11-06-1995 Park Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF TI� REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 6, 1995 (#5) SAGA HILLS UPDATE Irene Silber and Patty Affelt appeared on behalf of the Saga Hills Group. Silber said there were 27 grant proposals sent out to enable the group to purchase the property from Midway National Bank. She noted the suppart given by City Administrator Ron Moorse. The grant applied for by the City for the Saga Hill Group has been extended for at least 6 months. This grant was for $I 00,000 which required the group to raise another $100,000. The grant amount, however, has been reduced to $50,000 as there was a change in the ma�mum amount available from the state in any year. It is possible that another $50,000 will be available next year. Silber commented that Lisa Kubler of the Land for Public Trust was able to negotiate the price ofthe property down to $145,000 for 12 acres. The Minnesota Land Trust has a fund set up for use by the group and will act as intermediary in the purchase of the property. The land will ultimately be owned by the City. Silber said some small donations have been given. One foundation recommended denial but asked that the group resubmit their application. Silber said the bank would like to remove the property from their books and sell to the group. The majority of the big woods on Saga Hill were noted to hP owned by the Morgards. They are not on the property to be purchased from the bank. Flint asked where access will be available to the property. The bank property adjoins that of the City owned property which now possesses only a small easement for access. Flint noted that in order to invite the public onto the park land, access woul be required. Patty Affelt said the church, who has the access to the property, had no problem with people gaining access through their property but was concerned with liability. McMillan said she had spoken with Zoning Administrator Mabusth, who said there was an upcoming subdivision proposal, which as part of the park dedication, it would be possible ta ask for space to provide access to the property. Silber said the Garden Lane access was platted in but not used. She noted that the church was approached on possible purchase of selling a small strip of land for access. Flint said it seemed to make sense to keep the parking lot for the church and gain access from that area. Affelt said the church had purchased a small 1/2 acre parcel which adjoins the park and is surraunded by church property. She said maybe the church could be approached by purchasing this property. Flint said he saw no reas�n t� purchase another piece of property and tar that over when the church's parking lot was idle mast of the time. Ilse commented on the public use of the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran for access to Wolsfeld Woods by buses and questioned why the same could not be worked out with the church near Saga Hill. 7