04-08-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 25,1996 (#8 - Bederwood - Continued) Rich Kiemen asked if he could hear the comments of the Park Commission, who he noted recommended approval of tlw third night of usage at Bederwood. Goetten emphasized that the Park Commission was not aware of ail the facts involving the issue, nor were they aware of the details of the comraa between the City and the OBA. Park Chair Rint was in attendance and commented on the difficulty in arriving at decisions when dealing with dififerent organizations. Rint said the Park Commission reviewed this proposal at two of their meetings. At their January, 1996, meeting, it was suggested that Bederwood be modified as a multi-use field but the motion failed An alternate proposal was for the trade. Flint said the Park Commission was not aware of other options available. Park Commissioner Use addressed the problem of wet fields at Hackberry One problem with a leaking well was repaired last year Gerhardson said the other problem resulting in a wet field will be remedied this year. Use said the Park Commission and Council would like to look for long term solutions. Meyers said Hackberry could not be counted on for this spring and the church space could not be committed to at this time. J’bbour said he had spoken with the mayor of Long Lake and questioned whether the Orono Girls Softball actually had secured arrangements with Long Lake for softball usage. He also was surprised that Long Lake charged for the usage of their fields. Meyers said the amount paid is to reimburse for the electricity for the lights, which amounts to less than S5 a nicht He said Holbrook was the best field for softball and has easily gained approval to use that field in the past. Meyers said the pr ,vOsed changes to Hwy 12 could result in the loss of Holbrook, and long term plans were needed to provide a softball field He noted that an adult team would also like to play softball Callahan said he was under the impression that Girls Softball had already made arrangements with Long Lake for the usage of Holbrook. Kiemen reiterated that the OBA was not interested in breaking the e.xisting contract for usage at Bederwood. He said when Bederwood was originally discussed for baseball, the usage was to be on a temporary basis. Kiemen noted that the City tissisted with the building of the Lee Carlson Field. This was a long term solution for the OBA. Kiemen said Girls Softball has an immediate need and asked if there was any room for allowing a one year term to use Bedeiwood for the additional night Goetten asked Kiemen if he believed in the integrity of a contract. Kiemen said he did. Goetten said there was nothing else then to discuss regarding usage at Bederwood. Goetten said she was in favor of forming a committee to look into long term needs. She noted if the immediate need was there that there have been alternatives presented