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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 25, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 21 PRESENTATION (4. RESIDENT PRESENTATION FOR GOLF COURSE IDEAS, Continued) Levang noted she has spent time with Jane and Ron discussing the golf course and that she is impressed with the ideas that have been presented. Levang commented this is the spark that the City needs to improve the golf course, and that the 100 year anniversary is not that far away. Levang encouraged the City and the residents to keep moving forward with their proposals. Ron Steffenhagen, Orono Golf Course Manager/Superintendent, stated he is excited with a lot of the proposals, particularly the sculpture. Steffenhagen stated in his view better signage would be very helpful and that he hopes the City can help with that. Bradley Hansen, President of the Orono Lions Club, stated he would like to thank Ron Ridgeway and the others who have worked on this. Hansen indicated he is in favor of everything that has been proposed and that it would be nice to keep the Orono Golf Course going for another 100 years. Hansen indicated his family has used the golf course for sledding, golfing and gatherings over the years. Hansen noted the Lions have been discussing creating a Frisbee course, which has become popular among the youth, and they have been setting aside some money for that. Hansen stated he would propose the City consider creating a Frisbee course near the golf course which would help bring people to the course. A Frisbee course would consist of a cage set up along the side of the fairway where they would be able to throw a Frisbee into a cage, which would be another recreational opportunity for the residents and help bring money into the golf course. Hansen stated at an upcoming meeting with the district governor, the Orono Lions will be pledging $2,500 towards the golf course as well as enlisting volunteers to help clean up the golf course. Hansen stated he has watched the popularity of the golf course go down over the years, and by coming up with some type of plan and budget, it will help improve the golf course and community as a whole. Hansen stated the Lions are here to help and that they would like a commitment from the City to help as well. Marshall Hambro indicated he has lived in Minnesota for the past 25 years. He originally moved here from Brooklyn, New York, in the fall of 1988. As they drove around the area, they saw the Orono Golf Course and fell in love with it. Hambro indicated he has played every weekend at the golf course and also work at the golf course. The golf course has meant a tremendous amount to me, and now that the City has some volunteers on board, he is looking forward to the 100-year celebration and many more fond memories. Doug Whiteley, 60 Orono Orchard Road, stated he lives across from the golf course and has been there since 1986. Whiteley noted rounds of golf have been going down over the past few years but that last year was really bad and should not be considered. Whiteley encouraged the group to get a business plan put together, come up with a budget, and prioritize what should be done. Whiteley stated the land used by the golf course should not be developed since it is a valuable asset to the community. Ivan Corazalla stated he does not live in Orono but he does go to the Orono Golf Course on a regular basis. Corazalla commented he is drawn to the golf course by the friendly attitude and nice people. Corazalla stated in his view these ideas are things that we can do as a group to make it a better place and that he is in favor of it 100 percent. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 03/11/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 02/25/2013 [Page 4 of 21]