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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, May 11, 2015 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />15. LIVINGSTON (TOWER) PARK IMPROVEMENT PLAN REQUEST (continued) <br />Printup indicated he would be in favor of the City encouraging the neighbors to perhaps do some <br />plantings but that he has a concern with spending $20,000 on some improvements. <br />Levang pointed out the cost is not $20,000 and that it is a guestimate at this point. Levang stated the issue <br />is screening and whether Homeland Security would allow it, which is something that needs to be <br />investigated as to what actually can go in there since there has to be an ability to see in there. Levang <br />noted a number of hostas were planted at Navarre Park by the neighbors, which cost the City nothing <br />except for the wood chips. Levang stated in that situation everything was done by volunteers and that she <br />can see that happening again here. <br />McMillan stated the question is whether the design creates certain expectations. McMillan stated she <br />understands they do not have to do everything included in the design. McMillan noted the City got hung <br />up a couple of years ago with the Homeland Security issue on the fencing. <br />McMillan stated she does not know who did the original design with the benches, but that the park has <br />been cleaned up and that it would be nice to get some improvements in this park. McMillan stated her <br />question is in relation to the other parks and other play equipment and how this is prioritized against the <br />other parks. McMillan asked whether the City has playground equipment that needs to be replaced in the <br />near future. <br />Edwards stated the Park Commission has developed a priority list this year and that they would like to <br />target Summit Beach, French Creek, Lydiard Beach, and this park this year. The other three parks that <br />the Park Commission would like to focus on this year fall well within the maintenance realm. In the case <br />of Livingston Park, other than mowing, the Park Commission is out of maintenance things to do and the <br />question is whether it should be developed. <br />Walsh stated his question related to the priority of this park versus the other parks and that he would like <br />to see some more information on that. Walsh indicated he is in favor of making Orono's parks better, <br />which is the reason why the Park Commission was re-established. Walsh asked if the improvements can <br />come out of the park dedication fee fund. <br />Edwards stated one possibility is the Park Fund and the other possibility is upping the Park Commission's <br />regular budget for next year. <br />McMillan stated the benches would be an improvement and could come out of the Park Fund. McMillan <br />noted a port -a -potty would be a monthly expense. <br />Walsh stated he would like to better understand where the money would come from. Walsh asked how <br />much the Park Fund has in it. <br />McMillan stated the Park Fund has approximately $600,000 in it and that the City Council allocated <br />$10,000 for maintenance at the parks. <br />Walsh stated regardless of what the improvements cost, he would like to sort out the funding a little bit <br />better so the projects can be prioritized. Walsh stated he would like to do the improvements but that they <br />need to figure out what is coming out of the general fund and what is not coming out of the general fund. <br />Page 17 of 25 <br />