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from the City Council to complete a Comprehensive Park Plan. If <br /> Council approves the funding request, the Park Commission will <br /> send Request for Proposals to the appropriate consulting firms . <br /> Vongries noted that ten years ago a park study vaas completed by <br /> an outside consulting firm. The study determined that no <br /> additional parks were needed in the Orono area . Vongries said, <br /> "It is my personal feeling that this City does not need to expend <br /> money for more park areas . The parks in this community are <br /> underutilized. I think the first thing ��e need to determine is <br /> whether the Park Commission, as a whole, agrees with that. <br /> Bradley agreed with the general premise of Vongries ' opinion, but <br /> believed that things have changed over the past ten years . Bike <br /> trails were not as desired then. He said, "The issue of <br /> Bederwood Park and the Orono Baseball Association indicates that <br /> there is a rising population of younger children and a need to <br /> provide facilities for organized sports. I think the <br /> demographics in this area are changing. Though I agree with <br /> Steve that a Comprehensive Park Plan may be beneficial , I believe <br /> we should start on a small scale ���ith just the sewer por�d site. <br /> 6�e may gain some experience in dealing with planners and how that <br /> system works . Flint agreed with Bradley. Johnston also agreed <br /> that starting with a small project may have it benefits . He <br /> stated that he v�ould not look at a Comprehensive Park Plan for <br /> the purpose of defining additional parks , but more for <br /> identifying areas for future bike and park trails . Gi_lbert asked <br /> Johnston if he could estimate the cost of a Comprehensive Park <br /> Plan. Johnston indicated that such a plan could cost anywhere <br /> from $20 , 000 to $30 , 000. Gilbert indicated that it v�as his <br /> understanding, when the issue of a Comprehensive Park P1an was <br /> last discussed; that the Park Comnission had reached a firm <br /> decision not to spend that much money. He preferred to proceed <br /> with a study for the sewer pond property only. <br /> Johnston withdrew his motion, Bradley withdrew his second. <br /> Johnston asked to have th� issue of the Comprehensive Park Plan <br /> put on the agenda for the next Park Commission meeting. <br /> It was the consensus of the Park Commission to have Johnston <br /> draft a simple Request for Proposal to send to three planning <br /> consultant firms . Once the Requests for Proposal are received, <br /> the candidates will be asked to appear at the next Park <br /> Commission meeting. Flint �_ndicated that he �,�ould update the <br /> Council about the Park Commission ' s wishes to hire a consultant <br /> at a fee of approximately $2 , 000 to $3 , 000 to study the sewer <br /> pond property. <br /> OTHER <br /> Gilbert announced his resignation from the Park Comriission. He <br /> indicated that though he has enjoyed serving on the Park <br /> Commission for the past three years , his law practice, and other <br /> aspects of his profession, have increased to a point where he no <br /> longer feels he can give all the Park Commission deserves . <br /> Flint accepted Gilbert ' s resignation, and thanked him for his <br /> - 11 - <br />