03-11-1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 11, 1996 ( #13 - OBA Request for Expanded Use of Bederwood - Continued) Kelley said he disagreed. He felt, even with community growth, the City needs to stand up for the families and their values. He considered the hours of sunlight in a day versus the actual amount of time used by the OBA and did not see that as being a large portion of the available park time. Kelley said alot of the parking problems at Bederwood were because of the Luce Line, which he felt could be resolved. He said he was in favor of the 3 nights as well as Saturdays. Goetten said that was not the issue she was referring to. She said the City was taking responsibility and so should the other communities. Goetten noted that baseball fields were low on the priority list in the recent citizen survey. Hallquist said he has been speaking with other communities. He said Maple Plain was providing one more field at Rainbow. He also has meetings with Long Lake and Independence. Hallquist said there were three fields that had grassed infields and raised mounds, which is required for baseball. Jabbour said the needs of children were also found to be the objective with the hockey association proposal. He said this emphasized the City's backing of the children of the area. He is concerned with broken promises. Jabbour said Bederwood is located near the Luce Line and used by many groups during all hours of the day which requires the • Council to reserve the right for others to use the park too. Hallquist said the problem is that the citizens will perceive Orono as not backing their youth. He reminded the Council that the Park Commission had recommended 3 nights usage. Jabbour said there is a need for planning for park usage without having one group dominate a park. Hallquist said he did not think the request was unreasonable. He noted that Maple Plain gave their immediate cooperation to the request for a field. Kelley asked Park Commissioner Use to comment. Ilse said the Park Commission supports the Orono youth as does the Council noting the provisions made for youth at Bederwood, Hackberry, and other parks. She said the original request came from the girls softball association through Hallquist. The Commission was concerned with excluding other groups. They saw the one additional night usage, which was actually intended to be used by the boys baseball, as a temporary solution with the hope that something would be worked out for the future. Personally, Ilse said she felt the decision put the Council in a tough position as the 3 nights would only be a temporary solution. She noted the ditticult history behind baseball use at Bederwood and the resulting broken promises. Ilse said the people in charge should be used as role models, yet deals made • are not being kept, which is not representative of good role models. 7