10-10-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (3a. DONATION GARDEN- LIZZ LEVANG, Continued) Bremer commented she likes the 90 -day caveat if the property were to be sold. Wysocki requested if there is a rental agreement, that the City consider a $1 per year rental fee. The water usage ended up being $32.00. Wysocki indicated she would be able to provide the list of items in the next couple of days. The City Council took no formal action on this item. 3b. NAVARRE - JEANNE ENGLUND Jeanne Englund stated this is a follow -up inquiry of the area to the 2008 reinvestment vision developed by the City. On September 1" a letter was mailed to Navarre businesses and interested residents to see whether things have changed in the community and whether they are happy with the progress being made in the area. One of the overwhelming concerns mentioned was that the businesses cannot afford increased property taxes. There are a number of conflicting priorities for individuals, but the residents feel it is possible to make some definite changes. Some ideas include adding more sidewalks, improving the visibility of city signs, regular cleanup projects, improving the concrete triangles at the intersection of County Roads 15 • and 19, permanent sidewalk planters with sustainable shrubs and poles. Englund stated she has been rewarded in this effort by meeting her neighbors and other residents. Englund indicated she would like to see the City have some long -term goals established for the Navarre area. McMillan noted she will distribute the photographs supplied by Ms. Englund to the other council members. Frank Massarano indicated he acquired a building near the dental office and across from the Freshwater facility last year and has undertaken some improvements to the building. Massarano indicated he would like to have such a committee in the Navarre area to allow them to get to know the residents in the area and to see what type of funds are available for improvements. Massarano submitted a before and after brochure on the building to the City Council. Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, stated he has spoken with Jeanne Englund about Navarre on a couple of occasions and helped provide some history of the improvements in the area. Kempf indicated on the overhead is Concept A from the 2006 reinvestment vision and that it contains a number of wonderful ideas for the Navarre area. All of the proposed amenities are good but that the bottom line is no one is willing to fund this type of project either in 2006 or currently. Kempf commented it is unlikely these improvements will be made in the near future given the lack of funding but that it should be kept in mind as a long -term investment and vision for the area. Kempf stated one of the items the residents were interested in was pedestrian trails and safety, which this plan accomplishes. Currently the intersection is designed exclusively for vehicles and contains all pavement and the stoplights are an impediment to traffic.. Kempf stated Concept A includes pedestrian friendly amenities and recommended that this plan be kept in mind going forward. Page 3 of 13