02-14-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, February 14, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (I8. BIG ISLAND — REMOVAL OF STRUCTURES, Continued) consider their options. Franchot indicated he would be in favor of removing the remaining structures, which likely puts the City on a direct route to removing the utilities. Printup stated he is fine with removing the structures but that he would like to look at other options for the utilities. McMillan stated also discussed briefly at the meeting was keeping some of the concrete slabs after the buildings are removed with the thought that picnic tables could perhaps be set on them. Ralph Kempf asked if there is going to be any provision for any type of restroom facilities. McMillan indicated there is not going to be due to the vandalism. Kempf stated if there is a functional well, there could be a hand pump installed to allow for some potable water. Franchot noted these issues have been discussed for a number of years and that given the history of vandalism that has occurred on the Island over the years, anything that is left there is a target for the vandals and that in his opinion a hand pump would be destroyed within a relatively short period of time. The City does not have enough of a presence on the Island to prevent the vandalism and does not have the • resources to provide that type of presence on the Island. Bremer commented it was always envisioned that use of Big Island would be passive and that it is impossible to prevent all vandalism. The committee has looked at this issue for a number of years and every time the vandalism gets worse. Bremer stated she would like to have surveillance out there but that the costs for video surveillance are high. Bremer indicated she is in favor of waiting until the structures are removed to make a decision on the slabs and the utilities. Bremer commented that unfortunately the City will likely need to go the route of removing the utilities but that she would like to know what the costs will be to preserve what is there. Kempf noted these are porcelain fixtures and that there are other fixtures that are sturdier that could be installed. Franchot stated the City had been told that Three Rivers had experimented with the installation of a bomb proof toilet and that it was promptly blown up. Dave Rahn indicated he has toured Big Island and that it is difficult to maintain the facilities. Rahn noted the sailing school was approved to use the Island this summer. Rahn recommended that any function out there should be required to supply a biff, which would be removed after the event is over. Rahn stated as it relates to the discussion about demolition of the buildings and leaving the foundation, the City would need to grout the well first to prevent any debris from getting in there. Typically the well is removed first and then the building is removed. • Page 16 of 18