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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 23, 2009 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 3 of 11 (4. COUNTY ROAD 15 SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECT, Continued) existing concrete piles. A 20-foot wide swatch of open area will be left to allow people to gain access down to the lake. Murphy opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Kevin Kokesh, 1399 Orono Lane, indicated he is in favor of the shoreline stabilization but is not particularly in favor of the improvements to the access down to the lake due to issues that may arise with trespassers and debris. Kokesh asked whether this area is classified as a public access. Kokesh suggested if this is classified as a public access, he would like fencing and signage erected as well as a garbage can placed in the area. Gaffron noted that Hennepin County is also involved in this project and that this area has been used as a fishing area since at least the 1980s. Gaffron asked whether there is a port-a-potty in the area. Tom Robbe stated there is not. Robbe indicated several times he has been asked by Mr. Hamm to erect no trespassing signs to help deter people from the area, which has been to no avail, and that over the years he has observed a considerable amount of garbage being left. In addition, that corner is very crowded, which does not allow for easy access to the site. Robbe stated the area is basically a party area and that he anticipates the situation will not improve if the area is upgraded. Gaffron stated it is not the city’s intention to allow boats summer access to the lake from this area and that it is designed for access during the winter months. The goal of the project is to make the area more environmentally stable but not to turn it into a heavily used public access point. An unidentified resident of Orono Lane, asked whether a fence could be installed and whether the police could routinely patrol the area. The neighbors are also experiencing problems with theft from time to time. Gaffron stated technically the City’s code does not allow a fence within 75 feet of the lake but that in his view this is a situation that quite possibly would warrant a variance for a fence. Dana Wells, 1397 Orono Lane, asked if this is a stabilization project or an access project. Kale stated this is a restoration project and that the only reason the access to the lake is being improved slightly is because the access is pre-existing. Kale stated there is no intention of turning this area into a boat access. Wells indicated this year more traffic than ever was observed in that area and that she has seen up to 30 to 40 trucks parked on the ice at one time. At night the lights shine into their house, which is offensive and constitutes an invasion of their privacy. Wells suggested a bunch of rocks be dumped in the area to prevent the trucks from accessing the lake. McMillan noted that this area may have experienced more traffic this past winter due to some problems with the access near Sailor’s World. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 04/13/09 Approval of Council Minutes 03/23/09 [Page 3 of 11]