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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, October 28, 2013 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />    Page 4 of 14   <br />(BIG ISLAND PARK REPORT & AIS UPDATE – GABRIEL JABBOUR, CUSTODIAN, Continued) <br /> <br />McMillan noted a number of cities are talking about milfoil but that the discussion should perhaps focus <br />more on what new AIS is coming down the road. McMillan asked what the likelihood of new AIS in <br />Lake Minnetonka? <br /> <br />Jabbour stated he is attempting to make Lake Minnetonka a lab or the focus place that can be studied by a <br />number of scientists. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, with the help of the Watershed <br />District, has received a grant from the State of Minnesota, is doing a big study on zeganox on Lake <br />Minnetonka. Jabbour stated if those agencies remain involved, the City would be very fortunate. <br /> <br />PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS – DENISE LESKINEN, REPRESENTATIVE <br /> <br />Leskinen stated she had nothing to report but would be available for questions. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> <br />Donna Hager, 4580 West Branch Road, noted she and her neighbor Terri Eastman, sent out a letter <br />recently and that they are here tonight regarding the Lakeview Golf Course. Hager stated they would like <br />the golf course to remain as open space. If the area is kept as open space, it could be used for year-round <br />activities. Hager commented that perhaps the City or Hennepin County could consider purchasing the <br />property. <br /> <br />Hager stated in her view part of the problem is that a majority of the citizens do not know about the <br />proposed change. Hager indicated she did not know about it until she read in the paper that it was being <br />sold. Hager noted the sale is contingent upon the rezoning application and without that change it could <br />stay as open space. <br /> <br />Hager stated the owner of the property; Grant Wenkstern would like to sell the property, which is <br />understandable. Hager indicated she purchased her property that adjoins the golf course in 1959 and has <br />raised her family there. Hager commented the area is a place that is very personal and very much home. <br />Hager stated she personally as well as the neighbors, would like to see this area kept as open space. The <br />area could have a tennis court, swimming pool, run/walk paths, mini golf, or a 9-hole golf course, a <br />clubhouse, which already exists, and a parking lot. In the winter there could be cross-country skiing, a <br />sliding hill, skiing, and snowshoeing. <br /> <br />Hager stated having been engaged in recreational activities all of her life, she is very interested in <br />recreation for children, adults and the whole community. Hager stated the open green space invites <br />people to live here and that she likes the fact that Orono prefers open space. Hager stated in her view the <br />majority of the residents would like to keep Orono pretty much as is, but that the residents need to be <br />informed about what is occurring in their community. Hager stated if the residents lose this 120 acre <br />parcel of property of open green space, it will be gone forever. <br /> <br />McMillan noted the City Council will be discussing that application in depth at the November 12th <br />Council meeting and that her letter will be taken into consideration along with the other letters the City <br />has received. McMillan stated Ms. Hager is welcome to attend the November 12 meeting. <br />Item #03 - CC Agenda - *11/12/2013 <br />Approval of Council Minutes 10/28/2013 <br />[Page 4 of 14]