Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,February 27,2017 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 17. BIG ISLAND DOCK PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT(continued) <br /> Cochrane stated the action that was taken at the last City Council meeting was mind boggling and that <br /> what came out of that last meeting was kind of jaw dropping. Cochrane stated in his view the Council <br /> and the mayor acted in a manner where they did not give a lot of thought to what they were doing. <br /> Cochrane stated it was pretty immediate the way it went down. Cochrane stated in the scheme of life it is <br /> pretty simple and that for every action there is a reaction. Cochrane stated in his view during the past two <br /> weeks the Council got a good sense of the reaction. <br /> Cochrane stated he feels very strongly that the City Council needs to restore the maintenance fees of <br /> putting the docks in and out and that it needs to stay a line item in the City's budget. Cochrane stated the <br /> City should not be relying on private donations for that since it is an integral part of the community. <br /> Cochrane stated he would like to see his fellow veterans and especially people with disabilities be able to <br /> use that park. <br /> Willie Pargo stated he has been listening to people speak about the convenience of the docks at Big <br /> Island. Pargo questioned the liability for the City of Orono if someone got hurt on that island. Pargo <br /> noted one life helicopter ride would probably cost the price of those docks and that he would ask the <br /> Council to rescind the order and replace the docks. <br /> Brad Erickson,2160 West Wayzata Boulevard,noted that he owns the Orono service station and that his <br /> late father served during the Cuban missile crisis. Erickson stated what it boils down to is the City made <br /> a deal with the veterans prior to this City Council to keep access open in perpetuity. The City last year <br /> spent$150,000 to$160,000 to put the fence around the dog park,which indicates to him that dogs are <br /> important to the City. <br /> Erickson stated having heard what he has heard already tonight,he believes the Council is moving in the <br /> right direction already,but that he just wants to say that a deal is a deal with the veterans. The veterans <br /> held up their end of the agreement and that it probably is not legal to let them down at this point. If that <br /> were even possible,there would be a stain on the City as far as whether the City cares more about dogs <br /> and taking care of dogs than the veterans. Erickson stated he dcesn't think so and that he would really <br /> urge the Council to reconsider. Erickson stated he realizes there are other problems with vandalism and <br /> such but that they should put on their problem solving hats. Erickson stated the City Council does work <br /> for these people whether they are Orono citizens or not and that they just have to figure it out. <br /> Bob Brown,Mound,asked whether the Mayor would like to keep the discussion going or whether they <br /> would like to vote on it now. <br /> Walsh indicated he will let the veterans go for as long as they would like to go. <br /> Brown stated the veterans were part of an organization back in 1992 to take over the maintenance of Big <br /> Island Park. With the help of Mr.Jabbour,the veterans took care of the island while it was a veterans <br /> camp. Brown indicated he has the City of Orono Nature Management Plan and on Page 26 it says,sites <br /> and facilities management goal,improve access to mobility within the park. Objective,provide docks and <br /> landing areas to allow for the public access by boats. Brown noted that is one of the goals outlined in <br /> Orono's plan. <br /> Page 6 of 23 <br />