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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, August 14, 2017 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />12. CONSIDER WAIVER OF BUILDING PERMIT FEES ASSOCIATED WITH PLANNED <br />IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ICE ARENA — Continued <br />Dankey stated she is worried about a precedent being set since there are other nonprofit organizations in <br />Orono and not everyone is interested in hockey. <br />Walsh stated the City is spending $150,000 out of their Park Dedication fees to construct a trail from Old <br />Long Lake Road. <br />Dankey stated this is a separate entity from the parks. <br />Crosby stated the ice arena supports Orono schools and Orono hockey programs. <br />Dankey commented there are softball, gymnastics, baseball, tennis, art, and other organizations in Orono. <br />Seals stated the Council would have to be okay with doing it across the board, and that if they approve <br />this, they would have to do it for all. <br />Dankey stated she is not sure everyone in Orono wants to pay for hockey. <br />Crosby stated this has a close tie-in with Orono Schools. <br />Dankey stated the other organizations also have a close tie-in with the schools. <br />Lewis stated one of the things the hockey group faces is that the other sports can be supported through the <br />school more directly. Lewis noted the school is building a new activity center, which will primarily <br />benefit soccer and other groups but not hockey. <br />Seals commented they are also hearing that the lacrosse team is not benefitting from the new recreational <br />center. <br />Lewis stated there is plenty of area available for basketball, soccer, and other sports in the activities <br />building. <br />Crosby stated in his view it should be taken on a case-by-case basis. <br />Walsh stated this is not unlike the Gillepsie Center where the City contributes $10,000 a year to support <br />them since the City does not provide any senior citizen services. Walsh stated the Gillepsie Center is <br />located in Mound. <br />Seals stated that begs the question of whether the City is going to give money to the new recreation <br />center. <br />Walsh stated the recreation center is supported by the school. <br />Printup stated his concern is that once the City starts going down this road is where it will end. Printup <br />stated he has gotten great feedback about the hockey arena, which is great, but that Orono has kids that go <br />to Mound facilities and other recreational facilities. Printup stated in his view this will be precedent <br />setting. <br />Page 9 of 13 <br />