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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />MEETING HELD ON MARCH 11, 1996 <br />CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT • <br />( #13) ORONO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION REQUEST FOR EXPANDED USE <br />OF BEDERWOOD BASEBALL FIELD <br />Tom Hallquist was present, representing the Orono Baseball Association. <br />Moorse reported that the Orono Baseball and Softball Association has asked to expand <br />the usage to three nights a week at Bederwood Park. The current agreement with the <br />association allows two nights per week. <br />Goetten asked if this additional time was for the boys baseball or for girls softball. She <br />was informed that the extra night would be used by the boys for baseball as it is a baseball <br />field. This would open up another night at Holbrook for girls softball. <br />Kelley voiced his strong support for allowing the additional night of usage at Bederwood. <br />Jabbour suggested a decision should be made when all members of the Council were <br />present. Jabbour noted that the Council had entered into'a good faith contract less than <br />one year ago, which was negotiated by the Mayor, and has worked to come to an <br />agreement with the neighbors. Jabbour opined that there was a need for a long term plan <br />and solution. <br />Tom Hallquist, who is a girls softball coach, said their organization originally asked for 4 • <br />nights per week, which he said was necessary for scheduling of the 90 teams. Hallquist <br />suggested that he would have to tell the association that the City of Orono would not <br />cooperate. Hallquist said the association paid $28,000 for the Bederwood field, has <br />received $20,000 back, and is owed $8,000, yet is only allowed 2 nights usage. Hallquist <br />continued that what had happened last year was now history, and the association will <br />probably come back and ask for even more usage noting that "times have changed ". <br />Goetten informed Hallquist that she was in on the discussions from the very beginning. <br />She said she was not necessarily against the additional usage but had thought the usage <br />issue had been resolved. Goetten noted the usage of 4 fields, which excludes the Orono <br />School District fields. She suggested the association look at the needs and ask for the <br />support of the other communities, whose children are in the OBA. <br />Jabbour suggested other Orono Parks be considered. He said there were other groups <br />who want to use the parks as well. <br />• <br />6 <br />