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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br />Monday, November 4, 2019 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Roath indicated he is not ready to make a recommendation tonight and that in his view more discussion <br />needs to happen. There were a lot of details the Park Commission heard at the work session that were not <br />raised tonight that the public needs to understand. As a result, his vote is not to make a recommendation <br />tonight because the conversation needs to continue. <br />Berg stated a lot of points raised tonight have been discussed by the Park Commission and that they still <br />have a lot of the same questions on how this will impact the neighborhood. Berg indicated she is not sure <br />she is ready to move it forward at this point. <br />Carter commented he also cannot move it forward and that he does not see a compromise at this point. <br />Ruegemer stated she agrees with the comments of the neighbors. While it is a beautiful plan, Summit <br />Beach is also a beautiful park and she does not feel they should move forward with anything at this point. <br />Johnson stated one of the purposes of the Park Commission is to increase the usage of the parks in Orono <br />and that he does not believe the Park Commission has made an improvement at a park where similar <br />concerns were not raised initially. There are a lot of issues that need to be looked at. The proposal is still <br />at an early point, and he would like to see the dialogue continued. In addition, the environmental aspect <br />needs to be looked into and he would like to see more information about that. <br />Johnson noted at the work session there was a little more stated about the public-private partnership at the <br />park, and that if a little effort was made to have some more of these informational meetings, it would be <br />easier for the Park Commission to make a recommendation. <br />Meyers commented there are a number of issues to be considered. Regardless of this proposal, East Long <br />Lake will change because there will be shoreline restoration and a lineal park created, which will <br />naturally bring in more people to the area. There is always a balance that needs to be struck on things and <br />that they will be spending money to make the northern part a park. While it will attract more people, the <br />shoreline restoration work, however, will improve the water quality of the lake. <br />Meyers stated he views Summit Beach as a rustic park, and the question is whether it needs to be <br />improved or have more use. In the past there has been some naughty use. The bathroom was burned <br />down a few years ago and there is some partying that goes on, which raises some security and safety <br />issues with the other activities that go on down there. The Park Commission has to look at the overall <br />picture. The city -owned parks are for all the residents. In addition, being by a park can increase <br />someone's value of their home. <br />Meyers commented he appreciates all the residents' concerns and that it is just a matter of how much give <br />and take there can be. This situation is unique because it would be a private -public partnership but there <br />needs to be more discussion about what will happen at the park. There have been points that have been <br />raised that need to be considered, such as the number of swimmers out there and how far out they swim. <br />The beach does get a fair amount of usage. As a result, the City might have to look at changing the <br />philosophy of that lake and perhaps only allow smaller motors or certain types of uses. <br />Burrell stated in terms of moving forward, their understanding was if they receive a recommendation to <br />move on to the next step, that is where a lot of this discussion would go on. <br />Page 8 of 15 <br />