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r' <br />K <br />t <br />'f- <br />i’ <br />REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MARCH 25, 1991 <br />(16)SANDY BEACH CONTINUED . . <br />*’I t’link the City provides limited recreatr.onal opportunities for <br />the citizens. Rather than removing a recreational resource, T <br />think the City should consider its responsibility in this <br />situation aid either have the beach more closely patrollea with <br />police officers, or hi_e a lifeguard. Perhaps Park funds could <br />be used to financially address the cost of a lifeguard." <br />Mayor Peterson questioned how the posting of a lifeguard may <br />affect the liability of the City. <br />Barrett replied, "If the City were to post a sign indicating <br />the hours during which a lifeguard would be on duty, and that <br />swimming at other times is done at the swimmer s own risk, there <br />should be no increase in liability to the City. <br />Jabbour reiterated his suggestion about placing the dock <br />parallel to the beach. He stated that there would still be a <br />dock to use, but that it may pose a problem for boaters ana <br />skateboarders. <br />Gerhardson replied, "I do not believe we could put as much <br />dock in if we were to locate it horizontally. We do not have <br />sufficient right-of-way and the dock must be ten feet from <br />property lines.” <br />Mayor Peterson asked if a buoy system could be ised to keep <br />boats out of the swimining area. <br />Gerhardson stated that there are buoys in that location now. <br />He said, “If we were to add anything more, it would be difficult <br />to do, as well as costly." <br />Goetten stated that she is not opposed to the dock and would <br />prefer to keep public accesses open. She said, 'The City needs <br />to take responsibility for this situation. I agree with closing <br />t.he beach at 8:30 p.m. and would like to see increased police <br />patrol of the area.” <br />Mr. Nelson did not believe that increasing police patrol <br />would solve the problem. He said, "If the City does not take <br />away some of the attraction for that particular age group, there <br />will be no way to solve this problem. V^e are not asking for <br />much. '• <br />Jabbour disagreed that eliminating the dock constitutes <br />limiting access of the beach to the public. He stated that the <br />beach is unique in nature because it is not visible from the <br />road. He said, 'The other beaches in Orono that are visible from <br />the road do not have this kind of problem. I do not see how <br />removing the dock is taking away anyone's ability to use the <br />- 13 -