05-11-1998 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL AND PARK COMMISSION JOINT WORK SESSION HELD MAY 4,1998 Mayor Jabbour suggested that as Commission members serve on subcommittees to address specific issues, these subcommittees need to come together with the other Commission members periodically to keep all members up to speed so that the positions taken by the subcommittees are the positions of the Park Commission as a whole. Jim White agreed that communication, both within the Park Commission and between the Park Commission and the City Council, is the key issue. Councilmember Goetten indicated that the issue of the use of the Bederwood ballfield by the Orono Baseball Association is an issue best addressed by the City Council, since there is a wxitten agreement between the City and the OBA regarding the use of Bederwood ballfield. Councilmember Kelley indicated a key concern is future funding to support parks. Councilmember Goetten suggested the Park Commission identify the top two or three priorities the Commission wants the City Council to fund. She indicated the Council and Park Commission will need to talk to the community if the accomplishment of the top priorities will require an increase in taxes. Councilmember Goetten indicated she admires the Park Commission for taking the initiative on a number of issues, but the Commission needs to refocus on a smalt number of key priorities. Mayor Jabbour suggested that it is important that the City identify and engage the owner of property identified as a top priority for parkland acquisition early on rather than at the time a subdivision is being proposed. Councilmember Kelley indicated he sees twxi parcels as top priorities for parkland acquisition. One is the residential parcel in Hackberry Park; the other is ^e Eisinger property west of the Dumas Orchard property. Mayor Jabbour indicated that at the same time as the Park Commission is developing a plan for trails, many of which would be located on the side of roads, the City Council is having a very difficult time making existing roads wider. He indicated that a trail project that he would see as a priority would be the Dakota Rail line if it became available for acquisition. The City would want to partner with Hennepin Parks for a project of this magnitude. Chair McDermott indicated the Park Commission is w’orking on three priority items currently. These are Dickey Park, the renovation of Navarre Park, and the identification of large parcels for future acquisition. Chair McDermott asked whether the Council is considering the acquisition of parkland for a community play field park. Mayor Jabbour indicated a community play field park is beyond what the Council has envisioned. He sees the need for a neighborhood park with one ballfield, similar to Bederwood Park.