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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, May 12, 2014 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />  Page 12 of 16  <br />(9. SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT – LONG LAKE ROWING CLUB, Continued) <br /> <br />Gaffron noted Orono has never established a system of park use permits and generally has not honored <br />requested for exclusive use of park properties by individuals or groups. The exception is the Orono <br />Baseball Association which has long-standing agreements for use of the ball fields at Bederwood and <br />Hackberry Parks. Allowing the Rowing Club exclusive use of Summit Beach either as a base of <br />operation or for storage of rowing shells would be inconsistent with past City practice. <br /> <br />Staff has a question as to whether two such rowing organizations operating on the lake will have a <br />negative impact on public use of the lake. Whether the two organizations use the lake at concurrent times <br />or at different times, the potential impact on other lake users is not known, and it would be prudent to see <br />what impacts the approved use has during 2014 before approving a second such use. <br /> <br />In addition, the request for use of Summit Park Beach for storage of rowing shells is inconsistent with <br />past City practice regarding exclusive use of city park properties. The request for lake use approval given <br />to the Rowing Crew in February was specifically conditioned on not impeding the use of Summit Park <br />Beach facilities and access by the public. It would be inconsistent with that action to now allow a similar <br />applicant to use Summit Park Beach for equipment storage parking, and as a base of operation. <br /> <br />Staff would recommend denial of the current application. <br /> <br />Printup noted the City of Orono has never allowed special events or reservations of a particular area, and <br />asked if the City can deny something that is not allowed or whether it would be best to leave it alone. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated it is something that has not been allowed and that the City Council could simply say they <br />do not approve it. <br /> <br />McMillan noted the City does not generally allow private organizations to reserve city-owned parks and <br />that the City currently does not have a permit process for the parks and beaches. McMillan stated the <br />proposed use of Summit Beach is not an option since the City does not allow it. McMillan stated if it will <br />not occur at Summit Beach, the City Council will need to know what other proposed location the <br />applicant has in mind. <br /> <br />Bremer stated that is consistent with her understanding and her thoughts on the application. <br /> <br />Todd Wilson, 130 Manor Circle, Orono, stated he would like to have his application considered as two <br />separate requests. Wilson indicated they currently have permanent boat storage with private parking <br />behind the dentist’s office near the Red Rooster as well as a space where rowers are able to train indoors. <br />Wilson stated the idea of going to Summit Beach was something that was simply being considered and is <br />not essential to their operations. <br /> <br />Wilson stated he currently has a small group of kids and that he would respect any restrictions the Council <br />may place on the group’s growth. Wilson stated they also typically attempt to row when there is not a lot <br />of other lake traffic and that he has spent a lot of money to purchase a wakeless launch to prevent shore <br />erosion. <br /> <br />McMillan stated if he is not interested in Summit Beach, it would be helpful to know where he would be <br />launching the boats.