07-27-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, March 2nd, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 14 that the current water hours of operation on the lake would transfer under a partnership with the City of Orono. Should the City elect to sell the property at Summit Park, there would need to be a guarantee that LLRC would retain water access and the right to continue operations at the park. Mr. Burrell described benefits to the community: LLRC will fund 100% of the building construction; there will be permanent public restrooms, reducing vandalism and providing a safer, more sanitary bathroom for park users; there will be a small resting/sitting area outside the restrooms for public use; they are willing to help with costs of the playground; they will be able to offer more indoor community fitness classes and training opportunities for Orono r esidents from November-April. He discussed the health benefits and that rowing is a very quiet, non-invasive activity. Rowing is an opportunity for children to excel in a sport while learning the lifelong skills of teamwork, discipline, commitment, and res pect for the sport of rowing. Several rowing club members have received scholarships for college as well. He stated LLRC’s presence in the park will increase security and usage of Summit Park. They are open to offering free learn-to-row opportunities in the summer for Orono residents, and he discussed the possibility of special programming at the Orono Middle School. He noted public-private partnerships exist in the City of Orono with other sports and clubs. This would be an opportunity for the City to get assistance in financing other improvements it wishes to make at Summit Park. He listed examples of public-private partnerships in Minnesota with rowing clubs. Chair Roath opened the public hearing at 6:24 p.m. Mr. Larry Carlson, 965 Old Long Lake Road, said he was Bruce Dayton’s caretaker and property manager for 26 years. They had many discussions regarding how to keep the property along Old Long Lake Road in a natural state; and through his vision and generosity, it became Wood-Rill Scientific & Natural Area and will remain undeveloped and enjoyed by all in perpetuity. In the 1970s, Mr. Dayton gave the Summit Beach property to the City. He is convinced Mr. Dayton’s vision would be to remain a natural and public space as much as possible. He does not believe Mr. Dayton would think a private entity building and a dock complex as maintaining natural and public spaces. He read a letter from Ron Bowen, founder/owner of Prairie Restorations, Inc., who is familiar with the area. Mr. Bowen indicated it would be inappropriate to turn the public space into use for a rowing facility, since it would serve a small number of people and would not meet Mr. Dayton’s vision. He asked the Commission to seriously consider maintaining the area as intended. He does not view it as a case of “Not in my backyard” but views it as a sincere desire to maintain an unfettered public space per Bruce Dayton’s vision, generosity, and foresight. Carter arrived at 6:25 p.m. Mr. Neil Weber, 2280 Watertown Road, Long Lake, stated he and his wife use the park and future trail at least once a day. Referencing a plan of the park, he indicated the drainage area for the new construction completed is a Torrens piece of property and there is nothing on the property as far as he is aware. The proposed boathouse location is abstract property, although he has not found the abstract. He pointed out an area that was dedicated as a permanent easement to the City of Orono by the Daytons and today the current owners have the easement on the property. He read a portion of the easement that was filed in 1980: “No structure shall be constructed, erected or placed upon, above, beneath the land including, without limitations, principal or accessory buildings, fireplaces, etc. No trees or shrubs or other vegetation shall be destroyed, cut, or removed from that land.” He believes the land where the boathouse is and previous resort was donated in 1971 and the easement indicates it was originally registered August 17,