10-11-1993 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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To: From: Date: Subject: Mayor Callahan and Orono Councilmembers Ron Moorse, City Administrator ■ /' J couNca.MsnM OCT 1 1 1993 CnVOFOMM October 8, 1993 Park Commission Recommendation Regarding Ball Fields on School District Property Background In March of 1990, the City Council approved the development of the Little League ball field by the Orono Baseball Association in B^erwood Park. The approval was for a three year period while the OBA pursued other long-term options including the development of ball fields on the sciiool district property. During the Council ’s review of the OBA’s use of the Bederwood ball field for 1993, Council indicated a new location needed to be found for 1994. A committee was formed to find a new location and ensure a new ball field was ready for 1994. The school district owns the property on the east side of Old Crystal Bay Road north of the City Hal! facilities up to County Road 6. The school district plans an elementary school with several play fields to the north of the existing church building on Old Crystal Bay Road. The district has determined that the property north of the planned elementary school and play fields is not needed for school purposes. The district is willing to lease or sell a portion: of the property to th; City for the development of ball fields. It has also provided an open-ended purcha^ agreement to the Orono Hockey Association for a portion of the prq>eiiy. At a joint work session between the Council and the Park Commission, the topic of the City leasing property from the school district to provide site for a ball field was discussed. Council directed that this opportunity with the school district should be pursued. Staff has met with school district staff to confirm the district is still willing to lease or sell the property. The Park Commission committee and the OBA have been pursuing this option. The recommendation from the Park Commission is the result of those efforts. City’s Role in Financing Based on the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the City has played a limited role in the development of p.irks and reereati<m facilities The City has provided playground equipment at City parks and recently assisted in the funding of the upgrading of the playground equipment at Schumann Hlementary School. Ihese facilities are all available for broad community use. In determining whether the City should assist In financing the ball fields on the school district property, staff recommends the Council consider the following points: 1. The arrangement with both the school district and the OBA provides for an economical way of providing additional ball fields in the community. ThL is an effective way to leverage City funding. 2 Even though this arrangement is an effective way to leverage City funds, the Council needs to consider whether City funds should be used for a project that is focused specifically on one use that may not be open to the broader community The Council may want to conskk whether to require the ball fields to be develooed for general use rather than specifically for Little League play.