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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, April 27, 2009 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />PAGE 15 <br />(12. DISCUSSION REGARDING BIG ISLAND REGULATIONS, Continued) <br /> <br />Murphy stated the committee is interested in doing everything they can to ensure the safety and <br />well-being of the visitors to the island but that given the complexity of the issues, they maybe <br />should look at not having the Minnehaha drop visitors off on the island. Murphy stated they <br />could have one or two people on the island that could assist the visitors but that the City will need <br />to decide whether they want to be in the transportation business or in the tour business. Murphy <br />stated in his opinion the City should only be in the transportation business. The committee does <br />not want to put the burden on the City, but if they feel it is worthwhile to allow people to have <br />that opportunity to visit the island, they need the assistance of the City to find those individuals <br />who would be willing to help with the groups. <br /> <br />Police Chief Farniok suggested the committee share its plans with the Water Patrol and the police <br />department to review. <br /> <br />Murphy stated the lack of bathroom facilities is the main issue given the amount of time the <br />group would be on the island. <br /> <br />Bremer stated without bathroom facilities, it is likely that people will relieve themselves in the <br />woods and leave debris behind that will need to be picked up. <br /> <br />White noted that currently there is not a taxi service available for people stranded on the lake. <br /> <br />Jabbour stated to his understanding most boats that are sold nowadays have a port-a-potty and <br />that he had thought a good option would be to purchase a boat with a bathroom and have <br />someone monitor it. Since the purchase of the island park, $1.4 million has been spent, with the <br />City spending approximately $110,000. The majority of the money spent by the City has been to <br />purchase the two docks. Jabbour noted that 50 barges of garbage were taken off the island during <br />the cleanup efforts. <br /> <br />McMillan stated the City does need to look at the long-term costs associated with having people <br />visit the island. <br /> <br />Jabbour stated the goal is to provide visitors to the island a safe and pleasurable trip. <br /> <br />Franchot asked whether there was any discussion concerning these issues before the park was <br />purchased. <br /> <br />White stated the Council felt the purchase was an exceptional deal and that they would work out <br />the issues as they came up. <br /> <br />McMillan stated the guiding principle for the committee has been to limit the impact to the island <br />and that one of the main issues surrounds the level of activity on the island. <br /> <br />Jabbour noted they have a contractual obligation with the Watershed District to create a safety <br />and management plan for the island. Jabbour indicated he has spent almost every day over the <br />past few months working with a representative from the Watershed District in developing a plan. <br /> <br /> <br />Item #02 - CC Agenda - 05/11/09 <br />Council Minutes 04/27/09 [Page 15 of 18]