04-12-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING r , Monday, April 12, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. (2. ORONO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION REQUEST FOR EXPANDED USE OF • BEDER WOOD PARK, continued) ultimately go to develop player skills, as well as friendship time for kids with their peers, honing life - skills, coordination, learning the rules of fair play, winning with pride and losing with dignity. Mr. Palmquist described recent OBA contributions of $325,000 for construction of a new baseball field adjacent to the Lee Carlson ball fields. This field is ideally suited for a 12 to 14 -15 year old player as the baseline and pitcher/home plate lengths are longer. He indicated that the Bederwood Field is ideally suited for younger players at the Coach -Pitch and Pitching Machine levels. Mr. Palmquist explained that pursuant to an agreement with city staff, OBA agreed to construct a new pitchers mound, including pitching rubber, add new bases and home plate, and place additional ag lime on the infield areas. The value of these improvements is in excess of $1,000 with all labor and material furnished by OBA. He reiterated OBA's dedication to teaching baseball to youth and creating fun and rewarding experiences for them. On behalf of the OBA, Mr. Palmquist expressed appreciation for the relationship with the City, School District and the community and requested the City Council support the OBA request. Mr. Palmquist acknowledged that there were a number of people present who would be willing to speak in favor of the OBA expanding field usage request and to answer any questions. Sansevere stated that he personally had no objection to the request but wanted to know if any neighborhood residents had objections to the request. • Steven Cox, 3700 Bayside Road, expressed his support for increased usage of Bederwood Park but commented that more vegetation screening or visual blocks be considered by the City especially directly by the parking lot and in the sound path of the games as sound does travel great distances across the open area. He explained that with expanded summer activities and with the Luce Line trail as a launch point for the winter snowmobiling use Bederwood Park becomes a heavily used area. Acting Mayor White acknowledged that Parks Commissioners Deb Halvorson and Pat Wolfe were present and invited their comments. Mr. Wolfe pointed out that there were not really any objections from the Parks Commission for expanded ballfield use at Bederwood Park. The Parks Commission is in support of more active use of Orono's parks as outlined in sections from the Comprehensive Plan that he cited into the record. Murphy asked Gappa and Moorse if they were aware of the issue brought up by Mr. Cox and if there is the ability to do some screening on that parking lot or for OBA to look at it and see if they could help. McMillan added that the Parks Commission could possibly work with this issue. Acting Mayor White pointed out that this is the first time the Council is hearing about the issue and suggested staff can give some advice on addressing screening options. • Page 2 of 20