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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,March 2nd,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> promote personal and competitive achievement and enrich members and the community through the sport <br /> of rowing. The project goal is to build a permanent home at Summit Park,which includes storage for <br /> boats and equipment, space to conduct indoor training, and an opportunity to better serve the community <br /> through the sport of rowing. He stated one of their core values is community service and described events <br /> they have participated in.They also constantly survey the lake for water quality and report safety <br /> concerns.All of their spots were filled in community ed in 2019. Classes in 2020 will only be offered to <br /> Orono residents to accommodate Orono's residents.LLRC also brings retail patronage to Long Lake and <br /> Orono during their season.He noted in 2018 they received a special commendation from the Long Lake <br /> City Council for their commitment to service. <br /> Mr. Burrell stated in November 2019 the Park Commission charged the LLRC to educate, inform, let <br /> people ask questions,and listen. He feels they have done so by extending invitations and having meetings <br /> with the Park Commissioners and members of the Orono and Long Lake City Councils. They had a <br /> meeting with the Summit Park neighbors on January 8, individual meetings with a number of lakeshore <br /> and City residents, and fielded numerous phone calls from residents who could not attend the meeting. He <br /> displayed a revised site plan of 6,900 square feet,a reduction of about 24%from the original plan.The <br /> overall height of the building has decreased from 2 to 1 V2 stories.Public restrooms have been included in <br /> the rear of the building. They are flexible on the location of the docks;they will not be occupying the <br /> beach area.They will be working with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to minimize any <br /> environmental impact. <br /> Mr. Burrell explained the different programs offered by the Rowing Crew and how they operate in terms <br /> of traffic in and out of the park. They would require a long-term lease agreement for land and a guarantee <br /> that the current water hours of operation on the lake would transfer under a partnership with the City of <br /> Orono. Should the City elect to sell the property at Summit Park,there would need to be a guarantee that <br /> LLRC would retain water access and the right to continue operations at the park. <br /> Mr. Burrell described benefits to the community: LLRC will fund 100%of the building construction; <br /> there will be permanent public restrooms,reducing vandalism and providing a safer,more sanitary <br /> bathroom for park users;there will be a small resting/sitting area outside the restrooms for public use; <br /> they are willing to help with costs of the playground;they will be able to offer more indoor community <br /> fitness classes and training opportunities for Orono residents from November-April. He discussed the <br /> health benefits and that rowing is a very quiet,non-invasive activity.Rowing is an opportunity for <br /> children to excel in a sport while learning the lifelong skills of teamwork,discipline, commitment, and <br /> respect for the sport of rowing. Several rowing club members have received scholarships for college as <br /> well. He stated LLRC's presence in the park will increase security and usage of Summit Park.They are <br /> open to offering free learn-to-row opportunities in the summer for Orono residents,and he discussed the <br /> possibility of special programming at the Orono Middle School.He noted public-private partnerships <br /> exist in the City of Orono with other sports and clubs.This would be an opportunity for the City to get <br /> assistance in financing other improvements it wishes to make at Summit Park. He listed examples of <br /> public-private partnerships in Minnesota with rowing clubs. <br /> Chair Roath opened the public hearing at 6:24 p.m. <br /> Mr. Larry Carlson, 965 Old Long Lake Road, said he was Bruce Dayton's caretaker and property <br /> manager for 26 years. They had many discussions regarding how to keep the property along Old Long <br /> Lake Road in a natural state; and through his vision and generosity, it became Wood-Rill Scientific& <br /> Natural Area and will remain undeveloped and enjoyed by all in perpetuity. In the 1970s,Mr.Dayton <br /> Page 2 of 20 <br />