02-23-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 23, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (PARK COMMISSION COMMENTS — Andrew McDermott, Continued) Sansevere voiced his concern regarding a Park Commission memo that was circulated to City Council suggesting the Council raise taxes to cover park expenditures. He indicated that he would not support such an initiative, and an informal poll taken at the last Council meeting reinforced the fact that the public would not support raising taxes for this purpose either. Sansevere pointed out that, as a Council member, he was proud of the frugality referred to in the memo and the fact that Orono has a low tax base. Chair McDermott stated that the Park Commission has not endorsed any proposal at this time, and is simply on a fact finding mission. He noted that there is no funding mechanism in place currently for parks. Sansevere disagreed, stating that the funding mechanism is triggered by unsafe conditions. He stated that the Council would replace any unsafe playground equipment when necessary. McMillan interjected that the Park Commission is also referring to new park initiatives and ideas as well as just playground equipment funding, as presented in their vision statement. Chair McDermott reiterated that the Commission is a long way from proposing any funding options to the Council and still needs to hold work sessions, as well as, perform extensive investigation before the Commission gets to that point. • Murphy commented that he was disturbed by the tenor of the memo and it being put into public record. Mayor Peterson pointed out that the memo was unsigned and not the consensus of the entire Park Commission. Chair McDermott repeated that the Commission continues to work on its priorities, which then will be followed by funding considerations. Sansevere recommended the Council and Commission hold a work session with all representatives present to evaluate the goals, improvements, and perspectives. Although past City Council members have been very supportive of parks, Sansevere maintained that the Commission has since operated as an island unto itself and fiefdom of the City. Murphy urged the Council and Commission to strive to reach a point in which they've moved beyond the negative 'crabbing'. While she acknowledged that one Commissioner may have been overly enthusiastic, McMillan pointed out that the City has a huge investment in its park system, and needs to make a commitment to working out what this continued investment will consist of. She maintained that to ignore parks, as if a `head in the sand approach' will suffice, would be ill advised. Sansevere agreed that the City Council may have done the Park Commission a disservice in the past by directing them to mark access points and doing nothing with the information. He admitted that the Commission may have been ill advised and left with no direction by Council. PAGE 5 of 14