04-25-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 25, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT - DAKOTA RAIL TRAIL PARKING, Continued) Franchot commented that of course the residents have concerns but that it is premature to say that the community as a whole is against adding parking. Franchot stated it is great that the City Council has had this input from the residents but that it does not preclude the City from looking into it further. McMillan stated she wanted the residents to know right away that the Council's intention tonight is not to figure out the parking situation. McMillan stated the City needs to keep track of what is going on with the current parking situation but that adding a new parking facility at this time is not the City's intention. McMillan indicated she wanted the residents to know that the Council has heard their concerns and that perhaps there can be a consensus reached among the City Council members on how best to proceed forward. Franchot stated that was his point earlier and that the City Council needs to figure out what the problems are and in what direction the City is ready to proceed. Franchot stated in his view it is premature to declare that there will be no parking in that area. L] McMillan stated the City is aware there are parking issues there but that she would like the residents to know that she is not speaking about adding new parking facilities. McMillan commented she is concerned about people getting anxious that the City is going to create a new parking facility in Crystal Bay that is not there presently. If the City is going to pursue that path, the residents need to be aware of that before any decisions are made. • Franchot indicated he is in agreement with that and that the City needs to determine what kind of problems exist, look at the options, and then try to arrive at a solution. Franchot commented it is normal that the neighbors have concerns but that there needs to be a thorough discussion and examination of the options. Bremer stated in her view the City should look at a more commercial location for parking and that she would be in favor of looking at the fire station parking lot even though the topography is not great at that site. The City needs to know what the costs would be and who is going to pay for it. Bremer commented she would also like the city lot to be looked at and that it would be helpful if the City obtained some feedback from the business owners on that option. McMillan commented that the residents will likely continue to see cars pulling off on Orono Orchard Road, as well as other local roads, and that there needs to be better police enforcement. McMillan stated in her view that is a separate issue from creating a new parking facility. Printup commented that this is the beginning of the conversation and that no decisions will be made without a thorough discussion and review of the issues. One of the options is that no new parking will be added, but the City should look at finding the most appropriate place for trail parking. 5. RALPH KEMPF - NAVARRE AREA PLANNING Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, stated this evening he would like to briefly recap for the City Council the Navarre planning history to date and speak to priorities for Navarre in light of today's challenges and opportunities. Over the years there have been three major forays into planning for Navarre. The first i occurred from 1989 to 1990, then again in 2003, and once again in 2005 -2006. - Page 8 of 25