were not there, I would not be able to access the park myself nor many of my family members who live in and around the Lake Minnetonka area. I cannot imagine too many veterans or people in general going to Big Island if the docks were not there. The docks and the accessibility they bring to all the citizens are one of the main reasons I agreed to have the condemnation money from my wife's park used to help purchase Big Island Park. The other purpose for me being here tonight is at the last City Council meeting Mayor Walsh said that my father-in-law had threatened to sue the City. To set the record straight, I have never sued the City of Orono or threatened to sue the City of Orono, and I do not appreciate being mischaracterized for doing so. Page 4 of 23