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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />MEETING HELD ON MARCH 25,1996 <br />( #8 - Bederwood - Continued) 0 <br />Rich Kiemen asked if he could hear the comments of the Park Commission, who he noted <br />recommended approval of the third night of usage at Bederwood. Goetten emphasized <br />that the Park Commission was not aware of all the facts involving the issue, nor were <br />they aware of the details of the contract between the City and the OBA. <br />Park Chair Flint was in attendance and commented on the difficulty in arriving at <br />decisions when dealing with different organizations. Flint said the Park Commission <br />reviewed this proposal at two of their meetings. At their January, 1996, meeting, it was <br />suggested that Bederwood be modified as a multi -use field but the motion failed. An <br />alternate proposal was for the trade. Flint said the Park Commission was not aware of <br />other options available. <br />Park Commissioner Ilse addressed the problem of wet fields at Hackberry. One problem <br />with a leaking well was repaired last year. Gerhardson said the other problem resulting in <br />a wet field will be remedied this year. Ilse said the Park Commission and Council would <br />like to look for long term solutions. <br />Meyers said Hackberry could not be counted on for this spring and the church space <br />could not be committed to at this time. <br />Jabbour said he had spoken with the mayor of Long Lake and questioned whether the • <br />Orono Girls Softball actually had secured arrangements with Long Lake for softball <br />usage. He also was surprised that Long Lake charged for the usage of their fields. <br />Meyers said the amount paid is to reimburse for the electricity for the lights, which <br />amounts to less than $5 a night. He said Holbrook was the best field for softball and has <br />easily gained approval to use that field in the past. Meyers said the proposed changes to <br />Hwy 12 could result in the loss of Holbrook, and long term plans were needed to provide <br />a softball field. He noted that an adult team would also like to play softball. Callahan <br />said he was under the impression that Girls Softball had already made arrangements with <br />Long Lake for the usage of Holbrook. <br />Kiemen reiterated that the OBA was not interested in breaking the existing contract for <br />usage at Bederwood. He said when Bederwood was originally discussed for baseball, the <br />usage was to be on a temporary basis. Kiemen noted that the City assisted with the <br />building of the Lee Carlson Field. This was a long term solution for the OBA. Kiemen <br />said Girls Softball has an immediate need and asked if there was any room for allowing a <br />one year term to use Bederwood for the additional night. Goetten asked Kiemen if he <br />believed in the integrity of a contract. Kiemen said he did. Goetten said there was <br />nothing else then to discuss regarding usage at Bederwood. <br />Goetten said she was in favor of forming a committee to look into long term needs. She <br />noted if the immediate need was there that there have been alternatives presented. <br />is <br />10 <br />