02-26-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 26, 2001 E (Park Commission Comments, Continued) Meyers stated the Park Commission also discussed the new field at the Lee Carlson property, and indicated the Softball Association raised the majority of their money from their pulltab operation. Meyers commented Orono has an abundance of land but is lacking the funds to be able to improve the parks, and suggested that pulltabs is one option the Park Commission could pursue. Meyers noted a bill was recently introduced in the legislature regarding the Dakota Rail to Trail project, but to his knowledge this bill has been sent back to committee for their review. Mayor Peterson commented the Park Commission is looking for any interested resident to donate hostas and daylilies for planting at the Navarre Park. Meyers stated they intend to draw up a little landscaping plan for the Navarre Park and will be inserting an article in the local newspaper asking for donations of specific plants, particularly hostas. Sansevere suggested the requested donation of plants be included on the City's web site. Nygard stated in his opinion the snowmobile issue is a recreational issue and needs to be dealt with by the City. At the present time snowmobilers are forced to break the law because there are not enough access points or trails to get from one place to another, which should be accommodated in some areas. Nygard stated there needs to be responsibility by the snowmobilers as well as the City. • Nygard stated he would like the Park Commission to discuss trail access as it relates to snowmobilers more indepth and the hazardous navigation areas, such as the Coffee Channel and Narrows Channel. Nygard stated he would like the Park Commission to explore ways to get the LMCD and sheriffs office more involved in this issue as well. Sansevere inquired whether there is any marking for snowmobilers alerting them of thin ice. Nygard stated the Sheriff s Office does put markers out on the poor spots. Nygard stated if the snowmobilers have an honest way of getting around, in his view they will respect that and stay off of private property whenever possible. Meyers indicated he would be willing to discuss this issue with the LMCD and the Sheriff s Office if directed to do so by the City-Council. Meyers stated he is aware that there is a problem under the bridges and that perhaps some kind of route could be provided to allow the snowmobilers access around the channels. Sansevere commented in his opinion there needs to be personal responsibility on the part of the snowmobilers and that they should avoid the dangerous spots. Sansevere stated the snowmobilers need to respect the rights of the property owners as well. Sansevere stated he is supportive of looking into the situation, but in his view the snowmobilers do not need unfettered access to all points of the lake. Nygard stated he is looking for ways that would enable the snowmobilers to be responsible and • not encroach on private property by having trails and access points available to them. PAGE 4