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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday March 13,2017 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />6. SAGA HILLS PARK PROJECT — Continued - <br />The scope of work includes clearing trees from and planting the hilltop area with native grasses, installing <br />trail and information signs, installing two benches, and installing trail gates. Also being proposed is <br />yearly maintenance of the cleared area going into the future. <br />Edwards displayed a map depicting the different sections of Saga Hill. Edwards noted the proposed area <br />of clearing is depicted in green and consists of approximately 4.5 acres. The yellow line depicts the <br />existing trail system that would also be improved. <br />Edwards stated the City acquired Saga Hill through a number of grants and volunteer efforts to raise <br />funds. This park has a number of unique attributes to it, with a number of nice tree stands and a portion <br />of Big Woods. The point of the project is to clear out the less desirable trees from around the nicer tree <br />stands. <br />At its March 3, 2017, meeting, the Park Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the City proceed forward <br />with the improvement project for the park. <br />Edwards noted they have not gone out for bids yet, but the estimated cost for the project is $36,780. The <br />majority of the cost is for the clearing and the replanting of native grasses. This project would be funded <br />through the Park Fund. The balance of the Park Fund is projected to be $808,863 at the end of 2017 if <br />this project is approved. <br />Staff recommends approval of the project. <br />Walsh stated from a historical perspective, the Park Commission was reconstituted approximately two <br />and a half years ago, with the goal being to bring the City's parks back to functional usage. Saga Hills <br />contains one of the highest points of ground in western Hennepin County. Walsh noted the part that is <br />being discussed for the clearing is the highest part. A number of years ago a person would be able to see <br />the lake from that point. <br />Walsh stated the Park Commission attempts to try and find one park every year to improve functionally <br />and bring it back to what it was historically. Walsh stated the City also has had some people volunteer to <br />help remove the trees. Walsh stated if this project is approved, the City could perhaps do it for less than <br />what is projected or the area could be expanded with the help of the volunteers. Walsh commended the <br />Park Commission for researching the history of the park and working on the proposed improvements. <br />Brenda Johnson, Park Commissioner, stated one of the really unique elements of the park is the fact that <br />there was a private and public partnership to try and save this area as an open space. That group of <br />interested citizens got together with the Park Commission and they are excited about the project. In <br />addition, Bryce Johnson on the Park Commission has done a great job of researching the history of the <br />park. Johnson stated in some of the City parks, the history defines the park, and Saga Hills is one of those <br />historic parks. <br />Seals asked what the undesirable trees consist of. <br />Page 4 of 32 <br />