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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-1990 Park Commission Minutes , + ' MINUTBS OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MBETING HELD MARCH 6, 1990 ATTENDANCE 7:35 P.M. - The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present: Bruce Kokal, Philip Bradley, James Gilbert and Lee Erger. The following represented the City staff : Public Works Director Gerhardson. The following persons were absent: Lester Kelley, Richard Flint, and Alexander Vongries. APPROVAL OF MINLTTES - Gilbert moved, Erger seconded to approve the minutes of the February 9, 1990 Park Commission meeting. PARR COMMISSION MEMBER FROM CITY OF PLYIrIODTH Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Plymouth, appeared before the Commisson at the request of the Commission to explain the Parks and Recreation Program for the City of Plymouth. Mr. Blank stated that the City of Plymouth contracted with a consultant to prepare a comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan for the City of Plymouth. The study started in 1981 and was completed in 16 months at a cost of $32,000 (survey cost $7,000, 100 questions). There were four major elements of the study: 1 . Parks (future needs ) 2 . Trail system 3. Lakes and streams 4 . Existing parks The park system was categorized into neighborhood parks which consisted of a community playfield, organized activity and close to major roadways. City parks addressed wetlands and lakes (Medicine Lake and Parkers Lake) . The bike/hike trails received the following classifications: Class I - 8' bituminous separated trail adjacent to major thoroughfares. Class 2 - paved shoulders adjacent to roadway. Class 3 - residential streets, low volume traffic. The study also addressed the parks already developed and how , they compared to future development. Eric stated that they have built 17 parks in the last 10 years. He also stated that the procedure they followed required them to prepare a request for proposa 1 (RFP) and have each f irm attend a Park Commission meeting for interview. Funding was available at the time of their development, not so accessible today. 1 MINUTES OF THB REGOLAR ORONO PARR COMMISSION MEETING HELD MARCH 6, 1990 The City of Plymouth currently budgeted l.l million dollars per year for maintenance of their Parks/Recreation Bike/Hike trail system. Lakeville sets out 150 per unit for trails. Plymouth currently has a flat fee of 850 per unit for Park Dedication Fee. EURASION MIL-FOIL OFF LOADING RBQUEST LMCD - Mr. Norm Paurus of the LMCD requested use of Lydiard Swim Beach for offloading of mil-foil for up to three days during a one week period of the summer of 1990. Bradley moved, Erger seconded, to appprove the Lydiard Swim Beach site contingent upon adjacent neighbors approval and no adverse impact on swimming activities. Motion was approved 4-0. ORONO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION - Orono Baseball Association request for improvements for Bederwood Park Baseball Diamond. Phil Bradley, Chair, explained to the audience the park system in Orono and the Park Dedication Fee schedule and that in 1989 the Park Commission conducted a survey of the park needs in Orono and the results were available should anyone be interested in reviewing them. Phil then explained the request from the Orono Baseball Association and outlined the concerns of the neighbors at the March 6th, Council meeting. The meeting was then opened for Public comments. Sherokee Isle - read from a petition signed by 58 citizens - see attached. Debbie Lewis from the Orono Soccer League stated that they currently use the outfield of the ball diamond and would not want to loose that site for soccer. She stated that they currently have a roster of all children from the Orono School District and use the f ie ld from September 9 - October 21. Debbie estimates that the total enrollment in the program could reach 400 children in the very near future. The Soccer League has used Bederwood for the last two years as well as Hackberry Park. Steve Whitman stated he was concerned about a loud speaker ' exclusive use, and impact on the community. He and his wife have lived on Eileen Street adjacent to Bederwood since 1987 and has noticed increased use in the park in the last few years. Dave Isle - was concerned about exclusive use and wanted to know where he could go for a pick up game. 2 MINDTES OF THE REGDLAR ORONO PARR COMMISSION MEETING HELD MARCH 6, 1990 Chairman Bradley stated that he had talked to Brian Bergstrom at Orono Community Education and was informed that the Orono Campus has: 2 - 90 ' Base line diamonds, 7 - Smaller fields for softball 4 - Smaller diamonds at Maple Plain Elementary On site available at school but would require costly grading. Phil also talked to Bill Fenholt at the Orono school and was informed that the recently purchased property on the east side of Old Crystal Bay Road would accommodate a little league field and other sports functions but would not be ready for development for another 2-4 years. A site plan is being developed by the school but may not be ready for another year. John Meridith - Why do they need permanent structures and concession stand. Pam Gregory - Concerned about permanent structures. Dave Isle - Wanted to know size of Little League vs softball. Phyllis Dunn - Concerned about impact on neighborhood concession stand will be attractive nuisance. Rich Anderson - Park should be used to serve the community. Gary Connell - What if field is not improved to Little League standards. Dave Fritz - is there a field at the school. Gary Larson from the Orono Baseball Association addressed the above concerns with the following comments. Prior to this year Orono School District children used the Mound facilities, Mound's enrollment has increased to the point that they had to tell Orono to find their own facilities. Orono Baseball Association has received sanction from the Little League organization but they must comply with criteria of the national Little League Association, such as dugouts. Is very safety orientated thereby the need for fencing, dugouts etc. In other words they must comply with the standards or they do not receive approval. The concession stand/press box is being requested because they must pay younger children for maintenance and pay for the umpire to officiate the games, the concession stand profits are the only income to the league. 3 MINUTBS OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARR COMMISSZON MEETING HELD MARCH 6, 1990 The dugouts , fencing and concession stand are being constructed permanently to avoid code violations and safety concerns. All of the structures can be removed if necessary when Little League moves to another site in the future. The outfield can be used for soccer in the fall. The Little League has requested and received confirmation of $15 ,000 from the Orono Lions Club to perform the necessary improvements. The question of using $15,000 at this site versus using the more permanent site on school property is a matter of economics. The cost for grading also at the school site could be $15 ,000 and total development of a ball diamond area could be $50,000. They cannot raise that kind of money to accomplish this now, in addition there must be a site plan approved for the school property which may be a year away. Park Commission, Gilbert showed the Commission and the audience a proposal prepared by the Orono Hockey Association which showed a hockey arena and ball diamonds on the Orono school property. After further discussion and comments the following motion was made by Gi 1 bert second by Koka 1 to approve the proposa 1 by the Orono Baseball Association contingent upon the following: 1. No concession stand (concessions can be sold but only from a mobile unit ) 2 . No lights 3 . No public address system 4. Parking lot to be expanded at City expenses (Park Dedication funds ) 5. City retain option to have Orono Baseball Association move structures at end of term 6. Orono Baseball Association to provide affidavit of insurance 7 . Annual review to approve/deny use of ball diamond 8. Orono Baseball Association allowed exclusive use of ball diamond Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. till dark, April 15 - July 15, 1990 9. Orono Baseball Association to be amenable to other uses of ball diamond if possible soccer etc. 10. Orono Baseball Association to post a schedule at the site 4 MINQTSS OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARR COMMISSION MEETING HELD MARCH 6, 1990 Motion approved 4-0 Park Commission's recommendation to be presented to the Orono Council on Monday March 12, 1990, 7:00 p.m. ADJODRNMBNT 10:30 P.M. The regular Park Commission meeting was adjourned at10 :30 p.m. Erger moved Gilbert second to adjorn. Motion approved. 5