08-13-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 27, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 21 attend Orono Schools. She works in the medical device industry and most of her work is also in the area. She is excited to be running for the position and wants to make citizens’ voices heard and get things done in the legislature for the community, not for political parties. She is DFL-endorsed and a moderate, a business owner, and feels things need to get done in the state legislature. She is running on a platform of making sure there is great education for all kids, healthcare access and affordability, protecting the lakes, waters, and environment, supporting companies and small businesses, and making critical investments. She is running to get positive, constructive, helpful things done for the communities, to make the investments that are needed. She is willing to reach across the aisle to get things done to represent “us.” She thanked everyone who serves on the Orono City Council. Mr. Mike Feldmann, 1010 Old Long Lake Road, said he wanted to bring up comments from the last Park Commission meeting about agenda item number 9. He asked if this was an appropriate time to do that. Walsh stated it is not a public hearing. If the item continues to move forward, then it would be on the Planning Commission for a public hearing. Mr. Feldmann said he has been asked by two households, since they are not able to be at the meeting due to COVID and travel restrictions, to voice concerns about the Summit Beach plan. The first household is Jane Davidson/Frank Kulacki, 1020 Old Long Lake Road, who want to address the use of the word "secret" and other descriptors people have used and say that it refers to a secluded, natural setting rather than a secret place which only a few people know about. As near neighbors to the park, they witness heavy park usage, and clearly the park is not a secret. They voice concern over the lack of planning of a private-public partnership concept in the current proposal as it relates to financial and liability management. They also voice concern about the plan that essentially grants a large part of the park to a single entity, risking adversely impacting the value of the park to the larger community in addition to concerns over the environmental impact. He is also speaking for John Hovanec, #108, 2670 Kelley Parkway, whose family has enjoyed using Summit Park. He is concerned about what could be considered a privileged few being able to use what is perceived as an effective takeover of the park. He asked what is the need for this specific park and whether another location could serve that need. Speaking for himself, Mr. Feldmann has enjoyed seeing the rowing club experience success at Birch's and wishes them continued success. However, the concept proposal is giving a very significant portion of the park to a single private entity which will forever change the park in a community that considers it a great treasure. It also does not match Orono’s vision statement, which is to be the residential community of choice and remain widely recognized for its preservation of natural rural beauty, quality of life, and recreational assets. He feels it is their responsibility to speak on behalf of Summit Park and encourage the Council to live the Orono vision statement and reject the proposal to put the private rowing club at Summit Park. Walsh apologized because that is an agenda item. However, it is not a public hearing. The Council is giving guidance; no votes will be taken. The matter has been in front of the Park Commission a couple of times, it's been at the Council before, it has been in an open forum at the Fire Department, so there's been lots of general talk about the matter. He said Julie Ruegemer sent an email to everybody to get immediate replies. There were a few items that weren't talked about, a few over-exaggerations about what's going on, and it is unfortunate Ruegemer sent out a letter without telling everything, because she is on the Park Commission and voted for the item to move forward. He said this is not the day or time for public comments. The City has read all of the letters and emails, and if there is someone who would like to give a synopsis, that would be great, after the Applicant has come up to talk about it.