01-13-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 9, 2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. an extensive wildlife management program and were instrumental in 1966, when Trumpeter swans were reintroduced to Minnesota and two were placed in the Carver Park Reserve. Estimates indicate there are now 17,000 Trumpeter swans in Minnesota. In 1984, they focused on reintroducing osprey into the metro area. There are now 600 active osprey nests in Minnesota. Recently they focused on the nesting turtle study and have protected 30-40 turtle nests at French Park on Medicine Lake. They have tagged rusty patched bumble bees and Monarch butterflies. They performed 21,000 AIS inspections last year and have over 200 trained staff focused on that. The Three Rivers Parks most visited by Orono residents were Baker Park Reserve, Gale Woods Farms, and French Park. The most popular program Orono residents purchased tickets for was "Saturday on the Farm" at Gale Woods Farms. Three Rivers would like to see themselves as an asset to the community. She offered the City of Orono assistance and to work collaboratively in a multitude of areas. Walsh referenced a project the City has been working on, trying to get to the Luce Line from Navarre. He said the City appreciates working with Three Rivers on the projects to get the trails put together, attached, and making them more livable with all of the space available in Orono. Johnson asked if any consideration was given to plowing the Dakota Rail Trail during the wintertime. Ms. Beard said there is a grant program available. If cities want to take on the responsibility to plow them or contract it out, Three Rivers would reimburse the city approximately $100 per mile. Three Rivers does not have the resources or staff available to plow their trails. Walsh stated he thinks the bigger issue is liability and that Three Rivers didn't want to take on any liability. If there was a way to get around the liability issue, it would be fun. Ms. Beard said she would check into details on that and get back to the Council. Crosby noted if the trail is plowed, it would be an issue for people who go cross-country skiing. Seals asked if there was someone the City's department could work with from Three Rivers to brainstorm ideas regarding Big Island because there are invasive species there, among other issues. She said the City will be doing improvements regarding trails in the near future, and it would be good to have an overarching plan vetted out by someone who knew what they were doing. Edwards stated his department routinely works with Three Rivers, and a lot of the ideas his department has for parks such as Lurton Dog Park and Big Island was vetted through Three Rivers staff. Seals asked if someone from Three Rivers has walked Big Island. Edwards said no one has walked the City's part of Big Island, although Three Rivers manages an abutting property to the City's park on Big Island. Seals stated she thinks the island needs to be walked to see what they're dealing with. They had a vet out there who said it could be accessed, and she just met him again and he said it can't be accessed. Once the lake freezes, it would be great if Three Rivers could look at it with the City. Ms. Beard said something should be able to be worked out and encouraged the Council to reach out to her for any help. She will eventually be going to Big Island personally to look at it. Page 6 of 34