11-26-2012 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 13, 2012 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 11 (5. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT, Continued) Long noted that he chose to do this project because Orono currently only has a World War memorial and that he would like to recognize all veterans. The memorial will consist of a reflection bench; a plaque with a quote on it; five flag poles, one for the Army, Navy, Air force, Coast Guard, and Marines and colored landscaping glass in the inner circle by the American flagpole. The color purple represents sacrifice, which is the reason it will be used in the display. Longe depicted pictures of the proposed layout and plaque design including five symbols of the various branches of the military and the language “In Honor of Those Who Serve.” The plaque would be 24” x 12” and made of bronze. The projected cost of the plaque is $749.00. Longe indicated he would be willing to consider other options if the City Council would like different wording on the plaque or a different design. Possible funding sources include Outdoor Excapes, who has offered to donate one or two granite boulders that can be used as sitting stones and/or a mount for the plaque. They have also offered the use of heavy equipment where needed. Longe indicated he is also in the process of speaking to other local businesses and service organizations and would solicit additional community donations via an article in the Pioneer Press, Sun Sailor, and/or Minnetonka Patch. The total cost of the project is approximately $3,500. Longe noted here would be no cost to the City for the construction of the project. Longe stated he would like to commence construction early next summer, with the removal of trees and bushes, the installation of flagpoles, landscaping glass, sodding, and the plaque. The area would serve as a reminder to the people who visit City Hall of the sacrifice all veterans have made for America and would add more color and create a more attractive entrance. Mayor McMillan thanked Thomas Longe for his presentation. Printup indicated he is okay with the project but that he has a concern with the removal of the trees. Printup asked whether the trees have any significance to the City. Gaffron stated he is not aware of any significance for the trees and they are probably there merely for landscaping purposes. Gaffron noted the trees have started to push out into the sidewalk area and will possibly become too large for that area at some point in the future. Gaffron indicated he is not opposed to removing them. Bremer stated she likes the proposal and that it would be an improvement over what currently exists. Bremer indicated she is also supportive of the bench and that she agrees the veterans should be honored. The biggest concern would be the five smaller flag poles and the closeness to the building. The City would also have to incur the cost for flag maintenance after the flags are installed. Bremer stated the City will have to acknowledge that they will incur a small cost for flag upkeep. Longe indicated the smaller flag poles would be 15 feet tall, which is a little over half of the height of the American flag pole. The flag poles would fly the flags of the various military branches. Longe indicated he has not looked at what type of material the flags would be made out of. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 11/26/2012 Approval of Council Minutes 11/13/2012 [Page 2 of 11]