02-14-2022 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,February 14,2022 6:00 o'clock p.m. Brian Roath, 1200 Wildhurst Trail, stated there is much concern,confusion,and misinformation in the Orono community about Summit Beach Park and he would like to give a few comments from his perspective both as a resident and as a Park Commissioner.His goal is to clear up the misinformation and set everyone's nerves at ease over the future of that park. In 2019,the Long Lake Rowing Club(LLRC) brought forth the seed of an idea to locate some of their operations at Summit Beach Park.Based on guidance from the Park Commission and City Staff,the rowing club held 2-3 public open houses and received input from the community. In early 2020,the LLRC presented a first-pass to the Park Commission regarding what a facility might look like to start a conversation about a public-private partnership with the City. There were many aspects of the plan that the Park Commissioners had concerns about and did not pass a recommendation to support the plan.The viewpoint at that time was that if anything would work out there would first need to be more iterations of the design based on input from the community and stakeholders. Between March 2020 and January 2022,there was no activity or new proposals.However,the community was worked up and voiced strong opposition as if there is a vetted proposal in front of the City pending a final vote.He noted residents spoke out at a recent Planning Commission meeting,Park Commission meeting,and perhaps even tonight at the City Council meeting. Mr.Roath asked the City Council to please set everyone's nerves at ease as the City is nowhere near making a final decision on the LLRC at Summit,to confirm that the LLRC does not have a current proposal on the table,and explain that any future proposal would require several iterations of input from the community and stakeholders such as the City Council and Commissioners. In the absence of activity, fear has written an increasing narrative and the comments he reads and hears on the matter are not relevant.For example,he reads several people requesting that the Park is not given to a public entity and speaking on behalf of the Park Commission,they do not support that,he knows the City Council does not support that,and the LLRC is not even asking that. Where does the fear originate from?Unfortunately there are some people within the community that are spreading false information and the residents deserve to hear the truth in the midst of the confusion this misinformation has caused.Mr.Roath supports Councilmember Seals' comment at the last Council meeting that the City needs to take back the narrative. He asked the City Council to do what is legally and technically possible to stop misinformation and spread accurate facts about the plans at Summit Beach Park.The Park Commission is excited to see Orono residents and the passion and interest they have in providing feedback,but feedback on misinformation does not help them.The goal of the Park Commission is to provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the City's natural parks and no one wants to take away any parks,impede nature,or disrupt anyone from their current activities.The Commission will not support any plans that do anything but enhance everyone's use of the park.He asked the City Council to please confirm that they are also aligned with this.Finally,Mr.Roath stated he appreciates what the City Council,Commissioners,and City Staff do and it is essential that they give residents and local organizations the opportunity to have ideas and proposals considered and heard.He said they owe the LLRC the opportunity to present ideas, hear feedback,incorporate that feedback,and receive a final vote on their proposal no matter where one stands on the issue.He asked to please not be scared away from a few loud voices,noting he trusts in the City Council's leadership and knows Orono will set the right path forward for Summit Beach Park. Eleanor Winston,765 Spring Hill Road,stated due to the large citizen interest in the LLRC's proposal for Summit Beach Park,she asks that the Orono City Council conduct its proceedings on this topic with the utmost public accountability and transparency.At the January 24, 2022 City Council meeting a special committee was formed to further pursue a tabled application. In response to this new special planning Page 2 of 6