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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br />Tuesday, September 7, 2021 <br />6:00 o'clock p.m. <br />Mr. Schwingler is happy to work on a joint partnership on things. <br />Edwards suggested using the 2021-2022 season as a trial and in the future, they can look at improving <br />upon it with permanent or temporary warming houses. <br />Carter moved, Roath seconded, that the Park Commission recommend to City Council that the <br />City use $5,000 from the Park Dedication Fund to support the project. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />b. 2022 Parks Budget Review <br />Edwards stated they are finalizing budgets across the City; in the packet is the Parks Operating Budget <br />and the Golf Course Operating Budget. He highlighted some items that the City Council changed in their <br />discussions and planning, including increasing the park levy from $50,000 to $100,000. As proposed, the <br />park operating budget has an increase of 23.9% driven by the provision of a full-time parks maintenance <br />worker and additional funding for park supplies and the contracted maintenance lines. Regarding the golf <br />course budget, the main change was an increase into the personal services portion with additional <br />seasonal help on the clubhouse side. <br />Chair Roath requested revisiting the budget number for social media marketing for the golf course and <br />hiring a consultant. <br />c. Parks Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Review <br />Edwards shared the CII' process has just begun with the City Council. He walked the Commissioners <br />through updates and changes including moving the golf course wetland and fairway project back to 2030 <br />as there is not a funding source or partner on that project, and the trail construction along North Arm <br />Drive to connect to Legacy Park moved to 2024 to coincide with road construction. <br />d. Parks Staff Update <br />Edwards updated that the swim platform was installed at Sandy Beach, buoys were put out, the hand <br />pump was replaced at Lurton Park, and there have been dead -tree removals. Staff will soon begin <br />transitioning parks and lake accesses for the winter season. They have had some volunteer projects with <br />boy scouts doing improvements at parks. Edwards noted Big Island is finally completed. <br />Carter said they will also install a donor board at Big Island as a thank you to major donors <br />Edwards updated regarding personnel changes noting the new Parks Superintendent will start the <br />following day. There are currently 2 lawsuits the City is named in related to parks, one of which is related <br />to Bederwood Park by the bike club and the other is the Smith Avenue Trail access signage. <br />COMMISSIONERS REPORT <br />a. Commissioners Updates <br />Carter stated they have about $7-8,000 left in the DNR match for Big Island Park and about that amount <br />in the Big Island Legacy checkbook so they are looking at adding some additional picnic tables, perhaps <br />enhancing the security cameras, and doing something to allow wheelchair transfer from boats to docks. <br />Berg has been approached by several people about getting pickle ball courts in the City. She understands <br />it is a very popular sport in the area and is researching what it takes to get a court and she hopes they <br />could look at installing one at a park. <br />Page 5 of 6 <br />