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 3 of 14 1972. If Mr. Dayton put that kind of restriction on a 90-foot strip, he believes there would be restrictions on the main part of the park, which requires finding the abstract. Mr. Weber said he knows there are public-private partnerships. As a former Three Rivers Park Commissioner, they encouraged public-private partnerships, but as far as he knows, they never leased land to a private entity. They have leased to entities that provide services to the public; in other words, facilities that are open to the public within certain hours. He said if the building is owned privately or by the 501(c)(3), they lease the land at whatever rate the City determines and they also pay property taxes. He named several sailing clubs in the area that pay taxes, most of which ranges from 2½-3½%. He said a lot of entities raise money for a facility and then have difficulty keeping it operating. There is also a liability issue the City takes on if they lease land to an entity. When he was on the Board, they went through the process of creating Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. Regional parks are unique because 20% is the maximum that can be developed. Aside from what Mr. Dayton wanted for this park, another problem is the vast majority of the area is not very usable because of the drainage circumstances. This is a neighborhood park, and the dominant use would be taken up by this particular use. He understands increasing the usage of parks; however, it’s not just the increased people, it’s how it is used. Given the setting it’s in, especially with the new improvements, it will increase the use of the park the way it is right now. Mr. Peter Vladimirov, 3236 Pin Oak Road, Medina, stated his family has been boating for 15 years and Long Lake is their favorite lake. They are aware of the algae, swimmers, jet skis, other boaters, and recognize almost every boat on the lake in addition to the rowers. He stated the row club has been successful with their outreach to members within the community, but not outside the community. He does not feel that is a fair outreach for the City’s consi deration. He realizes the City’s position is that their responsibility ends at the dock and that everything else is DNR, but the City’s decision will impact the footprint of the lake. He stated that if a rowboat is in the water with their long oars moving at 20 mph, it could be lethal to a swimmer. A powerboat is elevated and loud, and the operator can see everyone around them. He felt one rowing boat was equal to four powerboats in terms of lake space. He said that every lake has a boat limit and with all of the rowboats, the lake would be useless because nobody else can use it. He stated 7½ hours does not look like much time, but people will get together and hang out 1½-2 hours before and 1½-2 hours after with friends. He asked how the rowers and people that want to use the beach will fit in the parking lot. Ms. Aimee R. Guidera, 2325 Willow Hill Drive South, said although she dislikes exercising, being in a rowboat on Long Lake is a very peaceful, quiet, spiritual experience and is part of her life. The only way she is able to find that peace, health, and joy is through the club. People are able to enjoy the natural beauty of Long Lake as residents of Orono while building intergenerational community and camaraderie; club members range in age from 15-85. She encouraged Commissioners to think about everyone’s access to the lake and the fact that this club, for many people, is the only way to access Long Lake. Ms. Eleanor Winston, 765 Springhill Road, said she has been looking at the lake for many years and enjoying the park. They love seeing the rowers when they walk around the lake every day; they are very quiet. She is concerned about a big building on the property because that is all anyone would see because it is a small park. She stated the amenities include the old -growth trees, and she is concerned about taking even just one tree off the hillside. She wondered how much activity would be in the building during the winter season and asked if it would be open year -round. She is concerned about the boats being walked back-and-forth, given the location of the building and the dock where they would be launched.