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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,February 13,2017 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Edwards indicated he does not know that offhand. <br /> Gaffron stated to his recollection it was approximately$70,000 per dock. <br /> Edwards displayed some pictures of the docks being pulled out of the water. <br /> Crosby asked how often the Minnehaha stops at Big Island. <br /> Edwards stated he does not know that at this time but that it has been at least a couple of years since they <br /> have docked there. <br /> Seals asked how often the docks are used. Seals stated as a boat user she has never used the docks and <br /> that they would just beach their boat. Seals stated she is wondering whether the docks are really needed. <br /> Edwards stated the City does not have any cameras or counters on Big Island to determine how often the <br /> docks are used but that he has heard from some residents that they utilize the docks. Edwards stated the <br /> City does not have a boat of their own to check on the docks or the park. <br /> Mayor Walsh asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this item. <br /> There were no public comments. <br /> Walsh stated by way of history,the park was owned by the veterans and they were experiencing some <br /> financial problems,which led to them wanting to sell the land. Three Rivers was originally going to be <br /> the buyer of the park and make it a regional park. The veterans were not in favor of making it a regional <br /> park and as a result approached the City of Orono. The State of Minnesota provided a$2 million grant <br /> and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District was given an easement over a large portion of the park in <br /> exchange for$800,000. In addition,the Lurton family had donated$1 million to the City,which went <br /> towards the purchase. Walsh stated the Lurton family was unaware of that allocation and had threatened <br /> litigation after the fact,wluch resulted in the City smoothing that over. MN/DOT also provided$3,000 <br /> and the City of Orono contributed$1,550,000. <br /> Walsh stated what he has done over the past few years is to look at how to possibly unwind some of this <br /> but that it is difficult given the different parties and the easement. Walsh stated the City deemed it a <br /> passive park,which means that no building can occur in the park. Walsh stated if you look at who is <br /> really the model for a regional park,which this is really a regional park,the entity responsible for regional <br /> parks in the area is Three Rivers. Walsh noted Three Rivers owns a number of islands in the area and <br /> does not have any docks at any of their other passive parks. Walsh stated vandalism has been an issue <br /> whenever the City attempts to make improvements to the park and that the City does not have the <br /> resources to monitor the park since Orono is not a regional park manager. <br /> Walsh stated the park will stay a passive pazk and that his suggestion would be to follow the Three Rivers <br /> model for a regional passive park. Walsh stated if people want to throw their anchor and get out and walk <br /> around,they will still be able to do that. Walsh noted Three Rivers owns some land adjacent to the City <br /> park on the island and that perhaps the City could have Three Rivers mow their portion for a small fee. <br /> Walsh asked how often the City mows the park. <br /> Page 3 of 18 <br />