02-28-2011 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, February 14, 2011 7:00 o’ clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 15 of 18 (18. BIG ISLAND – REMOVAL OF STRUCTURES, Continued) The Big Island committee met last Friday and concluded that the best thing would be to remove the majority of the remaining buildings, which would include two concrete block storage buildings and the 16’ x 18’ cabin on the north hill. That cabin was initially intended to serve as an example of the type of cabins used by the veterans when they operated the camp but the building is in poor condition and cannot reasonably be secured from future vandalism. It is likely to become a liability if it remains in place. The remaining picnic shelter/toilet building northwest of the dock area is another building the committee is recommending be removed. This building was originally intended to remain in use. The structure was renovated in 2006 to make it functional. However, vandalism to the toilet facilities during the winter of 2007-2008 convinced the City to consider actions to ‘armor’ the building by replacing wood frame walls with concrete block walls and secure lockable doors. Building materials were delivered in March 2008 before ice-out, with actual renovation expected later that year. Continuing vandalism in 2008 destroyed virtually all fixtures within the building before actual construction was begun. The committee reviewed the alternatives and concluded that even if the sanitary facilities were reconstructed in a bunker-like fashion, vandalism was likely to continue. In August 2008, the construction was called off after concluding that efforts to continue to provide sanitary facilities would be futile. In addition, the committee is recommending that the electrical transformer be removed and electrical lines be deactivated and abandoned. The committee has also concluded that there is no reason to maintain the well and septic systems on the site. They recommended that the well be property abandoned. Keeping the well operable would require electrical functionality and a secure mechanical room. There are two septic systems on the property that will have to be pumped out and tanks properly abandoned by filling them in. Although firm cost estimates are being sought, Gabriel Jabbour has indicated that the work defined above is likely to be in the range of $40-50,000. These costs are proposed to be covered partly by the insurance proceeds from the burned shelter and other vandalism damage and partly from the City's Park Fund. The committee has recommended that the work be done as soon as possible, and since much of it will require transportation of vehicles and equipment to and from the Island, time is of the essence while the lake is still ice covered. Bremer noted the City has received only one bid due to the fact that the two other potential bidders were not interested in providing an estimate and that this is the only bid the City was able to obtain. McMillan stated abandonment of the utilities will need to occur at some point and questioned whether the Council should take more time to consider the consequences of that action. McMillan indicated she has a concern that once the utilities are removed, the chances are very minimal they will be reinstalled at some point in the future. Franchot noted the Council has spent a considerable amount of time discussing the vandalism problem over the years and that the City is not in a position to hire a caretaker to watch over the island. The utility and foundation work cannot be completed until this summer, which would give the Council some time to Item #03 - CC Agenda - 02/28/2011 Approval of Council Minutes 02/14/2011 [Page 15 of 18]