09-08-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 25,2003 7:00 o'clock p.m. (LMCD REPORT - Lili McMiUan, Continued) Big Island they tend to park further East and West on the Island and questioned if the buoys needed to run to the edges as shown. Since the LMCD recognizes the public’s concern regarding the additional lane, McMillan noted that the shoreline buoys had not been ordered in order to allow for public comment at Wednesday’s meeting. Sansevere repeated his hesitation to overreact to the July 4* accident by installing excessive buoys Without looking into the problems at Big Island farther. Pat Wolfe, Park Commissioner, inteijected that he, too, agreed with Council members Sansevere and White that more e.\amination with regard to the law enforcement aspect of Big Island’s difficulties needs to be done. He stated that Big Island is basically a park which falls under Orono’s jurisdiction and more consideration should be given to the kinds of recreational opportunities that should exist there. He noted that a plan needs to be created and more time devoted to considering the options which make the most sense for Big Island. While he believed consideration needed to be given to the law enforcement and recreational aspects of Big Island, Murphy acknowledged the fact that the people who currently visit Big Island are aware of the problems and need to decide to be responsible. McMillan agreed that a message needs to be sent to those who frequent Big Island that you need to be responsible and come to the beach with good intentions. Murphy believed that prudence was the answer. Since the additional buoys would not be added until 2004 he advised that more planning over the winter continue in an effort to preserve the public’s freedom. McMillan pointed out that when the idea of buoys first emerged for Big Island several years ago, there was concern about being overly restrictive; therefore, the LMCD installed three of four safety lanes at that time. She asked if the Council wished her to relay to the LMCD that they should take additional time to evaluate their options. While he preferred no ropes for the beach. White acknow ledged the Water Patrol’s concerns. McMillan agreed that the LMCD should take the time to collect comments from all lake communities before taking action. Sansevere encouraged McMillan to c.xptain the Council’s concern to the LMCD that, if no one can stand, the problem may be transferred to other parts of the lake, thus, making patrolling even more difficult. W’hile no additional funding is available for 2004 to pay for extra deputies, McMillan noted that extra help is necessary for weekends. Page 3 of 14