03-11-1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 11, 1996 (# 13 - OBA Request for Expanded Use of Bederwood - Continued) • Hallquist said the girls softball would love to use Bederwood but the field is a baseball field. The recommendation allowed for Bederwood to be used for boys baseball an additional night and Holbrook for an additional night of girls softball. This, Hallquist saw, is two communities, Orono and Long Lake, working together. Kelley noted that Holbrook originally was a baseball field. Hallquist said, as far as breaking their word or contract, he did not see it as being that harsh as breaking a legal document or lying. Hallquist was informed by Goetten that it was a legal document. Hallquist said, "As bad as it may seem, times are changing; groups are growing, organizations are growing." He added, "to break your word or lie, as you want to say; yes, we had to lie or break our word to get an extra field, I don't think that's too bad. ". Hallquist said their opinions and thoughts have changed to meet the growing needs of the community. Goetten suggested tabling the issue until the Mayor returned and put the item on the next Council agenda. Kelley said he was the Council member in favor of the usage at Bederwood and would not be in attendance at the next Council meeting. Jabbour said the theme was not "us against you" or Orono against children. He noted • personal contributions made by Kelley and himself towards the OBA fields. Jabbour said it was a matter of balancing conflicting interests. Hallquist asked if he could rely on three nights at Bederwood and three at Holbrook for his scheduling and was informed that he would have to wait until the next Council meeting on March 25 for that decision. He asked what he was to tell those signing up for ball. Jabbour and Goetten were both in favor of tabling the matter. Hallquist said that would send a perceived message, noting the Park Commission approved the 3 nights of ball, and wanted action taken now. Jabbour moved, Goetten seconded, to table the decision on the baseball usage at Bederwood for the upcoming season. Vote: Ayes 2, Goetten, Jabbour; Nays 1, Kelley. Hallquist said this was his third meeting on the issue. Jabbour said he had not seen Hallquist before the Council meeting. Jabbour said the needs should first be considered. Hallquist asked to discuss with Council what the needs were. Jabbour said there was a possibility of discussing the issue at an upcoming work session. • g